The EI Podcast
The novel in Britain: from cover to cover
Philip Hensher speaks to Alastair Benn about his new book, ‘A History of the Novel in Brit…
September 3, 2026
Meritocracy Week
It’s Meritocracy Week on Engelsberg Ideas. Leading writers explore the global history of merit in culture and politics. Do meritocracies deliver on their promise? Is meritocracy working? Can the concept be fixed?
Podcast episodes
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The EI Podcast
Journeys in Europe’s grey zone
Hannah Lucinda Smith speaks to Caitlin Allen about her new book, ‘Hinterlands: Journeys th…
August 27, 2026
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The EI Podcast
Machiavelli still matters
Stephen Bowd speaks to Paul Lay about why, 500 years after his death, Niccolò Machiavelli …
August 20, 2026
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The EI Podcast
The entire history of cinema in one shot
Film critic David Thomson speaks to Paul Lay about his new book, ‘A Sudden Flicker of Ligh…
August 13, 2026
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The EI Podcast
America’s universal document: a curious history
Marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Michael Auslin speaks to Paul Lay…
August 6, 2026
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The EI Podcast
The alien world of Homer’s Odyssey
Classicist and actor Orlando Gibbs speaks to Alastair Benn about the strangeness of this a…
July 30, 2026