Podcast

Spectator Out Loud

Each week, several of the Spectator’s writers read their magazine articles out loud.

Each week, several of the Spectator’s writers read their magazine articles out loud.

James Heale, Angus Colwell, Lisa Haseldine & Chas Newkey-Burden

Spectator Out Loud

James Heale, Angus Colwell, Lisa Haseldine & Chas Newkey-Burden

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: James Heale reflects on Labour party conference; Angus Colwell goes on the hunt for Britain’s wokest bar; Lisa Haseldine reveals what she has been stockpiling; and Chas Newkey-Burden provides his notes on pickled onions. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 19 mins
James Heale, Angus Colwell, Lisa Haseldine & Chas Newkey-Burden
Freddy Gray, Michael Simmons, Elisabeth Braw & Angus Colwell

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Freddy Gray, Michael Simmons, Elisabeth Braw & Angus Colwell

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Freddy Gray delves into how a smooth-talking Democrat could win the Michigan mid-terms; Michael Simmons explores where the billionaires who leave Britain actually go; Elisabeth Braw explains how we will soon be in a battle for the sea bed; and Angus Colwell reflects on the food on offer at

Play 23 mins
Freddy Gray, Michael Simmons, Elisabeth Braw & Angus Colwell
Tim Shipman, Charles Steel, Alex Diggins & Rachel Johnson

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman, Charles Steel, Alex Diggins & Rachel Johnson

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman delves into the impact Ed Miliband’s Israeli sanctions have had on UK security; Charles Steel explores the men on the spectrum who rule the world; Alex Diggins talks about the importance of physical maps; and Rachel Johnson admits there’s an art to buying birthday presents.    Produced

Play 36 mins
Tim Shipman, Charles Steel, Alex Diggins & Rachel Johnson
Tali Fraser, John Power, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Tali Fraser, John Power, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tali Fraser delves into why Labour’s socioeconomic duty is attacking the middle classes; John Power tells us how clipping is changing politics, Sophia Money-Coutts muses over which car would best suit her dog; and Angus Colwell spills the beans on Soho’s newest Turkish restaurant.   Produced and presented by Abigail

Play 29 mins
Tali Fraser, John Power, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell
Spectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman, Patrick Galbraith, Robert Hardman & Matthew Reisz

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman, Robert Hardman, Patrick Galbraith & Matthew Reisz

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman explains why Keir Starmer’s empty seat could become a Green Party battleground; Robert Hardman tells us how the death of Norway’s King Harald could reshape the royal family; Patrick Galbraith says it has been a disastrous year for British farming; and Matthew Reisz explores the unique relationship

Play 33 mins
Spectator Out Loud: Noa Hoffman, Patrick Galbraith, Robert Hardman & Matthew Reisz
Simon Sebag Montefiore, Vanessa Feltz, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell

Spectator Out Loud

Simon Sebag Montefiore, Vanessa Feltz, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Simon Sebag Montefiore explains how his ancestor dealt with antisemitism; Vanessa Feltz says she is coming for Piers Morgan; Sophia Money-Coutts argues we should cut the price of stamps to save the Christmas card; and finally, Angus Colwell takes on the Cornish culinary mafia. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 22 mins
Simon Sebag Montefiore, Vanessa Feltz, Sophia Money-Coutts & Angus Colwell
Madeline Grant, Harry Mount, Freddie Heffer & Toby Young

Spectator Out Loud

Madeline Grant, Harry Mount, Freddie Heffer & Toby Young

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Madeline Grant argues that the debate about the direction of James Bond mirrors Britain’s decline; Harry Mount makes the case for scrapping dinner parties; Freddie Heffer provides his notes on mulberries; and finally, Toby Young says that friendly fire hurts the most, as he reflects on the fallout from the Jason

Play 20 mins
Madeline Grant, Harry Mount, Freddie Heffer & Toby Young
Tim Shipman, Arabella Byrne, Alex Burghart & Lloyd Evans

Spectator Out Loud

Tim Shipman, Arabella Byrne, Alex Burghart & Lloyd Evans

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman argues that politicians’ contempt for the press is really contempt for the public; Arabella Byrne asks if you have old money face; Alex Burghart says that Harold Godwinson has a touch of the Viking about him, as he reviews Harold: Warrior King by Tom Licence; and finally, Lloyd Evans reads his

Play 21 mins
Tim Shipman, Arabella Byrne, Alex Burghart & Lloyd Evans
Rod Liddle – Toby Young, Tim Luckhurst, Lara Prendergast, Mary Wakefield & Freddy Gray

Spectator Out Loud

Rod Out Loud – Toby Young, Tim Luckhurst, Lara Prendergast, Mary Wakefield & Freddy Gray

This week’s episode of Spectator Out Loud is a tribute to Rod Liddle, The Spectator’s Associate editor, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 66. In this special episode, we hear from those who knew him best as they share some of their favourite columns written by Rod over the years. Produced and

Play
Rod Liddle – Toby Young, Tim Luckhurst, Lara Prendergast, Mary Wakefield & Freddy Gray
Lara Brown, Patrick Kidd, Tali Fraser & Ella Veakins

Spectator Out Loud

Lara Brown, Patrick Kidd, Tali Fraser & Ella Veakins

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Lara Brown explains the ongoing dissolution of the British private education sector; Patrick Kidd asks whether sporting curses are actually possible, or simply just a fiction; Tali Fraser goes to a death cafe to explore the world of positivity after death; and finally, Ella Veakins outlines why we should all stand

Play
Lara Brown, Patrick Kidd, Tali Fraser & Ella Veakins
James Heale, Iona Bain, Tali Fraser & James Phillips

Spectator Out Loud

James Heale, Iona Bain, Tali Fraser & James Phillips

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: James Heale explains what the Opposition parties plan to do now that Andy Burnham is in No 10; Iona Bain explains why premium bonds are a pointless way to save for your child, and what to do instead; Tali Fraser asks whether we should be rolling back the years and all

Play
James Heale, Iona Bain, Tali Fraser & James Phillips
Michael Gove, Count Binface, Michael Simmons & Graeme Thomson

Spectator Out Loud

Michael Gove, Count Binface, Michael Simmons & Graeme Thomson

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Michael Gove explains why he is against more security for MPs; taking a brief break from campaigning in clacton as count binface, Jon Harvey explains why Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey is a triumph; Michael Simmons says shut up about your disability; and finally, Graeme Thomson reviews Madonna. Produced and presented by Patrick

Play 30 mins
Michael Gove, Count Binface, Michael Simmons & Graeme Thomson
Tali Fraser, Damian Thompson, Matthew Wilson & Christa d’Souza

Spectator Out Loud

Tali Fraser, Damian Thompson, Matthew Wilson & Christa d’Souza

This week: Tali Fraser gives the definitive answer to what Andy Burnham’s ‘Manchesterism’ actually is; Damian Thompson asks if there is any route back for the Society of St Pius X; Matthew Wilson discusses whether Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey can live up to the 2,700-year history of artworks depicting Homer’s epic; and Christa D’Souza reads her

Play 25 mins
Tali Fraser, Damian Thompson, Matthew Wilson & Christa d’Souza
Max Jeffery, Gavin Mortimer, James Delingpole, Aidan Hartley & Angus Colwell

Spectator Out Loud

Max Jeffery, Gavin Mortimer, James Delingpole, Aidan Hartley & Angus Colwell

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery explains the truth about how the British Empire is taught in schools; Gavin Mortimer asks why Giorgia Meloni is courting Emmanuel Macron; James Delingpole reviews the World Cup; after 25 years, Aidan Hartley bows out as the Spectator’s Wild life columnist; and finally, the Spectator’s new restaurant critic Angus Colwell

Play 28 mins
Max Jeffery, Gavin Mortimer, James Delingpole, Aidan Hartley & Angus Colwell
Richard Madeley, Michael Simmons, Gus Carter & Arabella Byrne

Spectator Out Loud

Richard Madeley, Michael Simmons, Gus Carter & Arabella Byrne

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Richard Madeley wonders if anyone in the media still drinks; Michael Simmons asks if the UK is ready for Andy Burnham’s first Budget; Gus Carter explains the Spectator’s role in the birth of America; and finally, Arabella Byrne provides her notes on coconut water. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 24 mins
Richard Madeley, Michael Simmons, Gus Carter & Arabella Byrne
Freddy Gray, Matt Ridley, Peter Parker & Lloyd Evans

Spectator Out Loud

Freddy Gray, Matt Ridley, Peter Parker & Lloyd Evans

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Freddy Gray asks whether the Iran deal will destroy J.D. Vance; Matt Ridley argues that Britain must finally embrace gene editing; Peter Parker explains the problem with ‘queer art’; and finally, Lloyd Evans says the NHS treats everyone fairly – with contempt. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 30 mins
Freddy Gray, Matt Ridley, Peter Parker & Lloyd Evans
Tim Shipman – with Kemi Badenoch, Justin Marozzi, Christopher Howse & Lara Prendergast

Spectator Out Loud

Tim Shipman – with Kemi Badenoch, Justin Marozzi, Christopher Howse & Lara Prendergast

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman interviews Kemi Badenoch – including excerpts from the interview; Justin Marozzi argues that Trump’s strategy has only strengthened the Iranian regime; Christopher Howse pays tribute to ‘London’s rudest landlord’; and finally, Lara Prendergasts says that ‘matrescence’ is one big con. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 30 mins
Tim Shipman – with Kemi Badenoch, Justin Marozzi, Christopher Howse & Lara Prendergast
Lisa Haseldine, Michael Simmons, Patrick Smith & Toby Young – with Nigel Farage

Spectator Out Loud

Lisa Haseldine, Michael Simmons, Patrick Smith & Toby Young – with Nigel Farage

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Lisa Haseldine reports from Armenia; Michael Simmons argues neoliberalism has never really been tried; Patrick Smith explains why he takes frog poison; and finally, Toby Young wonders why Nigel Farage cares if he has been banned from Desert Island Discs. Plus: the Reform UK leader reveals – exclusively to James

Play 29 mins
Lisa Haseldine, Michael Simmons, Patrick Smith & Toby Young – with Nigel Farage
William Atkinson, James Delingpole, Daisy Dunn & Margaret Mitchell

Spectator Out Loud

William Atkinson, James Delingpole, Daisy Dunn & Margaret Mitchell

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: William Atkinson sends his dispatch from the Shetland Islands; James Delingpole remembers Malcolm, his ‘gloriously unfiltered’ father; Daisy Dunn reviews Mary Beard’s Talking Classics; and Margaret Mitchell explores corporate dread and the institutional gothic. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 30 mins
William Atkinson, James Delingpole, Daisy Dunn & Margaret Mitchell

Spectator Out Loud

Douglas Murray, Flora Watkins & Nicholas Farrell

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Douglas Murray details his encounter with Labour leadership hopeful Wes Streeting; Flora Watkins explains why the Open Garden scheme is the antidote to the Chelsea Flower Show; and Nicholas Farrell says local nudists are running wild in Ravenna. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 22 mins

Spectator Out Loud

James Heale, Geoffrey Cain, Rachel Johnson & Melissa Kite

This week: James Heale on Farage’s plan to win the left-wing vote, Geoffrey Cain on Trump’s visit to China, Rachel Johnson has lost her luggage and Melissa Kite wonders why the French love Cork.

Play
Lisa Haseldine, Roya Nikkah & Lionel Shriver

Spectator Out Loud

Lisa Haseldine, Roya Nikkhah & Lionel Shriver

This week: Lisa Haseldine on Britain’s failing maternity services, Roya Nikkhah writes the diary and Lionel Shriver on gerrymandering in America.

Play 31 mins
Lisa Haseldine, Roya Nikkah & Lionel Shriver
Martin Vander Weyer, Freddy Gray & Arabella Byrne

Spectator Out Loud

Martin Vander Weyer, Freddy Gray & Arabella Byrne

This week: Martin Vander Weyer on British steel and his chat with Andy Haldane, Freddy Gray has been stateside & Arabella Byrne on why she’s no fan of the social climbing dog – whippets.

Play
Martin Vander Weyer, Freddy Gray & Arabella Byrne
Max Jeffery, Peter James, Zoe Strimpel and Graeme Thomson

Spectator Out Loud

Max Jeffery, Peter James, Zoe Strimpel and Graeme Thomson

This week: Max Jeffery on the transgender nihilists agitating for ‘a new era of rage’; Peter James reads his diary; Zoe Strimpel on Lena Dunham’s version of feminism; and Graeme Thomson takes us through the rock and roll alter egos.

Play 20 mins
Max Jeffery, Peter James, Zoe Strimpel and Graeme Thomson
Robert Hardman, Melissa Kite, Julian Glover & Sarah Carlson

Spectator Out Loud

Robert Hardman, Melissa Kite, Julian Glover & Sarah Carlson

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: as the King prepares to head to America, Robert Hardman looks ahead to what would have been Elizabeth II’s centenary celebration; Melissa Kite reports from the fuel protests in Ireland (featuring one of the disgruntled truckers); Julian Glover mourns the demise of the railway restaurant car; and finally, do you

Play 24 mins
Robert Hardman, Melissa Kite, Julian Glover & Sarah Carlson

Spectator Out Loud

Catherine Ostler, Paul Wood, John Power & David Whitehouse

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Catherine Ostler, the former editor of Tatler, ponders the drama of the courtroom as she travels around the Kent countryside; following the news of the ceasefire with Iran, Paul Wood says that no-one knows what Trump will do next; John Power encourages Gen Z men to go hiking; and finally, astrophysicist David Whitehouse

Play 22 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Lisa Haseldine, Matthew Parris, Damian Thompson, Peter Pomerantsev, Chas Newkey-Burden & Catriona Olding 

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Lisa Haseldine reports from Svalbard; Matthew Parris reflects on the Iran crisis during Holy Week; Damian Thompson assesses how Pope Leo XIV is quietly reshaping the Vatican; Peter Pomerantsev reviews Jack Watling’s Statecraft; Chas Newkey-Burden provides his notes on marathons; and finally, from Provence, Catriona Olding reflects on comfort and companionship.

Play 41 mins
Tim Shipman, Ben Clerkin, Maxwell Marlow & Hermione Eyre

Spectator Out Loud

Tim Shipman, Ben Clerkin, Maxwell Marlow & Hermione Eyre

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: looking back to 1973, Tim Shipman wonders how bad the energy crisis could get; Ben Clerkin interviews Steve Hilton, the former Cameron aide running to be California’s next governor; Maxwell Marlow explains how to solve the student debt crisis; and finally, ‘disorientatingly enjoyable’ is the verdict of Hermione Eyre as she reviews

Play 24 mins
Tim Shipman, Ben Clerkin, Maxwell Marlow & Hermione Eyre

Spectator Out Loud

Ruaridh Nicoll, Angus Colwell, Mary Wakefield, Philip Hensher & Nicholas Farrell

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Ruaridh Nicoll reads his letter from Havana; Angus Colwell takes us through an A-Z of London horrors; Mary Wakefield points out the glaring flaw in Keir Starmer’s ‘cohesion plan; Philip Hensher reviews an increasingly reflective Alan Bennett; and finally, Nicholas Farrell reflects on Jeffrey Epstein, Silvio Berlusconi – and nudists

Play 34 mins
Damian Thompson, Francis Pike, Ysenda Maxtone-Graham & Lloyd Evans

Spectator Out Loud

Damian Thompson, Francis Pike, Ysenda Maxtone-Graham & Lloyd Evans

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Damian Thompson says his addiction to the piano has only got worse with age; Francis Pike ponders if Kim Jong-Un is lining up a female successor; Ysenda Maxtone-Graham explains the art to left-wing boasting; and finally, Lloyd Evans contemplates becoming a magistrate. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

Play 25 mins
Damian Thompson, Francis Pike, Ysenda Maxtone-Graham & Lloyd Evans