Turning tips into memories

Get started Login
  • Home
  • Going Out
    • Things to do
    • Food & Drink
    • Theatre
    • Visual Arts
    • Cinema
    • Kids
    • Festival
    • Gigs
    • Dance
    • Classical Music
    • Opera
    • Immersive
    • Talks
  • Staying In
    • TV
    • Books
    • Cook
    • Podcast
    • Design
    • Netflix
  • Life & Style
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Gifting
    • Wellbeing
    • Lifestyle
    • Shopping
    • Jewellery
  • Explore
  • Kids
  • Benefits
  • Membership
  • Get Started
  • Membership
  • Benefits
Get the Best of London Life, Culture and Style
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
Podcast

Podcasts to make you smarter

By CW Contributor on 9/5/2019

Looking to spruce up your dinner conversation with some obscure facts or tantalising tidbits of information? Perhaps you need to brush up on your knowledge of Impressionist painting, the plays of Seneca or the exact science of particle physics.

Podcasts have changed monotonous commutes for the better by carving out a tranquil space in the day not only to listen, but also to learn. From weird science to gripping history, these are the best podcasts to make you smarter.

On History: BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time

On history: BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time

There is a deluge of history podcasts on the scene, but for digestible history soundbites, it’s got to be BBC4 Radio’s In Our Time. Listen to veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg bring together academics to discuss the political machinations of the Medici, the rich history of the Samurai, or the rise and fall of the Roman Republic. Bragg has a remarkable talent for bringing history’s personalities to life, as well as an august voice that can soothe any commute.

Read more ...
On economics: Planet Money

On economics: Planet Money

NPR’S Planet Money has been bringing the macro and the micro of economics to listeners since 2008. Planet Money takes a topic which can often be daunting, and makes it relatable through fascinating and quirky case studies; for example, the price of a can of coke or the raw salmon industry in Japan, as well as serious economic issues such as the credit crisis. World markets are no longer panic-inducing enigmas.

Read more ...
On Business: How I Built This

On business: How I Built This

Another NPR hit, How I Built This invites some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs to talk about how they developed their business from idea to multi-billion dollar empires. Interviewing the likes of Bumble’s Whitney Wolf, Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia, and Whole Foods’s John Mackey, these inspiring stories packed with failure, serendipity and triumph will make you want to get out and start your own venture.

Read more ...
On science: The Infinite Monkey Cage

On science: The Infinite Monkey Cage

For some of us, science lessons are all but a distant memory, save for a few vestigial formulas from the periodic table. Rediscover the joys of chemical reactions, astrophysics and the human anatomy with scientist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince as they bring together a panel for a witty, lively discussion about the basics of science. You might not be taking home any Nobel prizes any time soon, but you can certainly impress your friends with some pearls of wisdom about the secrets of the solar system or artificial intelligence.

Read more ...
On art history: The Lonely Palette

On art history: The Lonely Palette

The Lonely Palette strives to ‘return art history to the masses one painting at a time’. In each episode, host Tamar Avishai hones in on a single artwork which could be anything from Donatello’s Madonna of the Clouds (c. 1425 –1435) to Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain (1917). Avishai recreates the effervescent atmosphere of the art gallery by interviewing museum visitors about their first impressions and then discusses these works in relatable layman's language and through wonderfully evocative storytelling.

Read more ...
On design: 99% Invisible

On design: 99% Invisible

One for design and architecture fans, 99% Invisible spotlights any designed element in our lives, revealing rich histories of our material surroundings which often go unnoticed. From the history of the straw to abandoned shopping centres, this podcast will encourage you to see the world with fresh eyes.

Read more ...
On philosophy: Philosophy Bites

On philosophy: Philosophy Bites

Feeling a little lost in Plato’s cave? Confused by Cartesian duality? British authors David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton interview top philosophers on a wide range of existential and cerebral topics covering everything from classical concepts to modern day quagmires. This is one philosophy podcast we Kant get enough of.

Read more ...
Share:

Podcasts

Visual Arts

History

You may also like:


  • Podcasts for kids. Photo: Insung Yoon

    The best podcasts for kids to listen to when stuck indoors

  • Julia Roberts in Homecoming, Amazon Prime

    Podcast-to-TV adaptations: new and upcoming

  • What should you be listening to summer 2018? Podcasts to care about

    What should you be listening to summer 2018? Podcasts to care about

  • Where to get audiobooks: free, cheap and high quality

    How to listen to the best audiobooks

  • Best new books Spring 2019

    Books to break your reading rut

  • Best Coffee Table Books about art

    Best coffee table books about art

Your update on what’s on in London from theatre to visual arts, from fashion to pop-ups and more…
minimum six characters
 
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Your update on what’s on in London from theatre to visual arts, from fashion to pop-ups and more…
You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Stay tuned! (And check your email).


  • The Culture Whisper team
  • What is Culture Whisper membership
  • Corporate membership
  • Give a gift membership
  • Retrieve a gift membership
  • Contact us
  • Press
  • FAQ
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Discover
  • Venues
  • Restaurants
  • Stations
  • Boroughs
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

You have reached the limit of free articles.


To enjoy unlimited access to Culture Whisper sign up for FREE.
Find out more about Culture Whisper


Sign up by Email or Facebook.

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy

Each week, we sent newsletters and communication featuring articles, our latest tickets invitations, and exclusive offers.

Occasional information about discounts, special offers and promotions.


OR
LOG IN

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

Thanks for signing up to Culture Whisper.
Please check your inbox for a confirmation email and click the link to verify your account.



EXPLORE CULTURE WHISPER
✕ ✕
Turning tips into memories
Login
Signup

Please fix the following input errors:

  • dummy
Forgot your username or password?
Don't have an account? Sign Up

OR
  • LOG IN WITH FACEBOOK

If you click «Log in with Facebook» and are not a Culture Whisper user, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and to our Privacy Policy, which includes our Cookie Use

Sign up to CW’s newsletter
By entering my email I agree to the CultureWhisper Privacy Policy (we won`t share data & you can unsubscribe anytime).
×