Free Thinking Episodes Episode guide
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The Dutch connection
John Gallagher hears about new research into Anglo-Dutch trade and early publishing.
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Stitching Stories
Shahidha Bari visits a textile art show + research on embroidery, stage outfits & vintage
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Can - Future Days
Matthew Sweet and guests take a deep dive into the influential German group's 1973 album
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Myths, ships and history
Anna McKay, Lloyd Belton and Oliver Finnegan delve in the deep for seafaring histories.
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The Condom and VD
Matthew Sweet and guests talk about sexual health, VD clinics, sex work and condoms.
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Chocolate
Shahidha Bari discusses the confection that has conquered the world.
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The Greenwich Outrage
Matthew Sweet and guests discuss an attempt to blow up the Royal Observatory in 1894.
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Picnics
From Picnic at Hanging Rock to an Iron Curtain Pan European picnic
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On the Silver Globe
Matthew Sweet and guests discuss Andrzej Zulawski's compelling science fiction film.
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East/West religious connections
Authors Rowan Williams & Christopher Harding and artist Gayle Chong Kwan join Rana Mitter.
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Secrets, lies and Irish History
Clair Wills, Martin Doyle, Scott McKendry and Louise Brangan discuss secrets and conflict.
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Holocaust history
Ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day (Jan 27) Anne McElvoy hears testimony and new research.
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The Kyoto School
Chris Harding investigates the flourishing of Japanese philosophy in the 1930s and beyond.
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Heidegger and Anti-Semitism
Matthew Sweet discusses the influential German philosopher's relationship with Nazism.
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What is normal?
Sarah Chaney, Louise Creechan and Robert Chapman discuss neurodiversity with Matthew Sweet
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Shakespeare's Women
The women who crop up in Shakespeare's life, his plays and who helped conserve his legacy.
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Dust, dirt and domesticity
From mould to desertification Naomi Paxton and guests on the impact of dirt,heat and damp
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Essay writing
From Montaigne to modern Scottish writing - Rana Mitter discusses what makes a good essay.
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Game playing
Shahidha Bari finds out how to win at rock, paper, scissors and to make a Windrush game.
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Travel, pleasure and peril
From preventing strangulation on the railways to guide maps and the art of travel posters.
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Dickens, Disney and copyright
Matthew Sweet looks at copyright rules for Mickey Mouse and Dickens in C19th America.
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Greek myth, goddesses and art
From classic myths rewritten by Natalie Haynes to the art of John Craxton in Crete.
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Prize Winners 2023
Nandini Das, Tania Branigan, Halik Kochanski, Ed Yong, John Vallaint talk to Rana Mitter
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Harry Belafonte's career
The long career of the American singer, film star & activist with Matthew Sweet & guests.
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Margaret Cavendish
Nandini Das and guests discuss the Duchess of Newcastle - philosopher, poet and scientist.
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The Life of Objects
Timothy Morton, Steve Connor, Caroline Edwards and Rachele Dini talk to Lisa Mullen.
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JG Ballard's Crash
Iain Sinclair, Mark Blacklock, Muriel Zagha and Jo Stanley join Matthew Sweet.
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Narnia and CS Lewis
Exploring the literary and theological terrain of C.S. Lewis's Narnia
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Humboldt, soil, gardens and Frank Walter
Jago Cooper, Barbara Paca, Jim Scown and Camilla Allen talk trees, soil, art and advocacy.
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Kadare, Gospodinov, Kafka and Dickens
Lea Ypi and Roger Luckhurst join Matthew Sweet to look at novels, dreams and bureaucracy.