Best Guardian Long Read Podcasts (2025)

1
‘I have to do it’: why one of the world’s most brilliant AI scientists left the US for China 54:50

Play Pause

6m ago54:50

54:50

In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now he might hold the key to who wins the global AI race By Chang Che. Read by Vincent Lai. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Liverpool v Manchester United, Parker v Farke and joy for Cape Verde – Football Weekly podcast 48:10

9m ago48:10

48:10

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Paul Watson and Ben Fisher as the Premier League returns this weekend. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Trump’s fragile ceasefire plan: what next for Gaza? 33:46

16h ago33:46

33:46

As the Gaza ceasefire continues to hold, what road lies ahead in the peace process? John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Plus, what is at the heart of the Chinese spying case row? Why has Rachel Reeves changed her tone when it comes to Brexit? What’s behind the Green party’s surge in membership? And should Labour…

51
England qualify and Republic of Ireland keep World Cup dream alive – Football Weekly podcast 46:07

24h ago46:07

46:07

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Ali Maxwell and Dan Bardell to discuss World Cup qualification and Jack Wilshere at Luton Town. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: ‘Infertility stung me’: Black motherhood and me 33:25

1d ago33:25

33:25

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: I assumed I would be part of the first generation to have full agency over my reproduction – but I was wrong By Edna Bonhomme. Read by Nerissa Bradley. Help support our independent journalis…

1
Scotland stumble towards World Cup as England aim to book place – Football Weekly 52:16

3d ago52:16

52:16

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jordan Jarrett-Bryan and George Elek to discuss the World Cup qualifiers as Scotland’s 2-1 win against Belarus disguised a dismal performance. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Gaza ceasefire: what is the UK’s role? 25:17

3d ago25:17

25:17

All eyes are on the Middle East where there have been emotional scenes in Israel as hostages were released, while tens of thousands of Palestinians are able to return to the ruins of their homes in Gaza. As global leaders, including Donald Trump and Keir Starmer, meet for a peace summit, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s role in securi…

1
‘What reconciliation? What forgiveness?’: Syria’s deadly reckoning 42:49

3d ago42:49

42:49

Over a few brutal days in March, as sectarian violence and revenge killings tore through parts of Syria, two friends from different communities tried to find a way to survive By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad. Read by Mo Ayoub. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Comfortable win for England; chaotic comeback for Scotland – Football Weekly 56:30

6d ago56:30

56:30

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Philippe Auclair, Jonathan Liew and Ewan Murray to reflect on England’s friendly against Wales and Thursday evening’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Take away our language and we will forget who we are: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and the language of conquest 30:27

6d ago30:27

30:27

The late Kenyan novelist and activist believed erasing language was the most lasting weapon of oppression. Here, Aminatta Forna recalls the man and introduces his essay on decolonisation By Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o with introduction by Aminatta Forna. Read by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and Aminatta Forna. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.…

1
Labour’s Bridget Phillipson on Gaza, child poverty and the deputy leadership race 26:12

7d ago26:12

26:12

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey speak to the education secretary and Labour deputy leadership candidate Bridget Phillipson about the plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as why she is pushing the prime minister and chancellor to get rid of the two-child limit on benefits. Plus, she explains why she believes she is the best candidate to become the ne…

1
Tax cuts, jokes and pig-wrestling: Badenoch’s attempt to save her job 36:24

9d ago36:24

36:24

The Conservative leader used her conference speech to announce plans to scrap stamp duty and launch an attack on Labour, but why was there so little mention of the biggest threat facing her party? And will her performance be enough to stave off leadership rival Robert Jenrick? Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk through the speech and ask where the …

1
From the archive: The Blackstone rebellion: how one country took on the world’s biggest commercial landlord 44:48

8d ago44:48

44:48

By The Guardian

1
Real Madrid pull clear, Højlund in form and Bayern unbeaten – Football Weekly 49:21

9d ago49:21

49:21

By The Guardian

1
Make-or-break week for Badenoch 22:19

10d ago22:19

22:19

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey are at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, where Kemi Badenoch is trying to convince disgruntled Tory MPs to hold their nerve. But how much longer will the party give her to turn things around? Plus, they discuss the government’s plans to give police more powers to stop protests Send your thoughts and ques…

1
Arsenal go top of the Premier League as Liverpool lose again – Football Weekly 58:34

10d ago58:34

58:34

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lucy Ward and John Brewin as Liverpool come unstuck at Chelsea, Arsenal hit the summit and Manchester United win an unprecedented three games in a row at Old Trafford. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
‘We’ve done it before’: how not to lose hope in the fight against ecological disaster 29:36

10d ago29:36

29:36

Some days it can feel as if climate catastrophe is inevitable. But history is full of cases – such as the banning of whaling and CFCs – that show humanity can come together to avert disaster By Kate Marvel. Read by Norma Butikofer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
From bank robber to scholar: the Knoxville dropout fighting to change how we see addiction 31:55

13d ago31:55

31:55

Kirsten Smith was 19 when she first tried heroin; within a few years she was in prison. She says she willingly made bad choices and wants society to stop treating addiction as a disease By Xi Chen. Read by Katherine Fenton. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
A Dier finish for Manchester City in Monaco and a Premier League preview: Football Weekly Extra 50:29

14d ago50:29

50:29

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen and Mark Langdon, as Monaco score a late penalty against City in Europe and there are straightforward wins for Arsenal and Newcastle. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Liverpool look limp against Galatasaray and Spurs steal a point at Bodø/Glimt – Football Weekly 44:48

15d ago44:48

44:48

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Jonathan Wilson as Liverpool lose back to back games, Spurs are lucky to win a point in Norway and Chelsea welcome back José Mourinho to Stamford Bridge. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: Divine comedy: the standup double act who turned to the priesthood 45:08

15d ago45:08

45:08

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: Josh and Jack used to interrogate life via absurdist jokes and sketches. But the questions they had just kept getting bigger – and led them both to embark upon a profound transformation By L…

1
Starmer takes the gloves off in fight with Farage 36:41

16d ago36:41

36:41

The UK prime minister has used his conference speech to take aim at Nigel Farage, warning that Reform UK offers only ‘division and decline’ while promising ‘renewal’ and ‘decency’ under Labour. John Harris, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey talk through the speech and ask if it could help to turn things around for Keir Starmer. Help support our indepen…

1
Andy Burnham live in conversation 50:44

17d ago50:44

50:44

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with the mayor of Greater Manchester live at the Labour party conference in Liverpool. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/politicspodBy The Guardian

1
Arsenal’s late heroics at Newcastle and peerless Palace beat Liverpool – Football Weekly 58:26

17d ago58:26

58:26

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Will Unwin and Nedum Onuoha and there’s plenty to squeeze in as the panel review an eventful Premier League weekend, including Liverpool’s first dropped points of the season, Arsenal’s late win against Newcastle and also discuss Graham Potter’s departure from West Ham. Help support our independent journal…

1
‘A climate of unparalleled malevolence’: are we on our way to the sixth major mass extinction? 30:38

17d ago30:38

30:38

Churning quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at the rate we are going could lead the planet to another Great Dying By Peter Brannen. Read by Lincoln Conway. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Bland, easy to follow, for fans of everything: what has the Netflix algorithm done to our films? 40:58

20d ago40:58

40:58

When the streaming giant began making films guided by data that aimed to please a vast audience, the results were often generic, forgettable, artless affairs. But is there a happy ending? By Phil Hoad. Read by Adam Sims. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Kent, where the politics of small boats and asylum has exploded 45:02

20d ago45:02

45:02

The conversation about asylum and immigration is at the centre of British politics, and nowhere more so than in Kent. This week, John Harris is on the road in a special episode looking at both sides of the immigration story: hearing from the newly elected Reform UK council, and asking what life is actually like for people who come here in search of…

1
Nottingham Forest’s return to Europe and a Premier League preview: Football Weekly Extra 50:05

21d ago50:05

50:05

Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Robyn Cowen and Sam Dalling discuss Forest’s first European game in 30 years, plus the Carabao Cup providing a lack of shocks with the Premier League quartet taking it quite seriously. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
‘We’ve taken our progressive voters for granted’: Labour ex-minister 29:56

21d ago29:56

29:56

John Harris is joined by the Labour MP Lucy Powell, a former cabinet minister who is a running for deputy leadership of the party, to discuss why the government is failing to stem the surge in support for Reform and whether a change in tactics could help Keir Starmer take on Nigel Farage. Plus, how certain is the prime minister’s future? And how wo…

1
Ballon d’Or glitz, Carabao Cup drama and an EFL roundup: Football Weekly 53:14

23d ago53:14

53:14

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Ali Maxwell and Sanny Rudravajhala as Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmatí claim Ballon d’Or glory, and there are unpredictable starts around the Football League. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: Forgetting the apocalypse: why our nuclear fears faded – and why that’s dangerous 44:32

22d ago44:32

44:32

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: The horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki made the whole world afraid of the atomic bomb – even those who might launch one. Today that fear has mostly passed out of living memory, and with it we…

1
What does the UK recognising Palestinian statehood really mean? 25:56

24d ago25:56

25:56

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the UK’s recognition of Palestine as a state. With the US and Israel criticising the move, what will it mean for the war in Gaza, and for diplomacy? Plus, what do we know about the split at the top of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s new leftwing party? And Pippa has the latest from the Liberal Democrat confer…

1
Martinelli to Arsenal’s rescue and Liverpool move five points clear – Football Weekly 54:06

24d ago54:06

54:06

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Dan Bardell as Arsenal rescue a late point against Manchester City and a win in the Merseyside derby means Liverpool maintain their 100% start to the season. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
‘The forest had gone’: the storm that moved a mountain 46:22

24d ago46:22

46:22

On a small ledge in the Swiss mountains, 200 people were enjoying a summer football tournament. As night fell, they had no idea what was coming By Jonah Goodman. Read by Evelyn Miller. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Life in a ‘sinking nation’: Tuvalu’s dreams of dry land 42:36

27d ago42:36

42:36

With sea levels rising, much of the nation’s population is confronting the prospect that their home may soon cease to exist. Where are they going to go? By Atul Dev. Read by Mikhail Sen Check out Between Moon Tides documentary at theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Liverpool’s late show stays on air and Kane sinks Chelsea: Football Weekly Extra 54:03

28d ago54:03

54:03

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Liew and Archie Rhind-Tutt as Liverpool score yet another late winner and Chelsea show their inexperience away at Bayern Munich. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Trump on tour: pomp, pageantry and politics 29:20

29d ago29:20

29:20

Donald Trump is back on UK soil for his ‘unprecedented’ second state visit. Will the US president’s trip help to distract from Keir Starmer’s challenges at home? Or could it leave the prime minister even more exposed? Kiran Stacey asks the columnist and Politics Weekly America host, Jonathan Freedland Send your thoughts and questions to politicswee…

1
Arsenal and Spurs kick off Champions League campaigns with wins – Football Weekly 49:17

29d ago49:17

49:17

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Philippe Auclair as Arsenal win in Bilbao and Spurs host Villarreal to start this season’s Champions League. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: Sewage sleuths: the men who revealed the slow, dirty death of Welsh and English rivers 42:24

29d ago42:24

42:24

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: A tide of effluent, broken laws and ruthless cuts is devastating the nation’s waterways. An academic and a detective have dredged up the truth of how it was allowed to happen – but will anyt…

1
Could Trump’s visit be a useful distraction for Starmer? 23:06

1M ago23:06

23:06

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the fallout from Keir Starmer’s handling of the sacking of the US ambassador, Peter Mandelson. And with growing questions about whether the prime minister can survive, they ask whether Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK might actually be a welcome distraction for the government -- Send your thoughts and quest…

1
Manchester is blue and Arsenal brush Postecoglou aside: Football Weekly 55:39

1M ago55:39

55:39

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen and Jonathan Wilson as Premier League football returns after the international break. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Very British bribery: the whistleblower who exposed the UK’s dodgy arms deals with Saudi Arabia 51:36

1M ago51:36

51:36

When Ian Foxley found evidence of corruption while working at a British company in Riyadh, he alerted the MoD. He didn’t know he’d stumbled upon one of its most closely guarded secrets By David Pegg. Read by Shane Zaza. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Will the UK ever rejoin the EU? 27:23

1M ago27:23

27:23

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey speak to the minister for EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, about the fallout from Brexit and our relationship with the European Union. Plus, we hear his thoughts on Keir Starmer’s leadership and how Labour should take on Nigel Farage and the rise of Reform –– Send your thoughts and questions to politicsweeklyuk@thegu…

1
‘People pay to be told lies’: the rise and fall of the world’s first ayahuasca multinational 49:41

1M ago49:41

49:41

Alberto Varela claimed he wanted to use sacred plant medicine to free people’s minds. But as the organisation grew, his followers discovered a darker reality. By Sam Edwards. Read by Sid Sagar. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Manchester derby, Moldova’s misery and Zohran Mamdani – Football Weekly podcast 59:29

1M ago59:29

59:29

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Seb Hutchinson and Paul Watson to preview the weekend while New York’s mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani joins to discuss World Cup ticket pricing, Arsenal and more. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
Starmer’s Mandelson mess and deputy leadership damage 34:09

1M ago34:09

34:09

As the race to replace Angela Rayner as Labour’s deputy leader exposes tensions within the party, John Harris speaks to the former transport secretary Louise Haigh about what she thinks Keir Starmer should do to get back on track, and whether he will survive until the next election. Plus, Pippa Crerar joins John to discuss the mounting pressure on …

1
England swipe Serbia aside and the return of Postecoglu – Football Weekly 49:27

1M ago49:27

49:27

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and John Brewin as England put in their best performance under Thomas Tuchel so far, beating Serbia 5-0. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: ‘We were all wrong’: how Germany got hooked on Russian energy 32:40

1M ago32:40

32:40

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: Germany has been forced to admit it was a terrible mistake to become so dependent on Russian oil and gas. So why did it happen? By Patrick Wintour. Read by Andrew McGregor. Help support our …

1
Reshuffle, Rayner resignation and rift with the unions 28:48

1M ago28:48

28:48

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey discuss the fallout from Angela Rayner’s resignation and Keir Starmer’s subsequent cabinet reshuffle. Why has Rayner’s departure raised concerns among union leaders? Who could become the next deputy Labour leader? And, what does the reshuffle tell us about the direction of travel for the government? Plus, Pippa and Kir…

1
Thomas Tuchel’s England labour again and Levy out at Spurs – Football Weekly 50:37

1M ago50:37

50:37

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Dan Bardell and Ali Maxwell to discuss all the latest World Cup qualifying action. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian