Best Iris Murdoch Podcasts (2025)

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Epicurean Delights from Our Neighborhood Farmers Market, An Unofficial Rose by Iris Murdoch, & Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story! 39:10

13d ago39:10

39:10

Plus a stunning debut album from our new favorite opera singer — Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, and the vibrant portraits of Fujishima Takeji! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Ryan Wildstar’s Signature Lemon Drop! Reading: An Unofficial Rose by Iris Murdoch Listening: Masabane Cecilia by Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (with Aron Goldin) Looking: The Art…

1
Iris Murdoch's Wild Imagination Podcast 58:42

19d ago58:42

58:42

Miles is joined by Lucy Oulton (University of Chichester) to discuss her new book, Iris Murdoch's Wild Imagination: Nature and the Environment (Palgrave, 2025).https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-87833-6This book presents the first ecocritical study of novelist, philosopher, poet and public intellectual Iris Murdoch (1919–1999). It bri…

1
566: Can Art Save Us? 12:04

2d ago12:04

12:04

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/can-art-save-us.The world is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis, and we urgently need good ways to address it. Courageous politicians would help, of course, as might scientific innovations. But how much of the problem is a failure of imagination? Could the arts help us see our way out of the pr…

1
565: True Contradictions 10:24

9d ago10:24

10:24

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/true-contradictions.If you want to tell the truth, you shouldn’t contradict yourself—that’s just common sense. A suspect who was home on the night of the crime can’t have been elsewhere, and whatever the weapon, we can rule out the hypothesis that it was both a candlestick and not a candlestick. But ther…

1
611: Mary Midgley 11:08

15d ago11:08

11:08

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/mary-midgley.Mary Midgley became one of the best known public intellectuals in the UK, and was one of the first philosophers to talk about climate change. Though she didn’t publish her first book—Beast and Man—till she was 59, she wrote many influential works on science, ethics, and animal rights. So, wh…

1
Aesthetic Arrest: The Book of Salt, Peter Murphy's Silver Shade & A Nice Indian Boy! 44:11

20d ago44:11

44:11

Plus the sensational mixed media collage art of Lavett Ballard & the "Father of French Gastronomy” — Antonin Carême! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Domaine Vincent Carême Vouvray Sec (Loire, France) Reading: The Book of Salt by Monique Truong Listening: Silver Shade by Peter Murphy Looking: The Art of Lavett Ballard — including her current exhibiti…

1
563: Derek Parfit and Your Future Self 9:29

1M ago9:29

9:29

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/derek-parfit-and-your-future-self.The works of Derek Parfit (1942-2017) have had a profound influence on how philosophers understand rational decision-making, ethics, and personal identity. At the heart of Parfit's thinking are questions about how you should relate to your future self, and whether you sh…

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Narcissus, Annie Dillard, Mary Cassatt & Greek Old-Fashioned Honey Donuts! 43:35

1M ago43:35

43:35

Plus two fantastic new albums from Mexican songstress Natalia Lafourcade & Malian-French supergroup Lamomali! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: The Perfect Horchata! (recipe from Cooking Con Claudia) Reading: Holy the Firm by Annie Dillard Listening #1: Cancionera by Natalia Lafourcade Listening #2: Lamomali Totem by Lamomali (-M-, Fatoumata Diawara, …

1
The Moral Philosophy of Iris Murdoch Podcast 1:12:07

1M ago1:12:07

1:12:07

In this episode Miles is joined by joined by Mark Hopwood, Associate Professor of Philosophy, from the University of Sewanee, USA to discuss his new book – which has just been published – The Moral Philosophy of Iris Murdoch. This is his first monograph since he published the co-edited volume that he’s perhaps best known for in Murdoch circles, the…

1
Maurice Merleau-Ponty 59:02

1M ago59:02

59:02

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty (1908-1961), who was part of the movement known as phenomenology. While less well-known than his contemporaries Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, his popularity has increased among philosophers in recent years. Merleau-Ponty rejected Rene Descartes’ division between…

1
610: Are Rules Meant to Be Broken? 10:00

1M ago10:00

10:00

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/are-rules-meant-be-broken.Rules exist for a reason: they tell us what to expect, they help us coordinate our actions, and they stop us from exploiting one another. But isn't it possible to be too much of a rule follower? Aren't some rules arbitrary, unjust, or just plain inefficient? When should we exerc…

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Essex Hemphill's Love Is A Dangerous Word, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, & Vorja Sánchez - Organic Harmony! 40:07

1M ago40:07

40:07

Plus Ryan Wildstar's recipe for the perfect Bloody Mary, trailblazing saxophonist Vi Redd, & our dinner at Rozalia - a hidden gem in the heart of Athens! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: The Bloody Mary “Chaser” Reading: Love Is A Dangerous Word: The Selected Poems of Essex Hemphill by Essex Hemphill Listening: In Honor of Jazz Appreciation Month: Th…

1
“Our Storied Town”: Donald Smith on Edinburgh’s Explosive Literary Past 44:32

1M ago44:32

44:32

S3E101 Donald Smith takes us on a literary tour of Edinburgh's Old Town, touching on the stories of writers including Robert Louis Stevenson, J. K. Rowling, Naomi Mitchison, Robert Burns and many more. To order a copy of Donald's book, Our Storied Town, click here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edinburgh-Storied-Town-Donald-Smith/dp/180425150X Title Mus…

1
609: Iris Murdoch 11:29

1M ago11:29

11:29

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/iris-murdoch.Iris Murdoch may be best known for her works of fiction, but her philosophical contributions were equally significant. A moral realist influenced by Plato and Simone Weil, she developed theories in virtue ethics and care ethics. So what is the relationship between Murdoch's works of fiction …

1
487: Changing Minds on Climate Change 10:35

1M ago10:35

10:35

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/changing-minds-climate-change.There is consensus among scientists that global warming is real and that it’s caused by human activity. Despite the overwhelming evidence and the urgency to act, there are still many who are skeptical of or flat-out deny climate change. Are these climate deniers simply imper…

1
Lecture 'A Warm Bright Significant Space' Iris Murdoch's Search for Home 41:00

2M ago41:00

41:00

In this, her first public lecture, Dr Maria Peacock discusses Iris Murdoch's search for home using examples from her novels and biography.This lecture was given at the University of Chichester on Saturday 29th March, 2025.By Iris Murdoch Society

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Audience With the Queen, The Lies of the Artists & Vinegar Toast! 40:49

2M ago40:49

40:49

Plus mouthwatering recipes from Andy Baraghani, eye-opening Renaissance art, and The Return — an arresting cinematic masterpiece starring Ralph Fiennes & Juliette Binoche! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Portofino Spritz with Andy Baraghani Reading: The Lies of the Artists: Essays on Italian Art, 1450-1750 by Ingrid D. Rowland Listening: Audience Wi…

1
Iris Murdoch: The Nice and The Good (with Paul Hullah) 57:17

2M ago57:17

57:17

We're jumping over The Bell for now to land on 'The Nice and The Good', Iris Murdoch's often-overlooked 1968 novel. In many ways, this is an archetypal Murdoch novel, and despite its darkness (including satanic ritual, possible murder and a near-drowning), it's shot through with light. With me to discuss is Paul Hullah, who alongside his poetry and…

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Liza Minelli, Led Zeppelin, & Mick Harvey and Amanda Acevedo Live in Athens! 41:12

2M ago41:12

41:12

Plus Women and the Piano: A History in 50 Lives, the art of Dominique Fung & our favorite bakery in Greece! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Mai Tais & Manhattans at Tiki Bar in Athens, Greece! Reading: Women and the Piano: A History in 50 Lives by Susan Tomes Listening: Golden Mirrors - The Uncovered Sessions Vol. 1 by Mick Harvey & Amanda Acevedo L…

1
A Year of Birds (1984) by Iris Murdoch 48:13

2M ago48:13

48:13

S3E100 Miles Leeson returns to the podcast to talk about Iris Murdoch, this time concentrating on her short collection of poems, A Year of Birds. Miles and Ash discuss connections between Murdoch's poetry and philosophy, the critical reputation of her poems and some of the folklore tradition associated with her chosen birds. To pre-order a copy of …

1
562: The Philosophy of Smell 11:01

2M ago11:01

11:01

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/philosophy-smell.When philosophers think about human perception, they tend to focus on vision and turn their noses up at olfaction, the sense of smell. So what insights can we gain about perception, thought, and language by focusing on olfaction? How culturally variable is the ability to distinguish one …

1
556: In Search of Proust's Philosophy 9:24

2M ago9:24

9:24

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/search-prousts-philosophy.Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time challenges us to think hard about what we can know, who we really are, why memory matters, and how we can find enchantment in a world without God. But some might wonder why we need a 3,000 page novel to do that. Are there things a novel can…

1
Iris Murdoch Individuals and Ethics Podcast 51:37

2M ago51:37

51:37

In this episode Miles is joined by Prof. Bridget Clarke (University of Montana) to discuss her new book, entitled ‘Iris Murdoch’ in the Cambridge Elements, Elements on Women in the History of Philosophy series from Cambridge University Press. https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Iris-Murdoch-by-Bridget-Clarke/9781009358149Bridget is Professor …

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Big Boys, Invisible Boys & Ben Okri's Madame Sosostris and the Festival of the Brokenhearted! 36:25

2M ago36:25

36:25

Plus our favorite Thai restaurant in Europe, enchanting art from Henri Rousseau, & a brand new R&R playlist for Women's History Month! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Domaines Landron (Jo Landron) Amphibolite, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine (Loire, France) Reading: Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Brokenhearted by Ben Okri Listening: R&R’s Newest …

1
557: Thinking Like a Conspiracy Theorist 11:59

2M ago11:59

11:59

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/thinking-conspiracy-theorist.The moon landing was faked! JFK Jr. is still alive! Finland doesn’t exist! Conspiracy theories of all sorts have been gaining traction, thanks partly to the ease with which they spread online. But what makes someone more inclined to believe in vast conspiracies? Are marginali…

1
Iris Murdoch and Public Philosophy 42:47

3M ago42:47

42:47

In this podcast Miles is joined by Michela Dianetti and Lucy Elvis (both from Galway University, Ireland) discusses the role Murdoch's work can play in public philosophy. They discuss working with her philosophy, her radio play 'The One Alone', her novel 'The Unicorn', the Quartet biography 'Metaphysical Animals' and much more.Dr Michela Dianetti i…

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Adolescence, Lola Young & Marguerite Young's Miss MacIntosh, My Darling! 41:53

3M ago41:53

41:53

Plus Yazz Ahmed's newest album, the art of Frederic Leighton, & Chef Gregory Gourdet cooking with Pamela Anderson! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Oinotypo Vino Di Casa, ‘Kalampaki’ of Lemnos or ‘Limnio’ (Lemnos, Greece) — Fresh out of the barrel from Cava Oinotypo in Athens, Greece! Reading: Miss Macintosh, My Darling by Marguerite Young Listening …

1
Iris Murdoch: Philosophy (with Tom Whyman) 55:23

3M ago55:23

55:23

Welcome back! In this episode, I chat with Tom Whyman of The University of Liverpool about Murdoch's philosophy and how it relates to her novels (which aren't philosophical novels at all, according to Murdoch herself...) I know nothing about philosophy, but Tom does a great job of introducing some of her key ideas and provides a bit of background t…

1
The Red and the Green Podcast 1:03:15

3M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

In this episode Miles is joined by Ian D'alton (Trinity College, Dublin) and Frances White (University of Chichester) to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Murdoch's ninth novel, The Red and The Green.Ian is a visiting research fellow in the Centre for Contemporary Irish History at Trinity College, Dublin, and his most recent work is Southern Irish …

1
608: Judith Jarvis Thomson 10:47

3M ago10:47

10:47

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/judith-jarvis-thomson.Judith Jarvis Thomson is best known for arguing that abortion is morally permissible, even granting the fetus the status of person. Her colorful thought experiments illustrate that a right to life does not mean the right to use another person's body to survive. So, what exactly is a…

1
559: Why Trust Science? 9:48

3M ago9:48

9:48

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/why-trust-science.According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, the number of Americans who trust in science is steadily declining. While politicization is partly to blame, another reason may be that the “truths” of science seem to shift endlessly. So why should we trust science? Is …

1
‘Epitaph for Robert Fergusson’ (1789) by Robert Burns 23:54

3M ago23:54

23:54

S3E99 Today Ash looks at not one but three short poems composed by Robert Burns on the subject of his 'elder brother in the Muse', Robert Fergusson. Title Music: 'Not Drunk' by The Joy Drops. All other music by Epidemic Sound. @earreadthis [email protected] facebook.com/earreadthisBy Ash Caton

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Nickel Boys, Shakespeare's Sisters & the New York Dolls! 42:48

3M ago42:48

42:48

Plus delicious vegan dining in Athens, a major retrospective featuring the art of Shahzia Sikander, and Constantinople's new album: Nordic Lights in Persian Sky! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Oinotypo Vino Di Casa, Fumé ‘Orange Wine’ Roditis (Aigialeia, Greece) — Fresh out of the barrel from Cava Oinotypo in Athens, Greece! Reading: Shakespeare's …

1
Aesthetic Arrest: A Tribute to Roberta Flack, The Last Showgirl & The Disappearance of Miss Scott! 46:08

3M ago46:08

46:08

Plus Abel Selaocoe's Hymns of Bantu, the art of Cameron Ugbodu, poetry from Toi Derricotte, & delicious Greek meze in Ioannina! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Sacred Mountain ΑιΩ Marbled Malagouzia (Halkidiki, Greece) Reading: “I”: New and Selected Poems by Toi Derricotte Listening #1: A Tribute to Roberta Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 20…

1
607: The 2025 Dionysus Awards 13:49

3M ago13:49

13:49

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/2025-dionysus-awards.What movies of the past year challenged your assumptions and made you think about things in new ways? Josh and guest co-host Jeremy Sabol present our annual Dionysus Awards for the most thought-provoking movies of the last twelve months, including: • Best Movie About Religious People…

1
“Technology is Hijacking Our Dreams”: Alice Thompson on AI, Edinburgh and Sylvia Plath 34:17

3M ago34:17

34:17

S3E98 Today's special episode of Ear Read This was recorded on location in Portobello Library, where Ash interviewed novelist Alice Thompson about artificial intelligence, the effect of Edinburgh on the imagination of a writer and the influence of Sylvia Plath. For copies of books mentioned in the podcast please visit Salt Publishing: https://www.s…

1
80: W.E.B. DuBois 8:47

3M ago8:47

8:47

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/web-du-bois.Sociologist, historian, philosopher, editor, writer, and activist, W.E.B. Du Bois was one of the most influential intellectuals of the twentieth century. The first African-American Ph.D. from Harvard University, Du Bois died in Ghana after having renounced his American citizenship. In between…

1
Socrates in Prison 50:50

3M ago50:50

50:50

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Plato's Crito and Phaedo, his accounts of the last days of Socrates in prison in 399 BC as he waited to be executed by drinking hemlock. Both works show Socrates preparing to die in the way he had lived: doing philosophy. In the Crito, Plato shows Socrates arguing that he is duty bound not to escape from prison even …

1
Iris Murdoch and Evil Podcast 57:14

3M ago57:14

57:14

In this episode Miles is joined by Daniel Read (University of Kingston) to discuss his new book, 'Degrees of Evil in Iris Murdoch's Fiction and Philosophy'. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-75841-6We range across all of her published work - in literature, fiction and theology - and ask why the nature of evil obsessed her throughout …

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat, An African History of Africa & Black-Owned Galleries Now! 40:38

4M ago40:38

40:38

Plus new music: Transcontinental Afrobeat from Tony Allen & La BOA, and the kora meets the accordion in a musical dialogue between Ablaye Cissoko & Cyrille Brotto! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Kenyan Dawa (non-alcoholic drink perfect for cold season!) Reading: An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence by Zeinab Badaw…

1
606: The Philosophical Worlds of Borges 10:47

4M ago10:47

10:47

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/philosophical-worlds-borges.Argentinian writer Jorge Luís Borges wrote some of the world’s most brilliant, mind-bending, and philosophical stories. Drawing on sources from Europe, India, China, and Persia, these stories tackled topics like time, reality, selfhood, and art. Yet Borges also said "I don’t t…

1
605: Alan Turing and the Limits of Computation 9:52

4M ago9:52

9:52

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/alan-turing-and-limits-computation.Alan Turing was a 20th-Century English mathematician and cryptologist who is widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science. In 1950, he published a definition of a computer that is both universal, general enough to apply to any specific computing ar…

1
Aesthetic Arrest: Marianne Faithfull, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith & The Best New TV Show of 2025! 39:34

4M ago39:34

39:34

Plus Cymande's Renascence, a new translation for Yukio Mishima's centennial, & Ryan Wildstar's famous Greek potatoes! Wildstar’s Wednesday Libation: Japanese Cocktails at Sunset in Sarandë! (Cognac, Orgeat, Lime Juice & Bitters) Reading: Voices of the Fallen Heroes: And Other Stories by Yukio Mishima (January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970) Listening…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Iris Murdoch Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen