Best Julien Laurens Podcasts (2025)

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Sylvia Plath 27:06

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4d ago27:06

27:06

Lucy Jones, author of Matrescence, chooses the writer Sylvia Plath. Sylvia Plath was a precocious, prize-winning child,. Her mother had high expectations for her. Her father had died when she was 8 (but could have been saved if only he'd gone to see a doctor). When she was well, Plath was energetic, fun, bright, attractive, funny and incredibly sma…

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Elizabeth Day on Hatshepsut 27:40

11d ago27:40

27:40

"One of the things that she claimed was that her mother had been impregnated by the sun god Amon-Ra."Elizabeth Day's interest in the female pharaoh Hatshepsut was sparked by a trip to Egypt less than a year ago. What intrigued her was how this woman survived and thrived as ruler in a traditionally male role. Joining her in discussion is Professor J…

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Comedian Stewart Lee on Derek Bailey 30:43

18d ago30:43

30:43

"The area I mostly work in is generally known as free - the free music area. And free is one of those four letter words, like rock or jazz or punk maybe. It started out meaning something." Derek Bailey Born in 1930 in Sheffield, Bailey worked as a session musician in dance bands and orchestras before turning his back on that world. Free improvisati…

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Jock Stein, first British football manager to win the European Cup 27:41

25d ago27:41

27:41

Jock Stein, first British football manager to win the European Cup, picked by composer Sir James MacMillan and aided by Jock Stein’s biographer, Archie MacPherson. Jock Stein was manager of Celtic FC when they won the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967. He later died while managing Scotland in a world cup qualifier against Wales – the date, September 1…

1
Benjamin Franklin 26:59

1M ago26:59

26:59

Matthew Parris heads to the house where Benjamin Franklin lived for almost 17 years to meet banker and philanthropist John Studzinski. Franklin was born in Boston when it was still a part of the British empire, ran away to Philadelphia and lodged near Charing Cross at 36 Craven Street in London for over a decade. He was an agent for the Pennsylvani…

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Miles Jupp on JL Carr, author of A Month in the Country 27:28

1M ago27:28

27:28

"I find his novels extraordinarily beautiful .. and they're an excellent length." Miles Jupp picks an author he loves, but knows little about. JL Carr was born in Yorkshire and was a teacher, mapmaker, and an eccentric. Joining the comedian in studio to discuss Carr is a man who knew him well - DJ Taylor - who paints a picture of a man who hated Lo…

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Helen Castor on Richard II 27:37

2M ago27:37

27:37

Today's great life is possibly more famous as a Shakespearean character - King Richard II who was deposed by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke in 1399. He's been chosen by historian Helen Castor, author of The Eagle and the Hart, who shines a light on what really happened towards the end of his reign. Also helping is Professor Emma Smith who explains wh…

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DJ Deb Grant on John Prine 26:51

2M ago26:51

26:51

DJ Deb Grant picks US mailman turned country-folk singer John Prine, whose beautiful songs captured the world in which he lived. Bob Harris, who first met him on the Old Grey Whistle Test, adds to the conversation. "I came to know him through him speaking about his own music - it's his character, his personality and his attitude that I fell for," s…

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Saint Etienne on their 13th and final album, ‘International’ 28:50

2M ago28:50

28:50

Robert Bound is joined in the studio by Sarah Cracknell and Pete Wiggs from beloved British pop band Saint Etienne. They discuss their upcoming album, ‘International’, which will be their last. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Summer books special: Fredrik Backman, Christopher Bollen and our recommended reading 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

In our summer books special, Fredrik Backman discusses his latest book, ‘My Friends’, and Christopher Bollen talks about his novel ‘Havoc’. Plus: Georgina Godwin shares her recommended reading for the season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Summer music special: Green Man Festival and the season’s best albums 30:00

3M ago30:00

30:00

In our summer music special, we hear from Green Man Festival owner Fiona Stewart about what to expect from this year’s edition of the independent event. Plus: Kate Hutchinson with this season’s top-three albums. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Summer art special: Gilbert & George, Australia’s Aboriginal art centres and Romanian painter Marius Bercea 26:08

3M ago26:08

26:08

In our summer art special, we visit an exhibition in London from Gilbert & George, head down under to find out about the art centres producing Aboriginal art and hear from a contemporary Romanian painter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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An exploration of the new Nick Drake boxset, “The Making of Five Leaves Left” 34:00

3M ago34:00

34:00

A new edition of Nick Drake’s “Five Leaves Left” record has been released, which includes previously unheard outtakes. Robert Bound explores the new release with Cally Callomon and Richard Morton Jack. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield on her groundbreaking series, ‘Social Studies’ 26:31

3M ago26:31

26:31

The documentary series ‘Social Studies’ explores the culture of social media, with insight into the real-life habits of teenagers. We catch up with the filmmaker behind the series, Lauren Greenfield, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Summer exhibitions: Jenny Saville and ‘Once Upon a Time in London’ 26:11

4M ago26:11

26:11

We head to two major exhibitions taking place this summer: ‘Once Upon a Time in London’ at Saatchi Yates and ‘Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting’ at the National Portrait Gallery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Photographer Dennis Morris reflects on his extraordinary career 36:03

4M ago36:03

36:03

British photographer Dennis Morris joins Robert Bound in the studio to discuss his extraordinary career and well-loved images of Bob Marley and the Sex Pistols. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Monocle meets British installation artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien 28:41

4M ago28:41

28:41

We sit down with legendary installation artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien. He discusses his career, early influences and his current show, ‘Isaac Julien: I Dream a World’, at San Francisco’s de Young Museum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Sir Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana 27:43

4M ago27:43

27:43

Seretse Khama was born in 1921 in Bechuanaland when it was still a British Protectorate. In 1966 he became Botswana's first president. In between he married a white Londoner, Ruth Williamson, was exiled by the British, and made to renounce his interest in succeeding as head of the Bangwato. It's an extraordinary and notable life, and he's been nomi…

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Art Basel in Basel celebrates its 55th year 27:20

4M ago27:20

27:20

Monocle heads to the 55th edition of Art Basel in Basel. We speak with some of the event’s leadership team; gallerists reflecting on their sales; and curators and artists at the fair and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Emily Williamson, co-founder of the RSPB 27:32

4M ago27:32

27:32

For over a hundred years no one thought too much about the origins of the RSPB, but among its founders was a woman in Didsbury opposed to the use of feathers in fashionable hats. Emily Williamson was outraged by the widespread slaughter of egrets and the crested grebe. She had tried to join the all-male British Ornithological Union, and when that f…

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Looking ahead to summer: music, film and TV 32:50

5M ago32:50

32:50

Robert Bound is joined by Will Hodgkinson, Hannah Strong and Rhianna Dhillon to share their picks of music, film and TV for the season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

1
Tina Turner 27:43

5M ago27:43

27:43

Rock Icon Tina Turner proposed by the actress and author Rebecca Humphries. Tina Turner began life as Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, joining Ike Turner's band in St Louis at the age of 17. Her presence, her performances and her voice captivated audiences, but this is really a story of triumph over abuse. After she left Ike Turner with noth…

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Goodwood Art Foundation launches as a wonderful new destination for contemporary art 27:13

5M ago27:13

27:13

We head to Sussex to celebrate the newly opened Goodwood Art Foundation. We speak to curator Ann Gallagher, artist Rachel Whiteread and Goodwood Estate proprietor Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Raymond Blanc on Professor Nicholas Kurti 27:39

5M ago27:39

27:39

The chef Raymond Blanc nominates his mentor and friend, the physicist Professor Nicholas Kurti.Kurti was born in Hungary but fled to Oxford when Hitler came to power. Pushing the frontiers of low-temperature physics during his career, he went on to create‘molecular gastronomy’ in retirement. Raymond Blanc approached Kurti after a lecture the profes…

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Art books at the Warburg Institute and Tate 31:05

5M ago31:05

31:05

We explore the genre of art books at a new exhibition at London’s Warburg Institute, which explores art publishing and libraries. Plus: we meet the head of book sales and buying at the Tate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Dervla Murphy, author of the classic Full Tilt 27:38

5M ago27:38

27:38

At the age of 10 Dervla Murphy was given an atlas and a bicycle, and so began an adventurous life. Her account of a journey to India became a classic called Full Tilt but she also went to Cuba, Ethiopia and the Andes where our guest first met her in a doss house. Hilary Bradt is the founder of the Bradt Travel Guides and is picking Dervla Murphy as…

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Review: ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ 29:44

5M ago29:44

29:44

Film critics Simran Hans and Leila Latif join Robert Bound to review Wes Anderson’s new movie, ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, starring Benicio Del Toro, Mia Threapleton and Michael Cera. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Ned Ludd mythical leader of the Luddites 27:43

5M ago27:43

27:43

We don't even know if Ned Ludd was real, but perhaps that was the point. "You could say he was everyone and no one - and that's what made him so terrifying for the authorities." Leader of the Luddites, who often signed letters and proclamations Ned Ludd, he is shown in one engraving wearing mismatched shoes and a blue polka dot dress, suggesting a …

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Exploring stories after dark with Dan Richards 30:53

5M ago30:53

30:53

We head into the night with Dan Richards, author of the new book ‘Overnight: Journeys, Conversations and Stories After Dark’. Richards celebrates all things nocturnal, from bakers and health workers to wildlife and Moomintrolls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Richey Edwards of The Manic Street Preachers 27:40

5M ago27:40

27:40

Richey was, beautiful says Cummins, a natural icon and a gift to photograph. He also believes his writing has been overshadowed by the fact of his disappearance in 1995. "I think nobody has looked beyond that for quite a long time.” Manic Street Preachers biographer, Simon Price, also knew Richey Edwards and says he was "the most intelligent rock s…

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Sunny spring soundtracks: Marlon Williams and Morcheeba 28:57

6M ago28:57

28:57

We create a sunny soundtrack to the coming weeks with the release of two new albums. Kiwi singer Marlon Williams talks about his gorgeous record “Te Whare Tīwekaweka”, his first sung in the Māori language. Plus: we hear from Skye Edwards of the beloved UK band Morcheeba, which is back with its trademark trip-hop on the upcoming album “Escape The Ch…

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Benny Hill 27:28

6M ago27:28

27:28

Biography show in which the guest picks someone they admire. Benny Hill is a thorny choice but playwright Jonathan Maitland is determined that - despite accusations of sexism and racism later in his career - Britain's most successful comedian deserves a second look. Benny was fired by Thames TV in 1989. "The show was past its sell-by date," was the…

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London’s finest: Tate Modern turns 25 and Photo London turns 10 30:04

6M ago30:04

30:04

We celebrate two of London’s most esteemed arts institutions. We reflect on the Tate Modern’s immense contribution to the UK’s cultural landscape and Photo London’s effect on photography over the past decade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

Julien Laurens Podcasts

1
Great Lives

BBC Radio 4

1
The Betway Insider

Betway

101
Monocle on Culture

Monocle

1
Sylvia Plath 27:06

1
Elizabeth Day on Hatshepsut 27:40

1
Comedian Stewart Lee on Derek Bailey 30:43

1
Jock Stein, first British football manager to win the European Cup 27:41

1
Benjamin Franklin 26:59

1
Miles Jupp on JL Carr, author of A Month in the Country 27:28

1
Helen Castor on Richard II 27:37

1
DJ Deb Grant on John Prine 26:51

1
Saint Etienne on their 13th and final album, ‘International’ 28:50

1
Summer books special: Fredrik Backman, Christopher Bollen and our recommended reading 29:06

1
Summer music special: Green Man Festival and the season’s best albums 30:00

1
Summer art special: Gilbert & George, Australia’s Aboriginal art centres and Romanian painter Marius Bercea 26:08

1
An exploration of the new Nick Drake boxset, “The Making of Five Leaves Left” 34:00

1
Documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield on her groundbreaking series, ‘Social Studies’ 26:31

1
Summer exhibitions: Jenny Saville and ‘Once Upon a Time in London’ 26:11

1
Photographer Dennis Morris reflects on his extraordinary career 36:03

1
Monocle meets British installation artist and filmmaker Isaac Julien 28:41

1
Sir Seretse Khama, first president of Botswana 27:43

1
Art Basel in Basel celebrates its 55th year 27:20

1
Emily Williamson, co-founder of the RSPB 27:32

1
Looking ahead to summer: music, film and TV 32:50

1
Tina Turner 27:43

1
Goodwood Art Foundation launches as a wonderful new destination for contemporary art 27:13

1
Raymond Blanc on Professor Nicholas Kurti 27:39

1
Art books at the Warburg Institute and Tate 31:05

1
Dervla Murphy, author of the classic Full Tilt 27:38

1
Review: ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ 29:44

1
Ned Ludd mythical leader of the Luddites 27:43

1
Exploring stories after dark with Dan Richards 30:53

1
Richey Edwards of The Manic Street Preachers 27:40

1
Sunny spring soundtracks: Marlon Williams and Morcheeba 28:57

1
Benny Hill 27:28

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London’s finest: Tate Modern turns 25 and Photo London turns 10 30:04