Best Mike Rinder Podcasts (2025)

1
Julia Shaw and Hayaatun Sillem 27:46

Play Pause

22m ago27:46

27:46

FUNDAMENTALLY by Nussaibah Younis, chosen by Julia ShawYOUR LIFE IS MANUFACTURED by Tim Minshall, chosen by Hayaatun SillemROSARITA by Anita Desai, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Criminal psychologist Julia Shaw joins engineer Hayaatun Sillem to discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Julia's choice, Fundamentally, is a bold debut novel by Nussa…

1
Nicola Sturgeon and Alistair McGowan 27:43

3d ago27:43

27:43

Two books featuring teenage killers feature this time. Nicola Sturgeon MSP votes for Elif Shafak's Honour as her good read. It details the reasons behind the so-called honour killing carried out by a young Turkish Kurd living in London in the 1970s. Nicola says it provides valuable cultural insight into the reasons behind a particular form of viole…

1
Tom Cox and Sophie Scott 27:45

9d ago27:45

27:45

THE STONE DIARIES by Carol Shields, chosen by Tom CoxHOW TO WRITE A THESIS by Umberto Eco, chosen by Sophie ScottPARADISE by Abdulrazak Gurnah, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Writer Tom Cox joins neuroscientist Sophie Scott to discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Tom's choice is the 1995 Pulitzer Prize winner, The Stone Diaries. Following the…

1
Chris Tarrant and Mike Gayle 27:43

17d ago27:43

27:43

OPEN by Andre AgassiSONIC YOUTH SLEPT ON MY FLOOR by Dave HaslamTHE SECRET HOURS by Mick Herron Television and radio broadcaster Chris Tarrant nominates the autobiography of tennis legend Andre Agassi, and novelist Mike Gayle has gone for Dave Haslam’s memoir of his time spent DJing at Manchester’s famous Hacienda. Harriett is hoping the two of the…

1
Sarah Waters and Walter Murch 27:30

23d ago27:30

27:30

BEAR by Marian Engel, chosen by novelist Sarah WatersTHE TRUE BELIEVER by Eric Hoffer, chosen by film editor Walter MurchTHE VISITOR by Maeve Brennan, chosen by presenter Harriett Gilber Sarah Waters, acclaimed author of Fingersmith and The Night Watch, and Walter Murch, legendary film editor of Apocalypse Now and The English Patient choose the boo…

1
Rob Rinder and Juno Dawson 27:33

3M ago27:33

27:33

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS by Augusten Burroughs, chosen by Rob RinderTHE ODD WOMAN AND THE CITY by Vivian Gornick, chosen by Harriett GilbertEARTHLINGS by Sayaka Murata, chosen by Juno Dawson The barrister, television presenter and writer Rob Rinder and author Juno Dawson talk books with Harriett Gilbert. Juno Dawson selects Sayaka Murata's Earthlings,…

1
Zadie Smith and Colm Tóibín 30:03

3M ago30:03

30:03

OBLIVION by Héctor Abad, chosen by Colm TóibínFLESH by David Szalay, chosen by Zadie SmithCALL ME BY YOUR NAME by André Aciman, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Authors and good friends Zadie Smith and Colm Tóibín join Harriett Gilbert to share books they love. For a longer edition of this episode, check out the A Good Read podcast. Colm Tóibín chooses O…

1
Joanna Hardy-Susskind and Horatio Clare 27:49

4M ago27:49

27:49

THE TRUCE by Primo Levi, chosen by Horatio Clare THE SUN DOES SHINE by Anthony Ray Hinton with Lara Love Hardin, chosen by Joanna Hardy-SusskindSULA by Toni Morrison, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Writer Horatio Clare joins criminal defence barrister Joanna Hardy-Susskind to discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Horatio's choice is a book he …

1
Desiree Akhavan and Rosie Wilby 27:51

4M ago27:51

27:51

ALL FOURS by Miranda July, chosen by Desiree AkhavanUNTRUE by Wednesday Martin, chosen by Rosie WilbyDRAGON TALK by Fleur Adcock, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Filmmaker and writer Desiree Akhavan joins comedian, writer and podcaster Rosie Wilby as they discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Desiree's choice is All Fours by Miranda July, a nov…

1
James Rebanks and Kiri Pritchard-McLean at the Hay Festival 27:51

4M ago27:51

27:51

THE IRON AGE by Arja KajermoA SHORT STAY IN HELL by Steven L PeckSTONE YARD DEVOTIONAL by Charlotte Wood James Rebanks is a farmer from the Lake District as well as author of The Shepherd's Life. His new book The Place of Tides is about his time in Norway learning from an elderly woman who cared for eider ducks on a remote island. His book choice i…

1
Budgie and Juhea Kim 27:52

4M ago27:52

27:52

NAUSEA by Jean-Paul SartreGO WENT GONE by Jenny ErpenbeckLAURUS by Evgeny Vodolazkin Budgie is best known as the drummer with Siouxsie & The Banshees and The Creatures, as well as The Slits. His memoir The Absence: Memoirs of A Banshee is published in July 2025. Together with the Korean novelist Juhea Kim he chooses his favourite book to discuss wi…

1
Xantoné Blacq and Harry Trevaldwyn 27:45

5M ago27:45

27:45

WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT by Sarah Winman, chosen by Harry TrevaldwynTHE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho, chosen by Xantoné BlacqJAMES by Percival Everett, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Music producer and composer Xantoné Blacq joins actor and writer Harry Trevaldwyn to share the books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. First up, Harry brings to the tab…

1
Josh Cohen and Nussaibah Younis 27:21

5M ago27:21

27:21

BIG SWISS by Jen Beagin, chosen by Nussaibah YounisA HEART SO WHITE by Javier Marías, chosen by Josh CohenTHE END OF EDDY by Edouard Louis, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Big Swiss is a 29-year-old gynecologist who has never had an orgasm. Greta Work is an audio transcriber for a sex therapist who is infatuated by one of his clients. After an encounter…

1
Jack Thorne and Peter Kosminsky 27:43

5M ago27:43

27:43

AN INSTANCE OF THE FINGERPOST by Iain Pears, chosen by Peter KosminskyHEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING by Will Arbery, chosen by Jack ThornePERFECTION by Vincenzo Latronico, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Thorne and Kosminsky are great friends, but don't fully agree on the books discussed. Topics raised by their choices include toxic masculinity, empathy, …

1
Douglas Stuart and Sian Eleri 27:52

7M ago27:52

27:52

Douglas Stuart author of Booker Prize winning novel Shuggie Bain chooses his favourite book - Train Dreams by Denis Johnson - a short novel encapsulating the history of America in the early 20th century through the life of a lonely man in the forests of the Pacific Northwest.He's joined by Radio 1 and The Voice Wales presenter Sian Eleri whose choi…

1
Lucy Speed and Sarah Mills 27:50

8M ago27:50

27:50

EVERYONE BRAVE IS FORGIVEN by Chris Cleave, chosen by Lucy SpeedTHE HUMAN FACTOR by Graham Greene, chosen by Harriett Gilbert253 by Geoff Ryman, chosen by Sarah Mills Former Eastenders and present-day Archers actor Lucy Speed and comedian Sarah Mills talk about books set in wartime London, a 1990s underground train, and Graham Greene's MI6. Lucy's …

1
Nina Sosanya and Joelle Taylor 27:41

8M ago27:41

27:41

Actor Nina Sosanya and prize winning poet and writer Joelle Taylor talk favourite books with Harriett. Nina chooses Sally Jones and the False Rose by Jakob Wegelius, a children's novel with a mute gorilla engineer as its protagonist. The book appeals to Nina's love of engineering, and the city of Glasgow! Joelle nominates Booker Prize winning The S…

1
Oliver Burkeman and Sara Collins 27:51

8M ago27:51

27:51

MOON TIGER by Penelope Lively, chosen by Sara CollinsNUMBER GO UP: INSIDE CRYPTO'S WILD RISE AND STAGGERING FALL by Zeke Faux, chosen by Oliver BurkemanLORD JIM AT HOME by Dinah Brooke, chosen by Harriett Gilbert "I'm writing a history of the world" - so begins the choice of novelist and broadcaster Sara Collins: Penelope Lively's Booker Prize-winn…

1
Inua Ellams and Ted Hodgkinson 27:51

8M ago27:51

27:51

WHEN WE CEASE TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD by Benjamin Labatut (translated by Adrian Nathan West), chosen by Ted Hodgkinson ENTER GHOST by Isabella Hammad, chosen by Inua EllamsGHOSTING: A DOUBLE LIFE by Jennie Erdal, chosen by Harriett Gilbert As Head of Literature and Spoken Word-programming at the Southbank Centre in London, writers and writing are a…

1
Julia Bradbury and Ramita Navai 28:03

9M ago28:03

28:03

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig, chosen by Julia BradburyA Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, chosen by Ramita NavaiAn Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim, chosen by presenter Harriett Gilbert TV presenter, author and walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury recommends a fiction book by Matt Haig, How to Stop Time, which brings to life the idea of living f…

1
Joe Dunthorne and Iszi Lawrence 28:08

9M ago28:08

28:08

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind, translated by John E. Woods, chosen by Iszi LawrenceTwo Serious Ladies by Jane Bowles, chosen by Joe DunthorneOh William! by Elizabeth Strout, chosen by presenter Harriett Gilbert Historical fiction author and broadcaster Iszi Lawrence adores the sensational novel Perfume, and has done since she …

1
Nicci Gerrard and Sean French 27:58

9M ago27:58

27:58

Books featured: True Grit by Charles PortisSorrow and Bliss by Meg MasonMoominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson Nicci Gerrard and Sean French write collectively as Nicci French. They not only write together, they're also a married couple and they love to read. Sean chooses True Grit by Charles Portis, better known for the film versions with John Wayne…

1
Professor Ben Garrod and Lucy Jones 27:49

11M ago27:49

27:49

A PRIMATE'S MEMOIR (Love, Death and Baboons) by Robert Sapolsky, chosen by Professor Ben GarrodSOLDIER SAILOR by Claire Kilroy, chosen by Harriett GilbertTHE ABUNDANCE by Annie Dillard, chosen by Lucy Jones Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod (Professor at the University of East Anglia) chooses a book which he's read and gifted countless times, a boo…

1
Sir Ian Blatchford and Charles Fernyhough 27:52

12M ago27:52

27:52

TOKYO EXPRESS by Seichō Matsumoto, translated by Jesse Kirkwood, chosen by Sir Ian BlatchfordTHE LETTERS OF ABELARD AND HELOISE, translated by Betty Radice, chosen by Charles FernyhoughSOLDIERS OF SALAMIS by Javier Cercas, translated by Anne McLean, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Director of the Science Museum group and president of the Royal Literary …

1
Naomi Alderman and Abi Dare 27:37

12M ago27:37

27:37

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini, chosen by Abi DareTHE FIRE NEXT TIME by James Baldwin, chosen by Harriett GilbertDEAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS by Julie Schumacher, chosen by Naomi Alderman The Power author Naomi Alderman, and Nigerian writer Abi Dare discuss favourite books. Naomi chooses Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, a series o…

1
Jenny Kleeman and Sam Knight 27:41

12M ago27:41

27:41

EDUCATED by Tara Westover, chosen by Jenny KleemanTHE WREN, THE WREN by Anne Enright, chosen by Harriett GilbertGIVING UP THE GHOST by Hilary Mantel, chosen by Sam Knight Journalist and broadcaster Jenny Kleeman (of Radio 4's The Gift and author of The Price of Life) chooses Tara Westover's memoir Educated, which caused a sensation when it was firs…

1
Nihal Arthanayake and Elif Shafak 27:35

1y ago27:35

27:35

Nihal has chosen Amma, the debut novel by Sri Lankan writer Saraid de Silva, which he compares to meeting someone on a train and having a long, intense conversation. Elif Shafak's choice, however, You're Embarrassing Yourself by Desiree Akhavan, he describes as more like a hilarious night in a pub. Harriett has gone for The Second Murderer by Denis…

1
Tim Spector and Tatty Macleod 27:53

1y ago27:53

27:53

THE COUNTRY OF OTHERS by Leïla Slimani, chosen by Tatty MacleodTHE MAN WHO ATE EVERYTHING by Jeffrey Steingarten, chosen by Tim SpectorORBITAL by Samantha Harvey, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Comedian Tatty Macleod chooses a novel by French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani, the first volume of a new trilogy telling the saga of a French-Moroccan family b…

1
Fee Mak and Ali Woods 27:54

1y ago27:54

27:54

REASONS TO STAY ALIVE by Matt Haig, chosen by Ali WoodsELENA KNOWS by Claudia Piñeiro, chosen by Fee MakTHE DETAILS by Ia Genberg, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Comedian Ali Woods chooses a memoir by Matt Haig based on his experiences of living with depression and anxiety disorder. Moving, funny and incredibly honest, Reasons to Stay Alive is a book w…

1
Amy Liptrot and Karl Ove Knausgaard 27:51

1y ago27:51

27:51

The Norwegian author of the hugely successful My Struggle books Karl Ove Knausgaard chooses The Names by Don de Lillo. It's set in Athens in the early 1980s with the main character being a risk analyst whose estranged wife is working there as an archeologist. It's a richly themed novel that feels very contemporary as well as prophetic. Amy Liptrot'…

1
Irvine Welsh and Andrew O'Hagan 27:51

1y ago27:51

27:51

A new series begins at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with guests Irvine Welsh and Andrew O'Hagan. Irvine Welsh is best known as the author of Trainspotting. Andrew O'Hagan's Mayflies was recently made into a BBC TV series. The programme was recorded in front of an audience at the Dynamic Earth Centre. Irvine Welsh chooses a lesser known…

1
Rachel Parris and Sonali Shah 27:28

1+ y ago27:28

27:28

DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver, chosen by Rachel ParrisDID YE HEAR MAMMY DIED? by Séamas O'Reilly, chosen by Harriett GilbertBOTH NOT HALF by Jassa Ahluwalia, chosen by Sonali Shah Comedian and musician Rachel Parris and broadcaster and presenter Sonali Shah join Harriett Gilbert to read each other's favourite books. Rachel Parris (Late Nig…

1
Sarah Phelps and Irenosen Okojie 27:49

1+ y ago27:49

27:49

RADIO ROMANCE by Garrison Keillor, chosen by Sarah PhelpsPERSEPOLIS by Marjane Satrapi, chosen by Irenosen OkojieABSOLUTELY AND FOREVER by Rose Tremain, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Two authors pick books they love with Harriett Gilbert. Screenwriter, playwright and television producer Sarah Phelps (The Sixth Commandment, A Very British Scandal, East…

1
Helen Lederer and Ilaria Bernardini 27:49

1+ y ago27:49

27:49

BOOKS: WISHFUL DRINKING by CARRIE FISHERFORBIDDEN NOTEBOOK by ALBA DE CESPEDESYELLOWFACE by REBECCA F KUANG Harriett's guests today are comedian and writer Helen Lederer known for so many roles including as Catrionia in Absolutely Fabulous. Recently she has published her memoir Not That I'm Bitter and set up the Comedy Writing In Print Prize. She h…

1
Brendan Tighe, A "Young Sea Org Member" 1:04:22

1+ y ago1:04:22

1:04:22

Brendan Tighe was born and raised in Scientology. By age five he was a cadet in the Sea Organization and went on to work in the Office of Special Affairs, the Renovations Organization and as a Security Guard at the Flag Land Base. In this conversation between Christie and Brendan he shares interesting stories from his life in Scientology including …

1
Gyles Brandreth and Hannah Critchlow 27:35

1+ y ago27:35

27:35

Writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth has chosen EF Benson's entertaining tale of competitive snobbery in the 1920s, Mapp and Lucia. In a contrasting choice, neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow advocates for Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi, a story of a Ghanaian family transplanted to Alabama which takes in neuroscience and opiate addiction. Harriet…

1
Valerie Ross, Part Two: How Scientology Protects Domestic Abusers 57:58

1+ y ago57:58

57:58

Valerie was a former Scientologist who worked in the Guardians office and was a spy planted in the FBI by Scientology. In this episode, she talks about her abusive relationship with her ex-husband, how Scientology protected him and how she finally escaped. This is a horrifying story of abuse, bravery and resilience. Listen to Part one here. Read mo…

1
Sebastian Faulks and Tessa Hadley 27:58

1+ y ago27:58

27:58

VOICES IN THE EVENING by Natalia Ginzburg (trans. DM Low), chosen by Tessa HadleyTHE ZONE OF INTEREST by Martin Amis (trans. Jessica Moore), chosen by Sebastian FaulksEASTBOUND by Maylis de Kerangal, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Two authors pick books they love with Harriett Gilbert. Tessa Hadley (Late In The Day, Free Love, After The Funeral) takes …

1
Doon Mackichan and Bruce Robinson 39:26

1+ y ago39:26

39:26

Recorded at the Hay Festival SHUGGIE BAIN by Douglas StuartON THE BLACK HILL by Bruce ChatwinAGAINST NATURE by Joris-Karl Huysmans Harriett Gilbert takes to the stage in the BBC Marquee at the Hay Festival for a special edition of the programme recorded in front of an audience. Actor and writer Doon Mackichan known for her outrageous character Cath…

1
Sarah Edmonson & Nippy Ames: NXIVM Survivors 58:57

1+ y ago58:57

58:57

Mike talks with Sarah and Nippy who escaped the NXIVM cult and were featured in the HBO documentary, The Vow. They now host A Little Bit Culty podcast shining a light on cult-like groups and environments, and helping victims recover. We highly recommend Sarah's best selling book, Scarred, and her Ted talk, How To Spot a Cult. Support the show Get M…

1
Ian Rafalko "Raised in Scientology" 59:24

1+ y ago59:24

59:24

Ian Rafalko was raised in a prominent Scientology family. He joined staff at Atlanta “ideal org” and married a scientologist. Eventually he broke free, lost his wife and family and spoke out in a viral TikTok about his father Dr. Eric Berg. Ian shares about his time in the church and how he has moved forward in life since leaving scientology. Suppo…

1
Denise Mina and Simon Brett 27:49

1+ y ago27:49

27:49

ABSENT IN THE SPRING by Agatha Christie (writing as Mary Westmacott) (HarperCollins), chosen by Simon BrettIN THE GARDEN OF THE FUGITIVES by Ceridwen Dovey (Penguin), chosen by Denise MinaHIDE MY EYES by Margery Allingham (Penguin), chosen by Harriett Gilbert Crime writers Denise Mina and Simon Brett join Harriett Gilbert to read each other's favou…

1
Karen Pressley, Author and Former Sea Org Executive 1:17:55

1+ y ago1:17:55

1:17:55

Karen Pressley is a former Sea Org member who worked directly with David Miscavige at the international scientology base, and was in charge of the Celebrity Centre. She shares how she got into scientology, stories about her experiences in the Sea Org, how she purged scientology from her mind and what she has been up to since leaving. Support the sh…

1
Samantha Harvey and Darran Anderson 27:50

1+ y ago27:50

27:50

QUARTET IN AUTUMN by Barbara Pym, chosen by Samantha Harvey MRS CALIBAN by Rachel Ingalls, chosen by Harriett GilbertPHARMACOPOEIA: A DUNGENESS NOTEBOOK by Derek Jarman, chosen by Darran Anderson Two award-winning writers share books they love with Harriett Gilbert. Samantha Harvey is the author of five novels, The Wilderness, All Is Song, Dear Thi…

1
Kathryn Hughes and Dan Schreiber 27:46

1+ y ago27:46

27:46

Historian and author Kathryn Hughes and No Such Thing As a Fish presenter Dan Schreiber recommend favourite books to Harriett Gilbert. Kathryn chooses Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes, an exploration of the French writer's life in the form of a novel. Dan's choice is very different - John Higgs taking on the conceptual artists and chart toppers T…

1
Former BBC Producer, Sarah Mole 1:08:08

1+ y ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Sarah Mole was the BBC Panorama producer that Mike came to know through her work on their two scientology episodes. In the first, Mike was a spokesman for the cult, in the second, he was a whistleblower. Sarah talks about what impressions Scientology and Mike made on her and the strange journey they have traveled from antagonists to friends. Suppor…

1
Scientology's Big "Blood on Your Hands" Lie Exposed 56:50

1+ y ago56:50

56:50

Breaking down the facts that have now been revealed proving scientology was lying (and KNEW it) when they claimed Leah Remini and Mike Rinder had "incited" the murder of a scientology security guard in Australia in 2019. They had ALL the facts, but until now, they had remained secret. Their brazen lying relied on the documents that have now come to…

1
Valerie Ross: Scientology Spy in the FBI 1:00:01

1+ y ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Valerie shares about her time in the Guardian's Office, learning what Hubbard wrote about espionage, and then putting this into practice as a spy employed in the Los Angeles office of the FBI. We also talk about her interactions with L. Ron Hubbard, Mary Sue and Diana. Read more about Valerie's story here: https://tonyortega.org/category/scientolog…

1
Rick Moxon: Scientology's Fair Game Poster Child 1:11:36

1+ y ago1:11:36

1:11:36

High level scientologist and lawyer Kendrick (Rick) Moxon is an operative who has been carrying out scientology Fair Game activities since the mid-1970's, and he continues to this day. He was recently caught trying to frame Leah Remini for "inciting violence" against scientology but it backfired spectacularly. The documents referred to in this disc…

1
Scientology Finally Admits Disconnection is Real 1:28:20

1+ y ago1:28:20

1:28:20

Mike Rinder, Christie Collbran, Claire Headley & Marc Headley discuss the significance of the new PR position of scientology with respect to disconnection, the euphemism they have come up with to describe it, and the actual practice and personal experiences of this abusive policy of scientology. This episode originally aired on YouTube. Support the…