Best The Guardian Long Read Podcasts (2025)

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From the archive: Bicycle graveyards: why do so many bikes end up underwater? 29:57

Play Pause

3m ago29:57

29:57

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: every year, thousands of bikes are tossed into rivers, ponds, lakes and canals. What’s behind this mass drowning? By Jody Rosen. Read by Masud Milas. Help support our independent journalism …

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Alexander Isak to Liverpool? And your questions answered: Football Weekly 51:18

1d ago51:18

51:18

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Mark Langdon as Liverpool look to sign Alexander Isak, while the panel answer your questions from the pre-season mailbag. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

51
England are European champions, again: Football Weekly 48:36

1d ago48:36

48:36

Max Rushden is joined by Nick Ames, Seb Hutchinson and Faye Carruthers as England retain the European crown against Spain. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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Poison in the water: the town with the world’s worst case of forever chemicals contamination 38:15

2d ago38:15

38:15

When a small Swedish town discovered their drinking water contained extremely high levels of Pfas, they had no idea what it would mean for their health and their children’s future. By Marta Zaraska. Read by Myanna Buring. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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‘A relentless, destructive energy’: inside the trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon 1:02:41

5d ago1:02:41

1:02:41

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby? By Sophie Elmhirst. Read by Serena Manteghi. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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Brilliant Bonmatí sends Spain into Euro 2025 final, plus transfer talk – Football Weekly Extra 56:28

4d ago56:28

56:28

Max Rushden is joined by Jonathan Liew, Nedum Onuoha and Seb Hutchinson to discuss Euro 2025 and the latest transfer news. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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England leave it very late but Euro 2025 final beckons: Football Weekly 50:28

5d ago50:28

50:28

Max Rushden, Nicky Bandini, Jordan Jarrett-Bryan, Nooruddean Choudry and Nick Ames discuss England reaching the Euros final. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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From the archive: how two BBC journalists risked their jobs to reveal the truth about Jimmy Savile 46:13

8d ago46:13

46:13

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 2021: listening to the women who alleged abuse, and fighting to get their stories heard, helped change the treatment of victims by the media and the justice system By Poppy Sebag-Montefiore. Read …

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England in the semi-finals and Manchester United’s infamous five – Football Weekly 51:04

10d ago51:04

51:04

Max Rushden is joined by Lucy Ward, Jonathan Wilson and Philippe Auclair as the Euro 2025 semi-finals are decided and Manchester United try to move on unwanted players. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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The curse of Toumaï: an ancient skull, a disputed femur and a bitter feud over humanity’s origins 58:27

7d ago58:27

58:27

When fossilised remains were discovered in the Djurab desert in 2001, they were hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But not everyone was convinced – and the bitter argument that followed has consumed the lives of scholars ever since By Scott Sayare. Read by Bert Seymour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.c…

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WFW: Berger’s brilliance denies France and Spain march on – Football Weekly 1:04:49

8d ago1:04:49

1:04:49

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Sophie Downey and Tim Stillman to review two epic quarter-finals and preview the semi-finals.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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WFW: England victorious after shootout chaos and Italy stun Norway – Football Weekly 54:03

10d ago54:03

54:03

Faye Carruthers is joined by Tom Garry, Marva Kreel and Jonathan Liew to relive England’s dramatic shootout win and Italy’s late heroics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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Horse racing and erotica: how I survived the fickle world of freelance writing 31:03

12d ago31:03

31:03

Gabrielle Drolet had always dreamed of being a writer. But when disability closed down most of her opportunities, a strange career began By Gabrielle Drolet. Read by Kate Handford. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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From the archive: The sludge king: how one man turned an industrial wasteland into his own El Dorado 50:53

12d ago50:53

50:53

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: when a Romanian businessman returned to his hometown and found a city blighted by mining waste, he hatched a plan to restore it to its former glory. He became a local hero, but now prosecuto…

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Chelsea champions of the world while England send Wales packing at Euros – Football Weekly 55:01

14d ago55:01

55:01

Max Rushden is joined by John Brewin, Robyn Cowen and Dan Bardell as Chelsea win the Club World Cup and rampant England book a Euro 2025 quarter-final against Sweden. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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Sold to the Trump family: one of the last undeveloped islands in the Mediterranean 17:09

17d ago17:09

17:09

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have spent more than $1bn on an Albanian island that will be a luxury resort – once the unexploded ordnance has been removed By Marzio Mian. Read by Mo Ayoub For more on US politics and the Trump family check out Politics Weekly America. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpo…

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How does woke start winning again? 34:27

20d ago34:27

34:27

British progressives have suffered major setbacks in recent years, in both public opinion and court rulings. Was a backlash inevitable, and are new tactics needed? By Gaby Hinsliff. Read by Carlyss Peer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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PSG demolish Real Madrid, transfers and a proper England win – Football Weekly Extra 54:34

19d ago54:34

54:34

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, Paul Watson and Tom Garry to discuss the Euros, Club World Cup and more. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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Chelsea into the Club World Cup final and England’s crunch Euro test – Football Weekly 54:54

22d ago54:54

54:54

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Lars Sivertsen, Jonathan Fadugba and Nick Ames as Chelsea progress to the Club World Cup final with a 2-0 win over Fluminense. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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From the archive: The death of the department store 33:54

21d ago33:54

33:54

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 closure of John Lewis’s store in Sheffield after almost 60 years was a bitter blow. As debate rages over what to do with the huge empty site, the city is becoming a test case for where B…

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A Diogo Jota tribute – Football Weekly 57:37

21d ago57:37

57:37

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Wilson and Mark Langdon to pay tribute to Diogo Jota and Suzy Wrack joins from Zurich after England lose their opening game of Euro 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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‘Do you have a family?’: midlife with no kids, ageing parents – and no crisis 30:48

24d ago30:48

30:48

In my 40s, I found myself with a life that didn’t look like it was ‘supposed’ to. What was I doing? On trips to South Korea with my mother, an answer began to emerge By E Tammy Kim. Read by Jennifer J Kim. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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Why does Switzerland have more nuclear bunkers than any other country? 27:50

27d ago27:50

27:50

Switzerland is home to more than 370,000 nuclear bunkers – enough to shelter every member of the population. But if the worst should happen, would they actually work? By Jessi Jezewska Stevens. Read by Rachel Handshaw. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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Transfers, Euro 2025 and Sheffield Wednesday in crisis: Football Weekly Extra 54:04

25d ago54:04

54:04

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Sam Dalling, Sanny Rudravajhala and Tom Garry for a transfer round-up and the latest from Euro 2025 in Switzerland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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Manchester City out of the Club World Cup and Euro 2025 kicks off - Football Weekly 52:39

26d ago52:39

52:39

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, Nedum Onuoha and Suzy Wrack to discuss the Club World Cup and the Women’s Euros. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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From the archive: ‘You can’t be the player’s friend’: inside the secret world of tennis umpires 45:59

26d ago45:59

45:59

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: new technology was supposed to make umpiring easy. It hasn’t worked out that way By William Ralston. Read by Simon Vance. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadp…

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Lightning at the Club World Cup, U21 glory and the Women’s Euros – Football Weekly 56:25

28d ago56:25

56:25

Max Rushden is joined by Seb Hutchinson, John Brewin and Dan Bardell to discuss Club World Cup chaos, England’s U21s triumph, the Women’s Euros in Switzerland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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My husband and son suffered strokes, 30 years apart. Shockingly little had changed 30:35

29d ago30:35

30:35

I was told my husband would never talk again, while physiotherapy was dismissed entirely. My son was failed in similar ways, but for the brilliance of some medical staff who refuse to believe a stroke is the end By Sheila Hale. Read by Phyllida Nash. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

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‘The Mozart of the attention economy’: why MrBeast is the world’s biggest YouTube star 35:24

1M ago35:24

35:24

He’s spent 24 hours immersed in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash on lucky participants. But are MrBeast’s videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius? Written and read by Mark O’Connell. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

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The Audio Long Read: Extremely loud and incredibly scouse: how Jamie Carragher conquered football punditry 46:06

1M ago46:06

46:06

Football coverage no longer stops after the final whistle. And in this new era, the former Liverpool defender reigns supreme By Kieran Morris. Read by Felipe Pacheco. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: ‘A nursery of the Commons’: how the Oxford Union created today’s ruling political class 29:49

1M ago29:49

29:49

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: at the Oxford university debating society in the 80s, a generation of aspiring politicians honed the art of winning using jokes, rather than facts By Simon Kuper. Read by Andrew McGregor. He…

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Revisited: Luton Town’s Manager Idol – Forgotten Stories of Football podcast 9:47

1M ago9:47

9:47

Primetime TV would prove the inspiration for one of the most shambolic managerial appointments in football history. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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Is the Club World Cup actually … quite good? – Football Weekly podcast 53:31

1M ago53:31

53:31

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Will Unwin, Lars Sivertsen and Sid Lowe to talk transfers and Premier League fixtures. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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‘Outdated and unjust’: can we reform global capitalism? 34:05

1M ago34:05

34:05

President Trump’s tariffs have plunged the world economy into chaos. But history counsels against despair – and the left should seize on capitalism’s crisis of legitimacy By John Cassidy. Read by Chris Reilly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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Extremely loud and incredibly scouse: how Jamie Carragher conquered football punditry 46:06

1M ago46:06

46:06

Football coverage no longer stops after the final whistle. And in this new era, the former Liverpool defender reigns supreme By Kieran Morris. Read by Felipe Pacheco. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Revisited: Manchester United v Galatasaray, 1993 – Forgotten Stories of Football podcast 15:48

1M ago15:48

15:48

In this episode: few had expected much from Galatasaray in the European Cup, but United were out of their depth on the pitch amid terrifying hostility and harassment off it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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The Audio Long Read: ‘The Silicon Valley of turf’ – how the UK’s pursuit of the perfect pitch changed football 31:04

1M ago31:04

31:04

They used to look like quagmires, ice rinks or dustbowls, depending on the time of year. But as big money entered football, pristine pitches became crucial to the sport’s image – and groundskeepers became stars. By William Ralston. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod…

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From the archive: Burying Leni Riefenstahl: one woman’s lifelong crusade against Hitler’s favourite film-maker 49:37

1M ago49:37

49:37

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 2021: Nina Gladitz dedicated her life to proving the Triumph of the Will director’s complicity with the horrors of nazism. In the end, she succeeded – but at a cost Written and read by Kate Connol…

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The Club World Cup kicks off and Thomas Frank in at Spurs - Football Weekly 56:21

1M ago56:21

56:21

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Mark Langdon as the Club World Cup commences and Thomas Frank is installed at Spurs. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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‘You can let go now’: inside the hospital where staff treat fear of death as well as physical pain 38:52

1M ago38:52

38:52

In a Danish palliative care unit, the alternative to assisted dying is not striving to cure – offering relief and comfort to patients and their families By Line Vaaben. Read by Freya Miller. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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An English gentleman, a crooked lawyer: the secrets of Stephen David Jones 54:02

2M ago54:02

54:02

With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it’s little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get suspicious By Hettie O’Brien. Read by Simon Vance. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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Is football ready for the Club World Cup? Football Weekly Extra 56:36

2M ago56:36

56:36

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames and Paul Watson to look ahead to the Club World Cup which kicks off this weekend in the USA. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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England made to suffer by Senegal and a Welsh thriller in Belgium – Football Weekly podcast 54:12

2M ago54:12

54:12

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Nedum Onuoha as Senegal become the first African country to beat the England men’s team. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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From the archive: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o: three days with a giant of African literature 59:05

2M ago59:05

59:05

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 2023: The Kenyan novelist’s life and work has intersected with many of the biggest events of the past century. At 85, he reflects on his long, uncompromising life in writing Written and read by Ca…

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England’s grind, Nations League drama and Ange Postecoglou out at Spurs – Football Weekly 55:53

2M ago55:53

55:53

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, George Elek and Lars Sivertsen to discuss England’s laboured win over Andorra, the Nations League final and Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs exit. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian

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Death, divorce and the magic of kitchen objects: how to find hope in loss 28:45

2M ago28:45

28:45

As they pass through different hands, cooking utensils can magically connect us to loved ones who are no longer with us By Bee Wilson. Read by Colleen Prendergast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode 1 26:51

2M ago26:51

26:51

Three years ago British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s remote Javari valley. The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips investigates what happened in the first episode of a new six-part investigative podcast series. Find episode 2 – and all future…

1
Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode 1 26:51

2M ago26:51

26:51

Three years ago British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s remote Javari valley. The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips investigates what happened in the first episode of a new six-part investigative podcast series. Find episode 2 – and all future…

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Dissecting Tuchel’s England squad and transfer talk – Football Weekly Extra podcast 58:31

2M ago58:31

58:31

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Paul Watson and Dan Bardell to discuss transfers and preview the international break. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypodBy The Guardian