The Audio Long Read

Ease into the weekend with our brand new podcast, showcasing some of the best Guardian and Observer writing from the week, read by talented narrators. In this week’s episode, Marina Hyde on oligarchs in London (1m53s), Zoe Williams interviews Charlie Brooker (9m26s), Annie Lord discusses the pros and cons of voice notes (19m30s) and Luke Winkie investigates the Crime Queen of Bitcoin (32m04s).. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

My drinking and drug use pushed me over the edge into a complete breakdown. Then a stint in rehab made me question how much we really understand about addiction. By Carl Erik Fisher. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

We are raiding the Audio Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2017: Over three decades, he transformed a nation’s attitude to art. But is his revolution now in danger of being reversed? by Charlotte Higgins. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

After giving safe harbour to thousands of people fleeing Nazi persecution in Europe, the British government decided that some of them could be a threat – and locked all of them up. For many, it was a betrayal on the part of their supposed liberators. By Simon Parkin. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

In this week’s episode, Chris Godfrey interviews Johnny Knoxville about his life as a world-famous stuntman (2m08s), Marina Hyde laments the fact a computer system was believed over humans (15m53s), actress Emma Thompson explores the intersection of three generations of women in her family (24m39s), Jay Rayner reviews Chef Tee’s Sugarcane London (28m46s), and Nell Frizzell gives 10 tips to revive a longterm relationship (36m24s).. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

Gary Hersham has been selling houses to the very rich for decades. At first, £1m was a big deal. Now he sells for £50m, £100m, even £200m. What does it take to stay on top in this cut-throat business? By Sophie Elmhirst. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

We are raiding the Audio Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2016: For more than 40 years, William James Vahey drugged and abused hundreds of pupils at international schools around the world. A Guardian investigation reveals that, despite numerous opportunities to stop him, nothing was done. By Robert Booth. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

At a summer camp for kids from conflict zones, I met my brave, funny friend Aseel. He was Palestinian. I was Israeli. When he was killed by police, my hope for our future died with him. By Roy Cohen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

In northern Norway, trees are rapidly taking over the tundra and threatening an ancient way of life that depends on snow and ice. By Ben Rawlence. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod

We are raiding the Audio Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2017: In recent years, references to such attacks have become inescapable. But this lazy term obscures the real nature of the threat against us. By Jason Burke. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod