The distinguished sociologist and cultural thinker Richard Sennett was once a professional cellist and his new book, The Performer, examines the links between artistic performance, politics and the public-sphere.

We were delighted to talk to him about his own experiences asa musician and about prominent figures from Leonard Bernstein and Roland Barthes to Donald Trump and Boris Johnson.

'The Performer: Art, Life, Politics', by Richard Sennett

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, a special interview with the sociologist Richard Sennett takes us from Roland Barthes to Leonard Bernstein; and Hettie Judah on two memoirs inspired by a love of 17th-century art.

'The Performer: Art, Life, Politics', by Richard Sennett

'Thunderclap: A Memoir of Art and Life & Sudden Death', by Laura Cumming

'The Upside-Down World: Meetings with the Dutch Masters', by Benjamin Moser

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sinéad Gleeson delights in the byways of Maeve Brennan's New York; and Costica Bradatan explores the enduring appeal of Henry David Thoreau.

'The Long-Winded Lady', by Maeve Brennan, with an introduction by Sinéad Gleeson

'Thoreau's Axe: Distraction and Discipline in American Culture', by Caleb Smith

'Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living', by John Kaag and Jonathan van Belle

'Henry David Thoreau: Thinking Disobediently', by Lawrence Buell

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lamorna Ash goes back to school for the latest reboot of Tina Fey's Mean Girls; and Professor Eric Naiman on the challenges of teaching in the age of ChatGPT.

'Mean Girls', screenplay by Tina Fey, directed by Samantha Jayne and

Arturo Perez Jr

'The Brothers Karamazov', by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, will George Berridge be convinced by the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's Poor Things? And Peter Geoghegan explores how the climate emergency is being treated in Westminster.

'Mission zero: The independent net zero review', by Chris Skidmore

'Climate capitalism: Winning the global race to zero emissions', by Akshat Rathi

'The price is wrong: Why capitalism won’t save the planet', by Brett

Christophers

'Poor things', directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Charles Foster explores how psychedelic drugs are changing lives; and Alan Jenkins on the lure of the open seas.

'Ten Trips: The new reality of psychedelics', by Andy Mitchell

'Psychedelics: The revolutionary drugs that could change your life – a

guide from the expert', by David Nutt

'I feel love: MDMA and the quest for connection in a fractured world',

by Rachel Nuwer

'Psychonauts: Drugs and the making of the modern mind', by Mike Jay

'Sailing Alone: A history', by Richard J King

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The acclaimed novelist and her musician daughter on the joys of reading in trees, childhood gardens and what it's like to have a David Austin rose named after you.

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special seasonal highlights show, with contributions from novelists Anne Enright and Samantha Harvey; and James Marcus on partygoers Susan Sontag and George Steiner.

'The Wren, The Wren', by Anne Enright

'Orbital', by Samantha Harvey

'Maestros and monsters: Days & nights with Susan Sontag & George

Steiner', by Robert Boyers

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Toby Lichtig goes to see the latest Roald Dahl adaptations, junior critic in tow; and Dinah Birch celebrates the enduring power of Ebenezer Scrooge.

'The Witches', at the National Theatre, London, until 27 January 2024

'Wonka', on general release

'A Christmas Carol', by Charles Dickens

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lauren Elkin takes an artistic stroll in the footsteps of Gertrude Stein; and Maria Margaronis goes in search of Willa Cather deep in the Midwest.

'Gertrude Stein et Pablo Picasso: L'invention du langage', at the Musée du Luxembourg, Paris, until 28 January 2024

'Chasing Bright Medusas: A life of Willa Cather', by Benjamin Taylor

Produced by Charlotte Pardy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.