top of page
David Runciman

The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

Find us wherever you get your podcasts

  • Spotify
  • Apple Music
  • Amazon

Follow us

  • Bluesky

A bi-weekly podcast exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, science to fiction.

Latest episode

Orwell’s War: The Nightmare (1938-39)

12 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Today’s episode is the first in a new series about how the greatest political writer of the 20th century tried – and failed – to make sense of the central political event of the century. How did George Orwell respond in real time to the epochal events of the Second World War and how do his struggles relate to the uncertainties of our own time? What did he get right, what did he get wrong and what did he fail to understand at all? How did a writer who had vigorously opposed the war before it started find himself defending it as soon as it was underway? Who or what did he really want to win? And what did Orwell believe was worse than fascism?

Join us this Friday 17th April at the Regent Street Cinema in London for the second film in our new season: a screening of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut followed by a live podcast recording with David and director and campaigner Beeban Kidron. Tickets available now ⁠https://bit.ly/3O5rSEY⁠

And find details of all our upcoming film events here ⁠https://www.ppfideas.com/events⁠

You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website ⁠https://www.ppfideas.com⁠

Next Time on Orwell’s War: False Dawn (1940-41)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5-million_dark 16x9.png

More episodes

Live Film Special: Metropolitan w/James Marriott

8 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Political Conversions: Switching Sides in the 21st Century

5 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Political Conversions: From Trotskyism to Neoconservatism

1 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Delve deeper

Sign up to our newsletter to delve deeper into the ideas explored in our podcast, with new editions delivered free, fortnightly, to your inbox.

Join PPF+

Get ad-free listening, 24 bonus episodes a year, and support the podcast. All for just £5 a month or £50 a year!

bottom of page