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David Runciman

The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

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

Latest episode

Live Film Special: Metropolitan w/James Marriott

8 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Today’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Regent Street Cinema in London: David talks to author and journalist James Marriott about Whit Stillman’s Metropolitan, which dissects the lives, loves and reading habits of a group of well-to-do young New Yorkers during deb party season. It is a film about being young and feeling old and fearing that you don’t have a future any more. Is it all over for the UHBs – the urban haute bourgeoisie? Has history left them behind? Or can one more drink, one more after-party and one more conversation about Jane Austen show them the way to a better tomorrow?

Join us on Friday 17th April at the Regent Street Cinema in London for the next film in our spring and summer 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: Orwell’s War

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More episodes

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

Political Conversions: Communism – The God That Failed

29 March 2026

00:00 / 01:04

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