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The TLS Podcast

The TLS
Literature
Gardening
Psychedelics
Mental Health
Richard Sennett
Therapeutic Use Of Substances
Self-Consciousness
Mean Girls
18th Century Literature
Feminist Literature
Boris Johnson
Medieval Magic
Charles Dickens
Penelope Lively
Josephine Lively
Maritime History
Teen Culture
Chatgpt
Henry David Thoreau
Maeve Brennan

A weekly podcast on books and culture brought to you by the writers and editors of the Times Literary Supplement.

To read more, welcome to the TLS.

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes628Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureFiction

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Artwork for The TLS Podcast

Latest Episodes

This week, Devoney Looser on what we don't know about Jane Austen; and Peter Swaab introduces a previously unpublished story by the great Sylvia Townsend Warner. 

'Jane Austen in 41 Objects', by Kathryn Sutherland

'Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: The wome... more

This week, Camille Ralphs confides the highs and lows of travelling by Greyhound bus; and Alev Adil boards a train to join current night owls and bygone tourists.

'Greyhound', by Joanna Pocock

'Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train', b... more

This week, Damian Flanagan explores the complex history of the Japanese masterpiece The Tale of Genji; and Miranda France on the eventful life and enduring work of Miguel de Cervantes.

'The Tale of Genji', by Murasaki Shikibu

'El Verano de Cervante... more

This week, TLS contributors select their favourites from 2025; plus an interview with CD Rose, winner of this year’s Goldsmiths Prize.

‘We Live Here Now’, by CD Rose

Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Camille Ralphs
Poet and author of After You Were, I Am
The Times Literary Supplement
Episode: In Transit
Alev Adil
Author and reviewer of travel books
Episode: In Transit
Damian Flanagan
Literary scholar and contributor
Episode: Foundation course
CD Rose
Winner of this year's Goldsmiths Prize.
Author of 'We Live Here Now'
Episode: Books of the Year
David Szalay
Winner of the Booker Prize for his novel Flesh
Episode: Devices and Desires
Terri Apter
Psychologist and author of several books on parenting and childhood
Author
Episode: Motherload
Mark Storey
A reviewer exploring the horror genre in American literature
Episode: Scare Stories
Thea Lenarduzzi
Author of 'Dandelions' and new book 'The Tower'
The TLS
Episode: Escape Artists
Tim Lake
Writer discussing Bertie Wooster's character
Episode: What Ho!

Hosts

Alex Clarke
Host of the TLS Podcast, engaged in discussions on literature and culture, often bringing insights from her background in literary criticism.
Lucy Dallas
Arts Editor at The TLS, known for her warmth and deep literary insights, she co-hosts discussions on various literary themes.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 587 ratings
  • If only they would focus on the substance

    Good guests and interviews but the opening chit chat between the two main hosts is not for me. I avoid podcasts which are more about the interaction between hosts than substance. I don’t care what these two have been up to in the last week. I fast forward past the small talk, which absolutely does not make me feel like part of their gang, to get to the point with this one if the topic looks worthwhile. The chatter does decrease once they get down to business but even so..

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lacwn
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Audio quality is poor

    Almost always interesting literary discussions but the audio quality is so bad. Get a new audio engineer.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Manila Ph listener
    Philippinesa year ago
  • Fine once you get to the substance

    Good guests and interviews but the opening chit chat is not for me. I avoid podcasts which are more about the interaction between hosts than substance. I fast forward past the small talk to get to the point with this one. The chatter does cease once they get down to business

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lacwn
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • great show in spite of the awful jarring theme music

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Elan Mask
    a year ago
  • Nice podcast but ….

    I love Lucy Dallas’ warmth and knowing - might she just host alone?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Susanfriberg
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging discussions that often blend literary analysis with current social issues.
The podcast is described as intellectually stimulating, often featuring guests who are well-versed in literary commentary.
There are mixed feelings about the hosts' casual banter, with some finding it charming while others prefer more focused discussions on literature.
Technical issues related to audio quality have been raised, although many listeners remain loyal due to the content's value.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

In Transit
Q: Camille, as someone who commissions theatre reviews, you must be all too aware of his immense influence on the drama and the plays that you send people to review now?
Yes, and there's a big resurgence in interest in his work.
Books of the Year
Q: Do you think it is a boom time for narrative experimentation?
Yes, different ways of storytelling are emerging, enriching literature and creative writing.
Books of the Year
Q: Did you set it in the art world partly because of the idea of the art look?
Yes, the art look allowed the focus on people at openings while often losing sight of the actual art.
Books of the Year
Q: Was that the primary kind of challenge?
The challenge was about defining the novel by absence while exploring presence in terms of art and experience.
Books of the Year
Q: How does it feel to win the prize?
CD Rose expressed that it was overwhelming and unexpected, as he felt flattered to be on the shortlist amidst strong competition.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The TLS Podcast

What is The TLS Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast provides in-depth discussions on a wide range of literary topics, often featuring critical insights from authors, scholars, and cultural commentators. Episodes explore notable literary works, analyze their cultural significance, and often delve into themes such as travel, motherhood, and the dynamics of literary adaptations. Unique highlights include conversations with contemporary authors about their creative processes and the reflection of societal issues in literature, making it a rich resource for book lovers and those interested in the intersection of literature and contemporary life.

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How many listeners does The TLS Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The TLS Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The TLS Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The TLS Podcast:

1. London Review Bookshop Podcast
2. Close Readings
3. The LRB Podcast
4. Backlisted
5. The Book Club

How many episodes of The TLS Podcast are there?

The TLS Podcast launched 12 years ago and published 628 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The TLS Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The TLS Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The TLS Podcast?

Recent guests on The TLS Podcast include:

1. Camille Ralphs
2. Alev Adil
3. Damian Flanagan
4. CD Rose
5. David Szalay
6. Terri Apter
7. Mark Storey
8. Thea Lenarduzzi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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