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Origin Story

Podmasters
Eugenics
John Maynard Keynes
Nazism
Illuminati
French Revolution
Racism
Conspiracy Theories
George Orwell
Social Darwinism
George Bernard Shaw
Charles Davenport
Francis Galton
Science
Politics
H.G. Wells
Bavarian Illuminati
Baby Boomers
Freemasons
Generational Theory
Sterilization

What are the real stories behind the most misunderstood and abused ideas in politics? From Conspiracy Theory to Woke to Centrism and beyond, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey dig into the astonishing secret histories of concepts you thought you knew. Want to support us in making future seasons? There are now two ways you can help out: • Patreon – Get early episodes, live Zooms, merchandise and more from... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes130Founded4 years ago
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News CommentarySociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for Origin Story

Latest Episodes

Welcome back to Origin Story season eight: The Story of Socialism. This time, we take a look at hands-down the sexiest revolutionary of socialist history: Che Guevara.

Born in Argentina to wealthy but unhappy parents, Ernesto Guevara travelled aroun... more

YouTube

Welcome to the second episode of the week as we conclude the story of the New Left. In part one, we explained the various groups and thinkersthat fed into the New Left’s attempts to reimagine socialism during the 1960s.

It all comes to a head in 196... more

YouTube

Welcome back to Origin Story season eight: The Story of Socialism. This time, we’re explaining the New Left, the messy constellation of ideas and movements that came out of the discrediting of Soviet communism 70 years ago and made the left what it i... more

YouTube

This week’s episode is an edited version of Origin Story Live at the Tabernacle in London on Thursday 13 November.

The theme is political insurgents: the politicians and thinkers who are reshaping politics in 2025. In part one we profile two of the ... more

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Recent Guests

Zohran Mamdani
Young democratic socialist politician, recently elected as New York's youngest mayor since 1892
New York State Assembly
Episode: Origin Story – Live at the Tabernacle, 13th Nov 2025
Zack Polanski
Chair of the Environment Committee at the London Assembly, prominent Green Party politician
London Assembly
Episode: Origin Story – Live at the Tabernacle, 13th Nov 2025

Hosts

Dorian Lynskey
Co-host and author, known for his insightful commentary and deep analysis of socio-political issues through the lens of history.
Ian Dunt
Co-host and columnist, recognized for his forthright perspectives on politics and society, often blending humor with incisive critique.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • Best podcast for really understanding politics, culture and society with some LOLs

    I have learned so much from this podcast and had a good time doing it despite the frequently harrowing nature of the subject matter. There is clearly a lot of work that goes into researching the episodes and the narratives are well structured and considered. I find the approach very balanced and approaches issues on a deeper level than the typical good/bad storyline. The Patreon bonus content is a worthwhile investment. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carrick Lad
    Australiaa month ago
  • Quality pod

    This pod has really grown on me! Love how the presenters just tell it how it is, intelligent and well researched analysis.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Meeeeksy
    Australiaa month ago
  • Enter the Cackle

    I get a lot out of this pod. The stories are well told, original, informative and engaging. But why-oh-why does one of the co-hosts have to cackle at his own jokes, why? It’s off-putting and irritating. Demerit points for you two.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jecomprend
    Canadaa month ago
  • Not a single dud episode

    Simply brilliant. Fantastically researched and written and with a delivery that is both informative and humorous. Great listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RobsterinSheff
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Great!

    Excellent podcast with a wide breadth of subject matter. Enjoy the humorous take on things. Great work

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TTzola*
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticisms regarding the hosts' occasional biases are noted, but overall, the feedback underscores the podcast's value in providing informed insights.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth research and well-structured narratives that enhance their understanding of complex political issues.
The hosts are praised for their dynamic rapport, creating a blend of humor and serious discussion that keeps the content engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Origin Story – Live at the Tabernacle, 13th Nov 2025
Q: Where do you think pride in being English becomes unhelpful?
Pride should reflect a plurality and inclusiveness encompassing the lives of all citizens, rather than a rigid, nationalistic view that marginalizes others.
US Post-Election Live Show – Part Two
Q: Do you think the army could resist any really extreme requests that Trump could make of them, and could that be his limiting factor?
There's often a strong resistance within the military to serve an autocrat, evidenced by past behaviors of generals like John Kelly.
US Post-Election Live Show – Part Two
Q: How could you describe the way in which he could physically somehow overthrow American democracy?
The system would be exactly as we saw last time, but in four years time. Everyone's fine with democracy when they're winning, but when you're losing, that's when the problems arise.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Origin Story

What is Origin Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the complex narratives surrounding politically charged ideas, this podcast dissects the origins and evolution of concepts that are often misunderstood or misrepresented in modern discourse. Topics include significant political ideologies like socialism, centrism, and populism, with a focus on historical contexts that shape these ideas today. The engaging hosts employ a mix of humor and rigorous research to provide insightful commentary on today's political climate, encouraging listeners to reconsider conventional perspectives on controversial topics.

Where can I find podcast stats for Origin Story?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Origin Story. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Origin Story and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Origin Story get?

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What are the audience demographics for Origin Story?

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How many subscribers and views does Origin Story have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Origin Story 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 Origin Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Origin Story:

1. Oh God, What Now?
2. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
3. Quiet Riot
4. American Friction
5. Alex Andreou's Podyssey

How many episodes of Origin Story are there?

Origin Story launched 4 years ago and published 130 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 Origin Story?

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 Origin Story?

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What guests have appeared on Origin Story?

Recent guests on Origin Story include:

1. Zohran Mamdani
2. Zack Polanski

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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