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Politics on the Couch

Larchmont Productions
Immigration
Social Media
Authoritarian Personality
Donald Trump
Political Psychology
Democracy
Culture War
Hypocrisy
Brexit
Cooperation
Bangladesh
Public Opinion
Labour Party
Israel
Evolution
Awami League
British Politics
United States
Covid-19
Empathy

Rafael Behr examines how our minds respond to politics and how politicians mess with our minds.

In each episode an expert from the world of politics, psychology, history or philosophy joins Raf on our 'couch' to discuss what's driving our political thought and behaviour.

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

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes54Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for Politics on the Couch

Latest Episodes

Rafael Behr talks to behavioural scientist Dr Michael Hallsworth about his new book, “The Hypocrisy Trap: How Changing What We Criticise Can Improve Our Lives.”

They discuss:

* How the concept of hypocrisy first emerged as part of an evolutionary ... more

Politics feels angrier, harsher and more tribal than it used to - but how much of the blame can be laid at the door of social media?

Rafael Behr talks to NYU Psychologist Professor Jay Van Bavel, about how our ancient group instincts collide with 'g... more

Rafael Behr talks to Dr. Tessa Buchanan, a former civil servant and now an academic at Cambridge’s Political Psychology Lab, about the psychology behind changing how some voters think about outsiders or immigrants, revealing why she believes attitude... more

Rafael Behr talks to Demos' CEO Polly Curtis about the urgent case for upgrading our democracy and repairing the broken relationship between citizen and state.

The conversation is loosely based around this new Demos paper released today (2 July) tha... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Michael Hallsworth
Globally renowned expert on behavioral science and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Hypocrisy – why we hate it and why we can’t do without it
Jay Van Bavel
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of the Center for Conflict and Cooperation at New York University
New York University
Episode: Can Democracy Survive Social Media?
Dr. Tessa Buchanan
Former civil servant and researcher on political psychology
Cambridge University
Episode: Changing minds about immigration
Polly Curtis
Public Policy Expert and Head of Demos
Demos
Episode: How to break the ‘democratic doom loop’
Dr. Leor Zmigrod
Political psychologist and neuroscientist, author of The Ideological Brain.
Episode: 'The Ideological Brain' – Are Some People Hard-wired for Radicalisation?
Paula Surridge
Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
Episode: Red Wall, Blue Wall, Grey Area - a conversation about voter volatility with Professor Paula Surridge
Sam Freedman
Former political advisor, senior fellow at the Institute for Government, author of 'Failed State'
Institute for Government
Episode: 'System Fail' - a conversation with Sam Freedman about the way Britain's broken politics can suffocate even the best intentions.
David Bergman
British-born investigative journalist and expert on Bangladeshi politics
Founder of Netra News
Episode: ‘The gen Z revolution’ - how a student protest toppled a corrupt and violent government
Nichola Raihani
Professor of Evolution and Behavior at the University of Auckland and author of 'The Social Instinct'
University of Auckland
Episode: Going Ape - a conversation about evolution, morality and political cooperation

Host

Rafael Behr
Host of Politics on the Couch

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 256 ratings
  • Generally excellent podcast series and this episode is particularly enlightening. Worth more than one listen

    Podcast Addict
    5
    fatima
    3 months ago
  • Thank you

    I find your podcast deeply smoothly and reassuring. Even if you can’t always have answers at least you are asking the questions that buzz around my head.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sophie Kumoi
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Avant la lettre

    I always love to hear Rafael’s views on anything anywhere and these discussions with Philip Berman are so stimulating so thank you. Love your book, Guardian articles and contributions on OGWN, you always hit the nail on the head.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    annefnt
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Dr Zmigrod interview

    I almost missed this episode.

    A really fascinating and informative discussion.

    I can’t recommend this podcast highly enough, I just wish there were more.

    Big fan of Rafael Behr (and now Dr Zmigrod too).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stevibee
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Really enjoy this podcast

    Podchaser
    5
    jimbaxteris
    a year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis on political psychology and the quality of expert guests, suggesting a well-informed and engaging format.
Many praise the host's interviewing style as thoughtful and patient, allowing guests to express their views without interruption.
Themes of hypocrisy, social media's impact on democracy, and immigration discourse resonate strongly with the audience, leading to gatherings of educational and community discussions.
The podcast is celebrated for exploring complex societal issues with depth and nuance, particularly in relation to current political climates.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#162
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#228
Ukraine/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#229
South Korea/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hypocrisy – why we hate it and why we can’t do without it
Q: What happens if criticisms of hypocrisy get out of control?
It can lead to a world demanding rigid consistency that few can meet, or exhaust the concept of hypocrisy, making it lose its impact.
Hypocrisy – why we hate it and why we can’t do without it
Q: What exactly was the nature of the offence in Partygate?
The offence was about hypocrisy, where people felt betrayed because Boris Johnson advocated for rule adherence while violating them himself.
Changing minds about immigration
Q: How does the authoritarian personality influence immigration attitudes?
People with authoritarian tendencies prefer narratives that support social order and community safety.
Changing minds about immigration
Q: What effect do the two narratives about immigrants have?
Different narratives can significantly impact public attitudes towards immigration.
‘The gen Z revolution’ - how a student protest toppled a corrupt and violent government
Q: What were some of the mistakes made by the Awami League that triggered this uprising?
The Awami League's handling of the protests, including violent suppression and inflammatory remarks by the Prime Minister, incited public outrage.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Politics on the Couch

What is Politics on the Couch about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intersection of politics and psychology, the content engages with how mental processes influence political thought and behavior. Through a series of insightful conversations with experts in fields such as psychology, history, and philosophy, the discussions explore how various factors shape public sentiment and political actions. Notable themes include political hypocrisy, the challenges posed by social media to democracy, immigration narratives, and the psychological underpinnings of voter behavior. The unique blend of rigorous analysis and a personal touch in discussions makes it a compelling listen for those looking to understand the complexities of contemporary politics from a psychological perspective.

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How many listeners does Politics on the Couch get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Politics on the Couch?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Politics on the Couch:

1. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
2. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
3. Oh God, What Now?
4. Quiet Riot
5. Origin Story

How many episodes of Politics on the Couch are there?

Politics on the Couch launched 6 years ago and published 54 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 Politics on the Couch?

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.

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What guests have appeared on Politics on the Couch?

Recent guests on Politics on the Couch include:

1. Dr. Michael Hallsworth
2. Jay Van Bavel
3. Dr. Tessa Buchanan
4. Polly Curtis
5. Dr. Leor Zmigrod
6. Paula Surridge
7. Sam Freedman
8. David Bergman

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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