Of the novels of J. C. Powys I’d read, “Porius” is my favorite… a pure animist marvel. It’s good to see that the man and the work are still being talked about. With due respect, the comment that Powys is not currently in print was mistaken; within the last decade a half dozen titles have become available—largely by The Overlook Press—plus a biography called “Descents of Memory.” Any curious reader would do well to search them out beginning with “A Glastonbury Romance” and saving “Porius” for desert! Thank you for the discussion.

Sigh.. blah blah blah boring woke trash. Soups wokes.

The participants are uniformly leftist and arrogant about their opinions. Readers should know I consider the right is as irksome as the left. It is the arrogance coupled with ignorance that makes this podcast unlistenable.

I listen to a lot of podcasts, have been listening to this one for a decade, and it is by far my favorite. It has a stable of rotating interviewers, who are just as smart and interesting as the guests they interview--and the guests are usually scholars, which means they're well-informed people with original perspectives. And the guests are not those annoying scholars who won't listen and can't stop babbling or came with an agenda they make sure is accomplished without regard for the discussion happening. They roll with the conversation and go to interesting and unexpected places. The subjects are incredibly varied, from history to literature to the visual arts to philosophy, etc. I should note that it took me a couple years to realize that this was my favorite podcast. I write down interesting quotations from wherever I hear them, and eventually I realized that I was quoting people (guests and hosts alike) far more often from this podcast than from any other source, and since then I've taken an even greater delight in starting a new episode. I will note that one or two of the newer hosts are not as good as the old ones, and also I'm really disappointed that Philip Dodd has not been on a new episode in almost a year. He's my favorite of the many excellent hosts, and I would love to see him return soon.

I like the perspectives shared here.

First-time listener here. LOVED this episode and hope to hear more like it!

A great program ruined now by repetitive ads. How I detest Mandarin Oriental. If there aim was to foster business well it has spectacularly backfired.

Love getting access to this always wonderful podcast- especially from the US. However, whether accuracy was on his side or not - Michael sweets “gotcha” ambush of Naomi Woolf was way offbase and between the standards of the BBC. Very uncomfortable to listen to and not why I subscribe.

As an artist I listen to many podcasts and this one of my favorites. Ever diverse subject matter is discussed in a civil way between thoughtful, intelligent people who are, generally, authorities in the particular subject at hand. In an age of pitbull mentality discourse, it is particularly appealing. Thank you BBC! I love this podcast! Keep it coming!

I have been listening to this podcast for years, it's one of the first I subscribed to and haven't unsubscribed. In the past year this podcast has only gotten better and includes more diverse, challenging topics that aren't discussed anywhere else. I enjoy the high level of thought and consideration of guest/topic. Especially enjoy when Shahida Bari hosts. Latest episode "Loss and Grieving" featured four talented women from across the world and a terrific host. The producers and hosts of this podcast are sincerely attempting to elucidate the past and give voice to topics, writers, thoughts and art that have been silenced for too long. Bravo! Please continue to strive towards greater inclusion of diverse and challenging artists and writers! We notice, we need their voices, THANK YOU!

I discovered this podcast though an artist’s recommendation. I like to be exposed to different ideas, interesting people and expand my horizons of thinking. If you like predispuestos and mainstream, this is not for you. If you like interesting and stimulating conversation, it’s a good opportunity.

Extremely intelligent and opinionated interviews with artists, writers, and thinkers. Philip Dodd is unafraid to ask difficult and uncomfortable questions, and the other hosts (with the exception of the glib Rana Mitter) are almost as proficient at communicating complex ideas clearly.

Rely on this podcast for consistently thought-provoking stuff. In years of weekly listening, I've yet to encounter a dud episode. Yes, yes, sometimes an episode's might seem a little dry or broad, but the podcast that follows never is. The regular rotation of hosts is a powerhouse. They're each highly intelligent (without being bores) and willing to push guests into uncomfortable areas when the conversation warrants.

I was completely shocked by the interviewers constant interruptions in order to derail an honest discussion in pursuit of establishing his own ideological dogma. This dodgy professor of literature is either unwilling or unable to grasp holistic paradigms and cannot set aside his presuppositions in order to actually address social issues from a more universal perspective. I was absolutely disappointed by his intellect and even his British accent was unable to redeem his poorly construed objections that mostly weren't even relevant to his own topics of discussion. As the English say, "Absolute rubbish!"

This is one of my favorite podcasts. Others have complained about the presenters, but their rôle extends far beyond that of the usual radio host. Guests are on the program because they have something interesting to say, but like a good PhD advisor each host push them to extend their ideas into new realms. Some guests seem to want to merely repeat their well-rehearsed messages, but the hosts push them to apply their techniques and data in new realms. It's very exciting if one wants to expand one's own thinking, but frustrating when the guests do not.

terrific

There is a high volume of shows on this feed, with less uniformity in the format and style than you would expect. Not a huge fan of the host Phillip Dodd, but every show hosted by Matthew Sweet is worth a listen. Overall it’s a good feed to subscribe to, even if I end up just picking and choosing the shows that look interesting to me.

I’m an American who regularly downloads a number of Apple Podcast published by the BBC. The Radio 3 cast is my favorite. I always end up learning something.

Super interesting, but the host keeps interrupting his guests. Super annoying!

...the regular presenter is a pain. Like MSNBC's Chris Matthews, he seems to think the one person we all want to hear from is himself and that the point of the podcast is for him to voice his own brainstream of opinions and questions. Guest are invited onto the show to explore a subject close to their hearts, but he (Phillip Dodd?) is constantly interrupting them with follow-ups, side-questions and personal observations before they have a chance to get going. This obviously throws off many of the guests, who are often academics unused to broadcasting, and who would I'm sure appreciate more space to talk. It makes for an unfulfilling and frustrating listening experience because the subjects are usually very interesting.

Great!

Perhaps Anne Macelvoy would be better suited for Fox "News" with her right-wing bent and propensity to interrupt the guests. At least the other hosts do a professional job.

Philip Dodd is a treasure. This program is challenging and mesmerizing.

Generally it's thoughtful, substantive, and civilized -- a place where interesting ideas are pursued in an open, fair manner. But I just can't take Philip Dodd anymore -- the posing, the absolutely unanswerable and bizarre questions, the stacked debate (in his favor) in lieu of an actual interview. What galls me more than anything is how he'll pluck a single quotation from a classic author (Tolstoy seems to be a favorite), present it as unquestioned truth, and ask the subject how he rates against that quotation. The listener gets nothing out of it, the subject is wondering exactly how the quotation is relevant (or even what it means), and only Dodd comes out ahead (if he's convinced you that he has in fact committed all of Tolstoy to memory). He's simply unbearable.

Arts and Ideas interviews articulate, educated, intelligent thinkers who disagree fundamentally with something in the common wisdom. The interviewer gives them space to present their ideas, without letting them get away with any sloppy thinking or presuppositions. This can quickly wreck your head if you are used to the pre-digested mush on most commercial radio. Frankly, some of the interviewees could not win a popularity contest run by their own families.

Some of the topics in this podcast are interesting, but most are pretty dry. The BBC has better podcasts out there.

Great roundtable discussion on eclectic subjects, presented well. Recommended.

I suspect that the other reviewers haven't grown up listening to British radio, so perhaps are not used to the cut and thrust of these interviews which might seem unnerving, but boring they certainly are not, especially when the subject is something or someone that interests you already. A rare thing in any media, it doesn't try and popularise, and assumes a certain cultural knowledge from the audience, which might frighten many people off. It is serious arts and culture discussions for people who take such things seriously.

If you like to listen to a bunch of know it alls chat about random issues, this is the podcast for you. Itunes down-loaded this one twice for me as the newest episode was the same as the old one and then I managed to not make it all the way through it the first times I listen to it, because not only is it boring, but it's got nothing it do with art, and so I had to listen to some of it four times! Sheesh! They should call it Radio 3 Farts Talk.