Four Thought Podcast
Series of thought-provoking talks in which the speakers air their thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect culture and society
Episodes to download
-
![]()
James Friel: In Praise of the Single Life—Series 3
Wed 7 Nov 2012
James Friel defends the values and virtues of the single life.
-
![]()
Anna Minton: Fuelling Fear with High Security—Series 3
Wed 31 Oct 2012
Anna Minton argues that higher security creates a sense of fear rather than safety.
-
![]()
Ben Dyson: Understanding How Money Works—Series 3
Wed 24 Oct 2012
Ben Dyson argues for the need to understand how money works before fixing the bank system.
-
![]()
Rabina Khan: Redefining Multiculturalism—Series 3
Wed 17 Oct 2012
Rabina Khan calls for a new definition of multiculturalism which avoids simplistic labels.
-
![]()
Mark Vernon: Narcissism—Series 3
Wed 10 Oct 2012
Writer Mark Vernon says narcissism should be rehabilitated as a positive form of self-love
-
![]()
Colin Murray Parkes: Insecurity and Extremism—Series 3
Wed 3 Oct 2012
Colin Murray Parkes illuminates the importance of secure attachments for human happiness.
-
![]()
Margaret Heffernan: Whistleblowers—Series 3
Wed 26 Sep 2012
Entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan argues for the value of whistle-blowers to businesses.
-
![]()
Ruchir Sharma: The Search for Economic Growth—Series 3
Wed 19 Sep 2012
Ruchir Sharma describes his search for the next global economy which can deliver growth.
-
![]()
Niall Iain MacDonald: Rowing the Minch—Series 3
Wed 5 Sep 2012
Niall Iain MacDonald describes his extraordinary fight back against depression.
-
![]()
Ian Robertson: The Winner Effect—Series 3
Wed 29 Aug 2012
Ian Robertson argues that success and being a winner has a drug-like effect on us drug.
-
![]()
Joe Dunthorne: Lessons from the Mosh Pit—Series 3
Wed 22 Aug 2012
Writer Joe Dunthorne asks what we can all learn from rock gigs about living together.
-
![]()
Katarina Skoberne: Family History Repeating—Series 3
Wed 15 Aug 2012
Katarina Skoberne describes how history repeating itself taught her valuable lessons.
-
![]()
Ali Mangera: The Future of Shopping—Series 3
Wed 8 Aug 2012
Architect Ali Mangera discusses the closely-connected futures of cities and shopping.
-
![]()
James Bridle: Computers and Cultural Memories—Series 3
Wed 1 Aug 2012
James Bridle asks how computer networks will affect cultural memories.
-
![]()
Gillian Wheeler: Flower Design as Art—Series 3
Wed 25 Jul 2012
Flower design is evolving into an art, argues Gillian Wheeler.
-
![]()
Naif Al-Mutawa: Art and Religion—Series 3
Wed 18 Jul 2012
Naif Al-Mutawa discusses the importance of interpreting and translating between cultures.
-
![]()
Leisa Rea: The Delight of Losing—Series 3
Wed 11 Jul 2012
In the year of the London Olympics, Comedian Leisa Rea ponders the delight of losing.
-
![]()
Alice Bell: Improving Public Understanding of Science—Series 3
Wed 4 Jul 2012
Alice Bell tackles the myth of scientific literacy as a panacea to understanding science.
-
![]()
Colin Crooks: The Let-Down Generation—Series 3
Wed 27 Jun 2012
Social entrepreneur Colin Crooks argues that we are wrong to focus on youth unemployment.
-
![]()
Mitu Khandaker: Knowing Ourselves Through Computer Games—Series 3
Wed 20 Jun 2012
Computer games offer many opportunities for self-reflective thought, says Mitu Khandaker.
-
![]()
Sir Terry Farrell: Architects are Problem Solvers—Series 3
Wed 13 Jun 2012
Sir Terry Farrell says architects can solve the problems of Britain's public spaces.
-
![]()
Kamin Mohammadi: Life in Authoritarian Regimes—Series 3
Wed 6 Jun 2012
Kamin Mohammadi says life under an authoritarian regime is lived more creatively.
-
![]()
Paddy Docherty: Poverty and Entrepreneurship—Series 3
Wed 30 May 2012
Paddy Docherty says business is best placed to bring prosperity to impoverished nations.
-
![]()
Kate Smurthwaite: Stop Laughing at Sexism—Series 3
Wed 23 May 2012
Comedian Kate Smurthwaite argues it is time to stop laughing at sexism.
-
![]()
Martin Cassini: The Case Against Traffic Lights—Series 3
Wed 16 May 2012
Martin Cassini argues that the UK system for managing traffic needs radical reform.
-
![]()
Matthew Syed: Does Talent Trump Effort?—Series 3
Wed 9 May 2012
Matthew Syed says the importance of talent over effort should not be over-emphasised.
-
![]()
Clare Melford: Buddah in the Boardroom—Series 3
Wed 2 May 2012
Clare Melford explains what she believes business leaders can learn from Buddhism.
-
![]()
June Andrews: A Revolution for Dementia Treatment—Series 3
Wed 25 Apr 2012
Prof June Andrews argues for a revolution in the approach to dealing with dementia.
-
![]()
Jules Evans: Socrates and Psychotherapy—Series 3
Wed 18 Apr 2012
Jules Evans explores what ancient philosophy can tell modern society about well-being.
-
![]()
Bobby Cummines: How to Reform Criminals—Series 3
Wed 11 Apr 2012
Bobby Cummines, chief executive of UNLOCK, says ex-offenders need jobs to reduce crime.
Download this programme
Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.
The Best of Four Thought
Explore some of the best programmes from Radio 4's Four Thought
Change a light bulb, check your emails...
What can you do in 4 minutes? Join us in some intelligent time wasting.
Seriously...
Discover seriously interesting documentaries from Radio 4.
