What’s it called?

The Anthill: Unearthing Stories From Academia

What’s it about?

You know how Trump and Brexit and Boris Johnson becoming PM meant everyone was supposed to have stopped listening to experts but now everybody has realised they need experts because their lives depend on it? Well this podcast is kind of like that only instead of clever scientists and doctors talking about the same subject, it’s clever scientists and doctors – as well as clever historians, psychologists, sociologists, sexologists, bio-archaeologists etc. – talking about a whole load of different things, from conspiracy theories and the reasons for them to sex, humour, the Russian Revolution, myths, games, Bitcoin and the Good Friday Agreement.

Who’s in it?

The podcast is made by website The Conversation, whose mission statement declares it to be dedicated to “academic rigour and journalistic flair”, qualities we need even more than we need toilet roll. Co-hosts are Conversation staffers Annabel Bligh and Will de Freitas.

What’s so good about it?

It’s both accessible and, well, academically rigorous. Suffice to say Donald Trump would hate it, which is as good a reason as any to check it out.

Fun fact …

Apparently the British Royal Family aren’t shape-shifting lizards after all.

For fans of ...

TED talks, BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time, the Reith Lectures.