The Very Short Introductions Podcast

In this episode, Joachim Whaley introduces the Holy Roman Empire, once described by Voltaire as ‘neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire’, as its history and significance is often misunderstood. Learn ...

30 Nov 20207min

In this episode, Dana Arnold introduces art history, which encompasses the study of the history and development of painting, sculpture, and the other visual arts. Learn more about Art History: A Very ...

26 Nov 20206min

In this episode, Julian Baggini introduces atheism, wrongly considered to be a negative, dark, and pessimistic belief characterized by a rejection of values and purpose and a fierce opposition to reli...

23 Nov 20207min

In this episode, Julia Simner introduces synaesthesia, a neurological condition that gives rise to a ‘merging of the senses’, in which words can be tasted and colours can be heard. Learn more about Sy...

19 Nov 20207min

In this episode, Miri Rubin introduces the Middle Ages, a term coined around 1450 to describe a thousand years of European history. Learn more about The Middle Ages: A Very Short Introduction here: ht...

16 Nov 20206min

In this episode, Kathleen Taylor introduces dementia, the fifth-most common cause of death across the world which, despite recent advances in brain science, still has no effective treatment. Learn mor...

12 Nov 20206min

In this episode, Bryan Cheyette introduces the ghetto, a term which has been universalized as the incarnation of class difference, colonialism, and apartheid, and has been applied to segregated cities...

9 Nov 20209min

In this episode, Robert Jones introduces possibly the most powerful commercial and culture force globally–branding–which, despite brand awareness and skepticism, holds an inescapable influence on our ...

5 Nov 20208min