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In this episode, we explore the reasons behind the rapid expansion of the Ottoman Empire, including its military conquests, political organisation, and relative religious tolerance, as well as the challenges and weaknesses that led to its eventual decline.

It has been 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement helped bring peace to Northern Ireland, but how stable is that peace today? Join David Donoghue and Kerri Ní Dochartaigh as they discuss the legacy of this historic deal and what it means to the people of Northern Ireland and their future.

In this episode, Ben Okri, one of the foremost writers of our age, as he tackles the biggest existential challenge facing the world today, climate change.

In this episode, we explore what the world will look like in 2030. Professor Paul Rogers discusses how the 21st century is already shaping up to be arguably the most tumultuous in human history, and we’re not even a quarter of the way through it. Recorded live at the 2023 Bradford Literature Festival, this episode looks at global issues including climate change, political instability, and economic...

In this episode, broadcaster and writer, Anita Rani shares details about her debut novel, ‘ Baby Does a Runner’ , which follows the story of a woman who seemingly has everything until a chance discovery of love letters between her grandfather and another woman takes her on a journey of self-discovery.

Urdu poetry has a long tradition with many different forms and is an important part of the culture of South Asia. In this episode, spoken entirely in Urdu, Bradford-based Urdu poet Tasneem Hassan will discuss her writing and inspiration.

In this episode, we delve into life and work of one of the most successful crime writers in the world, Val McDermid. She’s joined by host Abir Mukherjee to discuss her 35-year career and selling a staggering 18.5 million books around the world.

In this episode, we’re joined by special guests and contributors of V: An Empowering Celebration of the Vulva and Vagina, a ground-breaking debut by Florence Schechter. Our guests include Hafsa Qureshi, Hafsa Qureshi and Eliza Rainbow.

In this episode, Gary Younge reflects on witnessing some of modern history’s biggest moments, including joining revellers during Obama’s victory and entering New Orleans days after Hurricane Katrina, to interviewing Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou and Stormzy.

In this episode, we hear from, Sebastian Faulks, one of our greatest writers and author of a string of bestselling books including Birdsong and Charlotte Gray.

In this episode, we hear acclaimed Israeli-British historian Avi Shlaim, about his unique memoir from the lost world of Arab-Jews. He was just five years old when antisemitic violence following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War forced his family to flee their beloved Iraq to live in a newly-created Israel.

In this episode, we delve into the travels of Sir Michael Palin, a Monty Python star who has gone onto establish himself as a talented actor, writer and presenter. He joins hosts Saeed Khan to discuss his latest journey to Iraq where he got a sense of what life is like in a region of the world that has witnessed bloodshed and destruction.

In this episode, broadcaster, writer and journalist, Stuart Maconie, will take you on a journey through our towns and their rich array of characters, exploring some of the familiar, and not so familiar, corners of our national psyche.

This episode is an insight into one of the most quoted and studied poems in Muslim tradition, ‘The Lament of the Reed’. The essence of Rumi’s manuscript Mathnavi is contained in this poem, which describes the anguish of the reed upon being separated from the reed bed, a metaphor for the sorrow that the soul feels when separated from the Divine.

Join us as this expert-led panel discussion delves into the world of crime-solving beyond the pages of your favourite books and TV shows. Find out how to solve a crime with world-leading, front-line forensics Professor Angela Gallop, the author of ' How to Solve a Crime: Stories from the Cutting Edge of Forensics ', and Niamh Nic Daeid, director of the award-winning Leverhulme Research Centre for...

In this episode, we explore the topic of religion with Professor Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Oxford. He joins host Aaqil Ahmed, former Head of Religion and Ethics at the BBC, to discuss the evolutionary purpose of spiritual thought, the endurance of religion in an increasingly secular world, and the human impulse to believe.

In this episode, take a trip back to April 1944 when Rudolf Vrba and Fred Wetzler became the first Jews ever to escape Auschwitz. After grappling with electrified fences, dodging watchtowers and evading the eagle-eyed SS with their vicious guard dogs in order to secure their freedom, Vrba then began work on his next task - to reveal the horrors of the Holocaust via an eyewitness report that ultima...

In this episode, we explore the legacy of one of Yorkshire's most famous literary families - the Brontës. We are joined by a panel of accomplished authors who share their thoughts on how the Brontës' works inspired their own creativity, and the family's lasting influence on popular culture. Tasha Suri, Isabel Greenberg, and Shereen Malherbe discuss their unique interpretations of the Brontës' work...

In today's thought-provoking episode, we delve into the life and times of China's greatest philosopher, Confucius. Author Jonathan Clements outlines the life and times of China’s greatest philosopher, concentrating on sides rarely seen – the younger years of Confucius, his interaction with his pupils, his feuds with his enemies and even his sarcastic wit.

In this episode, we delve into the complex topics of #MeToo, sexual violence, and the liberation and pitfalls of speaking out against abuses of power. Exploring two gripping novels: Complicit by Winnie M Li, which takes an unflinching look at the film industry and sexual abuse, and Young Women by Jessica Moor, which asks how complicit we are in a world built for men.

In this episode Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, and a regular contributor on global security for open Democracy talks about the life-changing impact of the conflict on the residents of Ukraine, creating a European refugee crisis comparable to the Second World War.

In this episode, travel from an Indian palace to the Australian Outback with author and academic Lyn Innes. In her book, The Last Prince of Bengal , Lyn shares the incredible true story of her royal ancestor, Nawab Nazim, and his family's journey from Indian riches to relative anonymity. Hosted by Bengal-born poet and writer Bashabi Fraser, this eye-opening conversation spans the extremes of Briti...

Join acclaimed scholar Shaykh Yahya Rhodus, founding director of Al-Maqasid, an Islamic seminary in Pennsylvania, for a discussion of al-Ghazali and Aristotle.

This episode takes us into the mysterious world of Joanne Harris, the author of the UK bestseller, Chocolat. Discussing her latest work, A Narrow Door, a gripping whodunnit that explores the lengths a headmistress will go to protect her school's reputation. Joanne's writing often takes aim at difficult topics and A Narrow Door is no exception.

Presented in partnership with Critical Muslim, this panel discussion explores who defines the liberty we are told we enjoy, and how our world views impact the ways we assert our liberty. Our panelists include Shanon Shah, an award-winning writer and broadcaster on Muslim and LGBTQ+ issues; Shamim Miah, a senior lecturer in criminology and social policy at the University of Huddersfield; Canon Gile...