Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 43min
Julian Barnes in conversation with Ian McEwan (Part Two)
Ian McEwan, a celebrated British novelist known for Atonement, and Julian Barnes, acclaimed author of The Sense of an Ending, trade friendship and craft. They explore first lines, memory and mortality, rereads of classics, the logic behind announcing a final novel, animals in fiction, prize anecdotes and advice for emerging writers. The conversation moves between wit and reflective moments.
9 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 39min
Julian Barnes in conversation with Ian McEwan (Part One)
Julian Barnes, acclaimed novelist and author of Departures, celebrates his 80th birthday while reading from his likely final book. He and Ian McEwan revisit youthful friendships, literary life in the 1970s, the slipperiness of memory, mortality and the book’s structure. Short, reflective conversations mix anecdotes, nostalgia and readings from Departures.
62 snips
Feb 1, 2026 • 42min
Why Can’t We Stop Money Laundering? With Oliver Bullough
Oliver Bullough, investigative journalist and bestselling author of Moneyland, delves into why cash still rules for criminals. He explores the rise of offshore havens, bloated compliance regimes, high‑denomination notes, and how crypto and stablecoins are changing the game. Short, sharp takes on who benefits and why current efforts keep failing.
37 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 51min
Is the Arctic the World’s Next War Zone? With Kenneth R. Rosen
Kenneth R. Rosen, journalist and author of Polar War who reports on geopolitics and conflict. He discusses how climate change is opening Arctic shipping lanes and resources. He explores rising military competition among Russia, China and the U.S. He describes covert “gray zone” tactics like undersea cable cuts and the local impacts on northern communities.
33 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 35min
Implementing and scaling AI agents in business
Ben Kus, CTO at Box and expert in content management and enterprise AI, shares a practical roadmap for becoming AI-ready. He outlines starting with achievable tasks, auditing and consolidating data, enforcing governance, designing measurable pilots, and building agentic automation. Short, concrete steps for scaling AI safely and effectively.
36 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 27min
Happy Mind, Happy Life, with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Dr Rangan Chatterjee, a UK GP and bestselling author known for practical wellbeing advice, discusses the science of happiness. He explores core versus fleeting pleasures. He outlines alignment, contentment and control as keys. He recommends simple daily practices, solitude, and small habits to build lasting mental wellbeing.
20 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 35min
Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part Two)
Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at The Times, and Greg Williams, Editor of Wired, discuss Britain’s AI future. They debate energy and data-centre hurdles, startup scaling and late-stage capital, talent flows versus brain drain, and whether AI hype masks a bubble. Short, sharp takes on regulation, community pushback and which UK firms to watch.
33 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 36min
Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part One)
Greg Williams, seasoned technology journalist and Wired editor, and Katie Prescott, technology and business editor at The Times, discuss Britain’s AI pedigree and whether it can claim superpower status. They debate compute and energy shortfalls, brain drain and scaling startups. They also explore sovereign AI, regulation strategies and the practicality of national tech sovereignty.
53 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 39min
How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part Two)
Claudia Hammond, a psychologist and broadcaster, shares insightful strategies from her book, Overwhelmed, to combat daily stress and overwhelm. She explores how technology blurs work-life boundaries and discusses the rise of perfectionism fueled by social media. Claudia emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and practical techniques like focusing on small tasks and taking micro-breaks to manage stress. She also reflects on her personal journey of rethinking stress and the significance of restorative practices in overcoming burnout.
19 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 35min
How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part One)
Claudia Hammond, a psychologist, broadcaster, and author known for her work on mental health, delves into the universal struggle of feeling overwhelmed. She offers scientific insights and practical strategies to combat procrastination, perfectionism, and emotional avoidance. Highlighting the importance of intentional news consumption, she emphasizes managing stress and setting realistic expectations. Claudia also discusses the soothing effects of nostalgia and ways to create work-life boundaries amid today's tech-driven lifestyle.
