We’ve brought together Lauren Beukes, author of bestselling novel, The Shining Girls, whose work straddles the speculative and literary, and celebrated crime author John Connolly, best known for his PI Charlie Parker series, to share their best tips and tricks to convey authenticity in storytelling.Conveying a strong sense of place is vital for a reader to know where they are, when they are, what’s going on in the wider written world and why. Whether you’re a writer yourself or you just enjoy being immersed in a good book, our authors will reveal their secrets for creating immersive scene settings and worlds.

Join local author, Charlotte Bradman, as she shares her remarkable story of breaking free from a turbulent past, mounting debts and the monotony of the nine-to-five grind, to embrace a simpler way of life in her beloved campervan. The Happy Nomad is Bradman’s newly released debut, a journey of self-discovery and liberation. Through laughter, tears and moments of profound insight, she learns to cherish the gift of time and the connections forged on the road.

A unique conversation as the Blake Society’s Stephen Pritchard and poet, John Siddique, explore the similarities between two hugely influential writers and artists: William Blake and Kahlil Gibran. Both Blake and Gibran were poets and artists who dabbled in prophetic vision. Their readings of the Bible, their rebellion against Church corruption, and their sociopolitical visions were very similar. Gibran himself was referred to as the ‘twentieth-century Blake’ and actively emphasised the connection between them.

In May 1904, the Great Exhibition in Lister Park showcased Bradford businesses, art and culture, and featured a standout exhibit: the Somali Village. Within this village, 60 Somali individuals, including men, women, and children, resided in a walled compound for six months. In this fascinating event, Fozia Bora tells the stories of some of these Villagers – often polyglot cosmopolitans, and Bradford’s earliest-known Muslim community – who speak from the past through the recovery of written, oral and photographic archives.

With more than four billion people eligible to vote in an election in 2024, we delve into the electoral landscapes of India, the United States and the United Kingdom to examine the key issues shaping each nation’s political discourse and how these elections will impact international relations, economic policies and global democratic trends. This overview of the 2024 elections and their potential to influence the future trajectory of global politics and economics. Whether you are a political enthusiast, a student of international relations or simply curious about global democratic processes, this panel will offer valuable insights and stimulating discussion.

Explore a crucial chapter in Middle Eastern history as we delve into the British Mandate in Palestine, which spanned from the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I until the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This period was marked by the emergence of nationalist movements and uprisings from both Arab and Jewish communities. Many viewed this era as a betrayal of the promised Arab independence, as it saw successive waves of Jewish immigration. This ultimately led to the United Nations’ plan to partition the territory. Join us for a timely examination of how the British administration in post-Ottoman Palestine still resonates today.

Join journalist, Nabila Ramdani, as she discusses her new book, Fixing France: How to Repair a Broken Republic, charting the course of France’s Fifth Republic, formed in the wake of the 1958 Algerian war of independence. Ramdani, with her Algerian heritage perspective, unveils a bold new lens through which to view modern France, tackling complex themes such as politics, economics, societal shifts and feminism. This trailblazing work delves deep into the challenges faced by marginalised minorities, particularly Muslims, who struggle against systemic barriers in housing, employment and education. It poses pressing questions about the foundational ideals of the republic and the pervasive influence of the far right. Join Ramdani as she exposes the harsh realities and sparks crucial dialogue about the future trajectory of the French republic, exploring whether France’s foundation was a castle built on sand and what it will take to forge a resilient future.

In this episode two of the biggest names in comics, Dave Gibbons and Tim Pilcher, discuss their fascinating careers and their book, Confabulation: An Anecdotal Autobiography.As co-creator of Watchmen and with a back catalogue that includes everything from Doctor Who to Batman, Gibbons is comic book royalty. Writer, historian and comic book expert, Pilcher, is Chair of the Comic Book Alliance and dubbed ‘the Voice of the British comics industry’.

In this episode, renowned experts Barnaby Rogerson and Eugene Rogan, and chair Aaqil Ahmed, take a deep dive into the watershed moments that helped make and, at times, break the modern Middle East, a diverse region that is both incredibly culturally rich and yet fragile from the effects of empire and past and present power rivalries.

2024 marks 100 years since a watershed moment in Russia’s history: the death of Vladimir Lenin, and the beginning of Joseph Stalin’s rise to power. In this episode, Professor John Russell deep dives into the complexities of Russia’s past and present, from Stalin’s rise to power to Putin’s fifth presidential term.

In this episode, enjoy dynamic poetry readings which explore some of the biggest issues in the world today, with poets Ralph Dartford, Tasneim Zyada, and Matt Abbott.

In this episode, Professor Saeed Khan takes us back to the Watergate Scandal, exploring what it meant for the American Presidency, the legacy it has left, and whether Watergate set the stage for the rise of Donald Trump and the current political climate.

In this episode, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus will guide us through Treatises of Imam al-Ghazali. This extensive book set explores the deep wisdom of Imam al-Ghazali, a renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher from the medieval era, touching on topics like religious doctrine, Sufism, eschatology, truth, and knowledge.

In this episode, join Shahina A. Ghazanfar, author and botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and renowned scientific illustrator, Sue Wickison, as they discuss their award-winning book and exhibition, Plants of the Qur’an.

In this episode Jamal Mahjoub, Hamid Khalafallah, and Adela Suliman, discuss the current crisis in Sudan, a conflict which has resulted in a severe humanitarian disaster with over 14,000 fatalities and millions displaced.

In this episode, join us for a compelling discussion with Dr Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, on the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Dr Zomlot explores the challenges, opportunities for peace, and the future of Palestinian diplomacy.

In this episode, explore what makes arguably the most enigmatic of Haworth’s famous literary siblings, Emily Brontë, such an attractive subject for filmmakers and biographers.

In this episode, poets Khadijah Ibrahiim and Karen McCarthy Woolf, discuss the state of poetry in the UK; highlighting key themes preoccupying poets today and how poetry is changing. We also hear the shortlist for The Forward Prizes for Poetry 2023 awards, including a new category: Best Single Poem – Performed.

In this episode, our special guest Damian Bradfield, author of Algorithmic Reality, explores the state of the internet, the addictive effects of social media, invasion of privacy, data misuse, and the current use of your data to power AI – and how we can take back control.

In this episode, delve into the Golden Age of Islam in a captivating conversation with Dr Shamim Miah, author of Ibn Khaldun: Education, History and Society, and Saeed Khan.

In this episode, we hear from Ben Aaronovitch and Jonathan Stroud – two stellar names in the world of British Fantasy. Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series has become a runaway success, and Stroud is author of the acclaimed Lockwood and Co series.

In this episode, our panel discuss how society has changed and ask whether our obsession with individualism has eroded community values. Has life in the 21st century become all about the cult of the individual?

In this episode, Mark Jones, author of 1923: The Forgotten Crisis in the Year of Hitler’s Coup, explores how and why Hitler and the Nazis were able to come to power, and how they remained in power for so long.

In this episode, we delve into a new category of thought called ‘Alt-Wallah’ within the Islamicate, based around a supposed crisis of masculinity, the Alt Right, and Muslim men.

In this episode, hear from Rachel Louise Snyder as she tells her own story, which is as dramatic as many of those she has covered during her career as an award-winning journalist.

In this episode, our panel of experts explore China’s increasing involvement in brokering deals in the Middle East, Russia and China’s shared and separate agendas, and the potential for a new global power structure.

In this episode, we are joined by Leyla Jagiella, cultural anthropologist, scholar of religion and author of Among the Eunuchs. From an early age, she knew she would be defined by being Muslim and being trans. Struggling to negotiate these identities in her conservative hometown, she travelled to India and Pakistan, where her life was changed by her time among third-gender communities.

In this episode, step into the vividly colourful and wildly contrasting world of bestselling author, Kit De Waal, as she shares her captivating memoir. Iman Amrani will lead you on a journey through De Waal’s childhood, growing up in a household that defied convention and expectation.

In this episode, delve into the history and legend of one of Britain’s most iconic figures – Boudica, the warrior queen who led the greatest rebellion the country has ever seen.

In this episode, hear from Sara Wheeler, whose adventures have taken her to some of the most exciting and far-flung places on the planet, and award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Christina Lamb, one of Britain’s leading foreign correspondents.

In this episode, Tolkien biographer John Garth and Professor Diane Purkiss hold a fascinating discussion exploring the bonds between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and the impact they had on each other’s work.

In this episode our panellists Anthony Anaxagorou, Nikita Gill, Jeremy Noel-Tod, and chair Sanah Ahsan, as they ask whether in our information-saturated age and with ethics evolving over the years: has it become impossible to separate artists from their work?

In this episode, travel on a spiritual journey with renowned writer, scholar and translator Rana Safvi, as she delves into the rise of Sufism in India. Safvi discusses her book, In Search of the Divine, which evokes in vivid detail the sacred atmosphere she encountered during her research.

In this episode, poet and author, Blake Morrison and actor, Yusra Warsama explore the Bronte sisters’ remarkable legacy, and discuss some of the sisters’ rare manuscripts and first editions that form part of the Blavatnik Honresfield Library.

In this episode, writer and sociologist Keith Kahn-Harris and award-winning photographic artist and journalist Robert Stothard discuss their book: What Does A Jew Look Like?Fed up with media clichés around a ‘typical’ Jewish person, they set out to illustrate the diversity of the Jewish community, and celebrate the countless ways that men and women can be Jewish in Britain today.

In this episode, join Reza Aslan for an enlightening talk about the enduring legacy of Hussain ibn Ali, a figure who, while often seen as polarising within Islam, has the potential to be a unifying force for social justice and freedom of speech.

In this episode, immerse yourself in the fascinating tales of two extraordinary musicians, Ian Abdal Latif Whiteman and Richard Thompson, as they take the stage with filmmaker Ovidio Salazar for a captivating conversation about the power of music, faith, and their encounters with real holy men and not-so-holy men.

In this episode, we take a closer look at the film Our River...Our Sky. Set in Baghdad during winter 2006, Our River...Our Sky is a remarkable and moving view of everyday life in a war zone. We’d suggest watching Our River...Our Sky before listening to this episode.

In this episode, join us for a thought-provoking discussion which draws parallels between the current refugee crisis and the experiences of prophets from the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

What does it mean to be a feminist right now? In this episode, you can hear a series of short, inspirational talks from our panel on what being a feminist means to them.

In this episode, renowned historian Timothy Garton Ash sheds light on how Europe slowly recovered and rebuilt amid the ashes of the Second World War – and then faltered. This subject is close to his heart and is the subject of his book: Homelands: A Personal History of Europe.

In this episode, we discuss global biosecurity's critical role in preventing disease outbreaks. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the consequences of an uncontrolled virus, raising questions about the potential weaponisation of viruses.

In this episode, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso's passing and delve into why he continues to inspire artists around the world.

In this episode, we explore the life of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, one of India's revered figures, with author Shashi Tharoor. Tharoor's biography gives fresh insights into Ambedkar's life and legacy, highlighting the hurdles he overcame in a society that stigmatised his community.

In this episode, we're joined by legendary British singer-songwriter Richard Thompson. With a career spanning over 55 years, Thompson delves into his musical journey, reflecting on influences and collaborations with icons like Sandy Denny, Jimi Hendrix, and Nick Drake.

In this episode, join Dr. Adrian Marsh, a leading Romani-Traveller academic and researcher in Romani Studies, as he explores the history and impact of Romani and Traveller literature and poetry.

In this episode, our panel explores the enduring impact of the Mosaddegh coup in Iran, 70 years after this pivotal event. We will delve into Iran's role in the Middle East, its global relationships, and its future in a complex geopolitical landscape.

In this episode, we explore the new space race and astropolitics. Discover the intersection of space, politics, and international relations, as we discuss the presence of spy satellites in space and the prospect of humans on Mars, once the stuff of science fiction.