Past Present Future Podcast
@ppfideas.bsky.social
The History of Ideas Podcast. Every Wednesday and Sunday with David Runciman. Wherever you get your podcasts.
Find us at 🔗 www.ppfideas.com
Find us at 🔗 www.ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the first of a two-part conversation with historian Chris Clark exploring how German history might help us understand Trump-like leadership, but not through looking at the Nazi period.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the first of a two-part conversation with historian Chris Clark exploring how German history might help us understand Trump-like leadership, but not through looking at the Nazi period.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the first of a two-part conversation with historian Chris Clark exploring how German history might help us understand Trump-like leadership, but not through looking at the Nazi period.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the first of a two-part conversation with historian Chris Clark exploring how German history might help us understand Trump-like leadership, but not through looking at the Nazi period.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the second part of David’s conversation with historian Julian Jackson about the case of Marshal Pétain and the crimes of the Vichy regime. Did Pétain really play a ‘double game’ in which he tried to deceive the Nazis?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the second part of David’s conversation with historian Julian Jackson about the case of Marshal Pétain and the crimes of the Vichy regime. Did Pétain really play a ‘double game’ in which he tried to deceive the Nazis?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the second part of David’s conversation with historian Julian Jackson about the case of Marshal Pétain and the crimes of the Vichy regime. Did Pétain really play a ‘double game’ in which he tried to deceive the Nazis?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the second part of David’s conversation with historian Julian Jackson about the case of Marshal Pétain and the crimes of the Vichy regime. Did Pétain really play a ‘double game’ in which he tried to deceive the Nazis?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the 1st of two on the extraordinary trial of Marshal Pétain in summer 1945 that ended up putting wartime France in the dock. David talks to historian Julian Jackson about how Pétain found himself so quickly charged with treason.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the 1st of two on the extraordinary trial of Marshal Pétain in summer 1945 that ended up putting wartime France in the dock. David talks to historian Julian Jackson about how Pétain found himself so quickly charged with treason.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the 1st of two on the extraordinary trial of Marshal Pétain in summer 1945 that ended up putting wartime France in the dock. David talks to historian Julian Jackson about how Pétain found himself so quickly charged with treason.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the 1st of two on the extraordinary trial of Marshal Pétain in summer 1945 that ended up putting wartime France in the dock. David talks to historian Julian Jackson about how Pétain found himself so quickly charged with treason.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s PPF+ bonus David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about the trial in 1938 of Nikolai Bukharin, the darling of the Bolsheviks whose conviction & execution were the culmination of the Moscow Show Trials.
Join PPF+ now: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In today’s PPF+ bonus David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about the trial in 1938 of Nikolai Bukharin, the darling of the Bolsheviks whose conviction & execution were the culmination of the Moscow Show Trials.
Join PPF+ now: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s PPF+ bonus David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about the trial in 1938 of Nikolai Bukharin, the darling of the Bolsheviks whose conviction & execution were the culmination of the Moscow Show Trials.
Join PPF+ now: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In today’s PPF+ bonus David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about the trial in 1938 of Nikolai Bukharin, the darling of the Bolsheviks whose conviction & execution were the culmination of the Moscow Show Trials.
Join PPF+ now: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the first of two exploring the Moscow Show Trials that Stalin staged from 1936-38. David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about what motivated these grotesque spectacles and who was fooled by what they saw and heard.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the first of two exploring the Moscow Show Trials that Stalin staged from 1936-38. David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about what motivated these grotesque spectacles and who was fooled by what they saw and heard.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s episode is the first of two exploring the Moscow Show Trials that Stalin staged from 1936-38. David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about what motivated these grotesque spectacles and who was fooled by what they saw and heard.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s episode is the first of two exploring the Moscow Show Trials that Stalin staged from 1936-38. David talks to historian of Russia Edward Acton about what motivated these grotesque spectacles and who was fooled by what they saw and heard.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
We return to our series about the most significant trials in history with our most requested trial: Scopes ‘Monkey’ (1925). Meant to be about a Tennessee schoolteacher but became a battle between science and religion and everything in between.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
We return to our series about the most significant trials in history with our most requested trial: Scopes ‘Monkey’ (1925). Meant to be about a Tennessee schoolteacher but became a battle between science and religion and everything in between.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
November 2, 2025 at 8:15 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
We return to our series about the most significant trials in history with our most requested trial: Scopes ‘Monkey’ (1925). Meant to be about a Tennessee schoolteacher but became a battle between science and religion and everything in between.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
We return to our series about the most significant trials in history with our most requested trial: Scopes ‘Monkey’ (1925). Meant to be about a Tennessee schoolteacher but became a battle between science and religion and everything in between.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s ep was recorded in front of a live audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. David talks to @brunomacaes.bsky.social & Sarah Wynn-Williams about the battlegrounds in the fight for the future. How will we know what victory looks like?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s ep was recorded in front of a live audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. David talks to @brunomacaes.bsky.social & Sarah Wynn-Williams about the battlegrounds in the fight for the future. How will we know what victory looks like?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today’s ep was recorded in front of a live audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. David talks to @brunomacaes.bsky.social & Sarah Wynn-Williams about the battlegrounds in the fight for the future. How will we know what victory looks like?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today’s ep was recorded in front of a live audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. David talks to @brunomacaes.bsky.social & Sarah Wynn-Williams about the battlegrounds in the fight for the future. How will we know what victory looks like?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s bonus episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social answer more of your questions on all things Fixing Democracy. How do we know when we’ve reached the point of no return?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In today’s bonus episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social answer more of your questions on all things Fixing Democracy. How do we know when we’ve reached the point of no return?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
October 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s bonus episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social answer more of your questions on all things Fixing Democracy. How do we know when we’ve reached the point of no return?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In today’s bonus episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social answer more of your questions on all things Fixing Democracy. How do we know when we’ve reached the point of no return?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
For the final in this series David talks to historian @aysezarakol.bsky.social about the prospects for democracy in the age of strongman politics, from Trump to Erdogan, from Orban to Modi. Does democracy have the wherewithal to resist its pull?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
For the final in this series David talks to historian @aysezarakol.bsky.social about the prospects for democracy in the age of strongman politics, from Trump to Erdogan, from Orban to Modi. Does democracy have the wherewithal to resist its pull?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
For the final in this series David talks to historian @aysezarakol.bsky.social about the prospects for democracy in the age of strongman politics, from Trump to Erdogan, from Orban to Modi. Does democracy have the wherewithal to resist its pull?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
For the final in this series David talks to historian @aysezarakol.bsky.social about the prospects for democracy in the age of strongman politics, from Trump to Erdogan, from Orban to Modi. Does democracy have the wherewithal to resist its pull?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In our penultimate episode in this series David talks to writer @samfr.bsky.social about whether democracy can cope with the demands of the social media age. Is the bigger problem our ever-shrinking attention spans or our ever-divided politics?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In our penultimate episode in this series David talks to writer @samfr.bsky.social about whether democracy can cope with the demands of the social media age. Is the bigger problem our ever-shrinking attention spans or our ever-divided politics?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 19, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In our penultimate episode in this series David talks to writer @samfr.bsky.social about whether democracy can cope with the demands of the social media age. Is the bigger problem our ever-shrinking attention spans or our ever-divided politics?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In our penultimate episode in this series David talks to writer @samfr.bsky.social about whether democracy can cope with the demands of the social media age. Is the bigger problem our ever-shrinking attention spans or our ever-divided politics?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In this special live episode recorded in front of pupils from schools in Doncaster, David talks to political scientist @robfordmancs.bsky.social about whether Nigel Farage is really going to be the UK’s next Prime Minister.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In this special live episode recorded in front of pupils from schools in Doncaster, David talks to political scientist @robfordmancs.bsky.social about whether Nigel Farage is really going to be the UK’s next Prime Minister.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In this special live episode recorded in front of pupils from schools in Doncaster, David talks to political scientist @robfordmancs.bsky.social about whether Nigel Farage is really going to be the UK’s next Prime Minister.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In this special live episode recorded in front of pupils from schools in Doncaster, David talks to political scientist @robfordmancs.bsky.social about whether Nigel Farage is really going to be the UK’s next Prime Minister.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
David talks to political theorist @profafinlayson.bsky.social about what’s gone wrong with political speech and how it can be improved. What can we learn from the ancient art of rhetoric about how to do democratic politics better?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
David talks to political theorist @profafinlayson.bsky.social about what’s gone wrong with political speech and how it can be improved. What can we learn from the ancient art of rhetoric about how to do democratic politics better?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
David talks to political theorist @profafinlayson.bsky.social about what’s gone wrong with political speech and how it can be improved. What can we learn from the ancient art of rhetoric about how to do democratic politics better?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
David talks to political theorist @profafinlayson.bsky.social about what’s gone wrong with political speech and how it can be improved. What can we learn from the ancient art of rhetoric about how to do democratic politics better?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In this PPF+ bonus David talks to @fromagehomme.bsky.social about the idea of guaranteeing female representation in parliament. Where does it already happen? How does it work? What difference does it make?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In this PPF+ bonus David talks to @fromagehomme.bsky.social about the idea of guaranteeing female representation in parliament. Where does it already happen? How does it work? What difference does it make?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
October 11, 2025 at 8:26 AM
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In this PPF+ bonus David talks to @fromagehomme.bsky.social about the idea of guaranteeing female representation in parliament. Where does it already happen? How does it work? What difference does it make?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In this PPF+ bonus David talks to @fromagehomme.bsky.social about the idea of guaranteeing female representation in parliament. Where does it already happen? How does it work? What difference does it make?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David talks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros & cons of referendums. How can they be used to open up political debate? When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David talks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros & cons of referendums. How can they be used to open up political debate? When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 5, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David talks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros & cons of referendums. How can they be used to open up political debate? When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David talks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros & cons of referendums. How can they be used to open up political debate? When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
The second part of David’s conversation with @robertsaunders.bsky.social marking the 40th anniversary of Neil Kinnock’s party conference speech attacking the Militant tendency takes the story up to the present and beyond.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
The second part of David’s conversation with @robertsaunders.bsky.social marking the 40th anniversary of Neil Kinnock’s party conference speech attacking the Militant tendency takes the story up to the present and beyond.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
The second part of David’s conversation with @robertsaunders.bsky.social marking the 40th anniversary of Neil Kinnock’s party conference speech attacking the Militant tendency takes the story up to the present and beyond.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
The second part of David’s conversation with @robertsaunders.bsky.social marking the 40th anniversary of Neil Kinnock’s party conference speech attacking the Militant tendency takes the story up to the present and beyond.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today in our occasional series with @robertsaunders.bsky.social we explore the lasting consequences of a speech delivered 40 years ago this week - Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s excoriating attack on Militant at his party’s conference in 1985.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today in our occasional series with @robertsaunders.bsky.social we explore the lasting consequences of a speech delivered 40 years ago this week - Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s excoriating attack on Militant at his party’s conference in 1985.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
September 28, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
Today in our occasional series with @robertsaunders.bsky.social we explore the lasting consequences of a speech delivered 40 years ago this week - Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s excoriating attack on Militant at his party’s conference in 1985.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Today in our occasional series with @robertsaunders.bsky.social we explore the lasting consequences of a speech delivered 40 years ago this week - Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s excoriating attack on Militant at his party’s conference in 1985.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode on how to fix democracy David talks to political scientist @fromagehomme.bsky.social about how to stop governments rigging elections around the world, from Africa to the United States. What makes an election free and fair?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode on how to fix democracy David talks to political scientist @fromagehomme.bsky.social about how to stop governments rigging elections around the world, from Africa to the United States. What makes an election free and fair?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:15 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode on how to fix democracy David talks to political scientist @fromagehomme.bsky.social about how to stop governments rigging elections around the world, from Africa to the United States. What makes an election free and fair?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode on how to fix democracy David talks to political scientist @fromagehomme.bsky.social about how to stop governments rigging elections around the world, from Africa to the United States. What makes an election free and fair?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
David talks to @cchwalisz.bsky.social, founder & CEO of Democracy Next, about how citizens’ assemblies could help fix what’s wrong with democracy. Where does the idea of a jury of citizens chosen at random to answer political questions come from?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
David talks to @cchwalisz.bsky.social, founder & CEO of Democracy Next, about how citizens’ assemblies could help fix what’s wrong with democracy. Where does the idea of a jury of citizens chosen at random to answer political questions come from?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
David talks to @cchwalisz.bsky.social, founder & CEO of Democracy Next, about how citizens’ assemblies could help fix what’s wrong with democracy. Where does the idea of a jury of citizens chosen at random to answer political questions come from?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
David talks to @cchwalisz.bsky.social, founder & CEO of Democracy Next, about how citizens’ assemblies could help fix what’s wrong with democracy. Where does the idea of a jury of citizens chosen at random to answer political questions come from?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In this PPF+ bonus ep David talks to @drhannahwhite.bsky.social of the Institute for Government about changes that could improve the quality of political decision-making. Where to start in reforming the system?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In this PPF+ bonus ep David talks to @drhannahwhite.bsky.social of the Institute for Government about changes that could improve the quality of political decision-making. Where to start in reforming the system?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
September 20, 2025 at 7:45 AM
BONUS EPISODE OUT NOW!
In this PPF+ bonus ep David talks to @drhannahwhite.bsky.social of the Institute for Government about changes that could improve the quality of political decision-making. Where to start in reforming the system?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
In this PPF+ bonus ep David talks to @drhannahwhite.bsky.social of the Institute for Government about changes that could improve the quality of political decision-making. Where to start in reforming the system?
Join PPF+ for all our bonuses: www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus