Listener sentiment
In Our Time has entered a new era following Melvyn Bragg's retirement, and listener sentiment has shifted markedly for the better. The podcast is celebrated for its accessible intellectual discourse spanning history, science, philosophy, and culture, with expert guests who are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. However, Bragg's long tenure was marked by consistent criticism—reviewers frequently cited constant interruptions of guests (particularly women), abrupt rudeness, mumbling, heavy breathing, and an overall controlling interviewing style that cut short substantive expert discussion. The arrival of new host Misha Glenny has been embraced enthusiastically by recent reviewers, who praise his fresh energy and respectful facilitation of dialogue. Remaining concerns center on audio quality issues (sudden loud ads, background noise), paywall policies that create confusion about what's included with premium subscriptions, and occasional Eurocentric framing of topics—but these are secondary to the broader relief and renewed engagement the host transition has brought.
Apple4.4 · 911
Summary generated May 28, 2026
