The Audio Long Read

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The Audio Long Read podcast is a selection of the Guardian’s long reads, giving you the opportunity to get on with your day while listening to some of the finest longform journalism the Guardian has to offer, including in-depth writing from around the world on current affairs, climate change, global warming, immigration, crime, business, the arts and much more. The podcast explores a range of subjects and news across business, global politics (including Trump, Israel, Palestine and Gaza), money, philosophy, science, internet culture, modern life, war, climate change, current affairs, music and trends, and seeks to answer key questions around them through in depth interviews explainers, and analysis with quality Guardian reporting. Through first person accounts, narrative audio storytelling and investigative reporting, the Audio Long Read seeks to dive deep, debunk myths and uncover hidden histories. In previous episodes we have asked questions like: do we need a new theory of evolution? Whether Trump can win the US presidency or not? Why can't we stop quantifying our lives? Why have our nuclear fears faded? Why do so many bikes end up underwater? How did Germany get hooked on Russian energy? Are we all prisoners of geography? How was London's Olympic legacy sold out? Who owns Einstein? Is free will an illusion? What lies beghind the Arctic's Indigenous suicide crisis? What is the mystery of India's deadly exam scam? Who is the man who built his own cathedral? And, how did the world get hooked on palm oil? Other topics range from: history including empire to politics, conflict, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, philosophy, science, psychology, health and finance. Audio Long Read journalists include Samira Shackle, Tom Lamont, Sophie Elmhirst, Samanth Subramanian, Imogen West-Knights, Sirin Kale, Daniel Trilling and Giles Tremlett.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

nucuplmnjuyh

Ai-like voice

How did you succeed in finding the most boring and monotone voices? It renders interesting articles unlistenable. Stop it already. You’re losing listeners. Oh, and get at least British readers.
EllenpdxGirl

The narrators are humans

The articles are read by humans not AI voices. I think the reviewers who have claimed such nonsense watch way too much YouTube, a platform notorious for thousands of ai-hosted channels. The long-form featured in this podcast are presented/read by a mixture of people: some narrators are the authors themselves; some are voice actors or actual actors on-screen, and then I know some are well known via their profession or other trait that isn’t in acting or journalism. CRAZY I KNOW (sarcasm) but the narrators are actual people. Shaking my head at some of these unfounded “grievances.” Ugh
No DRM

AI thieves

The Guardian has started using AI-generated voices for these long-read audio stories. AI voices were trained on the voices of actual human narrators who are now no longer getting paid for their work. There was a lot of theft of training data on the part of all of the AI developers. Now companies like The Guardian are rewarding those developers by paying for their services rather than supporting the human voice-actors who need and deserve that money. It’s criminal. Apart from that, human voices are much more interesting to listen to, and can provide much more variety and nuance in their narration.
Birgittenyc

Well-written biased stories

The latest episode on Germany and Israel is biased the way UK newspapers often has an embarrassing tint of antisemitism in their reporting on the Gaza war. The author tries hard to pretend to be objective while using heavily biased language.
Zizzabet

The British Invasion

Superb! Bravo! Thank you to The Guardian and Ben Yagoda for this excellent podcast! I really appreciate content like this, which dives into fascinating topics—like linguistics for laymen—that are important but not always essential. Admittedly, I’m feeling the tension leading up to the U.S. elections, an absolutely critical subject. Listening to Yagoda’s podcast was not only a pleasure but also a welcome break from the intense campaign news everywhere else.
moving on-missu

Sad selections

So much this program could do and then it’s all bad, please screen your offerings and raise your standards.
Ramse III

Stop complaining about this podcast

There are some odd reviews here, so I wanted to remind myself and others to avoid writing nonsensical complaints about this free service.
Callahansfeedstore

AI? Or is the team just mailing this in?

As a frequent Guardian reader, I’m let down as a listener. Sounds like AI voices backed by uninspired scoring.
Gamble3866

Monotone narration

Sadly, the amazing journalism is let down by very monotone narration. The reader has no warmth to their tone, removing the empathy and emotion from the article.
This Ken

Antisemitic

Since the October 7 massacre the guardian “the Long Read” has focused on anti Jew anti Israel stories. The original stories were written by Palestinians needing Hamas approval for their continued survival. The stories are entirely one sided propaganda. To re run these stories now is an attempt to justify Hamas butchery. Rerunning this propaganda now can only be explained by antisemitism.
Never clean enough

My go-to Podcast! Varied and fascinating topics!

I learn so much about the world from this podcast. Faultless journalism. I read some grumbling about the narration. Our current public discourse, on my side of the pond, is full of bloviating and shouting and hyperbole. Even many of the more reasonable broadcast journalists seem to feel the need to vocally push. I now seek out, almost exclusively, calm and quiet narration paired with excellent writing, as is presented here. Thank you so much for providing that. A much needed and refreshing respite. Thank you!
whynicknamegoodgod

Excellent writing, but please find other narrators

The writing is consistently strong. But it’s let down by the narration, which generally sounds robotic and utterly devoid of personality. It feels like narrators were chosen to sound as flat as possible.
camping crafter

Appreciate this podcast so much

I have listened to this podcast for over a year and have really loved going back to listen to the earlier episodes as well. I often see reviewers who complain about various readers but I find myself quickly engrossed in the content and no longer focusing on the voice. That said, I am from the United States and especially enjoy hearing the British readers who seem to have a typically steady, soothing and consistent sound. I see reviewers complain about liking some topics but not others and yet they provide very little precise input regarding what they would like to hear more about. Occasionally I come across a topic that doesn’t really interest me. However, I eventually realized that those articles are about something I know very Iittle about or cover a subject I find challenging to comprehend. Ultimately I have learned that those episodes are some of the most useful for me to listen to. Thank you so much for the gift of this podcast!
*Mr. Joshua*

A Lackluster Podcast Experience

My foray into this particular podcast left much to be desired. Unfortunately, it fell short in several crucial aspects, resulting in an underwhelming and forgettable listening experience. From monotonous hosts to subpar production quality, lack of structure, lengthy episodes, and unimpressive guest selection, this podcast failed to meet even the most basic standards of quality and entertainment. In a world filled with exceptional podcasts, it's advisable to explore other options that provide engaging hosts, well-produced episodes, and valuable insights.
indieperfume

Exceptional

Has a definite stance and point of view, which is explored through various topics and ongoing issues in the modern world with serious mindedness. The quality of this content goes way beyond entertainment and reaches more toward essays history biography or non fiction studies that could be developed or has been excerpted from material by published authors. I much appreciate having this thoughtfully produced content on a variety of issues that relate more to the struggling everyday person to give context to many difficult situations and topics of current concern.
TheWomanOnFire

Priceless

I count on The Guardian for the best written and oral journalism. And, yes, I financially support this forum. ✊The level of writing and speakers is unparalleled.
CutiForever

No more noisy ads please!

Have been listening for several years, but in the last year or so, the ads have gotten really annoying and LOUD. I don’t mind the presence of ads, I understand why you need them, but please don’t include ones that have jingles or clash too much with the pod’s style. I listen to the pod for its soothing as much as its journalistic quality, and lately the soothing part has been lacking. Thanks!
StarSharon

My favorite podcasts

I love listening to the diverse, well written articles about so many subjects and the voice readers use calming voices, so it's very relaxing to listen. I've found highly informative episodes and learned so much. I love the long dive into the subject matter.
hi from athens ga

Can the (canned) music

I’m not crazy about the new stock music and “funny” sound effects. They are annoying and distracting. The content stands on its own without help!
5762097632

Great with a few issues

Often the stories are great!! Agree with other reviews that narration should be British, American accents are easy to find elsewhere. Also agree with major volume control issues of the intro chimes and ads- these make it hard to listen to while trying to relax. Otherwise great!
This nickname is taken__

Almost, sir

Love the content, but not sure what the readers are playing at trying to do accents. Just read the dang article.
Geumpyhistory

Excellently Executed

Love a good long form article. These are thoughtfully read, with subtle and appropriate emphasis. Interesting perspectives and narratives selected. Has become one of my favorite podcasts (and I listen to podcasts at least a few hours a day)
Ex Cathedra

Blast my ears

Why does The Long Read blast the volume of intro and ending “The Long Read by the Guardian?” I listen to the beginning of the podcast and boom! I hear the chimes and a voice announce “the long read” at volumes far higher than the podcast itself. Same at the end, boom! chimes and voiceover so long I almost ripped out my ear buds.
AJT-NYC

Mispronunciations

Love the content, but distracted by the mispronunciations. Is the reader actually AI? Hard to believe moderately educated human reader would mispronounce (in coal article) mesa, ostensibly, reprieve, Greenwich, Georgian and more.
brainzmatter

Usually very informative

Lately has become more frivolous. The British readers are sooo much better than the over-enunciating North Americans. I have to skip most of them even when the subject is particularly compelling. Update: in spite of many reviews complaining about readers, it just gets worse. Where do you find these Americans? They are TERRIBLE. Why don’t you stay with Brits. I’m done. I’ll just read them from now on—when the topics interest me—which isn’t so much anymore. A shame because this used to one of my favourite podcasts. I hate to pick on individuals but I spite of all these reviews, reader Christopher Ragland is back again and I CANNOT listen. It’s like he’s reading an advert aimed at six-year-olds. I quit Audible for the same reason. Narration matters! I can’t listen to these school play amateurs. UPDATE After some time away and a few listens with suitable readers, I again encounter an episode read with American accent who sounds rather like a mechanical device , has no sense of when a pause is appropriate and has made an interesting subject impossible to listen to. Do you even audition these people? Do you have a test audience? Do you care how much criticism you get? I’m done. Unfollowed as of now. Wont be back.
Leonickx

Some Good, Some Not So

Some of these stories are really excellent (death of liberalism in Hungary and Poland, for example) but most are boring, interest British listeners only, old, and badly read. So, three stars—and I’m in a generous mood
heyeonana

I love this british reader voice

this woman’s voice is good and makes me be focusing the podcast.
Kadence404

Love it

Excellent reporting and presentation. Not every topic is something I’m interested in, but the ones that I am I always enjoy
midwestBlue

Luttwak podcast

omg what a con man. he advised america on Iraq bombing in the early days? that didn’t go very well for the iraqi people. he sounds more like a catch me if you can poser.
nuclearpowerplant

Nerdy Life Hack

Very interesting and unique writing and topics that you can listen to while doing other things. People complaining about monotone voices are being hypercritical. Superior to actual computer generated speech. Obviously inferior to professional voice actors. But it’s a free podcast and not a paid prescription service.
clamshook

Truly great selections

I can always rely on the Audio Long Reads to give me something strange, complicated, and wonderful for my mind to chew on. Fantastic journalism!
Jen's_Atari2600

The Archerssss

Ssssorry to sssay, but the reader of the Desssember 18, 2020 episssode (The Weird Geniusss of the Archersss), ssso inssessantly whisstled her Ssss’sss, I jussst couldn’t keep lissstening!
🤯😂🧐🥱

Perfect journalism

I’ll be lying if I didn’t say I love listening to these podcast. I’m learning a lot of stuff that I personally wouldn’t have time to research or study. The essay on Amazon delivery hit home for sure! I’m in the US, and this, this kinda journalisms is what we are craving for.. love it!!
CoconutChild

Why do you keep hiring bad readers??

The American guy is so distracting and corny, he sounds like Patrick Bateman. Just have a nice sounding UK person read your articles ... you have so many listeners asking for this. At this point I just want to know why you guys refuse to drop the American droid readers, what is your deal with them..:
Jent333Vegas

#991

This Episode that breaks down the value of a life was so much of the reason I listen to this Pod... Great great episode, will keep me thinking all day abut the value of a life. Please come back to this angle of economics and life as often as you can. Thank you thank you...
hollyhock5

More Andrew McGregor

Please just have Andrew McGregor read.
Fisherspalton

Please improve narration

Love the content but narration is challenging.
Aplebeianlife

Great content but read by an expressionless voice.

Great content- but please get another reader- I assume this is a computerized voice and I can’t bear listening to it’s expressionless drone.
A.Vno

Reading style rough

Yeah, interesting but the extremely enunciated pronunciation makes uncomfortable to listen to.
mdg999

Change the readers!

I really want to love this but all of the readers sounds robotic, over enunciating everything. It makes beautiful tender stories sound clinical. I haven’t made it through a whole episode yet because of the readers.
ccr226

Please have more British readers and a more natural tone!

I love the article choices and the long form reading format. Several have been well read by British speakers with natural intonation. Particularly the episodes on the Zaghari-Ratcliffes unjust suffering and the Dirk Obbink’s corrupt sales of Oxford antiquities were impeccably researched and delivered. However, the last one I tried to listen to (America Squandered Its Cold War Victory) sounded like a computerized voice. I had to turn it off after a minute, even though I would love to hear about this topic. Same goes for the Mari Kondo episode. And as an American, I agree with the last reviewer: I listen to British podcasts because I am sick of the whiny and saccharine American accent. Please have more British or international readers!! That’s why we’re here!
JJRROMI

Raleigh NC

Raleigh isn’t Ray-Lee ! So ignorant. No one watching this store???
Daveiii

Exciting and Important Journalism

What could be better than a podcast where talented readers recite a piece of important and in-depth journalism? Not much, not much at all. Give the Guardian Audio Long Reads a listen and you’ll hear why!
Surohan7

My favorite podcast...but

Please keep your wonderful British readers. As an American myself, I love to hear them and cringe at the American voices that come across as jarring and pretentious. Also, I agree with another reviewer who hates the loud ad in the middle.
Arp121

Please change the readers

Painful to listen to the over-enunciating (North) American readers. It is uch a shame as the content of the podcast is relevant and engaging. I much prefer listening to British readers (I am Canadian.) Please consider this critical feedback before losing more listeners.
111342

Ruined with ads

A super loud and annoying ad plays in the middle of these. Not sure who the marketing genius was that decided loud and annoying would make money here but i hope they write an article about him/her. I won’t listen to it though.
Don't Break the Internet

Great Content, Grating Voice

Ugh made it 1/4 in and couldn’t take the voice (a/i?) anymore. It’s unnatural.
nsarwar

Fantastic

Intellectual bliss.
BooksinNewYork

Must listen!

Fantastic podcast!
m0nsoon

Far and away my favorite podcast

While listening to many longform audio texts, I usually get bored and distracted. The Guardian’s audio long reads are always engaging and thoughtful. I just listened to a fascinating analysis of the effect of privilege on social mobility. Last time, I listened to an analysis of the Silicon Valley “gold rush”. The variety and depth of articles is fantastic. I am so happy that this podcast exists.