Shows / explore words discover worlds
explore words discover worlds
Expand your horizons with 'explore words discover worlds', the podcast that brings the world of Bradford Literature Festival to your ears. From the classics to the cutting edge, we'll introduce you to the most exciting and thought-provoking authors, poets, and thinkers.
Episodes
explore words discover worldsFreedom for Whom? | Humza Yousaf, Myriam François, and Ebrhaim Rasool
Send us Fan Mail Across much of the democratic world, debates around free speech, protest, surveillance, citizenship and state power are becoming increasingly…
explore words discover worldsPeter Sanders: Searching for Light – A Retrospective
Send us Fan Mail For more than six decades, acclaimed photographer Peter Sanders has documented some of the defining cultural, spiritual and social movements…
explore words discover worldsGreat Art Explained with James Payne
Send us Fan Mail Join artist, curator and YouTube creator James Payne for a captivating, illustrated talk exploring the stories behind some of the world’s most…
explore words discover worldsJeremy Corbyn: The Gaza Tribunal
Send us Fan Mail Jeremy Corbyn and Professor Paul Rogers discuss the Gaza Tribunal and the growing debate around accountability, international law and the…
explore words discover worldsThe Making of the Modern Middle East
Send us Fan Mail Saeed Khan, Meshael Al-Mannai and Hassan Abdein explore how the modern Middle East was shaped through empire and partition; the discussion…
explore words discover worldsBeing Old In Conversation with Prue Leith
Send us Fan Mail Prue Leith has never been one to hold back. At 85, she’s not about to start. The Great British Bake Off presenter, Great British Menu judge…
explore words discover worldsBeyond Cause and Effect with Ousama Alshurafa
Send us Fan Mail Ousama Iyad Alshurafa offers a way of reading life itself, treating the dunya as something encrypted that can be decoded once you find the…
explore words discover worlds9/11 and the World it Created
Send us Fan Mail Twenty-five years after September 11, this conversation examines how a single moment reshaped global politics, security, foreign policy and…
explore words discover worldsIn Conversation with Husam Zomlot and Humza Yousuf | Bradford Literature Festival 2026
Send us Fan Mail Returning to Bradford Literature Festival following the formal elevation of the Palestinian mission in London to embassy status, Ambassador…
explore words discover worldsThe Voice Inside with Ro Mitchell | Bradford Literature Festival 2026
Send us Fan Mail In a world shaped by filters, comparison and constant pressure, how do we learn to truly value ourselves? Mental health advocate and content…
explore words discover worldsFree Word Lecture with Misan Harriman | Bradford Literature Festival 2026
Send us Fan Mail Photographer, filmmaker and cultural commentator Misan Harriman is one of the defining visual storytellers of our time. From documenting…
explore words discover worldsTales of the Weird
Step into the strange and shadowy world of the British Library’s acclaimed Tales of the Weird series, which has brought new life to Britain’s rich tradition of…
explore words discover worldsInside the Mind of Michelangelo
Marking the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth, Professor Michael Fitzgerald offers a fresh perspective on the artist, not just as a Renaissance Master…
explore words discover worldsA Climate of Truth: Why We Need It and How To Get It
Join renowned environmental researcher, Mike Berners-Lee, for a compelling presentation on his latest book, A Climate of Truth. In this session, Berners-Lee…
explore words discover worldsThe Heavenly Shadhili Wisdom
Composed in the 13th century, The Heavenly Shādhilī Wisdom is a collection of concise yet profound sayings and teachings from the renowned Moroccan saint, Imam…
explore words discover worldsBradford, Food & Writing: A Taste from Home
Join writer Shahnaz Ahsan, food writer Radhika Howarth, and publisher Habiba Desai for a heartfelt conversation about food, memory, and storytelling rooted in…
explore words discover worldsThe Future of Gardening
What does the future of gardening look like in an era of climate crisis, urban inequality, and shifting notions of land and community? Inspired by Unearthed…
explore words discover worldsIntroduction to Greco-Islamic Herbal Medicine
Led by Shaykh Atabek Shukurov, this session explores the foundational principles of Greco-Islamic herbal medicine, drawing on the legacy of figures such as…
explore words discover worldsWriting the North
What does it mean to write from – and about – the North? Join authors Marcia Hutchinson and Liz Mistry for a conversation exploring Northern identity…
explore words discover worldsMuslim Women in Media
Join writers and journalists Shahed Ezaydi, Samia Rahman, Remona Aly and Sabbiyah Pervez for a vital conversation exploring the experiences of Muslim women in…
explore words discover worldsSurveillance States
In an age where artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of security and surveillance, this compelling discussion brings together two leading…
explore words discover worldsThe Four Imams
Join author Zimarina Sarwar to explore her latest book, The Four Imams, a profound examination of the lives and legacies of the four most revered Islamic…
explore words discover worldsThe Poetry of Resistance: Faiz, Neruda, Darwish, and Qabbani
This powerful session explores poetry as an act of resistance and a voice for the voiceless. At its heart are four towering literary figures: Faiz Ahmed Faiz…
explore words discover worldsMemoirs of Food: Angela Hui & Candice Chung
Join authors Angela Hui (Takeaway) and Candice Chung (Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You) for a conversation exploring the deep ties between food, memory…
explore words discover worldsWeapons of Influence: China, the West, and the New Global Flashpoints
Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are once again drawing global attention – but they’re also part of a much bigger story. As China and the West…
explore words discover worldsShitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung UK Cities
Join bestselling author Ben Aitken for Shitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung UK Cities, a wry and warm-hearted look at the places most travel guides skip…
explore words discover worldsThe Shortest History of Japan
Step into the rich and complex story of Japan with acclaimed writer and Japan specialist, Lesley Downer, as she brings to life key moments from her book, The…
explore words discover worldsMore Sense and Less Sensibility
In an age of feeling and emotional excess, what enduring guidance can we find in the novels of Jane Austen? President of Zaytuna College, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf…
explore words discover worldsBreaking Bread with Kitty & Al-Tait
Join father-daughter duo Kitty and Al Tait, authors of Breadsong, for a warm and inspiring conversation about baking, resilience, and the joy of doing things…
explore words discover worldsAI and Religious Authority: When Machines Preach, Who Leads?
As AI begins generating sermons, answering theological questions, and even issuing automated fatwas, sacred authority faces a new test. Can machine logic align…
explore words discover worldsGreat Faith: Stories of Sacrifice and Contribution
Discover the forgotten histories of Muslim servicemen and women who fought for Britain in Great Faith: Stories of Sacrifice and Contribution, an illustrated…
explore words discover worldsBeyond the Biennale: Islamic Art and its Contemporary Resonance
Following the landmark Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, our panellists return to reflect on what it revealed — and what comes next. Join Dr Abdulrahman Azzam…
explore words discover worldsBlake and the American Dream
What does the radical poetry and art of William Blake say about the promises and failures of the American Dream? Join art historian and political columnist…
explore words discover worldsA Culinary Journey through al-Andalus
Join acclaimed food writer Fiona Dunlop and scholar Daniel L. Newman for a sensory journey through the rich culinary heritage of al-Andalus. Dunlop’s Andaluz…
explore words discover worldsCareers in Publishing
Interested in a career in publishing? Join Bloomsbury as they invite Harper North and Wonderful for an insightful session on how to break into the industry…
explore words discover worldsReclaiming Feminism
What happens when feminism excludes the very women it claims to liberate? In this powerful conversation, Minna Salami (Can Feminism Be African?) and Shahed…
explore words discover worldsSoaking the soul in the recital
To mark Sandala’s publication of the late Dr. Thomas Cleary’s translation of the Qur’an, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, President of Zaytuna College, joins us to reflect…
explore words discover worldsJane Austen: The Woman Behind the Words
250 years since her birth, step into the world of one of English literature’s most beloved authors, Jane Austen. Her wit, social critique, and unforgettable…
explore words discover worldsAftermath: How WWII Still Governs Global Affairs
Join historians, Iain Macgregor and Sinclair McKay, for an insightful discussion on the aftermath of World War Two, and how its impact still governs global…
explore words discover worldsSyria in Transition: What Comes Next?
More than a decade of war has reshaped Syria and the wider region. With Bashar al-Assad no longer in power and a fragile transitional government now in place…
explore words discover worldsThe European Genocide: Remembering Srebrenica
In July 1995, over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were murdered in Srebrenica — the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War. This event…
explore words discover worldsPaul Rogers: The World in 2030
With war in the Middle East, Donald Trump’s return to the White House, and a new Labour government in the UK, 2025 has brought dramatic political shifts. These…
explore words discover worldsThe Day That Changed Britain, Twenty Years Since 7.7
The 7/7 attacks were a defining moment in modern British history — shaping public policy, media narratives, and how communities experience the state. Two…
explore words discover worldsFuture Worlds Prize: Crafting Otherworlds
Join two exciting voices in speculative fiction, M. H. Ayinde and Marve Anson, as they delve into the craft of worldbuilding – from creating magic systems and…
explore words discover worldsThe Food Our Grandmothers Knew
Why did our grandmothers stir turmeric into hot milk at bedtime? Why did they eat with their hands, or instinctively pair yoghurt with rice on a hot day? In…
explore words discover worldsBeyond the Headlines: Understanding the Crisis in Sudan
Sudan is facing one of the world’s most devastating — and least reported — crises. Since April 2023, brutal conflict between rival military factions has torn…
explore words discover worldsFreedom of Expression: Who Gets to Speak?
What does freedom of expression mean in 2025? From hate speech and identity politics to digital censorship and protest bans, the boundaries of free speech are…
explore words discover worldsThe World Today 2025
Professor Paul Rogers returns to lead a panel of expert commentators in our annual current affairs event, offering a 360-degree view of the most urgent issues…
explore words discover worldsIslamophobia Now: Power, Prejudice and Resistance
Islamophobia isn’t just a slur or a spike in hate crime — it’s a system. From counterterrorism policy and surveillance to media narratives and foreign wars…
explore words discover worldsQur'anic Themes and Parables
Shaykh Dr Ahmed Saad Al-Azhari joins us to launch Parables from the Qur’an, the much-anticipated follow-up to Contemplating the Qur’an. This talk offers a…
explore words discover worldsThe Future of Europe: Power, Politics and the New World Order
The war in Ukraine has reshaped Europe — and the ripple effects are still unfolding. With Russia on the offensive, the far right gaining ground, and Trump’s…
explore words discover worldsHaunted Histories: Magic, Memory and the Supernatural in Fiction
What happens when myth and magic collide with history? In this spellbinding event, authors Shubnum Khan (The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years) and Genevieve Cogman…
explore words discover worldsShattered Lands: Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia
Join historian and filmmaker Sam Dalrymple and Samia Rahman for an illuminating discussion on his debut book, Shattered Lands. Drawing from extensive archival…
explore words discover worldsThe Rise of the Far Right: What is at stake for the West
Across the West, far right movements are gaining ground — not just at the margins, but in the mainstream. From fiery rhetoric to policy influence, they’re…
explore words discover worldsGods, Guns and Missionaries: The Making of Modern Hindu Identity
Join historian and author, Manu S. Pillai and Saeed Khan, for an illuminating talk on his latest book, Gods, Guns and Missionaries. Drawing on rich historical…
explore words discover worldsFrom Civilisation to Civil War: A History of Syria
For millennia, Syria has stood at the heart of global history — from the Bronze Age cities of Ebla and Ugarit to Roman Antioch and Umayyad Damascus. A land of…
explore words discover worldsThe Roma: A Travelling History
Join writer and researcher Madeline Potter for a deeply personal and timely conversation about her acclaimed book The Roma, a powerful portrait of Europe’s…
explore words discover worldsCrimea: Conflict, Conquest and Consequence
Long before it became a flashpoint in today’s geopolitics, Crimea was the site of one of the 19th century’s most consequential wars. This event revisits the…
explore words discover worldsAl-Qaswa - the beloved she-camel of the Prophet Muhammad
Professor Abdullah Alkadi shares the remarkable story of Al-Qaswāʾ, the beloved she-camel of the Prophet Muhammad. ﷺ Faithfully accompanying the Prophet across…
explore words discover worldsPoetry for the Many: Jeremy Corbyn & Len McCluskey
Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey share a passionate belief in a fairer, more equal Britain, encapsulated in Labour’s 2017 election slogan ‘For the many, not the…