10 of the most popular Penguin Podcast episodes

First launched in 2015, the Penguin Podcast aims to understand just what it is that makes writers tick. Using some of the objects that have inspired them, our guests consider why they write, how they write and, even, the struggles they’ve faced along the way. 

Over the past seven years, we’ve had hundreds of conversations with writers of all sorts, from novelists to scientists, philosophers to food writers and more. We’ve delved in the archives to pluck out some of our most listened-to episodes, so read – and listen – on for fascinating conversations with the likes of Stephen Fry, Dolly Alderton, Meera Syal and more.

Dolly Alderton in conversation with Sue Perkins (2020)

Neil Gaiman in conversation with Richard E. Grant (2015)

Zadie Smith in conversation with David Baddiel (2016)

Romesh Ranganathan in conversation with Nihal Arthanayake (2019)

Malorie Blackman in conversation with Nihal Arthanayake (2019)

Stephen Fry in conversation with David Baddiel (2017)

Nigella Lawson in conversation with Katy Brand (2019)

Noam Chomsky in conversation with Nihal Arthanayake (2020)

Meera Syal in conversation with Richard E. Grant (2015)

Ian Rankin in conversation with David Baddiel (2017)

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