Beyond the Text

About Beyond the Text

Welcome to Beyond the Text, a podcast series dedicated to delving into intellectual history with depth and context. In a world saturated with quick takes, Beyond the Text goes the extra mile. Paying homage to Skinner's insights on the importance of context, this podcast unveils overlooked aspects of historical and intellectual narratives. Co-hosted by Samuel Woodall and Jack Thomson, Beyond the Text explores the profound impact of thought and ideas throughout human history—forces that have driven change, shaped societies, and sparked revolutions. Beyond the mere words on the page, this podcast unravels the layers surrounding pivotal concepts and moments. Each episode meticulously examines the connections, influences, and societal currents that contribute to their evolution. Join us on this journey to grasp the true significance of intellectual history. Whether you're an enthusiast, a curious mind, or someone intrigued by the myriad forces shaping our world, Beyond the Text provides a space for nuanced exploration. Tune in and venture beyond the surface to understand the rich tapestry of our intellectual heritage. Samuel Woodall is a PhD candidate in Intellectual History at the University of Buckingham. He previously earned an MLitt in Intellectual History from the University of St. Andrews and a BA (Hons) in History and Politics from the University of Exeter. Jack Thomson holds an MA in Philosophy from the University of Buckingham and brings a philosophical lens to the exploration of ideas, ensuring each discussion is both rigorous and thought-provoking.

Publisher

Samuel Woodall and Jack Thomson

Category

arts · history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Aug 2023

Latest episode

1 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

80 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Nov 2026

   Why Do Thinkers Think as They Do? Josiah Tucker with Dr Karim Ghorbal

   Send us Fan Mail Why do thinkers think as they do? What can one neglected eighteenth-century clergyman teach us about commerce, Christianity and empire? Samuel Woodall is joined by Dr Karim Ghorbal of Université Rennes 2 for a wide-ranging conversation about intellectual history and Josiah Tucker (1713–1799), the Anglican cleric, political economist and Dean of Gloucester. Beginning with Ghorbal’s journey from philosophy to history, we explore how historians can reconstruct the reasons behi...

2. 

   30 Oct 2026

   Can Political Division Preserve Liberty? Rapin de Thoyras on Party and Moderation

   Send us Fan Mail How can a society preserve political stability without eliminating disagreement? In this conference presentation recorded at the University of Bristol, Samuel Woodall explores Paul de Rapin de Thoyras and the emergence of legitimate political opposition in early eighteenth-century Britain. Responding to the conference theme of tension and fragmentation, the paper traces the movement from older fears of faction to Rapin's account of enduring Whig and Tory division. It places ...

3. 

   26 Oct 2026

   What Makes an Action Moral? Kant on Freedom, Duty and the Categorical Imperative

   Send us Fan Mail What makes an action moral: its consequences, our feelings, or the principle on which we act? In the third episode of our Kant series, Samuel Woodall and Jack Thomson explore good will, duty and the categorical imperative. Beginning with the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785), we ask what it means to act from duty, why Kant distinguishes hypothetical from categorical imperatives, and how the requirement to treat humanity as an end connects freedom with dignity. ...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

80

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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