Intelligence Squared: Arts & Culture

About Intelligence Squared: Arts & Culture

Welcome to Arts & Culture by Intelligence Squared. Here we delve into the artistic and cultural moments, movements and conversations that have shaped, and are still shaping, our world. In this podcast Intelligence Squared speaks to some of the world’s greatest orators, writers, actors and artists. Guests include Stephen Fry, Margaret Atwood, Bernardine Evaristo, Salman Rushdie, Kate Winslet, Simon Schama, Tom Hiddleston and Marina Abromović. Join us every week as we feature the best of culture today and revisit some of the best live podcasts we have produced over the last twenty years. For more information head over to IntelligenceSquared.com

Publisher

Intelligence Squared

Category

arts · music · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Feb 2023

Latest episode

14 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

89 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Apr 2026

   The Specialist | Yo, Picasso, with Samuel Valette

   This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, an early self portrait by an artist whose place within the modern canon needs no qualification. Sam Valette explores the remarkable trajectory of Pablo Picasso’s Yo, Picasso. Sam is Sotheby's Vice Chairman, Head of Private Sales for Europe and the Middle East and is known for brokering the sale of some of the most sought after Masterpieces of modern art, both privately and at auctions. ⁠Further details about the episode subject Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2. 

   7 Apr 2026

   The Specialist | Louise Bourgeois's Spider, with Katia Mindlin Leite-Barbosa

   This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, the monumental arachnid that marked a record-setting moment for a sculpture by a woman artist. Katia Mindlin Leite-Barbosa examines the Louise Bourgeis 21-ft Spider and the intrepid voyage to bring it to the sale room.Katia is President and Managing Director of Sotheby's Brazil. She is the author of titles on Istanbul and the Brazilian art market, and serves on several boards across the country. ⁠Further details about the episode subject Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

3. 

   31 Mar 2026

   The Specialist | The Fabergé Imperial Coronation Egg and Coach, with Helen Culver Smith

   This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, the coveted Fabergé egg whose interior reveals an intricate surprise. Helen Culver Smith, Sotheby's Head of Decorative Arts Worldwide and Head, traces the remarkable journey of the Imperial Coronation Egg, originally presented to the Romanov family, and the dramatic struggle for its acquisition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who has been a guest on Intelligence Squared: Arts & Culture

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Julian Dawes
• Gregory Rubinstein
• Nicolas Chow
• Grégoire Billault
• Helena Newman

Reach and audience

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

YouTube views

89,383,791

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

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

Quality

46

Social presence

97

YouTube

93

Engagement

32

Contact Intelligence Squared: Arts & Culture

Guest appearances

Books guests

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

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