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The Louis Theroux Podcast — Society & Culture
The Louis Theroux Podcast

Join Louis Theroux as he embarks on a series of in-depth and freewheeling conversations with a curated collection of fascinating figures from across the globe. The Louis Theroux Podcast is a Spotify podcast from Mindhouse, now available everywhere.

Latest Episodes:

Megan Phelps-Roper discusses leaving the Westboro Baptist Church, interviewing J.K. Rowling and how social media amplifies our worst impulses Nov 11, 2026

Show notes

Louis is joined by writer, podcaster and subject of not one, not two, but three Louis Theroux documentaries, Megan Phelps-Roper. 20 years on from them meeting, the pair swap notes on Megan’s departure from the church, crossing paths with J.K. Rowling and how social media amplifies our worst impulses.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

If you've been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, visit spotify.com/resources.

Links/Attachments:

The three video/audio extracts are from ‘The Most Hated Family in America’ (BBC)

Podcast: Book Keeper (2026) https://open.spotify.com/show/033NjTPZ0bfXfTG4AiEvbn?si=UPd7lChoSNu706sLJyIt0g&utm_source=copy-link

TV Show: Deadwood (2004-2006)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348914/

Podcast: The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling (2023)

https://open.spotify.com/show/0pOqilA3erTXXQ3cf422Ct

Podcast: The Daily Podcast (2017-present)

https://open.spotify.com/show/6wVeXmXdT9nh5QKiZxPSmy

Book Series: Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling (1997-2007)

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/harry-potter/resources/series-overview/?srsltid=AYCX9vLX_rGZirNt8zcub_I762yQTqKsHXrX6pejimhQdlgtQZgLXYR4

Book: Kill All Normies, Angela Nagle (2017)

https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/zer0-books/our-books/kill-all-normies

Podcast: Joe Rogan Experience #974 - Megan Phelps-Roper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOnefFVBEb0

Credits:

Producer: Tom Fuller

Senior Assistant Producer: Maisie Ellen Williams

Junior Production Manager: Rosie Pender

Production Executive: Francesca Bassett

Original Music: Miguel D’Oliveira

Video Editor: Scott Edwards

Audio Editor: Tom Guest

Series Producer: Millie Chu

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Cooper Clarke on touring with the Buzzcocks, meeting Chuck Berry, and inspiring the Arctic Monkeys Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Louis speaks with the Poet Laureate of Punk, the Bard of Salford, the Doctor: performance poet John Cooper Clarke. The pair discuss John’s time touring with the Buzzcocks, meeting Chuck Berry backstage, and how his poetry inspired Alex Turner to form Arctic Monkeys.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

Links/Attachments:

Book: Have It, John Cooper Clarke (2026)

https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/john-cooper-clarke/have-it/9781037404191

Book: I Wanna Be Yours, John Cooper Clarke (2020)

https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/john-cooper-clarke/i-wanna-be-yours/9781509896127

Advert: Honey Monster & John Cooper Clarke (1988)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ced-0BwY9E

Poem: A Subaltern’s Love Song, John Betjeman (1940)

https://allpoetry.com/A-Subaltern's-Love-Song

Poem: Slough, John Betjeman (1937)

https://allpoetry.com/poem/8493391-Slough-by-Sir-John-Betjeman

Song: That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore, The Smiths (1985)

https://open.spotify.com/track/48veRDsAEBOJJnVnnabV99

Poem: Evidently Chickentown, John Cooper Clarke (1980)

https://open.spotify.com/track/3bJxvUhRN4nJgab71HkIjc

TV Show: The Sopranos (1999-2007)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141842/

Poem: TWAT, John Cooper Clarke (1979)

https://open.spotify.com/track/0yEZiblovbuepAogvzSe2w

Poem: I Wanna Be Yours, John Cooper Clarke (1982)

https://open.spotify.com/album/2etRijq79Wz2U9TIy9ZpdM

Song: I Wanna Be Yours, Arctic Monkeys (2013)

https://open.spotify.com/track/5XeFesFbtLpXzIVDNQP22n

Film: House of Usher (1960)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053925/

Book: Tales of Mystery & Imagination, Edgar Allen Poe (1839)

https://wordsworth-editions.com/product/tales-of-mystery-and-imagination/

Book: Les Fleurs du Mal, Charles Baudelaire (1857)

https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/books/the-flowers-of-evil-les-fleurs-du-mal/

Poem: The Man Who Didn’t Love Elvis, John Cooper Clarke (2018)

https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/john-cooper-clarke/the-luckiest-guy-alive/9781509896066

Poem: Salome Malone, John Cooper Clarke (1978)

https://open.spotify.com/track/597ALlSF9Zz08DmYaTrKAr

Song: I’m A Lazy Sod, Sex Pistols (1977)

https://open.spotify.com/track/760CNZQRrfO7Dse1mkYVn6

Poem: A Cheap Agnostic Funeral, John Cooper Clarke (2026)

https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/john-cooper-clarke/have-it/9781037404191

Producer: Millie Chu

Senior Assistant Producer: Maisie Ellen Williams

Junior Production Manager: Rosie Pender

Production Executive: Francesca Bassett

Original Music: Miguel D’Oliveira

Video Editor: Scott Edwards

Audio Editor: Tom Guest

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Naomi Klein discusses the dangers of data centres, Steve Bannon’s hip hop musical and why our tech overlords want to be edgelords Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

Louis sits down with writer, activist and filmmaker Naomi Klein. They discuss Steve Bannon’s hip hop musical, why data centres are so dangerous, and the tech overlords/edgelords that inspired her latest book, End Times Fascism.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

Links/Attachments:

Book: End Times Fascism, Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor (2026)

https://naomiklein.org/end-times-fascism/

Book: Doppelganger, Naomi Klein (2023)

https://naomiklein.org/doppelganger/

Interview: The full-length interview with Elon Musk, The Economist (2026)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuoqKYxDHVc

Play: The Thing I Am, Steve Bannon (1996-1997)

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/17/opinion/sunday/steve-bannon-hip-hop-shakespeare-rewrite-coriolanus.html

Podcast: Bannon’s WarRoom (2019-present)

https://open.spotify.com/show/0WyF2LaTcrpWfrTIeKjs1L

Book: No Logo, Naomi Klein (1999)

https://naomiklein.org/no-logo/

Song: Heart of Glass, Blondie (1979)

https://open.spotify.com/track/4v2rkl1mC3zVAz0nXMx9r4

Documentary: Bowling for Columbine (2002)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310793/

Credits:

Producer: Tom Fuller

Senior Assistant Producer: Maisie Ellen Williams

Junior Production Manager: Rosie Pender

Production Executive: Francesca Bassett

Original Music: Miguel D’Oliveira

Video Editor: Scott Edwards

Audio Editor: Tom Guest

Series Producer: Millie Chu

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vinnie Jones on getting sober, mediating with Steven Seagal, and the Gazza incident Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Louis is back on the road, this time to visit actor, footballer and professional hard man Vinnie Jones at his Sussex farm. The pair discuss Vinnie’s journey to sobriety, a bizarre standoff with Steven Seagal, and the real story behind those photos with Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

Links/Attachments:

TV Show: The Gentlemen, (2024-present)

https://www.netflix.com/title/81437051

Book: A Kestrel for a Knave, Barry Hines (1968)

https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-kestrel-for-a-knave/barry-hines/9780141184982

Film: Kes, (1969)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064541/

Film: My Cousin Vinny, (1992)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104952/

Film: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, (1998)

https://www.netflix.com/title/16944044

Film: Snatch, (2000)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0208092/

Film: Year One, (2009)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045778/

Film: Swordfish, (2001)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0244244/

Producer: Millie Chu

Senior Assistant Producer: Maisie Ellen Williams

Assistant Producer: Andy Cook

Junior Production Manager: Rosie Pender

Production Executive: Francesca Bassett

Original Music: Miguel D’Oliveira

Video Editor: Scott Edwards

Audio Editor: Tom Guest

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Ronson discusses culture wars, the ‘superbug’ of shamelessness, and his encounters with ‘unravelling men’ Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Louis is joined in our brand-new studio by writer, documentarian and creative doppelganger Jon Ronson. Jon tells Louis all about delving into culture wars, how public shaming has created a ‘superbug’ of shamelessness, and the cast of ‘unravelling men’ in his new book, The Castle.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

Links/Attachments:

Book: The Castle, Jon Ronson(2026)

https://jonronson.com/book/the-castle/

Book: Them, Jon Ronson (2001)

https://jonronson.com/book/them/

TV Episode: Finding Frances, Nathan For You, Comedy Central (2017)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7277634/

TV Show: The Ronson Mission, Channel 4 (1993)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235493/

Book: So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, Jon Ronson (2015)

https://jonronson.com/book/so-youve-been-publicly-shamed/

Podcast: Things Fell Apart (2021-2026)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m002j8rl

Book: The Dice Man, Luke Rhinehart (1971)

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-dice-man/luke-rhinehart/9780006513902

Article: Something is Wrong on the Internet, James Bridle, Medium (2017)

https://medium.com/@jamesbridle/something-is-wrong-on-the-internet-c39c471271d2

Documentary: Stanley Kubrick’s Boxes (2006)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1263704/

Documentary: Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere (2026)

https://www.netflix.com/title/81920687

Credits:

Producer: Millie Chu

Senior Assistant Producer: Maisie Ellen Williams

Junior Production Manager: Rosie Pender

Production Executive: Francesca Bassett

Original Music: Miguel D’Oliveira

Video Editor: Scott Edwards

Audio Editor: Tom Guest

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guess who's back... Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Double the episodes...double the fun.

Join Louis weekly from the 14th October for more episodes of The Louis Theroux Podcast.

Watch exclusively on Spotify, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S8 EP9: Mo Gilligan on being quoted by Drake, his surprising shopping addiction, and eating fried chicken for 28 days straight Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

In the final episode of the season, Louis speaks to comedian, presenter and documentarian Mo Gilligan. Mo tells Louis about how Drake became a fan of his comedy, his surprising shopping addiction, and his experience eating fried chicken for 28 days for his new documentary, Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy, available to watch on Netflix from 5th August.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

Links/Attachments:

Documentary: Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy – Netflix (2026)

https://www.netflix.com/title/81920949

Documentary: Mo Gilligan: Black, British and Funny – Channel 4 (2020)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21042684/

Video: Different Types of Grime MCs | Mo Gilligan (2016)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZzVlXCgCCA

TV Show: The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan – Channel 4 (2019 - 2023)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPj_cyCGQqc

TV Show: Drunk History – Comedy Central (2015 - 2017)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLHHcQWkLnprc91qHlm6zef9qJu1f-aPf

TV Show: The Big Narstie Show – Channel 4 (2018 - 2022)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlHfycloeQg

Podcast: The Harry Hill Show (2026 - present)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/74xrDtkcXeOfVUFMcly9kE?si=1e1d4d0b663945e0

Credits:

Producer: Millie Chu 

Assistant Producer: Beth Johnstone

Audio Mixer: Tom Guest

Video Mixer: Scott Edwards

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett 

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira 

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows 

  

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify 

www.mindhouse.co.uk 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S8 EP8: Gary Stevenson discusses his Mormon upbringing, sparring with Rory Stewart and why a wealth tax could save the economy Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Louis is joined in the Spotify studio by author, YouTuber and inequality economist Gary Stevenson. Gary tells Louis about growing up in a Mormon family, his disagreement with Rory Stewart, and why he thinks a wealth tax could solve financial inequality.

Please note this episode was recorded before Gary announced he was stepping back from his YouTube channel.

Warnings: Strong language.

Links/Attachments:

Documentary: How to Get Filthy Rich with Gary Stevenson (2026) - Channel 4

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/how-to-get-filthy-rich-with-gary-stevenson

Book: The Trading Game, Gary Stevenson (2024)

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/455809/the-trading-game-by-stevenson-gary/9781802062731

Podcast: The Rest is Politics: 144. Gary Stevenson: From Teenage Drug Dealer to Millionaire Trader (2025)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vfmQmoA9frvGh5aRQvZLi

Book: Politics on the Edge, Rory Stewart (2024)

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442034/politics-on-the-edge-by-stewart-rory/9781529922868

TV Show: That Mitchell and Webb Look (2006-2010) - Channel 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h242eDB84zY

Video: “I'm QUITTING!" Gary Stevenson vs Piers Morgan On Wealth, Economic Growth & Elon Musk (2026) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLmFZBB3Apw

Article: Gary Stevenson may have been Citi’s most profitable trader… in developed market foreign exchange (2026) - Financial Times

https://www.ft.com/content/5c48b680-daf6-40d2-9522-ad997eb07b63

Video: How COVID-19 MAKES the Rich Richer - Gary EXPLAINS the theory (2020)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiblHqbpXHs

Article: The Sunday Times Rich List (2026)

https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list

Play: Poet In Da Corner, Debris Stevenson (2018)

https://open.spotify.com/album/2QDC46EK9W1ndEyFbFkabH

Play: My Brother’s a Genius, Debris Stevenson (2026)

https://www.nyt.org.uk/get-tickets/my-brothers-a-genius-london

Credits:

Producer: Tom Fuller

Researcher: Beth Johnstone

Senior Assistant Producer: Maisie Williams

Audio Mixer: Tom Guest

Video Mixer: Alfie Butler

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett 

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira 

Series Producer: Millie Chu

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows 

  

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify 

www.mindhouse.co.uk 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S8 EP7: Olivia Wilde on the pitfalls of long-term love, her unusual family name, and the 'garbage disposal' of tabloid media Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Today, Louis speaks to actor, director and renaissance woman Olivia Wilde. Following the release of her film The Invite, the pair discuss the secrets to a healthy relationship, her unusual family name, and her experience in the 'garbage disposal' of tabloid media.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

Links/Attachments:

Film: The Invite (2026)

https://a24films.com/films/the-invite

Film: I Want Your Sex (2026)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32332915/

Film: Booksmart (2019)

https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81061054

Film: Don’t Worry Darling (2022)

https://www.netflix.com/title/81592177

Documentary: Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere (2026)

https://www.netflix.com/title/81920687

Book: The Happy Prince and Other Tales, Oscar Wilde (1888)

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/31359/the-happy-prince-and-other-stories-by-wilde-oscar/9780241776285

Book: Mating in Captivity, Esther Perel (2006)

https://www.estherperel.com/mating-in-captivity

Podcast: Where Should We Begin? (2017 – present)

https://open.spotify.com/show/3fKOTwtnX5oZLaiNntKWAV

Advert: Dinner With the Russians, Cockburn’s Special Reserve (1980)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17rOl7i55ag

Book: Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell (1949)

https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/books-by-orwell/nineteen-eighty-four/

Credits:

Producer: Millie Chu 

Assistant Producer: Maisie Williams

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett 

Production Assistant: Artemis Chu

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira 

Audio Mixer: Tom Guest

Video Mixer: Scott Edwards

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows 

  

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify 

www.mindhouse.co.uk 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S8 EP6: Mike D discusses breaking rap into the mainstream, the infamous hydraulic penis, and disbanding the Beastie Boys Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Louis sits down with Grammy award-winning rapper, producer and former Beastie Boy Mike D. Speaking ahead of the release of his first solo album, Thank You, Mike tells Louis about breaking rap into the mainstream, the mechanics behind the Beastie Boys’ 20 foot hydraulic penis, and breaking up the band after Adam Yauch’s death.

Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.

Links/Attachments:

Song: Rapture, Blondie (1980)

https://open.spotify.com/track/1hQr0D1ZXbGHFcWLhusijv

Book: Everybody’s Fly, Fat Five Freddy with Mark Rozzo (2026)

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775871/everybodys-fly-by-fab-5-freddy-with-mark-rozzo/

Song: Cooky Puss, Beastie Boys (1983)

https://open.spotify.com/track/7DZSImZVNfImxqehwNtPuB

Song: Rapper’s Delight, Sugarhill Gang (1979)

https://open.spotify.com/track/7sZDbHZiuHEzS00vzCuhqS

Song: Good Times, Chic (1979)

https://open.spotify.com/track/0PQFPcSK1gnBGlbV4CZCG0

Song: The Message, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (1982)

https://open.spotify.com/album/4dEczweFPXeLMMVD1zIdi7

Song: Sucker M.C.’s, Run-D.M.C. (1983)

https://open.spotify.com/track/3hx5R8nOKu5zvhlfDNSIQC

Album: Licensed to Ill, Beastie Boys (1986)

https://open.spotify.com/album/11oR0ZuqB3ucZwb5TGbZxb

Radio Show: The Goon Show (1951-1960) - BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0072vdz

Film: National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077975/

Film: Caddyshack (1980)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080487/

Album: Paul’s Boutique, Beastie Boys (1989)

https://open.spotify.com/album/1kmyirVya5fRxdjsPFDM05

Song: Shadrach, Beastie Boys (1989)

https://open.spotify.com/track/1vIJBVsuMouxSuDxRtTaYI

Album: Hello Nasty, Beastie Boys (1998)

https://open.spotify.com/album/1HhBu55aklCwIus7KffIji

Song: Intergalactic, Beastie Boys (1998)

https://open.spotify.com/track/5fpizYGbi5IQoEraj6FP0R

Song: What We Got, Mike D (2026)

https://open.spotify.com/track/3UeGo2iTVN98fWW96iRL5p

Song: Switch Up, Mike D (2026)

https://open.spotify.com/track/1FHSvpvNWmJcpDcmsxrtbH

Credits:

Producer: Millie Chu 

Assistant Producer: Beth Johnstone

Audio Mixer: Tom Guest

Video Mixer: Scott Edwards

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett 

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira 

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows 

  

A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify 

www.mindhouse.co.uk 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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