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.
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Recent Episodes
John Cooper Clarke on touring with the Buzzcocks, meeting Chuck Berry, and inspiring the Arctic Monkeys
Nov 04, 2026Summary Preview
Dr. John Cooper Clark, the legendary punk poet laureate, joins Louis Theroux to discuss his remarkable journey from 1960s Salford to punk rock fame. They explore his distinctive style, his poetry's viral success (including Arctic Monkeys' billion-stream cover of 'I Wanna Be Yours'), his complicated relationship with heroin addiction, and his enduring love of language, advertising jingles, and American culture. Throughout, John's wit, wordplay, and unflinching honesty shine as he reflects on mortality, creativity, and staying true to his aesthetic for nearly 60 years.
- Introduction and Studio Aesthetic
- Meeting Mix-ups and Bernard Manning Stories
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Naomi Klein discusses her latest book 'End Times Fascism' and explores the coalition of Christian nationalists, Silicon Valley billionaires, and far-right movements supporting Trump. The conversation covers her previous work 'Doppelganger,' examining mirror-world politics, Steve Bannon's populist strategy, AI's environmental costs, and Klein's views on Zionism, Israel, and building a broader progressive coalition.
- The Apocalypse Ball and Tech's Fascist Flirtations
- Elon Musk's AI Contradictions and Environmental Impact
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Louis Theroux sits down with Vinnie Jones, the legendary footballer turned Hollywood actor, for a raw and revealing conversation spanning his turbulent life. From his days as Wimbledon's hard man midfielder to his Hollywood career spanning 120+ films, Vinnie opens up about childhood trauma, notorious on-field incidents, bar fights, addiction, and his remarkable 14-year journey of sobriety. The conversation explores his loyalty to director Guy Ritchie, encounters with Hollywood stars like Joe Pesci and John Travolta, and his transformation from the 'crazy gang' footballer to a reflective man trying to make peace with his inner demons.
- The Crazy Gang: Football's Most Feared Team
- The Gazza Photo: Football's Most Iconic Image
Jon Ronson discusses culture wars, the ‘superbug’ of shamelessness, and his encounters with ‘unravelling men’
Oct 13, 2026Summary Preview
Louis Theroux welcomes John Ronson to discuss his new book 'The Castle', which explores modern masculinity, purpose, and the internet's impact on human behavior. Their wide-ranging conversation covers their parallel careers as journalists, social media's dark side, the perils of becoming a content creator, and the cultural forces driving disinhibition and purposelessness in contemporary life. Ronson shares extraordinary stories from his book about a castle owner with reality TV ambitions and a lawn care YouTuber whose pursuit of algorithmic success led to disaster.
- Introduction and Professional Overlap
- The Castle: Origins of the Book
Guess who's back...
Oct 08, 2026Summary Preview
This appears to be a promotional introduction for The Louis Theroux Podcast, where host Louis Theroux announces the return of his podcast with expanded content - double the episodes and a diverse lineup of guests including Jon Ronson, Tyson Fury, Megan Phelps-Roper, and Vinnie Jones. The brief segment is primarily promotional in nature, advertising where listeners can find the show.
- Podcast Introduction and Format Announcement
- Guest Lineup and Availability
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Mo Gilligan joins Louis Theroux to discuss his journey from retail worker to BAFTA-winning comedian, the evolution of Black British comedy, his viral social media success including 'Couple of Cans,' and his new Netflix documentary about fast food. They explore themes of representation, the pressure of being a Black comedian in mainstream media, and Mo's experience eating fried chicken for 28 days straight.
- From Social Media Virality to Mainstream Success
- The Black British Comedy Circuit and Representation
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S8 EP7: Olivia Wilde on the pitfalls of long-term love, her unusual family name, and upsetting Jordan Peterson
Jul 20, 2026Summary Preview
Louis Theroux sits down with director and actor Olivia Wilde to discuss her new film 'The Invite,' a comedy about mature relationships, intimacy, and marriage. The conversation ranges from the viral backlash around 'Don't Worry Darling' to masculinity politics, creative collaboration, and Wilde's literary family background. They explore themes of sexual dynamics in long-term relationships, the importance of maintaining desire, and what it takes to keep love alive. Wilde shares behind-the-scenes insights about working with Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz, and reflects on her theatrical past and the Oscar Wilde namesake.
- The Invite: Marriage, Sex, and Mature Relationships
- Don't Worry Darling: Navigating the Media Tornado
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In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike D of Beastie Boys reflects on the group's groundbreaking journey from punk rock to hip-hop pioneers, their complicated relationship with fame and personas, and his return to music with his first solo album 'Thank You.' He discusses the formative New York culture that shaped Beastie Boys, the tabloid backlash they faced, their creative evolution beyond Licensed to Ill, and how Adam Yauch's death transformed both his identity and relationship with music. Throughout, Mike reveals both the joy and isolation of their unique path as white artists in hip-hop, while grappling with legacy, authenticity, and finding his voice again as a solo artist.
- New York Origins and Hip-Hop Discovery
- The Mullet, Grand Royal, and Cultural Observation
S8 EP5: Melanie C on Spiceworld, comparing muscles with Arnold Schwarzenegger and why she’ll always be a Spice Girl
Jul 06, 2026Summary Preview
Louis Theroux interviews Melanie Chisholm (Mel C/Sporty Spice) about her journey from Spice Girls phenomenon to solo artist and DJ. They discuss the band's meteoric rise to fame with 'Wannabe' in 1996, the intense pressures of global stardom, internal band dynamics, management conflicts, media scrutiny, and Mel C's personal struggles with eating disorders and depression. The conversation covers the band's legacy, phone hacking revelations, relationships with tabloids, and her recent evolution into house music with her album 'Sweat.'
- The Spice Girls Origin Story and Wannabe's Impact
- Living Together and Early Band Dynamics
S8 EP4: Cara Delevingne discusses getting sober, engagement rumours, and being Karl Largerfeld's muse
Jun 29, 2026Summary Preview
Model and actress Cara Delevingne joins Louis Theroux to discuss her journey from fashion icon to musician, covering her meteoric rise in modeling, struggles with substance abuse, path to sobriety, and her new music career. The conversation delves into the pressures of the fashion industry, her relationship with Karl Lagerfeld, experiences with mental health, sexuality, and the creative process behind her debut album which chronicles her recovery journey.
- From Accidental Model to Fashion Icon
- The Reality Behind Fashion's Glamorous Facade
S8 EP3: Andrew Callaghan on the ‘cancelverse’, lizard people, and whether he’s being sued by Melania Trump
Jun 22, 2026Summary Preview
Louis Theroux sits down with gonzo journalist and YouTube creator Andrew Callaghan to discuss his evolution from satirical content creator to serious documentarian. The conversation covers Andrew's Channel 5 journey, his controversial HBO film 'This Place Rules,' the 2023 sexual misconduct allegations against him, and his perspective on conspiracy culture, the manosphere, and the fractured American media landscape. They explore the blurred lines between entertainment and journalism, the weaponization of content for political purposes, and what it means to document extreme subcultures in the digital age.
- The Evolution from Satire to Serious Journalism
- The Flat Earth Conference and Early Content
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Louis Theroux interviews Marco Pierre White, the legendary chef who became the youngest person ever to win three Michelin stars at age 33. They discuss Marco's journey from a Leeds council estate to transforming British fine dining, his volatile reputation, relationships with protégés like Gordon Ramsay, and his decision to retire from the kitchen and relinquish his Michelin stars in 1999. The conversation explores themes of obsession, loss, mentorship, and the personal cost of culinary excellence.
- Early Life and Finding His Calling
- The Brutal Kitchen Culture and Learning Under Pressure
S8 EP1: Gary Lineker on England’s losing streak, leaving the BBC, and his frosty relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo
Jun 08, 2026Summary Preview
Gary Lineker, England footballing legend, pundit, and podcasting mogul, sits down for an in-depth conversation covering his career highlights, personal life, and controversial departure from the BBC. The discussion ranges from his golden boot-winning performance at the 1986 World Cup to his views on modern football, his philosophy on parenting young athletes, and the media storms that have surrounded his social media activity. Lineker opens up about his son George's childhood leukemia battle, his own evolution from emotionally cold footballer to empathetic broadcaster, and his contentment with bachelorhood.
- World Cup Preview and Tournament Reflections
- The Secret to Scoring Goals
Louis's back with Season 8!
Jun 01, 2026Summary Preview
This appears to be a brief promotional announcement for the Louis Theroux Podcast's eighth series, featuring upcoming guests including Gary Lineker, Melanie C, Marco Pierre White, and Andrew Callaghan. The episode is primarily a promotional teaser rather than a full podcast episode with substantive content.
- Podcast Season Eight Announcement
S7 EP8: Yorgos Lanthimos discusses working with Emma Stone, suffering for his art, and directing a Bourne movie
Apr 20, 2026Summary Preview
Acclaimed filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos discusses his distinctive filmmaking style, from his breakout film Dogtooth to his recent work Begonia. He reflects on his journey from making Greek commercials to becoming one of cinema's most provocative voices, his collaborative process with actors like Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, and the intentional ambiguity that defines his films. The conversation explores his resistance to conventional explanations, his discomfort with Hollywood meetings, and his instinctive approach to creating films that challenge audiences.
- Dogtooth and Building Unsettling Worlds
- From Greek Commercials to International Cinema
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In this final episode of the series, Louis Theroux speaks with Bridgerton star Simone Ashley about her breakout role as Kate Sharma, the challenges of fame, her unconventional path to acting, and her new music career. They discuss the show's alternate historical setting, the intimacy of filming romantic scenes during COVID, her difficult school years, and her perspective on representation in entertainment. The conversation ranges from the pressures of sudden stardom to her happily single life in New York and upcoming projects including The Devil Wears Prada 2.
- Bridgerton's Success and Chemistry
- Filming Intimacy During COVID
S7 EP6: Patrick Radden Keefe on the opioid crisis, criminal career longevity and why access is overrated
Apr 06, 2026Summary Preview
Louis Theroux interviews acclaimed investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe about his new book 'London Falling,' which explores the mysterious death of a teenager who secretly pretended to be the son of a Russian oligarch. They discuss Keefe's writing process, his previous bestsellers including 'Empire of Pain' and 'Say Nothing,' the ethics of journalism, the attraction to rogues and sociopaths in storytelling, and the corrupted institutions that enable wrongdoing across society.
- Introduction to Patrick Radden Keefe and London Falling
- Teenage Identity and Internet Culture
S7 EP5: Laufey discusses viral fame, partying with Bill Murray and the benefits of boredom
Mar 30, 2026Processing failed
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Comedian Stuart Lee discusses his current show 'Stuart Lee versus the Man-Wolf,' his creative process, the politics of comedy, and his career spanning over three decades. The conversation explores his character-based approach to stand-up, his critique of Netflix comedians and the far-right, his adoption story, and his philosophical approach to comedy as an art form. Lee reveals personal insights about his health, hearing loss, possible autism diagnosis, and his relationship with comedy as both refuge and profession.
- The Spotify Dilemma and Creative Independence
- The Man-Wolf Show and Satirizing Netflix Comedy