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The Louis Theroux Podcast

The Louis Theroux Podcast

By: Spotify Studios
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 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. Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • S5 EP4: John Wilson on collaborating with Nathan Fielder, confronting a cult, and hating mockumentaries

    S5 EP4: John Wilson on collaborating with Nathan Fielder, confronting a cult, and hating mockumentaries
    May 26 2025
    Louis speaks to John Wilson, fellow documentarian and creator of the cult-favourite series, How To...with John Wilson. The pair swap stories about their respective work, including discussing John’s collaborations with writer and producer Nathan Fielder, how joining an acapella group exposed him to the NXIVM sex-cult, and their shared disdain for mockumentaries. Plus, John turns the tables on Louis… Warnings: Strong language and some adult themes. Links/Attachments: TV Show: ‘How To with John Wilson’ (2020-2023) - HBO https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0cltlm3/how-to-with-john-wilson TV Show: ‘Louis Theroux: Gambling in Las Vegas’ (2007) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b007957z/louis-theroux-gambling-in-las-vegas TV Show: ‘Louis Theroux’s LA Stories’ (2014) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b03zjc67/louis-therouxs-la-stories Pitch Perfect (2012) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mbsapmW0bg Song: ‘Roxanne’, The Police (1978) https://open.spotify.com/track/3EYOJ48Et32uATr9ZmLnAo TV Show: ‘Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult’ (2020) - Starz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch_4jn_m6-g TV Show: ‘The Vow’ (2020) - HBO https://www.hbo.com/the-vow-2020 TV Show: ‘Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends’ (1998-2000) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02q5prq/louis-therouxs-weird-weekends-series-1-1-christianity?seriesId=unsliced The Amazing Johnathan (2019) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9358084/ TV Show: ‘When Louis Met...Jimmy Savile’ (2000) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0g3zjn9/when-louis-met-series-1-jimmy-savile TV Show: ‘Louis Theroux: America’s Most Dangerous Pets’ (2011) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b016yklh/louis-theroux-americas-most-dangerous-pets TV Show: ‘Nathan For You’ (2013-2017) - Comedy Central https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2297757/ TV Show: ‘The Rehearsal’ (2022 – Present) - HBO https://www.hbo.com/the-rehearsal Book: The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcolm (1989) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journalist-Murderer-Janet-Malcolm/dp/1847085342 Book: The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Janet Malcolm (1994) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Woman-J-Malcolm/dp/0679751408 Book: Psychoanalysis: The Impossible Profession, Janet Malcolm (1977) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Psychoanalysis-Impossible-Profession-Janet-Malcolm/dp/0394710347 Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Assistant Producer: Emilia Gill Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Shownotes compiled by Immie Webb Executive Producer: Arron Fellows     A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  www.mindhouse.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • S5 EP3: Bryan Johnson discusses life-changing psychedelics, superintelligence, and night-time erections

    S5 EP3: Bryan Johnson discusses life-changing psychedelics, superintelligence, and night-time erections
    May 19 2025
    In this episode, Louis is joined by tech entrepreneur turned longevity evangelist, Bryan Johnson. Dialling in from his home in Los Angeles, Bryan tells Louis all about his quest to live forever, from the psychedelic experience that changed his life, to the role of superintelligence in the future. Plus, Louis learns the importance of night-time erections. Warnings: Strong language and some adult themes. Links/Attachments: Mind – UK Mental Health Charity https://www.mind.org.uk/ Suicide Prevention UK https://spuk.org.uk/ Book: The Ghost in the Machine, Arthur Koestler (originally published in 1967) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Machine-Arthur-Koestler/dp/1939438349 ‘How to be 18 years old again for Only $2 million a year’ - Bloomberg (2023) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-01-25/anti-aging-techniques-taken-to-extreme-by-bryan-johnson?embedded-checkout=true TV Show: ‘Silicon Valley’ (2014-2019) - HBO https://www.hbo.com/silicon-valley ‘Harvard study, almost 80 years old, has proved that embracing community helps up live longer and be happier’ - The Harvard Gazette (2017) https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/ Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Shownotes compiled by Immie Webb Executive Producer: Arron Fellows     A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  www.mindhouse.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • S5 EP2: Sean Penn on dining with Jack Nicholson and Putin, run-ins with the paparazzi, and his relationship with Zelenskyy

    S5 EP2: Sean Penn on dining with Jack Nicholson and Putin, run-ins with the paparazzi, and his relationship with Zelenskyy
    May 13 2025
    Louis travels to Los Angeles to sit down with Hollywood heavyweight and international adventurer, Sean Penn. Renowned for award-winning roles in films like Milk, I Am Sam and Carlito’s Way, Sean discusses his colourful life and career, including dining with Jack Nicholson and Vladimir Putin in Moscow, his relationship with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his notorious run-ins with the paparazzi. Warnings: Strong language. Links/Attachments: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzva_I8WPAg Mystic River (2003) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7NktJhrRYQ Milk (2008) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5D07rmfwG0 Dead Man Walking (1995) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgvbfLNYumU Carlito’s Way (1993) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZMd4Baswb4 The Apprentice (2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_OeYJXXlw0 Superpower (2023) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X54GUzUUM3w One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXrcDonY-B8 TV Show: ‘Euphoria’ (2019 – Present) - HBO https://www.hbo.com/euphoria Long Day’s Journey into Night (1962) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056196/ TV Show: ‘Normal People’ (2020) - BBC / Hulu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1JQuWxt3cE Shanghai Surprise (1986) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbW06buYw0Y Song: ‘Like a Virgin’, Madonna (1984) https://open.spotify.com/track/1ZPlNanZsJSPK5h9YZZFbZ Becoming Madonna (2024) - Sky Documentaries https://www.sky.com/watch/programme/4f309d01-57b4-42b1-92ca-82eef6ec747e A Complete Unknown (2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdV-Cs5o8mc Audiobook: ‘Chronicles, Volume I’, Bob Dylan (narrated by Sean Penn) (2004) https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Chronicles-Volume-1-(Audio)/Bob-Dylan/9780743501613 TV Show: ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019) - HBO https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones Sweet and Lowdown (1999) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w3fokY0kP0 Daddio (2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJrr2amlFyc One Battle After Another (2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap-j8e9J5U0 TV Show: ‘Merlin’ (2008-2012) - BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00dq8tn/merlin-series-1-1-the-dragons-call?seriesId=b00mjlxv-structural-1-b00dr74v I am Sam (2001) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir6_2EkhzAc Credits: Producer: Millie Chu  Assistant Producer: Maisie Williams Production Manager: Francesca Bassett  Music: Miguel D’Oliveira  Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Shownotes compiled by Immie Webb Executive Producer: Arron Fellows     A Mindhouse Production for Spotify  www.mindhouse.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 27 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
Theroux is great at connecting with his interviewees which encourages them to open up. If you’re interested in exploring a person’s inner-world and motivation, then this is for you. I only vaguely knew of some of these people, others I was not aware of at all - but every episode I’ve heard so far has provided really interesting insights into life. Start at the beginning & work your way Theroux ;)

Theroux at his best

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Enjoyed everyone interesting despite not knowing half the people interviewed Louis always entertains and asks the best questions

Always on point

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he interrupts and asks another question before they have answered the previous one. it's unbearable.

Louis doesn't let his interviewee speak!

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