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The Oxford Union on Audible

By: The Oxford Union
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  • Summary

  • Please note: contains strong language and adult content.

    The Oxford Union is a student society like no other. It is a prestigious platform with a tradition of hosting debates and speakers stretching back to 1823. It is, in the words of former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, "the last bastion of free speech in the Western World."

    For many, the Union is best known for its high profile speaker events. An incredible range of figures have addressed its members, drawn from politics to religion; science to sport; film to fashion. Some voices are inspiring, others controversial. Union members are given the chance to meet their heroes, and challenge those with whom they disagree.

    This series offers Audible members a curated selection of the best speaker events from the Union in 2018.

    ©2019 The Oxford Union (P)2019 Audible Studios
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Episodes
  • Ep. 1: Paloma Faith
    Mar 22 2019

    Paloma Faith, is an English singer, songwriter, and actress known for her flamboyant style of dress. Her first three albums have gone platinum, she has played the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, been a judge on television talent show The Voice, and won Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2015 BRIT Awards. Her fourth studio album, The Architect was released in 2017. It debuted at number one in the UK, becoming Faith's first number one album.

    In this episode Faith draws on her personal experience to addresses what she sees as structural gender inequalities within the music industry.

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    28 mins
  • Ep. 2: Stephen Merchant
    Mar 22 2019

    Stephen Merchant is an English writer, director and radio presenter, best known as the co-writer and co-director of the hit British sitcom The Office, which he created with Ricky Gervais.

    In this episode, Merchant reflects on his 15 year-long collaboration with Gervais; a partnership that began on London radio station Xfm, the podcast-turned-television hit The Ricky Gervais Show, BBC television series Extras, the Karl Pilkington series An Idiot Abroad, and Life’s Too Short with Warwick Davis.

    He talks about his recent move towards acting, in Richard Bean's The Mentalists and, more recently, in the superhero film Logan. He also addresses questions about the relationship between comedy and political correctness.

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    32 mins
  • Ep. 3: Ellen Pompeo
    Mar 22 2019

    Ellen Pompeo is an American actress, director, and producer, best known for her starring role as Dr Meredith Grey in the American medical drama television series Grey’s Anatomy. She is one of the highest paid television actors, having, in 2017, signed a $20 million annual contract with the American Broadcasting Company (ABC).

    In this episode Pompeo touches on the #MeToo movement, the importance of on-screen diversity, strategies for negotiation, and answers questions about her character’s role as a strong role model for women around the world.

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    32 mins

What listeners say about The Oxford Union on Audible

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Generosity of spirit from a humble champion

Short, insightful and honest. Paula comes across a just a genuinely good person achieving great things.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A mixed bag.

Some of the early episodes didn't even manage to keep me awake but some of the later ones were excellent. Not enough scientists, innovators and world changers. Financial success seems to be a qualifying attribute to speak over talent and bravery. Some commendable speakers but overall a little disappointing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Surprising

Sounded boring. Thumbnail picture looked boring. Title was boring. I downloaded it because it was free, expecting to only get 10 minutes in and proving to myself if was dull.

However it was a good listen. The first one is Paloma Faith and it was a cracking listen - honest, raw, insightful, intelligent and funny. I was hooked ! Some sessions are in the form of a speech to students followed by a Q&A and some are just Q&As but I liked them all. I learned a lot from all the speakers and even discovered a movie I wouldn't have considered before thanks to Twinkle Khanna, the last speaker.

Not stuffy and archaic at all. I prejudged - sorry Audible and sorry Oxford. I loved them and hope this is a regular offering.

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69 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Impressive Cast

I love the oxford union and the array of extraordinary characters they bring to speak.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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good stuff

a very interesting series. great listen and very varied contributions, very entertaining. a few more would be good

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16 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Hidden Gem!

loved finding these interviews with surprising people of note- why is this not more widely known about?!

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Union Dictates Their View

Too much female politics in theses lectures, seemed to be preaching it in every other presentation. Sometimes subtly sometimes not. Let them eat cake class who superimpose some indignity to make themselves virtuous. Leadership by postcards and posters, not their own footprints,. breathe don't spit your values

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1 person found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Complete waste of time. Glad I didn't pay for it.

Complete waste of time. Glad I didn't pay for it. Drags on. Tbh, I did wonder was she high or drunk, or both.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

celebs opinions are not unfalliable

these celebs are treated as if their opinion is God given. I hated vera wang dismissing the guy who bought up how exploitative unpaid fashion internships are only to be told you just have to try harder. I also hated elen pompeos remark she would slash Harvey Weinstein across the face with a glass if he tried anything and that he was only professional with her. Has she never heard of the freeze response?! when faced with an assailant who is twice your size you think that fighting him will only anger him more and make him hurt you more so you just freeze and hope it's over soon. if you cant flee or fight your brain goes into a disassociate state of freeze so you can mentally check out as much as possible from the trauma that's about to occur. youre like a deer in headlights. I hate that this platform makes celebs opinions seem soooo mightly important. Honestly they need to get out of their bubble and get educated about a few things.

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23 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

it makes me feel clever

I'm home educated and a non conformist who despises posh people so I've given it one star for everything.
but it wouldn't let me 'submit' with the one star for all three catergories, try it for yourself. x

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6 people found this helpful