Iszi Lawrence, presenter of the Membercasts, sitting in the Great Court

British Museum Membercast

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The British Museum Membercast is a regular podcast made available to 'all studious and curious persons'.

Comedian, podcaster and super-fan Iszi Lawrence (The Z List Dead List) presents snippets from exclusive Members' lectures at the Museum, artfully woven together with interviews and her own musings.

British Museum Untold

Coming soon, British Museum Untold is a new podcast series exploring the work that goes on behind the scenes at the British Museum and around the world. Join Iszi Lawrence and Curator Dr Julia Farley as they unearth the extraordinary stories behind the objects. Listen to episode one Handle with care: conserving Beirut's shattered glass.

Please share your comments and feedback about our podcasts! You can talk to us on Twitter @britishmuseum using the hashtags #membercast and #BMUntold or email friends@britishmuseum.org

'British Museum Untold' – Handle with care: conserving Beirut's shattered glass

October 2022

In the first episode of British Museum Untold, Dr Julia Farley and Iszi Lawrence discover how explosions have affected objects, from bomb damage at the Museum during the Second World War, to the 2020 explosion in Beirut. They meet expert conservators, curators and archivists to find out how these objects have been painstakingly repaired.

Ancestors with Professor Alice Roberts

September 2021

Iszi speaks to Professor Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors, to discover what burial sites can tell us about Britain's prehistory.

A history of emotions

August 2021

Iszi speaks to emotions expert Richard Firth-Godbehere to discuss how our emotions, from desire to disgust, have shaped the course of human history.

History mysteries with Caroline Lawrence

July 2021

Iszi chats to children's author Caroline Lawrence about how the Museum and its artefacts have inspired her writing.

Who was Nero?

June 2021

Iszi chats to Thorsten Opper, curator of the exhibition Nero: the man behind the myth, to find out the truth behind the infamous Emperor. Was he really all that bad?

Contemporary Art of the Middle East

April 2021

Iszi speaks to Venetia Porter, curator of Reflections: contemporary art of the Middle East and North Africa, about the fascinating stories found within this new display of works on paper.

1666: Plague, war and hellfire

March 2021

Historian Rebecca Rideal tells Iszi about a watershed year in England: 1666. What can we learn from a year that saw the Great Fire of London, the Plague and the Anglo-Dutch Wars?

Sutton Hoo and the story behind 'The Dig'

February 2021

Curator Sue Brunning tells Iszi the true story behind the excavation at Sutton Hoo and how this famous discovery changed our understanding of the past.

Egyptologists' notebooks

February 2021

Iszi chats to Dr Chris Naunton about the hidden stories found within Egyptologists' notebooks.

Exploring the Arctic

January 2021

Iszi chats to Peter Loovers, Project Curator of the Citi exhibition Arctic: culture and climate, about what life is really like in the Arctic.

A history of magic with Chris Gosden

December 2020

Iszi chats to archaeologist, author and British Museum Trustee Chris Gosden about the history of magic through the ages.

What is Tantra?

November 2020

Iszi chats to curator Imma Ramos about the history and philosophy of Tantra, and its influence on the world today. Imma is the curator of the special exhibition Tantra: enlightenment to revolution.

Welcome back: Iszi explores the collection

September 2020

In this special episode, Iszi welcomes Members back to the Museum as it reopens its doors to the public. Iszi takes us on the Members' highlight tour of the permanent collection, and rediscovers some fascinating objects from past civilisations.

Writing history with Natalie Haynes

August 2020

Iszi talks to Natalie Haynes, author of A Thousand Ships, about writing and researching the Bronze Age.

Boudicca with Stephen P Kershaw

July 2020

Iszi talks to author and historian Stephen P Kershaw to discuss the role of Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni tribe and the scourge of Rome.

Meeting the 'Moth Man'

June 2020

Iszi talks to Adie Doyle, the Museum's Integrated Pest Management Manager, also known as the 'Moth Man', to discover how he protects the collection from pests during lockdown.

The Battle of Thermopylae with David Stuttard

May 2020


Iszi talks to classicist David Stuttard about the legacy of The Battle of Thermopylae and its influence on Western civilisation.
 

Talking religion with Tom Holland

April 2020

Iszi talks to award-winning author and historian Tom Holland about religion and belief systems throughout history, drawing on ideas from his book Dominion.
 

100 years of conservation

March 2020

Have you ever wondered what goes into conserving ancient objects? Hear from Sandra Smith and Carl Heron as they share how science has played a part in conserving the Museum's collection over the past 100 years.

What did the Romans ever do for us?

February 2020

Iszi meets curator and archaeologist Sam Moorhead to talk all things Roman Britain. 

Looking for Troy

January 2020

In this additional episode devoted to the legend of Troy, Iszi speaks to exhibition curators Alexandra Villing and Victoria Donnellan to discover the truth behind the ancient myth.

A Tudor Christmas

December 2019

Iszi meets author Siobhan Clarke to talk feasting, revelry and merrymaking in Tudor times in this festive episode.

The story of Troy

November 2019

Iszi meets Alexandra Villing and Victoria Donnellan, curators of the upcoming major exhibition on Troy to discuss the origins of this epic tale. 

Inspired by the east

October 2019

Iszi meets Julia Tugwell and Olivia Threlkeld, curators of Inspired by the east how the Islamic world influenced western art to discuss the Islamic world's influence on Western art.

Rethinking Rembrandt

September 2019

Iszi meets Olenka Horbatsch, curator of the recent Rembrandt: thinking on paper exhibition to discuss the artist's innovative printmaking process.

The power of manga

August 2019

Iszi meets Nicole Rousmaniere, curator of the Citi exhibition Manga to discuss the fascinating origins of the Japanese art form and its cultural influence across the globe. 

Rebuilding the past

June 2019

Iszi meets curator Peter Higgs and discusses how ancient Greek buildings and sculptures were assembled – and how they were destroyed.  

Exploring Munch

May 2019

Iszi explores the special exhibition, Edvard Munch: love and angst using the expert lecture of Giulia Bartrum to guide both you and her through it. 

Contact us

Email: friends@britishmuseum.org
Phone: +44 (0)20 7323 8195

Opening times
Monday–Friday: 10.00–15.00
Closed: weekends and bank holidays

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