Podcast Review: New Discourses with James Lindsay

James Lindsay’s New Discourses podcast is a deep dive into the ideological, academic, and political structures that shape today’s cultural and institutional landscapes. A former mathematician best known for his role in the Grievance Studies Affair, Lindsay brings a unique combination of rigorous reading, sharp analysis, and blunt delivery to his episodes.

What works well

• Thorough deep dives: Lindsay excels in unpacking dense academic material, especially social theory and critical studies, in a way that is detailed yet intelligible. His close reading of source texts is a particular strength.
• Concept breakdowns: He’s created a series of short-form episodes, often in bullet-point style, that offer condensed explanations of key concepts. These are especially helpful for listeners who want clarity without the commitment of a full-length episode.
• Consistency: He’s nothing if not persistent. Whether you agree with his conclusions or not, he puts in the work and makes his reasoning visible.
• Analytical sharpness: His maths background shows in his structured, methodical approach. It gives his critique a kind of intellectual precision that’s quite rare in the podcast world.

Where some might struggle

• Lengthy episodes: Lindsay is admittedly long-winded. Some episodes run well over an hour and could be more focused. That said, he seems aware of this and makes efforts to offer more succinct formats alongside the marathon monologues.
• Presentation style: He can come across as intense or even abrupt. There’s an analytical bluntness to his tone, which some might interpret as combative or cold. Personally, I suspect he presents with Asperger’s traits, which might help explain both the clarity of his thinking and the occasional awkwardness in delivery.
• Controversial reputation: He’s been accused of being alt-right or conspiratorial. I haven’t found this to be fair. While he’s certainly polemical and confrontational with certain ideologies, the substance of his critiques tends to rest on primary sources and careful argument, not vague conspiracy.

Where to find him

• Website: New Discourses
• YouTube channel: James Lindsay / New Discourses

Final thoughts

James Lindsay is not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those trying to make sense of how ideological frameworks have come to dominate parts of education, policy, and activism, New Discourses is well worth listening to. It’s a thoughtful, if occasionally meandering, guide through the maze of contemporary critical theory and its real-world effects.