The Louis Theroux Podcast

S6 EP7: Marina Abramovic on the relationship between performance and pain, never feeling loved in her childhood, and harmful conspiracies

For the final episode of this series, Louis travels to Manchester to sit down with Marina Abramovic, the self-proclaimed “grandmother of performance art”. Marina tells Louis the stories behind some of her most famous artworks, as well as the relationship between performance and pain, never feeling loved in her childhood, and being caught in the middle of an online conspiracy.       Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.     Links/Attachments:    Balkan Erotic Epic, Marina Abramovic (2025)  https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/22/manchester-to-host-world-premiere-of-marina-abramovics-balkan-erotic-epic [https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/22/manchester-to-host-world-premiere-of-marina-abramovics-balkan-erotic-epic]     The Artist is Present, Marina Abramovic (2010)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2073029/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2073029/]    Lips of Thomas, Marina Abramovic (1975)  https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/5176 [https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/5176]    Rhythm 0, Marina Abramovic (1974)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTBkbseXfOQ&list=PL0bCt-VbCH4N3823Lj7uNAFLiYDjSnbTp&index=1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTBkbseXfOQ&list=PL0bCt-VbCH4N3823Lj7uNAFLiYDjSnbTp&index=1]    Cut Piece, Yoko Ono (1964)  https://www.moma.org/audio/playlist/15/373 [https://www.moma.org/audio/playlist/15/373]     Cut Piece, Yoko Ono (2005):  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/sep/16/arts.france [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/sep/16/arts.france]     Bob Wilson’s Life and Death of Marina Abramovic, (2012)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2177497/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2177497/]     Book: When Marina Abramovic Dies, James Westcott (2014)  https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262526814/when-marina-abramovic-dies/ [https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262526814/when-marina-abramovic-dies/]     Light – Dark, Ulay & Marina Abramovic (1978)  https://www.stedelijk.nl/en/collection/13991-ulay-light-dark [https://www.stedelijk.nl/en/collection/13991-ulay-light-dark]     Seedbed, Vito Acconci (1972)  https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/266876 [https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/266876]     Seven Easy Pieces, Marina Abramovic (2005)  http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/abramovic/ [http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/abramovic/]     The Great Wall Walk, Marina Abramovic (1988)  https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/apr/25/marina-abramovic-ulay-walk-the-great-wall-of-china [https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/apr/25/marina-abramovic-ulay-walk-the-great-wall-of-china]     Book: Walk Through Walls: A Memoir, Marina Abramovic (2016)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/walk-through-walls/marina-abramovic/9780241974520 [https://www.waterstones.com/book/walk-through-walls/marina-abramovic/9780241974520]     Balkan Baroque, Marina Abramovic (1997)  https://www.singulart.com/blog/en/2024/06/03/balkan-baroque-by-marina-abramovic/?srsltid=AfmBOopPyXzjOP800ERQMaHvbiNNps0oMBOCmOKjWOhdpNt6X6kEvu2k [https://www.singulart.com/blog/en/2024/06/03/balkan-baroque-by-marina-abramovic/?srsltid=AfmBOopPyXzjOP800ERQMaHvbiNNps0oMBOCmOKjWOhdpNt6X6kEvu2k]   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQigTZuTmv0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQigTZuTmv0]    BBC Maestro, Marina Abramovic:  https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/marina-abramovic/the-art-of-being-present [https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/marina-abramovic/the-art-of-being-present]    Article: ‘Marina Abramovic Just Wants Conspiracy Theorists to Let Her Be’, New York Times, 2020  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/arts/design/marina-abramovic-satanist-conspiracy-theory.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/arts/design/marina-abramovic-satanist-conspiracy-theory.html]     The Seven Deaths of Maria Callas (2022)  https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2022-11-04/marina-abramovic-brings-the-seven-deaths-of-maria-callas-to-royal [https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2022-11-04/marina-abramovic-brings-the-seven-deaths-of-maria-callas-to-royal]     The Truth Vs Alex Jones (2024)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/the-truth-vs-alex-jones/umc.cmc.1azsv881ew8mcjozutufy51vf [https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/the-truth-vs-alex-jones/umc.cmc.1azsv881ew8mcjozutufy51vf]     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 Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

S6 EP6: Florence Pugh discusses intimacy coordinators, jumping off buildings and getting into character

In this episode, Louis speaks to British actress Florence Pugh. Joining Louis at Spotify HQ, Florence talks about “abusing” herself to get into character, whether intimacy coordinators are necessary on film sets, and jumping off a building from nearly 3000 feet. Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.  If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources       Links/Attachments:  Midsommar (2019)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/midsommar/umc.cmc.3btmmnmdi8cci3gb2qupxli8o?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/midsommar/umc.cmc.3btmmnmdi8cci3gb2qupxli8o?action=play]     Hereditary (2018)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/hereditary/umc.cmc.1p8skf72cqba9t91v2rqjbeyv?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/hereditary/umc.cmc.1p8skf72cqba9t91v2rqjbeyv?action=play]     The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (2021)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-most-beautiful-boy-in-the-world/umc.cmc.6nsk7o2tf9grbf1cjmicejcrv [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-most-beautiful-boy-in-the-world/umc.cmc.6nsk7o2tf9grbf1cjmicejcrv]     Little Women (2019)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuVlgl16DP0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuVlgl16DP0]     Malevolent (2018)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2386237/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2386237/]     King Lear (2018)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7473890/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7473890/]     Thunderbolts* (2025)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/thunderbolts/umc.cmc.67bgkyn0fzr8n7ngw0v4mi2df?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/thunderbolts/umc.cmc.67bgkyn0fzr8n7ngw0v4mi2df?action=play]     Anora (2024)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/anora/umc.cmc.ka0xf4gk3tckil4x7x14hpcy?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/anora/umc.cmc.ka0xf4gk3tckil4x7x14hpcy?action=play]     We Live In Time (2024)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/we-live-in-time/umc.cmc.3en3aplqsmjw1pbltmzo7p4mx?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/we-live-in-time/umc.cmc.3en3aplqsmjw1pbltmzo7p4mx?action=play]     Article: Florence Pugh shares her life lessons  https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/a64501157/florence-pugh-life-lessons-video-interview/ [https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/a64501157/florence-pugh-life-lessons-video-interview/]     The Wonder (2022)  https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81426931?source=35&fromWatch=true [https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81426931?source=35&fromWatch=true]    Lady Macbeth (2016)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/lady-macbeth/umc.cmc.1crmjkmj1nzsvuwurlmdgbiji?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/lady-macbeth/umc.cmc.1crmjkmj1nzsvuwurlmdgbiji?action=play]    Don’t Worry Darling (2022)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10731256/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10731256/]   Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Sally McLennan  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

S6 EP5: David Byrne on clashes in Talking Heads, neurodivergence, and culture wars

Louis sits down with David Byrne, the musician, author and iconic frontman of Talking Heads. David tells Louis about personality clashes within the band, how his neurodivergence plays a role in his music, and being at the centre of a culture-war storm. Plus, they discuss whether Donald Trump stole his ‘big suit’. Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.     Links/Attachments:   Book: Bicycle Diaries, David Byrne (2009)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/bicycle-diaries/david-byrne/9780571371266 [https://www.waterstones.com/book/bicycle-diaries/david-byrne/9780571371266]     Album: Who Is The Sky, David Byrne (2025)  https://open.spotify.com/album/5xDqZQlSx2gRrAyAgHQ8AB [https://open.spotify.com/album/5xDqZQlSx2gRrAyAgHQ8AB]     Song: ‘The Book I Read’, Talking Heads (1977)  https://open.spotify.com/track/4OT7Ndu29Z7JfhwRS2iCJX [https://open.spotify.com/track/4OT7Ndu29Z7JfhwRS2iCJX]     Song: ‘That’s the Way (I Like It), KC & The Sunshine Band (1994)  https://open.spotify.com/track/0RQTbMBgSq7xgdZSHFZg4R [https://open.spotify.com/track/0RQTbMBgSq7xgdZSHFZg4R]      Book: ‘An Anthropologist on Mars’, Oliver Sacks (1995)  https://www.oliversacks.com/oliver-sacks-books/an-anthropologist-on-mars/ [https://www.oliversacks.com/oliver-sacks-books/an-anthropologist-on-mars/]     Song: ‘She Explains Things To Me’, David Byrne (2025) https://open.spotify.com/album/5f6f5JMGxgNa0LAJqtaUXY [https://open.spotify.com/album/5f6f5JMGxgNa0LAJqtaUXY]      Song: ‘Psycho Killer’, Talking Heads (1977)  https://open.spotify.com/track/7dSCxR4LqkmxoBrq9MzVSD [https://open.spotify.com/track/7dSCxR4LqkmxoBrq9MzVSD]     Artist: Randy Newman  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HQyFCFFfJO3KKBlUfZsyW [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HQyFCFFfJO3KKBlUfZsyW]    Artist: Alice Cooper   https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EhbVgyfGd7HkpsagwL9GS [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EhbVgyfGd7HkpsagwL9GS]     Album: Talking Heads 77, Talking Heads (1977) https://open.spotify.com/album/0r7o2FeARRr23EZ0TJ0a8S [https://open.spotify.com/album/0r7o2FeARRr23EZ0TJ0a8S]     Artist: Ramones   https://open.spotify.com/artist/1co4F2pPNH8JjTutZkmgSm [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1co4F2pPNH8JjTutZkmgSm]     Artist: The Clash   https://open.spotify.com/artist/3RGLhK1IP9jnYFH4BRFJBS [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3RGLhK1IP9jnYFH4BRFJBS]     Artist: Sex Pistols   https://open.spotify.com/artist/1u7kkVrr14iBvrpYnZILJR [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1u7kkVrr14iBvrpYnZILJR]     2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Talking Heads performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBr0FJsDk1g [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBr0FJsDk1g]    Stop Making Sense (1984)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/stop-making-sense/umc.cmc.4qcn1p5rridjzo742xirf9j8m [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/stop-making-sense/umc.cmc.4qcn1p5rridjzo742xirf9j8m]     The Silence of the Lambs (1991)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-silence-of-the-lambs/umc.cmc.vo1hrvp25kr64fq8irp5jx75?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-silence-of-the-lambs/umc.cmc.vo1hrvp25kr64fq8irp5jx75?action=play]     True Stories (2016)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/true-stories/umc.cmc.7ffwwfhraf765c0l9l1v7a4tw?action=play [https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/true-stories/umc.cmc.7ffwwfhraf765c0l9l1v7a4tw?action=play]     Weekly World News:  https://weeklyworldnews.com/ [https://weeklyworldnews.com/]     David’s online magazine:   https://reasonstobecheerful.world/ [https://reasonstobecheerful.world/]      Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Artemis Irvine  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

S6 EP4: Malala Yousafzai discusses misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban's ‘gender apartheid’, and her views on marriage

In this episode, Louis speaks with Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai. Joining Louis at Spotify HQ, the pair discuss misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban’s 'gender apartheid', and her views on the institution of marriage. Plus, Malala shares a traumatic drug experience at university that changed her outlook on life.     Warnings: adult themes and some discussion points which could be upsetting. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources     Links/Attachments:   Book: Finding My Way, Malala Yousafzai (2025)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-my-way/malala-yousafzai/9781399637770 [https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-my-way/malala-yousafzai/9781399637770]     Book: I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai (2013)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-malala/malala-yousafzai/christina-lamb/9781399608992 [https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-malala/malala-yousafzai/christina-lamb/9781399608992]     Class Dismissed (2009) - New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000001835296/class-dismissed-malala-yousafzais-story.html [https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000001835296/class-dismissed-malala-yousafzais-story.html]     Article: Malala’s shooting   https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistani-teen-girls-activist-malala-yousufzai-shot-on-school-bus-by-taliban-gunman/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistani-teen-girls-activist-malala-yousufzai-shot-on-school-bus-by-taliban-gunman/]     Article: Charlie Kirk killed  https://news.sky.com/story/what-we-know-about-how-charlie-kirk-was-killed-13428871 [https://news.sky.com/story/what-we-know-about-how-charlie-kirk-was-killed-13428871]     Article: Afghanistan's restrictions on women https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1165622 [https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1165622]     Article: Southport riots   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99v90813j5o [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99v90813j5o]     Article: Pakistan child marriage laws   https://www.walkfree.org/news/2025/pakistan-takes-step-to-end-child-marriage-as-calls-grow-for-national-reform/ [https://www.walkfree.org/news/2025/pakistan-takes-step-to-end-child-marriage-as-calls-grow-for-national-reform/]     Malala Fund:  https://malala.org/ [https://malala.org/]     Mukhtar Mai profile:   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13163169 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13163169]     Survey of worst countries for women:   https://www.amnestyusa.org/blog/the-worlds-worst-places-to-be-a-woman/ [https://www.amnestyusa.org/blog/the-worlds-worst-places-to-be-a-woman/]     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 Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

S6 EP3: Bob Vylan on his controversial Glastonbury performance

Louis is joined by Bobby Vylan, one half of the controversial punk-rap band Bob Vylan. In his first public interview since his contentious performance at Glastonbury - where he led a chant of ‘death to the IDF’ - Bobby discusses why he did it, the subsequent backlash and whether he still stands by the chant.     Warnings: Strong language and adult themes. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources  X Post: Visa Revoke by Deputy Secretary of State  ⁠https://x.com/DeputySecState/status/1939697586920997374?lang=en⁠ [https://x.com/DeputySecState/status/1939697586920997374?lang=en]     Article: Chuck D defending Bob Vylan  ⁠https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/chuck-d-bob-vylan-public-enemy-b2782798.html⁠ [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/chuck-d-bob-vylan-public-enemy-b2782798.html]     Article: Damon Albarn comment  ⁠https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/damon-albarn-interview-africa-express-8rsndnd85⁠ [https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/damon-albarn-interview-africa-express-8rsndnd85]     Article: IDF soldiers shooting unarmed Gazans  ⁠https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-06-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-soldiers-ordered-to-shoot-deliberately-at-unarmed-gazans-waiting-for-humanitarian-aid/00000197-ad8e-de01-a39f-ffbe33780000⁠ [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-06-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-soldiers-ordered-to-shoot-deliberately-at-unarmed-gazans-waiting-for-humanitarian-aid/00000197-ad8e-de01-a39f-ffbe33780000]     X Post: Ted Cruz thoughts on the chant  ⁠https://x.com/tedcruz/status/1939080845702083062⁠ [https://x.com/tedcruz/status/1939080845702083062]     Song: ‘Pretty Songs’, Bob Vylan (2022)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xjs3lwUmT32IuYi9KoGRw⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xjs3lwUmT32IuYi9KoGRw]     Song: ‘England’s Ending’, Bob Vylan (2020)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/album/1kGFhr8FoPJ9jqV8AT0RDA⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/album/1kGFhr8FoPJ9jqV8AT0RDA]     Article: ‘The Zionist Fallacy of Jewish Supremacy’  ⁠https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/1/9/the-zionist-fallacy-of-jewish-supremacy⁠ [https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/1/9/the-zionist-fallacy-of-jewish-supremacy]     Article: GILEE Program sending officers to Israel ⁠https://gilee.gsu.edu/files/2023/09/McDuffie-Progress-Gale-2023.pdf⁠ [https://gilee.gsu.edu/files/2023/09/McDuffie-Progress-Gale-2023.pdf]     Song: ‘Drug War’, Bob Vylan (2022)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/2kKzKi8dT2NmjVQogIfSwK⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/track/2kKzKi8dT2NmjVQogIfSwK]     Facebook Post: UKIP’s AI image of Bobby  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheUKIndependenceParty/posts/bob-vylan-is-going-home/1288462819315084/⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/TheUKIndependenceParty/posts/bob-vylan-is-going-home/1288462819315084/]     Song: ‘Cop Killer’, Body Count (1992)  ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XihXOw634o⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XihXOw634o]    Song: ‘Fuck Tha Police’, N.W.A (1988)  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/track/5n8Aro6j1bEGIy7Tpo7FV7?si=e30bfbfb94694acb⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/track/5n8Aro6j1bEGIy7Tpo7FV7?si=e30bfbfb94694acb]     IHRA Antisemitism definition:  ⁠https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism⁠ [https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism]     Article: Antisemitism definition controversy  ⁠https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/the-problem-with-defining-antisemitism⁠ [https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/the-problem-with-defining-antisemitism]     CST Antisemitic report 2025:   ⁠https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2025/08/06/antisemitic-incidents-report-january-june-2025⁠ [https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2025/08/06/antisemitic-incidents-report-january-june-2025]   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 Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   ⁠www.mindhouse.co.uk⁠ [http://www.mindhouse.co.uk/]     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]