Coming up for some fresh air can I draw your attention to the archive of the BBC 4's In our Time' programmes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/...ive_home.shtml
MP3 downloads and internet links are provided for recordings of the 45 minute programmes, chaired by Melvyn Bragg, with a team of academics, ranging over topics from Science, History, Culture, Art, Literature, Philosophy and religion.
Some good tasters for further reading - take your pick from an extensive list - have a look.
