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Asia Rising

La Trobe Asia
China
United States
Australia
India
Taiwan
Philippines
ASEAN
AUKUS
Southeast Asia
South China Sea
Asia
Xi Jinping
North Korea
Russia
South Korea
Donald Trump
Indonesia
Belt and Road Initiative
Indo-Pacific
Human Trafficking

Asia Rising, the podcast of La Trobe Asia which takes a critical look at the key issues facing Asia's states and societies.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes380Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Asia Rising

Latest Episodes

Tibet's story is one of the most profound of the modern era — a civilisation forced into exile, carrying its language, philosophy, and sacred texts across the Himalayas in an act of collective survival. Preserving that heritage, while also engaging t... more

China's new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress mandates Mandarin as the language of education, encourages the breakup of minority-majority neighbourhoods, and criminalises expressions of ethnic separatism — including by Chinese citizens livin... more

China’s rise is often framed as a challenge to the Western-led international order, with attention focused on how Beijing works within — and pushes back against — liberal institutions. Yet a more consequential shift is underway. China is increasingly... more

Across the Asia-Pacific, people are living longer than ever before. From rapidly ageing societies in Northeast Asia to younger but fast-transitioning populations in South and Southeast Asia, countries across the region are confronting the social and ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

James Leibold
Professor of Politics and Asian Studies at La Trobe University; expert on ethnicity, nationalism and minority policy in contemporary China
La Trobe University
Episode: Interview: Ethnic Unity and Assimilation in China
Lupita Wijaya
Research fellow at the La Trobe Centre for Global Security and coordinator of the Southeast Asian Maritime Media Visits Project
La Trobe University
Episode: Interview: How the Media Shapes Territory in Asia
John Brumby
Chancellor of La Trobe University; former Premier of Victoria
La Trobe University
Episode: Book Launch: Asian Crucible: Globalization, Geopolitics and the Contest for the Future
Dr. Troy Lee-Brown
Expert in maritime security and Indo-Pacific strategic affairs
University of Western Australia Defence and Security Institute
Episode: #256: Blue Security in the Indo-Pacific
Margaret Myers
Managing director of the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University and a senior advisor at the Inter-American Dialogue.
Johns Hopkins University, Inter-American Dialogue
Episode: #254: China's Evolving Role in Latin America
Dr. Ian Storey
Senior Fellow at the ICS Yusuf Ishak Institute in Singapore
ICS Yusuf Ishak Institute
Episode: Putin's Asia Strategy
Dr. Robert Hovar
One of Australia's leading Russia politics experts
Episode: Putin's Asia Strategy
William Dalrymple
Respected historian and author.
Episode: #253: How Ancient India Transformed the World
Raji Rajagopalan
Resident senior fellow with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Episode: #252: China's Rapid Nuclear Expansion

Hosts

Matt Smith
Host of Asia Rising, affiliated with La Trobe Asia; frequently moderates discussions and conducts interviews with prominent academics and policymakers.
Bec Strating
Director of the La Trobe Centre for Global Security / La Trobe Asia; contributes expert perspectives on policy and regional security.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 94 ratings
  • Great show!

    Terrific hosts and diverse topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lllllaaaaawwwwww
    Australia5 years ago
  • Great Podcast!

    As an American I hadn’t heard of La Trobe University prior to subscribing to Matt Smith’s “Emperors of Rome” podcast series. Looking for more fresh content, I decided to check out La Trobe’s other offerings and have been really pleased with the Asia Rising podcast. Asia wasn’t on my radar as a podcast listener but this podcast got me hooked. The guests on the show are superb. It’s also a real plus to learn about contemporary Asia from a non-American perspective in order to get a more neutral tak... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JTBis
    United States5 years ago
  • The guests are usually academics with special insights into the political, economical, and social issues that are shaping the East and Southeast Asian region. I like that there's an Australian perspective because they've got a unique stance as the most "Western" nation in the area. The archives are a trove with lots of interesting episodes that are often even more interesting to listen to with hindsight. It's a great current events podcast that continues to teach me new things.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Robbie
    6 years ago
  • Lots of good info

    I'm a Yank and thus suffer from an extremely inward-facing and myopic news media, so there aren't a lot of ways for me to learn about the contemporary Asian political landscape. It's been a joy listening to Asia Rising the past few years. I've learned a ton about India under modi, water rights along the Himalayas, the aftemath of the recent Thai coup, and all sorts of other interesting topics. Matt Smith and the various other hosts do well to bring out the best of their many interesting guests. ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smell what the Brock is cookin
    United States6 years ago
  • Sponsored by China?

    Caveat emptor: this podcast presents some balanced viewpoints and others which come straight from the PRC propaganda. Many speakers simply refuse to acknowledge China’s influence operations in Australia as a danger or their influence over ASEAN members as a concern. Maybe because their livelihoods depend on not seeing it?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mikka R.
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, well-researched perspectives on Asia-Pacific affairs with strong academic grounding.
A few critiques note occasional bias or political posture in some guest selections, but overall quality remains strong.
Listeners appreciate balanced analyses that go beyond surface-level headlines and include geopolitical context.
Guest lineup is consistently high-caliber, offering nuanced takes from diverse parts of the region.
Production and theme music are frequently praised as professional and engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#246
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#115
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#249
India/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Book Launch: The Dragon's Emerging Order: Sino-centric Multilateralism and Global Responses
Q: What are the practical implications of BRI for development finance compared to Western aid?
BRI uses a non-interference, flexible approach with loans dominating financial flows; while Western aid often imposes governance conditions, BRI's language emphasizes cooperation and inclusiveness, though outcomes vary and debates persist about sustainability and governance.
Interview: How the Media Shapes Territory in Asia
Q: So how does emotional storytelling and viral narratives influence audiences in security issues?
Emotional storytelling engages audiences and drives engagement metrics, making certain narratives travel further and become more influential in how people perceive threats and legitimacy of actions.
Interview: How the Media Shapes Territory in Asia
Q: Can you tell me about that role? What does the media do? And how does it shape our understanding of territory?
Media shapes territory by framing events, selecting sources, and contextualizing distant maritime tensions in ways that make them relatable and urgent for the public, while also contending with time pressures and the spread of mis- and disinformation.
Interview: Land and Identity in Nagaland
Q: What types of land relationship exist in Nagaland today, and how do Morung, Khel, and village lands fit into this system?
Land in Nagaland is layered: private land, clan land, Morung land (educational and cultural spaces), Khel land (a cluster of clans' common land), and village land; these layers reflect a complex social fabric that digital mapping could disrupt if not carefully implemented.
Interview: Land and Identity in Nagaland
Q: Can you explain how the Swamitva scheme is going to work for Nagaland and why it matters for indigenous land rights?
Swamitva is intended to map village lands and assign property rights using new digital tools; for Nagaland, this could complicate traditional land relations by standardizing ownership processes that may not fit local customs, potentially affecting women's rights and communal land practices.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Asia Rising

What is Asia Rising about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program offers in-depth conversations on Asian geopolitics, security, economics, and regional dynamics, frequently tying current events to broader historical and policy contexts. Episodes showcase expert perspectives from academia, think tanks, and government-affiliated institutions, covering topics like maritime security, great-power competition, regional cooperation, and the evolving influence of major players in the Indo-Pacific. A standout theme is the emphasis on nuanced, evidence-based analysis from a La Trobe-affiliated perspective, often prioritizing multilateral approaches, climate considerations, and grey-zone challenges over sensationalism. The show tends to attract listeners who want rigorous, academically grounded discussi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Asia Rising?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Asia Rising:

1. Asia Geopolitics
2. Lowy Institute
3. The Asia Chessboard
4. ChinaPower
5. Pekingology

How many episodes of Asia Rising are there?

Asia Rising launched 12 years ago and published 380 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Asia Rising?

Recent guests on Asia Rising include:

1. James Leibold
2. Lupita Wijaya
3. John Brumby
4. Dr. Troy Lee-Brown
5. Margaret Myers
6. Dr. Ian Storey
7. Dr. Robert Hovar
8. William Dalrymple

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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