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Big Ideas

ABC Australia
Australia
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
China
Donald Trump
Misinformation
Colonialism
United States
Doctor Who
Covid-19
Democracy
Renewable Energy
Mental Health
Weight Stigma
American Democracy
Southeast Asia
Populism
History
Ukraine
Australian Government

Your front row seat to big thinkers at the best live events, forums, and festivals. Feed your mind. Be provoked. One big idea at a time. Your brain will love you for it. We love hearing from you about the show or events you are planning. Get in touch! Email: Bigideas@abc.net.au SMS line for ABC Radio National: 0418 226 576 Airs Monday to Thursday 8pm, repeated Tuesday to Friday 12pm, on ABC Radio ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1385Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Big Ideas

Latest Episodes

It is replacing our work, our relationships, even our capacity to think. It's the combined sum of all human knowledge — so how long until artificial intelligence surpasses our own? Are we already there? In her latest Quarterly Essay, Anna Goldsworthy... more

Is there an art to forgiveness? Join Natasha Mitchell with popular Play School presenter, writer, actor, yoga and meditation teacher Rachael Coopes to explore why it's so hard to forgive people, why it's not what you think it is, and how it can be go... more

They say we are what we eat, and in this big, migrant nation, every dish tells a story, about culture, about connection, about identity. But when traditional cuisines become mainstream, does cultural appreciation risk becoming cultural appropriation?... more

He is considered the first Hollywood action hero and had a rapid rise to stardom. But Errol Flynn also was on trial for rape and had relationships with underage girls. Behind the Hollywood legend — the sword fights, the swagger, the smouldering scree... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Thom Woodroofe
Senior International Fellow, Smart Energy Council; former climate negotiator
Smart Energy Council
Episode: Zoe Daniel with Thom Woodroofe on winning middle Australia in the climate wars
Cheng Lei
Sky News host and author of Cheng Lei, A Memoir of Freedom
Sky News
Episode: Duty to warn — when challenging power becomes personal, and why journalists Cheng Lei and Charlotte Grieve didn't give up
Charlotte Grieve
Investigative journalist, author of Duty to Warn
ABC Investigations
Episode: Duty to warn — when challenging power becomes personal, and why journalists Cheng Lei and Charlotte Grieve didn't give up
Thomas Wright
Former Senior National Security Council official; Brookings Institution scholar; author
Brookings Institution / Lowy Institute (visiting fellow)
Episode: Trump, Xi, Putin and what's next for the world? Former White House insider Thomas Wright with the Lowy Institute's Sam Roggeveen
Dr Melanie Saward
Writer and lecturer in Australian studies
University of Queensland
Episode: Sperm shortages, shady Facebook groups, and other intimate stories of modern donor conception
Alisha Burns
Founder of the Solo Mum Society, host of No Need for Prince Charming
Solo Mum Society
Episode: Sperm shortages, shady Facebook groups, and other intimate stories of modern donor conception
Maeve Marsden
Curator of queer stories, creative director of Varuna and related festivals
Varuna, National Writers' House; Blue Mountains Writers Festival
Episode: Sperm shortages, shady Facebook groups, and other intimate stories of modern donor conception
Tim Ross
Comedian, presenter, architecture and design enthusiast
ABC TV/By Design
Episode: How can we design our way out of Australia's housing crisis? With Anthony Burke and Tim Ross
Anthony Burke
Professor of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney; host of Grand Designs Australia
University of Technology Sydney; Grand Designs Australia
Episode: How can we design our way out of Australia's housing crisis? With Anthony Burke and Tim Ross

Host

Natasha Mitchell
Host of the program and Big Ideas, facilitating live discussions and festival conversations across a broad range of topics.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • A true gem!

    This pod never disappoints.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jennprincipesa
    Australia2 months ago
  • Women matter

    Just an idea - maybe the complete overreach, anti science and homophobic approach of those wedded to gender ideology has inflicted this damage. It’s called “shooting yourself in the foot.” (One group’s “wants” being given absolute priority over the rights of everyone else certainly isn’t a winning approach.)

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    LizAnne S
    Australia4 months ago
  • Big Ideas Spotify episode

    This should have been an interesting program, but any “investigative journalist” who uses the word “like” as every fifth word needs some coaching on public speaking before the ABC gives them a platform.

    I gave up a few minutes in - too tedious to keep listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    LizAnne S
    Australia9 months ago
  • Always stimulating!

    Excellent podcast among my short-list of #podrecs - the programming is excellent, interviewers and chairs great, guests always invigorating and stimulating. Worth tuning in, following and sharing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anthony Zwi
    Australia10 months ago
  • Adam Liaw

    Big ideas is always good but I was so stimulated by this show as Adam traversed issues of politics, culture, science and food. We are so blessed to have our Aunty sharing her sage advice through such interesting people.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    digit2021
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Audiences frequently cite diverse perspectives and well-credentialed guests as strengths, making it a valuable resource for staying informed and challenged.
Fans highlight the long-form, contextual discussions as a differentiator from typical news coverage.
Listeners appreciate the depth and range of guests and topics, with many noting high-quality, thought-provoking conversations.
The program is praised for live event energy and strong interviewers, though some reviews indicate polarized opinions on certain episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#228
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#42
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#162
South Korea/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump, Xi, Putin and what's next for the world? Former White House insider Thomas Wright with the Lowy Institute's Sam Roggeveen
Q: What were the three revolutions in foreign policy that brought down the post‑Cold War order?
They were China's push for asymmetric dominance, Russia's aggressive behavior culminating in Ukraine, and the United States under Trump redefining alliances and adopting a transactional, zero‑sum posture, all of which eroded the consensus on permissible aims and the credibility of long‑standing alliances.
Duty to warn — when challenging power becomes personal, and why journalists Cheng Lei and Charlotte Grieve didn't give up
Q: Describe what patients started telling you and some of the situations they were dealing with as the investigation progressed?
Charlotte Grieve explains that patients frequently faced unrealistically high expectations, poor risk disclosures, and severe complications from a novel procedure, with many feeling dismissed or blamed when things went wrong, underscoring the human cost behind medical bravado.
Duty to warn — when challenging power becomes personal, and why journalists Cheng Lei and Charlotte Grieve didn't give up
Q: Tell us what then unfolded in, because for the first number of months, you were in isolation, weren't you?
Cheng Lei describes the isolating, coercive conditions of detention and the psychological toll, emphasizing the endurance required to survive such an environment and the role of imagination and memory in sustaining hope.
Zoe Daniel with Thom Woodroofe on winning middle Australia in the climate wars
Q: What are the most practical policies to spread the benefits of renewable energy to middle Australia?
Thom outlines steps such as making EVs more affordable through better financing, under-writing used battery warranties, improving infrastructure like charging networks, and adjusting tariffs to recognize regional benefits and make investments tangible for regional households.
Zoe Daniel with Thom Woodroofe on winning middle Australia in the climate wars
Q: Why did you want to work in the climate space in the first place?
Thom explains his upbringing on a farm, early electricity access from solar subsidies, and how personal life events—like becoming a father—made the climate issue feel urgent and immediate, shaping his long-term commitment to policy and action.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Ideas

What is Big Ideas about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep, long-form interview show that brings together prominent journalists, academics, politicians, and thought leaders to explore big ideas at live events and festivals. Episodes commonly tackle politics, leadership, democracy, media integrity, social policy, and science, often weaving historical context with contemporary relevance. A standout feature is the willingness to host cross-disciplinary conversations—from regional Australian politics to global press freedom, AI in journalism, and responses to major societal challenges. The format tends to mix rigorous analysis with personal narratives, offering listeners nuanced perspectives and practical insights for decision-makers, researchers, and industry professionals who want to stay info... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Big Ideas?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Big Ideas. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Big Ideas and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Big Ideas get?

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What are the audience demographics for Big Ideas?

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How many subscribers and views does Big Ideas have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Big Ideas?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big Ideas:

1. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
2. Late Night Live — Full program podcast
3. The Minefield
4. Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald
5. Health Report

How many episodes of Big Ideas are there?

Big Ideas launched 20 years ago and published 1385 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Big Ideas?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Big Ideas?

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What guests have appeared on Big Ideas?

Recent guests on Big Ideas include:

1. Thom Woodroofe
2. Cheng Lei
3. Charlotte Grieve
4. Thomas Wright
5. Dr Melanie Saward
6. Alisha Burns
7. Maeve Marsden
8. Tim Ross

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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