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Big Ideas

ABC Australia
Australia
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
China
Misinformation
Colonialism
Democracy
Populism
Social Media
Covid-19
Renewable Energy
Donald Trump
Education
Australian Government
Mental Health
American Democracy
Indigenous Australians
Australian Politics
History
Public Policy

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
Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Big Ideas

Latest Episodes

When a book becomes a hit TV series, or a play becomes a Hollywood film, what makes it a great adaptation? Meet the creators of these international smash hits as they take you behind the scenes, into the writers' rooms, and inside their creative mind... more

Interesting idea or nanny-state gone way too far? If babies weren't born to doom scroll, why do we think grown-ups are? Don't miss our hilarious annual battle of brains and bravado with two teams and Big Ideas' host Natasha Mitchell at the Beaker Str... more

Acclaimed journalist Kerry O'Brien has seen it all, but nothing like right now. And he's not mincing his words. On AI, neoliberalism, education, equality, gutless governments, and more. For over 50 years, he covered the world's biggest stories and ch... more

It's estimated that one in three Australian households have experienced food insecurity. At the same time, one third of all food produced in Australia gets thrown out. For more than two decades, Ronni Kahn has been fighting these dual challenges as h... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Richard Flanagan
Booker Prize-winning author
Publisher/Academia (as author)
Episode: Kerry O'Brien on the perfect storm destroying our politics — with Richard Flanagan
Ronni Kahn
Founder of OzHarvest, food relief charity
OzHarvest
Episode: Why Oz Harvest's Ronni Kahn wants you to join the "Order of the Teaspoon" to end food insecurity and waste
Chelsea Vowel
Indigenous writer and educator from Canada
Métis/Indigenous futurisms advocate
Episode: Indigenous speculative fiction takes on the apocalypse — with Canadian sci-fi Indiginerd Chelsea Vowel
Mykaela Saunders
specfic writer and scholar
Macquarie University
Episode: Indigenous speculative fiction takes on the apocalypse — with Canadian sci-fi Indiginerd Chelsea Vowel
Tracy Drain
Chief Engineer, NASA's Europa Clipper Mission
NASA
Episode: Blast off! Exploring our solar system and beyond
David Moscrop
Author of Too Dumb For Democracy, political scientist and columnist
University/Independent Scholar (as author and commentator)
Episode: Too Dumb for Democracy? Why your brain struggles with good political decision-making
Jock Given
Adjunct Professor of Media and Communications at Swinburne University
Swinburne University
Episode: What makes television? 100 years of tumultuous change
André Dao
Novelist, essayist, and legal scholar
Melbourne Law School
Episode: CENSORED! CANCELLED! BOYCOTT! The future of artistic freedom and democracy in Australia
Ben Eltham
Arts and cultural policy researcher and journalist
Monash University
Episode: CENSORED! CANCELLED! BOYCOTT! The future of artistic freedom and democracy in Australia

Host

Natasha Mitchell
Host of Big Ideas; long-running anchor with focus on governance, policy, and global issues.

Reviews

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

    This pod never disappoints.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jennprincipesa
    Australia4 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
    Australia6 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
    Australiaa year 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
    Australiaa year 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.

Listeners value the depth and breadth of perspectives, with many praising the quality of discourse and guest selection.
Some episodes draw mixed feedback on pacing or perceived bias, but overall praise for its ambition and range.
A thought-provoking program that consistently brings high-caliber guests and thoughtful moderation.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#186
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#30
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#139
Saudi Arabia/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Oz Harvest's Ronni Kahn wants you to join the "Order of the Teaspoon" to end food insecurity and waste
Q: What role can individuals—especially younger generations—play in ending food insecurity and waste?
Everyone has a teaspoon to contribute; by taking small, consistent actions—cooking, sharing, reducing waste, supporting local programs—people can collectively create a significant impact and help shift societal norms toward care and responsibility.
Why Oz Harvest's Ronni Kahn wants you to join the "Order of the Teaspoon" to end food insecurity and waste
Q: How do your programs like Feast and Nourish address long-term hunger beyond providing immediate relief?
Feast teaches young people cooking and budgeting, while Nourish targets youth aged 15-25 to give them skills and opportunities, aiming to prevent future hunger by building capacity and awareness, not just delivering meals.
Why Oz Harvest's Ronni Kahn wants you to join the "Order of the Teaspoon" to end food insecurity and waste
Q: What inspired you to start OzHarvest and focus on rescuing surplus food?
I started with a hands-on experience at events where food would be wasted after long nights; realizing there were people in need right around me, I found a practical way to rescue that food and connect it to those who could use it, which gradually evolved into a full charity and movement.
Too Dumb for Democracy? Why your brain struggles with good political decision-making
Q: What are the risks of referenda in complex political questions, and what alternatives do you propose?
Referenda can polarize and freeze decisions; alternatives include deliberative democracies, participatory budgeting, and ongoing citizen engagement that builds consensus over time instead of yes/no votes in a single moment.
Too Dumb for Democracy? Why your brain struggles with good political decision-making
Q: You argue that democracy requires more time and resources to think through issues, not less. How would you operationalize this in a busy modern society?
By designing institutions that encourage deliberation, such as citizens' assemblies, local deliberative forums, and enhanced access to quality information, while ensuring economic supports so people can participate meaningfully.

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 provocateur-minded show features long-form discussions with leading thinkers across politics, science, history, and public policy. Episodes frequently center on global governance, technological change, climate justice, human rights, and memory or culture, often framed as live panel or interview formats that encourage nuanced, policy-relevant dialogue. Notable strengths include high-caliber guests, rigorous moderation, and a willingness to tackle ethically complex or controversial topics with depth and a long-view perspective. This program is likely to appeal to intellectually curious professionals, policy-minded listeners, and academics who enjoy well-structured conversations that connect ideas to real-world outcomes.

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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. All In The Mind
5. Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

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. Richard Flanagan
2. Ronni Kahn
3. Chelsea Vowel
4. Mykaela Saunders
5. Tracy Drain
6. David Moscrop
7. Jock Given
8. André Dao

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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