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Big Ideas

ABC listen
Mental Health
Climate Change
Aging
Ageism
Intergenerational Relationships
Tiger Parents
Tennant Creek
Gerontology
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Northern Territory Emergency Response
Human Rights
Community Services
Social Work
PTSD
Psychedelics
Aboriginal People
Domestic Violence
Cultural Stigmas
Clinical Trials
Willa Janda Indigenous Housing Collaboration

Feed your mind. Be provoked. One big idea at a time. Your brain will love you for it. Grab your front row seat to the best live forums and festivals with Natasha Mitchell.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1385Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

She's on a bank note (British 10 pounds), and a bath soap (Suds and Sensibility), and she also wrote some of the most beloved novels in English literature. Why has Jane Austen become such an enduring cultural force, and what makes us return to her wo... more

Is the end of the world nigh, or just the end of the world as we know it? Are we set to doom-scroll our way to apocalypse? Or is this the moment we wake up to ourselves, change course, and save the planet? Don't miss this hilarious battle of brains a... more

Conflict and great power rivalries are on the rise, democracy is in retreat, and multilateral institutions created to maintain global cooperation appear increasingly toothless. So is the world as we've known it coming to an end? And if so, what will ... more

The Democratic Party in America is in an identity crisis. It's shifting priorities to claw back grounds from the Republicans. But is it too little, too late? How can the Democrats respond to a radicalising and increasingly authoritarian-minded Republ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Maria Ressa
Filipino journalist, co-founder and CEO of Rappler, Nobel Prize winner in 2021
Rappler
Episode: Maria Ressa on what Donald Trump learnt from Rodrigo Duterte and other strongman rulers
Professor Katie Allen
Former Liberal MP and leading paediatrician
Episode: Prove It! Elizabeth Finkel's Scientific Guide for the Post-Truth Era
Dr. Elizabeth Finkel
Multi-award-winning science journalist, editor, author, and former research biologist
Episode: Prove It! Elizabeth Finkel's Scientific Guide for the Post-Truth Era
John Robinson
Emeritus Professor at the University of York
University of York
Episode: John Lennon and Paul McCartney — a partnership that changed cultural history
Ian Leslie
Author of John and Paul, a love story in songs
Episode: John Lennon and Paul McCartney — a partnership that changed cultural history
Gareth Evans
Former Foreign Affairs Minister, President of the International Crisis Group
Episode: Genocides are everyone's business, not no-one's business — Gareth Evans, Yassmin Khadra, Daniel Abot's urgent plea for peace
Daniel Abot
Anglican Bishop from South Sudan, advocate for peace
Episode: Genocides are everyone's business, not no-one's business — Gareth Evans, Yassmin Khadra, Daniel Abot's urgent plea for peace
Yassmin Khadra
Brisbane-based physician and Palestinian human rights advocate
Episode: Genocides are everyone's business, not no-one's business — Gareth Evans, Yassmin Khadra, Daniel Abot's urgent plea for peace
Dr. Jane Goodall
Renowned primatologist and environmentalist, author of The Book of Hope
Jane Goodall Institute
Episode: Vale Dr Jane Goodall — why the renowned primatologist and environmentalist held onto hope

Host

Natasha Mitchell
Host of Big Ideas, engaging with diverse topics and experts to provide thought-provoking discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • 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
    Australia16 days 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
    Australia2 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
    Australia3 months ago
  • 21 July 2025 Dr Who episode

    LOL “We all love Dr Who so much” - that it’s looking likely there’ll be no further episodes produced: Disney is backing out; viewer numbers are way down. It’s the problem, isn’t it, when a dearly loved production gets all lecture-ish instead of just being plain old fun.

    Of course the ABC doesn’t like facts to stand in the way of a good ol’ puff piece. Viewers are sick of it.

    The ABC is increasingly dull, dull, dull.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    LizAnne S
    Australia3 months ago
  • Insightful

    Some really insightful interviews and analyses of issues. I especially enjoy the ones I don’t agree with because they are presented without vitriol and so I am challenged to defend the way I perceive things.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bilas Peles
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is often praised for its well-appointed guests and engaging conversations that encourage critical thinking.
Some critique comes from those who feel the episodes lean towards particular political narratives, making them feel excluded.
Many appreciate the depth and quality of analysis provided, finding it insightful and informative.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its stimulating content and diverse range of topics that challenge their perspectives.
A consistent theme in reviews highlights the show's ability to cover contemporary issues with compassion and intelligence, making it a favorite among thought-Leaders.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#150
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#30
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#146
New Zealand/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Maria Ressa on what Donald Trump learnt from Rodrigo Duterte and other strongman rulers
Q: What are the implications of social media for human rights?
Ressa states that social media is awful for human rights due to the incentives that promote misinformation and division.
Maria Ressa on what Donald Trump learnt from Rodrigo Duterte and other strongman rulers
Q: What will you sacrifice for the truth?
Ressa emphasizes the importance of standing up for democracy and being aware of personal and collective sacrifices necessary to uphold truth.
Vale Dr Jane Goodall — why the renowned primatologist and environmentalist held onto hope
Q: How can we convince governments to represent the planet and its health?
Science could solve many of these problems if there was the will to do it and my work is trying to help people understand that we can do it.
Vale Dr Jane Goodall — why the renowned primatologist and environmentalist held onto hope
Q: What do you think we can or might or must learn from this pandemic?
We have to learn that we have to respect nature and animals and stop treating them as though they're just there for us to use and abuse in any way we like.
Big Ideas
Q: What about preventative practices for supporting future generations in terms of social connections?
Socio-emotional learning programs in schools have shown to improve children's happiness and academic performance by teaching them about emotions and interpersonal skills.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Ideas

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

This show features a diverse range of topics and thought-provoking discussions that address contemporary social, cultural, and political issues. Each episode often features expert guests who bring unique insights to pressing matters such as education reform, environmental conservation, and societal challenges, enriching the dialogue around these big ideas. The emphasis on interdisciplinary connections and the integration of personal narratives ensures engaging storytelling that resonates deeply with listeners, fostering an environment of learning and understanding.

The unique aspect of this show lies in its commitment to live recordings from various festivals and forums, adding an interactive element to the experience. This format not only... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Big Ideas?

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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?

To see how many followers or subscribers Big Ideas has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Future Tense
5. All In The Mind

How many episodes of Big Ideas are there?

Big Ideas launched 19 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Big Ideas from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Big Ideas?

Recent guests on Big Ideas include:

1. Maria Ressa
2. Professor Katie Allen
3. Dr. Elizabeth Finkel
4. John Robinson
5. Ian Leslie
6. Gareth Evans
7. Daniel Abot
8. Yassmin Khadra

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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