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Big Ideas

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

It's been called the idiot box, the drug of the nation, the tube. This year marks 100 years of broadcast television. Over its lifetime, TV has adapted to big changes in technology, government policy, culture and media consumption habits. And yet, whi... more

How free should artists be to make risky work, to provoke, to get political? Who gets to decide if a work of art is deemed too risky, too dangerous, too difficult? Cancellations. Censorship. Controversy. Political pressure. Mass boycotts. The collaps... more

Gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters, quests and odysseys, sex and violence. Greek mythology seemingly has it all. And as Christopher Nolan's box office smash retelling of the Greek epic The Odyssey suggests, these stories will never die. Join thr... more

Gods and goddesses, heroes and monsters, quests and odysseys, sex and violence. Greek mythology seemingly has it all. And as Christopher Nolan's box office smash retelling of the Greek epic The Odyssey suggests, these stories will never die. Join thr... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jendayi Frazer
Former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
United States government
Episode: Africa in a shifting world order — can digital technology achieve what aid never could?
Ameenah Gurib-Fakeem
Former President of Mauritius and biodiversity scientist
Mauritius government
Episode: Africa in a shifting world order — can digital technology achieve what aid never could?
Mark-Alexandre Doumba
Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy and Innovation
Gabon government
Episode: Africa in a shifting world order — can digital technology achieve what aid never could?
Taylor Dee Hawkins
Managing Director of Foundations for Tomorrow
Foundations for Tomorrow
Episode: How policy decisions today can hurt your kids in the future — are we even trying to get it right?
Elise Stephenson
Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at ANU
Australian National University
Episode: How policy decisions today can hurt your kids in the future — are we even trying to get it right?
Susan Harris Rimmer
Researcher focusing on International Human Rights Law
Griffith Law School
Episode: How policy decisions today can hurt your kids in the future — are we even trying to get it right?
Caitlin Reiger
CEO of the Human Rights Law Centre
Human Rights Law Centre
Episode: How policy decisions today can hurt your kids in the future — are we even trying to get it right?
Luke Fletcher
Executive Director of Jubilee Australia
Jubilee Australia
Episode: The PNG environmental defenders taking on Australian mining giants — what is extractive justice and its toll?
Emmanuel Peni
Executive Director of Project Sepik
Project Sepik
Episode: The PNG environmental defenders taking on Australian mining giants — what is extractive justice and its toll?

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
    Australia3 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.

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
#60
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#149
Mexico/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#220
Singapore/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#231
Indonesia/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The PNG environmental defenders taking on Australian mining giants — what is extractive justice and its toll?
Q: Is this the same knowledge base running through our learning institutions here in Australia, and how is it influencing practice and corporate accountability in other spaces?
Luke explains that scientific facts are universal, but the application and regulatory practice differ, with PNG facing different regulatory and information-distribution realities that affect environmental safeguards and corporate accountability.
Australian war history — the past, present and future of remembrance. With Professor Peter Stanley
Q: How should Australia balance traditional Anzac memory with newer, more diverse perspectives on war remembrance?
By expanding commemoration to include frontier conflicts, Indigenous histories, and migrant experiences, while maintaining respectful connections to Anzac traditions, so that memory remains inclusive without diminishing the legacy of earlier generations.
Could the 21st century be the greatest age of exploration in the history of humankind? Ocean explorer Terry Garcia thinks so
Q: What is the one thing you'd like to ask of our audience tonight?
I would tell the audience that every single person in this room can do something, whether writing a letter or joining an organization, and that collective action has a real impact on protecting the ocean.
Could you be a hope punk? Jack Toohey on rebellious hope and why better things are possible
Q: For this book, you went searching for hope punks. What's a hope punk?
A hope punk is someone who actively believes that better things are possible and takes concrete steps to create them, rather than remaining passive or cynical about the future.
Ex-chief scientist Alan Finkel's three laws of Artificial Intelligence
Q: How would these laws realistically be adopted internationally, given the speed of AI development and the lack of regulatory frameworks?
Adoption would require international agreements and national legislation, with a focus on embedding the laws into AI systems themselves, creating a universally applicable guardrail that operates across borders regardless of jurisdiction.

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

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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?

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. Jendayi Frazer
2. Ameenah Gurib-Fakeem
3. Mark-Alexandre Doumba
4. Taylor Dee Hawkins
5. Elise Stephenson
6. Susan Harris Rimmer
7. Caitlin Reiger
8. Luke Fletcher

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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