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Artwork for Big Ideas

Big Ideas

ABC Australia
Australia
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
China
Misinformation
Colonialism
Donald Trump
United States
Covid-19
Weight Stigma
American Democracy
Democracy
Southeast Asia
Populism
Social Media
Renewable Energy
Australian Politics
Australian Government
Mental Health
Gaza

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
PoliticsSociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for Big Ideas

Latest Episodes

The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants AI in Australia's interests, and has announced steps to regulate the technology. So can Australia get the balance right between the opportunities offered by AI, and the risks? Australia's former Chief Scienti... more

Jack Toohey was flying high. Then he crashed. But from despair came renewal, and a rebellious hope. In 2023, when his social media post about housing affordability attracted over 20 million views — he knew he was onto something. He joins BIG IDEAS ho... more

The ocean calms us. It terrifies us. It heals us. Sometimes all at once. We explore the sea's complex hold on your mental health — from the fear of shark attacks and the medicine of a morning swim to how immersive ocean soundscapes work on the nervou... more

We are seeing seismic shifts in our politics, as more people than ever turn away from the major parties. Could public policy failures be to blame? Former politician Dr Susan Close has spent her career in the engine room of democracy, and she believes... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Hiba Qasas
Founding executive director of Principles for Peace
Principles for Peace
Episode: These Palestinians and Israelis are talking to each other − determined to make peace real in Gaza
Gil Murciano
CEO of Mitvim Institute
Mitvim Institute
Episode: These Palestinians and Israelis are talking to each other − determined to make peace real in Gaza
Hiroko Yoda
Author of 8 Million Ways to Happiness; Shinto historian
Author of 8 Million Ways to Happiness
Episode: 8 Million Ways to Happiness with Hiroko Yoda — what we can all learn about life, love, and loss from Japan’s flexible spirituality
Dan Hikuroa
Māori Earth system scientist, Associate Professor at the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
Episode: If a river is declared a legal “person” — can it talk, remember, feel?
Tony Padilla
Theoretical physicist and cosmologist at the University of Nottingham; presenter of Numberphile
University of Nottingham; Numberphile
Episode: Is the cosmos unravelling? With theoretical physicist Tony Padilla
Astrid Jorgensen
Founder of Pub Choir, memoirist (Average at Best)
Pub Choir
Episode: A song for every feeling? Pub Choir founder Astrid Jorgensen has a big story to tell (REPEAT)
Mark Kempster
Lived experience advocate
Alliance for Gambling Reform
Episode: The gambling industry is targeting your children - how, why and what can be done?
Charles Livingstone
Associate Professor, Monash University School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine
Monash University
Episode: The gambling industry is targeting your children - how, why and what can be done?
Sally Gainsbury
Professor of Psychology
University of Sydney Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic
Episode: The gambling industry is targeting your children - how, why and what can be done?

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
    Australia5 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
    Australia10 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
    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
#231
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#39
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#197
New Zealand/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

8 Million Ways to Happiness with Hiroko Yoda — what we can all learn about life, love, and loss from Japan’s flexible spirituality
Q: What was the impact of embracing belief and non-belief together in your practice?
She describes Hanshin Hangi as a practical meter that helps people live in a gray zone, where doubt and wonder coexist, providing comfort in the face of uncertain answers.
8 Million Ways to Happiness with Hiroko Yoda — what we can all learn about life, love, and loss from Japan’s flexible spirituality
Q: How would you describe the relationship to the kami and how it shapes the Japanese state of mind?
Hiroko explains that kami are not distant gods but a flexible, approachable presence in daily life, allowing people to acknowledge multiple forms of belief without rigid commitment and to find gratitude in the ordinary.
These Palestinians and Israelis are talking to each other − determined to make peace real in Gaza
Q: What role can the Australian government play in supporting a peace process?
Australia can join a coalition to promote practical two-state progress, support reconstruction and security arrangements, and pressure all sides to roll back harmful policies while coordinating with regional and international partners to create feasible, on-the-ground steps toward a political solution.
Is the cosmos unravelling? With theoretical physicist Tony Padilla
Q: How does string theory relate to the birth of the universe?
String theory provides a quantum theory of gravity essential for describing conditions at the universe's birth, and the stringy picture helps explain how fundamental particles arise from vibrating strings.
Is the cosmos unravelling? With theoretical physicist Tony Padilla
Q: What evidence do we have for the Big Bang?
The Big Bang model explains a hot, expanding early universe with predicted abundances of hydrogen and helium that match observations, supported by measurements like the cosmic microwave background.

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?

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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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. Hiba Qasas
2. Gil Murciano
3. Hiroko Yoda
4. Dan Hikuroa
5. Tony Padilla
6. Astrid Jorgensen
7. Mark Kempster
8. Charles Livingstone

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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