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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
Social Work
Community Services
PTSD
Psychedelics
Aboriginal People
Domestic Violence
Cultural Stigmas
Clinical Trials
Kidney Disease

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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Artwork for Big Ideas

Latest Episodes

When it was founded in 2015, openai — the company behind Chat GPT — had a mission to develop artificial intelligence tools that would benefit humanity. But somewhere along the way, that mission changed. While the use of AI in our daily lives is incre... more

ABC Radio National's CITIZEN JURY takes hard, hot-button issues affecting a community — and places citizens at the centre of finding solutions. It's citizen-driven democracy in action!

Tasmanian salmon is on dinner plates across Australia. It's a 1.... more

In 1975, aged just 29, she wrote a bestselling book that changed Australia. Since then, she's courted controversy and acclaim, but Anne Summers has never given up the fight for gender equality.

This conversation was recorded live at the 2025 Sydney ... more

When people say or do the wrong thing, we have laws and a legal system that should be able to deliver consequences and, hopefully justice. But in this digital age, the human instinct to inflict punishment in the court of public opinion has reached fe... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ceridwen Dovey
Author of Only the Astronauts, focusing on the emotional landscapes of space
Independent Author
Episode: Out of this world — with Booker Prize winning author Samantha Harvey
Samantha Harvey
Booker Prize winning author of the novel Orbital
Independent Author
Episode: Out of this world — with Booker Prize winning author Samantha Harvey
Gina Rushton
Journalist and author of The Parenthood Dilemma
Episode: Matrescence — on the metamorphosis of motherhood
Lucy Jones
British science journalist and author of Matrescence
Episode: Matrescence — on the metamorphosis of motherhood
Donna Strickland
Nobel Prize-winning physicist and professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo
Episode: Nobel laureate Donna Strickland on her life in lasers
Laurie May
Poet and collaborator
Episode: Ziggy Ramo’s latest project asks what makes us human?
Ziggy Ramo
Wik and Solomon Islander musician, hip hop artist, author
Episode: Ziggy Ramo’s latest project asks what makes us human?
Philip Roscoe
Professor of Management at the University of St Andrews and former finance journalist.
Episode: How to build a stock exchange — the past, present and future of finance
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

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
    Australiaa month 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
    Australia3 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
    Australia4 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 States5 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
#183
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#37
Australia/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is AI the new coloniser? How to create more life-centred AI before it's too late
Q: Can AI ever be unbiased?
Given the historical context and biased data used in AI, absolute neutrality is improbable.
Is AI the new coloniser? How to create more life-centred AI before it's too late
Q: What does it look like locally for a life-centered AI?
It connects to individual identity, such as heritage and values, prioritizing community and future generations over individual gains.
Matrescence — on the metamorphosis of motherhood
Q: How do you experience matrescence now that you are past that hectic newborn phase?
Each child brings its own unique matrescence, and I feel more confident and self-assured now. My boundaries have improved, and I recognize my personal growth through motherhood.
Matrescence — on the metamorphosis of motherhood
Q: How did you come to learn about Matrescence and could you define it for us?
Matrescence, the process of becoming a mother, was brought to my attention through an article by Alexandra Sacks, highlighting the stark transition new mothers face, as noted by anthropologist Dana Raphael.
New legislation to protect you against invasion of your privacy
Q: Why is the journalistic materials exemption controversial?
It allows a wide exemption for media that may not always align with responsible journalism, risking privacy invasion.

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?

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?

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. Future Tense
4. The Minefield
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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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Big Ideas. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Big Ideas?

Recent guests on Big Ideas include:

1. Ceridwen Dovey
2. Samantha Harvey
3. Gina Rushton
4. Lucy Jones
5. Donna Strickland
6. Laurie May
7. Ziggy Ramo
8. Philip Roscoe

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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