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Artwork for Big World
Labor Unions
Climate Change
Olympic Games
Star Wars
United Auto Workers
Human Rights Violations
Imperialism
Post-Conflict Societies
Intercultural Communication
International Relations
US Immigration
Public Diplomacy
Migration
Sports Diplomacy
Middle East
Bureaucracy
Rebellion
Resilience
Global Workforce
Soft Power

Big World shines a spotlight on complex ideas and issues that matter. Each episode features an expert from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC, breaking down a big, important topic into small bite sizes.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes94Founded8 years ago
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PoliticsNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for Big World

Latest Episodes

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, the founders envisioned that the United States would become a powerful country committed to liberty and democracy. As America marks its 250th anniversary, what would the founders think of the U... more

In this episode of Big World, SIS alumnus and tech accountability advocate Zamaan Qureshi joins us to discuss the impact of AI and social media on teen mental health, the push for stronger regulation, and how U.S. tech policy compares to other countr... more

In this new episode of Big World, SIS professor emeritus Philip Brenner joins us to discuss the politics behind the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and how it connects to the growing crisis in Cuba.

Brenner kicks off our episode by co... more

In this episode, School of International Service's Judy Gearhart joins Big World to discuss international labor organizing and the fight for workers' rights within the global supply chain.

Gearhart, a research professor at the Accountability Researc... more

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Recent Guests

Jordan Tama
SIS Professor and expert on US Foreign Policy and National Security
School of International Service, American University
Episode: America at 250: How U.S. Foreign Policy has Changed Since 1776
Zamaan Qureshi
Advocate, policy expert and strategist focused on tech accountability
Design It For Us
Episode: Gen Z vs. Big Tech
Philip Brenner
SIS professor emeritus; expert on US-Cuba relations, US-Latin America relations, and the Cuban Missile Crisis
School of International Service, American University
Episode: Venezuelan Oil and a Crisis in Cuba
Judy Gearhart
SIS Research Professor; Senior Researcher at Accountability Research Center; host of the Labor Link Podcast
School of International Service, American University; Accountability Research Center
Episode: Workers’ Rights in the Global Supply Chain
Laura Field
A visiting scholar at the School of International Service, author, and political theorist focused on American far-right populist intellectualism.
School of International Service at American University
Episode: The Intellectuals Behind the MAGA New Right
Piper Campbell
Former US ambassador and current professor at the School of International Service.
School of International Service at American University
Episode: So, You Want to Be a Diplomat?
Yerevan Saeed
Barzani scholar in residence and director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace
School of International Service at American University
Episode: Why the Kurds Still Don't Have a Country
Professor Jesse Ribot
Professor at the School of International Service, expert on migration and environmental justice
School of International Service, American University
Episode: The Economics of Hunger
Michael Stanaitis
Professor in the Department of Global Inquiry at the School of International Service with a focus on human rights and political economy.
School of International Service at American University
Episode: Tariffs and Trade Wars

Host

Maddie Mingus
Host of Big World

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • Great information, educational

    I appreciate how this podcast focuses on a variety of topics from national to international leveled issues. I also enjoy the structure of the interviews and that they are not super long. It is a great, easy way to gain information and become more aware of situations. As a future SIS student, I am excited to meet these individuals in person to ask more on these issues. Great podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    henryswaifu143
    United States5 years ago
  • Tried it for a few months but can’t keep going

    Very good topics which should intrigue foreign policy followers or expats (like me). But the guests are insanely biased and liberal. I tried to keep listening but after 4-5 episodes, sadly I am done. I guess everyone involved in this podcast is drinking from the same koolaid but without any diversity of thought, what’s the point?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    lrhhrl
    United States5 years ago
  • Pinker, articulate and insightful as always

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Jorge48
    5 years ago
  • Great listening!

    This podcast does a great job of distilling some of the more complex issues in international affairs ((e.g. the defense budget, human migration) through one on one interviews-not an easy task! Lol forward to more episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    patsgirl129
    United States7 years ago
  • Big World: nice!

    Great podcast! Well done in depth exam of timely issues!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sw33tcaroline
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Great for listeners who want nuanced, expert-driven international affairs discussions.
Some listeners feel there's perceived bias and desire for more diverse viewpoints.
Accessible, engaging breakdowns of complex topics that still feel rigorous.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gen Z vs. Big Tech
Q: What is the current landscape of AI regulation at the federal and state levels, and what does the future look like?
There is debate in Congress with proposals like transparency and privacy reforms, but no comprehensive federal regulation yet. States are taking the lead with baseline safety requirements and transparency, and landmark court cases may accelerate broader regulatory action.
Gen Z vs. Big Tech
Q: What does tangible change look like in your advocacy space when it comes to platform design changes?
Tangible change includes resisting self-regulation, pushing for regulation that targets core design features, and enacting laws at state and federal levels that require design changes and accountability, including audits and clear safety standards.
Gen Z vs. Big Tech
Q: Zamaan, could you tell us about what motivated you to get into advocacy for safer online spaces and responsible tech?
I became involved as a high school student with the Real Facebook Oversight Board and was inspired by how tech ecosystems influence democracy and elections, which motivated me to push for better regulation and safer design.
Venezuelan Oil and a Crisis in Cuba
Q: What is the likely endgame of the US approach to Venezuela's oil and Cuba's crisis under the current administration?
The guest suggests two possible outcomes: either an internal squeeze that could provoke rebellion or a shift toward negotiation and economic reform in Cuba, though there is skepticism about a quick or straightforward regime change.
Venezuelan Oil and a Crisis in Cuba
Q: What is the historical context that ties Venezuela and Cuba together in terms of oil and political alignment?
Venezuela used oil wealth as a tool for regional influence, coupling its oil exports with Cuban medical assistance, creating a long-standing mutual dependency that tied Cuban social gains to Venezuelan oil flows.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Big World

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

Big World presents in-depth conversations with School of International Service experts who unpack complex global issues into accessible, bite-sized episodes. Recent topics span US policy impacts on Cuba and Venezuela, global labor rights in supply chains, the ideological underpinnings of the MAGA New Right, diplomacy careers and soft power, Kurdish statehood, and governance-aligned uses of artificial intelligence. The show consistently blends historical context with current events, often featuring practitioners and scholars who connect on-the-ground impacts to larger political dynamics. A notable strength is its ability to translate intricate policy debates into engaging, interview-driven discussions, making it a strong pick for listeners w... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Big World?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big World:

1. Pod Save the World
2. Global News Podcast
3. Throughline
4. Up First from NPR
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Big World are there?

Big World launched 8 years ago and published 94 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Big World?

Recent guests on Big World include:

1. Jordan Tama
2. Zamaan Qureshi
3. Philip Brenner
4. Judy Gearhart
5. Laura Field
6. Piper Campbell
7. Yerevan Saeed
8. Professor Jesse Ribot

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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