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Ideas

CBC
Canada
Artificial Intelligence
Climate Change
Human Rights
Empathy
Indigenous Rights
Feminism
Architecture
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Middlemarch
Social Justice
Oslo Accord
Democracy
Syria
Gaza
Brutalism
Mental Health
Middle East Peace Process
Graeco-Arabic Translation Movement
Poetry

IDEAS is a place for people who like to think. If you value deep conversation and unexpected reveals, this show is for you. From the roots and rise of authoritarianism to near-death experiences to the history of toilets, no topic is off-limits. Hosted by Nahlah Ayed, we’re home to immersive documentaries and fascinating interviews with some of the most consequential thinkers of our time.

With an a... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes248Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Ideas

Latest Episodes

On the surface, bibliotherapy might sound like another personal wellness trend, but it definitely isn’t. In fact, it’s an approved form of mental health treatment in Canada. And it’s been around for at least a century. In this podcast, researchers Sa... more

We should move away from this idea that childhood should be filled with innocence, safe from the knowledge of difficult things argues Critical Cultural Theorist of Childhood Julie Garlen. Kids do experience difficulty, even in the best of circumstanc... more

Eugenics is seen as a 19th-century idea put into horrific 20th-century practice. But the attraction to breeding “better” humans has a long and persistent history, says Adam Rutherford. The geneticist and science podcaster explains, in conversation wi... more

That’s what Hanna Pickard argues. After analyzing the scientific research, and working with those who’ve stopped self-destructive drug and alcohol use, the Johns Hopkins philosopher sees addiction as a complex behavioural disorder. She argues it’s dr... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Faiz Khan
A child participant, age 8
Episode: Protecting childhood innocence is a disservice to kids, argues expert
Jowita Bydlowska
Author of 'Unshaming', memoir of recovery, relapse, and what comes after.
Episode: Wait, so addiction might not be a brain disease?
Hanna Pickard
A philosopher specializing in addiction from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Wait, so addiction might not be a brain disease?
I. Michael Kaufmann
Retired family doctor and addiction doctor, author of 'Drugs, Lies and Docs'.
Episode: Wait, so addiction might not be a brain disease?
Karen Hao
American journalist and author of Empire of AI; journalist describing global AI industry and its impacts
Empire of AI (book); journalist for MIT Technology Review
Episode: Why we should 'fight like hell' against Big AI
Jennifer Jill Fellows
Philosophy instructor at Douglas College
Douglas College
Episode: We believe in artificial intelligence the same way we believe in ghosts
Simone Natale
Associate professor at the University of Turin
University of Turin
Episode: We believe in artificial intelligence the same way we believe in ghosts
David Leavitt
Biographer of Alan Turing
University of Florida
Episode: We believe in artificial intelligence the same way we believe in ghosts
Alan Jacobs
Humanities professor at Baylor University
Episode: With a decline in reading is our capacity to think eroding?

Host

Nahlah Ayed
Host of Ideas

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 3.9k ratings
  • Absent ideas

    Ideas was once a challenging hour of exploration. Now it’s an hour of constructing straw men to knock over. Critical engagement is absent. I say this as someone who generally agrees with many of the positions - but people want genuine engagement not Sunday school indoctrination. I want to wrestle with ideas not be spoon fed a perspective.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Blaine oh
    Canada2 months ago
  • Work in progress

    I never missed Ideas back when Paul Kennedy was host. He left and the series changed considerably: from riveting and informative to ridiculous topics and presenter’s growing pains. I stopped listening for a while but have returned hoping quality has returned. Not horrible but it’s such fluff. Wish CBC would make entire Ideas (and “Q” for that matter) archive accessible; I’d re-listen to the old episodes in a heartbeat.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Mag 101
    Canada2 months ago
  • Frustrating waiting for part 2

    I find it frustrating waiting for a month now for part 2 of the doc on billionaires to be posted. We should be told when to expect part 2 or 3 of whatever documentary and not be left in limbo checking all the time and not knowing. This is turning me off the podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    mathgirlmarie
    Canada3 months ago
  • Israel bias

    Had an Israeli on to discuss Palestine…no pushback no alternative views allowed. Just Hasbara

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    greengrounds
    Canada4 months ago
  • Amazing program

    This one is for the real heads

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jajagabour
    Canada4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans note the show's ability to translate academic ideas for a broad audience.
Listeners praise depth, rigor, and accessible storytelling.
Some feedback calls for broader representation of viewpoints on contentious topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#11
Canada/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#28
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#212
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#218
South Korea/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#218
Finland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Love or hate math, geometry is embedded in daily life
Q: But what is that straw problem really asking, and why does it matter beyond a classroom debate?
It reveals how people understand and frame definitions, showing that a simple term like 'hole' can lead to deeper mathematical thinking and healthy epistemic humility.
The fear of fire is taking control of us
Q: How would you describe your relationship with fire given its evolving role in civilization?
Vaillant explains that the relationship is complicated and shifting; he feels reverence around a home fireplace yet recognizes the vulnerability of cities and ecosystems to fire, acknowledging how climate change intensifies fire behavior.
Suzuki’s Survival Guide | A Warning
Q: What is the fundamental takeaway you hope listeners gain from revisiting these early warnings?
That the warnings have always been there, we ran out of time, and radical, immediate action is required now—investment in efficiency, clean energy, and equitable development to safeguard the future.
Suzuki’s Survival Guide | A Warning
Q: David Suzuki, you're now retired from the nature of things at the age of 87. What are you doing with the rest of your life?
I'm not retired; I've changed focus to spend time with my grandchildren and to continue using science and storytelling to drive action for the future generations, because that's what keeps me motivated.
12 is Sublime | The Greatest Numbers of All Time
Q: What immediately comes to mind when you hear the number 12?
The number 12 is incredibly versatile and appears across timekeeping, religion, law, and music as a symbol of completeness and harmony, which is why it recurs so broadly in human culture.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ideas

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

This program consistently explores big ideas across culture, history, politics, and science through in-depth interviews and documentary-style storytelling. Episodes often thread historical context with contemporary relevance, featuring scholars, journalists, policymakers, and voice-of-experience guests who illuminate complex topics—from Pan-Africanism and Indigenous sovereignty to the evolution of celebrity, climate resilience, and social justice. A standout aspect is how the show makes academic concepts accessible to a general audience, while maintaining rigorous analysis and diverse perspectives. Listeners can expect thoughtful debate, fresh historical angles, and uncovering underrepresented viewpoints, all brought to life by meticulous r... more

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How many listeners does Ideas get?

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How many subscribers and views does Ideas have?

To see how many followers or subscribers 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 Ideas?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ideas:

1. The Sunday Magazine
2. The Current
3. Front Burner
4. Quirks and Quarks
5. White Coat, Black Art

How many episodes of Ideas are there?

Ideas launched 20 years ago and published 248 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 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 Ideas?

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What guests have appeared on Ideas?

Recent guests on Ideas include:

1. Faiz Khan
2. Jowita Bydlowska
3. Hanna Pickard
4. I. Michael Kaufmann
5. Karen Hao
6. Jennifer Jill Fellows
7. Simone Natale
8. David Leavitt

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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