Rephonic
Artwork for Ideas

Ideas

CBC
Gospel Music
Trucking
Spirituals
Canada
Civil Rights Movement
Music Education
Black History
Trucker Culture
Trucking Training
Education
War
Timmins
Love
Sex and Gender
Labour Shortages
Covid-19 Restrictions
Restorative Justice
Dubai
Human Rights
Social Justice

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes244Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Ideas

Latest Episodes

Elmina is a place in Ghana that poet Sarpong Osei Asamoah describes as a "two-sided wonder." A bustling, lively fishing town in contrast to the painful history of a 400 year old 'slave castle' — a UNESCO World Heritage site. Historically, it's consid... more

The ancient Greek story of Jason and Medea starts as a love story and ends as a horror show — just the way the Greeks liked it. The met, fell in love, stole the magical golden fleece (a symbol of authority and kinship) and escaped like a primeval Bon... more

"AIDS exacerbates and accentuates inequality," Stephen Lewis said in his final CBC Massey Lectures he delivered in 2005. Back then the willingness of the world’s richest countries to help in the HIV/AID crisis was in question. The former ambassador t... more

The Queen of Sheba is a holy figure to some; a demon in disguise to others. Her indelible presence has haunted religious scholars and fuelled nationalist visions in East Africa and Southern Arabia. IDEAS explores the many afterlives of the Queen of S... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

John Dadosky
Professor of philosophy and theology; Lonergan scholar
Regis St. Michael's Faculty of Theology, University of Toronto
Episode: The ultimate to-do list for living a good life
Tippi Hedren
Actress, star of Hitchcock's The Birds
Actor
Episode: How Hitchcock's 'The Birds' speaks to 21st-century anxieties
Catherine Wynne
Literary scholar, specializes in Gothic literature and Daphne du Maurier
University/Scholar
Episode: How Hitchcock's 'The Birds' speaks to 21st-century anxieties
Scott Poole
Professor of history, College of Charleston, monster/horror scholar
College of Charleston
Episode: How Hitchcock's 'The Birds' speaks to 21st-century anxieties
Lynn Kozak
Associate professor, McGill, horror and ancient Greek literature
McGill University
Episode: How Hitchcock's 'The Birds' speaks to 21st-century anxieties
Guido Alfani
Economic historian
Bocconi University
Episode: The Billionaire Age Pt 1 | How did we get here?
Zahran Mamdani
Professor/Commentator featured in documentary segments
Episode: The Billionaire Age Pt 1 | How did we get here?
Paul Krugman
Economist and public intellectual
Princeton University
Episode: The Billionaire Age Pt 1 | How did we get here?
Gabriel Zuckman
Economist
Université Paris School of Economics
Episode: The Billionaire Age Pt 1 | How did we get here?

Host

Nahlah Ayed
Host focused on deep conversation and exploration of diverse topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 3.8k ratings
  • Decline in Reading

    Fantastic points of view expressed and a must listen or read for parents and teachers.

    Thanks for this wonderful podcast and this selection.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lutlady
    Canadaa month ago
  • What a find!

    This podcast presents ideas that encourage me to puzzle things through using the strength of my own mind. The 2025 Massey Lectures were wonderful that way. They are worth scrolling back to find! Don’t miss this podcast! Enjoy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    To-be-continued usa
    United States2 months ago
  • Thoughtful and intelligent

    The show explores an impressively wide range of topics, diving into each one with remarkable depth. Every subject is presented in such an engaging way that it pulls you in and sparks curiosity you didn’t even realize you had.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Girl in Ayr
    Canada2 months ago
  • Feels like home

    I’ve been living in the United States for 5 years now, and Ideas still features highly in my day. Not only does it keep me informed on topics and goings on back home, it’s a nostalgic and grounding experience every day that helps me feel closer to home. I couldn’t imagine my days without Nahlah Ayed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    devja88
    United States2 months ago
  • The Original

    For me my first and best radio show. Ideas put the idea in my head that I want to listen to radio over watching television. It hits all nerves and sensations most days.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cocodojo
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There is a sense of nostalgia and loyalty among long-time listeners, which emphasizes the show's longstanding credibility in the realm of insightful programming.
Listeners appreciate the depth and breadth of the topics explored, finding them thought-provoking and relevant.
Many express gratitude for the insightful discussions and the quality of expert guests featured, contributing to an enriching listening experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#93
Canada/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#55
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#7
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#177
Israel/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#181
Argentina/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#189
Philippines/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The common ground of fact and fiction can be powerful
Q: What drives you to continue writing about untold stories in a time of political pushback against certain narratives?
Miles and Edugyan express a sense of responsibility to preserve memory and fight erasure, arguing that storytelling remains a crucial tool for understanding and empathy, and that books can influence public sentiment and policy over time.
The common ground of fact and fiction can be powerful
Q: How did you decide to use fiction techniques in recounting historical events?
Edugyan explains that she uses narrative energy and rhythm of fiction to illuminate truth, while Miles notes that she employs imaginative reconstruction to access inner perspectives, always aware of the ethical boundaries between history and storytelling.
The common ground of fact and fiction can be powerful
Q: What is the balance between fact and imagination in non-fiction that still seeks to tell an accurate story?
Both authors argue that while facts ground the narrative, imagination helps fill gaps and give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves, as long as the writer signals its tentative nature and stays rooted in documented reality.
The power of music in the shadow of Iran
Q: Iman, I wanted to begin with you, with all that is happening in Iran right now. How are you feeling today?
A mix of emotions: ongoing concern for loved ones, a sense of helplessness, but also traces of hope and a determination to use music as a way to process and respond.
What will happen to us when the internet dies?
Q: Can you expand on the idea of being the last ones at a party?
Hussey uses an analogy of social cues at a late party to describe how online environments lack the human engagement and presence that foster genuine interactions.

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 Ideas

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

Expect a thought-provoking exploration of a diverse range of topics that challenge conventional thinking and invite deep reflection. Episodes span an array of subjects, from historical injustices to contemporary ethical dilemmas, facilitated by immersive documentaries and insightful interviews with influential figures. The focus on underrepresented narratives, such as women in the suffrage movement or the impacts of artificial intelligence, emphasizes the commitment to foster understanding and engagement with complex societal issues. Unique in its breadth and depth, the content likely attracts listeners who value intellectual discourse and seek to deepen their understanding of the pressing concerns of our time.

Where can I find podcast stats for Ideas?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for 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 Ideas and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Ideas get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Ideas, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Ideas?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Ideas, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Quirks and Quarks
4. Front Burner
5. Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

How many episodes of Ideas are there?

Ideas launched 20 years ago and published 244 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Ideas from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Ideas?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of 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 Ideas?

Recent guests on Ideas include:

1. John Dadosky
2. Tippi Hedren
3. Catherine Wynne
4. Scott Poole
5. Lynn Kozak
6. Guido Alfani
7. Zahran Mamdani
8. Paul Krugman

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days