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Ideas

CBC
Canada
Human Rights
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Empathy
Democracy
Feminism
Indigenous Rights
Massey Lectures
Architecture
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Middlemarch
Gaza
Oslo Accord
Syria
Social Justice
Social Media
Indigenous Peoples
Mental Health
Liberal Democracy

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

At the surface, Bear is about a woman who develops a sexual relationship with a bear. And though the 1976 novel earned Marian Engel a Governor General's award, it's been largely forgotten. Contributor Melissa Gismondi explores its mystery, meaning an... more

Canada produces legendary comedians and comic actors who excel on the world stage. So why is Canada not known for comedy? Does it have something to do with our proximity to the U.S., the way there are so many Scottish comedians performing in England?... more

From the medicine wheel to the building blocks of DNA, the number four has represented structure and stability. But four is also a troublemaker: a portal to realms like the fourth dimension. Our series, The Greatest Numbers of All Time explores how f... more

There is nothing random about featuring 33,000 in our number series. It's very powerful. So much so, that the number put millions of horses out of work. Inventor James Watt used “33,000 foot-pounds a minute" to measure the capabilities of a horse whe... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Malaika Grant
Ghanaian podcaster and co-host of Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women
Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women / Kuchu Times Media Group
Episode: Podcasts in Uganda and Ghana are reclaiming sex and sexuality
Jay Pitter
internationally renowned public space practitioner
Author of Black Public Joy
Episode: Why joy is most valuable when it's in public
Linda Hutcheon
Professor Emerita of English and Comparative Literature at The University of Toronto
University of Toronto
Episode: 'When I'm bad, I'm better' – The revolutionary Mae West
Ramona Curry
Author of Too Much of a Good Thing, Mae West as Cultural Icon
University of Illinois
Episode: 'When I'm bad, I'm better' – The revolutionary Mae West
Pamela Wojeck
Professor of Film Studies at The University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
Episode: 'When I'm bad, I'm better' – The revolutionary Mae West
Xavier Donzelli
French journalist and author
Journalist/Author
Episode: Who's the hero when the choice is impossible?
Tim Rybak
Author of Take Over Hitler's Final Rise to Power
Author/Researcher
Episode: Who's the hero when the choice is impossible?
Olivier Viviorca
French historian and author
Historian
Episode: Who's the hero when the choice is impossible?
Musa Abadi
Jewish survivor involved in protecting children
Marcel Network member
Episode: Who's the hero when the choice is impossible?

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
    Canada22 days 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
    Canadaa month 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
    Canada2 months ago
  • Israel bias

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    greengrounds
    Canada2 months ago
  • Amazing program

    This one is for the real heads

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jajagabour
    Canada3 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.

Apple Podcasts
#71
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#8
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#218
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#122
South Korea/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#224
Ireland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why joy is most valuable when it's in public
Q: Why is protest both necessary and potentially harmful to democracy?
Protest is essential but can become a burden on civic life if it eclipses access to public joy and tangible policy change; a healthy democracy needs space for dissension and also for joyful, collective life.
Why joy is most valuable when it's in public
Q: What does belonging in public space feel like, and how do you cultivate it?
Belonging starts in the body and is practiced through everyday acts of co-creation and conscious presence, like co-stewarding space and showing up as your whole self.
Escaped slaves, pirates and 'free love' in ancient history?
Q: What are the main flaws you see in how democracy is practiced today, and how does that contrast with ancient approaches?
The guest argues that modern democracy is often limited by expectations of representative systems and disengagement, whereas ancient models valued direct participation and sortition. He suggests that redistributing power in smaller, more participatory ways could improve engagement, even if comprehensive global adoption isn't feasible in the near term.
What North Korea’s personality cult has to do with Jesus
Q: What's the story behind the North Korean visits you describe?
Cheng explains that the visits were framed to understand Pyongyang firsthand, showing a regime that invites outsiders yet tightly manages access, and how that access revealed the state's religious-like worship of its founders.
How Canada forgot it once had a segregated health system
Q: Could you talk about the process and what kept you motivated as you went through it?
Elaine Dewar describes stubbornness and a relentless curiosity, driven by a moral obligation to uncover the truth about how Indigenous people were treated in medical systems and to push for public education and accountability.

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?

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

Where can I find podcast stats for Ideas?

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How many listeners does Ideas get?

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What are the audience demographics for Ideas?

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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 Current
2. The Sunday Magazine
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?

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

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What guests have appeared on Ideas?

Recent guests on Ideas include:

1. Malaika Grant
2. Jay Pitter
3. Linda Hutcheon
4. Ramona Curry
5. Pamela Wojeck
6. Xavier Donzelli
7. Tim Rybak
8. Olivier Viviorca

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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