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Artwork for Planet: Critical

Planet: Critical

Rachel Donald
Climate Change
Climate Crisis
Capitalism
Fossil Fuels
Environmental Activism
Colonialism
Sustainability
Ecological Crisis
Nuclear Energy
Renewable Energy
Energy Transition
Neoliberalism
Environmental Justice
Climate Justice
Agriculture
Rights Of Nature
Violence
Community Resilience
Fossil Fuel Industry
Democracy

Planet: Critical is the podcast for a world in crisis. We face severe climate, energy, economic and political breakdown. Journalist Rachel Donald interviews those confronting the crisis, revealing what's really going on—and what needs to be done. Visit planetcritical.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes284Founded6 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Planet: Critical

Latest Episodes

The world is full of good ideas and solutions to the crisis. But good ideas cannot trump the laws of physics, and solutions will only be such if they are deployed in a manifestly different way than our current high-energy, high-material, high-consump... more

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

What happens when a small percentage of the population amass resources and power? Oligarchy. And polymath Sally Goerner says oligarchy is the final stage of most human civilizations—and a symptom of dysfunctional human systems.

S... more

Mark Lee Hunter is an investigative journalist, a founding member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network and the principle author of Story-Based Inquiry: A Manual for Investigative Journalists. I asked Mark to join me to explain a little-know... more

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

Reverend Billy is the world-famous secular preacher singing out against climate change, corporate greed and consumerism. Billy has been pounding the streets of New York for decades, preaching against Disney, against mindless consu... more

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Recent Guests

Sally Goerner
Research director of the Planetary Health Lab at Edinburgh University; polymath and psychologist/intellectual
Edinburgh University, Planetary Health Lab
Episode: P:C ARCHIVES: Sally Goerner on Citizens vs Oligarchies
Mark Lee Hunter
Investigative journalist; founding member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network; author of Story-Based Inquiry
Independent journalist; educator and author
Episode: Journalism in Crisis | Mark Lee Hunter
Reverend Billy
Co-founder of the Church of Stop Shopping, secular preacher
Church of Stop Shopping
Episode: P:C ARCHIVES: Reverend Billy on How To Stop The Sixth Extinction
Melanie Challenger
Author of Alive! The Hidden Intelligence of the Living World
Author
Episode: Being Alive | Melanie Challenger
James Dyke
Lecturer in global systems at the University of Exeter
University of Exeter
Episode: P:C ARCHIVES: James Dyke on Net Zero Won't Save Us
James Bullen
Founder of The Land-Based Living Collective
The Land-Based Living Collective
Episode: The Land-Based Living Collective | James Bullen
Simon Michaux
Associate professor in the Circular Economy Solution Unit at the Geological Survey of Finland
Geological Survey of Finland
Episode: P:C ARCHIVES: Simon Michaux on The Climate Crisis and The Climate Crash
Inea Lehner
Political organizer and core team member of Climate Vanguard
Climate Vanguard
Episode: How To Mobilise | Inea Lehner
Steve Keen
Professor Emeritus of Economics, author of alternative economics approaches
University of Melbourne (former); author; economist
Episode: P:C ARCHIVES: Steve Keen on The Economics of Climate Change

Host

Rachel Donald
Host of Planet Critical, climate corruption journalist

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 489 ratings
  • ruth davidson is the best

    rebecca daniel is a prime example of what journalism should be and should have always been. also from new zealand, i agree with hannah's review from 2025.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    davey boy nz
    New Zealand5 months ago
  • Something must have gone wrong with the update mechanism (RSS feed?). The last episode that is visible in Podcast Addict or Podino is the one announcing the webpage update. All following episodes are visible in Spotify but not in the other apps. Not good.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Dimi
    6 months ago
  • Guest request

    Please have Elina Xenophontos on the show, she is an excellent geopolitical analyst based in Cyprus!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    O0bah
    United States8 months ago
  • New favorite podcast

    I’m new to the pod, but I’ve been very impressed with the quality and content of the interviews so far. Delighted by the extensive and diverse back catalogue I’ll get to work thru!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SophTofe
    United Statesa year ago
  • How critical is it?

    Is it super critical or just a little critical or what?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    IFYTIT
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Thought-provoking interviews with diverse, high-caliber guests.
A strong following among environmental researchers and policy advocates.
Some critique the show for being highly opinionated but still valuable for its depth and range.
Audience enjoys the cross-disciplinary approach and practical takeaways for activism and policy.
Listeners appreciate rigorous, evidence-based discussions on climate and policy.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Journalism in Crisis | Mark Lee Hunter
Q: What about the claim that the United States government had the power to veto key personnel and direct OCCRP's reporting?
Mark states that there was no documented evidence of USAID or US officials directly vetoing appointments; OCCRP entities in fact had autonomy in leadership decisions beyond any suggested oversight, and the funding relationships were mischaracterized.
Journalism in Crisis | Mark Lee Hunter
Q: Now, you've published a rebuttal, but before we get into your rebuttal, can we go through what was claimed in that original investigation? And then also, why you took it upon yourself to publish an equally investigative explanation?
The original Mediapart piece claimed OCCRP was tightly controlled by the US government, with the US able to veto leadership and direct resources and reporting; Mark explains that the funding disclosures were public and misrepresented, and that the accusations were exaggerated and politically charged, leading to broad consequences for independent journalism.
P:C ARCHIVES: Steve Keen on The Economics of Climate Change
Q: How did economists get so entangled in these ideas and become so disconnected from physical realities?
Economists often operate within a siloed, paradigmatic framework that ignores physical inputs like energy and minerals; this rigidity, reinforced by mathematical modelling that excludes real-world constraints, has allowed flawed theories to persist and shape policy—changing this requires cross-disciplinary engagement and paradigm shifts.
P:C ARCHIVES: Steve Keen on The Economics of Climate Change
Q: What is the solution, then?
Implement draconian but necessary constraints on consumption, similar to wartime rationing, plus carbon rationing and a rapid restructuring of energy systems to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while maintaining essential goods and services; otherwise, a terminal crisis for civilization is likely.
P:C ARCHIVES: Steve Keen on The Economics of Climate Change
Q: Do you think that we could rework capitalism into a sustainable market economy, or do you think that has to go to?
Capitalism has a built-in potential for innovation, but it must be constrained by explicit ecological limits and a shift toward sustainability; without that constraint, the system risks ecological and economic collapse. A reworked, constrained form of capitalism that prioritizes innovation within planetary boundaries is possible, but it requires deliberate policy, governance reform, and a move away from infinite growth.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Planet: Critical

What is Planet: Critical about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thought-provoking series that centers on the climate emergency, economic upheaval, and political disruption through in-depth conversations with researchers, journalists, activists, and policy thinkers. Episodes frequently explore how systems—markets, governance, and culture—shape environmental crises and potential pathways for collective action, degrowth, and socially just solutions. Noteworthy is the willingness to confront uncomfortable questions about capitalism, technology, and governance, while highlighting innovative movements and practical reforms from local to global scales. The show is likely to appeal to listeners who want rigorous analysis, cross-disciplinary perspectives, and ideas for real-world change, often balancing critic... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Planet: Critical:

1. The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens
2. Accidental Gods - The Thrutopian Podcast
3. Wild with Sarah Wilson
4. Emergence Magazine Podcast
5. Outrage + Optimism

How many episodes of Planet: Critical are there?

Planet: Critical launched 6 years ago and published 284 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 Planet: Critical?

Recent guests on Planet: Critical include:

1. Sally Goerner
2. Mark Lee Hunter
3. Reverend Billy
4. Melanie Challenger
5. James Dyke
6. James Bullen
7. Simon Michaux
8. Inea Lehner

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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