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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes278Founded6 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Planet: Critical

Latest Episodes

We need to live differently. Part of that means learning how to live together differently, both with each other, and with the wider environment around us.

 James Bullen is the founder of the Land-Based Living Collective, a UK initiative aiming to cr... more

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

So much of the hope we put in solutions for climate change falls away under a microscope. Did you know wind turbines aren’t recyclable, for example? Guess where they’re buried. Are enough people thinking about what happens when gl... more

Climate Vanguard is a youth-led organisation providing political education to the public and activists across the Majority World. I'm joined by Inea Lehner, one of their core team members, to discuss their outreach, strategies and principles in suppo... more

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

Professor Steve Keen was one of the few economists to realise that a serious economic crisis was imminent in 2005. He publicly warned the world, and helped his native Australia navigate the 2008 crash without the major repercussio... more

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Recent Guests

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
Clare Follmann
Writer and environmentalist, author of Scapegoat
Author, Scapegoat
Episode: The Real Story of "Invasive Species" | Clare Follmann
Gary Slutkin
Physician and epidemiologist, founder of Cure Violence Global, author of The End of Violence
Cure Violence Global
Episode: Treating The Epidemic of Violence | Gary Slutkin
Jeremy Lent
Author of Ecocivilization, integrator exploring eco-crisis and transformative pathways
Author, Ecocivilization
Episode: Building An Eco-Civilisation | Jeremy Lent
David Farrier
Professor in literature and the environment at Edinburgh University
University of Edinburgh, author of Nature's Genius
Episode: Remaking The World | David Farrier
Michael Maniates
Environmental social scientist, author
University/academic affiliation not explicitly stated in transcript
Episode: The Myth of Individual Responsibility | Michael Maniates
Natasha Walter
Journalist, founder of Women for Refugee Women, author
Women for Refugee Women; Author of Feminism for a World on Fire
Episode: The Eco-Crisis is a Feminist Crisis | Natasha Walter
John Seed
Veteran environmentalist; founder of the Rainforest Information Center
Rainforest Information Center
Episode: Deep Ecology | John Seed

Host

Rachel Donald
Host of Planet Critical, climate corruption journalist

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 483 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 Zealand3 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
    5 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 States6 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 States10 months 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.

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.
How To Mobilise | Inea Lehner
Q: How do you teach youth to communicate across ideological divides and bring others along with their ideas?
Through programs like Comet, group exercises like creating concept-focused zines, and practices that develop accessible, engaging communication that translates complex ideas into actions relevant to diverse audiences.
How To Mobilise | Inea Lehner
Q: Can you explain briefly what Climate Vanguard is doing and where?
Climate Vanguard is a youth-led organization that uses radical political education to empower young people to understand how the world works, imagine alternative systems, and organize to bring about change, primarily in Britain and the Global North.

Audience Metrics

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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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Which podcasts are similar to Planet: Critical?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Planet: Critical:

1. The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens
2. Accidental Gods
3. Wild with Sarah Wilson
4. Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff
5. Upstream

How many episodes of Planet: Critical are there?

Planet: Critical launched 6 years ago and published 278 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. Inea Lehner
2. Steve Keen
3. Clare Follmann
4. Gary Slutkin
5. Jeremy Lent
6. David Farrier
7. Michael Maniates
8. Natasha Walter

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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