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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes273Founded5 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Planet: Critical

Latest Episodes

Can violence be cured?

According to physician and epidemiologist, Gary Slutkin, it can. Gary worked for decades treating some of the most virulent disease outbreaks around the world. Then he took that model and applied it to his hometown of Chicago ... more

In an age of bad news, it is so important to remember that everything we need to remake the world is already with us. From how we produce food to how we organise our political systems, the solutions we need have long been developed and tested. What w... more

What is the role of art in any crisis? To understand what is and to imagine what could be; to transcend and birth and promise.

This is the message of today's guest, David Farrier.  David is a professor in literature and the environment at Edinburgh ... more

What can we actually do if we want to achieve real change?

We have been sold a comforting lie that our purchasing power is the best way to change the world. But rather than offer anything substantial, this lie promotes a myth of individual responsib... more

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Recent Guests

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
Julia Steinberger
Professor of Societal Challenges of Climate Change at the University of Lausanne
University of Lausanne
Episode: The Truly Sustainable Alternative | Julia Steinberger
Paris Marx
Tech critic, author of Hyperscale, host of Tech Won't Save Us
Disconnect newsletter; Tech Won't Save Us podcast
Episode: Tech Titans Won't Save Us | Paris Marx
Hettie O'Brien
Journalist at The Guardian, author of The Asset Class
The Guardian
Episode: How Finance Ruined Capitalism | Hettie O'Brien

Host

Rachel Donald
Host of Planet Critical, climate corruption journalist

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 481 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 Zealand2 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
    4 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 States5 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 States9 months ago
  • How critical is it?

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

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    IFYTIT
    United States10 months 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.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#237
Finland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Finance Ruined Capitalism | Hettie O'Brien
Q: What is private equity?
Hettie explains that private equity is built on leveraged buyouts, using debt rather than equity to acquire companies, which places debt servicing on the acquired firms and can lead to reduced investment in core services and employment, while the private equity funds reap fees and profits.
The Founding Mothers | Laura George
Q: What organizational form supports their advocacy and operations?
A global coalition that includes a central Peace Room, ten geographic circles, and a delegate-based Congress, using sociocratic principles and quiet, consensus-based decision making.
The Founding Mothers | Laura George
Q: How is the Founding Mothers Proclamation structured and enforced?
It is a two-part document focusing on women's rights and war, informed by humanitarian laws and international instruments; they envision a world treaty with mandatory jurisdiction and an enforcement mechanism.
The Founding Mothers | Laura George
Q: What is the Founding Mothers Movement aiming to achieve on a global scale?
The movement seeks universal women's rights, an end to war, and a governance framework that treats every human as having inherent dignity, with a world court and a unified world law as core components.
How Mexico City Unleashed Its Political Imagination | Ashwin Ravikumar
Q: So, what is happening in Mexico under the socialist government that has excited you?
Ashwin outlines the UTOPIAs as a broad set of public-space–based social services transformed under state backing, rooted in decades of urban popular movements, and discusses how this blend of autonomy and state support has expanded political imagination while presenting tensions around tactics and autonomy.

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. Breaking Down: Collapse
4. Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff
5. Wild with Sarah Wilson

How many episodes of Planet: Critical are there?

Planet: Critical launched 5 years ago and published 273 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. Gary Slutkin
2. Jeremy Lent
3. David Farrier
4. Michael Maniates
5. Natasha Walter
6. John Seed
7. Julia Steinberger
8. Paris Marx

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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