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Artwork for Planet: Critical

Planet: Critical

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes289Founded6 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Planet: Critical

Latest Episodes

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

How can we change an economic system that has a life of its own?

10,000 years ago, homo sapiens began farming a grain surplus. This surplus led to the creation of societal and cultural hierarchies which divorced our species from o... more

Since I first interviewed OB/GYN and independent researcher, Jane van Dis, on the dangers of plastic two years ago, the science has only become more stark.  Not only are we discovering more ways in which plastics are harming our biological health—fro... more

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

Fadhel Kaboub is a former Associate Professor of Economics at Denison University where he researched political economy, decarbonisation, colonialism, and the financial and agricultural policies necessary to facilitate a global—and... more

Starrlight Augustine is the director at the Institute of Ecotechnics, a research initiative developing technologies that exist in harmony with nature. She heads up their agroecology division, which is based at Synergia Ranch in New Mexico where she a... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jane Van Dis
Practicing obstetrician-gynecologist and assistant professor, University of Rochester
University of Rochester
Episode: How Plastic is Corrupting Our Bodies and Our Institutions | Jane Van Dis
Fadhel Kaboub
Associate professor of economics at Denison University and president of the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity
Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity; Denison University
Episode: P:C ARCHIVES: Fadhel Kaboub on Decolonise To Decarbonise
Starrlight Augustine
Director at the Institute of Ecotechnics; heads agroecology division at Synergy Ranch
Institute of Ecotechnics; Synergy Ranch
Episode: The Dynamic Energy Budget Theory | Starrlight Augustine
Nandita Bajaj
Executive Director of Population Balance; co-host of the Overpopulation Podcast; educator at the Institute for Humane Education at Antioch University
Population Balance; Overpopulation Podcast; Antioch University
Episode: P:C ARCHIVES: Nandita Bajaj on How Pronatalism Feeds The Economy
Philippe Bihouix
Engineer and author; advocate of low tech and systemic sobriety
Author, The Age of Low Tech
Episode: Low Tech Lives | Philippe Bihouix
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

Host

Rachel Donald
Host of the podcast; engages guests in rigorous, critical conversations about climate, governance, and societal change

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 491 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 Zealand6 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
    8 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 States9 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.

Some listeners feel the critiques are strong and not always optimistic, but deeply informative.
Thoughtful, challenging conversations that connect climate with governance and society.
High-quality, diverse range of guests and topics; probing interviewer.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#221
Austria/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#222
India/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Plastic is Corrupting Our Bodies and Our Institutions | Jane Van Dis
Q: Jane, could you explain briefly what the Chevron Doctrine is and why its status matters for environmental policy?
The Chevron Doctrine allowed executive agencies to rely on expert opinions when proposing legislation, helping agencies like the EPA interpret complex environmental data; its overturn reduces reliance on those experts and increases judicial scrutiny, which can hinder regulatory action on pollutants like PFAS and plastics.
P:C ARCHIVES: Fadhel Kaboub on Decolonise To Decarbonise
Q: What structural reforms are essential for a just transition in the Global South?
Reforms include food and energy sovereignty, a shift to non-austerity policies, reimagining industrial policy, and building endogenous development through technology partnerships and regional cooperation.
P:C ARCHIVES: Nandita Bajaj on How Pronatalism Feeds The Economy
Q: What policies or approaches could help balance population, consumption, and ecological limits without coercion?
Autonomy-enhancing policies—comprehensive sexuality education, accessible reproductive healthcare, and empowerment through education and equality—combined with reducing consumption, can lower fertility choices while improving human rights and ecological outcomes.
P:C ARCHIVES: Nandita Bajaj on How Pronatalism Feeds The Economy
Q: What is pronatalism, and how does it relate to women's autonomy and rights?
Pronatalism is a pervasive bias elevating the perceived obligation to reproduce, often restricting women's reproductive autonomy; dismantling it requires rights-based policies, education, and challenging cultural narratives.
The Dynamic Energy Budget Theory | Starrlight Augustine
Q: Could you walk me through an example of how you have made a decision on the farm using Dynamic Energy Budget Theory?
The guest describes using the Soil Food Web School techniques to observe soil biota under a microscope and link the predator-prey dynamics to plant nutrition, demonstrating how waste from one part of the system feeds another and informs management decisions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Planet: Critical

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

A hard-hitting interview series focused on climate, governance, and systemic risk, featuring guests who critique mainstream narratives and explore transformative solutions. Episodes typically examine how political economy, ecological crises, and social inequities intersect, with in-depth discussions on energy systems, policy reform, activism, and cultural change. A standout trait is the host's willingness to challenge established frames, spotlight underrepresented perspectives, and push for practical pathways toward democratic, resilient futures.

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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. Breaking Down: Collapse
3. Accidental Gods - The Thrutopian Podcast
4. Better Future with Michael Mezz
5. Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff

How many episodes of Planet: Critical are there?

Planet: Critical launched 6 years ago and published 289 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 Planet: Critical?

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What guests have appeared on Planet: Critical?

Recent guests on Planet: Critical include:

1. Jane Van Dis
2. Fadhel Kaboub
3. Starrlight Augustine
4. Nandita Bajaj
5. Philippe Bihouix
6. Sally Goerner
7. Mark Lee Hunter
8. Reverend Billy

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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