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The Conversation Documentaries

The Conversation
One Nation
Donald Trump
Labour Party
Conservative Party
Working Class
Politics
British Politics
Pauline Hanson
Keir Starmer
Immigration
Human Trafficking
Cambodia
Autocracy
Southeast Asia
Hugo Chavez
Viktor Orban
Reform UK
Online Scamming
Class Voting
Documentaries

The Conversation Documentaries (formerly The Anthill) is podcast from The Conversation. Our documentary series cover everything from science to the environment, politics, culture and economics. We unearth new stories from the world of academia and talk to experts to shed light on some of the big questions of today. The Conversation is a not-for-profit independent media organisation and our journal... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes107Founded10 years ago
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Latest Episodes

One Nation didn't emerge in a vacuum, then or now.

The global surge in right-wing populism has propelled the party and thirty years on, it’s arguably stronger than ever.

But is its popularity a protest or a fundamental realignment of Australian pol... more

The media made Pauline Hanson and One Nation, but now the party holds all the power.

It’s a perfect storm for democracy: a shrinking and cowering traditional media, the toxic algorithms of the unmoderated social media cess pit and the warped reality... more

It’s never held government, or even opposition, yet One Nation’s managed to exert an outsized influence on the public policy agenda.

From borders to migration, multiculturalism to Indigenous affairs, the far-right party has mastered mainstreaming an... more

We’d all like deeply considered policy and informed debate to be at the heart of politics, but unfortunately controversies and scandals tend to steal the show.

For most parties, scandals are disastrous: they lose seats, ministers and elections — but... more

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Tim Bale
Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Episode: 4 | The Making of One Nation: move the centre
Josh Sunman
Lecturer in Public Policy at Flinders University
Flinders University
Episode: 4 | The Making of One Nation: move the centre
Jordan McSweeney
Researcher at University of Canberra studying far-right parties and scandals in One Nation
University of Canberra
Episode: 3 | The Making of One Nation: survive a scandal
Ben Moffat
Political scientist at Monash University, expert on populism
Monash University
Episode: 2 | The Making of One Nation: define the enemy
Anna Brunowski
Documentarian with close access to Pauline Hanson
University of Sydney (senior lecturer) and filmmaker
Episode: 1 | The Making of One Nation: enter the outsider
Joe Wright
Political science professor at Penn State University and expert in dictatorships around the world
Penn State University
Episode: The Making of an Autocrat: co-opt the military
Lucan Way
Professor of Democracy at the University of Toronto
Episode: The Making of an Autocrat: suppress the people
Natasha Lindstad
Professor of Government at the University of Essex
Episode: The Making of an Autocrat: manufacture a crisis
Emma Shortis
Historian at RMIT University and Director of the Australian Institute's International Security Affairs Program
RMIT University
Episode: The Making of an Autocrat: recruit an architect

Hosts

Ashlynne McGhee
Host with expertise in political documentary storytelling and analysis; affiliated with The Conversation.
Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor; hosts episodes on global politics and autocracy dynamics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 270 ratings
  • Interesting…but way too locked into its own narrative

    I went into this podcast hoping for an actual investigation, but honestly it feels like the show decides the conclusion before the conversation even starts. From the opening minutes, Trump is placed alongside Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Putin, XI, before we hear a single piece of analysis. That kind of framing tells you the direction the story is heading before the experts even speak. Most of the guests are people who already specialise in studying authoritarianism, so naturally everything they see lo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jevertau
    Australia5 months ago
  • What follows?

    Would welcome a history lesson on the fates of autocrats and of autocratic countries.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AC2516
    Australia5 months ago
  • Excellent!

    Finally I’ve found a serious, respectable, and informative podcast. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marketpop
    United States4 years ago
  • Great informative podcast

    The conspiracy theory series from early 2020 is a great introduction to this podcast. Highly recommend but like all good podcasts, this one has ended leaving me wanting more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CarlosLWatson
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • expert guide to conspiracy theories series

    an incredible mini series! I binged the whole

    thing in an afternoon - absolutely fascinating subject diving into the origin and propagation of conspiracy theories and how/when they cross over into extremism. More like this please! 👌🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alflo100
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Excellent! This is serious, well-researched analysis.
What follows?
Interesting...but way too locked into its own narrative—lacks balance and debate.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

4 | The Making of One Nation: move the centre
Q: Josh, let's talk through the mechanics of it. How exactly does One Nation influence policy?
One Nation influences policy indirectly by shaping electoral positioning; major parties adjust their messaging and policy to recapture voters drawn to One Nation's simple stances, often sanitizing positions while keeping the core substance intact.
1 | The Making of One Nation: enter the outsider
Q: Anna, what's one thing you wish we all knew about Pauline Hanson?
That she would have been a brilliant populist for the left if she'd had the right minders; she had extraordinary charisma and genuine care for her people, but influences around her pushed her firmly to the right, shaping the political trajectory we see today.
The Making of One Nation: coming soon
Q: Please explain.
A follow-up to unpack the party's positions and strategy, providing context on its appeal and how it has changed over time.
The Making of One Nation: coming soon
Q: Are you xenophobic?
The host probes the party's stance and the implications of its rhetoric, setting up a discussion about xenophobia and national identity.
The Making of an Autocrat: co-opt the military
Q: How else has Trump changed the norms or the rules since taking power when it comes to the military?
Wright discusses Trump's purging of leading military officers and the dangers this poses for democratic norms and civilian control over the military.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Conversation Documentaries

What is The Conversation Documentaries about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series offers in-depth, scholarly explorations of political extremism, populism, and democratic resilience, often anchored by professors and researchers who bring historical and comparative context. Episodes frequently connect domestic Australian politics to international patterns, with a strong emphasis on how rival parties, media, and institutional actors shape public discourse. A notable strength is the rigorous, evidence-based framing that combines archival material, case studies, and expert interviews, making it valuable for listeners who want nuanced analysis beyond headlines. The format often blends long-form conversations with data-driven insights, producing a thoughtful, academically informed take on contentious political topic... more

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How many listeners does The Conversation Documentaries get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Conversation Documentaries?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Conversation Documentaries:

1. The Conversation Weekly
2. Politics with Michelle Grattan
3. Australian Politics
4. Politics Now
5. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

How many episodes of The Conversation Documentaries are there?

The Conversation Documentaries launched 10 years ago and published 107 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 The Conversation Documentaries?

Recent guests on The Conversation Documentaries include:

1. Tim Bale
2. Josh Sunman
3. Jordan McSweeney
4. Ben Moffat
5. Anna Brunowski
6. Joe Wright
7. Lucan Way
8. Natasha Lindstad

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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