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The Conversation Documentaries

The Conversation
Labour Party
Conservative Party
Working Class
British Politics
Politics
Keir Starmer
Human Trafficking
Cambodia
Autocracy
Southeast Asia
Donald Trump
Documentaries
Class Voting
Reform UK
Online Scamming
Social Class
Social Mobility
Scam Compounds
Income Inequality
Labour Conference

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes102Founded10 years ago
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News CommentaryScienceNews

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Latest Episodes

Nearly thirty years on, Hanson's infamous maiden speech — warning that Australia was "being swamped by Asians" — still echoes through Australian political life.

But who was Pauline Hanson before she became a phenomenon, and what did she actually rep... more

Search for "The Making of One Nation" and follow now.

From a fish and chip shop in regional Queensland to the heart of Australian politics: this is the unlikely story of the country’s most controversial minor party.

For thirty years, One Nation and... more

In November, six Democratic lawmakers recorded a video directed at members of the US military and intelligence agencies. In it, they issued a blunt reminder:

"The laws are clear: […] You must refuse illegal orders."

The lawmakers were issuing the w... more

The list of people Donald Trump has punished or threatened to punish since returning to office is long. It includes the likes of James Comey, Letitia James, John Bolton, as well as members of the opposition, such as Adam Schiff, Mark Kelly and Kamala... more

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Recent Guests

Anna Brunowski
Documentarian with close access to Pauline Hanson
University of Sydney (senior lecturer) and filmmaker
Episode: 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
Erica Frantz
Associate professor in political science at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Episode: The Making of an Autocrat: hijack a party

Hosts

Justin Bergman
International Affairs Editor at The Conversation
Gemma Ware
Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast; contributor on political and international topics

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
    Australia2 months ago
  • What follows?

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AC2516
    Australia3 months ago
  • Excellent!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marketpop
    United States3 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.

Guests bring strong expertise and diverse perspectives on democracy and autocracy.
High production quality and rigorous analysis across topics.
Listeners praise in-depth explorations of real-world consequences for governance and civil rights.
Some listeners feel the show can lean toward academic framing at the expense of broader balance.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Making of an Autocrat: co-opt the military
Q: What did you make of that video when it happened? What did it say to you about this moment in American politics?
Wright notes that the video was unsurprising given Trump's past actions and his reliance on loyalists to carry out potentially illegal military orders.

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 conversations with academics and researchers about power, democracy, and global politics through a documentary lens. episodes repeatedly explore how autocracy, strongman tactics, and legal-political maneuvers shape democracies, with cross-cutting threads on military control, judicial independence, and the ethics of governance. Noteworthy is the use of case studies and expert guests to unpack complex dynamics, plus a focus on real-world consequences for civil liberties, human rights, and governance. The format tends to blend historical comparison with contemporary analysis, making it useful for listeners who want rigorous, academically informed perspectives on current political trends and the mechanics of power.

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How many listeners does The Conversation Documentaries get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Conversation Documentaries?

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How many subscribers and views does The Conversation Documentaries have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Conversation Documentaries has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Conversation Documentaries?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Conversation Documentaries:

1. The Conversation Weekly
2. Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald
3. After America
4. Politics with Michelle Grattan
5. Big Ideas

How many episodes of The Conversation Documentaries are there?

The Conversation Documentaries launched 10 years ago and published 102 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 The Conversation Documentaries?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Conversation Documentaries?

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What guests have appeared on The Conversation Documentaries?

Recent guests on The Conversation Documentaries include:

1. Anna Brunowski
2. Joe Wright
3. Lucan Way
4. Natasha Lindstad
5. Emma Shortis
6. Erica Frantz

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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