Big Ideas
Education & Explainer
About
Your front row seat to big thinkers at the best live events, forums, and festivals. Feed your mind. Be provoked. One big idea at a time. Your brain will love you for it. We love hearing from you about the show or events you are planning. Get in touch! Email: Bigideas@abc.net.au SMS line for ABC Radio National: 0418 226 576 Airs Monday to Thursday 8pm, repeated Tuesday to Friday 12pm, on ABC Radio National.
Episodes
- Why working-class kid turned millionaire banker Gary Stevenson wants you to join the fight against economic inequality
Gary Stevenson, a former banker and author, shares his journey from poverty to wealth and his current efforts to combat economic inequality. This episode, recorded at Melbourne Town Hall, features Stevenson discussing these issues.
- Dear Prime Minister Albanese: Where are all the BIG IDEAS?
This episode of "Big Ideas" discusses whether the Labor government has delivered on its promises one year after its election. It examines Prime Minister Albanese's approach and historical ambitious political agendas with insights from poli…
- Martin Luther King III on why DEI initiatives are critical for economic prosperity
This episode features Martin Luther King III discussing DEI initiatives and their importance for economic prosperity, particularly focusing on Indigenous participation in the Australian economy. The discussion highlights the strategic econ…
- How do Royal Commissions work (and are they worth it)? With Betty King, Jack Rush and Jon Faine
This episode of Big Ideas discusses the role and impact of Royal Commissions in Australia. Featuring Betty King, Jack Rush, and Jon Faine, the conversation explores whether these inquiries effectively address issues of public importance. T…
- Was Malcolm Fraser a conservative warrior or a closet progressive?
This episode of Big Ideas discusses Malcolm Fraser's legacy in Australian politics, examining whether he was a conservative warrior or a closet progressive. The conversation seeks to understand his time as Prime Minister and his evolving v…
- "Here I am, here we are" Jewish Australian women reflect on the rupture of October 7 2023
This episode features four Jewish Australian women reflecting on the profound impact of October 7, 2023, and its aftermath on their lives, careers, relationships, and identities in Australia. They share their personal experiences and effor…
- Resistance — Yanis Varoufakis with Helen Vatsikopoulos on the people who fought back against fascism
Yanis Varoufakis, in conversation with Helen Vatsikopoulos, explores Greece's modern history and its connections to rising global fascism through the stories of women in his family who resisted. He reflects on these parallels and actions o…
- Immunotherapy trailblazer Georgina Long on the hidden ingredients in cancer medicine
Professor Georgina Long, a pioneer in life-saving cancer treatments, discusses immunotherapy and the conditions necessary for scientific breakthroughs in medicine. She co-recipients the 2024 Australian of the Year Award.
- 40 years after Chernobyl we face a new nuclear risk — this time as a weapon of war
This episode discusses the Chernobyl disaster and its implications for new nuclear risks, including the weaponization of nuclear power in contemporary conflicts. Experts explore what has been learned and what challenges remain unaddressed…
- Is Trump a new Nero, Caligula, Caesar? Can the Roman Empire help us make sense of today's chaos? And other burning questions
This episode discusses whether the Roman Empire can provide insights into contemporary global chaos and political figures. It explores comparisons between current events and historical happenings in Ancient Rome.
- Australia's broken social contract — Tahlia Isaac wants to protect women in prison
Tahlia Isaac, Founder and CEO of Project: herself, speaks about the Australian social contract and the impact of incarceration on vulnerable women. She challenges the "tough on crime" narrative, drawing on her own experiences and work supp…
- Is Southeast Asia Australia's blind spot? — with Michael Wesley and Geoff Raby
This episode discusses Australia's relationship with Southeast Asia, focusing on national security and prosperity. It features a conversation with Michael Wesley and Geoff Raby.
- The future of the past — how artificial intelligence is changing history
This episode examines how artificial intelligence uses historical data to generate outputs and considers its role as a historian. The discussion is from the 2025 History Council of Victoria annual lecture, featuring Professor Marnie Hughes…
- Aliens exist (and the truth is out there)!? Science Smackdown at World Science Festival Brisbane 2026
Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell moderates a science-comedy debate at the 2026 World Science Festival Brisbane. The event features 'Team Aliens Alive' and 'Team Earthlings United' debating the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
- British journalist Emily Maitlis on THAT Prince Andrew interview and news in a post truth world
Journalist Emily Maitlis discusses modern news coverage, public broadcasting, and the 2019 Prince Andrew interview in this recorded event from the 2026 All About Women festival. Janine Perrett hosts the conversation, titled "No Spin, No Co…
- Tennis prodigy Todd Ley on the underbelly of elite junior sport
Former junior tennis player Todd Ley discusses the challenges and pressures of elite youth sports, including the influence of parents and coaches, as featured at the 2025 Byron Writers Festival. In conversation with Anna Featherstone, Ley…
- Who's afraid of a joke? Comedy in an authoritarian age — with comedians Sam Jay, Tom Ballard, Bahaa Dabbagh and Leon Filewood
Comedians Sam Jay, Tom Ballard, Bahaa Dabbagh and Leon Filewood discuss the challenges of performing comedy in an era of political sensitivity and authoritarianism. The panel explores the personal and professional risks associated with pok…
- The science of SEX! Natasha Mitchell and guests at World Science Festival Brisbane
Host Natasha Mitchell explores the science of sex with experts at the 2026 World Science Festival Brisbane. Guests include sex historian Dr. Esme Louise James, urologist Professor Helen O'Connell, and biologist Professor Robbie Wilson.
- Forgiveness — a generous gift or social pressure disguised as a virtue?
This episode of Big Ideas examines the complexities of forgiveness, questioning whether it is a moral gift or a social burden. Philosophers Lucy Allais and Luke Russell discuss the implications of forgiving versus withholding forgiveness.
- The diplomats — the ups and downs of life in Australia's foreign embassies
Former diplomats Lachlan Strahan and Grant Dooley discuss their experiences representing Australia abroad in this Canberra Writers Festival event. Moderated by Karen Middleton, the conversation explores the realities and challenges of life…
- Six years of writing, 200 rejections — how Miles Franklin award-winning writer Siang Lu learned to live with failure
Miles Franklin award-winning author Siang Lu discusses his experiences with early career rejection and what he learned about persistence and failure. The episode features his 2025 E.W. Cole Lecture recorded at The Wheeler Centre.
- Disinformation, deep fakes, and other dodgy doings — the threat to Australian security, democracy, and you
This episode of Big Ideas discusses the significant threat posed by disinformation, deep fakes, and false news to Australia's security and democracy, with 73% of Australians viewing it as a major national security concern.
- A human rights agenda for Canada (2025 CBC Massey lecture 5)
In the final lecture of the 2025 CBC Massey series, Alex Neve discusses Canada's history with human rights. He examines the gap between Canada's reputation and its actions, while proposing a future agenda for upholding human rights.
- How people power makes human rights real (2025 CBC Massey Lecture 4)
In the fourth installment of the 2025 CBC Massey Lectures, human rights lawyer Alex Neve explores the role of people power in advancing human rights. He examines how grassroots activism contributes to meaningful change in a fractured world.
- Human Rights don't have to be earned (2025 CBC Massey lecture 3)
In this third installment of the 2025 CBC Massey Lectures, human rights lawyer Alex Neve explores the concept of universal human rights. He argues that while rights are inherent from birth, they are increasingly being treated as something…
- The six years that remade human rights (2025 CBC Massey Lecture 2)
Alex Neve's second Massey Lecture, "The Six Years That Remade Human Rights," explores the historical and legal evolution of human rights ideals following World War II and the Holocaust. Neve, a human rights lawyer and former Secretary-Gene…
- Renewing the broken promise of universal human rights. Alex Neve (2025 CBC Massey lecture 1)
In the first of the 2025 CBC Massey Lectures, human rights activist Alex Neve explores the history and current challenges of universal human rights, discussing the potential to renew this promise in a fragmented world.
- From breadwinners to Bluey's Bandit — a history of Australian fathers and their families
This episode of Big Ideas explores the history and evolving roles of Australian fathers in domestic life, child-rearing, and the workforce. Recorded at the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, the discussion features historians and resear…
- Girl on Girl — How pop culture turned a generation of women against themselves with The Atlantic's Sophie Gilbert
The Atlantic's Sophie Gilbert joins host Kate Jinx to discuss how pop culture trends like heroin chic and Girl Power shaped the experiences of Millennial women. Gilbert covers these themes and more in her book, Girl on Girl: How pop cultur…
- Randa Abdel-Fattah and Louise Adler on the cost of speaking out in a time of division
Author Randa Abdel-Fattah and former Adelaide Writers' Week Director Louise Adler discuss the challenges of speaking out during periods of social division. The conversation, recorded at the Adelaide Town Hall, also covers Abdel-Fattah's no…
- Mental illness —Taking stigma out of media reporting
In this episode, experts discuss the impact of media reporting on mental illness. The panel explores how sensationalized coverage can perpetuate stigma and influence public perception for people living with conditions like schizophrenia or…
- Shattered lands — Sam Dalrymple on the five partitions of British India
Sam Dalrymple discusses the history of the partitions of British India, exploring how political and social actions reshaped the map into twelve modern nations. This conversation was recorded at the Ubud Writers Festival with Husnara Khanom.
- Three Nobels! Are we backing young minds today to pull off what Brian Schmidt, Peter Doherty, Rolf Zinkernagel did?
Nobel laureates Brian Schmidt, Peter Doherty, and Rolf Zinkernagel join host Natasha Mitchell to discuss the conditions necessary for young scientists to conduct groundbreaking research and their experiences at the Australian National Univ…
- The secret of how to topple tyrants and dictators — and crimes against humanity under the microscope
Expert discussions from the Sydney Writers' Festival and Adelaide Writers' Week explore the vulnerabilities of dictators, the methods for their transition, and the role of international courts in addressing crimes against humanity.
- ABC National Forum
The ABC National Forum, moderated by David Speers, gathers Jewish Australians to discuss the impact of rising antisemitism since October 7, 2023. This panel discussion is the first in a series exploring major national challenges in Austral…
- Antisemitism's religious roots
This episode of Big Ideas examines the religious roots of antisemitism within Christianity and Islam. Experts discuss how historical narratives have been used to weaponize relationships between these faiths and explore ways to address reli…
- In a time of division, how can we rebuild social cohesion? — with Australian Human Rights Commissioner Hugh de Kretser
Australian Human Rights Commissioner Hugh de Kretser discusses how to address social division and strengthen community cohesion in Australia. This discussion was recorded at the 2026 Menzies Oration at Federation University.
- How a song became a movement for Afghanistan's women and girls — with International Children's Peace Prize winner Nila Ibrahimi
Nila Ibrahimi, 2024 International Children's Peace Prize winner, discusses how her song became an anthem for Afghan women and girls protesting school bans. This recording of the 2025 Gandhi Oration at UNSW, hosted by Verity Firth, explores…
- Scientist Tim Flannery — a Panopticon for our times?
Scientist and climate advocate Tim Flannery discusses his perspective on re-imagining the Panopticon as a model for a more compassionate society. The event was hosted at RMIT University as part of the Now or Never festival in Melbourne.
- Who can we become? Thomas Mayo and Ray Martin speak Black and White about Australia's future
Thomas Mayo and Ray Martin discuss justice, reconciliation, and Australia's future in these orations. The discussion covers the Walyalup Oration and the Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration, focusing on Indigenous and non-Indigenous relation…
- Can an arts degree change the world? A defence of the study humanities at Australian universities
This lecture by Stephen Garton reflects on the role of humanities in Australian universities, considering post-war models and their relevance to contemporary challenges. It explores the purpose of arts degrees and investment in higher educ…
- Dearest Gentle Reader, a very Bridgerton Big Ideas! Australian novelists dissect the regency era
Australian novelists Alison Goodman, Kelly Gardiner, and Sharmini Kumar discuss the cultural impact of Bridgerton and the Regency era. Hosted by Elizabeth Leydin, the panel explores historical fiction, the legacy of Jane Austen, and the po…
- The Stoic and the introvert — life hacks from Brigid Delaney and Jenny Valentish
Brigid Delaney and Jenny Valentish discuss insights from their books on Stoicism and navigating the world as an introvert. This conversation, moderated by Tracee Hutchison, explores practical life approaches for dealing with modern challen…
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya fights for a free Belarus − and what are Russia's strategies in Southeast Asia?
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discusses the impact of the war in Ukraine on Belarus and the fight for freedom. Additionally, Dr. Ian Storey examines Russia's geopolitical strategies in Southeast Asia and how regional states have responded to th…
- Backlash against LGBTIQA+ community — why now? Joe Ball
The Big Ideas episode discusses the current backlash against the LGBTIQA+ community, exploring the reasons behind the challenges and politicisation of their human rights.
- The life of astronauts — with 2026 Australian of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg
This episode features a panel of astronauts, including Katherine Bennell-Pegg, discussing astronaut life, training, and experiences on the International Space Station. The forum, recorded at the Sydney Science Festival, also touches upon t…
- Harvard firebrand on intellectual freedom Steven Pinker with Natasha Mitchell
Steven Pinker, a Harvard psychologist and author known for his work on language and the mind, speaks with Natasha Mitchell about intellectual and academic freedom. He discusses his book 'When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows' and his vie…
- What does Labor stand for? With Sean Kelly and Misha Ketchell
This episode of Big Ideas discusses the Albanese Government's performance, its political advantages, and whether the Labor party still possesses the courage to pursue significant reforms amidst domestic inequalities and international volat…
- What does liberalism mean today?
This episode of Big Ideas discusses the meaning of liberalism in contemporary Australia. A panel of politicians and scholars examines liberalism as a political philosophy, a cultural attitude, and a governing approach.
- The history of money — with Irish economist David McWilliams
This Big Ideas episode features economist David McWilliams discussing the history of money over the past 5000 years, covering its evolution from ancient forms to modern digital currencies.