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Episodes
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Acclaimed author Christos Tsiolkas on fence-sitting in a time of fracture
When acclaimed Australia author Christos Tsiolkas was invited to give the 2025 Ray Mathew Lecture at the National Library of Australia, he had in mind what he wanted to say, as difficult as it was.
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
The stories we tell about cricket — with Paul Giles and Gideon Haigh
From The Don to Warny, the Gabba to the G, from its legacy of British colonialism, to the Asian powerhouse nations of today — cricket is not just a sport, but also a reflection of the societies who play it.
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
Judge Navi Pillay on the fight for human rights, justice and accountability
Born in apartheid South Africa, she became the country's first female high court judge. She sat on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and helped to establish sexual violence and rape as war crimes in international law.
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
Musician Holly Rankin on why young Australians feel that politics isn't delivering for them
Young Australians are losing faith that our politics, our civic institutions and the mainstream media are working for them. Why is this? And how can our democracy adapt to win back the trust and engagement of new generations?
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
What are universities for today? The usefulness of "useless" knowledge
Are our universities facing an existential crisis by trying to be too many things? Places for learning, research, the production of new knowledge, the production of job-ready graduates, and profit-making enterprises?
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
The Sophia Club live philosophy — what are friends for?
Friends are different from family. We choose them and they choose us. Philosophers long wondered about what makes friendship such a distinctive relationship in our lives. Is being a good friend a kind of moral virtue?
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
Animals — Us and them? The true and the ugly of wildlife documentaries
Satyajit Das presents a provocative examination of the use and abuse of images of wild animals, and how they shape our relationships with the natural world.
Duration: 43 minutes 23 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
Animals — Us and them? What is the purpose of zoos in an extinction crisis?
Zoos are changing — they are no longer just places for us humans to gawk at animals in cages. In the midst of a global extinction crisis, they are now playing a vital role. So what is their future?
Duration: 52 minutes 22 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
Animals — Us and them? The cat catastrophe – pet or pest?
Cherished companions, or cunning predators? Cats kill five million native animals in Australia every day — so how can we better manage our feline friends?
Listen to the rest of our special series Animals — Us and Them?
Speakers
Alex Patton
Duration: 53 minutes 59 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
Animals — Us and them? Are you having a whale of a time?
Seeing a whale in the wild takes your breath away. But so much of what they do remains mysterious. Join Natasha Mitchell with two world leading whale researchers unearthing the secret world of cetaceans.
Duration: 53 minutes 47 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
SOS Democracy with Niki Savva — Can politicians and journalists do better?
One of Australia's most seasoned political journalists Niki Savva has seen the fractures in our democracy up closer than most. Hear her timely advice for journalists, politicians and citizens.
Duration: 47 minutes 7 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
SOS Democracy with Fintan O’Toole — The US elections and the politics of self-pity
Irish Times columnist and author Fintan O'Toole draws on the Irish experience to explain the rise of populism and authoritarianism in the United States.
Duration: 54 minutes 24 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
SOS Democracy with Niall Ferguson and Barrie Cassidy — Is democracy doomed?
Ninety years ago, in the face of communism, fascism, and the Great Depression, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies, asked the question 'Is democracy doomed?' Today, we're asking that same question – with some answers that might surprise you.
Duration: 53 minutes 57 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
SOS Democracy with Jon Faine — Can democracy survive social media?
From mis and disinformation to election interference, parts of the internet have become dystopian, due to a lack of regulation. What is this doing to our democracies, and how are governments around the world trying to reign the tech giants in?
Duration: 57 minutes 29 seconds
Published: with Natasha Mitchell
Cherished companions, or cunning predators? Australia's debate over cats
Cats pose a real threat to native animals in Australia, but finding a one-size-fits-all approach is proving tricky.
Published: by Lucia Stein
Will Putin or Netanyahu ever face the International Criminal Court?
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, but is the court working as it should be?
Published: by Anastasia Safioleas
Australians love cheap books. Here's why that's a problem
Australians' love of cheap books is driving independent bookstores and writers out of business. These prominent authors believe there is a simple solution.
Published: by Fiona Pepper
What drives a woman to reject a career and family — in favour of a pact with God?
From The Sound of Music to Sister Act, nuns have captivated our collective imagination. But what drives a woman to reject a career and family in favour of a spiritual pact with God? And how has the role changed over the past century?
Published: by Siobhan Marin
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