Best CSIRO Podcasts (2025)

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Matt Bevan on the players in Trump’s orbit 25:00

Play Pause

26m ago25:00

25:00

The US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with colourful and controversial characters. From Steve Witkoff, who once bought Trump a sandwich and is now taking the lead on peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine, to Howard Lutnick, the tariff tsar. How did they secure their key roles and what effect are they having on the policies of the most po…

1
Stephanie March on Gaza, autocracy and elephants 26:00

28m ago26:00

26:00

ABC foreign correspondent Stephanie March has explored the tensions between elephant tourism in Botswana and the destruction the creatures bring to local communities. She's brought us a glimpse of Gaza, where children live in tents and she's walked the streets of Georgia, as fears grow about the influence of Russia and a slide towards autocracy. Th…

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Alan Kohler on robots and the future of work 23:00

39m ago23:00

23:00

The continuing rise of artificial intelligence was one of the big stories of 2025. But how long until humanoid robots, with an AI brain, step into the limelight and take our jobs? This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from the past year. Today, ABC finance presenter and commen…

1
Is Bondi the start of a new era of terror? 16:15

18m ago16:15

16:15

What actually works to prevent terrorist attacks and is Australia up to challenge in a complex threat environment? The Prime Minister says new laws to tackle antisemitism will include powers to deport so-called hate preachers and a new criminal charge for those advocating "racial supremacy". He’s also been pressured into adopting in-full the recomm…

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Albanese’s 'wicked' antisemitism problem 19:12

18m ago19:12

19:12

Catastrophe has a way of shaping leaders. Winston Churchill during World War Two, George Bush during 9/11 and Scott Morrison during the Black Summer bushfires. It may define Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership too, as he comes under pressure to respond to the antisemitism crisis and the Bondi Beach terror attack, in which 15 people were ki…

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Everything we know about the Bondi shooters 17:03

7d ago17:03

17:03

Who could do such a thing? It’s the question Australians are asking after Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach. How did they radicalise? Who did they associate with? And what drove them to plan and execute the worst terror attack in Australia’s history? Today, investigative reporter Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop on what we know about the shooters and th…

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Jewish leaders’ call to action after the Bondi massacre 15:34

2d ago15:34

15:34

Sydney’s Jewish community is in shock after Sunday's mass shooting at Bondi Beach. It was an act of terrorism that Jewish leaders long feared. So, in the depths of their sorrow, how are they coping and what are they asking for? Today, Rabbi Mendel Kastel from support group Jewish House, whose brother in law Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed in the att…

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The Bondi terrorist attack targeting Jewish people 18:30

2d ago18:30

18:30

The terrorist attack targeting Jewish people at Bondi is the worst mass shooting in Australia since the Port Arthur massacre. Sixteen are dead and many more injured at a place special in Australia's heart, at an event special to the Jewish community, Hanukkah. Today, extremism expert Dr Josh Roose on whether authorities failed to heed the warnings.…

1
Quiz of Xmas Past

5d ago

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The 2006 Diffusion Christmas Quiz: Schrodinger's Cats vs Pavlov's Dogs in a Winner-Takes-All contest. Hosted by Chris Stewart, with Tilly Boleyn, Vanessa Gardos, Shona Blair, Catherine Beehag, Celine Steinfeld, Jacqui Pfeffer, Jacqui Hayes, Ian Woolf, Darren Osbourne, Derek Muller, Charles Willock. Hosted by Chris Stewart Produced by Ian Woolf Supp…

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Will the Netflix-Warner Bros deal kill the movies? 14:27

14h ago14:27

14:27

Streaming giant Netflix is battling Paramount for control of the historic Warner Bros studio, which includes HBO and a treasure trove of film and TV content. Warner Bros has backed the $72 billion US Netflix bid, despite Paramount offering billions more in a deal that would include the television assets, including news network CNN and the Discovery…

1
Why Anika Wells’ travel costs don’t fly with taxpayers 16:22

5h ago16:22

16:22

Imagine being able to claim thousands and thousands of dollars in expenses so your family can join you on work trips, or to fly business class to New York, or for private drivers to take you to the biggest sporting events. Well, Minister Anika Wells is under intense pressure to justify her use of taxpayer funds, even if it’s all within the rules. T…

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Which houses will survive this bushfire season? 15:33

4m ago15:33

15:33

In the first week of summer, dozens of homes have been destroyed in bushfires; at Dolphin Sands in Tasmania, on the New South Wales Central Coast, and at Bulahdelah, north of Newcastle where a firefighter also died. A local builder at Koolewong in New South Wales noted that a recently constructed home, built to modern fire safety standards, was lef…

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The e-bike problem on our roads (and footpaths) 15:23

4d ago15:23

15:23

They’re a cheaper and convenient alternative to driving a car, but some e-bike riders are causing massive headaches for other road users and police. A string of serious injuries and deaths in e-bike crashes, particularly involving children, is fuelling calls for a crackdown. Today, Geoff Rose from the Monash Institute of Transport Studies on the in…

1
The reality of the teen social media ban 15:31

15h ago15:31

15:31

Parents and teens are preparing for life cut off from social media when Australia’s world first ban for under-16s officially starts on Wednesday. The government has admitted it will take time to remove everyone aged under 16 from the platforms and it’s becoming clear older users could get caught in the net. So, how can you prove that you’re old eno…

1
2025 IgNobel Prizes - part 2

16d ago

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The 35th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony for science that first makes you laugh, and then makes you think - part 2, hosted by Marc Abrahams produced by Ian Woolf Support Diffusion by making a contribution Support Diffusion by buying venus flytrap shirtsBy Ian Woolf

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Is Trump about to go to war with Venezuela? 16:04

13d ago16:04

16:04

The United States has deployed 15,000 troops and sent warships to the Caribbean in the biggest military build-up there since the Cuban Missile Crisis. It follows months of deadly US strikes on boats from Venezuela it says are smuggling drugs. Today, Latin America expert Orlando Pérez from the University of North Texas on why Donald Trump is turning…

1
Can farmers take on transmission towers and win? 16:07

14d ago16:07

16:07

Australia’s renewable energy transition is well underway with new poles, wires and transmission towers planned across the country. But some farmers say they’re being pressured and harassed to hand over land for the infrastructure to get electricity from where it’s generated to where it’s used. Today, reporter Alysia Thomas-Sam from ABC’s 7.30 progr…

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What new lending rules mean for property prices 14:34

11d ago14:34

14:34

Australian property is now more expensive than ever and soaring mortgage debt has the financial regulator hitting the brakes on risky lending. But could stopping banks for offering some loans do anything to stop rapid price growth for homes and units? Today, the ABC’s chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on what’s worrying APRA and the outloo…

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Is Ukraine any closer to a deal with Putin? 15:34

18d ago15:34

15:34

In a flurry of peace talks over the last week, Ukrainian officials have been desperately trying to avoid an unjust deal with Russia being imposed on it. They’ve been pushing back against a controversial 28-point proposal that would have required Ukraine to surrender significant territory, restrict the size of its defence force and give up on ambiti…

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The overdose risk that forced a vitamin B6 crackdown 15:08

16d ago15:08

15:08

Every day millions of Australians take vitamin supplements, hoping for a health boost. But there’s been a sharp rise in people suffering numbness, nerve damage, even paralysis, after accidentally overdosing on vitamin B6. Many don’t even realise B6 is in so many products at high concentrations and that the vitamin can build up in the body. Today, r…

1
2025 IgNobel Prizes - part 1

23d ago

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The 35th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony for science that first makes you laugh, and then makes you think - part 1, hosted by Marc Abrahams produced by Ian Woolf Support Diffusion by making a contribution Support Diffusion by buying venus flytrap shirtsBy Ian Woolf

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Is Trump losing control of himself? 15:24

26d ago15:24

15:24

Donald Trump has called a female journalist piggy, labelled another insubordinate and demanded Democratic politicians be arrested, even suggesting they could be executed for seditious behaviour. The US president is no stranger to unconventional acts and confronting statements, but does his recent behaviour go beyond even his usual standards? Today,…

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How the Saudi crown prince inspires Trump 15:12

16d ago15:12

15:12

For many years the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a pariah on the world stage, but the US president is bringing him back into the fold. We know Donald Trump wants the US to do business with the wealthy Gulf Arab state, but what else does he like about the country? Today, The New York Times contributor Noah Shachtman on how Trump wants A…

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Is the $96m BOM website really that bad? 15:14

16d ago15:14

15:14

Australians are all pretty invested in the weather and the Bureau of Meteorology is our go-to source of forecasts and information. So, people noticed when the BOM changed its website and many, including farmers, complained that data sources they relied on were either missing or hard to find. A change in the rain radar has already been rolled back a…

1
Why are some Triple Zero calls still failing? 15:34

11d ago15:34

15:34

The devastating Optus outage that was linked to three deaths revealed we can’t always trust we can get through when we call Triple Zero. More than two months later, surely the system has been fixed. Today, consumer affairs reporter Michael Atkin on why some people still can’t get help when they need it most. Featured: Michael Atkin, ABC consumer af…

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Adam Spencer on the CSIRO job cuts 15:06

24d ago15:06

15:06

Our peak scientific body, the CSIRO, has made extraordinary discoveries and invented everyday wonders like Aerogard, plastic banknotes and WiFi. But once again the CSIRO is axing jobs, saying the cost of doing science has outpaced its funding and it needs to refocus on big issues. Today, Adam Spencer, ambassador for mathematics and science at Sydne…

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CSIRO Cuts - too many scientists fired

1M ago

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Listen to a deep dive into the restructuring of CSIRO and the endless budget cuts driving the firing of 1150 more scientists. Hosted and produced by Ian Woolf Support Diffusion by making a contribution Support Diffusion by buying venus flytrap shirtsBy Ian Woolf

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The secret US plan to end Putin’s war 15:35

26d ago15:35

15:35

There’s a secret US-led plan to end the war in Ukraine, but it reportedly asks a lot of the country that’s been invaded by Russia. Media reports suggest the plan would see Ukraine would give up land, reduce the size of its army, relinquish weapons and make Russian an official state language. At the same time, Putin’s forces have launched new strike…

1
How Donald Trump lost control of the Epstein files 15:33

28d ago15:33

15:33

The remaining Epstein files are finally set to be released after a vote in US Congress and a shift in the US President’s position. Despite dismissing calls to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for months, Donald Trump reversed course when it became clear a bill to compel the release would pass in the US House …

1
The coloured sand that sparked an asbestos scare 15:10

24d ago15:10

15:10

Asbestos is highly carcinogenic, is banned and can’t be imported in Australia. But in the last week it’s been found in various children’s coloured sand products from China, causing a major alarm across the community. The discovery has led to the closure of dozens of schools and products have been recalled from stores including Kmart, Target and Off…

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What polling reveals about voters and net zero 15:35

30d ago15:35

15:35

The Liberals and Nationals have now officially dumped the net zero emission target from their climate and energy policy. It keeps the Coalition together, but what do voters think? Today, pollster, former Labor strategist and director of the RedBridge Group, Kos Samaras on whether it’s a winning strategy. Featured: Kos Samaras, director of the RedBr…

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Are Trump’s tariffs wrecking the US economy? 15:34

30d ago15:34

15:34

Donald Trump’s been all over the place with his tariffs, but the US is now bringing in billions of dollars in revenue from them. Months since the tariffs were first announced and after dire warnings from economists, how is the American economy really faring? Today, Penny Goldberg, professor of economics at Yale University, on why the US economy has…

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Net Zero

1M ago

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Listen to a deep dive of the Coal-lition's rejection of Net Zero carbon dioxide emissions, and the bi-partisan introduction of Net Zero human rights for Australians online. Hosted and produced by Ian Woolf Support Diffusion by making a contribution Support Diffusion by buying venus flytrap shirtsBy Ian Woolf

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30 Second promotion trailer

1M ago

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A 30 second promotional trailer on why you should listen to Diffusion Science Radio Hosted and produced by Ian Woolf Support Diffusion by making a contribution Support Diffusion by buying venus flytrap shirtsBy Ian Woolf

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Should neo-Nazis be banned from protesting? 15:07

1M ago15:07

15:07

How is it that a neo-Nazi rally targeting Jewish people was allowed to take place on the steps of the New South Wales parliament? Why is it that the same group of people, who want a 'white Australia', could be allowed to form a political party? Today, extremism expert Josh Roose explains the tactics neo-Nazi groups are using to skirt the law and co…

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What was the point of the longest US shutdown? 15:26

1M ago15:26

15:26

More than one million workers sent home or working without pay, the poorest Americans left hungry and travel plans thrown into chaos. The longest government shutdown in American history is coming to an end, more than 40 days after it began. Today, political scientist Charles Hunt from Boise State University on why a small group of Democrats ended u…

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Did the BBC mislead viewers about Trump? 15:33

30d ago15:33

15:33

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience Survey Donald Trump wants to sue a media organisation - again. This time he’s threatening a US $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC, capping off one of the worst weeks in the British public broadcaster’s history. Both the corporation’s director-general Tim Davie and he…

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What’s the catch with three hours of free power? 15:06

1M ago15:06

15:06

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience Survey Three hours of free electricity sounds pretty good to many Australians struggling with a cost-of-living crisis. But is the federal government’s latest solar offering, which features energy retailers being made to offer free power in the middle of the day in se…

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Why crypto ATMs are a scammer’s best friend 15:33

1M ago15:33

15:33

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience Survey You may have noticed a crypto ATM in the corner of a shopping centre or in a convenience store. There are thousands of them, tapping into investor’s interest around booming markets for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. But increasingly crypto ATMs are being …

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2025 Prime Minister's Prize for Science

1M ago

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Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska from the Queensland University of Technology won the 2025 Prime Minister's Prize for Science. I spoke with her in 2021 about how we can improve indoor air quality to reduce the transmission of COVID19, and other airborne diseases. Hosted and produced by Ian Woolf Support Diffusion by making a contribution Supp…

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Are AI stocks a bubble ready to burst? 15:34

2M ago15:34

15:34

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience Survey Chip making giant Nvidia’s value hit $5 trillion US last week, a milestone that just a few years ago was unthinkable. Two other tech giants have hit the $4 trillion US mark as excitement about the promise of AI drives investor interest. But in an uncertain wor…

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Could killing net zero save the Coalition? 16:03

1M ago16:03

16:03

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience Survey The Coalition’s climate policies have been under review since its drubbing at the last election. But now that the Nationals have struck first, deciding to abandon a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, there’s big pressure on Sussan Ley’s leadership…

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How Zohran Mamdani won over New York 15:31

1M ago15:31

15:31

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience Survey Zohran Mamdani is a young, Muslim, Democratic socialist who’s a relative political novice. But he could become the next mayor of New York City, despite a challenge from former Democratic Party governor Andrew Cuomo. What are his policies and does he present a …