Best Decoding Geopolitics Podcasts (2025)

1
Intelligence Brief: The End of the Human Soldiers Is Closer Than You Think 12:33

2h ago12:33

12:33

The age of human infantry is slowly inching to its end. And it's closer than you might think. Ukraine is already running drone-only assaults. Commercial sector is quickly ramping up development and production of sophisticated humanoid robots. And when the next major war breaks out, the first thing to disappear might be human soldiers on the front l…

1
Sunday Listen: The Outlaw Ocean exposes true crime at sea 29:28

7m ago29:28

29:28

The Outlaw Ocean is an anthology podcast that plunges you into the vast and often lawless world of the open seas. Today we feature the first investigation of S2. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Urbina traces back the story of a young father and farmer who embarks on a perilous journey across the Mediterranean, only to discover why it’s cal…

1
Tariffs, Taxes, and Trade … Decoding D.C. With Don Schneider 24:52

2h ago24:52

24:52

In this episode, Don Schneider Deputy Head of U.S. Policy at Piper Sandler helps us unravel the ongoing political volatility impacting the markets. We discuss the significant topic of the budget reconciliation bill, detailing its current status, timeline for passage, and the key components it entails including tax cuts, spending cuts, and the conse…

1
Media Matters: You Are What You Consume 38:54

21m ago38:54

38:54

In this episode of All Things Policy, Manoj Kewalramani and Astha Rastogi unpack the shifting dynamics of media consumption — from the rise of emotional content and algorithmic curation to the erosion of trust in traditional news. Together, they explore what it means to engage meaningfully with media in an age of noise, distraction, and disinformat…

1
How the ultrarich get into petty fights, influence power and live so lavishly 24:07

2d ago24:07

24:07

There’s more billionaires in the world now than ever before. And as wealth is concentrated into the hands of a small group of people, the power of those select few is also growing – particularly in the US, where billionaires have been getting more and more access to Donald Trump. The journalist Evan Osnos tells Matt Galloway about the influence …

1
The dirty work of preserving a blue whale skeleton 24:16

11h ago24:16

24:16

The bones of a massive blue whale will soon hang at Dalhousie University. In a conversation from April, Veterinarian Chris Harvey-Clark tells us about the extensive effort it took to salvage the whale that washed up outside Halifax, the accompanying smell, and what we still don't understand about the largest mammal on earth.…

1
Antarctica’s landscape is changing, from melting ice to geopolitics 18:24

11h ago18:24

18:24

Fifteen Canadian scientists turned a navy vessel into a research ship this February, and set out to explore Antarctica. The CBC’s international climate correspondent, Susan Ormiston, was along for the ride. Ormiston tells Matt Galloway about being chased by a seal in the planet’s strange, southern continent — and why melting Antarctic ice will i…

1
Rethinking India's Nuclear Liability Regime 44:56

11m ago44:56

44:56

After a lull of many years, there’s so much happening in India’s nuclear energy sector this year. On 1 Feb 2025, when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the first full budget of Modi 3.0, she made a major policy announcement related to nuclear energy: the intention to amend the liability law, also referred to as CLNDA in short. But what …

1
A Canadian cyclist’s fourth-place finish in a gruelling Giro d’Italia 9:13

13h ago9:13

9:13

Canadian cyclist Derek Gee says five years ago, he wouldn’t have believed he’d ever make it to the Giro d’Italia – a gruelling, weeks-long cycling race. Gee tells Matt Galloway about his fourth place finish, and the blessing he received from Pope Leo along the way.

1
Are DEI rollbacks coming to Canada? 19:25

14h ago19:25

19:25

Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have been under fire in the U.S. since Trump came back to the White House — and on this side of the border, some are worried about similar rollbacks. Equity and diversity experts discuss how company values are being “pressure tested,” and what DEI initiatives got wrong.…

1
Steel and aluminum tariffs hit businesses on both sides of the border 14:23

13h ago14:23

14:23

Whopping 50 per cent tariffs are now in effect on steel and aluminum imports headed to the U.S. — and that’s causing pain for businesses on both sides of the border. We hear from Canadian and American businesses who say they will survive, but at a cost.

1
Hamas killed his mother. Now, he’s continuing her fight for peace 24:07

13h ago24:07

24:07

Canadian-Israeli peace activist Vivian Silver dedicated her life to building bridges between Israelis and Palestinians. But her life was cut short when she was killed by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 — and her son, Yonaten Zeigen, vowed to continue her work. Zeigen tells Matt Galloway why he quit his job to take up the often “dangerous” work of peace.…

1
“Truly a nightmare:” evacuees describe fleeing fire on the prairies 25:09

1d ago25:09

25:09

Thousands of residents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been forced out of their homes by raging wildfires and are now sheltering, in some cases, hundreds of kilometres away. Despite harrowing journeys to safety and what they describe as a lack of support from governments, two evacuees discuss how proud they are of their communities, where neig…

1
Why the son of a MAID pioneer is choosing to die on his own terms 19:36

1d ago19:36

19:36

Price Carter travelled to Switzerland with his mom, Kay Carter, 15 years ago to be with her while she received an assisted death. The process was illegal in Canada at the time — something her kids went on to help change. Now, following a cancer diagnosis, Price has been approved for an assisted death. He spoke with Matt Galloway about the decisi…

1
Edmonton Oilers in 5? These superfans sure hope so 21:50

2d ago21:50

21:50

The Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers will go head to head for the Stanley Cup starting tonight – a rematch of last year’s final matchup that saw the Oilers defeated. Will they pull off the win this time? Two superfans say they sure hope so — and they don’t mind welcoming hockey fans of other Canadian teams onto the bandwagon…

1
A Geospatial Lens on Bengaluru's Floods 36:23

1d ago36:23

36:23

Urban floods in cities like Bangalore are becoming more frequent and disruptive. In this episode of All Things Policy, Avinash Shet and Dr Y. Nithiyanandam, a professor and the head of the Geospatial Program at the Takshashila Institution, explore how geospatial technologies—maps, sensors, and AI—can aid in planning, mitigation, and sustainable flo…

1
Shahab Jalinoos – Breaking the Safe Haven: Implications of a Weaker Dollar 37:36

2h ago37:36

37:36

In this episode, Shahab Jalinoos, Managing Director and Head of G10 FX Strategy at UBS, shares his insights into the structural forces that could weaken the US dollar and challenge its long-standing global safe haven status. He examines the breakdown of traditional cross-asset correlations and explains how shifts in hedging strategies could drive a…

1
The Current Introduces | Uncover: Calls From a Killer 32:55

1d ago32:55

32:55

What does a reporter do when they receive a cold call from one of the most horrific serial killers in Canadian history?The killer: Clifford Olson, who murdered at least eleven children in the 1980s. The reporter: Arlene Bynon, who recorded her jailhouse calls with Olson for years.Alongside legendary journalist…

1
How Ukraine launched a drone attack deep inside Russia 12:22

2d ago12:22

12:22

Ukrainian drones smuggled deep into Russian territory carried out a stunning attack over the weekend — and just this morning, another underwater bombing by Ukraine took out Russia’s bridge to Crimea. A journalist in Kyiv breaks down the military feat, and explains how much its boosted morale among Ukrainians.…

1
Ready for a summer read? We asked the professionals for their picks 16:34

2d ago16:34

16:34

Nothing beats a good book, especially at the cottage, by the pool — or even quietly at home with the kids away at camp. We ask two professional book lovers to share their tips for the best books of the summer, from beach reads and blockbusters to novels from Canada’s finest.Ann Shea, from Mill Street Books in Almonte, Ont., cho…

1
Seeking aid in Gaza has become a terrifying experience: aid worker 12:05

2d ago12:05

12:05

As limited aid begins to enter Gaza after a months-long blockade, civilians are scrambling to access much-needed food and supplies. Gaza health officials say Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinians trying to access aid in the past few days. A representative from Save The Children discusses the struggle to get aid to people who desperat…

1
Why a B.C. ostrich farm – and high-profile supporters – are pushing back against cull order 19:35

2d ago19:35

19:35

The fight to save 400 ostriches from being culled at a B.C. farm where avian flu was detected late last year has attracted international attention — including from some big name supporters, including Dr. Oz and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A member of the family that’s owned the ostrich farm for 30 years tells Matt Galloway about …

1
How can India Engineer the Next-Gen Fighter? 39:35

2d ago39:35

39:35

India's defence ecosystem needs a refined approach to fighting the next generation of battle, and that needs a vision for developing next-gen jet engines. In this episode of All Things Policy, Avinash Shet and Anushka Saxena discuss India's fighter jet engine ecosystem and the challenges facing the LCA Tejas and Kaveri engine programmes. Avinash al…

1
Carney’s plan to build big things 19:33

3d ago19:33

19:33

Mark Carney promised to “build, baby, build” on the campaign trail. Today, he’s meeting with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss his plans to build big projects in this country, including by fast-tracking the processes to get them approved. We’ll talk about balancing the rights of Indigenous nations with the new government’s proposed …

1
How a bear attack story helped this author understand her cancer diagnosis 25:39

3d ago25:39

25:39

Claire Cameron has been obsessed with bears since hearing about a bear attack while she was working in Ontario’s Algonquin Park as a teenager. But when she was diagnosed with cancer, Cameron revisited the details of that attack and the wilderness environment that’s shaped much of her life. In a conversation from March, she told Galloway about he…

1
Rutger Bregman wants you to quit your job and make the world a better place 23:57

3d ago23:57

23:57

From climate change to poverty or infant mortality, the world is facing a lot of big problems. And the historian Rutger Bregman says you — yes, you — are the exact right person to solve them. Bregman makes the case to Matt Galloway that today’s workforce should focus on “moral ambition” — channeling their entrepreneurial spirits toward social pr…

1
What the Repeal of the AI Diffusion Framework Means for India and the World 44:46

3d ago44:46

44:46

The AI diffusion framework was repealed by the Trump administration shortly before it was to come into force on 15 May 2025. In this episode of All Things Policy Rijesh Panicker, Ashwin Prasad and Bharath Reddy unpack what this means for India and the world. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep…

1
Talking Shop with Darius Dale: An Inside Look At Macro Research 38:44

2d ago38:44

38:44

In this episode, Darius Dale, founder of 42 Macro, joins hosts Michael and Steven to discuss the transformative journey and mission behind 42 Macro. Darius shares his background in Wall Street investment research and highlights the company's unique approach to providing equal access to high-quality investment insights for both institutional and ret…

1
#65 Seth Jones: Why The West Is Losing The Global Shadow War with Iran, Russia and China 32:52

7d ago32:52

32:52

➡️ Join the community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics➡️ Sign up to my free geopolitics newsletter: https://stationzero.substack.com/Thank you Conducttr for sponsoring the podcast. Take a look at Conducttr's services and its crisis exercise software at: https://w…

1
‘It is traumatizing’ First Nations communities flee fires 12:09

6d ago12:09

12:09

The wildfire season is in full effect, and it’s only May. Saskatchewan and Manitoba are in a state of emergency as wildfires burn across the provinces. Thousands of people have evacuated their homes, and many are still finding ways to get out of the fire’s way. First Nations leaders Peter Beatty, Chief of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Saskatch…

1
Can you spell this word? Test your spelling bee knowledge 13:47

6d ago13:47

13:47

Are you a self-identified “word nerd?” Jacques Bailly is, and he is a bit of a spell-lebrity… What is that you might ask? Well, he is the head pronouncer at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the Olympics of competitive spelling, and he was a spelling bee champion himself when he was 14. He’ll talk about why spelling is a skill we should preserv…

1
Does looksmaxxing set toxic beauty standards for young men? 24:39

6d ago24:39

24:39

Thumb pulling, chin tucking, hair transplants…. and on the less extreme side, skin, hair, and eyebrow care — those are just some examples of looksmaxxing, a viral social media trend for young men to improve their looks. Elijah Forcier is a TikToker with advice on how, and Christian Ylagan is an instructor with the Department of Gender, Sexuality…

1
What to do about Sir John A. Macdonald statues? 19:43

6d ago19:43

19:43

There are many statues of Canada’s first Prime Minister across this country — but in recent years statues of John A. Macdonald have been toppled or taken down to protest his role as an architect of the residential schools system and his treatment of Indigenous people. We'll talk about what to do about the statues - and why the plans to clean up …

1
China's Vision for National Security, Codified 32:11

6d ago32:11

32:11

In this episode of All Things Policy, Manoj Kewalramani and Anushka Saxena discuss the codification of China's security view and policy in its latest White Paper on National Security in the New Era. They analyse the key takeaways of the paper, including China's red lines, approach to the Asian regional order, and tensions with the West. The PGP is …

1
Canada-US tensions: Why Can't We Be Friends? 23:47

8d ago23:47

23:47

Democratic U.S. Senator Peter Welch recently came to Canada to try to mend fences, over what he sees as President Donald Trump’s damaging tariffs and threats to make Canada the 51st state. The Vermont senator talks to Matt Galloway about the Canada-U.S. relationship — and military expert Christian Leuprecht digs into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s…

1
One family’s ‘very strange car trip’ to flee Manitoba fires 19:58

7d ago19:58

19:58

Noelle Drimmie could taste the smoke in the air as she and her family fled the wildfires approaching their home in Flin Flon, Man. She tells Matt Galloway how surreal it felt to drive away under apocalyptic skies, while trying to keep her young kids entertained in the back seat.

1
Grieving couple were sent stillborn baby’s autopsy in error 23:13

7d ago23:13

23:13

The first time Laura Bordignon held her daughter Makayla Poppy was also the last. A month after Makayla Poppy was delivered stillborn, Laura and her husband Nick received an invoice for her autopsy. The bill included an itemized list of procedures, but also revealed their daughter’s remains were still in the morgue — weeks after they should have…

1
Beyond the Gated Walls: Bengaluru’s Samaj, Sarkar & Bazar 48:23

7d ago48:23

48:23

Every painted wall, pothole & traffic in Bengaluru has a story to tell. In this episode of All Things Policy, Pravar Choudhary of Bengawalks and I, Sowmya Prabhakar, COO of Takshashila Institution, take a stroll exploring the dynamics of the markets, society & government. From gated communities to badly designed footpaths, from heritage buildings t…

1
Intelligence Brief: The Coming Fall of Hungary's Viktor Orbán 9:23

6d ago9:23

9:23

Viktor Orbán, Hungary's Prime Minister, has a big problem. After dominating Hungary for the past 15 years, unchallenged, unbothered, and admired by populists everywhere, polls now show that he’s losing to a new opponent, with elections less than a year away. And it looks like his challenger found a strategy that - if successful - many European poli…

1
How near death experiences change your look at work and life 22:49

8d ago22:49

22:49

Oji-Cree musician Aysanabee almost died when he was 19, after falling through the ice on a frozen lake. That experience changed the life of the Juno award winner, pushing him to his career today. A new study shows his experience is a common one among people who have near-death experiences. So why do a brush with death might help people have a be…

1
Everyone wants a Labubu! …a what? 12:55

8d ago12:55

12:55

A little elvish toy in a bunny suit with a mischievous smile, that’s a Labubu for you — and she, yes it’s a girl, is taking the world by storm. What made Labubus so popular, and how are they bringing us together when people are fighting to get their hands on one? We have answers.

1
War in Ukraine: Russia warns of World War Three 15:20

8d ago15:20

15:20

Donald Trump says Vladimir Putin is "playing with fire," following Russia’s largest air attack of the war on Ukraine, Russia responds with a warning for World War Three. Christopher Miller, the Ukraine correspondent for the Financial Times joins Matt Galloway to talk about what’s on the mind of Ukrainians after months of failed peace talks — and…

1
Brand new bacteria found in space... what can it teach us? 11:24

9d ago11:24

11:24

The search for alien life in space continues, but there is an update. Chinese astronauts discovered a bacteria, and it turns out it can survive the extreme conditions of space. “That’s evolution at work,” says Jamie Foster, a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. What lessons should it teach u…

1
Forging the Future of India’s Airpower 34:25

8d ago34:25

34:25

We have much to be heartened about India’s air power capabilities in the recent India-Pak military escalations. However, this is not a time for complacency, and many challenges lie ahead. In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Aditya Ramanathan, Research Fellow with the Takshashila Institution, to unpack and understa…

1
Can you run a 100km ultramarathon… while breastfeeding? 20:11

9d ago20:11

20:11

Running an ultramarathon is hard, but running 100kms six months post-partum and breastfeeding during breaks… Well, that sounds like a scene from an inspirational movie. But, for Stephanie Case, and her baby girl Pepper, it was real life. Why would she do this, and what keeps her running these extreme distances, she shares with Matt Galloway.

1
What are animals saying? AI is helping to decode 24:20

9d ago24:20

24:20

Do you speak dolphin? What about marmoset or nightingale? Did you know cuttlefish use a form of sign language to communicate? If your answer was no to all those questions, you should know that scientists are working to turn that into a yes — and AI is playing a key role. How to decode animal communication, and whether that's even a good idea. Th…

1
What message is the King's Throne speech sending? 20:05

9d ago20:05

20:05

Parliament is back and King Charles delivered his throne speech today. What message is the King's speech meant to send to Canadians, and to one American in particular, Donald Trump? What are the new Liberal government's priorities? CBC’s Catherine Cullen, The Globe and Mail’s Stephanie Levitz, and The National Post’s Christopher Nardi join Matt …

1
Post-Sindoor: India’s Path to Defence Innovation 40:05

9d ago40:05

40:05

In this episode of All Things Policy, Prof. Y. Nithiyanandam speaks with Cmde (Dr) Arun Pratap Golaya about the significance of Operation Sindoor and what it reveals about India’s indigenous defence ecosystem. They reflect on the opportunities it presents, the structural challenges startups face, and the need to bridge the gap between research, inn…

1
Unpacking The Current State Of Market Multiples 21:01

8d ago21:01

21:01

In this episode, we discuss the recent movements in the market amid ever-changing political narratives. We delve into the factors influencing valuations, including interest rates, inflation, and macroeconomic data. The conversation also covers the impact of recent policy changes—such as Trump’s fluctuating tariffs on the EU—and how they contribute …

1
The Current Introduces | Other People’s Problems, on psychedelics 36:51

10d ago36:51

36:51

Normally, therapy sessions are totally confidential — but this podcast opens the doors. In this season of Other People’s Problems, Dr. Hillary McBride explores the transformative power of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting.With her psychological expertise, Dr. Hillary leads her clients through drug-assisted therapy, guiding …

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Decoding Geopolitics Podcasts

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