Best Deserved Consequences Podcasts (2025)

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Massey Lecture Part 5 | A human rights agenda for Canada 1:02:53

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9m ago1:02:53

1:02:53

In more than 40 years on the front lines of international human rights Alex Neve has heard Canada described as ‘the land of human rights’ — and seen the profound ways Canada has failed to uphold universal human rights, both at home and abroad. In his final Massey Lecture, he lays out his vision for a way forward.…

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Massey Lecture Part 4 | How people power makes human rights real 1:09:08

17h ago1:09:08

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Eleanor Roosevelt once said that universal human rights begin in “small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world.” In his fourth Massey Lecture, Alex Neve reflects on moments when people power won the day. *Read this article to learn about the "most powerful" moment in Alex Neve's 40-year-career…

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Massey Lecture Part 3 | Human rights don’t have to be earned 1:04:42

17h ago1:04:42

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Our inherent human rights belong to us from the moment we are born. There is nothing we need to do to earn them, and they are supposed to apply to us until the day we die. But in his third Massey Lecture, Alex Neve argues the powerful have made human rights a ‘club.’ Visit cbc.ca/masseys for more on this lecture series.…

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Massey Lecture Part 2 | The six years that remade human rights 1:03:31

15h ago1:03:31

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The ideals behind the concept of human rights — such as the sacredness of life, reciprocity, justice and fairness — have millennia-old histories. After the carnage of the Second World War and the Holocaust, these ideas took a new legal form. In his second Massey Lecture, Alex Neve considers six dizzying years that laid out a blueprint for a new wor…

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Massey Lecture Part 1 | Renewing the promise of human rights 1:04:22

1d ago1:04:22

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Universality is the core promise of human rights: these rights extend to everyone, everywhere. But above all else, this is where we have failed. In his first CBC Massey Lecture, Alex Neve explores how to ensure the “lifeboat” of human rights is seaworthy for everyone. Visit cbc.ca/masseys for more details about this lecture series.…

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The people who inspire Alex Neve to fight for human rights 54:08

10h ago54:08

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When he was eight, 2025 CBC Massey Lecturer Alex Neve watched his mother fight for daycare in Alberta. It’s shaped how he thinks about human rights. Ahead of his Massey Lectures next week, Neve shares the pivotal moments in his life that led to his human rights advocacy — and shines a light on the chorus of people he carries with him.…

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Buttons give the illusion of power but hide the consequences 54:08

6d ago54:08

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Whether mechanical or digital, a button delivers the promise of power — but it's far from simple. The small and mighty technology has a riveting history, a story of control, power, freedom and oppression. From the podcast Media Objects, this episode traces the evolution of the button, and asks what happens when every command is reduced to a single …

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How overlooked veterans make history in their own words 54:09

5h ago54:09

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There’s history, and then there’s oral history. And when it comes to the impacts of war on those who fight them — oral history opens doors to the past that would otherwise stay firmly shut. Michael Petrou, an historian with the Canadian War Museum, argues oral history is especially valuable because it allows us to hear from people "whose voices are…

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Why Canadian veterans are conflicted about Remembrance Day 54:08

6h ago54:08

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Remembrance Day. Every year we are called on to remember, to reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought in Canada’s wars. Veterans of those wars have a conflicted relationship with Remembrance Day: sometimes their own acts of remembrance include official ceremonies, while others avoid them altogether. *This the second and last of a two-part seri…

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Not a war story. This is about what comes after for veterans 54:08

3h ago54:08

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Even when wars end, they go on — transforming the people who fought them, their families, and even society. A former war correspondent interviewed more than 200 veterans of all of Canada’s wars for an online oral history project by The Canadian War Museum. The focus is not so much on preserving memories of their combat experiences, but to reflect o…

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What it takes to become a ruthless tyrant 54:08

12m ago54:08

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Look back about 3,000 years and you will find the playbook on authoritarianism remains pretty much the same as it is today. Back in the 5th century BCE, when Herodotus travelled the ancient world gathering stories, he became an expert in would-be tyrants. His tome, The History, shared vivid descriptions of autocratic and tyrannical rulers. Herodotu…

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First historian Herodotus knew the power of story 54:09

1h ago54:09

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For someone who died more than 2,400 years ago, Herodotus's voice is still very much alive. "He knows the way [a good story] can elevate but also corrupt and destroy our thinking," says professor Lindsay Mahon Rathnam in this IDEAS episode. The ancient Greek writer observed different cultures first-hand, while capturing the stories they share in an…

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Hope lies in knowing that "we've changed the world before” 54:39

16h ago54:39

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Political analyst Rachel Maddow and author/activist Rebecca Solnit are sharp observers of Trump 2.0. They both share a common ground: opposition to anti-democratic actions taken by the second administration of U.S. President Trump, and where those actions are taking America, if not the world. The two American writers spoke with Nahlah Ayed about th…

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How mind-bending theories could solve mysteries in physics 54:39

1d ago54:39

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Physics has been full of astonishing discoveries over the past century. But they open up even bigger mysteries that scientists are working feverishly to explain. What is dark energy? And why is the expansion of the universe accelerating? In public talks at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario, two prominent physicist…

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To fix America's caste system, acknowledge it exists: author 54:08

3d ago54:08

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The true story of America is that it was built on a caste system comparable to India’s, says Pulitzer-prize-winning American journalist Isabel Wilkerson. The author argues that it's key to recognize the roots of the U.S. caste "structure" as she calls it, to understand why conflicts relating to race and class persist. Wilkerson delivered the 2025 B…

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Mexican fiction turns drug kingpins into vicious vampires 54:08

6d ago54:08

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There’s a burgeoning genre of fiction coming from Mexico — stories that merge socio-political history and the impact of drug-related violence with fantastical stories of eerie ghosts, zombies, and monstrous cannibals. IDEAS explores dozens of gothic, horror and crime fiction novels. *This episode is part of our ongoing series, IDEAS from the Trench…

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Can democracies survive the attacks on the rule of law? 54:08

7d ago54:08

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Even in some of the world’s sturdiest democracies, leaders are deliberately undermining courts to weaken checks on their power. In many cases, the justice system is being sidelined. How much damage has already been done? And how worried should we be about the future of democracies around the world? We'd love to hear from you. Fill in our listener s…

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This lawyer turns real legal cases into page-turners 54:08

8d ago54:08

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War criminals, Nazi fugitives, and a viable threat to American democracy — sounds like a classic page-turner but author and lawyer Philippe Sands isn't making this up. His book, 38 Londres Street is a retelling of legal history that probes the connections between former Nazi leaders and Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. The payoff isn’t just an in…

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2.11 || Is it Done? 31:08

25d ago31:08

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The grounders deal with the aftermath of the fire. Produced by Rogue Dialogue Productions (roguedialogue.com) Written and directed by Bob Raymonda, Christie Donato, and Jess Miller. Cast: Josh Rubino as Root Emily Battles as Helina Richie Ammons as Willem Jess Miller as Wanda Cornelius Mohr as Cas Michael Antio as Isaac Mallory Roach as Kendall Cla…

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How Indigenous Americans discovered Europe 54:09

9d ago54:09

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Indigenous Americans on European soil can be found throughout historical records, but historian Caroline Dodds Pennock says they have largely been ignored. In her book, On Savage Shores, she traces the history of Indigenous lives in Europe during the 1500s. The author told IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed about her research collecting evidence of the widespr…

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33 years of the campus free speech controversy 54:07

22d ago54:07

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In the early 1990s, “woke” was "politically correct," "DEI" was known as "affirmative action,” and the term “cancel culture” had yet to be coined. The language was different, but the controversies of today were just beginning. In a 1992 episode of IDEAS, journalist Linda Frum took on the issue of free speech on campus. With notable guests like Dine…

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Can you have compassion for someone you never agree with? 54:08

13d ago54:08

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Ask yourself: can you? It is a question that George Eliot asks over and over through her characters in Middlemarch, a 19th-century novel that speaks to our own fractious age. Eliot highlights how important it is to see the world from the point of view of others — even characters we don’t like. *This is second episode in our two-part series. It orig…

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George Eliot's invaluable life lessons on confronting reality 54:08

14d ago54:08

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Virginia Woolf called George Eliot's novel, Middlemarch “one of the few English books written for grownups.” It’s a book full of characters asking: is it a good thing to live a life of duty, or is it ridiculous? Even after over 150 years since the book was published, it provides up-to-date lessons in how to live a modern life. *This is part one or …

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The real reasons why more young women freeze their eggs 54:08

15d ago54:08

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Egg freezing is one of today’s fastest-growing reproductive technologies. It's seen as a kind of 'fertility insurance' for the future, but that doesn’t address today’s deeper feelings of uncertainty around parenthood, heterosexual relationships, and the reproductive path forward. In this documentary, freelance producer Alison Motluk explores the hi…

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New details on Canada's first documented 'demon possession' 54:08

28d ago54:08

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A demonic possession, a do-it-yourself exorcism, and the execution of an accused witch — welcome to daily life in Quebec City, circa 1660. IDEAS digs into the story of Canada’s earliest reported ‘demon possession caused by witchcraft’ case. *This episode originally aired on June 9, 2023. We appreciate your input. Fill out our listener survey here.…

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Can abolishing all political parties topple fascism? 54:08

17d ago54:08

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In the aftermath of the First World War, French philosopher Simone Weil had a solution to address the fascism that surged across Europe: abolish political parties. She argued political parties were not democratic, they were dangerous. With the help of former politician Michael Ignatieff and other guests, IDEAS producer Nicola Luksic explores the ra…

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This Italian painter was a feminist before the word existed 54:08

20d ago54:08

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*Please note that this episode features descriptions of a sexual assault that some listeners may find disturbing.* Seventeen century artist Artemisia Gentileschi upended traditional depictions of women in her paintings by creating gutsy, strong female figures. With her paintbrush as in her life, she fought gender inequality and helped to reimagine …

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Why practicing empathy is far from simple 54:09

28d ago54:09

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In today's fractured world, the many threats facing humanity seems to be an empathy deficit. Writer and journalist Leslie Jamison discusses the complicated nature of empathy and the dearth of it at a time when it’s needed more than ever. She says maintaining humility when it comes to understanding people is integral. We'd love to hear from you! Com…

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Why 'follow your heart' spirituality is actually religion 54:08

27d ago54:08

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Traditional religious institutions have been in decline since the '60s. As congregations dwindle, more Canadians are identifying as 'spiritual.' Sociologist Galen Watts traces the history of the modern spiritual movement and asks what we have gained — and lost — as it has become the dominant religious tradition of our time. We'd love to hear from y…

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How 60s Scoop 'warriors' reclaimed their Indigenous roots 54:09

23d ago54:09

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Leticia Racine calls herself a “Returning Warrior” of the Sixties Scoop. As a child, she was at the centre of a landmark Supreme Court case that paved the way for Indigenous children to be adopted into non-Indigenous homes. Judges ruled that Leticia’s foster parents could adopt her, and suggested her connections to her Indigenous mother and their h…

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An homage to chickens, a dinosaur, dinner and backyard pet 54:08

24d ago54:08

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Chickens are the stars of this podcast today. Our relationship with this living creature, allegedly the closest living relative to the Tyrannosaurus Rex, is long and intertwined. And as it turns out, chickens have a lot to tell us, as IDEAS producer Tom Howell finds out. If you've ever wanted to hear two chickens attempt to video-conference togethe…

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Imprisoned Syrian wrote poetry imagining the fall of the regime. Now it's come true 54:09

1M ago54:09

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For 14 years, Syrian poet Faraj Bayrakdar was imprisoned and tortured in a series of prisons. He found refuge in writing poetry. Now, the poems he wrote imagining the collapse of the regime are a reality. In December, 2024, the rule of Syria’s longtime president Bashar al Assad did collapse. Bayrakdar tells host Nahlah Ayed how the freedom within i…

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How absurdist theatre is an act of resistance 54:09

28d ago54:09

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Theatre of the Absurd was born postwar as a recoil against the violent fetish that totalitarian regimes had for “order.” For 75 years, absurdist playwright Eugène Ionesco's plays have been running continuously in Paris. IDEAS contributor Danny Braun went to Paris to delve into Ionesco's world where a professor can conclude confidently that a dog is…

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How a translation movement made Western philosophers famous 54:08

29d ago54:08

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From Greek to Arabic and then to Latin, translators in 8th-century Baghdad eventually brought to Europe the works of Plato, Aristotle, Galen, and others who became central pillars of Western thought. IDEAS explores what is known as the Graeco-Arabic Translation Movement. *This episode originally aired on June 19, 2025. Fill out our listener survey …

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Presenting: Not Quite Dead 24:32

2M ago24:32

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Hi Friends! This week, we’re excited to introduce you to NOT QUITE DEAD, a show about vampired from our friends over at Hanging Sloth Studios. In it, Alfie, a former A&E nurse, struggles to navigate the vampire world after his vampire boyfriend, Casper, goes missing. Both Alfie and Casper’slives hang in the balance, but there’s a broader mystery at…

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Can we have new pipelines and curb climate change, too? 54:09

30d ago54:09

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For the past decade, Canadians have been split 50/50 on new pipelines — that has changed. Two recent opinion polls found roughly three quarters of eligible voters in Canada want at least one new pipeline built to export more fossil fuels. Yet, 70 per cent of people consider climate change a serious threat. IDEAS producer Tom Howell explores the inc…

2M ago54:07

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Eight composers, five instruments, and a world of metal. IDEAS explores a project by the University of British Columbia called The Heavy Metal Suite that conveys the challenges and opportunities of the mining industry, through music. Each composer draws inspiration from their country’s mineral resources in their original pieces. *This episode origi…