Best Fossil Vs Future Podcasts (2025)

1
WHAT ABOUT POPULISM? A reason to stall climate action or a chance to reframe the narrative? 36:33

2d ago36:33

36:33

Populism is a political approach that claims to speak for “ordinary people” – those who feel ignored or left behind established elite groups. Around the world, populist movements frequently frame environmental action as elitist, out of touch with the priorities of “real people.” In this episode, James and Daisy discuss the rise of populism. What ex…

1
Vladimir Putin’s Russia — with exiled journalist and author Mikhail Zygar 52:17

19m ago52:17

52:17

The exiled founder of Russia's only independent television news channel, Mikhail Zygar, takes us inside Vladimir Putin's Russia, with a firsthand account of how the President has successfully silenced the media, opposition and Kremlin critics, to cement his hold on power. The 2025 AN Smith Lecture: Journalism against autocracy: Putin, Trump and the…

1
Technology vs Transition?: What Tony Blair gets right - and wrong - about net zero 52:45

2h ago52:45

52:45

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says that net zero is politically unachievable without radical rethinking: a shift away from reducing consumption and toward technologies that can remove carbon both at the source and from the atmosphere. So, are carbon capture and carbon removal really viable - and more palatable - alternatives to a rapid fossil…

1
Rituals, rats, and reeded vertebrae! The mysteries of Machu Picchu and Ancient Peru revealed 53:24

24h ago53:24

53:24

A story of continents crashing and cleaving apart, the making of a civilisation, the language of the dead, and ... a mummified rat makes a cameo too. The Incan empire was vast and sophisticated. It built the stunning citadel in the clouds of Machu Picchu in the Andes mountains. But within a century its people were catastrophically wiped out by the …

1
What dictionary labels tell us about words. Why we say 'mama'. DU, STU, and LO. 17:00

2d ago17:00

17:00

1079. Ever wonder what labels like "informal," "archaic," or "offensive" mean in a dictionary entry? We explain how different dictionaries use labels to describe when, where, and how to use words. Then, we explore why so many babies say "dada" first and why babies say "mama" almost everywhere. The "dictionary labels" segment was written by Susan He…

1
Mental ill-health and the power of words 53:28

2d ago53:28

53:28

The language used to talk about mental ill-health can play a key role in reducing or enforcing stigma. And it's constantly evolving. But what terms should be used and when? And by whom? The wrong word can not only deeply hurt a person's feelings. It can end careers, destroy relationships, cut access to support systems. This special World Mental Hea…

1
Worried about the future? A mosquito could help you to live in the present 54:05

3d ago54:05

54:05

What can a mosquito teach us about time? Noone likes a mosquito bite — but for a brief moment when it stings you, you know you are alive. Humans are temporal beings, but across cultures, our concepts of time are vastly different. This event explores what we can learn from science, philosophy and Indigenous perspectives that can alter experiences of…

1
The secret to writing ‘the same but different,’ with Mary Robinette Kowal 20:26

7d ago20:26

20:26

1078. Mary Robinette Kowal talks about going from writing magic-filled Regency romances to Hugo-nominated science fiction, what it's like to work with an agent, and how she keeps her career moving forward. Plus, she gave us three great book recommendations (and I've already read and loved one of them!). Find Mary at maryrobinettekowal.com. 🔗 Share …

1
Australia votes— are our political parties on the nose? 54:05

7d ago54:05

54:05

This election has been described as a boring campaign, but with some fascinating contests. So just what is going on in the minds of voters as Australia heads to the polls this weekend? This event was recorded at the Sorrento Writers Festival on 27 May 2025. Speakers Frank BongiornoProfessor of History, Australian National UniversityPresident, Counc…

1
Beyond the ‘Climate Wars’?: Australia heads to the polls 44:22

7d ago44:22

44:22

Australia heads to the polls this weekend - with climate firmly on the ballot. Is the country ready to lose its reputation as the battleground of the climate wars? And are we about to see a lasting shift in a nation that has for years been torn between its sunlight and its coal? As a pivotal election looms, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac an…

1
Has the world lost the plot? John Lyons, Greg Sheridan, Emma Shortis, Josh Taylor with Natasha Mitchell 56:11

8d ago56:11

56:11

Are we living through a key turning point in world history? How do we make sense of this present moment, and what's on the horizon?Trump's trade wars, long-held alliances dismantled, the deadly conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, the rise and rise of AI, the tech oligarch takeover, China's military build-up, NATO's demise, and much more. It's a confusin…

1
'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up. 19:04

9d ago19:04

19:04

1077. Is it “lit” or “lighted”? Both are correct, but we look at how their popularity has switched over time. Then we investigate four of the competing theories about the origin of the dollar sign and end with tips about how to use it. The "dollar sign" segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing for more than thirty-f…

1
The painting that changed Australia — the story of Blue Poles 56:03

9d ago56:03

56:03

It's been called a coming-of-age story for a nation. The Whitlam Government's purchase of Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles in 1973 helped to bring down the government. So how did this abstract expressionist masterpiece become the most famous, most controversial artwork in Australia? Then: how does political portraiture affect how we feel about politici…

1
Are Donald Trump and US politics bringing global health to its knees? 54:04

10d ago54:04

54:04

Until recently, the USA provided about 30% of global health funding. It was dominant in supplying HIV/AIDS medication and funded a major part of medical research. Much of this has now stopped with Donald Trump restricting gender affirming care, withdrawing from the WHO and holding funds from USAID - and the list goes on. What are the impacts on pan…

1
Ghostwriters, book deals, and AI: What you didn’t know about publishing, with Dan Gerstein 22:44

14d ago22:44

22:44

1076. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, looks at how ghostwriting fiction really works, who’s hiring ghostwriters, and why AI can’t replace human storytelling. We also talked about how ghostwriters negotiate royalties, film rights, and what makes a great collaboration work. Find Dan at GothamGhostwriters.com. 🔗 Share your familect recor…

1
Sir Simon Schama — On antisemitism 49:51

14d ago49:51

49:51

Acclaimed British historian Sir Simon Schama reflects on the history of antisemitism, the Holocaust and contemporary culture. He says that for millennia Jewish people have been "the other of convenience. We are the dark mirror in which the wish fulfilment of other societies takes it out on people who are said to represent its opposite." Presented a…

1
The End of Oil? Inside the Hidden Decline of Fossil Fuels | Earth Day Special 54:35

14d ago54:35

54:35

Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for fossil fuels? This Earth Day, Outrage + Optimism explores a seismic shift in global energy: the possibility that major oil and gas companies are entering a self-managed decline. Have fossil fuel companies been overvalued for decades? And are they now quietly winding themselves down? For years, analysts…

1
How do we make cancer treatment worth it, work better, and less harmful? 57:41

15d ago57:41

57:41

Cancer is common and chemo and radiotherapies can save or extend our lives. But sometimes they don't, or they stop working, or they come with disabling long-term side effects. In a state of desperation, some of us seek out unproven alternatives which might even put us at greater risk of cancer. Join Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell and guests to fin…

1
WHAT ABOUT WAR? Essential for security or a dangerous distraction from climate action? 37:44

16d ago37:44

37:44

War engages our fight or flight instincts. When immediate threats like conflict arise, they often overshadow slower-burning, long-term crises like climate change. In this episode, James and Daisy talk about war. How does climate change fuel conflict? How does war, in turn, hinder efforts to combat the climate crisis? How do we avoid trading one exi…

1
'I.e.' versus 'e.g.' What Shakespeare actually added to English. Four schnitzels. 18:01

16d ago18:01

18:01

1075. People often confuse "i.e." and "e.g." We'll help you get them right — no Latin required. Then, in honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, we look at five common myths about his contributions to the English language, including whether he coined thousands of words and how much Latin he actually knew. The "Shakespeare" segment was by Jonathan Culpeper…

1
Pankaj Mishra — the world after Gaza 53:35

16d ago53:35

53:35

For the past 18 months, Israel's war in Gaza has polarised the world. The Indian author and essayist Pankaj Mishra reckons with the conflict through the lens of colonialism, morality and history. This event was recorded at the University of NSW Centre for Ideas on 27 February 2025. Speakers Pankaj MishraAuthor, The World After Gaza, From the Ruins …

1
The Death of Pope Francis: A Short Message from Christiana 6:08

17d ago6:08

6:08

In the wake of this morning’s sad announcement about the death of Pope Francis, Christiana Figueres reflects on his important legacy as a champion for environmental and justice causes, and shares some of the late Pope’s own words, reflecting on the landmark Paris Agreement. Learn more 🌍 Pope Francis’s words in Profiles of Paris 📜 Pope Francis’s enc…

1
Uncovering Pompeii — 300 years of archaeology 54:05

17d ago54:05

54:05

Two thousand years ago, life in Pompeii stood still when Mount Vesuvius erupted, preserving the town in volcanic ash for centuries. Today, this ancient Roman city captures the imagination like few others. This event was recorded at the National Museum of Australia on 14 December 2024. Speakers Dr Sophie HayRoman archaeologist, press and communicati…

1
AI and the future of dictionaries, with Erin McKean 26:02

21d ago26:02

26:02

1074. Is AI good enough to replace lexicographers? Wordnik founder Erin McKean shares what works, what doesn’t, and why the future of dictionaries is far from settled. Find Erin McKean at wordnik.com, dressaday.com, and [email protected]. 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe…

1
When women resist authoritarianism — what's happening in Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar right now? 54:06

21d ago54:06

54:06

Authoritarian regimes are threatened by women who fight for their freedom — and are pushing back in even more extreme and deadly ways. The world watched wide-eyed as Iranians took to the streets and social media for the #WomenLifeFreedom movement. We watched Afghan women and children run towards American planes taking off from Kabul as the Taliban …

1
China's Decarbonisation Leadership: Is Trump (accidentally) fueling Beijing's climate takeover? 53:59

21d ago53:59

53:59

As the US retreats from international climate leadership and looks increasingly inwards, can China step up and steer the global energy transition? And if it can, what shape will that transition take? In the latest of our country deep-dives, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore China’s pivotal and complex role in decarbo…

1
A season of death — with Raimond Gaita and Michelle Lesh 44:16

21d ago44:16

44:16

The only certainty in life is that we will all some day die. Most of us don't know when that day will come. But others must face their mortality front on. Mark Rafael Baker was no stranger to death, losing three loved ones in seven years — and then he was confronted with his own. This event was recorded at Readings Bookshop Melbourne in October 202…

1
Where is the soul in science? Natasha Mitchell and guests on a humanity defining battle (Archive) 54:03

22d ago54:03

54:03

Join Natasha Mitchell and guests to grapple with some gritty paradoxes about science and religion, and in this era of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and existential angst — are they serving the needs they used to? Science drives much of modern life, and yet fewer people are drawn to studying it at school putting scientific literacy at risk. T…

1
Better paragraph breaks. The story behind 'mad money' and 'pin money.' Bruce bad. 15:52

23d ago15:52

15:52

1073. Today, we have practical tips for writing better paragraphs (and it's not the formulaic topic-sentence structure). Then, we look at the surprising history of phrases like “mad money” and “pin money” and what they show about women’s roles and financial independence through time. The "paragraph" segment originally appeared on the OUP Blog, and …

1
When the Tech Bros come to town — with Kara Swisher and Marc Fennell 54:05

23d ago54:05

54:05

We know them as Zuckerberg, Musk, Bezos, Gates, Jobs. But to Kara Swisher, they're Mark, Elon, Jeff, Bill, and Steve. She was once a Silicon Valley insider, but now she's one of big tech's most vocal critics. This event was recorded at Adelaide Writers Week on Monday 3 March 2025. Speakers Kara SwisherAuthor, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, aol.com: …

1
The biggest threat to the planet is a story — an eye-opening insider account of Australian environmentalism 54:05

24d ago54:05

54:05

Jobs vs the environment. Profits vs environmental protection. One pitted against the other. That dominant story has defined environmental regulation in Australia, drowning out the stories scientists or environmental campaigners want to tell. Scientist, environmentalist, and government insider, Peter Cosier, has worn all the hats and he wants to cha…

1
WHAT ABOUT ESG? A path to a better world or a threat to returns? 43:14

28d ago43:14

43:14

ESG – short for Environmental, Social, and Governance – is a framework for evaluating how companies manage sustainability-related risks and opportunities. In ESG investing, environmental, social, and governance factors are integrated into investment decisions, alongside traditional financial metrics. In this episode, James and Daisy discuss ESG. Ho…

1
The future of editing jobs in the age of AI, with Samantha Enslen 17:01

28d ago17:01

17:01

1072. Is AI coming for our jobs—or just the boring parts? This week, Samantha Enslen of Dragonfly Editorial talks about how she sees AI changing the work of writers and editors. We talked about real clients, real fears, and hope for the future. Plus, Samantha shares her favorite old-school fiction (spoiler: Agatha Christie strikes again!). Find Sam…

1
BBC Reith lecture 4 — Can you change a violent mind? 54:05

28d ago54:05

54:05

Is prison time for violent offenders mostly about appeasing a sense of revenge? And if so, are there better ways to rehabilitate perpetrators? Dr Gwen Adshead assesses the effectiveness and impact of therapeutic interventions and restorative justice - and she's looking at how Norway does it. The 2024 BBC Reith lecture series Speakers Dr Gwen Adshea…

1
Tariffs, Trump, and Al Gore on the Future of Democracy: What on earth is happening? 51:39

28d ago51:39

51:39

What happens when the US tears up the rulebook on global trade? And what does that mean for the planet? Plus: what on earth is happening in Greenland? And does it really signal an unlikely MAGA embrace of climate science? In this urgent and wide-ranging episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore the fallout from Trum…

1
BBC Reith lecture 3 – Does trauma cause violence? 54:05

29d ago54:05

54:05

The long term impact of childhood trauma on your body and mind is profound and devastating. Many perpetrators of violent crimes have suffered abuse themselves. But is it as easy as to say that trauma causes violence? There are many more people who have lived through trauma and don’t start hurting others. The 2024 BBC Reith lecture Speakers Dr Gwen …

1
How to write photo captions. The real difference between ‘immigrate’ and ‘emigrate.’ Ko Pha-ngan'd 16:57

30d ago16:57

16:57

1071. Is it "Taylor and I" or "Taylor and me"? We explain why photo captions follow their own grammar rules. Then, we explore the subtle difference between "immigrate" and "emigrate," how the terms are used historically, and why their meanings often depend on perspective. The "photo captions" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips e…

1
The hidden techniques behind well-paced fiction, with Joshua Essoe 25:35

1M ago25:35

25:35

1070. Fiction editor Joshua Essoe explains the hidden techniques behind pacing in storytelling. Learn how good pacing shapes reader engagement, why well-placed story beats and emotional shifts matter, and how popular films like Memento and Fight Club use pacing to captivate audiences. Joshua also looks at managing flashbacks, using white space stra…

1
Supporting teenagers to thrive online 54:14

1M ago54:14

54:14

Teenagers 'live' online and on social media. How can they reap the many benefits that social media can offer? There are plenty of them: an endless pool of knowledge and curiosity. But parents need to help them navigate the risk and threats online — of which there're also plenty. On Big Ideas, we have a panel of experts with a plethora of valuable i…

1
Delay, Deny, Derail: Inside the fossil fuel lobby’s playbook at COPs 48:19

1M ago48:19

48:19

How have fossil fuel lobbyists become so embedded in the COP system, and how can we disrupt their involvement in domestic and international politics? This is our second episode inspired by the RSC and Good Chance Theatre’s production of Kyoto. In this episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore the history of this oft…

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Fossil Vs Future Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen