Best Modern Nostalgia Productions Podcasts (2025)

1
Microplastic removal and decarbonising cement 29:07

Play Pause

6m ago29:07

29:07

Negotiations over a global treaty on microplastics have broken down. So, where to from here for one of the world's biggest environmental threats? We also get an update on new efforts to clean-up the cement production industry; and we look at AI chatbots and the increasing role they're playing as sources of advice and emotional support. Guests Dr Pr…

1
Predator Badlands 27:10

10h ago27:10

27:10

Terrence and Blake discuss the new Predator Badlands, how the franchise has found the person to helm it moving forward. How the movie keeps what makes Predator movies work while also flipping the script and an update on the box office. Leave a comment, review and subscribe!

1
Learning how to learn in the age of generative AI 29:07

3h ago29:07

29:07

It's exactly three years since ChatGPT burst onto the scene. In that short period of time the process of academic assessment has been in upheaval. Across the world educators are trying to address how students should be assessed and whether AI can be used for more than just helping a student to cheat. But a growing number of education researchers sa…

1
Disinformation, digital tech and democracy 29:06

7d ago29:06

29:06

In this programme we hear three thoughtful perspectives on the threat digital technologies pose for democracy. Henry Farrell from Johns Hopkins University argues disinformation must be tackled at a group level, not an individual one. Philosopher, John Tasioulas, says modern representative democracy is too easily corrupted by big tech. And AI specia…

1
Finding Calm in the Parenting Chaos | Kirk Martin on Triggers, Patience, Problem Solving 57:41

22d ago57:41

57:41

Ever find yourself losing your cool when your kid melts down, or scratching your head as they refuse to clean up their room (again)? Turns out, there’s a surprising science behind keeping calm amid the chaos of parenthood. We're joined by Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the immensely popular Calm Parenting podcast. Kirk is the pr…

1
Getting up to speed with autonomous vehicles 29:07

15d ago29:07

29:07

Long before AI dominated the media hype-cycle, self-driving cars surfed the hyperbolic wave. But fully automated vehicles have now been a long time in development, long enough that we've decided it's time for an update. So, how advanced is the technology and where is the demand? We also find out about consumer attitudes toward the "driver-assist" t…

101
Technology and language — a dynamic relationship 29:07

28d ago29:07

29:07

While technology platforms increasingly dictate the way we write and converse, language is being modified to fight back, to subvert the platforms. In this show we examine the growth of "algospeak". And if you want to know how we'll all be communicating in the future, just listen to the way teenage girls speak, because young women lead the ongoing d…

1
Tron Ares 42:34

24d ago42:34

42:34

The third movie in the Tron franchise is here! Blake and Terrence discuss what they like and don't like about this movie and the rest of the Tron movies, how the box office looks and why we think this franchise has never quite reached the heights of other franchises.

1
Are we turning the housing crisis into a living crisis? 28:10

28d ago28:10

28:10

We build more and more homes for growing urban populations. But doing so without providing much needed amenities doesn't serve our suburbs and the people who live in them. It risks confounding social isolation and urban sprawl. There's also climate change to consider. In a heating world, how do we plan our suburbs to deal with higher temperatures? …

1
Reviving the past and digital mapping for the future 29:06

1M ago29:06

29:06

The remote Canadian island of Oikiqtaruk is disappearing fast, but its cultural and environmental heritage is being captured in digital form. We talk to those involved in the project about its ambition and their success to date. Also, recreating long lost cultural artefacts. For the Madrid-based organisation Factum Foundation it's a journey of reco…

1
Strangers Chapter Two 1:04:13

2M ago1:04:13

1:04:13

The second chapter in the rebooted Strangers franchise is here! And if Blake and Terrence didn't see it, seemingly no one else would have! We talk about the bad and good in the movie, why it could have been relevant today, and how despite it being frustrating to watch we need chapter three! Leave a review, comment and share the show!…

1
Music, Milestones, and Mindfulness | Nick Hexum of 311 on Raising Creative, Empathetic Girls 52:36

2M ago52:36

52:36

Not everyone instinctively knows when they’ve reached the point in life where they’re ready for kids. For Nick Hexum, the self-proclaimed “dad” of his band 311, that moment came when he realized his wild days were behind him and he was ready to step into family life as a husband and father. Nearly two decades later, he’s a proud dad of three daught…

1
Are we kidding ourselves about decarbonisation? 29:06

1M ago29:06

29:06

Australian rooftops are resplendent with solar panels, but sustainability expert, Martin Brueckner, warns the popular notion that we're rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels is deceptive. When you add Australia's fossil fuels exports to our domestic energy usage, he says, it's clear that "decarbonisation is yet to begin in earnest". Also, wh…

1
Is globalisation dying? 29:08

2M ago29:08

29:08

Globalisation isn’t what it used to be thanks to the legacy of the Covid-19 lockdown and, more recently, Donald Trump’s weaponisation of tariffs. But while it’s often given a bad rap, globalisation is about more than just trade, it’s also about the international exchange of ideas and talent. So, is it dying, withering or simply transforming? Listen…

1
Spinal Tap 2 56:00

2M ago56:00

56:00

Blake and Terrence watched the new Spinal Tap 2, the sequel to one of the most influential comedies of all time, to see how it holds up, examine why we came back to tell this story again. Leave a comment and subscribe!

1
Rewind Episode | Mortician Victor M. Sweeney on Raising Death-Positive Kids 50:59

2M ago50:59

50:59

We've been teasing it for months; a new podcast that we are producing in conjunction with Wavland which is hosted by former Modern Dadhood guest, Victor M. Sweeney. And now the time has come to make the official announcement and share the trailer. And we couldn't think of a better way to do that, than to couple it with a Rewind episode of our origi…

1
Taxing carbon on the border and at sea 29:05

2M ago29:05

29:05

The European Union is implementing a groundbreaking new tax: a carbon border tax. It's meant to prevent distortions between countries with differing emissions standards and so to reduce emissions. But will it work? The same can be asked about the International Maritime Organisation's proposed new carbon levy on shipping. Also on the show, an update…

1
The Conjuring Last Rites 36:06

2M ago36:06

36:06

The Conjuring comes to a potential close with Last Rites. Terrence and Blake discuss the franchises staying power, why its still relevant, and more!

1
Existential hope vs Existential Fear 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

Existential risks to human life abound, from the threat of nuclear Armageddon; to an uninhabitable planet; or an AI-induced apocalypse. Understanding such risks and how we can best respond to them is the preoccupation of S. J. Beard. But the Cambridge University researcher also speaks of "existential hope", a way of addressing our fears without the…

1
Cooperation, not conflict on the High Seas 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

We're now halfway through the UN-designated "Ocean Decade" — new research initiatives have been launched, and global cooperation has been strengthened as scientists work to learn more about our oceans and to harness their potential in the fight against adverse climate change. But there are still questions to be answered: How firm are the commitment…

1
Trading Careers for Time With My Kid | Joel Costigan on Fatherhood, Adventure, Summer Bonding 48:47

3M ago48:47

48:47

Does the idea of a whole summer one on one with your kid sound idyllic... or intimidating? If you’ve ever been the primary parent for a whole season, you've likely experienced both of those extremes. In this episode, we’re joined by Joel Costigan, a longtime educator, soccer coach, and dad to a 7-year-old daughter named Ruby. Joel recently made a m…

1
Convenience culture's inconvenient truth 29:06

3M ago29:06

29:06

Humans have an evolutionary bias toward seeking convenience, experts say. But what happens when the desire for convenience becomes a dominant social and economic expectation? Future Tense explores the hidden costs of convenience for the environment and the economy. Making things too easy can in fact be bad for you. Guests Alison Angus — Head of Pra…

1
Perspectives on the potential of AI-powered policing 28:56

3M ago28:56

28:56

Policing has always embraced new technologies and Artificial Intelligence is, of course, the flavour of the month. Working out when and why it should be used is crucial, according to law enforcement specialists. What’s also important is ensuring appropriate human oversight. Future Tense - The creeping militarisation of our police Guests Dr Marion O…

1
The truth about AI and productivity 29:08

3M ago29:08

29:08

How real is the link between Artificial Intelligence and increased productivity? Jon Whittle from the CSIRO, one of Australia's leading science agencies, has been examining the latest research. He helps us sort facts from fiction. Also, literacy and problem-solving skills have taken a dive in many developed countries — could an over-reliance on tec…

1
The Naked Gun 24:00

3M ago24:00

24:00

The new Naked Gun is in theaters this week and Blake and Terrence discuss how much they enjoyed it, the evolution and state of comedy movies and why this type of comedy is relevant today.

1
A Father's Fight to Reunite | Picasso Cognizance on Child Support + Custody 42:01

4M ago42:01

42:01

Navigating the legal maze of child support and custody can feel impossible... especially when the system seems stacked against you. Picasso Cognizance learned this the hard way when his partner's family took his son away from him at the age of two. Picasso spent the next nearly two decades paying child support, immersing himself in the world of par…

1
Sinking Cities 29:09

3M ago29:09

29:09

Cities across the world are beginning to sink — some by as much as 10 centimetres a year. A recent study suggests that more than a third of urban Chinese resident now live in a sinking city. The cause is often ascribed to climate change, but is there something else at play? Could our thirst for water actually be the culprit? Also, how much do our u…

1
Fantastic Four 38:22

4M ago38:22

38:22

The next installment in the MCU is here! And it gives a breath of fresh air to the franchise, while making you care about Marvel's First Family. Blake and Terrence discuss why the movie is relevant today, and how it pushes the MCU forward. Listen share and review!

1
How to balance the population needs on our planet 29:08

4M ago29:08

29:08

We face multiple looming demographic crises — and our responses seemingly contradict each other. A rapidly aging population means that we need more children to be born. But it's foreseeable that resources on Earth simply can't sustain many more people. How can we solve this conundrum? Original broadcast on May 22, 2022 Guests Dr Stuart Gietel Baste…

1
I Know What You Did Last Summer 22:12

4M ago22:12

22:12

Blake and Terrence discuss the new I Know What You Did Last Summer, and whether it was a needed sequel or just an attempt to use the IP.

1
Rewind Episode | Jordan Shapiro on Fatherhood + Feminism 33:09

4M ago33:09

33:09

What does it mean to be a "feminist dad"? Maybe a better place to start is asking: what does it mean to be a feminist at all... and why is that term so controversial? There are many ideas and misunderstandings associated with the concept of feminism, and in August of 2021, we were fortunate to explore feminism and fatherhood with the brilliant Jord…

1
Lessons from South Korea's security dilemma 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could …

1
Superman 33:12

4M ago33:12

33:12

The DCU arrives in theaters with James Gunn's Superman! Terrence and Blake discuss all the things they loved about the movie, why it has many timeless themes and some that are more relevant today than ever! The movie is loaded with fun, hope and an incredible cast! Let us know what you think in the comments!…

1
A turning point for the United Nations 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

Suffering internal division and stymied by geopolitical bullying, the United Nations is facing a future of diminishing influence. As the organisation marks its 80th birthday, it's also dealing with a serious financial shortfall brought on by both China and the United States, its two biggest donors. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has launched …

1
Jurassic World Rebirth 30:51

4M ago30:51

30:51

The latest in the Jurassic Park franchise is here! Blake and Terrence discuss what made the original work, the parts of the franchise we love and what this movie added or missed for it. We also take a look at how the five day box office did for the movie. Leave a review and share the show!

1
The potential benefits and risks of developing "mirror life" 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if…

1
Megan 2.0 28:06

5M ago28:06

28:06

The sequel to Megan is upon us! And its switched genres just like Terminator, Gremlins and Happy Death Day before it. Terrence and Blake discuss what works about the sequel and what doesn't, while touching on how genre switches have worked in the past. Leave a review and comment!

1
Can Cleaning Products Build Stronger Partnerships? | Sean Busch of Dad Mode on Gendered Marketing to Dads 24:28

5M ago24:28

24:28

Ever notice how most spray cleaners and detergents seem to be marketed straight out of the 1950s... and almost always to moms? Entrepreneur Sean Busch is on a mission to flip the script. Sean is a dad of two kids who LOVE to make messes, and he's the founder of Dad Mode, a new line of high-performance cleaning products designed specifically for dad…

1
The world after us! 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

What will Earth look like when humans become extinct? What "technofossils" will paleontologists of the future unearth and no doubt ponder over? Will we be remembered for our achievements or merely our rubbish? Also, which animals might rise to fill our role at the top of the pecking order? And is the future of live music really as dire as many pred…

1
28 Years Later 31:11

5M ago31:11

31:11

After many years, the third in the "28" movie franchise is here. 28 Years Later balances many things, across stories, world building, sometimes drastic tonal change and setting up more stories in the universe. Blake and Terrence talk about the challenges of cliff hangers, why this movie is relevant and what we want to see next.…

51
How to start your own golden age 28:38

5M ago28:38

28:38

History has many lessons for how to develop a successful civilisation. The trick is to understand the patterns that lead to optimism and innovation. So, where do we rate in the 21st century? Also, why all history is revisionist and why a healthy sense of revisionism drives a deeper understanding of the past, present and future. Guests Johan Norberg…

1
How to Train Your Dragon 34:05

5M ago34:05

34:05

Blake and Terrence saw the new How to Train Your Dragon. Discussing how much they enjoyed it despite it being a one to one with the original. Where this movie works as opposed to Disney remakes, and where it doesn't and if we'll get more similar remakes.

1
Father's Day 2025 | Father/Son Reflections on Being a Dad 33:23

5M ago33:23

33:23

Does it get more "meta" than interviewing your own parent about parenting? For our Father’s Day 2025 Special, Adam Flaherty goes deep with a truly special and personal guest: his own father. Tom Flaherty isn’t just Adam’s dad; he's a father of four (spanning 20 years in age!), an Air Force veteran, a retired police officer, and an inspiration and b…

51
Australia and Canada — Strategic partners, but near total strangers? 28:38

5M ago28:38

28:38

Australia and Canada share much in common, politically, historically and socially. Why then do we know so little about each other? In a time of global uncertainty does it make sense for Canada and Australia to build a closer bond? If the two prosperous liberal middle powers worked together more closely, could they be a greater force for positive ch…

51
Reassessing the laws of war; and why progress isn't always a straight line 28:39

5M ago28:39

28:39

The International commitment to ban landmines is wavering. Several European countries are reversing their opposition to using them. The shift comes as disarmament negotiators struggle to regulate the spread of "killer robots" — AI-controlled autonomous weapons. So, is the future of weapons containment and control under threat? And are treaties sign…

51
Beyond the cloud — storing data in space 29:10

6M ago29:10

29:10

Researchers and corporations are already working to relocate data servers beyond the Earth's atmosphere — on satellites. Data servers are essential to the functioning of the modern world, but they're both power and water hungry. When they're built, they often meet with community concern and environmental protest. So, why not build data centres in s…

1
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning 23:35

6M ago23:35

23:35

The newest Mission Impossible released in theaters this weekend, and while it didn't top Lilo and Stitch at the box office, it did contribute to one of the biggest memorial day weekends of all time! Blake and Terrence discuss the movie, the box office and more!

1
Rewind Episode | Sesame Street's Emilio Delgado on Fatherhood, Legacy, Family 28:59

6M ago28:59

28:59

Think back to your childhood... Did you have a TV neighbor, friend, or mentor who you trusted? For millions of young people, that person was Luis from Sesame Street, played for over four decades by the legendary Emilio Delgado. In this Rewind episode which originally aired in July of 2020, Emilio discusses becoming a positive role model and even a …

51
Forgetting, not memory, moves us forward 28:38

6M ago28:38

28:38

Forgetting is the only safe response to the world's problems, from a geopolitical perspective, according to author and journalist David Rieff. Sometimes it’s too dangerous to remember. And forgetting is also a good thing in your personal life, say scientists. It moves us forward. The science of memory is giving way to the science of forgetting. For…

1
Final Destination Bloodlines 25:43

6M ago25:43

25:43

The newest entry in Final Destination ups the ante with crazy deaths, interesting story developments and surprising amount of heart. We discuss why this franchise has lasted so long and how this one pumps new life into the franchise, leave a review and subscribe.