Best What Were They thinking? | Age of Radio Podcasts (2025)

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

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10h ago54:08

54:08

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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Gamera vs. Jiger 1:19:12

16h ago1:19:12

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It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, it's not December. It's November... and that means GAMERA! This year, the fellas dive in to Gamera vs. Jiger, a movie which is also apparently sponsored by Expo '70 considering all the airtime and stock footage it receives in the film. The guys discuss Gamera and Jiger's sexual encounter, people enterin…

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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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Scripture, Satire, and Silicon Salvation: Lisa Rose Ferrara’s CHRISTBOT 1:02:54

14m ago1:02:54

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🤖 What happens when an ex-campus minister turned agnostic writes a novel about AI Jesus? You get this wide-ranging and deeply moving conversation between Corey and Lisa Rose Ferrara—writer of the Substack The Dangling Door and author of the novel CHRISTBOT. Lisa doesn’t just reflect on the absurdities of our sociopolitical moment—she rewrites the r…

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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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Lab Notes: How breastfeeding can protect against cancer 12:40

1h ago12:40

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Thanks in part to 18th-century nuns, we now know that having children and breastfeeding reduces a mum's risk of developing breast cancer for years, even until her kid is well into primary school. Now Australian scientists have discovered how breastfeeding specifically enlists the immune system to protect against an aggressive and hard-to-treat type…

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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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Victory in the West 54:57

4h ago54:57

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After 1933, and lasting until 1945, German cinema took a rather twisted turn. Movies were made. Here's one. We're gonna talk about it. Should you watch it? It's free on Youtube, after all. But trust us - you really don't need to.... Next week: war kids! Questions? Comments? Suggestions? You can always shoot us an e-mail at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠f…

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The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science and a dilemma over the appropriate use of artefacts from a Roman shipwreck 54:06

19m ago54:06

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Robyn Williams reports from the 2025 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science ceremony in Parliament House Canberra.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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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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From Military Police to Soft Secession: Christopher Armitage on Resisting Authoritarian Drift 1:03:11

15m ago1:03:11

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What happens when a former military cop, existentialist philosopher, and Substack firebrand walks into a podcast? You get this riveting conversation between Corey and Christopher Armitage, who pulls no punches when it comes to democracy, resistance, and why “soft secession” might be the only sane response to creeping authoritarianism. Chris is a U.…

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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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Mini-Episode: More! More! Faster! Pussycat! Kill! 30:51

8h ago30:51

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Are there any movies where you thought, “holy cow, I wish there was another one of these things!” Us too! This week, the fellas talk about movies that were deserved their proper follow-up (as well as reading some suggestions from you citizens out there). Plus - the reveal of next week’s monstrous movie. Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.c…

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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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5 Boundaries That Signal It’s Time to Walk Away From Toxic Dialogue 31:11

2d ago31:11

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Not every relationship can—or should—be salvaged. In this solo episode, Corey shares a personal story and outlines five unmistakable red flags that tell you it’s time to step back to protect your peace. Sometimes, staying in the conversation means knowing when to step away. In this raw and introspective solo episode, host Corey Nathan opens up abou…

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Lab Notes: How your brain chooses your next snack 13:53

3d ago13:53

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It's mid-afternoon and time for a treat! Do you choose a healthy piece of fruit, or do you head straight for the chocolate? It turns out that well before we consciously decide what we're going to eat, our brain has already weighed up our choices — and in a fraction of a second. Now a new study shows which food attributes are processed by our brain …

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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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What Were They Thinking? - The Electric State 1:33:02

4d ago1:33:02

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We are outta town this week so check out this episode of What Were They Thinking where Jason co-hosted with Brendan to discuss the Netflix Original The Electric State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy For Screen And Country | Age of Radio

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The history of life on Earth may be very different to what we think 54:43

6d ago54:43

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We’ve built a picture of the evolution of biodiversity based on a few accessible fossils. But the real story may be very different.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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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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Is Democracy Backsliding? David A. Graham on Power, Press, and What Comes Next 1:04:18

6d ago1:04:18

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From Project 2025 to creeping authoritarianism, Atlantic journalist David A. Graham lays out the threats to democracy — and why he still believes it's worth defending. Glad to have this timely conversation with David A. Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic, author of the Atlantic Daily newsletter, and the mind behind two major works: THE PROJECT: H…

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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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Halloween H20: 20 Years Later 1:31:10

7d ago1:31:10

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Yes, that's the entire title. Catchy, eh? This week, the guys talk about the 7th Halloween film in which Michael Myers is 40 and lovin' it. They discuss all of the cheap Michael masks, the complicated timeline of the franchise, LL Cool J's erotic fiction novels, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's pre-credit death and much more. Next week: Give me sequels! What…

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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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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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LB Prevette on Weave, Rural Belonging, and Why “You Won’t Hurt Alone.” 1:00:56

9d ago1:00:56

1:00:56

How one rural weaver is helping neighbors feel seen, supported, and connected in Wilkes County, NC — and what we can learn from her example. We are kicking off something special. This episode is the first in a new ongoing series highlighting Weavers — local leaders around the country who are rebuilding trust and community from the ground up through…

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Lab Notes: Times we thought we found aliens 13:27

10d ago13:27

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We have a mysterious visitor to our little patch of the cosmos this week: A comet called 3I/ATLAS. This icy, rocky ball is only the third interstellar object we've discovered zooming past our Sun. There are scientists who think the comet may be alien technology sent from another solar system to invade Earth, but space agencies poured cold water on …

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33 years of the campus free speech controversy 54:07

11d ago54:07

54:07

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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The Third For Screen and Country Vigennial Awards 1:50:27

15d ago1:50:27

1:50:27

It's the Third Vigennial Awards, presented by Fatima (It Is Wise) and Wikipedia (gimme a dollar)! All the stars are out to pay homage to the 43 films Brendan and Jason have watched since the last one of these things! Sit back, relax and send the children to the car wash cause this is OUR night! We return in 2 weeks with a very troubling movie. Ques…

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Paint additive boosts plant growth in greenhouses 53:06

14d ago53:06

53:06

An additive in paint converts ultraviolet light into red light allowing plants to grow more producing higher yields, a boon for greenhouse agriculture.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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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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ICYMI: Mike Madrid on Baseball, Family, and the Soul of America 1:22:36

13d ago1:22:36

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Where baseball, family, and democracy meet — Mike Madrid reminds us what’s worth fighting for in America. If you didn't catch our most recent conversation with friend of the pod, Mike Madrid, well... where were ya? We recorded this one right around July 4th and it's still on point! What'd ya expect with the brilliant Mike Madrid?!?! So join us in w…

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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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Mini-Episode: Hallowieners 31:15

21d ago31:15

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Spooky season is upon us so the guys reached out to the listeners for their favourite festive movie picks. Despite Brendan attempting to ruin the party by pulling a 180, the guys discuss classics, unexpected gems and totally not horror-related Halloween watches. Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/wwttpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebo…

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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

24d 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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Silencing the Press, Politicizing the Military: Col. David Lapan Isn’t Having It 1:25:18

16d ago1:25:18

1:25:18

“The North Star is the truth. Tell it. And if you can’t, explain why.” — Col. David Lapan (Ret.) We had the distinct honor of sitting down with Colonel David Lapan, retired Marine and former spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Secretaries of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In a wide-ranging, timely conversa…

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Lab Notes: The extinct ape-like human relative that made tools 13:59

18d ago13:59

13:59

Around 1.5 million years ago, in what's now Kenya, a human-like figure walked across the savannah. He was probably quite short by our standards, no taller than Danny DeVito. But unlike Danny DeVito, this ancient figure was not human. He was a long-extinct relative of ours called Paranthropus boisei. And now his fossilised hand bones are giving us n…

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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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Braveheart 1:34:28

22d ago1:34:28

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It's the 2nd-most historically inaccurate movie of all-time! Join the lads as they don their kilts and discuss Mel Gibson's ode to problematic Scottish heroes in Braveheart. Comparisons are made to The Passion of the Christ, the guys debate if William Wallace is an interesting character, they wonder if oft-parodied moments can ever be taken serious…

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Teenagers encounter their challenges 54:25

24d ago54:25

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Jonathan Porritt’ recent book, Love, Anger and Betrayal charts the lives of young British climate campaigners. Meanwhile in Australia under-16s are about to be banned from using social media.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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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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Fighting Division One Conversation at a Time 20:19

25d ago20:19

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Surviving Triangulation in a Polarized World It's time to reckon with one of the toughest questions in our current public discourse: “How can you think that?” Through stories from his personal and professional life, host Corey Nathan unpacks the emotionally draining phenomenon of triangulation—when we’re caught in the middle of opposing viewpoints—…

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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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Alien Resurrection 1:35:02

23d ago1:35:02

1:35:02

Don't you love sequels? Especially when they make as much sense as Alien Resurrection, a movie that said, "oh no, Ripley burned herself to death and we have to bring her back... I dunno, clones?" The guys discuss the 4th Alien film in the franchise and talk about the one-liner filled Joss Whedon script, Ripley being super horny for aliens, the deep…

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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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🎙️ Transforming Systems, Not Just Souls — with Dr. Kurt Ver Beek 1:09:18

28d ago1:09:18

1:09:18

"If we lived in the poorest, most dangerous neighborhoods, we’d understand better how to love and serve." — Dr. Kurt Ver Beek It was great to sit down with Dr. Kurt Ver Beek, co-founder of the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ), who has lived and worked in Honduras for nearly four decades. From battling systemic corruption to reducing the ho…

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Lab Notes: How solar eclipses trick birds into singing 15:16

24d ago15:16

15:16

Few astronomical wonders are as spectacular as a total solar eclipse, when the Moon fully covers the Sun, plunging us into daytime darkness. If we're lucky, we can see this epic phenomenon as it happens — through special glasses, of course. But our preoccupation with looking at the sky means we may not notice what's happening to the animals around …

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