Best Another Existential Crisis Podcasts (2026)

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Episode 1 Do you create from do's or don'ts? 7:17

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3d ago7:17

7:17

A new year, new intentions. Is that a habitual thing you can let go of, what doesn't work, and create something you love so much it goes deeper and stays real? If you lose weight because you don't like the scale now, be careful, weight might find you again.... Do you dare to change your frequency and step into what is a match for you in this moment…

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Humans are finally heading back to the moon; Cheaper weight loss drugs are coming; Milestone for LSD trials; Promise of new carbon tax 32:30

4d ago32:30

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Episode 339 Humans are finally going back to the moon. NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch in April, taking four astronauts in a loop around the moon. If it goes well, it’ll set the stage for a lunar landing by Artemis III - bringing us closer to creating permanent settlements on the surface. And that’s not all - SpaceX is planning to visit …

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Best science TV, film and books of 2025 | The New Scientist culture review 24:03

11d ago24:03

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Episode 336 Looking for something great to read or watch on TV over the festive period? We’ve got you covered. In a special edition of the podcast, we share our favourite books, TV and films of 2025 - for those moments when you need a break from the festivities. From pure science fiction to books exploring climate change and the history of our earl…

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Top Science Stories of 2025 | The New Scientist Features Special 59:57

18d ago59:57

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Episode 337 As we reach the end of the year, catch up on some of New Scientist’s most exciting and thought-provoking features of the past twelve months. For decades we’ve got autism in girls all wrong. Symptoms present quite differently in girls to boys, meaning they often go undiagnosed. So why have we failed to see the differences - and why are g…

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After Bondi: no to racism, no to genocide 21:33

18d ago21:33

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David Glanz, an anti-Zionist Jew and Palestine solidarity activist, argues that the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the crimes of imperialism are root causes of the antisemitic massacre at Bondi beach. Read more about anti-Zionism. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was given at a Solidarity meeting in Melbourne on 18 December 2025.…

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Orcas and dolphins are now hunting together; Genetic root of psychiatric conditions; Black hole stars and cosmic ecology 33:02

25d ago33:02

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Episode 336 In an unlikely turn of events, orcas and dolphins have been observed teaming up - to hunt and kill massive chinook salmon in the pacific. Given that orcas sometimes prey on dolphins, what’s going on? Despite the promising signs of cooperation between these two species, there may be something less heartwarming at play. We dig into the fi…

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Another COP fail: why capitalism can't solve the climate crisis 31:20

25d ago31:20

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Liam McMullen discusses the failure of the COP30 climate talks despite the mounting evidence of global warming and climate change. He argues that the drive to profit means capitalism can't offer real solutions to the climate crisis. Read more about fighting for climate action. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was given at a Solidarity meet…

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Episode 32 The last one, to exchange gifts 8:17

26d ago8:17

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In this last podcast, Nienke invites you to reflect. What gifts did you get from this year, physically, mentally, emotionally spirtually/in behaviours? In an honest share, she lists her gifts for 2025 across all areas. Gifts can occur as setbacks; we can take them as invitations to enjoy? Shift your perspectives? She ends with an inquiry as a gift …

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How exercise shrinks tumours and starves cancer; Weird molecules found on comet 3I/ATLAS; Einstein v Bohr on the nature of light 25:25

1M ago25:25

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Episode 335 Exercise has been shown to shrink tumours by 60 per cent. A new study shows another link between regular exercise and cancer prevention, this time revealing that muscle cells may outcompete cancer cells for energy - basically starving them. We explore the links between metabolism and glucose - with the caveat that so far this has only b…

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Mamdani wins New York: lessons for the left 28:16

1M ago28:16

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Tara Burnett, former Greens candidate for Cooper and an AEU member, and Solidarity member Jasmine Ali discuss how Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York has generated hope. But they also warn that, since his election, Mamdani has started to soften some of his positions and draw conclusions for the struggle ahead. Read more about Mamdani. Find out mor…

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Episode 31 Existential crisis to existential growth 8:57

1M ago8:57

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An existential crisis is a period of deep questioning about life's meaning, purpose, and values, often triggered by significant life events or a sense of meaninglessness, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and distress. Existential growth is the positive transformation that can occur when a person navigates this crisis by reevaluating their life…

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The evolution of sperm and the enduring mystery of the scrotum; How our brain rewires itself 4 times in life; The (real) disaster scenarios of imminent climate breakdown 39:11

1M ago39:11

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Episode 334 Which sperm is the oldest sperm - the ancestor sperm that came before all others? Well, you might think it links back to an ancient animal that came before us, but the oldest sperm may actually predate animals altogether. We explore this plus the enduring mystery of the scrotum - and why a male’s most important body part is so delicate …

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Anti-Palestinian racism in schools 48:54

1M ago48:54

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The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has recently released a report on anti-Palestinian racism in Australian schools. Zakaria Saleh, Wasim El-Haj and Chris Breen discuss the issues. Zak was a high school student in 2024 and is now studying at Western Sydney Uni. Wasim and Chris are both teachers. Chris is active in Teachers and School St…

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The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch 30:43

2M ago30:43

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Episode 333 It’s not often you get to see or hear someone playing music on a conch shell. So prepare yourself for a musical treat with musician and podcaster Steve Pretty, who brings into the studio a trumpet and a collection of his favourite conches, rigged up to some modern electronics. Steve is best known as the bandleader of the Hackney Collier…

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Why the rich wanted Whitlam sacked - and how workers fought back 37:11

2M ago37:11

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Phil Griffiths, labour historian and Solidarity member, explains the forces at work behind the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor government on 11 November 1975. He describes how workers immediately walked out on strike, with a push to shut down the country until Whitlam was reinstated, and draws conclusions for our struggle today from the defeat. Read…

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Episode 30 The Labrador Syndrome 8:07

2M ago8:07

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Do you know these individuals who are incredibly loyal and work hard for everyone who asks? Those who become very upset by facing resistance tend to take critique extremely personally. But also comfort themselves with compensation food after serving half the world? Like Labradors. Friendly and social – Intelligent and eager to learn – Loyal and dev…

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New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod! 45:02

2M ago45:02

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Episode 332 For only the second time, the genome of an ancient Denisovan has been sequenced - thanks to the discovery of a 200,000-year-old tooth found in a Siberian cave. This ancient member of the human family has long been a mystery, so this genome is being described as a bombshell moment, revealing an early stage of Denisovan history. We explor…

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Liberals face an existential crisis 38:56

2M ago38:56

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Emeritus Professor Judith Brett has spent much of her academic career writing about the Liberal Party. She argues that the Liberals face an existentialist crisis but that Labor is failing to take advantage of the moment. Judith's books include Robert Menzies’ Forgotten People, published in 1992, and Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class, f…

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Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading 29:00

2M ago29:00

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Episode 331 This week sees the broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK of a documentary called Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a dictator. Geneticists have managed to find a DNA sample from Adolf Hitler and have sequenced it and verified it, and now we have his genome. The big question is what does this really tell us – what can we tell from someone’s genome? …

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Episode 29 Acceptance isn't giving up 7:45

2M ago7:45

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Acceptance is not about giving up; it is about releasing resistance to what you cannot change, so you can move forward with clarity and purpose. While giving up is a cessation of effort, acceptance is a proactive choice to acknowledge reality as it is, which creates a foundation for progress and allows you to respond to challenges with strength and…

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COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting 31:30

2M ago31:30

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Episode 330 COP30 is nearly upon us - and this climate conference may be the most crucial so far. In a year where we’ve seen the first major global tipping point reached, destructive wildfires raging in Los Angeles and much more, joint action has never been more urgent. But as hope starts to wane and climate goals continue to be missed, many are qu…

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Islamophobia, imperialism and resistance 40:21

2M ago40:21

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Dr Sara Cheikh-Husain discusses her research into Islamophobia in Australia and argues that it cannot be understood separately from the imperialist agenda of the West and the attempt to silence the voices of Palestinians and their supporters. She is the author of an upcoming book, The politics of anti-Islamophobia in Australia: The case of the Musl…

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Radio BESBECT - BCB 45:00

2M ago45:00

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Send me ____________ through my E-mail at the footy(footer // bri'ish) So... Fuck, me. Much creativity and humour has been lost to a breakdown... Well... After 3 phone repairs, 3 new phones, a court date, and much negative D.I.Y. to my abode... I'm significantly less-drunk. (don't get your naïve hopes up, Máith) This podcast is actually my main foc…

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The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins? 23:51

2M ago23:51

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Episode 329 America’s health data system is in crisis. The US government has been bleeding public health experts – many of whom run crucial public health surveys and databases which help identify, monitor and respond to health threats across the country. From drug use to food security and birth data, discover the 5 surveys most critically hit by th…

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Gaza after the 'ceasefire': will the killing stop? 23:50

2M ago23:50

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David Glanz discusses the fragile nature of the ceasefire and why it brings no respite, let alone peace, for Palestinian people. He looks at why Israel agreed to the ceasefire and how the movement here and overseas should respond. Read more about the Palestinian struggle. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was delivered at a Solidarity meeti…

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Episode 28 Adding a T to the simulation 9:03

2M ago9:03

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We can prepare and train ourselves by using virtual reality, a simulator of reality. Like pilots learn to act in all kinds of situations. We all use our human simulator as a re-living play. We act in real time based on what we have learned in the past. Or we pretend that how we show up for others is real. How many VR filters do you put on, an Insta…

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How mRNA vaccines teach your body to kill cancer; Grim state of climate action; Why birds sing the dawn chorus 29:20

2M ago29:20

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Episode 328 Not only has the mRNA covid vaccine saved 14 million lives, it may also help our bodies fight off cancer. A study of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment showed those who received an mRNA vaccine lived nearly twice as long - and this effect was discovered by accident. In a trial of cancer vaccines, Elias Sayour’s team at t…

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Block everything: inside Italy's general strike for Palestine 57:40

2M ago57:40

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Lucia Pradella and Fabio Santoro discuss the 3 October general strike in Italy for Palestine. Adam Adelpour gives an introduction to the meeting. The summing up by Lucia and Fabio that followed question time is included. Lucia is an Italian scholar of political economy, Marxist theory and labour movements who helps coordinate University and College…

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Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special) 28:29

3M ago28:29

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Episode 327 A special episode recorded on October 18 at New Scientist Live in London, featuring experts in geoscience, dark matter and neuroscience. Anjana Khatwa is an Earth scientist and TV presenter. In her new book, The Whispers of Rock, she brings together Western scientific knowledge about the evolution of our Earth and indigenous knowledge a…

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First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers 34:00

3M ago34:00

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Episode 326 The world’s first major climate tipping point has been triggered. The decimation of warm water coral populations caused by rising temperatures is now irreversible - passing the point of no return. The global consequences of widescale coral dieback could be catastrophic, so experts are sounding the alarm. But is anyone listening? A man w…

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Australian settler colonialism, racism and imperialism 23:30

3M ago23:30

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Casey Forsyth looks at the dynamic driving colonial settlement on this continent and draws lessons for the struggle for Indigenous rights and in solidarity with Palestine. Read more about colonial settler movements. Find out about Solidarity. This talk was delivered at the Resist and Rebel conference in Melbourne on 30 August 2025.…

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Space 2075: How Humanity Will Live, Work and Make Drugs off-planet | Live Recording at the Royal Society 53:35

3M ago53:35

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A special episode all about the future of space exploration, recorded in front of a live audience at the Royal Society in London. Earlier this year, the Royal Society published ‘The Space: 2075 report’, which recognises the huge changes we’re seeing in space exploration, and urges for action to be taken to make sure the next 50 years of activity in…

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Episode 27 For those who stand the hea(r)t of Phoenixing 8:11

3M ago8:11

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This is the 80th episode of the Phoenix Frequencies podcasts, exactly on my fourth anniversary of my re-birthday. It has been an intense ride and inquiry to learn who can stand ánd stay with me. Who can resonate sincerely or pretend by pleasing? Who can hear what I see, even without fully understanding the impact? And the people who can't or couldn…

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How Jane Goodall changed the world; How the universe ends; How “selfish sperm” affect male fertility 43:27

3M ago43:27

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Episode 324 The legendary primatologist Jane Goodall died last week aged 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her work studying tool use in chimpanzees completely reshaped the way we view animal intelligence. Fiercely protective of the natural world, she was also responsible for a huge amount of advocacy during her life. Primatologist Alejandra …

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Racism and the LA riots: The beginning of the end of Trump? 22:49

3M ago22:49

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Victor Fernandez, an LA-based activist and member of Solidarity's US sister group, Marx21, talks about Trump's racist ICE raids and the growing resistance to them. Read more about resistance to Trump. Find out more about Solidarity. Find out more about Marx21 US. This talk was given at the Resist and Rebel conference in Sydney on 23 August 2025.…

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Capitalism, settler colonial law and the police 33:23

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Michael Grewcock, a retired lecturer in criminal law and criminology, speaks on the history of capitalism, settler colonial law and the police in Australia. Read more about the police. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was delivered at Resist and Rebel in Sydney on 23 August 2025.By solidarity.net.au

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Emergency in Antarctica; How movement changes the brain; Why women live longer than men 30:56

3M ago30:56

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Episode 323 Temperatures in Antarctica have soared by over 35°C. Scientists are concerned about how quickly things are changing on the continent as these warmer temperatures impact the polar vortex. Coupled with record lows in sea ice cover over the last decade, this could be a sign that Antarctic weather patterns have shifted permanently. What’s d…

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Skull rewrites story of human evolution; Autism and Tylenol; discovery of wind coming from black hole 33:57

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Episode 322 An ancient skull discovered in China may have just rewritten the story of human evolution. It’s widely accepted that the common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Denisovans and Neanderthals came out of Africa. But this skull upends that assumption - potentially showing human evolution began in Asia. Discover how a new reconstruction of the Yunx…

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Fighting the rise of the far right: lessons from Greece and Britain 28:55

3M ago28:55

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Socialists from Britain and Greece draw on their experiences of fighting the rise of the far right. Judy Cox is a member of the Socialist Workers Party, which has played a central role in Stand Up to Racism counter-demonstrations against the far right in Britain. Petros Constantinou is a socialist and coordinator of the Movement Against Racism and …

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Episode 26 The Elements of Peace 8:36

4M ago8:36

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On International Peace Day, Nienke recorded a special podcast on peace again this season. The elements of peace encompass both internal, personal qualities, such as patience, compassion, and inner tranquillity, and external, societal conditions, including justice, freedom, equity, and well-functioning institutions. Achieving "positive peace" requir…

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The evolutionary price we pay for longer lives; the asteroid coming VERY close to Earth; how dinosaurs shaped the ecosystem 32:59

4M ago32:59

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Episode 321 Humans live a lot longer than other primates - and much of that is down to our immune system. But there’s a price we pay for the capacity to fight off infections: inflammation. Chronic inflammation is to blame for a range of health issues, especially those related to older age. And now research has revealed exactly why inflammation is g…

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Alexandra Kollontai: women, family and revolution 23:54

4M ago23:54

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Liz Grosshans introduces the ideas of Alexandra Kollontai, a Russian revolutionary who argued that liberation for women was tied to the fight against capitalism. In a socialist society private domestic drudgery would be replaced by public services for all. Read more about Kollontai. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was given at the Resist …

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Episode 25 Diagnosis and Prognosis 8:39

4M ago8:39

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In our drive to feel secure, if we know 'for sure' what is going on in all kinds of areas in life, we like to analyse and have a diagnosis from that. Then we want to ensure that we foresee what happens next: A prognosis. A prognosis is a healthcare term that refers to the likely outcome or course of a disease or injury based on a patient's medical …

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Why we can't announce life on Mars (yet); The Romans' impact on the British economy; Link between exercise and your microbiome 29:59

4M ago29:59

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Episode 320 Was Mars once home to alien life? The evidence is stronger than ever, since NASA’s discovery of rocks marked by patterns similar to those made by microbes on Earth. Found in an area now named Bright Angel, these rocks give us a tantalising insight into Mars’ ancient past - but just how definitive is this finding? It’s long been thought …

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Indonesian socialists speak 46:00

4M ago46:00

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There have been waves of protest against the Prabowo government in Indonesia. Solidarity spoke to Indonesian socialists about the issues. Neysia is from the Socialist Youth Organization and Aldi represents the Perserikatan Sosialis or Socialist Union. Read more about Indonesia. Find out more about Solidarity. This interview was recorded on 10 Septe…

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First complete map of brain activity; Queen ant lays eggs of another species; The perils of scrolling while on the toilet 31:10

4M ago31:10

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Episode 319 Scientists have created the first complete activity map of a mouse’s brain. Combining brain images from multiple mice, researchers recorded more than 650,000 neurons while these mice manipulated little Lego steering wheels in a driving game. This complex behaviour has allowed scientists to examine the interplay between various parts of …

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The case for one state in Palestine 17:54

4M ago17:54

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Chris Breen discusses why Anthony Albanese's recognition of a Palestinian state is a sham, why a "two-state" solution is an illusion and why one Palestinian state based on equality between the river and the sea is an urgent necessity. Read more about Palestine. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was delivered at a Solidarity meeting in Sydne…

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Episode 24 The AHA moments 8:53

4M ago8:53

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In the Heart Ambassadors group, Karen refreshed our memories by reminding us of the acronym for AHA moments in life. You might know them as they pop up in unexpected moments that cannot be forced to happen. In the powerful situations of slowing down, they come. Awaresness But if you leave it like that, the AHA moment disappears as quickly as it cam…

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Scientists discovered a 100,000-year-old organism; Breakthrough brain implant uses AI to treat pain; How climate change leads to revolutions 25:50

4M ago25:50

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Episode 318 An ancient organism has been discovered that has been alive for at least 100,000 years. Found in the Siberian permafrost, this lifeform doesn’t appear to have just remained dormant - but instead has actually been growing extremely slowly. Our understanding of life is already quite fuzzy, and this finding adds to the idea that life itsel…

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May 68: when students and workers shook the world 21:49

4M ago21:49

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Julie Monteiro tells how students and workers turned France upside down, with student protests helping trigger a 10 million-strong general strike. She looks at how the ruling class was able to reestablish "order" and discusses the political lessons we can draw today. Read more about May 68. Find out more about Solidarity This talk was delivered at …