
Ideas at the House
Talks and conversations from the Sydney Opera House featuring the world’s greatest minds and culture creators. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

May 18, 2025 • 1h
The Baby Boycott | All About Women 2025
Deciding whether to have kids is more complex than ever. This thoughtful conversation unpacks the deeply personal choice of parenthood alongside its broader political, financial, and environmental implications. With birth rates falling and uncertainty rising, more women are choosing not to have children. Plug in and hear candid conversations about climate anxiety, economic pressures, and social expectations—and why opting out of parenthood is becoming an increasingly common decision.This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 9 March 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 11, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Tradwives Club | All About Women 2025
Wondering what’s behind ballerina farms, #mormonmoms and the simple life? As the Trad Wife phenomenon rises up the algorithm, clips of women collecting newly laid eggs and baking bread are finding their way into “For You” pages everywhere. Jump down the rabbit hole as this conversation examines how these influencers perform the roles of wife and mother for public consumption and how feminism fits into this story.This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 9 March 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 4, 2025 • 1h 33min
State of Emergency | All About Women 2025
An urgent panel discussion on Australia’s escalating crisis of violence against women. Experts share personal accounts and professional insights into the rise in partner homicides, tech-enabled abuse, and the disproportionate impact on First Nations women. As governments acknowledge the issue but fail to act effectively, this conversation asks: why is the danger increasing, and what must be done to protect women and children across the country?This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 9 March 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 12, 2025 • 1h 13min
Brainstorm with Richard Scolyer
Co-Medical Director of the Melanoma Institute Australia, Professor Richard Scolyer AO is a world-leading clinician and researcher who has spent years alongside his colleagues transforming melanoma treatment, Australia’s deadliest cancer. At the peak of his career, his world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with an incurable Grade 4 glioblastoma.Refusing to accept the status quo—where treatment options had remained unchanged for nearly two decades—he made the courageous decision to become “patient zero” in a world-first experimental immunotherapy. Moderated by Jamila Rizvi, this fascinating conversation follows Richard’s remarkable journey and celebrates the publication of his latest book Brainstorm.This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 17 November 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 9min
Tracy Westerman in conversation with Stan Grant
From humble beginnings in the remote Pilbara, Dr Tracy Westerman was the first Aboriginal person in Australia to complete a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has risen to become one of the country’s leading psychologists.In an event that marked the publication of her powerful memoir Jilya, Westerman spoke to journalist and Wiradjuri man Stan Grant, and drew on decades of client stories of trauma and heartbreak, explaining how mental health professions’ one-size-fits-all approach is creating irreparable damage and how a different approach can help to heal the wounds of intergenerational trauma.This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 10 September 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 22, 2024 • 1h 29min
Your Brain On AI
Paul Davies AM, a renowned quantum physicist, joins cognitive scientist Inês Hipólito and neuroscientist Brett Kagan for an enlightening discussion on the intersection of AI with consciousness and human cognition. They delve into the ethical dilemmas posed by advanced technologies, like brain implants and AI misinformation, while exploring AI's limitations in creativity and the nuances of human intuition. The trio emphasizes the importance of critical thinking in navigating these innovations and the implications they bear for society's future.

Dec 15, 2024 • 1h 29min
Jamie Oliver in conversation with Melissa Leong
He’s a global household name who needs no introduction - from the famous moment of discovery at London’s River Café to selling 50 million books 24 years later, Jamie Oliver popped into Sydney for an Australian exclusive conversation covering the breadth of his career.Moderated by former Masterchef Australia judge Melissa Leong, hear Jamie’s insights into his triumphs and challenges, the meaning of family and being a dad, and his pledge to create a happier, healthier world by inspiring the love of cooking in children.This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 11 November 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 8, 2024 • 1h 22min
The Gene Editing Revolution with Jennifer Doudna
The world is on the cusp of extraordinary changes - from cures for intractable illnesses to dramatic reductions in greenhouse gasses - thanks to Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna. Listen to her thoughts in this fascinating discussion with Natasha Mitchell and learn about the benefits and threats in the revolution of gene editing.This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 21 May 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 1, 2024 • 1h 25min
The Body Keeps the Score with Bessel Van Der Kolk
In this Australian exclusive event, psychiatrist and trauma research pioneer Bessel van der Kolk, MD, sat down with Sarah Kanowski and discussed his New York Times best selling book The Body Keeps The Score.Hear his insights into how traumatic experiences can disconnect our body and mind leaving us with a physical imprint of our psychic wounds, and explore the treatments proving effective, including MDMA-assisted therapy, recently approved for use in Australia.This event was recorded live at Sydney Opera House on 9 March 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 7, 2024 • 1h 4min
Influencers are the New Public Intellectuals | All About Women 2024
For a long time, the word 'influencer' conjured stereotypes of activewear and dubious hot takes. But it's 2024 and social media has well-and-truly revolutionised the public square. Today, the word influencer can refer to an activist or academic who shares short videos on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram to explain complex concepts on niche subjects for a global audience. From Substack to Twitter threads, podcasting to Patreon, there are many opportunities to monetise knowledge-sharing. What does it mean for women to be able to build audiences free from traditional gatekeepers? Or are the gatekeepers now just the shady algorithms of BigTech bros? This All About Women panel of influencers including: Hannah Ferguson, Mary Mcgillivray, Sisonke Msimang and moderator Bri Lee features a lively and entertaining debate unpacking the implications of the new gatekeepers. This event was recorded at All About Women Festival at the Sydney Opera House on March 10, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.