Big Ideas

In a lively discussion, Fintan O’Toole, an Irish Times columnist and expert on political identity, joins host Anna Funder, an acclaimed Australian author, to explore the state of democracy. They tackle the rise of tribalism and how it distorts political discourse, emphasizing the dangers of self-pity narratives that leaders exploit. O’Toole connects these themes to Ireland's experience with identity politics while advocating for empathy and inclusivity in the face of today’s political challenges. It's a thought-provoking conversation on resuscitating democracy.

David McAllister invites you backstage and reveals gloriously gossipy anecdotes about the stars he's met in his long dancing career. But it's not all tutus and tiaras: ballet is at the top of transforming sport science.Presented at the Brisbane Writers Festival.SpeakersDavid McAllisterGuest artistic director of the West Australian Ballet, former principal dancer, former artistic director of The Australian BalletAuthor of Ballet Confidential: A personal behind-the-scenes guide, Thames & Hudson Australia 2024Leanne BenjaminQueensland Ballet's Artistic Director, former principal dancer

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has fought against antisemitism worldwide for over a century. It is now documenting a dangerous rise in antisemitism, and the connection between conspiracy theorists, white supremacy, pro-Palestine anti-war protests, and hate speech.ADL board member, prominent Iranian-American Jewish philanthropist and academic Dr. Sharon Nazarian presents the inaugural Gahl Hodges Burt Lecture in Policy at the American Academy in Berlin.SpeakerDr Sharon Nazarian Board member and former Senior Vice President for International Affairs, Anti-defamation League (ADL)Founder, Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, University of California Los Angeles

Two Australians who are intimately connected to the conflict in the Middle East, one Jewish, one Palestinian, make their pleas for peace, and share their deeply personal stories of how it has affected them.The 13th annual UN International Day of Peace Brisbane lecture was recorded at St John's Anglican Cathedral on September 21, 2024.SpeakersPeter CatDean, St John's Cathedral BrisbaneLouise AdlerDirector, Adelaide Writers WeekNasser MashniPresident, Australians for PalestineFurther informationOlive Kids

One of Australia's most seasoned political journalists Niki Savva has seen the fractures in our democracy up closer than most. Hear her timely advice for journalists, politicians and citizens.This 2024 Speaker's Lecture was recorded at Parliament House in Canberra on 9 September 2024.SOS DEMOCRACY airs on Tuesdays 8pm and Saturdays 10pm in October and November, and on the ABC Listen app.SpeakersNiki Savva Columnist, Nine NewspapersAuthor, The Road to Ruin, Plots and Prayers and BulldozedMilton Dick Speaker of the House of Representatives, Labor MP

Are you a gazelle or a grizzly bear when you run? The bounce in your step defines whether you're a stronger sprinter or long-distance runner — and choosing the right sport for your biomechanics determines whether you can get to the top of the podium. Find out more about the secret weapon of biomechanics, the theory of optimal speed control within racing endurance, and how performance psychology has an impact both on and off the track.The Science of Sport was presented at the York Festival of Ideas. The Festival is led by the University of York, UK.SpeakersProfessor Amandine AftalionMathematician and a senior scientist, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)Author of Be a Champion: 40 Facts You Didn't Know About Sports and ScienceDr Brian HanleyReader in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics, Leeds Beckett UniversityColonel Dame Kelly HolmesBritish athlete, double Olympic gold medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics Games for the 800m and 1500mAdam NichollsProfessor of Psychology within the School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of HullSharon Shortle (host)BBC Radio York

Can you have a wedding between the graves? Why not! – as long as it's respectful. The future of cemetery design is multi-functional, as public spaces just like our gardens and parks. And also as a refuge for animals in the midst of our cities and suburbs. They can be places for the living as well as the dead. How can cemeteries play a broader role in our communities?Six Feed Under: Design and Death Symposium, Melbourne Design Week. Presented by Open House Melbourne.SpeakersHamish CoatesPrincipal Designer, Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust Bec LyonsPresident, Natural Death Advocacy NetworkBjorn NansenSenior Lecturer, Media and Communications, and member of the DeathTech research team, University of Melbourne Tania Davidge (host)Executive Director, Open House MelbourneListen to Big Ideas: Talking about death

Renowned and controversial Australian philosopher and bioethicist Peter Singer is no stranger to contentious ideas — wrestling with the ethics of how we treat each other and other species — infanticide, altruism, veganism and more. He joins Big Ideas' host Natasha Mitchell to talk about why.This event was organised by The Wheeler Centre and Montalto WinerySpeaker: Professor Peter SingerBioethicist and authorFounder of The Life You Can SaveFurther information:The Life You Can Save Oxford University's Centre for Effective AltruismGiveWellGiving What We Can 

Big Ideas celebrates the blooming daphne with a look at the life, work and legacy of a pioneer of Australian landscape gardening, Edna Walling.This event was recorded on April 16, 2024 at the State Library of Victoria.SpeakersTrisha Dixon Writer, photographer, tour guide leaderCo-author (with Jennie Churchill) The Vision of Edna Walling: Garden Plans 1920-1951 (1998), and Gardens in Time: In the Footsteps of Edna Walling (1988)Sara Hardy Biographer, playwright, former actorAuthor, The Unusual Life of Edna Walling, and A Secretive LifeMillie Ross (host) Presenter, Gardening Australia, professional horticulturist, garden designer, writer and broadcasterAuthor The Thrifty Gardener

The United Nations was established after World War II in an attempt to maintain international peace, security, and cooperation. So why now, in the face once again of rising global conflicts, are the UN, and other world bodies, laws, and mechanisms, so unable to address these crises?This event was recorded at the University of Melbourne on 29 August 2024.SpeakersProfessor Alison Duxbury Deputy Dean, University of Melbourne Law SchoolDr Tania Miletic Co-Director, Initiative for Peacebuilding, University of MelbourneDr Carrie McDougall Senior Lecturer, University of Melbourne Law SchoolFormer legal specialist and Assistant Director of the International Law Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeFormer Legal Adviser at Australia's Mission to the United Nations in New YorkJon Faine (host) Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, University of Melbourne Law SchoolFormer long-time presenter, Mornings, ABC Radio Melbourne