Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

Political philosopher David Runciman sits down with David Marr to discuss why democracy is in such a state of disrepair, and the scintillating idea he has to give our tired old systems a jolt of adrenaline.  

Over the past two centuries, nearly every society has reallocated land ownership and property rights. If humanity is to flourish over the next century, Michael Albertus says we need to entirely rethink our relationship to the soil (or concrete) beneath our feet. GUEST: Michael Albertus, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago. PRODUCER: Ali Benton

An anthropologist set out to talk to his fellow Americans, to try and understand why so many fear people who are different to them. Guest: Anand Pandian, author of  ‘Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life, and How to Take Them Down’ (Stanford University Press) Producers: Ann Arnold and Jack Schmidt

It’s just over two months since an earthquake hit Myanmar, where more than three thousand people died. Just after the earthquake, the country's Military Junta, declared a temporary ceasefire to help the recovery effort.That ceasefire has now been extended, but the wider concern is China's political agenda in the region.GUEST: Jason Tower, Country Director, United States Institute of PeacePRODUCER: Ali Benton

Laura Spinney, a Paris-based writer and science journalist, delves into the origins of language, particularly the ancient Proto-Indo-European (PIE). She discusses how diverse languages, from English to Sanskrit, share roots in PIE. The conversation highlights language’s vital role in human survival, its connection to storytelling, and how climate change and migration continue to shape linguistic evolution. Spinney also touches on the impact of modern technology on language and the intertwining of language disputes with identity amid conflict.

Authorities are so concerned about gang violence in Haiti, they’ve hired Erik Prince, a private military contractor who founded Blackwater, the company notorious for a civilian massacre in Iraq, back in 2007.GUEST: David C.Adams, freelancer writer for New York TimesPRODUCER: Ali Benton

The human body is made up of thousands of intricate components - each with their own medical name. But who are the people behind these names? For the most part, they are long-dead men, some of whom were of seriously questionable character. So should we do away with anatomical eponyms all together? 

Water and the rivers that carry it are becoming increasingly prized. Our warming planet, increased droughts and burgeoning populations make control of water more and more important. And when there are disagreements, the fallout can be very serious. Pakistan and India have stopped bombing each other after short but intense fighting erupted in Kasmir last month. Now a potentially more catastrophic tension is building over a long-standing water sharing agreement. Guest: Anupreeta Das - New York Times South Asia correspondent 

Britain will increase its defence spending from 2.3% of GDP per annum to 2.7% by 2027, but is all the talk of "war-readiness" proportionate at this moment? Guest: Ian Dunt, columnist for i-news, co-host of the Origin Story podcast

Food criticism has changed a lot since John Lethlean wrote for publications like The Age and The Australian. Over a 25 year career, John chronicled Australia's shifting tastes, watching dining fads come and go. Ultimately, his career came to an end after one line in a review got him into hot water. Guest: John Lethlean - former restaurant critic and author of Post Script: The good, bad and occasionally ugly bits from a 25 year career in Australian food writing