Big Ideas

Residents of the Pacific and Torres Strait Islands face an existential threat from climate change, as rising sea levels threaten to swallow up their homes and livelihoods. But they are fighting back - calling for Australia and other countries to do more to end investment in fossil fuels and prevent a full blown climate catastrophe.

This event was recorded on Kaurna country at WOMADelaide's Planet Talks on March 9, 2024. With thanks also to The Australia Institute. Original Big Ideas broadcast on 28 May 2024.

Speakers

Anote Tong President of the Republic of Kiribati 2003- 2016Chair, Pacific Elders Voice

Yessie Mosby Zenadh Kes Masig traditional ownerPlaintiff, Torres Strait 8Our Islands Our Home campaign

Tishiko King Climate and first nations advocateMember, Australian Museum Climate Solutions Centre Advisory GroupBoard Director, Divers for Climate

Tiahni Adamson (host) Lead Community Engagement Officer at CH4GlobalLecturer at the University of South Australia2024 Young Australian of the Year (South Australia)

Liberalism isn't just a political philosophy but the basis of a truly meaningful life. That's the bold statement of philosopher Alexandre Lefebvre, author of the forthcoming book Liberalism As A Way of Life. Should individuals be free to pursue their own passions and interests in life? Does liberalism mean more than freedom of speech and small government? You might not identify as a liberal, but are we in fact all liberals at heart? 

The Philosophy You Already Have — a Live Philosophy event was presented in Melbourne at the Sophia Club, from the creators of Aeon and Psyche magazines. Find out more here  about the series.

Original broadcast on March 21, 2024

Speakers

Alexandre LefebvreProfessor of politics and philosophy at the University of SydneyAuthor of Liberalism as a Way of Life, Princeton University Press, 2024

Brigid Hains (host)Editorial director of Aeon Media

Tibetan master Venerable Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche experienced terrifying panic attacks as a little boy. What did he learn about suffering, the Self, and the nature of our mind through coming to understand his own mind? He joins Natasha Mitchell along with an Indian philosopher of mind and a Sufi scholar to wrestle with the self and its dissolution.

This event Beyond Self — A journey to connection and wellbeing was organised by Tergar Australia and the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies.

Original broadcast on May 22, 2024.

Speakers

Venerable Yongey Mingyur RinpocheTibetan meditation master and head of the Tergar Meditation CommunityAuthor, In Love with the World: What a monk can teach you about living from nearly dying (2019)

Monima ChadhaProfessor of philosophy, Monash UniversityAuthor, Selfless Minds: A Contemporary Perspective on Vasubandhu's Metaphysics (Oxford University Press, 2023)

Dr Aydogan KarsSenior Research Fellow, Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Monash UniversityAuthor, Unsaying God: Negative Theology in Medieval Islam (Oxford University Press, 2019)

You wouldn't be human if you hadn't from time to time wondered what the meaning is of all of this. Who am I? Is there a purpose? Why am I here? And how can I live a good life? Well of course you're not alone – some of history's biggest thinkers have been coming up with answers to these questions for thousands of years. So what can we learn from their conclusions?

This event was recorded at the Melbourne Writers Festival on 11 May, 2024. It was first broadcast on Big Ideas on 27 June 2024.

Speaker

AC Grayling Philosopher and author, Philosophy and Life, Exploring the Great Questions of How to Live, and many moreProfessor of Philosophy and Principal of Northeastern University London, Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford

Pioneering electronic musician and performer Laurie Anderson invites you contemplate the wonders of time. Time is one of the most impermanent forms of measurement that humans have invented to help manage our lives. We couldn't function without it. Do you feel like you're running out of time? Which way is time going? Are you able to stop time? What is the role of time  in ethics, or how you experience trauma? Laurie shares a creative conversation with twice-Booker-shortlisted author Tom McCarthy as they look to arts and literature for answers.

Presented by the Rubin Museum of Art. New York City

Original broadcast on March 6, 2024

Speakers

Laurie AndersonMultimedia artist, musician, film director and author

Tom McCarthyAuthor of The Making of Incarnation (2021), Satin Island (2015),  Remainder (2005)

From loneliness, to our technology addiction, growing inequality and our shrinking middle class, our faith in God, to the complex legacy of the Baby Boomers, Hugh McKay paints a compelling portrait of modern Australia, and asks some pointy questions about its future.

This event was recorded at the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre at the University of South Australia on May 16, 2024. First broadcast on Big Ideas on 4 July 2024.

Speakers

Hugh Mackay Social psychologist and researcherAuthor, The Way We Are. Lessons from a lifetime of listening and many more

Julia Lester (host) Journalist, broadcaster, presenter

Best-selling author Holly Ringland says that everyone can be creative – yes, even you! Be it painting, cooking, knitting a jumper or writing a song. It's often self-doubt and the fear of criticism and judgement that's holding you back. The voice in your head telling you that you're not good enough. It doesn't have to be like this. In The House That Joy Built, Holly Ringland explains how to 'get unstuck' and to give yourself permission to be creative.

This conversation was presented at the Reading bookstore. 

Original broadcast on March 5, 2024

Speakers

Holly RinglandAustralian author and TV presenter

The House That Joy Built (2023)

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2018), winner of the 2019 General fiction book of the year award at the Australian Book Industry Awards. The book was adapted into a television miniseries in 2023.

The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding (2022)

Kate MildenhallAustralian author – Skylarking (2016), The Mother Fault (2020), The Humming Bird Effect (2023)

Listen to Big Ideas - Diversity in arts, culture and the creative sector

A wooden sarcophogas is sold in a Cairo market in the 1800s, transported to Australia, and held in a University of Sydney collection. It remains closed for over a century. And then scientists opened its lid.  What happened next? Two leading Australian Egyptologists join Natasha Mitchell to consider the ethics, history, and science of a quest to understand life and death in Ancient Egypt and get a glimpse into one woman's world over 2500 years ago. But is it really Mer-Neith-It-Es?

This event was presented by the Australian Museum as part of the Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaoh's exhibition. Thanks to Liz Young, Narelle Lewis, and the museum team.

Original broadcast on April 10, 2024.

Speakers

Ronika PowerEgyptologist and Professor of BioarchaeologyDirector, Centre for Ancient Cultural Heritage and EnvironmentMacquarie University

Dr Constance (Conni) LordEgyptologistChau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney

Further information:

The Australian Museum

The Mummy Project, University of Sydney

Uncovering the secrets of Ancient Egypt (University of Sydney)

Human remains research project

The Mummy Project at the Chau Chak Wing Museum (Sydney University Press eBooks, 2022)

The internet was supposed to make the world more open and connected, but things seem to have taken a dark turn. Scottish author Andrew O'Hagan makes an impassioned case for the role of readers and writing as "frontline workers" in the fight for reality.

These events were recorded at the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival on 17 and 19 May 2024. Originally broadcast on Big Ideas on 18 July 2024.

Speakers

Andrew O'Hagan Author Caledonian Road, Mayflies, and moreEssayist and editor-at-large of the London Review of Books

Gillian O'Shaughnessy Writer, moderator, journalist

Folk legend Eric Bogle is opening up and talks about his life, his thoughts about death, friendship and love and why having a deeper message for writing songs is so much more important than money and fame. It's a rare opportunity to share a conversation with one of the best and most prolific songwriters of the last several decades. His songs have become Australian classics – like The Band Played Waltzing Matilda or No Man's Land. And as a very special treat – you'll hear the world premiere of his latest song … finished on the way to this event.

A Heartland Conversation presented at the Blue Mountains Music Festival. March 17, 2024

Original broadcast on April 15, 2024

Speakers

Eric BogleScottish-born Australian folk singer-songwriter

Gregg Borschmann (host)Writer, radio producer and oral historian for the National Library of Australia