How much industry influence is too much for a democracy like Australia to bear and why the science of friction is so critical to modern life with Laurie Winkless.

As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and the West, Bruce Shapiro considers what cards are left to play. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has travelled to the Asia-Pacific, so what does that say about the importance of our region? Plus, we'll meet some badass women that have been largely forgotten by Australian history.

Laura Tingle reflects on the final sitting days of the 46th parliament, more than half the population of Afghanistan facing starvation and the diaries of Henry 'Chips' Channon, attaché to the American Embassy in Paris in the lead up to WWII.

How one man with major holes in his CV ran South Australia's autopsies for nearly three decades. And the strange but true tale of plastic surgery provided to US prisoners.

Ian Dunt on Boris Johnson's latest gaffe, Kristy Campion on some forgotten history of terrorism in Australia and Simon Parkin on the brilliant refugees that were interned on the Isle of Man during World War Two.

Debates about free speech sweep the States; hydrogen now comes in green, blue, grey, even pink, but are they all worth the hype? And journalist Gary Nunn explores just how far psychics have infiltrated the media, the corporate world, government, the criminal justice system and beyond.

Laura Tingle on Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce being embroiled in the text message scandal, political scientist Dr Brian Klaas on the nature of power and philosopher A.C Grayling considers three major threats to humanity and how universal ethics might help.

A new history of the BBC looks back at the people who made it what it is, and the people it serves.

Tess Newton Cain reports on how the clean up is progressing in Tonga, John Bartlett on the youthful progressive government newly elected in Chile and Frank Uekotter on what can be learnt from the history of monoculture.

Bruce Shapiro sheds some light on Biden's possible Supreme Court picks, political theorist John Keane gives us a potted history of democracy, and art history professor Catherine Speck celebrates the life and work of artists Ann Newmarch and Hossein Valamanesh.