Big Ideas

Dr. Esmé Louise James, a sex historian and TikTok communicator, leads the argument for civilizational collapse, citing historical and modern issues like AI. In contrast, Hannah Moloney, a permaculture educator, champions transformation, using Cuba's adaptive strategies as evidence. They dive into Indigenous resilience, the impact of technology, and the importance of community response. With a blend of humor and intellect, the debate sparks a lively discussion on whether we face imminent doom or a hopeful path to sustainability.

Andrew Phillips, a Professor at the University of Queensland and author of several influential books, discusses the decline of the liberal international order. He highlights the rise in global conflict and power rivalries, arguing that democracy is on the retreat. Phillips evaluates the roles of authoritarian powers like China and Russia, as well as the impact of U.S. policies under Trump. He predicts that the 1990s model won’t be revived and explores potential futures for international relations, including a Chinese-centric order or a pluralistic approach driven by emerging democracies.

The Democratic Party in America is in an identity crisis. It's shifting priorities to claw back grounds from the Republicans. But is it too little, too late? How can the Democrats respond to a radicalising and increasingly authoritarian-minded Republican Party? The Future of America's Democratic Party presented by the American Academy in BerlinSpeakersJacob S. HackerStanely B. Resor Professor of Political Science, Co-Director of the Ludwig Program in Public Sector Leadership at Yale Law SchoolPaul PiersonJohn Cross Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of California at BerkeleyDaniel Benjamin (host)President of the American Academy in Berlin

From Rodrigo Duterte, to Narendra Modi, to Donald Trump, strongman leaders around the world are harnessing big tech to consolidate their power. Social media is also being used to energise and organise resistance movements, but is the bad increasingly outweighing the good?The 2025 Southeast Asia Oration Media Freedom and Democracy in Southeast Asia was held at the University of Melbourne, in partnership with Asialink, the Asia Institute, and the ASEAN Australia Centre.SpeakersMaria Ressa Filippino journalist, co-founder and CEO of online news site Rappler, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, author, How to Stand Up to a DictatorLaura Tingle Global Affairs Editor, ABCNicholas Coppel Former Australian Ambassador Myanmar, author, Myanmar's Digital Coup, President of the Australia Myanmar InstituteDr Ken Setiawan Senior Lecturer in Indonesian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of MelbourneProfessor Michael Wesley (host) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement), University of Melbourne

Dr. Elizabeth (Ella) Finkel, a seasoned science journalist and author, discusses the urgent need for scientific literacy in today’s misinformation-heavy world. She dives into how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped societal trust in science and the fierce debates surrounding the virus's origins. Finkel critiques the politicization of medical evidence, using ivermectin as a case study, and emphasizes the importance of scientific skepticism. With insights on human evolution and the role of DNA in reshaping our understanding, she advocates for clear communication of scientific uncertainty.

The Beatles shook the world to its core in the 1960's and, to this day, new generations continue to fall in love with their songs and their story. At the heart of this phenomenon lies the dynamic between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Few other musical partnerships have been rooted in such a deep, intense and complicated personal relationship. Ian Leslie uses the songs they wrote to trace the shared journey of these two compelling men before, during, and after The Beatles.This talk is provided by the York Festival of Ideas. The Festival is led by the University of York, UKSpeakerIan LeslieAuthor of John and Paul: A love story in songs (Faber, 2025)John Robinson (host)Emeritus Professor in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York

The world feels more dangerous and unpredictable, but with Australia wedged between our traditional ally, America, and our biggest trading partner, China, does our most expensive ever defence project make us more secure, or less?The 2025 Laurie Carmichael Lecture, Australian Sovereignty and the Path to Peace, was recorded on Wednesday 10 September 2025, with thanks to the Australia Institute's Carmichael Centre for Future Work and RMIT University.SpeakersDoug Cameron ALP Senator for New South Wales, 2007 to 2019, trade unionist

In a powerful discussion, Professor Gareth Evans, a former Australian foreign minister and expert in peace initiatives, explores the urgency of global peace with Dr. Yassmin Khadra, a Palestinian human rights advocate, and Bishop Daniel Abot, a South Sudanese peacemaker. They tackle the harsh realities of war and genocide, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the importance of global institutions like the UN. They also emphasize Australia's potential role in advocating for peace, justice, and support for affected communities, urging listeners to take action.

Dr. Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, shares her journey from a novice to a world-renowned researcher of chimpanzees. She discusses the hopeful role of trees in combating climate change and how forests can regenerate with community support. Jane also reflects on the disconnect between humans and nature revealed by the pandemic, emphasizing that individual choices can lead to meaningful change. With her trademark optimism, she highlights youth empowerment programs and innovative solutions as essential for a sustainable future.

AI is an incredible tool, but is AI also a new coloniser? Is there actually anything new or artificial about artificial intelligence? Join Natasha Mitchell at the 2025 Now or Never Festival to meet two big thinkers building a bridge between First Nations and Western knowledge to disrupt and reimagine the who, what, and why of AI?This conversation was recorded on 26 August 2025, in partnership with The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never Festival. Discover more talks and bold conversations by following The Wheeler Centre wherever you get your podcasts or at wheelercentre.comSpeakersJessica Russ-SmithWiradyuri Wambuul womanAssociate Professor of Social Work in the School of Allied Health, Australian Catholic University.Michelle LazarusProfessor and Director, Centre for Human Anatomy EducationDeputy Director, Centre for Scholarship in Health Education Monash University.Coauthors of the open-access book THE AI (R)EVOLUTION: Valuing Country, Culture and Community in a World of Algorithms (Monash University Publishing, 2024).Get the book here:https://publishing.monash.edu/product/ai-revolution/