Episoder
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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
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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
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Manglende episoder?
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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)
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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
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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
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They use of shark nets to protect us from sharks is highly controversial.
Do they work, what do they do to marine life, are there alternatives, and why are sharks so political? This is an issue that ignites passions.
Join Big Ideas' host Natasha Mitchell and guests at the 2024 Ocean Lovers Festival for a robust interrogation of the harms and benefits.
Original broadcast April 17, 2024.
Speakers
Lawrence Chlebeck Marine biologist and campaignerHumane Society International
Dr Chris Pepin-Neff Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, University of Sydney Author, Flaws: Shark Bites and Emotional Public Policymaking (2019)
Steven Pearce Chief Executive Officer, Surf Life Saving NSW Hannah TaitCEO, Action for Dolphins
Further information:
Australian UAV Service NSW Shark meshing program
NSW Shark Management Strategy and Shark Program Review (2022)
Rebranding Sharks project
Australian Shark Incident Database
Yearly Worldwide “Shark Attack Summary” (Florida Museum)
Shark nets information (Action for Dolphins)
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At a time when family violence wasn't even recognised by the law, a group of women broke into two vacant houses in Sydney and claimed squatters' rights, changing lives and attitudes to family violence forever.
This event was recorded at the Elsie Conference on 15 March 2024. Original Big Ideas broadcast on 6 May 2024.
Speakers
Professor Di Otto Halfway House Victoria
Bobbie Townsend Former resident and worker, Elsie Women's Refuge
Vivien Johnson Founding member of Marrickville Women's Refuge Collective
Ludo McFerrin (host) Elsie Women's Refuge
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Australia's unique biodiversity, a product of almost 50 million years of glorious evolutionary isolation, is in freefall. The threats are not just the rabbits, the cane toads, the cats and foxes – the common culprits. Let's not forget the small but impactful smooth newt or the fierce red fire ants, and the many invasive weeds. Twenty new weeds will establish in the wild in Australia this year – and every year to come … unless things change. But is it possible to stop this ongoing invasion? How do we go about it?
Heartlands Conversations was presented as part of the Blue Mountain Music Festival
Original broadcast on May 16, 2024
Speakers
Costa GeorgiadisHost of ABC TVs Gardening Australia and landscape architect
Andrew CoxCEO of the Invasive Species Council
Gregg Borschmann (host)Writer, radio producer and oral historian for the National Library of Australia
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From Vincent Namatjira's painting of Gina Rinehart, to Jonathan Yeo's take on King Charles, what do portraits say about those they represent, those who create them, and the broader context of the time?
The Andrew Sayers Memorial Lecture was recorded at the National Portrait Gallery on 31 July 2024. The National Gallery of Australia's annual lecture with Lindy Lee was recorded on 24 October 2024.
Speakers
Benjamin Law Writer, broadcaster and cultural commentator
Sarah Oakes (host) Director, External Relations, National Portrait Gallery
Lindy Lee Artist
Further information
Watch LIndy Lee's full lecture "A Life of Spirit" here
Catch Lindy Lee at the NGA for Ouroboros (permanent) and her retrospective until 1 June 2025.
Read more about Jordan Richardson's Venus here
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A freckle-faced kid from Bondi, Pauline Menczer fought the entrenched sexism of the pro-surfing scene to became women's world surfing champion and pave the way...er, waves..for girl grommets today. But all the while she was also fighting another battle inside her own body’s cells. Ironwoman and surf lifesaving champion Bonnie Hancock became the fastest and youngest person, and the first Australian woman, to circumnavigate Australia on a small surf ski, solo. What possessed her to paddle 12,700 kilometres through crocodile and shark-populated waters, mega-waves, and worse? Pauline and Bonnie join Big Ideas' host Natasha Mitchell for a conversation that might inspire you to chase your dreams, big or small.
This event was organised and hosted by the Queenscliffe Literary Festival.
Speakers
Pauline MenczerWomen's world surfing champion Author, Surf Like a Woman (2024)
Bonnie HancockAthelete, professional Ironwoman, dieticianAuthor, The Girl Who Touched the Stars (2024)Ambassador, Gotcha4Life Foundation
Further information
Girls Can't Surf documentary
Australian Surfing Awards Surfing Hall of Fame
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Do you want to live in Putin’s vision of a world in which ‘the big boys’ dominate …. or in one in which smaller nations have a voice? If it’s the latter, so the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, you need to support Ukraine. This war isn’t just about the borders in Ukraine or security in Europe, it affects the world and our principles of sovereignty, integrity, freedom, and the right of smaller nations to decide their own future. Hear from one of Europe’s foremost voices on global security on the implications of the war in Ukraine for the world.
The 2024 Lowy Lecture was presented by the Lowy Institute. November 26, 2024
Speakers
Petr PavelPresident of the Czech Republic
Dr Michael FulliloveExecutive Director of the Lowy Institute
Further information
Transcript of the 2024 Lowy Lecture as delivered, might vary from the audio
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Born a refugee of the Vietnam War, and now a Pulitzer Prize winning American author, Viet Thanh Nguyen unpacks the refugee experience, and the politics and the personal weight of remembering, and forgetting.
This event was recorded at the Melbourne Writers Festival on 11 May 2024.
Speakers
Viet Thanh Nguyen Author, A man of two faces, The Sympathizer, Simone (children's book) and more
Andre Dao (host) Author, Anam (winner of the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction)Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Melbourne Law School, University of MelbourneCo-founder, Behind the Wire oral history project (and later the award-winning Messenger podcast)
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There's been a move by Australian newsrooms to foster and champion the diversity of their staff. But when it comes to covering the conflict between Israelis & Palestinians, and the war in Gaza, does this push for diversity only run skin deep? Who gets to shape the story?
The 2024 AN Smith Memorial Lecture was recorded at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Advancing Journalism on 26 November 2024.
Speakers
Nour Haydar Senior Audio producer and co-host, Full Story podcast, Guardian Australia
Andrew Dodd (host) Director, Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne
Further information
View the full video recording here
About the AN Smith Lecture in Journalism - University of Melbourne
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Don't miss these previously unheard and powerful stories of ordinary people surviving extraordinary circumstances. Cyclone Tracy destroyed 80 percent of Darwin and killed 66 people. It's impact was harrowing. Beyond the despair are also memories of small blessings and surprising impacts long after that fateful Christmas of 1974.
Presented by the Northern Territory Writers Festival
Speakers
Richard Creswick Author and former ABC journalist
Derek PughHistorian and author
Jared ArchibaldCurator of Territory History at the Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory
Kylie Stevenson (host)Award-winning journalist and audio producer
Further information
Website with memories of Cyclone Tracy
YouTube - When Will the Birds Return
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In outback New South Wales, on the dried up, ancient clay shores of Lake Mungo, is a story that has become emblematic for profoundly deaf Worimi man Dr Scott Avery: what can it teach us about disability inclusion, leadership, and excellence?
The 2024 Disability Leadership Oration was recorded at the National Archives of Australia on 26 November 2024.
Speakers
Dr Scott Avery Professor of Indigenous Disability and Wellbeing at the University of Technology Sydney
Christina Ryan (host) Founder and chief executive, Disability Leadership Institute
Further information
Disability Leadership Institute
ABC News page on people with a disability
Australians with disability tell their stories for International Day of People with Disability 2024ABC Press release
United Nations 2024 International Day Of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD)
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Can a single seed tell the story of a civilisation? What do the scars on the skins of 200-year old whales tell about our ancestors? Can ancient trees reveal hidden histories of human frailty and fabulousness? Can Nature be a timekeeper? Joining Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell are Dave Witty (author of What the Trees See: A Wander through Millennia of Natural History), Fiona McMillan-Webster (author of The Age of Seeds: How Plants Hacked Time and Why Our Future Depends on It) and Satyajit Das (author of Wild Quests: Journeys into Ecotourism and the Future of Animals).
This event was hosted by the Brisbane Writers Festival.
Speakers
Satyajit DasAuthor, former banker, consultant
Dr Fiona McMillan-WebsterScience writer and scientistDave WittyAuthor
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Human rights are meant to be universal, but what happens when those rights conflict with one another? For example, a religious school's right to practice its faith, versus the right of others to be free from discrimination?
The 2024 Higinbotham Lecture was recorded at RMIT University on 21 October 2024.
Speaker
Justice Mordy Bromberg, President, Australian Law Reform Commission
Further information
Read the full report Religious Educational Institutions and Anti-Discrimination Laws from the Australian Law Reform Commission
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Rhonda Magee grew up in segregated North Carolina in an abusive household. She knows firsthand the deep divides that define America right now. She draws on her life, and her work as a law professor and leading mindfulness meditation teacher in her book The inner work of racial justice: Healing ourselves and transforming our communities through mindfulness. Mariam Tokhi is a writer and GP in a refugee and asylum seeker health service in Melbourne. She has created a trailblazing narrative medicine course to help doctors use the power of storytelling to fully see the humanity of their patients and themselves.
This event was organised by the Contemplative Studies Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne.
Speakers:
Rhonda MageeAuthor, The inner work of racial justice: Healing ourselves and transforming our communities through mindfulness (Tarcher, 2019)Professor Emerita of LawMindfulness meditation educatorFounding director, Center for Contemplative Law and EthicsUniversity of San Francisco.Dr Mariam TokhiGP and writer Utopia refugee and asylum seeker health serviceNarrative medicine lecturer, University of Melbourne Medical School
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Is menstruation linked to the moon? Do women's periods sync up when they live together? Are girls getting their first period younger? Why don't we talk about menstruation and menopause more? Popular US-based physician and bestselling author Dr Jen Gunter is on a mission to change the conversation about women's health.
This event was recorded as part of National Science Week at the University of NSW's Centre for Ideas on 15 August 2024.
Speakers
Dr Jen Gunter Obstetrician and gynaecologistAuthor, Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of MenstruationThe Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism and more
Professor Caroline Ford Lead, Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, University of NSW
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Back in 1994, it was a pretty wild pitch for a movie: a troupe of drag queens road tripping across the Australian outback, in a lavender bus named Priscilla. But The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, put the Australian film industry on the global map, and these days it's become an icon of Australian cinema.
This event was recorded on 11 September, 2024, at the Capitol Theatre, RMIT University, as part of Social Sciences Week.
Speakers
Rebel Penfold-Russell Executive Producer, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Tim Chappel Costume designer, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Academy Award for best costume along with Lizzy Gardiner)
Cerise Howard Program Director, Melbourne Queer Film Festival
Kristy Kokegei History Trust of South Australia
Stephen Gaunson (host) Senior lecturer in Cinema Studies at RMIT University
Further information
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at 30: more important, enjoyable and vital than ever - by Stephen Gaunson, The Conversation, 5 September 2024
Donate to the Save the Queen campaign - History Trust of South Australia
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