Imagine a world where your brain is enhanced through cutting-edge technologies and next-generation AI, blurring the lines between organic and digital realms … and unlocking unprecedented potential.  We are already some steps on the way in such a future.  What would this mean for intelligence, human agency and consciousness? Your Brain on AI From organoids to consciousness was presented by the Sydney Opera House. Original broadcast on February 11, 2025. Speakers Paul Davies Theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist, Arizona State University and best-selling author Dr Inês Hipólito Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, Macquarie University Dr Brett J. Kagan Chief Scientific Officer at Cortical Labs Dr Sandra Peter Director of  Sydney Executive Plus, Associate Professor the University of Sydney Business School

You've got half an hour with Lou Reed/ Nick Cave/ Courtney Love: what do you ask them? Three of Australia's best music writers share their craft, and reveal what it's like to sit down with some of music's biggest names. This event was recorded on 2 November 2024 at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Original broadcast on January 23, 2025. Speakers Stuart Coupe Author, journalist, radio broadcaster, music commentator, publicist at Stuart Coupe Publicity Jane Gazzo Music Journalist, TV Presenter, Author ( her new book is I Hear Motion), MC, Public Speaker, founder and presenter Action Time Vision - ATV Michael Dwyer Music journalist, lecturer and member of David Bowie ukulele tribute band The Thin White Ukes Zan Rowe (host) ABC Music correspondent, Double J and Take 5 host Further information: The exhibition From Medieval to Metal: The art & evolution of the guitar is on at the Art Gallery of Ballarat until 2 February 2024

Two of Australia’s most influential and legendary storytellers, author Tim Winton and filmmaker Rachel Perkins, join Natasha Mitchell at WOMADelaide’s Planet Talks to discuss the power of stories and the role of artists to create change in the world. Original broadcast on April 2, 2025. Speakers Rachel Perkins Multi-award-winning filmmaker, and founder of Blackfella films Director, presenter, co-writer, co-producer The Australian Wars series (available on SBS On Demand) Co-director, co-writer, co-producer First Australians Tim Winton Multi-award-winning author of Juice, Dirt Music, Cloudstreet and more. Patron of the Australian Marine Conservation Society  Host and writer, Ningaloo Nyinggulu series (available on ABC Iview) Activist, Protect Ningaloo and Exmouth Gulf campaign This event was recorded live at the annual 2025 WOMADelaide festival produced and presented as part of its Planet Talks program, held on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people. Thanks to Planet Talks producer Rob Law.

Populism is part of American political history. It has been and still is the dominant vocabulary of dissent.  But the current resurrection of authoritarian politics in the US is different. While the two parties could absorb populist movements in the past, this time populism has absorbed the party. Presented at the American Academy in Berlin Original broadcast on April 1, 2025. Speaker Jefferson Cowie James G. Stahlman Professor in American History at Vanderbilt University American Academy in Berlin, Axel Springer Fellow — Class of Spring 2025

How many times have you checked your phone today? How many tabs are open in your web browser? Do you feel in control of your attention?  In the digital age, attention is now a commodity. Can practices like meditation and mindfulness help us feel more free to focus on what really matters? This event was hosted at the Brunswick Ballroom by the Sophia Club in partnership with the University of Melbourne's Contemplative Studies Centre. Original broadcast on March 18, 2025. Speakers Jess Huon Meditation trainer, authorised Dharma teacher, writer (The Dark Wet) Nicholas Van Dam Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre at the University of Melbourne Associate professor, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne Brigid Hains (host) Editorial director, Aeon Media Matthias Schack-Arnott Musician

Satyajit Das presents a provocative examination of the use and abuse of images of wild animals, and how they shape our relationships with the natural world.  These pictures can create an impression of abundance and untouched ecosystems, and lull us into a false sense of security, at a time when the natural world faces ecological calamity. The Attenborough Effect — Shaping Our Relationship With Wild Animals was presented by the Australian National Maritime Museum. Listen to the rest of our special series Animals — Us and Them? Original broadcast on February 20, 2025. Speaker Satyajit Das Author of Wild Quests. Journeys into Ecotourism and the Future for Animals former banker, recognised as one of the world's leading financial thinkers.

Prepare to have your mind blown with a sweeping saga that connects human evolution, brains, genes, art, music, creativity, knowledge, dyslexia, autism, Indigenous memory systems, and more. A big, beautiful and biological saga about how to learn like a human again. Joining Natasha Mitchell are Australian Senior Memory Champion, scientist and author Dr Lynne Kelly with artist Jane Rusden and musician and educator Hilary Blackshaw.  This event was hosted by the 2024 Mountain Festival in Macedon, Victoria. Original broadcast January 20, 2025. Speakers Dr Lynne Kelly Science writer Author, The Knowledge Gene: the incredible story of the supergene that gives us human creativity (Allen and Unwin, 2024) Author, The Memory Code (Allen and Unwin, 2016)  Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University Honorary Fellow, School of Physics, University of Melbourne Hilary Blackshaw Musician and musical educator Bendigo Musical Instrumental Program Jane Rusden Artist

Historian Sarah Churchwell takes you on a gripping and confronting journey into America's recent past to explain its extraordinary present, starting with dark story at the heart of that American classic Gone with the Wind. Knowledge lies at the heart of a healthy democracy, and its many custodians include libraries, universities, cultural institutions, and a free and independent media. So what happens when these institutions are intimidated, dismantled or destroyed, as is happening in America, under the government of President Donald Trump? This event was recorded at the University of Technology Sydney's Vice Chancellor's Democracy Forum on 14 May 2025. Original broadcast on June 17, 2025. Speakers Sarah Churchwell Professor of American Literature and Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities at the University of London Author, The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe, Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and The Invention of The Great Gatsby, Behold, America: A History of America First and the American Dream, and The Wrath to Come: Gone with the Wind and the Lies America Tells Director, Being Human festival and Living Literature event series Judge, Man Booker Prize Anna Funder (host) Author, Wifedom, Stasiland and All That I Am Luminary and Ambassador, University of Technology Sydney Roy Green (host) Emeritus Professor and Special Innovation Advisor at University of Technology Sydney Former Dean of the UTS Business School Chair of the UTS Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Hub Further information From Gatsby to Huck Finn — American literature in an age of polarisation  - Sarah Churchwell on Big Ideas, ABC Radio National 4 November 2024

After five nominations, Ruthie Foster has taken home the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album - affirming her status as an American music legend.  In this intimate conversation, she shares what made her want to be a singer; the roles of her grandmother and mother in her life; why faith is so important to her and why she wants to sing about real people. And much more… A Heartlands Conservation presented at the Blue Mountains Music Festival. Original broadcast May 12, 2025. Speakers Ruthie Foster American singer-songwriter of blues and folk music. 2025 Grammy Award winner for Best Contemporary Blues Album Gregg Borschmann (host) Writer, radio producer and oral historian for the National Library of Australia

When you enter your childbearing years, it can feel like everyone from the treasurer, your mum, and probably your Instagram reels really wants you to have a kid. But is it the right decision? Few women escape this conundrum of modern family-making, and unfortunately there is no easy or simple answer. But in this talk presented by the Sydney Opera House at the All About Women Festival 2025, you’ll get the context, prompts and profound reflections to help you think through this decision, whether it’s in your own life or for someone you love.   Original broadcast on June 26, 2024

Meet two men who will change the way you think about an experience most of us fear but will be touched by in some way.  In Patting the Shark, surfing writer Dr Tim Baker describes his wild ride to reclaim a sense of control and agency after a cancer diagnosis. Celebrated author and GP Peter Goldsworthy’s memoir The Cancer Finishing School started out as a journal but became so much more.They join Natasha Mitchell for intimate an intimate, revelatory, funny, and generous conversation about the Big C and how medicine needs to change.  This event was hosted by the 2024 Queenscliffe Literary Festival Original broadcast on January 22, 2025. Speakers Dr Tim Baker Journalist, editor, patient advocate, and facilitator of the Peter Mac Book Group Research Fellow, Prostate Cancer Research Group, Monash Biomedical Discovery Institute Author, Patting the Shark: A surfer's journey — learning to live well with cancer (Ebury Australia/Penguin, 2022) Dr Peter Goldsworthy GP, author, librettist, poet Author, The Cancer Finishing School —lessons in laughter, love, resilience (Penguin, 2024)

Are fermented foods really good for us? Do antibiotics destroy our gut flora? And have you heard about poo transplants? Our gut is teeming with trillions of microbial cells, and we are learning more all the time about how this affects everything from our digestion, to immunity, to mental health. So crack open your kombucha, because these leading researchers will cut through the noise with some hard facts and pioneering science about the microbiome. This event was recorded at the World Science Festival Brisbane 30 March 2025. Original broadcast on June 25, 2025. Speakers Paul Griffin Professor of Medicine, Clinical Unit Head and Director of Infectious Diseases, University of Queensland and Mater Hospital Felice Jacka Distinguished Professor in Nutritional Psychiatry Founder and director, Food and Mood Centre Deakin University Author, There's a Zoo in my Poo Gene Tyson Microbial ecologist, bioinformatician, and founder, Centre for Microbiome research, Queensland University of Technology Dr Norman Swan (host) Presenter, Health Report and What's That Rash? ABC Radio National

Doctor Who has acted as a mirror to more than six decades of social, technological and cultural change. It's been able to evolve and adapt more radically than any other fiction. Why we are so addicted to fiction, and why does this wonderful wandering time traveller mean so much to so many. This talk was provided by the York Festival of Ideas. The Festival is led by the University of York, UK. Original broadcast on July 21, 2025. Speaker John Higgs Author of Exterminate/Regenerate: The Story of Doctor Who (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2025)

The connection between body and mind is well established. But mental health expert Daniel Fung also includes the soul in this 'ecosystem' that shapes your overall wellbeing. He envisions a future for mental health services, that is person-centred, holistic and consciously uses digital tools and social media. Beautiful minds, Loving hearts: Asian Mental Health Ecosystems in 2050 was presented at TheMHS (Mental Health Services) conference 2025 in Brisbane Listen to Big Ideas — How to overcome the fear and anxiety that are holding you back Speakers Daniel Fung - CEO Institute of Mental Health, Singapore Barbara Disley - Board Member, TheMHS Learning Network Further information Mindline - digital first-stop touchpoint for mental health in Singapore

From innocently conning controversial radio duo Kyle and Jackie O as a kid, time in a Zambian convent as a teen, to nearly becoming an air traffic controller before finding her real passion - helping others find their voice - Astrid Jorgensen has quite a story to tell. Her new memoir is called Average At Best. She is anything but. She is anything but. On any one night, anywhere in the world, you’ll find Astrid on a stage in front of a few thousand people singing their hearts out. But to call Astrid Jorgensen a choir conductor doesn’t really capture the incredible global phenomenon she’s created.  She’s the founder, composer, and host of Pub Choir, described as the “world’s biggest one night stand in song”.  This event was organised by Northern Books in Castlemaine and held at the Fitzroy Town Hall in Naarm/Melbourne. Speaker Astrid Jorgensen Founder and conductor of Pub Choir Author, Average At Best (Simon and Schuster Australia, 2025) Further information How Astrid Jorgensen turned a suburban pub choir into a worldwide musical phenomenon (Australian Story/ABC News, 2025) Watch Australian Story episode about Astrid on Youtube (2025)

Australia now has its first treaty with this country's first peoples. After nearly a decade of formal consultation and negotiation, the Victorian Statewide Treaty has become law, and will come into effect from early December. This address outlines the long road to achieving the treaty, why it's important, and what comes next. The 25th Dr Charles Perkins Oration was recorded on 28 October 2025 at the University of Sydney. Speakers Ngarra Murray Co-chair, Victorian First People's Assembly

Humans are by nature creative, but how do we turn a spark of inspiration into something more tangible? Author Emily Maguire draws inspiration from some of the world's most creative minds — from Lin Manuel Miranda, to Susan Sontag, to explore the ingredients of a truly creative life. The 2025 Colin Roderick Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Foundation of Australian Literary Studies at James Cook University in partnership with the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, was recorded on 29th July 2025 in Townsville. Speakers Emily Maguire Author, Rapture, An Isolated Incident, Love Objects, and more Teacher of writing, Writing NSW The Vanya Quartet Elder Conservatorium, University of Adelaide Playing Saoirse, composed by Belle Smibert

As we grow older, changes to our bodies and minds are inevitable. But what if science could help us age better? Our experts on Big Ideas uncover the latest science behind healthy brain aging. What's possible in the fight against cognitive decline and dementia? How might you live a longer, healthier, and more meaningful life? Presented by Sydney Ideas, the talk program at the University of Sydney Speakers Associate Professor Eleanor Drummond Senior Lecturer (Neuroscience), School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney Olivier Piguet NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Sydney Gilbert Knaggs Sociology PhD candidate, University of Sydney Elfy Scott (host) award-winning journalist, podcaster, and presenter

When acclaimed Australia author Christos Tsiolkas was invited to give the 2025 Ray Mathew Lecture at the National Library of Australia, he had in mind what he wanted to say, as difficult as it was. Then he got a rage-filled message from a longtime friend. How did Christos respond? Is fence-sitting an indulgence in an ethically troubled, divisive, dislocated world? Or, is 'speaking across the fence' something writers and other creatives can offer us? "We're urged at all times — and for every occasion — to take a position. Yet is there a utility, both practical and ethical, in taking a breath, a pause, and refusing to land definitively on a stance?"  — Christos Tsiolkas Speaker Christos Tsiolkas Author of The Slap, The In Between, Barracuda, Damascus Playwright and screenwriter Further information More about the annual Ray Mathew Lecture, including the transcript and video of the 2025 lecture

From The Don to Warny, the Gabba to the G, from its legacy of British colonialism, to the Asian powerhouse nations of today — cricket is not just a sport, but also a reflection of the societies who play it. Drawing on a wealth of writing about the sport, including novels, biographies, and media reporting, this lecture explores the cultural and historical legacy of cricket. This event was recorded at the Australian Catholic University on 30 October 2025. Speakers Paul Giles  Professor of English, Australian Catholic University Gideon Haigh  Journalist and author of The Cricket War, The Summer Game and On Warne Editor and host, Cricket Et Al podcast and newsletter Opening batsman, South Yarra Cricket Club