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Politics

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News Commentary

Updated Weekly
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Nature

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Physics

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Social Sciences

Updated Twice Monthly
News Commentary

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Updated Daily
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News

Updated Fortnightly

3 DAYS AGO

Abul Rizvi on how silence and stalling stoke anti-migrant fears

A former deputy secretary of the immigration department under the Howard government says 'it's time politicians on both sides pulled up their socks'. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

3 days ago

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19 min
28 AUG

Health Minister Mark Butler on kids on the NDIS through to aged care funding

The health minister also says fewer kids are now vaping because of the government's ban, which 'exploded' as a health problem during the COVID years. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

28 Aug

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27 min
2 DAYS AGO

How China is weaponising the history of WWII

As China invited world leaders to a vast military parade marking the end of the second world war on September 3, President Xi Jinping said China is "never intimidated by bullies" and would "stand by the right side of history". In a coded message about China's territorial ambitions over Taiwan, Xi added that "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation was unstoppable". China and Taiwan both claim their forces bore the true burden of Chinese resistance against Japan during the second world war, and use this contested history to lay claim to power and territory. Now China is weaponising this history, pushing for a "correct" perspective of the war as it seeks to reshape the world order. In this episode, historian Meredith Oyen from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, explains how disagreements between China and Taiwan over who fought the Japanese more than 80 years ago are still raging and why China's military parade raised tensions with Taiwan up another notch. This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware with assistance from Katie Flood. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

2 days ago

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25 min
28 AUG

The secret ingredients for creative flow

If you’ve ever experienced a state of creative flow, perhaps when writing, playing music, or even gardening, you’ll know that it feels like everything just clicks into place. But what is actually happening inside the brain? This week, we're re-running an episode first published in June 2024 featuring neuroscientist John Kounios at Drexel University in the US. He scanned the brains of jazz musicians as they were improvising, and revealed the secret ingredients need to achieve a state of creative flow. This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

28 Aug

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22 min
19 AUG

Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien and industry chief Andrew McKellar's reform wish list

Both men say the government has a 'spending problem' and are urging the federal government to think beyond raising taxes – especially for business. Mentioned in this episode: How Australian Democracy Works 'How Australian Democracy Works' edited by Politics Editor Amanda Dunn is out now in all good book stores. Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

19 Aug

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34 min
21 AUG

LSE IQ: is AI destroying the planet?

AI is transforming the world around us, offering increased productivity and promising to tackle difficult problems like global warming. But behind the scenes, its environmental costs are mounting. From massive energy use to vast quantities of water required to cool data centres, AI’s footprint is growing fast. So, in an age of water scarcity and climate crisis, can we justify this technological boom? As The Conversation Weekly team takes a production break in August, we're delighted to bring you an episode of LSE IQ, an award-winning, monthly social science podcast produced by a team from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Each episode they ask leading social scientists and other experts to answer one intelligent question and speak to people affected by the issues explored. Like artificial intelligence. In this episode of LSE IQ which aired in early May, producer Anna Bevan sets out to find out the environmental costs of AI. This episode was produced and edited by Anna Bevan, with script development from Sophie Mallet and on location sound recording from Oliver Johnson. Mixing help for this episode for The Conversation from Eloise Stevens. Subscribe to LSE IQ here.

21 Aug

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33 min
16 JULY

Malcolm Turnbull on Australia's 'dumb' defence debate

The former prime minister warns debate about national security has 'never been dumber' – and AUKUS risks costing Australia far more than anyone wants to admit. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

16 July

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40 min
14 AUG

Union boss Sally McManus on the push for shorter work hours in the age of AI

McManus doesn't expect instant wins on shorter work hours from next week's economic summit, but says it still needs to be on the table – along with AI protections. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

14 Aug

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18 min
13 AUG

Jim Chalmers wants roundtable to 'crack open' the challenge of slow housing approvals

Housing is on the agenda at next week's productivity roundtable, with the Treasurer wanting better regulation and faster approvals to build more homes. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

13 Aug

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35 min
26 JUNE

Treasury veteran Ken Henry on the "enormous damage" the tax system does to young people

Former secretary of the Treasury Ken Henry joins us to talk about his 40+ years experience in working to reform Australia's tax system. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up to The Conversation's newsletter https://theconversation.com/au/newsletters

26 June

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29 min

Listen to experts explain the world around us and tell the stories behind brand new research. Podcasts from The Conversation, an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community. Shows in English, French and Bahasa Indonesia. Free to listen.

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