Ideas

by CBC
200

IDEAS is a deep-dive into contemporary thought and intellectual history. No topic is off-limits. In the age of clickbait and superficial headlines, it's for people who like to think.

Recent Episodes
  • The 2024 CBC Massey Lectures | # 3: Personal conversations
    Nov 20, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The 2024 CBC Massey Lectures | # 2: Public conversations
    Nov 19, 2024 – 00:54:07
  • The 2024 CBC Massey Lectures | # 1: Why we need to have a conversation about conversations
    Nov 18, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The Multiple Lives of CBC Massey Lecturer Ian Williams
    Nov 15, 2024 – 00:54:07
  • A Harem of Computers: The History of the Feminized Machine
    Nov 14, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • How Canadians Can Help Lead the Global Fight for Health Equity
    Nov 13, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • How to Flourish in a Broken World
    Nov 12, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Pt 2: Acts of Remembrance: Canadian Veterans Share Postwar Experiences
    Nov 11, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Pt 1: What Came After: Canadian Veterans Share Postwar Experiences
    Nov 8, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Massey at 60: The Legacy of Doris Lessing and the 'Prisons We Choose to Live Inside'
    Nov 7, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The Seven Wonders of the World: A Bucket List for Ancient Travellers
    Nov 6, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Do Dogs Feel Guilt? Animal Cognition Discoveries
    Nov 5, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Experts Say American Democracy is at a Precipice, and Time is Ticking
    Nov 4, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Can a New Conservatism Offer Solutions to Modern Social Problems?
    Nov 1, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The Role of Nonfiction in a World of Contested Truths: Writer Pankaj Mishra
    Oct 31, 2024 – 00:54:07
  • Is Fascism Coming Back?
    Oct 30, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • PT 2: How Journalism is Fighting Against Polarization
    Oct 29, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • PT 1: How Journalism is Fighting Against Polarization
    Oct 28, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Indigenous Archaeologist Reclaims Pleistocene Epoch Story from Colonial Scholars
    Oct 25, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The History and Mystery of Left-Handers
    Oct 23, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The Marrow of Nature: A Case for Wetlands
    Oct 23, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Arts Icon Joan Jonas on Her Great Muse, Cape Breton
    Oct 22, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The Living Dead: Art and Human Remains
    Oct 21, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
    Oct 18, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Turning the Climate Crisis into Motivation, and Hope into Action
    Oct 17, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • How the Outdoors Has Inspired Women to Become Trailblazers
    Oct 16, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The Story Behind the 1859 Pig War that Claimed One Casualty: A Pig
    Oct 15, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Dinner on Mars: How to Grow Food When Humans Colonize the Red Planet
    Oct 14, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • The Invisible Shoes of Stutthof Concentration Camp
    Oct 11, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Modern Patriotism: Loving Your Country in the 21st Century (Step One)
    Oct 10, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • How the Anthropocene is Changing the Elements — and Us
    Oct 9, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • October 8,1970: The FLQ Manifesto
    Oct 8, 2024 – 00:54:07
  • Civil Discourse or Civil War? Ideas and Realities of the Contemporary University
    Oct 7, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • A Reality Check on Reality TV
    Oct 4, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Massey at 60: How Physicist Ursula Franklin's Prescient Ideas on Technology Persist
    Oct 3, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Making Justice Imaginable: Lawyer Lex Gill
    Oct 2, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Left Is Not Woke: Susan Neiman
    Oct 1, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • How Indigenous survival offers a blueprint for everyone’s future: Jesse Wente
    Sep 30, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Slowing Down in Urgent Times: A Lesson in Hope
    Sep 27, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Deliberation in a Time of Anger: Making Space for Collective Decision-Making
    Sep 26, 2024 – 00:54:07
  • Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space: A Place to Dream
    Sep 25, 2024 – 00:54:07
  • The Heavy Metal Suite: Music and the Future of Mining
    Sep 24, 2024 – 00:54:07
  • Child Sex Abuse Prevention: How Best to Protect Kids
    Sep 23, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Humboldt's Ghost, Pt 2: The Meaning of Education
    Sep 20, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Humboldt's Ghost, Pt 1: Origins of our 200 year-old public education system
    Sep 19, 2024 – 00:54:06
  • Bureaumania: A 'Granular' Look at Corporate Red Tape
    Sep 18, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • For the Sake of the Common Good: Honouring Lois Wilson
    Sep 17, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Death and the Artist: Four Stories
    Sep 16, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • New Yorker Writer Calvin Trillin: A Warm Weather Nova Scotian
    Sep 13, 2024 – 00:54:08
  • Pursuing the Mysteries of Gravity with a Radical New Theory
    Sep 12, 2024 – 00:54:08
Recent Reviews
  • AhHmm4
    Humboldt’s Ghost
    A comprehensive exploration of historical ideas about the value, purposes and models of universal education. A glaring omission is any reference to half of those potential students: girls and women.
  • classical_antiquity
    Papyrus
    Thank you for the Irene Vallejo interview! The book is wonderful and it’s great to see someone in North America interview her! Brava!
  • 1666!.
    Great Show
    Always enjoy topics presented and great interview partners are picked. I’ve learned a lot from various episodes. Listening from Germany.
  • sidneyhart
    Sidney Hart
    We are stuffed to our gills with podcasts these days but IDEAS, which I guess is a radio show on Canada and is available everywhere else as a podcast, is one of the oldest and still one of the most thought provoking in its choice and treatment of subjects. Perhaps Canada doesn’t have much to show for itself in glorious civilization achievements but this modesty has been turned to its advantage because it can approach other cultures’ achievements with an open mind. I am particularly struck role played by the Palestinian-Canadian host Nahlah Ayed. She brings a Muslim sensibility and a Muslim bias to so many of the topics. I can think of no other country’s flagship radio station that has given so much prominence to Islamic culture and thought. I mean that as a compliment.
  • Marcus517
    Broad generalities
    Lots of good ideas but light on details and support. Some are science by anecdote and others are just feelings.
  • cochineal.moon
    Architecture of war and peace
    Excellent story told thru the lens of many.
  • Briseis27
    Wow!
    Kind of blown away by the elegance with which this team has managed to integrate very rich and in-depth reflections on themes like authoritarian personality with narratives that bring the issues to life. Hollywood and war is eye opening and I am teaching and researching in these areas — definitely an incentive to up my game in the classroom and a very valuable and mesmerizing resource for us all.
  • MHD Traverse City
    Ideas
    If only American public radio had the same freedom of expression.
  • saabrian
    Five stars
    This is by far the most consistently thought-provoking podcast I have found.
  • Jwd51
    Ode to Failure
    This was a thoughtful and interesting episode. The idea that identity and achievement should be separate is profound even if it sounds simple. I would quibble though that we (Americans, at least) should get off the success/failure see-saw. What about « the timid souls » anyway, and what really is success? In America it’s hard to see the case for it being other than money, credentials, and expensive possessions. The woman with the failed start-up reminded me, by complete contrast, with Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos fame whose moral failings are on trial. The former woman is a moral success. I have spent my life feeling that I failed at most things I tried, that I have too few presentable achievements. But I turned 70 and realize it hardly matters; in spite of whatever is lacking I do have an identity built on books, travel, questions, curiosities, and relationships. It’s not bad for a life.
  • a64736362
    Interesting
    There are so many thought provoking episodes! I feel like I’ve come across an intellectual gold mine. Thank you to the CBC for creating such a great podcast. They are really doing the public an important service by providing such fascinating and nuanced conversations in a time of knee jerk reactions and hot takes.
  • Potter Matt
    Thought provoking but uncritical
    Giving voice to the dispossessed and disgruntled alike. Charming until they suggest seizing all property.
  • JennyEfff
    Most intelligent, thought-provoking show out there
    I’ve been a huge fan of Ideas for years and I’m thrilled that it’s now available as a podcast. It’s consistently the most intelligent and thought-provoking show on the radio.
  • Sunfish Moon Light
    Stellar show with a great new host
    ‘Ideas’ has been and continues to be the best show produced by the CBC, and one of the few places where Canada has produced a program that the US has no answer for. Keep it up!
  • marketpop
    Leonardo
    Wonderful show! Thanks!
  • jbyrd2973
    Peeking over the border
    I am honestly so jealous of Canada, although I know it’s expensive there. Throughout the CBC they spend a lot of time breaking down the giant garbage heap that is my home country, and they make me feel sane. Ideas is always spot-on, thoughtfully progressive, and very niche. I’ve only skipped a handful of episodes that were too niche for me. Sean Foley is an amazing contributor, and while I was worried when the fantastic Paul Kennedy retried, once Nala took over the podcast remained just as wise and insightful. Thank you all at Ideas for your amazing work!
  • Cozzum
    Traveling mind
    I like getting out of the U.S. to have a look around the globe occasionally, to see how others outside my local realm are viewing their lives and the world around them. "Ideas" plays it's part in giving me another lens through which to view the bigger picture.. Over the last few years this program has covered a lot of ground across a broad range of subjects, landscapes, and perspectives. The program has a new presenter as of this summer. She is doing a great job in continuing the exploration and discussions.
  • JamesSloan
    Race mongering gibberish
    Such a hate filled and race baiting episode. Does no one at CBC edit or review content before publication anymore?
  • Jack_McCoy
    Fantastic Show
    An excellent long-running Canadian show that features panel discussions, lectures, and most enjoyably original audio documentaries about any number of fascinating topics. You can go from one episode exploring the history of hotels — as a concept, as a business, as a unique headspace — to another about the future extinction of the human race or some unexplored facet of world history. This show is a gem.
  • FotoByWes
    It’s the Radiolab of Canada!
    And Robert Kennedy sounds like he’s Robert Krulwich on tea, instead of coffee. Seriously, were the two Robert K’s separated at birth? Just as Radiolab plays with and explores ideas, this show does the same, but unplugged. It doesn’t have Jad Abumurad’s textured production, but it’s still really good.
  • cherry pie 1
    Superb and Deeply Human
    Its been said that poets expose us to things we never realized were important. Ideas from CBC Radio is like that. For example, I never thought about what might come after atheism until I listened to the Ideas mini-series on that topic. I was blown away. I recommend this podcast highly.
  • Ellamaria Maria
    Best!!!
    I like this radio amazing stories from different country and culture ... Best keep going
  • jim in Smithfield, VA
    Outstanding Material and Recordings
    I listen to thousands of podcasts and always include practically all of those from this source in my must-hear list. They provide in-depth perspective, insight and background to local and international life. Thanks from the States to some very competent and intelligent Canadians.
  • winstonsmyth
    Regardless of the subject matter this is always thought provoking
    Earnest, honest, clear-thinking. It is intelligent yet accessible without being condescending. I might not always be interested in the subject matter but when I am it's a joy to listen to. CBC has always given people the opportunity to explore without agenda. A rare thing today. For current events try The Current, for something akin to Garrison Keillor try Vinyl Cafe.
  • Booskeezie
    Docu-radio at its best!
    THE best program on radio. Too bad so few episodes are available on Podcast, though...
  • incognito82
    Very thought-provoking and informative program
    I really love this show. I love listening to stories - ordinary people who show extraordinary power in difficult situations.
  • Stranger N Fiction
    Insightful, intelligent, thought-provoking
    One of the best radio shows in existence finally is available on podcast. Eaqch Ideas episode explores a question or topic from many different perspectives, usually interviewing major figures in the relevant fields. If (like the other reviewers) I had to compare to other podcasts, it's very similar in style and in subject matter, to WNYC's RadioLab. Ideas was a weekday evening highlight when I lived in Canada. Having some of the best shows available on podcast is like having that really intelligent, thoughtful, funny friend who you dearly miss since they moved away a few years ago, move back to town, and finding them even more enjoyable company than before!!
  • ursaminor
    Hardball?
    The previous review compares this show to Hardball...you mean the chris matthews show? wow-- it is absolutely nothing like that--far superior. It is nothing like any american television, except perhaps the new Bill Moyers program on "Public" TV [which is no longer really public, but largely coopted by corporate sponsors]. Some of our public radio is good, [Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippet for instance] but not widely distributed. Now you can get the podcast. You are lucky to have this kind of quality program in Canada. It might not hold everyone's interest...it goes into great depth on a given subject, and the subjects are interesting but not "glamorous". It takes a developed attention span. However there are those of us starved for this kind of thoughtful program since we are bombarded with such superficial stuff 95% of the time. For that audience it is great.
  • SMPN604
    A is for Aardvark
    Yeah!!! One of my fave CBC shows now on podcast, I'm a happy camper.
  • PantherG
    Great insight, but Wheres The National?
    This was my first time hearing TBoI and it wasn't bad, very intellectual although it's nothing you couldn't already hear from say a Meet The Press, or a Hardball but good for CBC. And wheres The National? Streaming video does not always happen on my computer and when it does, it jumps about, C-SPAN doesn't broadcast it anymore soooooooooo things are kind of at a head.. Peter Mansbridge is VERY insightful and its something I'd like to see i-tunes add to its library.
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