Ideas

Slowing Down in Urgent Times: A Lesson in Hope

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Educators are wired for hope, according to professor Jessica Riddell. In her lecture delivered at the University of Prince Edward Island, she underscores the importance of slowing down in urgent times, and urges educators to to teach hope, share it, and imagine a better future.

Deliberation in a Time of Anger: Making Space for Collective Decision-Making

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

At a time of ever-growing polarization, where people are less and less likely to cross paths with those who don’t agree with them, what does it take to deliberate? IDEAS producer Naheed Mustafa explores whether there’s space for collective decision-making in an era marked by anger and disagreement.

Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space: A Place to Dream

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

It's been 60 years since French thinker Gaston Bachelard’s The Poetics of Space made its English-language debut. It’s a hard-to-define book — part architecture, philosophy, psychoanalysis, memoir. And it continues to feed our ongoing need for purposeful solitude and wide-open fields for our imagination.*This episode originally aired on March 7, 2022.

The Heavy Metal Suite: Music and the Future of Mining

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Eight composers, five instruments, and a world of metal. IDEAS explores a project by the University of British Columbia called The Heavy Metal Suite that conveys the challenges and opportunities of the mining industry, through music. Each composer draws inspiration from their country’s mineral resources in their original pieces. *This episode originally aired on May 28, 2024.

Child Sex Abuse Prevention: How Best to Protect Kids

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Experts in the field of child sex abuse prevention argue that we need to bring pedophilia out of the shadows if we ever want to end abuse. CBC producer John Chipman explores an innovative new program in Kitchener, Ontario that has sex offenders and abuse survivors working together to prevent future harm and promote healing.

Humboldt's Ghost, Pt 2: The Meaning of Education

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

IDEAS continues to explore Wilhelm von Humboldt’s public education system with guests, including acclaimed author Gabor Maté, who is a former English teacher. Is this 200-year-old system equipped to meet the challenging demands of the 21st century? And does it still reflect Humboldt’s ideals, especially at the university level? *This is part two of a two-part series.

Humboldt's Ghost, Pt 1: Origins of our 200 year-old public education system

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Two hundred years ago, Wilhelm von Humboldt created the public education system as we know it today. At the heart of his philosophy of education was the concept of Bildung — reaching one's inner potential. Yet over the years, as his public education system was adopted, Bildung may well have been the critical piece left out. *This is part one of a two-part series.

Bureaumania: A 'Granular' Look at Corporate Red Tape

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Bureaucracies were created to get the work done and get it done efficiently, according to 19th-century thinker Max Weber. So why are there more and more meaningless executive jobs that contribute nothing but soak up the pay? IDEAS examines the corporate tendency to "bureaumania.”

For the Sake of the Common Good: Honouring Lois Wilson

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The late Lois Wilson didn’t tell you what to believe — she just lived by example. And what an example. She was a minister, Senator, human rights advocate — and inspiration. She lived out her Christian faith in concrete terms, on the ground, in the community. Lois Wilson died on Friday at the age of 97.

Death and the Artist: Four Stories

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

A final experiment from a dying musician. A painter whose work finds its cultural moment, posthumously. An aged writer intent on ‘getting to know death.’ From David Bowie to little-known creatives, this documentary looks at the ways that an artist’s mortality gives their work new meaning.

New Yorker Writer Calvin Trillin: A Warm Weather Nova Scotian

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin calls himself one-sixth Canadian. For 55 years, he and his family have spent their summers in Nova Scotia — what he calls: The Home Place. IDEAS producer Mary Lynk spoke to the 88-year-old author about everything from Trump to the layered Yiddish word: Meeskite.

Pursuing the Mysteries of Gravity with a Radical New Theory

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Theoretical physicist Claudia de Rham has spent her life captivated by gravity. She has taken up flying airplanes, scuba diving and was even an astronaut candidate. Her book, The Beauty of Falling: A Life in Pursuit of Gravity, explores the mysteries of gravity and how it connects us to the universe.

Brutalist Architecture, Beyond Aesthetics

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Brutalist architecture has been celebrated as monumental and derided as ‘concrete monstrosity.' But the people who depend on these buildings are often caught in between. IDEAS explores the implications of Brutalism’s 21st-century hipster aesthetic in a world of housing challenges, environmental crisis, and economic polarization.

How the Story of the Horse is the History of the World

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Without us, horses would be nowhere, and vice-versa. It was a partnership — our brains and their braun — that truly changed the world. Historian Timothy Winegard, author of The Horse, tells Nahlah Ayed how the history of the horse is the history of humankind.

Herodotus: Eros and Tyranny

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In the 5th century BCE, Herodotus travelled the ancient world gathering stories from a wide range of sources. One of his many prescient observations was how given the right circumstances a political strongman can emerge and seize control — a forewarning for us today.

Brave New Worlds: Rights for the Future, Part Five

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

If the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were rewritten today, what rights would we add to strive for a more just world? In the final episode of our five-part series, IDEAS looks beyond our fractured present and tries to imagine what new rights we need for our own millennium.

Brave New Worlds: The Rights to Free Thought and Free Expression, Part Four

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression is especially resonant in our own time. In his novel 1984, Orwell proposed a future of “thought-crime” and in many places that day has arrived. IDEAS continues our series about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in this episode explores the history and future of free expression.

Brave New Worlds: The Right to Leave, Return and Seek Asylum, Part Three

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, "Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country." We also have a right to seek "asylum from persecution" in other countries. At a time when more people are forcibly displaced than at any other point in recorded history, Nahlah Ayed speaks with guests about where the rights to leave, return and seek refuge came from, and what they could mean today.

Brave New Worlds: The Right to Privacy, Part Two

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares, "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation." It's a right with profound implications for our lives in the 21st century, from digital surveillance to sexuality and autonomy. How can we protect ourselves?

Brave New Worlds: The Right to Security, Part One

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 08:10:00 EDT

How do we create a better world? In a five-part series, IDEAS explores efforts to imagine new possibilities and make them real by focusing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the first episode, panelists examine what the right to "life, liberty, and security of person" could mean, and how it could transform our world.

Why some women are saying 'I don't' to unequal marriages

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Marriage is on the decline in Canada. And in heterosexual unions, it’s women who more often initiate divorce, and wait longer to remarry. Why is marriage not working for women? *This episode originally aired on Feb. 21, 2024.

Transhumance: An Ancient Practice at Risk

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

For millennia, human beings along with their domesticated animals have travelled to bring sheep, goats, cattle, and other animals to better grazing areas. The ancient practice, known as transhumance, has been dismissed as an outdated mode of animal husbandry. Yet the practice holds promise for a sustainable future. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 25, 2022.

Author Robert Macfarlane on the relationship between landscape and the human heart

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Robert Macfarlane says his writing is about the relationship between landscape and the human heart. His books share his encounters with treacherous mountain passages, mammoth glaciers flowing perceptibly into the sea, and harrowing descents into fissures inside the Earth. *This episode originally aired on Oct. 25, 2023.

Arctic Amazon Art Project: The Mural, Part One

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:40:00 EDT

The Arctic and the Amazon may be far apart geographically, but art connects them intimately. As part of a public art project bringing Indigenous artists from both regions together, Inuk artist Niap and the Shipibo artist Olinda Silvano worked on a mural that now graces the campus of Toronto Metropolitan University. They share their inspirations and their collaboration. *This episode originally aired on Oct. 23, 2023.

An Outsider Inside the Trades: Hilary Peach

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

You can’t pay rent with experimental poetry, so Hilary Peach trained as a welder. Twenty-plus years on, she’s now a boiler inspector, poet, and author of an award-winning memoir, Thick Skin: Field Notes from a Sister in the Brotherhood. Peach talks about the joys and contradictions of being an outsider inside the trades. *This episode originally aired on May 1, 2024.

Perimeter Institute Public Lectures: The Physics of Jazz | Dark Matter Night

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Physicist and jazz musician Stephon Alexander muses about the interplay of jazz, physics, and math. And cosmologist Katie Mack unpacks the latest thinking about the mysteries of dark matter, as part of the Perimeter Institute Public Lecture series. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 14, 2023.

Feline Philosophy: What We Can Learn From Cats

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Unlike humans, cats aren't burdened with questions of love, death and the meaning of life. They have no need for philosophy at all. English philosopher John Gray explores this "unexamined" way of being in his book, Feline Philosophy: Cats and the Meaning of Life. *This episode originally aired on May 6, 2021.

Platforms, Power and Democracy: Understanding the Influence of Social Media

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Research around social media was already hard to do. Now it’s even harder. Researchers describe how Big Tech and right-wing lawsuits block efforts to hold social media giants accountable. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 1, 2024.

Healing the Land, Part Two: From Eden Ecology to Indigenous Ecology

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

More than two years after a devastating fire, IDEAS visited St'át'imc territory around Lillooet, B.C. to learn how 21st-century wildfires are reshaping the landscape. This two-part series follows the work of the northern St'át'imc Nations, land guardians, and scientists from the Indigenous Ecology Lab at UBC as they seek to document the effects of wildfires and chart a new future. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 27, 2024.

Healing the Land, Part One: After the Fire

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Kate Beaton: What's lost when working-class voices are not heard

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Kate Beaton and her family have deep roots in hard-working, rural Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. In her 2024 Henry Kreisel Memorial Lecture, the popular cartoonist points out what is lost when working-class voices are shut out of opportunities in the worlds of arts, culture, and media. *This episode originally aired on March 26, 2024.

Of Dogs and Derrida: Understanding the dogs’ point of view

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Dogs are lauded as 'man's best friend.' But PhD student Molly Labenski argues that, in America, the real picture is of a dysfunctional, toxic 'friendship' between the human and canine species. She points to a revealing source of cultural attitudes — the use of fictional dogs by authors of 20th-century literature. *This episode originally aired on April 5, 2022.

Healing and the Healer: Dr. Jillian Horton on compassion in health care

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In her book, We Are All Perfectly Fine: A Memoir of Love, Medicine and Healing, Dr. Jillian Horton shares her personal story of burnout and calls for developing a compassionate medical system, with a more balanced and humane understanding of what it means to heal and be healed. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 18, 2024.

ARC Ensemble: The Forgotten Music of Exiled Composers

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

For the last 20 years, members of ARC Ensemble have dedicated themselves to recovering the forgotten works of exiled composers. Recently, the ensemble revived the works of Frederick Block — music that hasn't been performed publicly in nearly a century. *This episode originally aired on Dec. 19, 2023.

The Life and Times of Salman Rushdie

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Salman Rushdie sees reality through the lens of time. There are the months after the nearly-fatal attack of August 2022 that he details in his memoir Knife. And the decade following the Iranian state’s February 1989 fatwa against him. In this conversation with Nahlah Ayed, he describes hinge moments in his uncannily storied life. *This episode originally aired on April 30, 2024.

The Hinge Years: 1989 | Uprisings and Downfalls

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Our series exploring five years in the 20th century that shaped the world ends with the year 1989. The Berlin Wall comes tumbling down. There are democratic uprisings in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary. A riot in Tiananmen Square in Beijing is met with a fierce crackdown. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 26, 2024.

Rats: Haunting Humanity’s Footsteps

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Despite their admirable qualities, rats have long been reviled as disgusting and aggressive animals. IDEAS contributor Moira Donovan explores how rats have come to occupy a position as cultural villain — and how they’ve shaped human history along the way. *This episode originally aired on October 26, 2020.

Historian uses Canadian prize money to buy drones for Ukraine

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

For Timothy Garton Ash, Europe is an idea — and an ideal — worth celebrating and preserving, even against all the forces acting against it right now. The historian, who won the 2024 Lionel Gelber Prize, is using his prize money to buy drones for Ukraine in the war against Russia. *This episode originally aired on May 15, 2024.

For the Sake of the Common Good: Honouring Lois Wilson

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Lois Wilson has lived many lives during her 96 years as a United Church Minister, a Senator, a human rights advocate, and an inspiration to many. She exhibits a humility that can only be described as steadfast. For the Sake of the Common Good: Essays in Honour of Lois Wilson is a tribute to the life and work of a remarkable Canadian. *This episode originally aired Feb. 15, 2024.

Astra Taylor's CBC Massey Lectures | #5: Escaping the Burrow

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In Astra Taylor's final Massey Lecture, she offers hope and solutions. Taylor suggests cultivating an ethic of insecurity — one that embraces our existential insecurity. The experience of insecurity, she says, can offer us a path to wisdom that can guide our personal lives and collective endeavours.

The Hinge Years: 1973 | The Dictators

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In part four of our series exploring five years that shaped the world, IDEAS examines 1973. Augusto Pinochet comes to power in Chile, and dictators rule Portugal, Greece, Uganda and beyond. The OPEC oil embargo sets the world on a new path. The American Supreme Court legalizes abortion in Roe v. Wade, 50 years before it would be overturned. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 25, 2024.

Entre Chien et Loup: How Dogs Began

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Scientists agree that dogs evolved from wolves and were the first domesticated animals. But exactly how that happened is hotly contested. IDEAS contributor Neil Sandell examines the theories and the evolution of the relationship between dogs and humans. *This episode originally aired on March 1, 2021.

A Guide to Hope, Learning and Shakespeare: Scholar Shannon Murray

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Feeling the weight of a world? A lecture on hope might be a much needed balm. Scholar Shannon Murray shares lesson in hope, patience, empathy and 'freudenfreude,' and how Shakespeare’s words have become the narrative soundtrack of her life. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 13, 2023.

Buying Buddha, Selling Rumi

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Living in modern society is hard and so people often turn to the "mystical marketplace" where Westerners consume Eastern traditions to find some kind of healing balm for the ailments of modernity. *This episode won a Wilbur Award for broadcast excellence on spiritual issues and themes. It originally aired on Jan. 27, 2021.

Astra Taylor's CBC Massey Lectures | #4: Beyond Human Security

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The burning of fossil fuels causes the past, present and future to collide in destructive ways. In her fourth Massey Lecture, Astra Taylor tells us that as the climate alters, evolved biological clocks erratically speed up or slow down, causing plants and animals to fall out of sync. In a world this out of joint, how could we possibly feel secure? But there is a path forward.

The Hinge Years: 1963 | Social Revolutions

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Our series, looking at pivotal years in recent history, continues as we focus on the year 1963. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a march on Washington, the Pan-African movement ushers in a new era for Africa, President Kennedy is assassinated, and the war in Vietnam heats up. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 24, 2024.

English: Friend or Frenemy?

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

English may have a reputation for being a "linguistic imperialist," pushing local languages into obscurity but linguist Mario Saraceni argues English should be viewed as a global language with multiple versions existing on equal footing. *This episode originally aired on May 19, 2023.

Négritude: The Birth of Black Humanism

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Négritude was a Francophone movement to rethink what it meant to be Black and African. Scholar Merve Fejzula explores the dynamic debates happening in the early-to mid-20th century among Négritude thinkers, how they disseminated their ideas, and how all this changed what it meant to be part of a public. *This episode originally aired on March 8, 2023.

Historian Tiya Miles on how a mother's love outlasted slavery

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

A cotton sack from the time of slavery bears the first names of a mother and her daughter, who was sold at the age of nine. Harvard historian Tiya Miles scours the historical documentary record to discover who these women were and reveals their story of love in her book, All That She Carried — winner of the 2022 Cundill History Prize. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 20, 2023.

Astra Taylor's CBC Massey Lectures | #3: Consumed by Curiosity

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 04:00:00 EDT

It’s a paradox — we live in the most prosperous era in human history, but it’s also an era of profound insecurity. Massey Lecturer Astra Taylor suggests that history shows that increased material security helps people be more open-minded, tolerant, and curious. But rising insecurity does the reverse — it drives us apart.

The Hinge Years: 1938 | The Winds of War

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

On the eve of the Second World War, Hitler annexes Austria and escalates antisemitic persecution, Japan wages war on China, and the parallel collapse of democracy in both the East and West sets the stage for war. This is the second episode in our series exploring five years that have shaped the world. It originally aired on Jan. 23, 2024.

Ideas Introduces: Tested

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 10:10:00 EDT

Tested is a new podcast series from CBC and NPR that asks the question, who gets to compete? Since the beginning of women’s sports, there has been a struggle over who qualifies for the women’s category. Tested follows the unfolding story of elite female runners who have been told they can no longer race as women, because of their biology. As the Olympics approach, they face hard choices: take drugs to lower their natural testosterone levels, give up their sport entirely, or fight. To understand how we got here, we trace the surprising, 100-year history of sex testing. More episodes of Tested are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/9-HlXVZB

The Endless Procession of Days | Ian Williams

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 00:10:00 EDT

How should we fill our time, and what is most important to remember? Giller Prize-winning novelist and poet Ian Williams looks at the meaning of life, work and the relationship between the past and future, inspired by the Crow's Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov's classic drama, Uncle Vanya. *This episode originally aired on March 11, 2024.

The Emancipation of Turkish Writer Ahmet Altan, Pt 2

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

For nearly five years, Turkey imprisoned one of its most significant writers. Fifty-one Nobel laureates called for his release. Now free, the resilient Ahmet Altan reflects on the meaning of freedom, inside and out.

A Political Prisoner’s Odyssey: Writer Ahmet Altan, Pt 1

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Celebrated Turkish writer Ahmet Altan spent almost five years in jail. He wrote his memoir which was smuggled out on bits of paper. This episode aired while he was still in prison. It won an Amnesty International Canada Media Award for outstanding human rights reporting. Tomorrow IDEAS features a conversation with CBC producer Mary Lynk and the now-freed Ahmet Altan.

Astra Taylor's CBC Massey Lectures | #2: Barons or Commoners?

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 04:05:00 EDT

In Astra Taylor's second Massey Lecture, she argues our social order runs on insecurity. But we’re also guaranteed the right to “security of the person.” The wealthy barons of the past and present have defined what security means for themselves — but the rest of us, ordinary commoners, have fought for something else instead.

The Hinge Years: 1919 | Dividing the Spoils

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

After the First World War, the Western powers create new borders and carve out spheres of influence, leaders from the Global South fight for self-determination, and the League of Nations and the Communist International are formed. In this series, IDEAS explores five years in the 20th century that have shaped our world today. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 22, 2024.

How philosophy plays a vital role in Canada's biggest ethical debates

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Arthur Schafer taught ethics to medical students in 1972. His 50-year career put the philosopher at the heart of major ethical debates like MAID. Schafer discusses the role of philosophers in addressing the increasingly complex ethical dilemmas confronting individuals and society as a whole. *This episode originally aired on May 16, 2024.

The ordinary-extraordinary dimensions of Black life: Christina Sharpe

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Christina Sharpe's award-winning book, Ordinary Notes, explores the complexity of Black life — blending memoir, history, cultural and political critique. She argues that the experience of Black people is misunderstood — but can be contested, and healed, by Black creativity, and community.

Turn the Other Cheek: the radical case for nonviolent resistance

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the greatest gifts of scripture to humanity; just ask Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Leo Tolstoy. But who's making any use of it today? In a time when an eye for an eye still seems to hold sway, IDEAS producer Sean Foley explores the logic of Christian non-violence, beginning with Jesus' counsel to 'turn the other cheek.' *This episode won a Wilbur Award for excellence in communicating spiritual themes. It originally aired on Oct. 14, 2022.

Astra Taylor's CBC Massey Lectures | #1: Cura’s Gift

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:10:00 EDT

Insecurity has become a "defining feature of our time," says CBC Massey lecturer Astra Taylor. The Winnipeg-born writer and filmmaker explores how rising inequality, declining mental health, the climate crisis, and the threat of authoritarianism originate from a social order built on insecurity. In her first lecture, she explores the existential insecurity we can’t escape — and the manufactured insecurity imposed on us from above.

Poet Ross Gay on the necessity of joy and delight

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

For award-winning poet and bestselling author Ross Gay, joy and delight aren’t frivolous or a privilege. He argues they’re absolutely essential to a meaningful life — especially in the face of grief, sadness and suffering.

Be Reasonable: Scholars Define Who Is and Who Is Not

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

From the interpersonal to the societal: what is reasonableness? And in a democracy, how reasonable can we reasonably demand that others be? Five Canadian thinkers try to define what “reasonableness” means and what it is to behave and think reasonably. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 6, 2024.

Massey at 60: Tanya Talaga on what Canada can learn from the stories of Indigenous peoples

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

2018 Massey Lecturer Tanya Talaga reflects on the legacy of cultural genocide, and on how the stories of Indigenous peoples offer lessons for Canada today. *This episode is part of a series of conversations with — and about — former Massey Lecturers to mark the 60th anniversary of Massey College, a partner in the CBC Massey Lectures.

Flop Sweat: Why We Choke When It Matters Most

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Championship soccer games provide some of the most dramatic moments in all of sports. And when the stakes are high, some people choke. IDEAS contributor Peter Brown looks at why our skills desert us when it matters most, and what can be done to avoid the dreaded performance “choke.”

The Never-Ending Fall of Rome

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Rome fell, because of... divorce. Or was it immigration? Maybe moral decay. IDEAS producer Matthew Lazin-Ryder explores the political history of 'the fall of Rome' — a hole in time where politicians, activists, and intellectuals can dump any modern anxiety they wish.

International laws against genocide exist: so why don’t they work?

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

We have laws against genocide, defined as "the deliberate attempt to erase a national, ethnic, religious or racial group." But how do we make them stick? IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed speaks with scholar William Schabas about the history of the UN Genocide Convention and what needs to change.

How the death of a friend inspired a fight for human rights and justice

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In his Massey Lectures, Iranian-Canadian lawyer Payam Akhavan recounts the courage and spirit of his childhood friend, Mona Mahmudnizhad. Mona was executed for defying Iranian authorities and speaking out about religious freedom. Her example compelled Payam to make it his mission to fight for justice for people who have suffered at the hands of human rights abusers.

Masseys at 60: Payam Akhavan on his unwavering advocacy for human rights

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Human rights lawyer Payam Akhavan gave the 2017 Massey Lectures, called In Search of a Better World. As part of the Massey at 60 series, marking six decades of the Massey Lectures, he explains how the themes explored in his lectures have taken on even more relevance in today's divided, conflict-ridden world.

5 Canadian Writers on Subverting Identity

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Identity is a hot topic in our era, but also a complex reality. Five literary writers — all of them winners of 2023 Governor General’s Literary Awards — read from new poems, essays, and stories that consider the ways that seemingly solid identities can be altered, questioned, or entirely subverted.

White Wine with Lunch: How much luxury is reasonable for one person?

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Is there a luxury you would never give up for your ideals? An all-purpose deal-breaker? IDEAS producer Tom Howell investigates how wanting a nice lunch in a restaurant intersects with morals and politics — with the help of a restaurateur, an economist, an anti-poverty campaigner, and a light golden Chablis.

Cultivating Community, Citizenship and Belonging | Jamie Chai Yun Liew

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

What does it mean to seek belonging in a new place, while also being a good guest on Indigenous lands? Can you ever truly "arrive"? Novelist and immigration and refugee lawyer Jamie Chai Yun Liew explores how to cultivate new forms of belonging.

Political tribalism is an existential threat to humanity: evolutionary anthropologist

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

David R. Samson argues that political tribalism is an existential threat to humanity. But the evolutionary anthropologist also sees ‘tribe drive’ as an essential instinct that can be channeled for good. His book Our Tribal Future won the 2023 Balsillie Prize for Public Policy award.

Taken In: Exploring Credulity

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Two experts who got financially scammed. Two ex-Fundamentalist Christians who researched the psychology of conspiracy belief. Each describes their experience, and explains why credulity is a universal and persistent human tendency. *This episode originally aired on April 20, 2023.

BBC Reith Lectures: Artificial Prosperity

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Artificial intelligence could make some of us rich — but leave some behind. In part two of the BBC Reith Lectures, Oxford professor Ben Ansell argues that AI can increase inequality, while appearing to increase prosperity, leading to skepticism about democracy.

Queer Diplomacy: Negotiating 2SLGBTQ+ Rights in a Fraught World

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In the 1980s, Douglas Janoff marched outside the United Nations to promote 2SLGBTQ+ rights. Then, after several decades as an activist, he became a Canadian diplomat — and started pushing for change from within. He shares his experience through the complex and delicate world of queer diplomacy. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 7, 2024.

(Land) Back to the Future | Riley Yesno

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Can Indigenous people dream a better future into being? Anishinaabe scholar Riley Yesno explores Indigenous futurism and the connection between dreams and new realities, inspired by playwright Cliff Cardinal’s Huff. This episode is part of our ongoing series of talks, each inspired by a theme in a play at Toronto’s Crow’s Theatre.

Walking Among the Ancients: The Rare Wabanaki-Acadian Old-Growth Forest

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The World Wildlife Fund lists the Wabanaki-Acadian old-growth forest as endangered — with only one percent remaining. The Wabanaki-Acadian forest stretches from parts of the Maritimes and Southern Quebec down into New England states. IDEAS explores the beauty and complexity of this ancient forest.

BBC Reith Lectures: Artificial Democracy

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

IDEAS presents the first of the BBC Reith Lectures delivered by Ben Ansell. The Oxford professor and author of Why Politics Fails examines the threats facing modern democracy, how artificial intelligence can distort its integrity, and how politicians can invest in a democratic future.

Bring Back Grumpy George: The Forgotten Message of George Grant

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Canadian philosopher George Grant was known for his pessimism, and is best known for his book Lament for a Nation: The Defeat of Canadian Nationalism. PhD student Bryan Heystee makes the case to revive Grantian philosophy and make it work for the 21st century. *This episode originally aired on Dec. 6, 2023.

A Walk of Remembrance: Honouring Canadian soldiers who helped liberate the Netherlands

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In a powerful act of remembrance, a group of Canadians participated in a pilgrimage to the Netherlands to commemorate their fathers, grandfathers and uncles who helped to liberate the country from the Nazis. Producer Alisa Seigel shares their journey. *This episode originally aired on May 1, 2023.

On Culture Wars in Christianity

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The 'culture wars' have been a staple of modern politics for decades now. They are especially entrenched within Christian communities. Philosopher and author James K. A. Smith has a radical prescription to move beyond this: the church needs more mystics.

China's Cultural Revolution: a history that remains widely unknown

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The Cultural Revolution is everywhere felt in China today, but rarely if ever talked about openly. But prize-winning historian Tania Branigan tries to fill in the historical silences with voices both past and present in her book, Red Memory.

Smell: The Invisible Superpower

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Smell has been called the 'Cinderella sense,' capable of inspiring profound admiration if we stop turning our noses at it. Producer Annie Bender examines what we lose when we take our powerful — but often misunderstood — sense of smell for granted.

Papyrus: Exploring the Invention of the Book

Thu, 30 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The book may well be the greatest invention since the wheel, according to author Irene Vallejo. She traces the history of this miraculous invention with a book of her own, Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World.

The Making of a Beast: Entering a New World of Fire

Wed, 29 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

John Vaillant details the terrifying growth and destructive force of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire in his award-winning book, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast. He unpacks how fire made humans who we are — and how humans are changing fire. Vaillant says we're changing the climate "in a way that favours fire way more than it favours us."

The extreme in America’s mainstream

Mon, 27 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Leonard Moore has long taught popular courses on American history at McGill University. His retirement lecture is full of insight — and worries — about the deep polarization in the United States. He argues history has its lessons, but it’s still an open question whether they’ll be learned.

Wade Davis' CBC Massey Lecture # 5 | The Wayfinders: Century of the Wind

Fri, 24 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In his 2009 CBC Massey Lectures, The Wayfinders, anthropologist Wade Davis explored how the modern world can learn from Indigenous peoples. From the navigational skills of Polynesian sailors to the healing properties of plants, there is old knowledge we can all learn from. IDEAS revisits Davis' 5th Massey Lecture. Go to cbc.ca/ideas to listen to the full series.

Massey at 60: Wade Davis on looking to Indigenous cultures for answers to world crises

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Anthropologist Wade Davis has spent a lifetime exploring our planet. In his 2009 CBC Massey Lectures, The Wayfinders, he takes the reader and the listener on a journey through the wonders of the natural world, as they are seen and experienced by Indigenous peoples. Davis revisits his lectures in conversation with IDEAS producer Philip Coulter at Massey College.

Learning to Look in the Sistine Chapel: Jeannie Marshall

Wed, 22 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel may be one of the most exalted works of art in the world. In her book All Things Move: Learning to Look in the Sistine Chapel, Canadian writer and Rome resident Jeannie Marshall probes the power of art to move us and transcend the historical and religious contexts that shaped it. *This episode originally aired on June 13, 2023.

How global liberation efforts helped shape the Dene fight for self-determination

Tue, 21 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The Dene fight for self-determination and sovereignty has deep historic ties to liberation efforts around the globe. Yellowknives Dene author and scholar Glen Coulthard traces those influences — and how they shape our current political moment.

Puro Cubano: The Meaning of Tobacco in Cuba

Mon, 20 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

For many people around the world, Cuban cigars are a luxury. But for Cubans, they’ve symbolized the country’s rich history and culture. Now as an economic crisis is gripping the country and people are leaving, the cigar is a bellwether of Cuba's uncertain future. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 5, 2024.

Food Security: Root Causes and Pathways to Change

Fri, 17 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The cost of food is rising, and more Canadians are having difficulty knowing if they can afford their next meal. IDEAS hears from four leading experts in the field of food insecurity to explore the root causes and how our food systems can evolve to support us all. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 29, 2023.

The Passion of Émile Nelligan: Canada's Saddest Poet

Tue, 14 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Broken violins, cruel love and absent fathers... At the end of the 19th century, Émile Nelligan wrote hundreds of tragic, passionate, sonnets and rondels on these subjects and more. And yet, most English-speaking Canadians seem never to have heard of the Quebec poet. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 9, 2024.

The Lives of Women, Readers and Alice Munro

Tue, 14 May 2024 00:10:00 EDT

On a cold, autumn night a group of women gather for their regular book club. Over snacks, wine and tea, they discuss Alice Munro's work, and how her stories illuminate some of the deepest issues in their own lives. Munro died on Monday at the age of 92.

What role can solidarity play when confronting political and social issues?

Mon, 13 May 2024 00:10:00 EDT

In a time of rapidly changing politics and never-ending crises, what role can solidarity play in confronting political and social problems to create stronger bonds among people? A group of thinkers, writers, and artists tell IDEAS how solidarity is shaping politics and culture.

The Return of Inequality | Lessons of History

Fri, 10 May 2024 00:10:00 EDT

In 2016 Jennifer Welsh delivered her CBC Massey Lectures, The Return of History — a wake-up call to those of us who may have felt a little too optimistic about the future after the fall of the Berlin Wall. IDEAS revisits the final lecture in her series, The Return of Inequality.

Massey at 60: Jennifer Welsh on how inequality is undermining liberal democracy

Thu, 09 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

With the end of the Cold War, the struggle for peace, equality, and democracy wasn’t settled — it became more complex. As we mark the 60th anniversary of Massey College, IDEAS executive producer Greg Kelly interviews Jennifer Welsh about her 2016 CBC Massey Lectures, The Return of History — and how eight years on, the struggle continues.

Our Bodies, Our Cells: An audio exploration of life's building blocks

Wed, 08 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Our bodies are a great paradox. We are made up of trillions of cells that are both independent and interconnected units of life. IDEAS travels into the microscopic complexity of the human body to explore sophisticated nanomachines — and probe the deep mysteries of a subatomic world. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 31, 2024.

How a nation could be both free and equal

Tue, 07 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Freedom and Equality — can societies aim for both at the same time? Author Daniel Chandler argues that they can, with some help from the American political theorist, John Rawls. He tells IDEAS what a political platform based on Rawls’ books would look like.

A Reality Check on Reality TV

Mon, 06 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Twenty-five years ago, reality TV exploded in popularity, and the media panicked. But could shows like Love Is Blind and their like actually help make us more media literate? IDEAS examines the culture, morality, and philosophy of unscripted television.

Lisa LaFlamme: In Defence of Democracy

Fri, 03 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

These are anxious times for journalism and democracy. As part of an event hosted by the Samara Centre for Democracy, former news anchor Lisa LaFlamme tells IDEAS what can and must be done to bolster journalism so it can better safeguard democracy. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 15, 2024.

Starting a global conversation to restore civility and liberal democracy

Thu, 02 May 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Civility is under threat, authoritarianism and autocrats are on the rise and there's an erosion of institutional trust. Three pre-eminent speakers join IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed to discuss how Canada and other countries can promote respect and protect liberal democracy.

Could resetting the body's clock help cure jet lag?

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Canadian PhD graduate Kritika Vashishtha invented a new colour of light and combined it with artificial intelligence to fool the body into shifting time zones faster — creating a possible cure for jet lag. She tells IDEAS how this method could also help astronauts on Mars. *This episode is part of our series Ideas from the Trenches, which showcases fascinating new work by Canadian PhD students.

Reset: Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society | Tech Expert Ron Deibert

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In 2020, CBC Massey lecturer and tech expert Ron Deibert asked us to consider how to mitigate the harms of social media and construct a viable communications ecosystem that supports civil society. We revisit his final Massey lecture that explores the kinds of restraints we need to place on government and corporations — and on our own endless appetite for data.

Massey at 60: Ron Deibert on how spyware is changing the nature of authority today

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Citizen Lab founder and director Ron Deibert reflects on what’s changed in the world of spyware, surveillance, and social media since he delivered his 2020 CBC Massey Lectures, Reset: Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society. *This episode is part of an ongoing series of episodes marking the 60th anniversary of Massey College, a partner in the Massey Lectures.

The Making and Unmaking of Violent Men | Miglena Todorova

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

What shapes the perpetrators of violence against women? And why haven’t efforts to achieve political and economic equality been enough to stop the violence? As part of our series, IDEAS at Crow’s Theatre, professor Miglena Todorova explores violence against women — and why efforts to enshrine political and economic gender equality have failed.

Wilkie Collins: A true detective of the human mind

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Considered one of the first writers of mysteries and the father of detective fiction, Wilkie Collins used the genres to investigate the rapidly changing world around him. UBC Journalism professor Kamal Al-Solaylee explores his work and its enduring power to make us look twice at the world we think we know.

Salmon depletion in Yukon River puts First Nations community at risk

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Once, there were half a million salmon in the Yukon River, but now they're almost gone. For the Little Salmon Carmacks River Nation, these salmon are an essential part of their culture — and now their livelihood is in peril. IDEAS shares their story as they struggle to keep their identity after the loss of the salmon migration.

“Sometimes I think this city is trying to kill me…”

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

“Sometimes I think this city is trying to kill me…” That’s what a man on the margins once told Robin Mazumder who left his healthcare career behind to become an environmental neuroscientist. He now measures stress, to advocate for wider well-being in better-designed cities.

The "Reconciliation" Generation: Indigenous Youth and the Future for Indigenous People

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Indigenous activist Riley Yesno addresses the hopes, disappointments, accomplishments and misuses of ‘reconciliation’ in post-TRC Canada. The Anishnaabe scholar says Indigenous youth who came of age at this time are "meant to be responsible for seeing it through to its next stage."

The history of bombing civilians — and why it’s still a military tactic

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

The bombing of civilians has been called one of the "great scandals" of modern warfare. So why, despite nearly a century of drafting laws and signing conventions protecting the sanctity of human life, does bombing civilians remain a widespread military tactic?

The 2000 CBC Massey Lectures: The Rights Revolution by Michael Ignatieff

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In his 2000 Massey Lectures on The Rights Revolution, Michael Ignatieff confronted the conflicted rise of human rights language in Canadian and global politics. "Has the rights revolution brought us closer together as a nation, or driven us further apart?" he asks in his final Massey lecture. We revisit this talk, as part of our series marking the 60th anniversary of Massey College.

Massey at 60: Michael Ignatieff on how human rights language has shaped Canadian politics

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Twenty-four years ago, Massey lecturer Michael Ignatieff delivered five talks that explored the powerful rise of the language of 'rights' in Canada and other industrialized nations. Michael Ignatieff speaks with former IDEAS host Paul Kennedy to reflect on his talks — and how the rights revolution continues to shape politics today, often in unexpected ways. *This episode is part of an ongoing series of episodes marking the 60th anniversary of Massey College, a partner in the Massey Lectures.

Bonus | 2024 Massey lecturer Ian Williams on courageous conversations and taking risks

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:10:00 EDT

We've dropped this bonus podcast into the feed to announce that Canadian writer Ian Williams is this year’s Massey lecturer. He spoke with Q host Tom Power to tell us why he’s chosen the topic of 'conversations' for his lecture series, how listening can be a courageous act, and why he believes it’s important to have difficult conversations, even at the risk of offending people.

How the outdoors has inspired women to become trailblazers

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Harvard historian Tiya Miles believes the more girls and women are outdoors, the more fulfilling their lives will be. In her book, Wild Girls, Miles shows how girls who found self-understanding in the natural world became women who changed America.

Authoritarian study makes a comeback to understand lure of far-right movements

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

A groundbreaking study conducted in the wake of the Second World War by a group of scholars rocked the academic world when it was published in 1950 — but fell out of favour. Now a new generation of scholars is reviving the lessons of The Authoritarian Personality to understand the politics of our time. *This episode originally aired on April 4, 2022.

The Value of Group Therapy

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Is group therapy underused in treating mental health? Psychiatrist Molyn Leszcz calls it an “incredibly powerful” approach, where patients heal each other and themselves through support and, sometimes, challenge. Scholar Jess Cotton agrees, tracing the radical roots of an idea that she thinks could hold a greater place today.

Montreal's hidden Confederate history

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Montreal was a hotbed of spies and conspirators during the U.S. Civil War. IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed and investigative journalist Julian Sher, author of The North Star: Canada and the Civil War Plots Against Lincoln, tour Montreal’s past and present, tracing the city’s hidden Confederate past.

Living in legal limbo: How states create 'ghost citizens'

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

What do ghost stories capture about the experience of being stateless? IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed speaks with lawyer and scholar Jamie Chai Yun Liew on how states create “ghost citizens” — and how the long aftermath of colonialism still shapes definitions of citizenship today.

Betrayal of Faith: The Story of Pastedechouan

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Pastedechouan was an Innu boy taken to France by Catholic clergymen in 1620. What happened to him 400 years ago may well be the template that would later become the residential school system. IDEAS retraces the story of Pastedechouan, revealing that history has an extremely long reach.

What Good Is Philosophy?

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:10:00 EDT

"What is good?" is at the heart of philosophy. Asking the question helps us move toward answers about inclusivity, equality, and who gets a voice at the table. Last year, The Munk School at the University of Toronto hosted philosophers and writers and put philosophy to the test. When it comes to the good, they asked, what good is philosophy? *This episode originally aired on Sept. 8, 2023.

Nine Minutes that Changed the World

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EDT

In 1876, the poet Stéphane Mallarmé published a poem entitled "The Afternoon of a Faun." He doubted anyone could set it to music successfully. But composer Claude Debussy did exactly that. The music runs only about nine minutes long, but it helped give birth to the modern era as we know it. *This episode originally aired on May 30, 2017.

Putin Critic Garry Kasparov: Winter is Here

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Nearly a decade after Russia annexed Crimea, Russia’s war on Ukraine is entering its third year. As Putin is starting yet another term — Russian opposition activist Gary Kasparov’s warnings from his book, Winter is Coming, are playing out in real time. Nahlah Ayed speaks with Garry Kasparov.

Conflicted: a Ukrainian journalist covers her nation at war

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EDT

“We face a continual tension between holding the government to account, and not wanting the enemy to undermine us by exploiting bad news," says Ukrainian journalist Veronika Melkozerova. She delivered this year's Peter Stursberg Foreign Correspondents Lecture, focusing her talk on what Ukrainian journalists confront daily: patriotism versus journalism.

CBC Massey Lectures: Audience Q&A with Astra Taylor

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EDT

Insecurity has become a "defining feature of our time," says 2023 CBC Massey lecturer Astra Taylor. She explores how rising inequality, declining mental health, and the threat of authoritarianism, originate from a social order built on insecurity. In this episode, Astra Taylor answers audience questions from the cross-Canada tour. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 27, 2023.

Astra Taylor: The Hidden Truth of the World

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:10:00 EDT

In conversation with IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed, the 2023 Massey lecturer Astra Taylor explains how her early years in the unschooling movement shaped her worldview and how Occupy Wall Street taught her that 'thinking' and 'doing' go hand in hand. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 7, 2023.*

Massey at 60: Reflecting on Jean Bethke Elshtain's CBC Massey Lectures, Democracy on Trial

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:10:00 EDT

Philosopher Jean Bethke Elshtain brought up an important question during the 1993 CBC Massey Lectures: is democracy as we know it in danger? Author and critic Randy Boyagoda and IDEAS producer Sean Foley revisit Elshtain's lectures. *This episode is part of a series of conversations with — and about — former Massey Lecturers to mark the 60th anniversary of Massey College, a partner in the CBC Massey Lectures.

The Hague: City of Peace and Justice

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:10:00 EDT

In a world where peace and justice can be hard to come by, The Hague in The Netherlands projects something special: the city is a base for several world courts, as well as non-governmental organizations, charities and non-profits. It's even earned itself the title of the "City of Peace and Justice." In The Fire Within Us, IDEAS takes a look at why some organizations call The Hague home.

The Poetry of Why: Chimwemwe Undi

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:10:00 EDT

A conversation with Winnipeg Poet Laureate Chimwemwe Undi about home, belonging, racism, living downtown, and about poetry as a vehicle for life’s big questions — as her first collection of poetry, Scientific Marvel, is set to be published.

Alanis Obomsawin: The Art of Listening

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EST

Indigenous filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin has witnessed nearly a century of change. At 91 years old she continues to produce documentaries featuring Indigenous stories and voices. The Abenaki artist delivered the 2023 Beatty Lecture at McGill University. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 7, 2023.

Swinging and Singing: The Violin

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EST

For musician and radio producer, David Schulman, the violin can swing and sing like nothing else. Schulman recently travelled to the north of Italy to try and discover the original trees from which Antonio Stradivari made his masterpieces. It’s a journey of surprise and delight. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 28, 2023.

The Way of the Trucker

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EST

An Ontario trucking union predicts a shortage of 30,000 truckers in Canada as old hands retire faster than new ones take on the job. IDEAS producer Tom Howell visits a trucking school in northern Ontario, where recruits consider their options, and the road ahead.

Herodotus: The Power and Peril of Story

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:10:00 EST

Herodotus was committed to understanding the human causes of conflict and war. He gathered stories — some believable, others not — to show how different cultures understand themselves. Readings for this documentary by writer Michael Ondaatje. *This episode originally aired on Oct. 16, 2023.

A Life-giving Chord: The Power of Gospel Music

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

A century after the founding of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, the sounds of Black gospel — which from its very beginnings has been steeped in the idea of community — echo at last, from its classrooms. Documentary producer Alisa Siegel takes us into that room where Black gospel is helping to transform the way that students learn, create, and perform music.

How to Flourish in a Broken World

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

The world is full of problems — our broken healthcare, out-of-reach housing, a democracy in shambles and a dying planet. Is it actually possible to fix this mess? IDEAS hears from people working to fix our most intractable problems at a time when it can feel easier to just give up. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 21, 2023.

Singing in Dark Times | Sandeep Banerjee

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

"In the dark times, will there also be singing?" Bertolt Brecht once asked. World literature scholar Sandeep Banerjee explores the power of art in times of war — and how ghost stories can help us imagine another world. This talk kicks off a new public lecture series called IDEAS at Crow’s Theatre.

From Page to Stage: Exploring sex and gender in Shakespeare's work

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

In the thorny thickets of love and desire, how do Shakespeare’s characters talk to each other? And what’s changed in 400 years? From the Stratford Festival, IDEAS explores the challenges around issues of sex and gender in staging Shakespeare’s plays.

What’s Up with The Birds?

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

Fears of technological overreach, environmental decline, and the violent rise of the irrational: our 21st-century anxieties were anticipated in an unlikely 20th-century horror metaphor. “The Birds” – a haunting 1953 short story by Daphne duMaurier, and the truly bizarre 1963 Alfred Hitchcock movie that it inspired. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 6, 2023.

Smart Cities, Technology and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

Nothing seems to make a city politician’s eyes light up like the promise of the smart city. In his book, Dream States, journalist John Lorinc questions whether smart technologies live up to the hype and whether ultimately smart cities serve the interests of city dwellers or big tech companies. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 19, 2023.

Obtaining Justice Without Demonizing Your Enemies: Martha Minow

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

In the age of growing polarization, how do you tackle injustice without demonizing your enemies? Former Harvard Law School dean Martha Minow tackles that question in her 2023 Horace E. Read Memorial Lecture.

Seduced by Story: The Dangers of Narrative

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

Humans are storytelling creatures. But literary scholar Peter Brooks argues that stories have become far too dominant as the way we understand ourselves and the world. IDEAS examines the dangers of seeing everything as a story. *This episode originally aired on March 7, 2023.

The Dark Side of Charisma: Molly Worthen

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

Charisma can be a dangerous thing in politics. Writer and scholar Molly Worthen examines how today’s breed of charismatic leaders presents themselves as having the power to transform lives, transfixing their followers into unquestioning fealty, in her 2023 Larkin-Stuart Lecture. *This episode originally aired on Oct. 3, 2023.

Hands Up Who Loves Timmins

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

Timmins calls itself “the city with a heart of gold." And it offers a fast track to permanent residency for immigrants willing to move there. IDEAS producer Tom Howell finds out what this northern Ontario city has to offer a newcomer, and who’s ready to fall in love with Shania Twain’s hometown. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 11, 2023.

Ulysses and the Art of Everyday Living

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:10:00 EST

What does it mean to be a good person? Irish scholar and writer Declan Kiberd argues that Ulysses — James Joyce’s iconic novel — has lessons to teach us about the art of everyday living.

The Meaning of Ice: Arctic research embracing traditional knowledge

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Climate change has transformed the Arctic faster than most places on the planet. Inuit know this better than anyone. But as Arctic ice researcher Dr. Shari Fox argues a colonialist approach to Arctic research by academia has largely disrespected and sidelined traditional knowledge. She's working to change that. *This episode originally aired on Jan. 11, 2023.

The Tree of Life Revisited: Chava Rosenfarb

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Chava Rosenfarb, Holocaust survivor and Canadian Yiddish writer, was born 100 years ago in Łódź, Poland. In 2023, Łódź celebrated “The Year of Chava Rosenfarb." In this episode, producer Allison Dempster revisits a 2001 IDEAS documentary that profiles Rosenfarb’s legacy and the politics of Holocaust remembrance in Poland today.

IDEAS in the Hague: A Question of Genocide

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Last week, South Africa and Israel were at the International Court of Justice with two starkly opposed versions of the conflict in Gaza: South Africa’s legal team argued Israel’s actions there violate the Genocide Convention. Israel’s lawyers argued it is acting in self-defence. The court must first decide whether to order emergency measures to stop the violence until it considers the bigger question. IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed was in the Hague. This episode features excerpts from the two-day hearings.

Philosophy from the Pub, with Lewis Gordon

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Lewis Gordon is an academic. But he argues that confining thinking to the academy has resulted in people forgetting that philosophy “has something important to say.” He helps remedy the situation with this warm, funny, vital talk, recorded in a historic pub in St. John’s, Newfoundland, by Memorial University.

Arctic/Amazon Art Exhibition: Secrets and Visions, Part Two

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Indigenous artists from the Arctic and the Amazon regions came together for an art exhibition — a culmination of years of research and conversation. Despite coming from apparently disparate territories and traditions, they shared deeply on histories, present circumstances, and future worlds.

Nine: A Number of Synchronicity

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Going the whole nine yards, dressing to the nines, being on cloud nine. In pop culture, in ancient folklore, in music, even in sports the number nine is everywhere. In the last episode of our series, The Greatest Numbers of All Time, we explore nine and its uncanny connections. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 29, 2023.

We Give You Five

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Five: a simple, easy number with a diabolical side. As we continue our series, The Greatest Numbers of All Time, meet the Janus-faced figure of five and find out how the number has acquired its personality for people in the arts and sciences. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 28, 2023.

The Magic of Three

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

Three is a magic number. From curses to charms to incantations and evocations, speaking thrice gives power — today, and in the ancient past. As our number series continues, we enter the powerful and spiritual realm of three. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 27, 2023.

Echoes of an Empty Sound: The Story of Zero

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:10:00 EST

It's the middle of the number line, and the likely end of the universe. It's nothing — and it's everywhere. Zero has confounded humanity for thousands of years. On IDEAS, we explore the infinite danger and promise of the void in a series called The Greatest Numbers of All Time. *This episode originally aired on Sept. 26, 2023.

Join IDEAS for our annual New Year's Levee

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 07:10:00 EST

As the calendar page turns, it's time for the annual New Year's Levee. IDEAS' producers and contributors preview what they're working on for the opening months of 2024. Topics run the gamut, from salmon to cells, and from the domestic state of marriage, to the neglected verse of a tragic teen poet.

Fireside & Icicles — Poems for Winter

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 07:10:00 EST

A childhood full of Christmasses in Wales has left IDEAS producer Tom Howell pining for a certain kind of nostalgic poem this winter. So he turns to poets to put into words a strange feeling of homesickness, nostalgia, and yearning. *This episode originally aired on December 17, 2020.

Why the 1976 novel Bear is still controversial — and relevant

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 07:10:00 EST

At the surface, Bear is about a woman who develops a sexual relationship with a bear. And though the 1976 novel earned Marian Engel a Governor General's award, it's been largely forgotten. Contributor Melissa Gismondi explores its mystery, meaning and relevance today. *This episode originally aired on January 4, 2021.

Christmas Philosophy 101

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

Christmas is a minefield of deep philosophical quandaries, like — is it ethically correct to lie to children? Who does a gift really benefit the giver, or receiver? How do we really know Santa exists, or doesn't? Join us on a dramatic journey through the philosophy of Christmas. *This episode originally aired on December 23, 2020.

Horn of Plenty: The Saxophone and the Spirit

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 10:10:00 EST

The undeniably cool saxophone has been a staple of jazz music and popular culture for nearly a century. But some music historians say that what’s often been overlooked are its deep roots in spiritual beliefs and religious ritual. *This episode originally aired on March 3, 2020.

Ordinary Magic: The Musical Genius of Jerry Granelli

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

A profile of the legendary jazz drummer and composer Jerry Granelli who passed away in 2021. Over his career, he accompanied many of the greats: Mose Allison, Sly Stone and The Grateful Dead. Most famously, he was a member of the Vince Guaraldi Trio that recorded the iconic album: A Charlie Brown Christmas. *This episode originally aired on December 21, 2021.

Exploring Inner City Winnipeg

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

The inner city isn’t just a place — it’s an idea. And in Winnipeg, it’s an idea whose meaning and future have been fiercely contested. Nahlah Ayed joins Owen Toews, author of Stolen City, for a walking tour of inner-city history — and speaks to Indigenous organizer and “inner-city builder” Kathy Mallett.

Return to North: The Soundscapes of Glenn Gould

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

In 1967, pianist Glenn Gould made a radio documentary for CBC about the Canadian North. He applied the technique of contrapuntal music to documentary-making. This 2017 documentary explores Gould's life and his revolutionary ideas about music and radio.

How to do Diplomacy with Autocrats

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

Autocratic governments, like democratic ones, have a sphere of influence and a logic of diplomacy. In a time of crisis, is it possible to have honest and pragmatic engagements when the diplomatic temperature is set to a default slow?

Enemies and Angels: Opposing Soldiers Who Saved Each Other

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

An Iraqi soldier crawls off to die in a bunker. But he’s saved by an Iranian medic. Nearly 20 years later, and halfway around the world, they meet again in a breathtaking coincidence for another life-saving encounter. *This episode originally aired on December 23, 2014.

Disgust: The Good and Evil

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:10:00 EST

Take a look at the motivations behind homophobia and racial prejudice, and you’ll find a shared emotion: disgust. At a time of increasing social divides, theorists say we need to reckon with an emotion that keeps us safe — and can make the world more dangerous.

Inventing Peace

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

In times of bitter conflict, what does it take to make peace? An experienced mediator and two former heads of state who helped to end some of the world’s most intractable conflicts discuss how to get warring sides beyond the dehumanization and rage.

The Rise of H.P. Lovecraft

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 07:10:00 EST

American short story writer H.P. Lovecraft died in 1937. Now he's more popular than he was in his lifetime. IDEAS examines why his brand of “cosmic horror” resonates in the 21st century, and how new writers are dealing with his racist legacy. *This episode originally aired on January 22, 2021.

From Grit to Glory: Canada’s first Black woman publisher

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

In 1853, Mary Ann Shadd Cary became the first Black woman publisher in Canada with her newspaper, The Provincial Freeman. As a lawyer, publisher, and educator, she laid the groundwork for Black liberation in Canada. Descendants and other guests share her remarkable story.

Passaggio

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

'Passaggio' is a documentary by Pamela Post about the transition of her transgender son, Asher, a serious performer of vocal music. The story captures the pain and joy as Asher confronts medical procedures and the prospect of losing both his musical career and his partner. *This episode originally aired on Dec. 20, 2021.

Is artificial intelligence intended to serve human welfare or Big Tech?

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

There’s a lot of hope, hype and fear around artificial intelligence. That it’ll solve the climate crisis, or turn us all into paper clips. IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed speaks to two tech experts about the promise and perils of AI, as part of the Provocation Ideas Festival.

Mercury’s In Retrograde: The Rise of Astrology

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:10:00 EST

Belief in astrology is on the upswing, especially among younger people. But since it has no predictive value, what meanings can be gleaned from a belief that the stars reveal all about us? This documentary examines the rise of popular astrology in the 1930s and how it fits into the consumer capitalism world we now inhabit. *This episode originally aired on March 29, 2023.

Song of Zong!: M. NourbeSe Philip's epic poem gives voice to slave ship victims

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EST

In November 1721, a massacre began on the Zong slave ship. The tragedy inspired the Canadian poem Zong! by M. NourbeSe Philip. She reflects on the mass murder, the bizarre court case, and the work of art still rising from its depths. *This episode originally aired on November 29, 2021.

Atlantis and the Apocalypse: The World of Fringe Archaeology

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EST

A Netflix series called Ancient Apocalypse claims that a thriving civilization was wiped out during the Ice Age by comets and floods, but left humanity with science and technology. Experts call this "pseudo-archaeology." IDEAS unearths how pseudo-archaeology has been used to advance political and cultural ideas. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 7, 2023.

Dehumanization and War

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EST

How does the act of dehumanization pave the way for exploitation, humiliation and ultimately killing? In this episode, experts and survivors discuss dehumanization during war and whether there's a way back when the killing is done.

Man Up! The Masculinity Crisis, Part Three

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EST

In the final episode of the three-part series, Man Up: Masculinity in Crisis, IDEAS explores how far-right men's groups are reasserting traditional masculinity online, and why some experts see a positive way forward for men through fatherhood. *This episode originally aired on June 15, 2023.

Trust Talks: The Future of Journalism in a Digital World

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EST

Three Canadian media bosses face explain why their institutions are losing people's trust. Toronto Star vice-president Irene Gentle, the CBC's Brodie Fenlon, and Global News' Sonia Verma joined moderator IDEAS host Nahlah Ayed to discuss how media outlets can regain the trust of the audience.

13 Ways of Looking at a Cormorant

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EST

Who will speak for the cormorant? This unusual water bird gets culled by humans for overfishing and killing trees. But maybe it is humans and their cultural assumptions that are the source of the problem, say defenders of the cormorant. *This episode originally aired on October 6, 2021.

Man Up! The Masculinity Crisis, Part Two

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EDT

IDEAS continues to explore the state of manhood in part two of the three-part series, Man Up!: Masculinity in Crisis. This episode examines rejuvenation therapy, how the McCarthy era and the Boy Scouts played a role in shaping masculinity, testing homosexuality in boys and the creation of the mythopoetic movement. *This episode originally aired on June 1, 2023.

Shakespeare in Translation

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Translation is a form of “resurrection,” argues Canadian scholar Irena Makaryk. And in the 400 years since Shakespeare shuffled off this mortal coil, he has been resurrected too many times to count. In the final episode of IDEAS at Stratford, we consider what’s lost in translation, what’s found, and how translation can shine a new light on the ideas in a familiar story. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 3, 2021.

Mexico's Gothic Turn

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:10:00 EDT

A PhD student argues that a new literary genre has emerged — the ‘Mexican Gothic’ style, featuring the creepy castles and haunting figures of traditional Gothic novels mixed up with drug cartel kingpins and colonialism, set in contemporary Mexico. *This episode is part of our ongoing series, IDEAS from the Trenches, about outstanding PhD scholars across the country. It originally aired on June 5, 2023.

Haunted: Imagining Ghosts Out of Loss

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Sometimes, ghosts 'appear' for very human reasons. Loss, change, and grief can alter our perceptions of reality. In this episode, the reasons why ghosts are seen everywhere from new high-rises in Mumbai, to urban food courts, to a gay gym in San Francisco. *This episode originally aired on Oct. 25, 2022.

Is Human Intelligence Overrated?

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:10:00 EDT

Our brains tell us human intelligence is unique in understanding this complicated world — that our intellects make us superior to animals. But after years of studying dolphins and other marine creatures, Justin Gregg has come to the conclusion that the human brain isn’t as great as it thinks it is. *This episode originally aired on June 22, 2023.

Man Up! The Masculinity Crisis, Part One

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

In recent decades, social scientists have noticed a trend: men are dropping out of the workforce. And their addiction rates are climbing. Men are also three times more likely to commit suicide than women. IDEAS explores the state of manhood in a three-part series, Man Up!: The Masculinity Crisis. Part One traces the history of masculinity. *This episode originally aired on May 18, 2023.

Mystified by Money

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Money is a pervasive force in life, as anyone feeling the pinch from inflation knows all too well. It’s also unpredictable, unstable, unnatural, abstract, and deeply invested with emotion, trust and politics. IDEAS explores the strange history of money and how it confounds attempts to understand and control it as part of our series The New World Disorder. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 2, 2023.

The Beauty of Chance: Astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, Part Two

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Astrophysicist Hubert Reeves is one of the world's leading experts on the Big Bang theory. He was also a riveting storyteller. Reeves died this month at the age of 91. IDEAS producer Mary Lynk spoke to the acclaimed astrophysicist in 2019 at his country home in Burgundy. This is the second episode in a two-part series.

Camera Lucida | How photographs help us understand our place in the world

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

The camera may not lie, but it can produce very convincing fiction. The wedding photograph and the headshot are just some of the ways our everyday world gets defined through the frozen image. Award-winning playwright Guillermo Verdecchia presents a sound portrait of a very "visual" medium in this 2001 IDEAS episode.

Widowhood, Wisdom and Words: The Irrepressible Donna Morrissey

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

What was supposed to be an on-stage interview about Donna Morrissey's latest novel, Rage The Night, expanded to a conversation about Nietzsche, Carl Jung, and sudden grief after her husband died from a stroke. The Newfoundland author was in conversation with IDEAS producer Mary Lynk in Halifax.

The Boyer Lectures, Pt 2: Australia's struggle with its past

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Indigenous scholar Noel Pearson concludes his series of lectures on Australia's history and current relationship with Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal peoples. In these later talks, Pearson views that relationship through the lens of the economy, schools, and cultural identity. He draws attention to the commonalities between Australians of all backgrounds.

The Origins of Us: Astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, Part One

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Hubert Reeves is one of the world's foremost experts on the Big Bang and the origins of time. In Quebec, where he was born, he's called their Einstein. Reeves died this month at the age of 91. IDEAS producer Mary Lynk spoke to the acclaimed astrophysicist in 2019 at his country home in Burgundy, as part of a two-part series.

Honouring a radio revolutionary, Chris Brookes

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Chris Brookes was a documentary producer who influenced generations of radio makers worldwide. In April 2023, he died in a tragic accident. IDEAS honours the spirit of this master craftsman of sound with a documentary made by his longtime friend and colleague, David Mairowitz.

Notes on an Invasion: Masha Gessen and Andrey Kurkov on Russia’s war in Ukraine

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Andrey Kurkov (Grey Bees) is Ukraine’s leading novelist. Masha Gessen is a dissident Russian-American journalist. Each chronicles Ukraine’s fight for independence on the ground, and critique what we outsiders know, for the 2023 PEN Canada/Graeme Gibson Talk.

The Boyer Lectures, Pt 1: The story behind Australia’s Voice referendum

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

On Saturday, October 14th, Australia votes on whether to create a new representative body: the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Indigenous lawyer and academic Noel Pearson lays out the backstory, and his view of what’s to come, in his Boyer Lectures.

Injustice For All, Part Two

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Our justice system was developed under the assumption that both parties in a dispute would each have a lawyer. But most Canadians can’t afford a lawyer — which means that our justice system is tilted in favour of those who can. In a two-part series, IDEAS contributor Mitchell Stuart asks: is a system like that still capable of administering justice? *This episode originally aired on April 26, 2023.

Injustice For All, Part One

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

A Tale of Two Metlakatlas: My Matriarchs, the Missionaries and Me

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

Just over 130 years ago, over 800 Ts'msyen people left their village of Metlakatla, B.C. to found "New" Metlakatla in Alaska. IDEAS contributor Pamela Post follows her own family history, and how it was shaped by those events. *This episode originally aired on May 29, 2023.

The Chile Experiment

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

In 1973, a military junta overthrew Chile’s socialist government in a bloody coup. This is well known. But what is less well known: the military then installed a radical pro-market program, inspired in part by neo-liberalist Milton Friedman. Fifty years later, this neo-liberal experiment could soon be ending.

Shape: Hidden Geometry

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 08:10:00 EDT

In his book, Shape, mathematician Jordan Ellenberg reveals the geometry lurking beneath history, democracy, biology, and everything else. He argues geometry is a way of thinking, a method of reasoning and argument, and a system for making sense of the world. *This episode originally aired on May 11, 2022.