Best Frontier Tech Radio Podcasts (2025)

1
Australia votes— are our political parties on the nose? 54:05

9h ago54:05

54:05

It's not long now until Australians find out what their next government will look like. The election has been described as a boring campaign, but a fascinating contest. So just what is going on in the minds of voters as Australia heads to the polls this weekend? This event was recorded at the Sorrento Writers Festival on 27 May 2025. Speakers Frank…

1
From backyard telescopes to global reach: AstroKobi and the power of short-form space videos 59:28

1d ago59:28

59:28

How does someone go from stargazing in a rural Australian backyard to inspiring millions around the world about space science? This week, Sarah Al-Ahmed sits down with Kobi Brown, better known as AstroKobi, to explore how his passion for the Cosmos and a knack for short-form storytelling launched his science communication career. They discuss the e…

1
Has the world lost the plot? John Lyons, Greg Sheridan, Emma Shortis, Josh Taylor with Natasha Mitchell 56:11

1d ago56:11

56:11

Are we living through a key turning point in world history? How do we make sense of this present moment, and what's on the horizon?Trump's trade wars, long-held alliances dismantled, the deadly conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, the rise and rise of AI, the tech oligarch takeover, China's military build-up, NATO's demise, and much more. It's a confusin…

1
The painting that changed Australia — the story of Blue Poles 56:03

2d ago56:03

56:03

It's been called a coming-of-age story for a nation. The Whitlam Government's purchase of Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles in 1973 helped to bring down the government. So how did this abstract expressionist masterpiece become the most famous, most controversial artwork in Australia? Then: how does political portraiture affect how we feel about politici…

1
Are Donald Trump and US politics bringing global health to its knees? 54:04

3d ago54:04

54:04

Until recently, the USA provided about 30% of global health funding. It was dominant in supplying HIV/AIDS medication and funded a major part of medical research. Much of this has now stopped with Donald Trump restricting gender affirming care, withdrawing from the WHO and holding funds from USAID - and the list goes on. What are the impacts on pan…

1
Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing 49:35

6d ago49:35

49:35

Forgetting a name, a poorly executed hug, the 7th grade — awkwardness is part of our lives whether we like it or not. But what if we put the embarrassment aside and embraced our awkward selves? Guests include social scientist Ty Tashiro, cartoonist Liana Finck, journalist Melissa Dahl and sex and relationship counselor Erin Chen. Original broadcast…

1
Sir Simon Schama — On antisemitism 49:51

7d ago49:51

49:51

Acclaimed British historian Sir Simon Schama reflects on the history of antisemitism, the Holocaust and contemporary culture. He says that for millennia Jewish people have been "the other of convenience. We are the dark mirror in which the wish fulfilment of other societies takes it out on people who are said to represent its opposite." Presented a…

1
Celebrating 45 years of The Planetary Society at the Cosmic Shores Gala 59:56

8d ago59:56

59:56

Join us aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary for a celebration of The Planetary Society’s 45th anniversary. In this special episode of Planetary Radio, we bring you highlights from our Cosmic Shores Gala, where members, scientists, space advocates, and special guests came together to honor the past and look boldly to the future. You’ll hear from CEO …

1
How do we make cancer treatment worth it, work better, and less harmful? 57:41

8d ago57:41

57:41

Cancer is common and chemo and radiotherapies can save or extend our lives. But sometimes they don't, or they stop working, or they come with disabling long-term side effects. In a state of desperation, some of us seek out unproven alternatives which might even put us at greater risk of cancer. Join Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell and guests to fin…

1
Pankaj Mishra — the world after Gaza 53:35

9d ago53:35

53:35

For the past 18 months, Israel's war in Gaza has polarised the world. The Indian author and essayist Pankaj Mishra reckons with the conflict through the lens of colonialism, morality and history. This event was recorded at the University of NSW Centre for Ideas on 27 February 2025. Speakers Pankaj MishraAuthor, The World After Gaza, From the Ruins …

1
Adapting a Successful Agribusiness to Scale with Solar 37:26

10d ago37:26

37:26

Jim Malooley, Director of Agrivoltaics Operations at Silicon Ranch, joins host Nick de Vries to discuss the innovative intersection of solar energy and regenerative land management. Jim shares how he went from running his own sheep farm to leading a team that oversees sheep grazing across three large solar ranches in Georgia. He dives into the uniq…

1
Uncovering Pompeii — 300 years of archaeology 54:05

10d ago54:05

54:05

Two thousand years ago, life in Pompeii stood still when Mount Vesuvius erupted, preserving the town in volcanic ash for centuries. Today, this ancient Roman city captures the imagination like few others. This event was recorded at the National Museum of Australia on 14 December 2024. Speakers Dr Sophie HayRoman archaeologist, press and communicati…

1
Biotech is about to change your world 49:37

13d ago49:37

49:37

The latest innovations in biotech are upending our approach to disease, longevity and climate change. Are we ready? This hour, TED speakers share ideas at the forefront of this new wave. Guests include co-founder of the Human Cell Atlas Aviv Regev, physical chemist Brad Ringeisen and immunoengineer Aaron Morris. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get …

1
When women resist authoritarianism — what's happening in Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar right now? 54:06

14d ago54:06

54:06

Authoritarian regimes are threatened by women who fight for their freedom — and are pushing back in even more extreme and deadly ways. The world watched wide-eyed as Iranians took to the streets and social media for the #WomenLifeFreedom movement. We watched Afghan women and children run towards American planes taking off from Kabul as the Taliban …

1
A season of death — with Raimond Gaita and Michelle Lesh 44:16

15d ago44:16

44:16

The only certainty in life is that we will all some day die. Most of us don't know when that day will come. But others must face their mortality front on. Mark Rafael Baker was no stranger to death, losing three loved ones in seven years — and then he was confronted with his own. This event was recorded at Readings Bookshop Melbourne in October 202…

1
Passback budget breakdown: A 47% cut to NASA science 59:51

15d ago59:51

59:51

NASA’s science programs are facing the largest proposed budget cut in more than 40 years. This staggering 47%reduction could cancel missions, waste billions in U.S. taxpayer investments, and unravel decades of discovery. In this episode of Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Casey Dreier, The Planetary Society’s Chief of Space Policy,…

1
Where is the soul in science? Natasha Mitchell and guests on a humanity defining battle (Archive) 54:03

15d ago54:03

54:03

Join Natasha Mitchell and guests to grapple with some gritty paradoxes about science and religion, and in this era of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and existential angst — are they serving the needs they used to? Science drives much of modern life, and yet fewer people are drawn to studying it at school putting scientific literacy at risk. T…

1
When the Tech Bros come to town — with Kara Swisher and Marc Fennell 54:05

16d ago54:05

54:05

We know them as Zuckerberg, Musk, Bezos, Gates, Jobs. But to Kara Swisher, they're Mark, Elon, Jeff, Bill, and Steve. She was once a Silicon Valley insider, but now she's one of big tech's most vocal critics. This event was recorded at Adelaide Writers Week on Monday 3 March 2025. Speakers Kara SwisherAuthor, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, aol.com: …

1
The biggest threat to the planet is a story — an eye-opening insider account of Australian environmentalism 54:05

17d ago54:05

54:05

Jobs vs the environment. Profits vs environmental protection. One pitted against the other. That dominant story has defined environmental regulation in Australia, drowning out the stories scientists or environmental campaigners want to tell. Scientist, environmentalist, and government insider, Peter Cosier, has worn all the hats and he wants to cha…

1
Addiction, motherhood, and Jesus with writer Anne Lamott 49:37

20d ago49:37

49:37

Writer Anne Lamott has garnered a cult following with her shockingly honest prose on love, death, faith, writing and more. This hour, her wisdom from a career that has spanned 20 books and 40 years. Original broadcast date: April 5, 2024. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus episodes, with more ideas from TED speakers and a behind th…

1
BBC Reith lecture 4 — Can you change a violent mind? 54:05

21d ago54:05

54:05

Is prison time for violent offenders mostly about appeasing a sense of revenge? And if so, are there better ways to rehabilitate perpetrators? Dr Gwen Adshead assesses the effectiveness and impact of therapeutic interventions and restorative justice - and she's looking at how Norway does it. The 2024 BBC Reith lecture series Speakers Dr Gwen Adshea…

1
Why is Mars red? A new clue to the history of habitability in Martian dust 54:56

22d ago54:56

54:56

For decades, scientists hypothesized that Mars’ reddish color came from hematite, an iron oxide thought to have formed through dry oxidation after Mars lost its water. But new research suggests the story is more complex—and more watery—than we once imagined. In this episode, planetary scientist Adomas (Adam) Valantinas from Brown University joins h…

1
BBC Reith lecture 3 – Does trauma cause violence? 54:05

22d ago54:05

54:05

The long term impact of childhood trauma on your body and mind is profound and devastating. Many perpetrators of violent crimes have suffered abuse themselves. But is it as easy as to say that trauma causes violence? There are many more people who have lived through trauma and don’t start hurting others. The 2024 BBC Reith lecture Speakers Dr Gwen …

1
BBC Reith lecture 2 — Goodness as the antidote to evil 53:38

23d ago53:38

53:38

You all have the capacity for evil behaviour in you — given the right mix of circumstances. Rigidity of thinking about others, egocentricity, setting your moral rule book and dehumanising victims are contributing factors. But just as innate to you is the antidote to evil: goodness. Find out how to maintain this fine balance on Big Ideas. This is th…

1
BBC Reith lecture 1 − Is violence normal? 53:28

24d ago53:28

53:28

What then are the tipping points that drive some to kill? Is violence unnatural? Or is it normal because, deep down, we are all capable of cruelty and can experience, even briefly, the urge to hurt others? The daily news, as well as our cultural landscape, is filled with stories of acts of violence. The impact of violence on the individual, familie…

1
Space Policy Edition: Lies, Damned Lies, and Space Data 1:09:34

27d ago1:09:34

1:09:34

The space sector is data-rich but insight-poor. Jack Kuhr, head of research at Payload Space, joins the show to unpack how business, budgeting, and performance data—not spacecraft science—can shape investments, drive growth, and influence policy. Is there a data crisis in the space industry? What gets measured, what gets missed, and how does that s…

1
How you see yourself 49:37

27d ago49:37

49:37

What's the image you present to the world? And do you see yourself the same way? This hour, TED speakers add new dimensions to the idea of self perception. Guests include portrait photographer David Suh, social psychologist Dolly Chugh, journalist Elise Hu and science writer Anil Ananthaswamy. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus epi…

1
Supporting teenagers to thrive online 54:14

28d ago54:14

54:14

Teenagers 'live' online and on social media. How can they reap the many benefits that social media can offer? There are plenty of them: an endless pool of knowledge and curiosity. But parents need to help them navigate the risk and threats online — of which there're also plenty. On Big Ideas, we have a panel of experts with a plethora of valuable i…

1
Live from Washington, D.C.: The future of space politics 1:13:53

29d ago1:13:53

1:13:53

Join Sarah Al-Ahmed and Casey Dreier for a special live recording of Planetary Radio at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., immediately following The Planetary Society’s Day of Action. In this episode, we explore the complex geopolitical landscape NASA faces as it works toward returning humans to the Moon and explorin…

1
Can storytellers change the world? Tim Winton and Rachel Perkins join Natasha Mitchell 53:31

29d ago53:31

53:31

Two of Australia’s most influential and legendary storytellers, author Tim Winton and filmmaker Rachel Perkins, join Natasha Mitchell at WOMADelaide’s Planet Talks to discuss the power of stories and the role of artists to create change in the world. SpeakersRachel PerkinsMulti-award-winning filmmaker, and founder of Blackfella filmsDirector, prese…

1
Populist rage in America — history, causes and impacts 54:07

1M ago54:07

54:07

Populism is part of American political history. It has been and still is the dominant vocabulary of dissent. But the current resurrection of authoritarian politics in the US is different. While the two parties could absorb populist movements in the past, this time populism has absorbed the party. Presented at the American Academy in Berlin Speaker …

1
Good conversations — with writer and poet Ian WIlliams (CBC Massey Lecture 5) 58:22

1M ago58:22

58:22

What makes a good conversation? And do good conversations have anything in common? Ian Williams studies his daily conversations and explores how our age has left many people in what he calls a "drought of loving voices." In searching for conversations that feel transcendent, not transactional, he argues that in great conversations, the content is l…

1
How the brain interprets pain — and new ways to manage it 50:34

1M ago50:34

50:34

Thirty years into the opioid crisis, we still struggle to find other options for pain relief. This hour, TED speakers explain new understandings of how the brain interprets pain and new ideas to cope. Guests include equestrian Kat Naud, physician and researcher Amy Baxter and opioid reform advocate Cammie Wolf Rice. Original broadcast date: June 7,…

1
Who can speak for whom to whom about what? — with writer and poet Ian Williams (CBC Massey Lecture 4) 53:00

1M ago53:00

53:00

We're in an era where many people feel an ownership over certain words, and how a community expresses itself. The term "appropriation" has come to create guardrails around what can be said and by whom. Award-winning Canadian writer Ian Williams considers the role of speech and silence in reallocating power, and what it means to truly listen. The CB…

1
The Other Moonshot: The untold stories of Apollo’s Black engineers in Los Angeles 58:55

1M ago58:55

58:55

The Apollo program put humans on the Moon, but behind that historic achievement were engineers whose stories have gone largely untold. In this episode, “LA Made: The Other Moonshot” host Joanne Higgins joins Planetary Radio to share the powerful history of Charlie Cheatham, Nate LeVert, and Shelby Jacobs, three Black engineers in Los Angeles who he…

1
Personal conversations — with writer and poet Ian Williams (CBC Massey Lecture 3) 53:07

1M ago53:07

53:07

Bookstores are full of titles that are supposed to help us deal with difficult conversations — about emotions, misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The problem is that difficult conversations are almost always about something other than what they seem to be about. And what we're actually looking for in a conversation isn't always answers — it's com…

1
Public conversations — with writer and poet Ian Williams (CBC Massey Lecture 2) 52:12

1M ago52:12

52:12

Public space is important for democracy. This is where we articulate our values, and perhaps change our minds. So how do we open ourselves up to connection with strangers while safeguarding our personal sovereignty and resisting efforts to convert us? And what can we learn from our conversations with strangers and loved ones alike about how to navi…

1
Why we need to have a conversation about conversations — with writer and poet Ian Williams (CBC Massey Lecture 1) 52:27

1M ago52:27

52:27

Ever felt that no one is really listening? At a time when we're more connected than ever, why does it seem like we can barely talk to each other? Civic and civil discourse have deteriorated, and the air is raw with anger and misunderstanding on all sides. Award-winning Canadian author and poet Ian Williams is reviving the lost art of conversation i…

1
Curious stories of coexistence 49:37

1M ago49:37

49:37

Can otters be city dwellers? Are aliens real? Do we have to experience misery to understand happiness? On this episode, we investigate how strange bedfellows can lead to radical realizations. Guests include evolutionary biologist Philip Johns, astrophysicist Avi Loeb and author Laurel Braitman. TED Radio Hour+ subscribers now get access to bonus ep…

1
Australians – the ‘aristocrats’ of Asia? The Lucky Country 60 years on 55:36

1M ago55:36

55:36

In his influential 1964 book The Lucky Country, Donald Horne wrote that Australians played an aristocratic role in Asia: "rich, self-centred, frivolous, blind". A lot has changed in 60 years, but does Australia still think it's better than its neighbours? Recorded at the Australian Academy of the Humanities annual symposium, The Ideas and Ideals of…

1
The Mars Innovation Workshop 59:39

1M ago59:39

59:39

We take you inside the Mars Innovation Workshop, hosted at the SETI Institute’s headquarters and produced by Explore Mars. Planetary Society Senior Communications Advisor Mat Kaplan shares highlights from the event, exploring how cross-disciplinary collaboration is shaping the future of Mars exploration and creating solutions for challenges here on…

1
Choices created Australia's housing mess, what choices will fix it? Natasha Mitchell and guests 58:09

1M ago58:09

58:09

Australia's housing crisis hasn't always been with us. So what choices created it, and what choices are now needed to fix it? Buying a house is now out of reach if you're on an average wage, and rental options are expensive and precarious. If we don't address the issues urgently, generations to come will face homelessness or profound poverty paying…

1
Free your attention — meditation and mindfulness in the digital age 54:05

1M ago54:05

54:05

How many times have you checked your phone today? How many tabs are open in your web browser? Do you feel in control of your attention? In the digital age, attention is now a commodity. Can practices like meditation and mindfulness help us feel more free to focus on what really matters? This event was hosted at the Brunswick Ballroom by the Sophia …

1
Today YOU can choose your family 54:40

2M ago54:40

54:40

The structures of our families have become more bespoke, complex, sometimes messier. Some find comfort in a 'chosen family', choosing friends over blood-relatives as kin. Patchwork families are increasingly common. You can a birth mother, a genetic mother and a social mother. How is the family changing and with what impacts? Meet three writers here…

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