Podcasts about social cohesion

Earlier this week, the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion held its first public hearing. It follows the December terrorist attack in Bondi, when 15 innocent people were killed at a Jewish community event. In today’s podcast, we’re going to explain what a royal commission actually is, how this one came about and what to expect over the coming months. Hosts: Zara Seidler and Billi FitzSimonsProducer: Rosa Bowden Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On day one of the federal inquiry sparked by the Bondi Beach massacre, commissioner Virginia Bell and counsel assisting Richard Lancaster say they believe Australians can all agree that antisemitism is out of control and empathy needs to come back. But is that wildly optimistic in today’s climate? Cameron Stewart is here. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Tiffany Dimmack. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello and welcome to the Monday Breakfast show for the 16th of February 2026. On today's show: Headlines:  Liberty Victoria condemns NSW Police force at protest against Herzog and calls for Victorian Government to not give Victoria Police similar powers.Palliative Care Australia calls for expanding Commonwealth Prac Payment to include medical and allied health students. Senator Lidia Thorpe renews calls for Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion to expand its Terms of Reference to cover all forms of right-wing extremism and violence, including racism against First Peoples.Segments: - We hear the second half of Tuesday Hometime Presenter Jan Bartlett's conversation with Kathy Kelly, a U.S human rights activist about the climate of fear and intimidation in her country, focusing on the recent actions of ICE and draws comparisons to Germany in the 1930's. You can listen to the rest of this conversation and more from Jan Bartlett at 3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday or tune into 3cr on Tuesdays from 4-6pm. - Second up we played a new regular segment here on the Monday Breakfast show. This segment is called Wing Beats Per minute with today's episode focusing on the importance of insects within ecosystems. - Following that is an excerpt from yesterday's Concrete Gang show. In this excerpt, the gang respond to the allegations against the CFMEU released in Geoffrey Watson SC's report on Wednesday at Queenland's Commission of Inquiry, in particular the allegation that $15B of taxpayer money has passed through the union for so-called corrupt behaviour. To listen to the rest of yesterday's show and more from the Concrete Gang, go to 3cr.org.au/concrete-gang or listen live on Sundays from 9:30 to 10AM.- Last up on the show was a conversation with Dr Karinna Saxby to tell us about research released last week revealing that adding gender-affirming surgery and care into the Medicare scheme would save millions in taxpayer dollars. Dr Saxby is a senior research fellow at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne. You can read the research here.  Songs played:  New Black Choker - The Crop Tops [https://thecroptops.bandcamp.com/album/new-black-choker-single]Run With The Dogs - Cash Savage [https://cashsavage.bandcamp.com/track/run-with-the-dogs] 

What has fuelled grievance politics and anti-system sentiment in Australian politics? How does policy reform in housing and education build social cohesion and why are One Nation successful in harnessing voter discontent? How have policy settings created intergenerational inequity and will the ALP develop a significant reform agenda in this term, or next?Member for Reid, Sally Sitou joins Democracy Sausage to discuss her political journey, migration, grievance politics and areas of reform needed to improve social cohesion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics:In this episode of 'The Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove,' the hosts delve into recent political, economic, and social topics. They kick off with Australian politics, discussing the potential changes to the capital gains tax and inflation rates, followed by debates on the Reserve Bank's role in interest rates. The discussion shifts to political polls, coalition dynamics, and key figures in the Liberal Party. The hosts then critique Queensland's proposed hate speech laws and their potential implications. The episode proceeds with an analysis of the controversial visit of Israeli President Herzog to Australia, touching on the influence of the Zionist lobby. The conversation also covers the Epstein saga, media ownership by billionaires, and the implications of Trump's proposed election reforms. Lastly, the hosts examine the accuracy of reported figures on Iranian protests and discuss the complexities of verifying information in such contexts.00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:22 Australian Politics: Capital Gains Tax and Inflation07:29 The Reserve Bank and Interest Rates Debate16:03 Political Polls and Coalition Dynamics27:26 Queensland Hate Speech Laws34:14 Israeli President Herzog's Visit35:42 Israeli President Herzog's Controversial Visit37:33 The Influence of the Zionist Lobby41:19 Epstein Saga and Conspiracy Theories42:13 Epstein Saga and Media Ownership46:18 Trump's America and Election Controversies48:20 Trump's America and Election Integrity54:06 Iranian Protests and Media Credibility01:03:24 Iranian Protests and Media Credibility01:20:52 Concluding Thoughts and Sign-OffTo financially support the Podcast you can make:a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room.We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.auYou can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

Social Cohesion, News Now…NEWS WEAKLY 199 – 07 Feb 2026This week on News Weakly:Australia discovers its newest national value, which mostly means everyone should stop talking while the government imports a global conflict and acts surprised when it doesn't calm anyone down.The Epstein Files, News Now…Three million pages confirm the problem was never just Epstein, it was the elite ecosystem that kept letting him back into respectable rooms, plus Deepak Chopra turns out to be exactly who you thought he was.Everything Is Fine, News Now…The media panics over One Nation polling, Cori Bernardi returns from irrelevance, and Australian democracy once again proves it prefers furniture to fascism.Oman Is the New Geneva, News Now…The US and Iran meet in Oman to not start a war yet, with Trump threatening bombing as a confidence-building exercise and everyone pretending this is diplomacy.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation' by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A passionate young woman with strong views about Palestine: Lauren Lancaster is unknown outside student politics, but the former University of Sydney student representative council president, who’s condemned Israel for ‘ethnic cleansing’, is the daughter of Richard Lancaster SC, the senior counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Kristen Amiet, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Brian Crombie Radio Hour, Peter Copeland of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute joins the conversation to discuss why Canada may need an immigration reset. From integration and social cohesion to skill-based migration and long-term productivity, Peter breaks down why the current model — focused on scale and symbolism — is quietly straining housing, trust, and social systems. Topics include:Why immigration numbers matter as much as policySkill-based migration vs. symbolic diversityIntegration, acculturation, and social trustLessons from Europe on successful integrationWhy ignoring these issues fuels backlashThis isn't anti-immigration — it's a thoughtful conversation about sustainability, cohesion, and honest policy planning.

What does free speech have to do with economics? A lot more than you might think. In this episode, Gene Tunny is joined by John Humphreys to explore free speech as a core institutional pillar of prosperous societies. From Mao's Great Leap Forward to modern Australia, they show how restricting speech distorts incentives, breaks feedback loops, and leads to catastrophic policy failure. Even well-intentioned speech laws, they argue, can have dangerous unintended consequences.Gene would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. You can email him via contact@economicsexplored.com. Key takeaways (What you'll learn)Why economists see free speech as a feedback mechanism, similar to prices in marketsHow restricting speech shifts incentives from truth-seeking to conformityWhy censorship often hides problems until they become crisesHow historical disasters, like China's Great Leap Forward, illustrate the cost of silenced feedbackWhy tolerating error is essential for democracy, learning, and social progressTimestampsFree Speech and Its Importance (0:00)The Role of Free Speech in Democracy (4:16)Historical Context and Legal Perspectives (9:00)Tolerance and the Enlightenment (11:03)The Impact of Free Speech Restrictions (16:02)The Politics of Free Speech Legislation (20:21)The Evolution of Anti-Speech Legislation (22:15)The Role of Multiculturalism and Social Cohesion (22:31)The Future of Free Speech Legislation (32:45)Links relevant to the conversationGene and John's recent Australian Taxpayers' Alliance livestreams on free speech:https://www.youtube.com/live/ZdQ2y96QakI?si=cCKdaqylXJ03FgFahttps://www.youtube.com/live/fvd3usSMT3o?si=oIr7UJrO9C53Fi4cChris Berg's Institutional Theory of Free Speech:https://chrisberg.org/2017/02/an-institutional-theory-of-free-speech/The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure:https://www.amazon.com.au/Coddling-American-Mind-Intentions-Generation/dp/0735224897Lumo Coffee promotion10% of Lumo Coffee's Seriously Healthy Organic Coffee.Website: https://www.lumocoffee.com/10EXPLOREDPromo code: 10EXPLORED

Jeremy Cordeaux returns to the garage for the first show of 2026 with a blistering commentary on the Bondi Beach massacre, political cowardice, and what he sees as the collapse of free speech and multiculturalism in Australia. Jeremy accuses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being dragged “kicking and screaming” into announcing a Royal Commission, questioning what the government is hiding and why radical Islam has barely been mentioned since the attack. He challenges the government’s gun law diversion, criticises the appointment of a left-leaning Royal Commissioner, and warns that hate speech legislation and misinformation laws are being used to shut down dissent. Jeremy also condemns the cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week, highlights what he calls “no-go zones” in Lakemba, and argues that multiculturalism has become monoculturalism. From free speech to immigration, ideology, national security and political hypocrisy, this explosive first episode of 2026 sets the tone for a confrontational year ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a Federal Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack and rising antisemitism. It's to be led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell and incorporate a national security review by Dennis Richardson. While the inquiry aims to promote social cohesion and address extremism by December 2026, experts warn that its success will depend on navigating the delicate balance between free speech and hate speech. - प्रधानमन्त्री एन्थोनी आल्बनिजीले बोन्डाइ आक्रमण र ‘एन्टीसेमिटिजम्'का बारेमा छानबिन गर्न सङ्घीय शाही आयोगको घोषणा गरेका छन्। यसको नेतृत्व हाई कोर्टकी पूर्व न्यायाधीश भर्जिनिया बेलले गर्ने तय भएको छ। सन् २०२६ को डिसेम्बरसम्म चल्ने उक्त समीक्षाले सामाजिक एकतालाई प्रवर्द्धन गर्ने र अतिवादलाई सम्बोधन गर्ने लक्ष्य राखेको बताइएको छ। एक रिपोर्ट।

In the wake of the Bondi terror attack, the federal government has announced a Royal Commission aimed at addressing antisemitism and reinforcing social cohesion across Australia. Led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, the inquiry will incorporate a national security review of law enforcement and intelligence. While welcomed for its broad scope, experts warn its effectiveness will depend on how it balances community cohesion, free expression, and protections against hate.

On this week's episode of the Unnatural Selection Podcast, we discuss: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis. Noem vs Reality ICE officer kills a Minneapolis driver in a deadly start to Trump's latest immigration operation. Vance: Renee Good's death 'a tragedy of her own making' US border agent shoots and wounds two people in Portland, police say. Footage shows violent clashes as Iran protests spread to more areas. Stephen Miller Gives Fiery Defense Of Maduro Capture In Tense Interview With CNN's Jake Tapper Why Donald Trump Wants Greenland (and Everything Else). US to withdraw from dozens of UN, international organisations. Michael Palin in Venezuela. As calls grow for a Bondi royal commission, do Albanese's arguments stand up? Former Labor politicians urge Albanese to call federal royal commission into antisemitism and Bondi attack. Who is Virginia Bell, the woman who will head the royal commission into antisemitism? Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The Unnatural Selection podcast is produced by Jorge Tsipos, Adam Direen and Tom Heath. Visit the Unnatural Selection website at www.UnnaturalShow.com for stuff and things. The views expressed are those of the hosts and their guests and do not reflect those of any other entities. Unnatural Selection is a show made for comedic purposes and should not be taken seriously by anyone. Twitter: @JorgeTsipos @UnnaturalShow Instagram: @JorgeTsipos @UnnaturalShow Threads: @tom.heath @JorgeTsipos @UnnaturalShow  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a Federal Royal Commission into the Bondi terror attack and rising antisemitism. It's to be led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell and incorporate a national security review by Dennis Richardson. While the inquiry aims to promote social cohesion and address extremism by December 2026, experts warn that its success will depend on navigating the delicate balance between free speech and hate speech.

In this Global Roaming limited series, Hamish Macdonald and Geraldine Doogue are inviting big thinkers from different fields to consider how Australia can not just survive - but thrive - in a more challenging world. In this episode the Lowy Institute's Lydia Khalil shatters the perception that our geography alone is enough to protect us from the insidious new security threats that are already making their way to our shores, and she outlines how we can protect ourselves going forward. Lydia's recommendations:The Man in the High Castle - TV series on Amazon PrimeFor All Mankind - TV series on Apple TVGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.auFind all the episodes of Global Roaming now via the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg joined 2GB Summer Mornings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stubborn and unwilling to take personal responsibility: that’s the take from Political Editor Geoff Chambers, as Anthony Albanese backs himself into a corner of conditional apology and reluctance to call a Royal Commission.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textIn this opening episode of reverberations, John invites listeners into a reflective inquiry beneath the surface of modern life:If progress is supposed to improve the human experience, why does it so often feel hollow?Through personal reflection, cultural observation and emerging research on loneliness, trust and belonging, this episode names a quiet but pervasive fracture between the systems we've built and the human beings we actually are.This episode an invitation to slow down… to tell the truth… and to ask better questions.John introduces the deeper journey of this season and gently seeds Integrated Systems Theory, a dignity-led framework for reimagining development from the inside out.  Beginning with lived experience rather than policy or ideology, this episode sets the stage for a season-long exploration of dignity, belonging, human possibility and ecological reverence.If you've ever felt that something about “progress” doesn't quite add up…you're not alone.This is where the conversation begins.Support the showinstagram For more of my music, visit www.soundcloud.com/john-stuarttwitterAmplify Your LoveWe are...#BetterTogether

Get original articles, extended podcasts, and direct access to Blendr News on our Substack Channel: blendrnews.com-This episode is brought to you by The Tallowed Truth. Use promo code "Blendr" for 15% off:www.thetallowedtruth.com/blendr-In this episode of "The Blendr Report," Jonathan and Liam discuss:00:00 Understanding Nationalism and Ethnicity02:55 Modern Nationalism in the 21st Century06:11 Cultural Nationalism and Its Implications08:46 The Role of Elites in National Identity12:00 Rising Nationalist Sentiment in the West15:08 Cultural Identity and Race in Nationalism18:04 Assimilation Challenges in Diverse Societies21:03 Social Cohesion and Community Fragmentation33:02 Cultural Fragmentation and Identity in Canada39:26 Asymmetrical Multiculturalism and Its Impacts48:28 The Role of Ideological Subversion57:48 The Shift in Conservative Movements-Follow BLENDR News:Twitter - @BlendrNewsInstagram - @blendr.report TikTok - @blendrnews-Follow Liam:Instagram - @liam.out.loudTwitter - @liam_out_loudYouTube - @liam-out-loud-Follow Eric Kaufmann:X: @epkaufm

Rabbi Zalman Kastel is the founder of Together for Humanity, which works across all faiths and cultures to encourage religious harmony. He knew several of those murdered in the Bondi Beach Chanukah attack. Even amid the darkness of the anti-Semitic violence, and the despair of many fellow Jewish Australians, he says he's determined to keep up the challenging but necessary work of inter-religious dialogue.Peter Kurti, Anglican priest and senior fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies, has been charting the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in Australia since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the Israeli military response. He believes the federal government has been reluctant to tackle specific anti-Jewish prejudice.Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Technology, Sydney, agrees Australian multiculturalism is under strain after the Bondi massacre, but says it can survive if governments focus on curtailing violent behaviour rather than religious condemnation. GUESTS:Rabbi Zalman Kastel, head of Together for Humanity and leader in interfaith relationsPeter Kurti, Director of the Culture, Prosperity & Civil Society program at the Centre for Independent StudiesAndrew Jakubovicz is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Technology Sydney - his research areas include new media and social change, racism and ethnicity, public policy and marginalised minorities.

14 دسمبر کو بونڈائی میں ہونے والے دہشت گرد حملے نے پورے آسٹریلیا کو رنج و غم میں مبتلا کردیا۔ مسلم کمیونیٹی اور رہنماؤں نے نہ صرف اس حملے کی پرُ زور مذمت کی بلکہ متاثرہ خاندانوں اور کمیونٹی کے ساتھ یکجہتی کا اظہار کیا۔ اس افسوس ناک واقعے پر ردِعمل جاننے کے لیے ہم نے جنوبی ایشیائی پس منظر رکھنے والے ممتاز آسٹریلین مسلمانوں سے گفتگو کی، جن میں نیو ساؤتھ ویلز لیبر پارٹی کے رکن، سابق ایم ایل سی اور نیو ساؤتھ ویلز پارلیمنٹ کی قانون ساز کونسل کے سابق اسسٹنٹ صدر شوکت مسلمانی، پاکستان کے سابق کنوسلر جنرل محمد اعظم ، Helping ACT کے بانی و صدر محمد علی، اور Australian Muslim Times (AAMUST) کے ایڈیٹر اِن چیف ضیاء احمد شامل ہیں۔ - 14 دسمبر کو بونڈائی میں ہونے والے دہشت گرد حملے نے پورے آسٹریلیا کو رنج و غم میں مبتلا کردیا۔ مسلم کمیونیٹی اور رہنماؤں نے نہ صرف اس حملے کی پرُ زور مذمت کی بلکہ متاثرہ خاندانوں اور کمیونٹی کے ساتھ یکجہتی کا اظہار کیا۔ اس افسوس ناک واقعے پر ردِعمل جاننے کے لیے ہم نے جنوبی ایشیائی پس منظر رکھنے والے ممتاز آسٹریلین مسلمانوں سے گفتگو کی، جن میں نیو ساؤتھ ویلز لیبر پارٹی کے رکن، سابق ایم ایل سی اور نیو ساؤتھ ویلز پارلیمنٹ کی قانون ساز کونسل کے سابق اسسٹنٹ صدر شوکت مسلمانی، پاکستان کے سابق کنوسلر جنرل محمد اعظم ، Helping ACT کے بانی و صدر محمد علی، اور Australian Muslim Times (AAMUST) کے ایڈیٹر اِن چیف ضیاء احمد شامل ہیں۔

In this solemn episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Steve Kuper discuss the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack. The trio discuss the terrorist shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Sydney, which resulted in at least 15 deaths and over 40 injuries. They also tackle the implications of the targeted anti-Semitic attack on Australia's intelligence and law enforcement community. The conversation then shifts to the beginning of the broader national conversations that will now be taking place in Canberra and capital cities around the nation, as the nation and Sydney grieve the loss of national innocence. We would also like to pass on our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the tragic events. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

In this solemn episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Steve Kuper discuss the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Beach terror attack. The trio discuss the terrorist shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, Sydney, which resulted in at least 15 deaths and over 40 injuries. They also tackle the implications of the targeted anti-Semitic attack on Australia's intelligence and law enforcement community. The conversation then shifts to the beginning of the broader national conversations that will now be taking place in Canberra and capital cities around the nation, as the nation and Sydney grieve the loss of national innocence. We would also like to pass on our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the tragic events. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

Get access to The Backroom (80+ EXCLUSIVE episodes): https://www.patreon.com/OneDime⁠Given there is some confusion regarding my positions on immigration, I decided to release the BACKROOM exclusive episode (originally supposed to be for Patrons only) that I did with Benjamin Studebaker (Cambridge, and author of the Chronic Crisis of American Democracy) all on the subject of immigration,—what both the left and right get wrong, and what leftists & liberals don't understand about the rise of the far-right in Europe. This episode is a heavy one! The conversation delves into the complexities of immigration and why the left needs a better response to mass migration and how the far-right captured many working class people across the world. We address topics such as the assimilation, social cohesion, demographic change, brain drain, declining bargaining power, and  the socio-economic impacts of immigration, globalization, and neoliberalism more broadly. The dialogue also touches on the challenges and necessities of having an open discourse on immigration without falling into binary thinking ideological trap.Timestamps: 00:00 How Leftists and and Liberals Often Respond to immigration04:25 Social Cohesion and Integration12:55 Brain Drain and Economic Imperialism 18:46 Assimilation Challenges30:58 Modern Immigration Policies45:21 European Union and Migration55:07 Racism, Xenophobia and tribalism56:05 Trust and Integration in Multi-Ethnic Societies58:27 Leftist and Liberal Perspectives on Immigration01:05:22 Cosmopolitanism vs. Localism01:24:09 The Role of the Professional Managerial Class (PMC)01:34:45 Technocratic Mindset and Immigration01:39:58 Its about more than  "Living Standards"01:41:45 Internationalism and Globalism Critique01:45:39 Managerialism in Progressivism01:52:14 Challenges of Assimilation and Immigration02:27:13 Climate Change and Refugee Crisis02:28:31 Concluding Thoughts on Political DiscourseGUEST:Benjamin Studebaker — political theorist; author of Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies and The Chronic Crisis of Liberal Democracy.• Website: https://benjaminstudebaker.com/about/• Follow Benjamin Studebaker on X: https://x.com/BMStudebakerFOLLOW 1Dime: • Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime • X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial • Instagram: / tonyof1dime• Check out my main channel videos: / @1dimeeCheck out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee.Outro Music by Karl Casey. Leave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.

Send us a textIt's our last show for the year and we are looking forward to a break after an intense year of news! Why not do yourself a favour and join us, because we are going to tackle the issue of loneliness in our societies and its impact, as we welcome one of the world's leading experts on the topic. With the festive season coming up, loneliness is an issue that impacts one in six people, so we're going to dig into the science including the numbers and impact, why social cohesion is so important, we'll split it out over demographics, as well as the difference between males and females, and most importantly, what we can do to overcome our loneliness challenges.Then it's onto 2025. We are going to discuss the major events that happened this year, many of which we've already forgotten about as the next extreme event or news cycle chaos hit. We'll go through the major extreme weather events across the world and the impact on communities, we'll talk politics as we're nearly a year into the Trump Presidency and well, it's been a rollercoaster in its own right, we will discuss the economy, AI, social media, and a whole lot more!Our final guest for the year is Simone Heng. An award-winning author, Certified Speaking Professional, and Board Member for the Foundation for Social Connection, Simone helps organisations embed connection to drive performance, productivity and retention, and in the world of rapid AI advancement, her message is more important than ever. She first published the ‘Secret Pandemic: The Search for Connection in a Lonely World', which was re-worked into ‘Let's Talk About Loneliness” and published by Hay House Publishing in 2023. This book has gone on to win six awards, including a silver Nautilus book award, and suffice to say, we're delighted she is joining us. Not only is this another show you can't miss, it's also our last for 2025, so come and get your yearly recap, because it's certainly been a big year in the news on many levels. It's all happening this Friday 12th December 2025, 7am UK, 8am EU, 11am UAE, 2pm TH, 3pm SG, 6pm AEST. Streaming across various locations, and no doubt about it, we'd love your support. The Sh*t Show is a Livestream happening every Friday, where Andrea T Edwards, Dr. David Ko, Richard Busellato and Joe Augustin, as well as special guests, discuss the world's most pressing issues across all angles of the polycrisis, working to make sense of the extremely challenging and complex times we are all going through, plus what we can do about it. Help us move the needle so we can change the name of the show to something more genteel when (or if) it is no longer a sh*t show. #TheShitShow #UncommonCourageTo get in touch with me, all of my contact details are here https://linktr.ee/andreatedwards My book Uncommon Courage, an invitation, is here https://mybook.to/UncommonCourage My book 18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile, is here https://mybook.to/18stepstoanallstar

Kate Lefko Everett from the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation speaks to Lester Kiewit about the newly released 2025 South African Reconciliation Barometer, the country’s longest running survey tracking reconciliation, trust, social cohesion, and national identity. The findings show a nation that remains democratically resilient but deeply fragile, with very low trust in political leaders and institutions, persistent economic hardship, and complex shifts in attitudes toward policy, identity, and social cohesion. She explains the public’s scepticism toward political leadership, why support for the GNU’s policy agenda remains comparatively stronger, and what the data signals for the road ahead as the country moves toward the 2026 2027 local government elections. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gugs Mhlungu chats to Osmic Menoe, Entrepreneur & founder of the South African Hip Hop Museum and Back to the City Festival about the inspiration and need for establishing a seminal space for hip hop’s cultural growth, the evolution of the festival’s concept, his enduring passion for the genre, and the influential role of Johannesburg in nurturing this movement. 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station, on Saturdays and Sundays Gugs Mhlungu gets you ready for the weekend each Saturday and Sunday morning on 702. She is your weekend wake-up companion, with all you need to know for your weekend. The topics Gugs covers range from lifestyle, family, health, and fitness to books, motoring, cooking, culture, and what is happening on the weekend in 702land. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu. Listen live on Primedia+ on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 and 10:00 (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/u3Sf7Zy or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BIXS7AL Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last decade, the field of peace-building has turned its eye toward the United States, as polarization has gotten worse, and political violence has increased. Our guest Peter T. Coleman is a part of that movement to bring peace-building or bridge-building to Americans. Coleman is a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University, and a renowned expert on conflict resolution and sustainable peace. He first appeared on Making Peace Visible in January 2023 to discuss his book The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization.The bad news is polarization efforts in the United States haven't been very successful, according to an analysis of 77 interventions aimed at decreasing partisan animosity, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It showed that while interventions can briefly reduce animosity, their effects are small and short-lived. But Coleman's not giving up - he's just changing tactics. In this episode, we discuss some of the most recent findings from Coleman's lab at Columbia University Teachers' College, which he says is part of a “radical new science of peace.” In their latest study, Coleman and colleagues focus on the media: using AI to comb through 700,000 news reports from a diverse group of 18 countries, including the United States. What they found points to a new way to understand what makes a society more peaceful –  or more polarized. LEARN MORE:Peter T. Coleman's research lab: The Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict ResolutionColeman's Medium post on classifying peace in global media, “A Radical New Science of Peace.”AI for Good? AI Finds Lasting Peace in Unexpected Places in Psychology Today, by Peter T. Coleman and Larry S. Liebovitch.Take the Polarization Detox ChallengeListen to our December 2022 episode with Peter Coleman. Follow Peter T. Coleman on Bluesky ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

In conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy, deputy leader of the Greens Mehreen Faruqi says a neo-Nazi rally in front of NSW parliament this month caused fear for many Australians – and the federal government is yet to respond to recommendations for a national framework for anti-racism. And with both houses of parliament returning for their last sitting week for the year, Faruqi says a possible decision by Labor to team up with the Coalition – rather than the Greens – to pass nature law reforms next week would lack credibility, especially when the opposition has now decided to ditch a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050

Episode SummaryLandscape Architect Nina Chase, sits down with Jef Szi for a terrific exploration of her work imagining and designing public spaces. Nina's easy and honest expertise deepens our view on what fosters Social Cohesion. She helps surface the amazing, often understated, network of relationships connected to an everyday discipline shaping our lives. With an abundance of talent and inspiration, Nina teaches us the important role architects of public spaces play in our history and our future. With her unique understanding of cities and communities across Middle-America, she exemplifies the powerful capacity landscape architecture has to subtly re-imagine and redefine the common spaces that anchor us.What we ultimately find in Nina's work are the seeds for better-connected communities, healthier and more well-adjusted humans, and a closer connection with the natural world—especially the crucial role of trees. In It's Not For You, we find a refreshing power in good-hearted folks like Nina, and her colleagues, who are endeavoring to shape what comes next, designing with clear-eyed care for the web of life and a sensible commitment to the needs of future generations. We find a sober reminder, our role is to plan and plant for a future that will carry on beyond our us. *****About Nina Chase:Nina Chase is a landscape architect and Founding Principal of Merritt Chase. Her work focuses on creating meaningful, public spaces across Middle America. Born and raised in West Virginia, Nina graduated from West Virginia University and Harvard's Graduate School of Design. She spent her early career in Boston designing and planning notable public parks and open spaces. Today, Nina leads Merritt Chase's urban work, planning and designing public parks, plazas, waterfronts, and cultural districts. Nina is dedicated to the design community through teaching, writing, and advocacy. She frequently lectures and serves as a design critic nationally and internationally. Nina is formerly an adjunct faculty member at Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture and an emeritus board member of the Landscape Architecture Foundation. Nina is currently the Co-Chair of the Harvard Graduate School of Design Alumni Council and a member of the Harvard Alumni Association Board.

This week I am joined by Neil from Dirt Poor Robins, Madeby Jimbob and John Heers to discuss cultural Orthodox Christianity, Social Cohesion and Consumerism, Conjuring AI Super-reflections as Idols/Gods in the Age of Moral Therapeutics, the dangers of Nominalism and regarding all of Reality as mere material process, Evolution as a source of Depression, Full-Spectrum Orthodoxy, Authority, Beauty as An Act of War --- We Covered many bases.Meet the Blessed is a panel talk show featuring Orthodox Christians to discuss the intersection of Orthodoxy, politics, and culture. It's like Meet the Press...but BLESSED!Please remember to Like, Subscribe, and SUPPORT this show and channel anyway you can - God Bless! Help Cooper Brooks pay his medical bills: https://www.givesendgo.com/GKB8F?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=GKB8FSTOP PAYING YT! Send Tips via Stream Labs: https://streamlabs.com/mironchucknow/tipOR Send me PayPal Bucks! https://paypal.me/2BITPODCAST?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AUFOLLOW AND WATCH ON KICK:https://kick.com/mironchucknowTales of the Shadow Empire: https://mironchucknow.gumroad.com/l/ShadowempireSupport the Show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/2BitPodcastGO BUY SOME COFFEE AT FOX AND SONS! www.foxnsons.comUse Coupon Code NOW to get 15% off all orders over $30 Follow Me:X: https://x.com/MironchuckNOWSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46drg48IIT4W4lDyRfkHFH?si=sAE_dgo5T_G10UpPnqHb_ASubstack: https://mironchucknow.substack.comContact: Mironchucknow@gmail.com

Stephen Eide joins Brian Anderson to discuss "Scandinavia on the Hudson," his story from City Journal's Autumn 2025 issue.

Australia's fertility rate is now at a record low of 1.48 babies per woman. Gene Tunny and John Humphreys discuss the sharp fall in fertility rates worldwide and what it means for Australia's economy and society. They explore how declining birth rates threaten our economy, government budgets, and social cohesion, and whether migration, pro-natalist policies, or cultural change can reverse this trend.Gene would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. You can email him via contact@economicsexplored.com. TimestampsIntroduction to Episode on Decline in Fertility Rates and Economic Implications (0:00)Discussion with John Humphreys on Fertility Rates (5:12)Economic and Social Forces Driving Down Fertility (14:16)Impact of Low Fertility Rates on Asset Prices and Social Cohesion (15:50)Challenges of Migration and University Policies (20:25)Historical and Sociological Factors Influencing Fertility Rates (29:57)Potential Solutions and Policy Recommendations (40:15)TakeawaysAustralia's fertility rate has fallen to 1.48 births per woman—its lowest level ever and far below the replacement rate of 2.1.Migration isn't a sustainable fix: fertility rates are also falling in nearly every country, even traditional migrant sources.Economic and cultural shifts—urbanisation, delayed marriage, individualism, and welfare-state expansion—have weakened traditional social structures supporting families.The Baby Bonus experiment of the 2000s temporarily lifted fertility, but its effects were uneven and costly.Long-term implications include labour shortages, rising welfare burdens, asset price declines, and profound cultural change.Links relevant to the conversationABS births data:https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/births-australia/2024e61 analysis of the Baby Bonus:https://e61.in/australias-fertility-decline-evidence-and-policy-experience/Birthgap documentary:https://youtu.be/m2GeVG0XYTc?si=vuZvBqwVkZn3q1oZLumo Coffee promotion10% of Lumo Coffee's Seriously Healthy Organic Coffee.Website: https://www.lumocoffee.com/10EXPLOREDPromo code: 10EXPLORED 

What strengthens social cohesion in a diverse country like Australia — policy, leadership, or the small everyday actions that bring people together? In this conversation with SBS Hindi, Cairns-based public servant Ravin Ramachandran Nair shares his story, reflecting on community and belonging. He also weighs in on the national debate around migration, with insight grounded in lived experience.

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Chris Nissan from the South African Human Rights Commission, after the Durban High Court dismissed an urgent application to stop Operation Dudula from continuing its campaign against migrants. The SAHRC argued that the group’s actions, including denying migrants access to hospitals and clinics, were unlawful and discriminatory. But the court ruled the case lacked urgency. The decision has raised concern over the group’s ability to continue its controversial operations targeting foreign nationals. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/36edSLV or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/zEcM35T Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode SummaryDance artists Mele Estrella and Damara Vita Ganley join show host Jef Szi and the How Humans Work Podcast for an illuminating conversation that explores the rich terrain of their artistic work. Throughout this remarkable episode, we learn about Mele and Damara's intensive creative ethics, efforts to engender trust, dedication to playfulness, and deep curiosity about the hidden stories around them. As dedicated movement artists, they are a powerful example of how attuning with one's body, relationships, and the performance spaces acts as a cohesive force. Their craft and their commitment to the process of art is the foundation for their dance, and we are well-instructed by listening to them. In particular, we hear the fascinating backstory to their recent project, Flock. Flock intertwines animal and human migration stories with ecological awareness, showing the importance of belonging through the metaphor of “flocking.” The Dance of Belonging also explores their “Vertical Dance” Bandaloop Project. Using rope and harnesses to dance on the sides of massive objects, like granite faces or skyscrapers, this innovative dance form is a uniquely stunning display of how art can inspire wonder in all of us. Naturally, we discuss the teachings that come with encountering fear as part of the artistic path. We come to find how Mele and Damara use fear as a guide for deeper connection and support, finding confidence in creative belonging.Many thanks to Mele and Damara for helping us see Social Cohesion in action. Through their creative efforts and commitment to authentic connection, we find that social cohesion is not so much a product of external forces but instead begins with our connection to our own bodies and the group of people we create the story of our lives with.*****About Melecio “Mele” Estrella:Mele Estrella is a director, choreographer, and educator who has been with BANDALOOP since 2002. As Artistic Director, Mele brings 2 decades of practice weaving vertical dance, dance theater, somatic facilitation. and ecological belonging to BANDALOOP's dance making. Mele's work bridges the everyday personal/social body with the dream body, proposing expanded possibility and awe in our time of poly-crisis. Mele also co-directs Fog Beast, a cross-disciplinary group that affirms ecological connectedness in landscape, live arts and education. He is a longtime member of the Joe Goode Performance Group. Passionate about creating space and sustainability for artists, Mele serves on the advisory boards for the Artists Space Trust and for Arts in California State Parks. He was a Cultural Space Ambassador for the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST), a Leadership Fellow for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), and is currently a Lucas Artes Fellow at the Montalvo Center for the Arts.About Damara Vita Ganley:Damara Vita Ganley is an Associate Artistic Director, Dancer, Instructor for BANDALOOP. She is West Coast based dance artist with extensive national and international performance experience. She is a current company member and teaching artist with two renowned San Francisco based dance companies,

Gen Z's political gender gap is widening. Young women are trending left, while young men drift right—and it's not just politics. In this episode, we explore the cultural, social, and economic pressures shaping young men's identities, from the “manosphere” to societal expectations around masculinity and the pressure to be the breadwinner.We examine the consequences for democracy, social cohesion, and the future of civic engagement—and consider how society can create better spaces for young men to belong, participate, and thrive.What you'll learn in this episode:Why young men are drawn to exclusionary spaces onlineHow societal pressures around masculinity and economic roles influence political choicesThe role of both the left and right in widening the gender gapWhy this divide matters for democracy and social stabilityPaths toward healthier engagement and belongingGuests:Rev. Angela Denker, award-winning author and journalistMark Sutton, gender expert and author of How Democrats Can Win Back MenEric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics and author of The Third AwokeningText me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, DavidFor the Young men turning red episode Support the showShow Notes:https://outrageoverload.net/ Follow me, David Beckemeyer, on Twitter @mrblog or email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Twitter @OutrageOverload or Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload.HOTLINE: 925-552-7885Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episodeIf you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That's the best way to support it.Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has condemned marches scheduled in major cities around the nation this Sunday, as "dividing and undermining social cohesion". Ahead of the Marches for Australia, some Indian influencers and community leaders are urging immigrants living in Australia to "stay inside" and avoid protests for "safety".

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has condemned marches scheduled in major cities around the nation this Sunday, as "dividing and undermining social cohesion". Ahead of the Marches for Australia, some Indian influencers and community leaders are urging immigrants living in Australia to "stay inside" and avoid protests for "safety". - 聯邦內政部長博克譴責將在全國各大城市周日(8月31日)舉行的遊行，稱其為「分裂並破壞社會凝聚力」。在「澳洲大遊行」舉行前，一些印度意見領袖和社區領袖呼籲在澳洲的移民「留在家中」，並為了「安全」避免參與抗議活動。

Many will remember a spate of frightening attacks against Jewish communities in both Sydney and Melbourne last year, including firebombings, vandalism and a van full of explosives. We now know, according to the country’s top spy agency ASIO, that the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. The government has responded swiftly, expelling the Iranian ambassador to Australia and closing its embassy in Tehran. We bring you this episode early today, with Middle East and security analyst Rodger Shanahan, on what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called ‘extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression’ on our soil.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many will remember a spate of frightening attacks against Jewish communities in both Sydney and Melbourne last year, including firebombings, vandalism and a van full of explosives. We now know, according to the country’s top spy agency ASIO, that the Iranian government directed at least two of these attacks. The government has responded swiftly, expelling the Iranian ambassador to Australia and closing its embassy in Tehran. We bring you this episode early today, with Middle East and security analyst Rodger Shanahan, on what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called ‘extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression’ on our soil.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As AI transforms the world at warp speed, what does it mean for the workforce—and the church? In this episode of Rebuilders, we zoom in on one crucial aspect of the AI revolution: its disruptive impact on white-collar work. What happens when entry-level jobs vanish, AI reshapes our thinking, and a generation raised online struggles with real-world connection?From the looming white-collar recession to AI-induced creativity loss, Mark offers a sobering yet hopeful vision of how the church can respond—not by competing with machines, but by offering what only humans can: presence, discipleship, and resilience. This is a call to prepare, not panic.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Restoring Our Belief in Each Other: A New Civic Path for Healing America – Episode 272 with Rich Harwood In Episode 272 of Derate The Hate, Wilk welcomes Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute, to discuss how civic engagement, shared aspirations, and community agency can overcome toxic division in America. Drawing on decades of experience revitalizing communities, Rich explains how we can reject the ugliness of politics and embrace the dignity of building together. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to restore connection, purpose, and hope in their community.Key Topics:Civic engagement in a divided timeThe “Enough Time to Build” campaignReclaiming empathy and dignityBuilding a new civic pathCreating visible action in local communitiesRestoring agency and shared aspirationsWho is Rich Harwood? Rich Harwood is President and Founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and author of The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation. He's spent over 35 years leading efforts to heal fractured communities and drive social change through public innovation.Connect with Rich Harwood:

Episode SummaryThe good-hearted and visionary Orin Carpenter joins the podcast this week to explore the connection between art and society. As a fine artist who uses mixed media to make evocative and abstract art with social commentary, Orin carries a rich sense of the artist's social function. Orin's pieces are journeys into the layers of personal experience and American truths. His art deals with themes of identity, race, conflict, change, and healing.Orin's abundant passion for art's ability to initiate dialogue is the heart of our conversation today, and as we take our next steps in our meditations on Social Cohesion, Orin is a delightful gift and an authentic voice to have in the mix. His wise and creative soul brings body and shape to our adventure, bringing us to new ground and new thought as we consider human nature and America's social contours.We Paint These Truths (Yes, it is meant to echo 'We Hold These Truths') begins with Orin recounting how art entered his life. By providing a compelling portrait of the influences and circumstances that awakened the artist within him, we come to understand the forces that shaped his early life and the incredible response he had to them. Growing up in a black family in the South, being born just a few months after the assassination of Dr. King, finding black characters in Marvel comic books that he could relate with, the local library trips with his mother, the legacies of the Harlem Renaissance, and jazz music and their album covers were all pieces in his purpose puzzle.Along the way, we experience the energy and passion of Orin's art ethos. For him, art is both personal and social. It acts as a medium and metaphorical space that connects people, fosters dialogue, and helps us see each other in ways that debate alone cannot. For Orin, art serves as a conduit for restoring dignity, a means to acknowledge uncomfortable truths and a platform for honest conversations about justice and equity. In a moment of profound honesty, Orin shares the lived truths he navigates in his American experience and the way dualities of belonging have driven his expressions.Throughout the conversation, we find that Orin is a valuable guide, not just in his connection to the power of artistry but also in his rich sense and vision of art as both expression and activism. Orin's spirit of "artivism" encourages us to reconsider the role art plays in shaping our outlook and in its power to create a more compassionate and cohesive society.You're heartily invited to listen in as we journey with Orin and turn the philosopher's stone over together on this matter of Social Cohesion.*****About Orin Carpenter: Orin is a fine artist, high school art teacher, and Doctor of Philosophy in Education. He lives, creates, and works in Northern California.Check out Orin's art and get in touch with him about workshops at his webpage.

In this episode, Michael speaks with Nate Dominy, the Charles Hansen Professor of Anthropology at Dartmouth College. Nate is a biological anthropologist and an evolutionary biologist, studying the behavior, ecology, and functional morphology of humans and nonhuman primates. Nate speaks with Michael about his new research program on the role of fire in promoting social cohesion among humans. Fire is argued to have played an important role in human evolutionary history, and there are multiple mechanisms that have been hypothesized for how it could promote cohesion, including its rhythmic nature (its flicker rate), and its ability to enable storytelling, which itself is known to facilitate an increased sense of belonging and togetherness. This topic is an important complement to more traditional commons and institutional studies discussed on this podcast, which largely focus on how rules and norms can promote collective action and other outcomes.   References: Nate's website: https://anthropology.dartmouth.edu/people/nathaniel-j-dominy Dunbar R.I.M., Gowlett J.A.J. 2014 Fireside chat: the impact of fire on hominin socioecology. In Lucy to Language: The Benchmark Papers (eds. Dunbar R.I.M., Gamble C., Gowlett J.A.J.), pp. 277–296. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Lynn C.D. 2014 Hearth and campfire influences on arterial blood pressure: defraying the costs of the social brain through fireside relaxation. Evolutionary Psychology 12(5), 983-1003. (doi:10.1177/147470491401200509). Wiessner P.W. 2014 Embers of society: firelight talk among the Ju/'hoansi bushmen. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 111(39), 14027-14035. (doi:10.1073/pnas.1404212111).

What makes a society fragile? Fragile states expert Dr. Seth Kaplan shares the story of why he started researching the relational underpinnings of societies and how they contribute to societies' fragility and flourishing. He also discusses what a beautiful neighborhood looks like and why they're so important.In this clip of Beauty At Work episode, hosted by Brandon Vaidyanathan, Dr. Kaplan reflects on his intellectual journey—from global exploration and entrepreneurship to the study of fragile states and American communities. Drawing from his book Fragile Neighborhoods, he emphasizes the foundational role of social relationships in national stability and personal well-being, and explores how neighborhood-level vitality holds the key to reversing societal decline.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13769256For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#SethKaplan #PoliticalScience #FragileStates #BeautyAtWork #PodcastEpisode #BeautyAtWork #BrandonVaidyanathan #NeighborhoodsMatter #ThrivingCommunities #BeautifulNeighborhoodsSupport the show

Send us a textI sit down with Dr. Salim Mansur, professor emeritus and political scientist, to explore the untold story behind Canada's multiculturalism policy. Dr. Mansur pulls back the curtain on the political, philosophical, and constitutional roots of multiculturalism in Canada—revealing how a once well-intentioned idea may now be weakening liberal democracy and national cohesion. From the War Measures Act to the Emergencies Act, and from Pierre Trudeau's grand vision to Justin Trudeau's declaration that Canada has “no core identity,” this conversation unpacks the real consequences of prioritizing group identity over individual liberty.Support the showVisit my NEW Website! https://www.christopherbalkaran.comCheck out my Instagram/Tik Tok for daily posts: Instagram @openmindspodTiktok @openmindspodcast

Episode SummaryRenowned evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar returns for part two of his conversation with Jef Szi and the How Humans Work Podcast, diving deeper into the limits and leaps of human social patterns.In this episode, Professor Dunbar expands on the evolutionary foundations of human relationships, moving beyond social grooming and the endorphin system to explore kinship and the deeper nature of our social lives.He begins by examining the cost and time investment required to maintain our inner circle of intimate friends. From there, he maps out the concentric layers of more peripheral friendships and the behaviors and expectations that characterize them. Dunbar emphasizes the vital role our closest five friends play in our wellbeing and longevity.We then explore how humans scaled up from the group sizes typical of primates to the now-famous “Dunbar's Number” of 150. This leap—central to the Social Brain Hypothesis—reveals how brain size in primates correlates with social group size, due to the cognitive demands of managing complex, stable relationships.Dunbar illustrates these ideas through compelling examples—courtship, language, and religion—showing how humans have creatively repurposed existing biological mechanisms to sustain cohesion in increasingly larger groups.He also sheds light on how cultural practices like laughter, feasting, ritual, and storytelling serve to bind people together into broad, loosely connected “supergroups.”Ultimately, Dunbar offers a concentric model of our social world, illuminating the patterns, breakthroughs, and constraints of human sociality. This conversation helps us better understand our evolutionary journey and how we might draw on both embodied emotion and cognitive insight to navigate a highly uncertain future.***** About: Robin Dunbar: Robin Dunbar is Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at Oxford University. His work in the Experimental Psychology department at the Magdalen College is concerned with ‘trying to understand the behavioral, cognitive and neuroendocrinological mechanisms that underpin social bonding in primates (in general) and humans (in particular).' Robin is the author of several books, including The Social Brain, Human Evolution, and Friends: Understanding the Power of Our Most Important Relationships. Professor Dunbar is known for advancing the Social Brain Hypothesis with Dunbar's Number. *****Episode #48 TakeawaysDunbar's number suggests humans can maintain 150 relationships.Time investment is key to strong friendships.Friendships provide emotional support during crises.Social interactions can be as beneficial as medical interventions.Volunteering can substitute for friendships in terms of social exposure.Cohesion in larger groups requires superficial cues and shared knowledge. Friendship layers are assessed within the first four weeks.Common interests determine the depth of friendships.Intuition plays a key role in evaluating relationships.Institutions help manage social cohesion and relationships.Shared knowledge and folklore create larger communities.Religion serves as a stabilizing force in communities.Top-down structures provide discipline, while bottom-up structures foster local identity.Population density poses significant future challenges.Humans have historically found solutions to problems.Optimism is essential for...

Episode SummaryThe equally erudite and jovial Robin Dunbar joins Jef Szi and the How Humans Work Podcast for the first of a two part conversation about limits and leaps of social patterns in primates and humans. An Oxford University professor of evolutionary psychology and someone with a facile grasp of multiple sciences and histories, Professor Dunbar offers us a fascinating account of the social roots of human nature. In part 1—The Chemistry of Connection—we dive deeply into the endorphin system and the how it functions to stabilize social bonds in groups. We come to see freshly how critical a role endorphins play in our day to day reality. Drawing on his rich understanding of touch, primates, and the wildly comprehensive health benefits endorphins, Dunbar illustrates the connections between chemistry, evolution, and the roots of social blueprint—translating it into the very familiar ‘raw feels' of relationships that inform how we see, think, and feel about the world. In particular, Robin clarifies how and why social grooming assists us in dealing with unique social stresses that accompany a group survival strategy that primate species have. Further, Robin mirthfully shows us the unique elements of the human social tool kit, which activates social glue of endorphins without the time intensive work of touch. Indeed, the social tool kit of humans relies on the beautiful elements of laughter, dancing, singing, feasting, storytelling, and rituals to foster social cohesion. The Chemistry of Connection helps us in on our search for to understand what Social Cohesion is and how we can more successfully find it. Thank you Robin, it was a brilliant blessing to learn so much about human nature and our human story with you!***** About: Robin Dunbar: Professor Dunbar is Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at Oxford University. His work in the Experimental Psychology department at the Magdalen College is concerned with ‘trying to understand the behavioral, cognitive and neuroendocrinological mechanisms that underpin social bonding in primates (in general) and humans (in particular).' Robin is the author of several books, including The Social Brain, Human Evolution, and Friends: Understanding the Power of Our Most Important Relationships. Professor Dunbar is known for advancing the Social Brain Hypothesis with Dunbar's Number. *****Episode #47TakeawaysSociality is a key evolutionary adaptation for survival.Group living helps solve problems of reproduction and defense.Primates invest heavily in maintaining social relationships.Social grooming triggers the endorphin system, promoting bonding.Humans have developed social tools like singing and dancing to bond.The endorphin system acts as a natural antidepressant.Addiction to opiates can diminish social engagement.Oxytocin plays a role in mother-infant bonding and romantic relationships.Endorphins provide pain relief and promote feelings of well-being.The evolution of sociality is complex and multifaceted. Endorphins enhance social bonding and immune function.Quality friendships are crucial for mental and physical health.Five close friends are optimal for well-being.Social grooming is vital for maintaining relationships.

Dance, one of humanity's oldest art forms, traces its roots back over 10,000 years. Its rhythmic movements are known to release endorphins, strengthen connections, and even increase our pain tolerance.Summary: This week on The Science of Happiness, we explore how dancing connects us, enhances well-being, and fosters community. Lori Arnett, a NASA engineer, shares how a month-long dance practice brought her closer to her daughters and colleagues, offering moments of calm and joy. She reflected on how dancing parallels her work at NASA, where teamwork enables extraordinary achievements. Dr. Bronwyn Tarr, an expert on the science of dance, also reveals how synchronized movement not only enhances mood and reduces stress but also raises our pain threshold by triggering the release of endorphins.Guests: Lori Arnett, Associate Director for Digital Transformation for the Aerosciences Evaluation and Test Capabilities (AETC) within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) at NASALearn More About Lori Arnett: https://tinyurl.com/2bbhr7htBronwyn Tarr, Research at The Social Body Lab within the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion at the University of OxfordLearn More About Bronwyn Tarr: https://tinyurl.com/mxvm5mr8Related Science of Happiness Episodes:The Science of Happiness and Music: https://tinyurl.com/4f9axvca A three-episode series exploring how music helps to boost our mood, make us feel connected to others, and bridge divides.How Music Evokes Awe: https://tinyurl.com/3uuef5keHelp us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapEmail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or follow on Instagram @HappinessPod.Transcript Link To Come.