A comprehensive exploration of historical ideas about the value, purposes and models of universal education. A glaring omission is any reference to half of those potential students: girls and women.

Thank you for the Irene Vallejo interview! The book is wonderful and it’s great to see someone in North America interview her! Brava!

Always enjoy topics presented and great interview partners are picked. I’ve learned a lot from various episodes. Listening from Germany.

We are stuffed to our gills with podcasts these days but IDEAS, which I guess is a radio show on Canada and is available everywhere else as a podcast, is one of the oldest and still one of the most thought provoking in its choice and treatment of subjects. Perhaps Canada doesn’t have much to show for itself in glorious civilization achievements but this modesty has been turned to its advantage because it can approach other cultures’ achievements with an open mind. I am particularly struck role played by the Palestinian-Canadian host Nahlah Ayed. She brings a Muslim sensibility and a Muslim bias to so many of the topics. I can think of no other country’s flagship radio station that has given so much prominence to Islamic culture and thought. I mean that as a compliment.

Lots of good ideas but light on details and support. Some are science by anecdote and others are just feelings.

Excellent story told thru the lens of many.

Kind of blown away by the elegance with which this team has managed to integrate very rich and in-depth reflections on themes like authoritarian personality with narratives that bring the issues to life. Hollywood and war is eye opening and I am teaching and researching in these areas — definitely an incentive to up my game in the classroom and a very valuable and mesmerizing resource for us all.

If only American public radio had the same freedom of expression.

This is by far the most consistently thought-provoking podcast I have found.

This was a thoughtful and interesting episode. The idea that identity and achievement should be separate is profound even if it sounds simple. I would quibble though that we (Americans, at least) should get off the success/failure see-saw. What about « the timid souls » anyway, and what really is success? In America it’s hard to see the case for it being other than money, credentials, and expensive possessions. The woman with the failed start-up reminded me, by complete contrast, with Elizabeth Holmes of Theranos fame whose moral failings are on trial. The former woman is a moral success. I have spent my life feeling that I failed at most things I tried, that I have too few presentable achievements. But I turned 70 and realize it hardly matters; in spite of whatever is lacking I do have an identity built on books, travel, questions, curiosities, and relationships. It’s not bad for a life.

There are so many thought provoking episodes! I feel like I’ve come across an intellectual gold mine. Thank you to the CBC for creating such a great podcast. They are really doing the public an important service by providing such fascinating and nuanced conversations in a time of knee jerk reactions and hot takes.

Giving voice to the dispossessed and disgruntled alike. Charming until they suggest seizing all property.

I’ve been a huge fan of Ideas for years and I’m thrilled that it’s now available as a podcast. It’s consistently the most intelligent and thought-provoking show on the radio.

‘Ideas’ has been and continues to be the best show produced by the CBC, and one of the few places where Canada has produced a program that the US has no answer for. Keep it up!

Wonderful show! Thanks!

I am honestly so jealous of Canada, although I know it’s expensive there. Throughout the CBC they spend a lot of time breaking down the giant garbage heap that is my home country, and they make me feel sane. Ideas is always spot-on, thoughtfully progressive, and very niche. I’ve only skipped a handful of episodes that were too niche for me. Sean Foley is an amazing contributor, and while I was worried when the fantastic Paul Kennedy retried, once Nala took over the podcast remained just as wise and insightful. Thank you all at Ideas for your amazing work!

I like getting out of the U.S. to have a look around the globe occasionally, to see how others outside my local realm are viewing their lives and the world around them. "Ideas" plays it's part in giving me another lens through which to view the bigger picture.. Over the last few years this program has covered a lot of ground across a broad range of subjects, landscapes, and perspectives. The program has a new presenter as of this summer. She is doing a great job in continuing the exploration and discussions.

Such a hate filled and race baiting episode. Does no one at CBC edit or review content before publication anymore?

An excellent long-running Canadian show that features panel discussions, lectures, and most enjoyably original audio documentaries about any number of fascinating topics. You can go from one episode exploring the history of hotels — as a concept, as a business, as a unique headspace — to another about the future extinction of the human race or some unexplored facet of world history. This show is a gem.

And Robert Kennedy sounds like he’s Robert Krulwich on tea, instead of coffee. Seriously, were the two Robert K’s separated at birth? Just as Radiolab plays with and explores ideas, this show does the same, but unplugged. It doesn’t have Jad Abumurad’s textured production, but it’s still really good.

Its been said that poets expose us to things we never realized were important. Ideas from CBC Radio is like that. For example, I never thought about what might come after atheism until I listened to the Ideas mini-series on that topic. I was blown away. I recommend this podcast highly.

I like this radio amazing stories from different country and culture ... Best keep going

I listen to thousands of podcasts and always include practically all of those from this source in my must-hear list. They provide in-depth perspective, insight and background to local and international life. Thanks from the States to some very competent and intelligent Canadians.

Earnest, honest, clear-thinking. It is intelligent yet accessible without being condescending. I might not always be interested in the subject matter but when I am it's a joy to listen to. CBC has always given people the opportunity to explore without agenda. A rare thing today. For current events try The Current, for something akin to Garrison Keillor try Vinyl Cafe.

THE best program on radio. Too bad so few episodes are available on Podcast, though...

I really love this show. I love listening to stories - ordinary people who show extraordinary power in difficult situations.

One of the best radio shows in existence finally is available on podcast. Eaqch Ideas episode explores a question or topic from many different perspectives, usually interviewing major figures in the relevant fields. If (like the other reviewers) I had to compare to other podcasts, it's very similar in style and in subject matter, to WNYC's RadioLab. Ideas was a weekday evening highlight when I lived in Canada. Having some of the best shows available on podcast is like having that really intelligent, thoughtful, funny friend who you dearly miss since they moved away a few years ago, move back to town, and finding them even more enjoyable company than before!!

The previous review compares this show to Hardball...you mean the chris matthews show? wow-- it is absolutely nothing like that--far superior. It is nothing like any american television, except perhaps the new Bill Moyers program on "Public" TV [which is no longer really public, but largely coopted by corporate sponsors]. Some of our public radio is good, [Speaking of Faith by Krista Tippet for instance] but not widely distributed. Now you can get the podcast. You are lucky to have this kind of quality program in Canada. It might not hold everyone's interest...it goes into great depth on a given subject, and the subjects are interesting but not "glamorous". It takes a developed attention span. However there are those of us starved for this kind of thoughtful program since we are bombarded with such superficial stuff 95% of the time. For that audience it is great.

Yeah!!! One of my fave CBC shows now on podcast, I'm a happy camper.

This was my first time hearing TBoI and it wasn't bad, very intellectual although it's nothing you couldn't already hear from say a Meet The Press, or a Hardball but good for CBC. And wheres The National? Streaming video does not always happen on my computer and when it does, it jumps about, C-SPAN doesn't broadcast it anymore soooooooooo things are kind of at a head.. Peter Mansbridge is VERY insightful and its something I'd like to see i-tunes add to its library.