Global Questions
The podcast for young people who want to know more.
Dear listeners,
Global Questions is currently on an indefinite break, as Josh, Rihannon and Kelly have decided it's time to turn off the mics and take a well-earned rest.
If you've enjoyed listening to us, we'd love to hear from you. Shoot us a message on our Instagram page: @global.questions.
But this isn't the end! A YDS podcast may return in the future...keep your eyes peeled for updates from us 👀
In the meantime, we invite you to celebrate 2.5 years and 100+ episodes of Global Questions, by tuning in to our final farewell episode! Link below.
FAREWELL FROM US: What's next for Global Questions?
We can't believe we're saying this, but this is out last Global Questions episode!
2.5 years and 100+ episodes, Josh, Rihannon and Kelly have decided i's time to turn off the mics and take a well-earned rest.
So join the entire GQ time as they recap their favourite episodes, give a sneak peak behind the scenes, and chat about the highs (and lows) of putting together a podcast.
Hopefully you'll miss us just as much as we'll miss you! Thanks for tuning in and providing us with a reason to put the show together.
But this isn't the end! A YDS podcast may return in the future...keep your eyes peeled for updates from us 👀
From all of us here at Global Questions, thank you.
IN-DEPTH: Is Bitcoin going to change the world? Or is it a scam? W/David Gerard
There is little that is uncontroversial when it comes to cryptocurrency, from its wild fluctuations and energy usage to its links to transnational crime and mysterious origins.
THE WRAP UP: UNHRC kicks out Russia. Pakistan’s crazy politics. 6,500+ deaths tied to World Cup. How Taiwan’s fate will affect your shopping.
Why Russia was removed from the UNHRC, and whether it could be kicked out of the UN entirely. The fate of Pakistan's ex-cricketer and ex-PM, Imran Khan. Why this year's World Cup in Qatar may be responsible for up to 6,750 deaths. How a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could see year-long delays for a new phone, computer or car.
TRAILBLAZER: Using music and education to inspire social change and international peace-building W/Janielle Beh
Rhiannon chats to Janielle about transforming her creativity and passion for music education into social change and peacebuilding initiatives all over the globe.
IN-DEPTH: Are conspiracy theories and political paranoia destroying democracy? W/Jesse Walker
Rhiannon chats to Jesse Walker on conspiracy theories and political paranoia and how they are affecting democracy worldwide.
The Wrap-Up: 30 November 2021
Ethiopia’s PM *literally* goes to war. Australia helps Solomons. Taiwan's uncertain future. Sweden’s 7-hour female PM.
IN-DEPTH: What is populism and is it destroying democracy? W/ Anastasia Kapetas & Brandon Wu
This week we have two insightful guests to discuss the rise of populism and how it is influencing democracy around the world.
The Wrap-Up: 19 October 2021
Civil war in Lebanon? Billions for the Taliban. Kenya ignores the ICJ. America’s cyber reckoning.
TEASER: Season 5 REVEAL
Global Questions is back for an exciting fifth season on the Decline in Democracy.
BONUS: Saying farewell to the founders of Global Questions W/ Genevieve Marcocci & Emma Fabreguette
Today's episode is a farewell to Genevieve Marcocci and Emma Fabreguette, two of the founding members of Global Questions.
THE WRAP-UP: 27 July 2021
Haiti's Prime Minister battle. Controversy of Sinovac. Cuban protests. Gas pipeline helping Russia Cripple Eastern Europe.
IN-DEPTH: How is climate change affecting the developing world? W/Anna Gero
Josh chats to Anna Gero about how climate change is affecting the developing world.
THE WRAP-UP: 16 June 2021
Chaos in Afghanistan. Myanmar’s rebel armies. El Salvador’s bitcoin revolution. Can the UN end HIV/AIDS?
IN-DEPTH: What is climate-induced migration? W/ Dr Celia McMichael
Emma talks to Dr Celia McMichael on how climate change is a driver of human migration and displacement.
TRAILBLAZER: How to navigate opportunities and create agency W/ Yasmin Poole
Gen talks to Yasmin Poole about how to navigate which graduate, intern and volunteer opportunities are right for you and how to bring agency and impact into the work you complete.
WRAP-UP: 30 March 2021
Josh and Gen's (stepping in for Hugh this week) fortnightly discussion of surprising news from around the world.
IN-DEPTH: What is Political Evangelicalism? W/ Dr. Joshua Roose
Gen talks to Dr. Joshua Roose about political Evangelicalism and the populist right.
IN-DEPTH: What is happening to Uyghur Muslims in China? W/ Nuria Yu & Nathan Ruser
Gen talks to Nuria Yu & Nathan Ruser about Uyghur Muslims experiencing genocide and human rights abuses.
BONUS: How is UNESCO reimagining education? W/ Noah Sobe
Gen talks to Noah Sobe about what the future holds for education globally and how we can adapt to it.
The Wrap-Up: 8 December 2020
Australian money-laundering, West Papuan independence, France's 'values' charter and UN Security Council negligence
The Wrap Up: 10 November 2020
Why is terror on the rise? How does Iran benefit from Biden? Is Thailand becoming a democracy? What's going on in Ethiopia?
Trailblazers: How to choose the right degree W/ Asher Klein
Emma (She/Her) talks with Asher (He/Him) about how he found his passion in his current degree and the journey of discovering what you actually want vs what others expect of you.
In-Depth: Damien Manuel
Damien, Chairman of the Executive Advisory Board for Cyber and Australian Information Security Association, explores key concepts in cybersecurity.
The Wrap-Up: 13 September 2020
Putin’s Tea, the American Postal Service Political Battle, India-China Nuclear Power Stand-off, and Forced Labour in Xinjiang
In-Depth: Sharon Hudson-Dean
Sharon is a career US diplomat, currently serving as U.S. Consul-General in Sydney. She discusses the AUS-US relationship and the future of bilateral relations in the COVID-19 age.
In-Depth: Julian Burnside
Julian delves into his experience representing refugees and asylum seekers against the Australian government and its departments.
In-Depth: Saad Al-Haddad
Gen and Saad explore his life as a refugee, the hardship he and his family faced and his plans for the future.
IN-DEPTH: How is artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionising modern warfare? W/Dr Peter Layton
Today’s AI is becoming more sophisticated and pervasive in the development of semi-autonomous weapons. So what does this mean for the future of warfare and contemporary conflicts around the globe?
THE WRAP-UP: The elaborate conspiracy to blame France for war crimes. China’s aim in the Solomons. Is the Arab Spring dead? Honduras’ drug-trafficking president.
It's finally here! Join Josh and Kelly as they discuss some of the *crazy* stories from the last fortnight.
TEASER: Season 6 REVEAL
We are back!! Join Rhiannon, Josh and our *new co-host* as they reveal the topic for this season's fortnightly IN-DEPTH episodes.
THE WRAP-UP: A gas war in Ukraine? Fishermen defeat Russian navy. Far-right meet in Hungary. Why Honduras’ election matters.
Join Josh and our special guest, Kelly, as they both unpack some news from around the world.
HUGH’S FINAL WRAP-UP: 14 December 2021
Refugees sue Facebook. Is the Iran Deal back? The dark side of renewables. A Saharan sports saga.
IN-DEPTH: How has globalisation affected inequality and democracy around the world? W/ Steven Slaughter & Estella Kabachwezi
IN-DEPTH: How has globalisation affected inequality and democracy around the world? W/ Steven Slaughter & Estella Kabachwezi
The Wrap-Up: 2 November 2021
COP26 is here, Sudan's coup d'état, tensions between Azerbaijan and Iran, and the former Italian Deputy Prime Minister's trial.
In-Depth: Is Covid-19 killing off democracy? W/ Tom Daly & Asanga Abeyagoonesekera
Rhiannon chats to Associate Professor Tom Daly and Asanga Abeyagoonesekera about how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting democracy around the globe.
IN-DEPTH: How does the Black Lives Matter movement relate to Indigenous Australians? W/ Ama Burkoh & Nayonika Bhattacharya
This week, we are re-sharing Emma's favourite episode - the In-Depth discussion with Ama Burkoh and Nayonika Bhattacharya on the BLM movement and how it relates to Indigenous Australians.
TRAILBLAZER: Exploring opportunities and engaging in global affairs W/ Ryan Attard
Hugh chats to Ryan Attard about engaging in student-led organisations, building real-world knowledge by getting involved in extra-curricular activities, and navigating professional experiences as a law clerk.
IN-DEPTH: What does climate change have to do with the Egypto-Ethiopian Nile dispute and the internationalisation of the Amazon? W/ Anet McClintock & Professor Stephen M. Walt.
Emma and Gen chat with Anet McClintock and Professor Stephen M. Walt on the convergence of conflict and climate change on a global scale.
THE WRAP-UP: 29 June 2021
Iran’s hardliners seize control. 100 years of the CCP. Pardons divide Spain. Far-right soldiers threaten EU.
IN-DEPTH: How is climate change affecting Antarctica? W/ Dr Alessandro Antonello
Josh chats to Dr Alessandro Antonello about climate change, environmental diplomacy and geopolitics in Antarctica.
WRAP-UP: 18th May 2021
The Israel-Palestine crisis. An unprecedented cyber attack. The Tokyo Olympics. Negotiations in Venezuela.
WRAP-UP: 13 April 2021
Is Russia going to war? North Korea’s ‘worst ever situation’. Nigeria’s mass prison break. Hong Kong’s anti-democratic revival.
IN-DEPTH: Why Is Anti-Semitism On The Rise? W/ Harrison Rosen
Emma talks to Harrison Rosen about the rise of Anti-Semitism.
The Wrap-Up: 2 March 2021
Upheaval in Ethiopia, an Armenian coup, vaccine diplomacy and New Caledonia's separatist government.
The Wrap-Up: 2 February 2021
The EU vaccine scuffle, protests in India, Israel, Iran, and Biden, and the lawsuit against Brazil's president.
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Yemen famine, News Media Commission & Cancel Culture W/ Josh & Saacha
Gen talks with Joshua Kaye (Global Questions Audio Producer) and Saacha Neilson (Global Questions Marketing Officer) about global news topics that shaped 2020.
The Wrap-Up: 24 November 2020
Australia's war crimes, Who gets the vaccine, Armenia Azerbaijan and a peace deal and Typhoon Vamco.
IN-DEPTH: What is the significance of South Korea-Australia Relations? W/ Thomas Corben
Emma talks to Thomas Corben about Australia and South Korea's bilateral relationship over the past decade.
Trailblazers: How to start a global impact-driven career? w/ Jacob Thomas
Gen (She/Her) talks with Jacob Thomas (They/Them) about how they started their career path and how it led them into advocacy, equality projects and public speaking.
The Wrap-Up: 29 September 2020
How COVID-19 has helped Italian Mafia gang, Australia's future trade, ICE under investigation and the grand jury on Breonna Taylor’s death.
In-Depth: Bernard Collaery
Former Attorney-General and counsel for Witness K, Bernard Collaery, discusses Australia's national security through the lens of Witness K trial.
In-Depth: Ama Burkoh & Nayonika Bhattacharya
Ama and Nayonika delve into the increasing protests against police brutality in the United States, analysing how systematic racism has transpired through American history, and link it back to Australia’s own systematic racism towards Indigenous Australians.
In-Depth: Kelly Soderstrom
Kelly discusses how Brexit affects global economies, trade, asylum seekers and the EU.
Trailblazers: Zahn Gane
Zahn Gane explores his interest in International Relations and his future career. Zahn speaks about how he never really saw an interest in university until discovering his passion for politics.
In-Depth: Gillian Triggs
Gen sits down with Gillian Triggs to explore the hard truths of current immigration policies and practices.
THE WRAP-UP: Anger at Xi’s Covid strategy. America’s dystopian post-Roe future. Could Israel spiral into war? Northern Ireland considers leaving UK.
Unprecedented anger within China at Xi Jinping’s harsh Covid strategy. What the Supreme Court’s abortion decision could mean for America *and the world*. The growing threat of war between Israel and Palestine over evictions. Sinn Fein’s historic victory in Northern Ireland’s elections – and their plan to leave the UK.
IN-DEPTH: We're all being monitored. How does it affect society? W/ Kevin Macnish & Moira Patterson
New technology allows governments and companies to track nearly everything we do: what we buy, where we go, who we meet and how we think. It's given them an unprecedented amount of power. What does this mean for our safety, democracy and global stability?
IN-DEPTH: Can we save democracy? W/Iain Walker & Tim Hollo
Rhiannon chats to two incredibly passionate guests, Iain Walker and Tim Hollow, on the future of democracy.
IN-DEPTH: Can the CCP and democracy co-exist? It's complicated. W/Roger Huang
Rhiannon chats to Dr Roger Huang about the relationship between Chinese culture and democracy, what the crackdown in Hong Kong can tell us about the CCP and whether tensions between the US and China could trigger a new Cold War.
IN-DEPTH: Is India (the world's largest democracy) turning authoritarian? W/ Mauktik Kulkarni
Rhiannon chats with Mauktik Kulkarni about the relationship between democracy, Indian and Hindu nationalism, and authoritarianism, Modi's India, and the future for democracy in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Wrap-Up: 16 November 2021
Was COP26 worth it? Belarus weaponises migrants. Democratic setback for Thailand. A boycott of the Winter Olympics?
IN-DEPTH: Are conspiracy theories and political paranoia destroying democracy? W/Jesse Walker
Rhiannon chats to Jesse Walker on conspiracy theories and political paranoia, and how they are affecting democracy worldwide.
THE WRAP-UP: 5 October 2021
China turns off power. Germany’s election stalemate. A sports star President? Nigeria's phone ban.
BONUS IN-DEPTH: Who is Witness K and why is he being charged with conspiracy? W/ Bernard Collaery
This week, we are re-sharing Gen's favourite episode - the In-Depth discussion with Bernard Collaery on Witness K during our season on security.
IN-DEPTH: How is climate change law paving the way for the future? W/ Paul Govind and Mark McVeigh
Josh chats to Paul Govind and Mark McVeigh on how climate change and the law are increasingly intertwined through both environmental litigation and community-led activism.
THE WRAP-UP: 13 July 2021
Lebanon’s ‘social explosion’. South Africa’s ex-President in jail. The rise of private armies. France’s climate constitution.
IN-DEPTH: How is veganism integral to climate change mitigation? W/ Alana Mann
Emma chats to Alana Mann about the intersection between food security, veganism and climate change.
TRAILBLAZER: Indigenous activism & climate change W/Joshua Gilbert
Gen chats to Josh about the intersection between indigenous culture, knowledge and history, climate change and activism.
WRAP-UP: 26 April 2021
Samoa’s dramatic elections, Chad’s president dies in battle, TikTok faces a historic lawsuit, and French secularism and Pakistani protests.
IN-DEPTH: How is Islam changing Indonesian politics? W/ Dr Rachel Rinaldo and Dr Dina Afrianty
Gen talks to Dr Rachel Rinaldo and Dr Dina Afrianty about how Islam is shaping Indonesian politics, women's rights and democracy.
WRAP-UP: 16 March 2021
Turmoil in Yemen, Kiribati’s Change of Address, the Pope in Iraq and a Brazilian Ex-President’s Prison Release
TRAILBLAZER: What does it take to realise your passion? W/ Joel MacKay
Emma talks to Joel MacKay about using your passion and finding jobs that fit that interest.
IN-DEPTH: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict W/ Ronald Zweig
Emma talks to Ronald Zweig about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Megxit, Wolf-Warrior Diplomacy & BLM W/ Hugh & Kelly
Emma talks with Hugh Mcfarlane (Global Questions OutReach Officer) and Kelly Phan (YDS Marketing Director) about global news topics that shaped 2020.
IN-DEPTH: Why is the South China Sea such a pivotal region? W/ Professor Rory Medcalf
Gen talks to Professor Rory Medcalf about Australia's maritime security specifically the tensions between the US and China and how Australia will be involved.
Bonus: How to dismantle the Murdoch empire W/ Kevin Rudd
Gen talks to The Honourable Kevin Rudd about the monopoly that is the Murdoch empire, the News Media Bargaining Code and the News Royal Commission petition.
The Wrap Up: 13 October 2020
Trump is COVID-19 positive, Armenia and Azerbaijan reignite tensions, Indonesia’s new labor laws in protest and the Cyprus Papers.
In-Depth: William Clapton
William, senior International Relations lecturer at UNSW, delves into the concept of risk and its centrality to understanding security discourse and practice over the last 20 years.
In-Depth: Bill Birtles
Bill Birtles, ABC's China Correspondent explains the deteriorating Aus-China relationship, the WHO probe into COVID-19 and China's harsh calls to boycott and impose tariffs on Australian imported goods.
In-Depth: Charlotte Owens & Nassim Khadem
Nassim and Charlotte cover COVID-19 and its effects on businesses, government relations and cybersecurity in Australia.
In-Depth: Erika Feller
Gen and Ms Erika Feller discuss her role as the High Commissioner for Protection for the UNHCR