Best Un Sdg Learn Podcasts (2025)

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Season 4, Episode 10: Ilan Pappè, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic & A Very Short History of the Israel-Palestine Conflict 53:26

2d ago53:26

53:26

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Prof. Ilan Pappè, historian at Exeter University, UK, for an in-depth conversation on one of the most enduring and contentious issues of our time: the Israel-Palestine conflict. Drawing on Pappè’s powerful new books—Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic and A Very Short History of the Isr…

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Season 4, Episode 9: Ray Kurzweil, The Singularity is Nearer: When We Merge with AI 49:11

1M ago49:11

49:11

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and futurist Ray Kurzweil for a compelling conversation on the accelerating pace of technological change and its profound implications for the future of humanity. In his new book, The Singularity Is Nearer, Kurzweil revisits and updates his groundbreaking predictions on AI & AGI, exponential growth, and h…

1
Season 4, Episode 8: Prof. Lauren Benton, They Called it Peace: Worlds of Imperial Violence 46:17

2M ago46:17

46:17

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and American historian Lauren Benton for a discussion on the hidden histories of empires and the lasting impact of imperial violence. In her book, They Called It Peace: Worlds of Imperial Violence Benton uncovers how European powers built and maintained their empires through relentless cycles of raiding, …

1
Season 4, Episode 7: Richard Overy, Why War? 51:34

3M ago51:34

51:34

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and historian, Professor Richard Overy for an insightful conversation on one of humanity’s most unsettling questions: Why do we wage war? In his book, Why War? Overy takes us on a journey across time, from the ancient battlefields of the Roman Empire to the devastation of the World Wars and the conflicts …

1
Season 4, Episode 6: Jon Wolfsthal; Federation of American Scientists, Doomsday Clock 51:26

4M ago51:26

51:26

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and global security expert Jon Wolfsthal to unravel the stark reality behind the Doomsday Clock - now set at a perilous 89 seconds to midnight. What does this ominous timepiece truly measure, and why has humanity never been closer to catastrophe? Wolfsthal offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-m…

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Season 4, Episode 5: Eugene Rogan, The Arabs: A History 52:39

4M ago52:39

52:39

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and historian Eugene Rogan, professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at Oxford, as they delve into the complex history of the Arab world, from the Ottoman conquest in 1516 to today’s geopolitical crises of the modern Middle East. Through the lens of his acclaimed book The Arabs: A History, Rogan brillia…

1
Season 4, Episode 4: Annie Jacobsen, Nuclear War: A Scenario 52:18

5M ago52:18

52:18

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and award-winning journalist Annie Jacobsen as they discuss Jacobsen’s chilling and rigorous depiction of nuclear war in her groundbreaking book, Nuclear War: A Scenario. With meticulous research and interviews with military and political insiders, Jacobsen takes us through a riveting, heart-pounding, sec…

1
Season 4, Episode 3: Prof. Glenn Diesen, The Ukraine War and the Eurasian World Order 58:54

5M ago58:54

58:54

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and political scientist Glenn Diesen as they discuss Professor Diesen’s new book, The Ukraine War & the Eurasian World Order. Professor Diesen explains Europe’s fractured security framework which he believes has steered the continent toward conflict with no clear way to reverse course. The conversation fo…

1
Season 4, Episode 2: Dennis Fritz, Deadly Betrayal: The Truth About Why the United States Invaded Iraq 52:51

6M ago52:51

52:51

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and retired Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Dennis Fritz, a former Pentagon insider, as they explore the extremely important insights in Fritz’s new book, Deadly Betrayal, which uncovers the ugly truths behind the Iraq War in 2003. Drawing from dramatic evidence, Fritz explains how a group of high…

1
Season 4, Episode 1: Aaron Good, American Exception: Empire and the Deep State 55:13

7M ago55:13

55:13

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and political scientist Aaron Good as they discuss Good’s book, American Exception: Empire and the Deep State. Good delves into the breakdown of U.S. democracy, focusing on the continuity of American foreign policy, the erosion of the rule of law, and the concentration of wealth and power among the corpor…

1
Beyond Natural: The Hidden Costs of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Expansion 15:54

7M ago15:54

15:54

In this episode of SDG Learncast, we will explore the often-overlooked environmental and social impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure expansion. Our guest from Earth Insight will unpack how the global push for LNG, often viewed as a cleaner fossil fuel, threatens coastal and marine ecosystems—from the Gulf of California to the Verde…

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Season 3, Episode 12: Christina Gerhardt, Sea Change: An Atlas of Islands in a Rising Ocean; With Special Guest, Simona Marinescu 37:34

8M ago37:34

37:34

Send us a text Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs, Christina Gerhardt and UN Senior Advisor on Small Island Developing States, Simona Marinescu as they discuss human induced global warming, the implications of rising sea levels, and Gerhardt’s book, Sea Change: An Atlas of Islands in a Rising Ocean. This discussion shifts our focus to the frontlines of …

1
Season 3, Episode 11: Dr. Alfred de Zayas, Building a Just World Order 56:35

9M ago56:35

56:35

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Dr. Alfred de Zayas as they discuss de Zayas’s book, Building a Just World Order which delves into the possibility of a democratic and equitable international order, essential for sustainable development and the welfare of future generations Together, they explore the work of Dr. Alfred de Zayas, the …

1
Season 3, Episode 10: Jean Dong, Chinese Statecraft in a Changing World 40:34

10M ago40:34

40:34

Send us a text Please join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and China expert, Jean Dong as they discuss Dong’s fascinating book, Chinese Statecraft in a Changing World: Demystifying Enduring Traditions and Dynamic Constraints. Ms. Dong offers a rich and subtle historical perspective on China’s statecraft, diplomacy, and national objectives. Her historically…

1
Season 3, Episode 9: Monika Wiesak, America's Last President: What the World Lost When It Lost John F. Kennedy 40:22

11M ago40:22

40:22

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Monika Wiesak as they discuss one of America's most iconic leaders in, America's Last President: What the World Lost When It Lost John F. Kennedy. Listen in as they delve into the thrilling saga of a young, audacious visionary who dared to challenge the status quo and redefine the course of history. T…

1
Beyond Action: The Role of Inner Development Goals for a Sustainable Future 19:08

12M ago19:08

19:08

In this podcast episode, we will look into the transformative power of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and how they support achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The IDGs offer a framework for cultivating the human capabilities, qualities, and skills essential for building a sustainab…

1
Season 3, Episode 8: James & Tom Risen, The Last Honest Man: the CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedy's - and one Senator's Fight to Save Democracy 52:20

1y ago52:20

52:20

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs in his conversation with authors James and Tom Risen on their important, new book The Last Honest Man, a gripping biography of Idaho Senator, Frank Church. The Risens describe the remarkable events of 1975, when Senator Church almost single-handedly took on the CIA and FBI, to hold them accountable for se…

1
Season 3, Episode 7: Bryan W. Van Norden, Taking Back Philosophy: A Multicultural Manifesto 47:22

1y ago47:22

47:22

Send us a text Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs and Bryan Van Norden as they discuss Prof. Van Norden’s book, Taking Back Philosophy: A Multicultural Manifesto. As a leading expert in Chinese philosophy, Prof. Van Norden promotes an inclusive, multicultural approach to philosophical inquiry, and urges educational institutions to uphold cosmopolitan id…

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Banking on Biodiversity: The Seed Savers’ Crusade 23:32

1y ago23:32

23:32

The world faces a significant challenge in ensuring food security for its growing population amidst the threats posed by climate change. The increasing reliance on a narrow selection of cultivated crops due to industrial agriculture is causing a concerning reduction in the genetic diversity of plants. This narrowing pool poses a risk to global food…

1
Season 3, Episode 6: Richard E. Rubenstein, Aristotle's Children: How Christians, Muslims, and Jews Rediscovered Ancient Wisdom and Illuminated the Middle Ages 48:49

1y ago48:49

48:49

Send us a text Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs and an expert on religious conflict, Richard E. Rubenstein as they discuss Rubenstein’s book, Aristotle's Children: How Christians, Muslims, and Jews Rediscovered Ancient Wisdom and Illuminated the Middle Ages. Rubenstein skillfully guides us through the vivid controversies of the Middle Ages, making the…

1
Season 3, Episode 5: Norman Solomon, War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine 51:56

1+ y ago51:56

51:56

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and political and media analyst Norman Solomon as they discuss Solomon’s important new book, War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine. Listen in as Solomon and Sachs explore the intricate interplay between the mainstream media and powerful political forces that promote …

1
What can we learn from the future? - The role of futurists in achieving sustainable development with Sohail Inayatullah of UNESCO 16:00

1+ y ago16:00

16:00

In the face of complex development challenges, particularly in the context of Covid-19, what can we learn from the future? In this episode, SDG Learncast asks Professor Sohail Inayatullah, UNESCO Inaugural Chair for Future Studies, what can we learn from futurists and how do future studies help governments formulate and implement policies on sustai…

1
Global finance in transition: Reforming the global financial system for the SDGs 16:06

1+ y ago16:06

16:06

In this episode, Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), discusses the critical theme of long-term financing for sustainable development and the need for reform in the global financial architecture. He highlights the challenges hindering the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) an…

1
Season 3, Episode 4: Dr. David Daokui Li, China's World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict 38:04

1+ y ago38:04

38:04

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and economist David Daokui Li as they discuss Professor Li’s brilliant new book, China's World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict. Listen in as Professor Li explains the deep nature of Chinese politics and economics – based on China’s long history, Confucian culture, and meritocratic poli…

1
Season 3, Episode 3: Jessica Rawson, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China 44:21

1+ y ago44:21

44:21

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Jessica Rawson, one of the world’s most eminent scholars of China, as they discuss Rawson’s book, Life and Afterlife in Ancient China. Listen in to learn about the roots of Chinese civilization through the stories of twelve grand tombs, each helping to reveal a pivotal phase in China’s history. Togeth…

1
“Great Buys” in Education: Maximizing learning in low and middle-income countries 28:28

1+ y ago28:28

28:28

In this episode, we are featuring Benjamin Piper, the Director of Global Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Ben sheds light on the groundbreaking work of the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP). With an exhaustive analysis of over 13,000 academic studies, GEEAP identifies the most effective and economical educational int…

1
Season 3, Episode 2: Lindsey A. O'Rourke, Covert Regime Change: America's Secret Cold War 42:22

1+ y ago42:22

42:22

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and political scientist Lindsey O’Rourke as they discuss O’Rourke’s remarkable book, Covert Regime Change. US foreign policy is based heavily on trying to overthrow foreign governments, and O’Rourke’s account is a powerful and deeply scholarly account of America’s frequent resort to secretive regime-chang…

1
Season 3, Episode 1: John Mearsheimer, How States Think: The Rationality of Foreign Policy 51:44

1+ y ago51:44

51:44

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and political scientist John Mearsheimer as they discuss Professor Mearsheimer’s latest book, How States Think: The Rationality of Foreign Policy. Hailed as the most influential foreign policy realist of his generation, Mearsheimer and co-author Prof. Sebastian Rosato provide a groundbreaking examination …

1
Tomorrow's Classroom: Digital Transformation through Systems Thinking 16:10

1+ y ago16:10

16:10

In this episode of the SDG Learncast, we feature Breanne Pitt, a researcher and educator, on the concept of systems thinking and its vital role in modern education. They explore the challenges and complexities of the digital age, discuss the impact of standardized testing, and delve into practical tools like the World Economic Forum's Transformatio…

1
The Fight for Our Forests and Future: The Rising Threat from Oil and Gas Exploration 18:38

1+ y ago18:38

18:38

Tyson Miller, Director of Earth Insight unpacks the escalating threats of oil and gas expansion in the Amazon and Congo Basin regions. Drawing from the Earth Insight's reports "Congo in the Crosshairs: New Oil & Gas Expansion Threats to Forests and Communities" "Crisis Point: Oil and Gas Expansion Threats to Amazon and Congo Basin Tropical Forests …

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Season 2, Episode 14: Francisco Rodriguez, The Human Consequences of Economic Sanctions 47:37

2y ago47:37

47:37

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and economist Francisco Rodriguez as they discuss Professor Rodriguez’s newest publication, The Human Consequences of Economic Sanctions. Prof. Rodriguez is an expert on the use of unilateral economic sanctions - when one country imposes economic costs on another, and shares insights on the US as the main…

1
Season 2, Episode 13: Richard Layard & Jan-Emmanuel De Neve: Wellbeing, Science and Policy 48:05

2y ago48:05

48:05

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and two of the world's leading experts on the economics of wellbeing, Lord Richard Layard and Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve to discuss their newest book, Wellbeing: Science and Policy. Together, they examine how wellbeing can be measured and how it can be promoted today and for future generations. What p…

1
Can Education Wait? A Deep Dive into Learning in Crisis Zones 31:02

2y ago31:02

31:02

In this podcast episode, we're joined by Yasmine Sherif, the Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW), as she discussed the importance of quality education in crisis situations. As a human rights lawyer with extensive field experience, Yasmine highlights the challenges of delivering education to the 222 million children lacking access today. Yasmine…

1
Season 2, Episode 12: Bruce Cumings, The Korean War: A History 41:09

2y ago41:09

41:09

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Professor Bruce Cumings, renowned historian and expert in East-Asian history, to discuss Cuming’s book, The Korean War. Together, they discuss the factors that led to the Korean War, its brutal trajectory, and its powerful and fateful impacts US foreign policy. The Korean War, though little known or u…

1
Achieving Sustainable Food Systems: How can we balance biodiversity conservation and food production? 25:53

2y ago25:53

25:53

In this SDG Learncast episode, we delved into the challenges of achieving sustainable food systems and the balance needed between biodiversity conservation and nutrition. Our guests, Dr. Sarah Jones and Dr. Aline Mosnier, experts in food systems and biodiversity conservation, discussed the impact of agriculture on biodiversity and how we can meet g…

1
Season 2, Episode 11: Kim Stanley Robinson, The Ministry for the Future 46:52

2y ago46:52

46:52

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and bestselling science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson, to discuss Robinson’s recent books The Ministry for the Future and New York 2140 for a thought provoking conversation on how climate change has and will potentially affect us all. Together, they explore climate change as an existential threat an…

1
Season 2, Episode 10: Chris Coyne: In Search of Monsters to Destroy: The Folly of American Empire and the Paths to Peace 53:45

2+ y ago53:45

53:45

Send us a text Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs and Chris Coyne, economist and author of In Search of Monsters to Destroy: The Folly of American Empire and the Paths to Peace, for an eye-opening examination on whether interventionist methods should ever have a place in foreign policy. Together, they discuss American imperialism and militaristic cultur…

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3 RIP SDG? Are UN Sustainable Development Goals Enough to Save Us? 1:52:55

2+ y ago1:52:55

1:52:55

As we face an urgent ecological crisis, a group of experts discuss whether the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development goals are a help, or a hindrance, in rising to the challenge. According to the UN, "The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosp…

1
Season 2, Episode 9: Glenn Denning, Universal Food Security: How to End Hunger While Protecting the Planet 49:54

2+ y ago49:54

49:54

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Professor Glenn Denning, a world-leading specialist in agricultural and food policy to discuss Denning’s new book Universal Food Security: How to End Hunger While Protecting the Planet. Together, they explore how we can achieve a food-secure world while protecting the planet through sustainable agricu…

1
Season 2, Episode 8: Orlando Figes: The Story of Russia 45:25

2+ y ago45:25

45:25

Send us a text Join Professors Jeffrey Sachs and Orlando Figes, historian and author of The Crimean War (2012) and his new book, The Story of Russia (2022), in a fascinating discussion of Russian history and ideas about Russian history. Together, they examine the 19th century Crimean War and the powerful light that the Crimean War, 170 years ago, s…

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Season 2, Episode 7: SPECIAL EDITION: The COVID-19 Lancet Commission Report 46:42

2+ y ago46:42

46:42

Send us a text In this special episode, join Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, and Professor K. Srinath Reddy for their discussion of The Lancet Commission Report on lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, they discuss the background to the Commission and the key findings after two years of research. They di…

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2 The Energy War and Climate Breakdown - Road to COP 27 1:46:24

2+ y ago1:46:24

1:46:24

Cost of living crisis, global conflict, and climate breakdown - is a shift in our energy systems the solution to all of this? What does the recent Russia/Ukraine conflict tell us about our energy security? Is renewable energy the answer, or is there more to the equation? What should our energy systems look like in these times of unprecedented globa…

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1 Climate Leadership Panel – Road to COP27 1:26:52

3y ago1:26:52

1:26:52

What should leadership look like in these times of unprecedented global change? How can successful leadership mitigate a climate catastrophe? Where are we now – on the road to ruin or is there hope on the horizon? Scientists Warning Europe convened this panel of experts to hear what we need to see from leadership – at all levels – to respond to the…

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Space Power: Utilizing satellites to bring electricity to the most vulnerable groups in Sub-Saharan Africa - Camila dos Santos Gonçalves and Grace Chenxin Liu of the New York Academy of Sciences 21:51

3y ago21:51

21:51

According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021, although 46% of sub-Saharan Africa's population now has access to electricity--up from 33% in 2010--the region is far behind the global average of 90%. 97 million people in urban areas and 471 million in rural areas are still without access to electricity. The lack of access is caused by s…

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Countering disinformation and promoting integrity in public information: Breaking away from echo chambers - Dr. Julian Jaursch of SNV Berlin 16:28

3y ago16:28

16:28

Misinformation and disinformation are pressing public issues. There has been a rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation. Sometimes we call them fake news. This happens online and offline and it affects everyone, every day. Receiving truthful and quality information is critical as we all depend on information to make decisions. At the perso…

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Season 2, Episode 6: Christopher Blattman, Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace 44:38

3y ago44:38

44:38

Send us a text Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Professor Christopher Blattman, to explore the dynamics of war and peace as they discuss Blattman’s, Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace. In his newest book, Blattman argues that violence is not the norm; that there are five reasons why wars break out; and how peacemakers can draw on…

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Angus Rose on His Hunger Strike and Climate Action 20:53

3y ago20:53

20:53

Climate activist and hunger-striker Angus Rose struck for 37 days without food, stationed outside the Houses of Parliament. He ended his hunger strike after being given a promise that all MPs will be offered a briefing on the climate emergency by UK Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance. He shares his rationale and experience in this May, 2…

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30 Mobilising Humanity Film Premier at COP26 29:28

3y ago29:28

29:28

“The scientific world has researched and reported, peer-reviewed and presented report after report after report. Most scientists are quite frankly fed up.... Now is the time for moral courage and real leadership.” These are among the words of Ed Gemmell as he moderated this press conference at COP26. At this event, Scientists Warning Europe premier…

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Can blockchain technology help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? - Thy-Diep "Yip" Ta of UNIT Ventures and DLT Talents 21:48

3y ago21:48

21:48

Blockchain technology has been leveraged in humanitarian settings by the World Food Programme to deliver cash directly to beneficiaries securely and quickly, without the need to go through a local bank. The potential of blockchain applications in protecting the environment has also been tested to eliminate illegal fishing in the tuna industry. Bloc…

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29 Tribute to Stuart Scott - COP26 Press Conference 26:42

3y ago26:42

26:42

Friends and colleagues pay tribute to the late Stuart Scott, who passed away on July 15, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. Scott’s efforts to put attention on World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: Second Notice, led to the formation of the World Scientists’ Warning Foundation. This is audio from a press conference hosted by Scientists Warning …

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