Best The SDG Academy Podcasts (2024)

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

16d ago40:22

40:22

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. Together, they u…

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

30d 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

1M ago52:20

52:20

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 serious crimes th…

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

2M ago47:22

47:22

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 ideals. Together,…

1
Banking on Biodiversity: The Seed Savers’ Crusade 23:32

3M 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

3M ago48:49

48:49

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 philosophical …

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

4M ago51:56

51:56

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 America’s disas…

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

5M 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

5M 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

5M ago38:04

38:04

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 political system. T…

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

6M ago44:21

44:21

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. Together, they discus…

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

7M 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

7M ago42:22

42:22

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-change operations. H…

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

8M ago51:44

51:44

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 of a central qu…

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

9M 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

11M 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 …

1
Season 2, Episode 14: Francisco Rodriguez, The Human Consequences of Economic Sanctions 47:37

11M ago47:37

47:37

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 user of such u…

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

1y ago48:05

48:05

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 produces a happy…

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

1y 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

1y ago41:09

41:09

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 understood today…

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

1+ y 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

1+ y ago46:52

46:52

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 and the plausible…

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

1+ y ago53:45

53:45

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 culture around the wo…

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

1+ y ago49:54

49:54

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 agricultural technolo…

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

1+ y ago45:25

45:25

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, sheds on the cur…

1
Season 2, Episode 7: SPECIAL EDITION: The COVID-19 Lancet Commission Report 46:42

2y ago46:42

46:42

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 discuss the possi…

1
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

2y 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…

1
Countering disinformation and promoting integrity in public information: Breaking away from echo chambers - Dr. Julian Jaursch of SNV Berlin 16:28

2y 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…

1
Season 2, Episode 6: Christopher Blattman, Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace 44:38

2y ago44:38

44:38

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 these reasons …

1
Can blockchain technology help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? - Thy-Diep "Yip" Ta of UNIT Ventures and DLT Talents 21:48

2y 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…

1
The data revolution and new technologies: how we can use them to reach the most vulnerable groups? - Emmanuel Letouzé of Data-Pop Alliance 20:37

2y ago20:37

20:37

The data revolution is the unprecedented increase in the volume and types of data—and the subsequent demand for them—thanks to the ongoing yet uneven proliferation of new technologies. We need data to formulate sustainable development policies. But it requires that we collect accurate data and use this evidence to inform policymaking. The use of ev…

1
Creating a positive future with Artificial Intelligence - Jeanne Lim of BeingAI 21:26

2y ago21:26

21:26

Artificial intelligence (AI) has helped the world estimate real-time precipitation worldwide since 2005. AI is also being used to inform emergency planning, track typhoons, and manage and prevent floods, droughts, and storms. But AI's use is not only for disaster responses and prevention. In a 2020 study, a group of researchers found that artificia…

1
How can we use science, technology, and innovation (STI) to achieve a sustainable future - Amb. Sergiy Kyslytsya and Amb. Kennedy Godfrey Gastorn of the STI Forum 23:43

2y ago23:43

23:43

Science and technology intricately mesh together with society. You cannot see one without the other. However, transformational changes in science and technology do not always advance sustainable development and reduce inequality. More people have access to smartphones than clean water or clean sanitation in some countries. Artificial intelligence a…

1
Season 2, Episode 5: Anil Seth, Being You: A New Science of Consciousness 1:04:59

2y ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and neuroscientist Anil Seth, author of Being You: A New Science of Consciousness to explore the hard problem of consciousness. Because the deep puzzles of consciousness can’t be solved head-on with existing scientific methods, Seth aims to gradually “dissolve” the problem by looking at levels of consciousness, the cont…

1
Season 2, Episode 4: Peter H. Lindert, Making Social Spending Work 46:03

2+ y ago46:03

46:03

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Peter H. Lindert, economic historian and author of Making Social Spending Work in which Lindert examines how social spending relates to economic growth in various countries and the emphasis we must place on investing in the young. Together, they examine the history of public social spending and address the key chall…

1
Season 2, Episode 3: Casey Michel: American Kleptocracy 54:25

2+ y ago54:25

54:25

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Casey Michel, journalist and author of “American Kleptocracy: How the U.S. Created the World’s Greatest Money Laundering Scheme in History.” In his debut book, Michel offers a deep investigation into how the US built the largest illicit offshore finance system the world has ever known. Together, they examine just ho…

1
Season 2, Episode 2: Heather Cox Richardson: How the South Won the Civil War 48:58

2+ y ago48:58

48:58

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Heather Cox Richardson, renowned historian and author of How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America in which Richardson argues that while the North prevailed in the American Civil War, ending slavery and giving the country a “new birth of freedom,” democra…

1
Season 2, Episode 1: Keisha Blain, Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer's Enduring Message to America 55:45

2+ y ago55:45

55:45

John Professor Jeffrey Sachs and award-winning historian, Dr. Keisha Blain, as they discuss her latest book, Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer's Enduring Message to America. Together, they will situate Fannie Lou Hamer as a key political thinker alongside leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks while illustrating how her i…

1
Episode 10: Corey Robin, The Reactionary Mind: Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Donald Trump 41:36

2+ y ago41:36

41:36

John Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Corey Robin, political theorist and author of The Reactionary Mind: Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Donald Trump in which Robin argues that conservatism is a reaction against movements of the left—from the French Revolution to feminism. Together, they discuss aspects of such arguments, including the roots of conse…

1
Episode 9: Eric Foner, The Second Founding 53:15

2+ y ago53:15

53:15

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner, as they discuss Foner's latest novel, The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution. Together, they discuss this transformative era in American history, and how the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments remain strong tools for achieving the A…

1
Episode 8: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Not “a Nation of Immigrants” 44:40

3y ago44:40

44:40

John Professor Jeffrey Sachs and highly acclaimed author of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, to discuss her latest novel, Not “A Nation of Immigrants.” Together they discuss settler colonialism, white supremacy, and the history of erasure and exclusion in the United States while urging the audience to embra…

1
Episode 7: Rick Perlstein, Reaganland, America's Right Turn 1976-1980 46:23

3y ago46:23

46:23

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and historian Rick Perlstein for their discussion of Reaganland. Together they discuss the "Southernization" of American politics, the causes behind U.S. President Ronald Reagan's rise to power in the 1970s, and the way that conservatives’ cutthroat strategies to gain power remain a powerful political force today. The B…

1
Is knowledge brokering the missing link between science and changing behaviours for sustainable development and climate action? Patrick van Weerelt of UNSSC 22:13

3y ago22:13

22:13

Transferring science and research into policy and practice is a complex process, but failing to do so results in inequities and wasted resources. Finding appropriate mechanisms for the transfer of science and research into policies, programmes, and practice has become a major driver in finding approaches and solutions to achieving sustainable devel…

1
Dealing with climate emergency and disaster risks: How can we make climate and risk knowledge accessible to those who need them the most? Loretta Hieber Girardet of UNDRR 23:13

3y ago23:13

23:13

There is a tangible gap between the current climate science on the one hand and policymaking and practice on the other hand. There is also an evident need for user-driven and decision-driven co-produced knowledge on climate change and disaster risks. Science-stakeholder collaboration is becoming an increasingly common way to address mismatches betw…

1
Goal-based development: Do they actually work? - Revisiting the UN goal-setting as a policy tool with Professor Jeffrey Sachs of SDSN 27:24

3y ago27:24

27:24

Goals are an essential part of any action agenda. Together with setting targets, indicators, and timetables, goals can help measure progress, keep different actors and stakeholders on track, and allow for the assessment of achievement of any action agenda. However, conceptual questions need to be asked about whether they really work, what kind of i…

1
Episode 6: Patricia Sullivan, Justice Rising 45:48

3y ago45:48

45:48

In this month's episode of the Book Club, Jeffrey Sachs and Professor Patricia Sullivan, a leading civil rights historian, place Robert Kennedy at the center of the movement for racial justice of the 1960s—and show how many of today’s issues can be traced back to that pivotal time in US history. Prof. Sullivan is the author of this month's featured…

1
Understanding the skills gap and the sustainability gap - and what employers can do about it with Robert Marinkovich and Akustina Morni of the IOE 21:00

3y ago21:00

21:00

In a pre-Covid survey, conducted by the International Organization of Employers (IOE) together with the International Labour Organization (ILO), of about 500 companies in all regions, it found that companies across the board felt the challenge of hiring and retaining skilled workers--it's getting more difficult to find people with the rights and ne…

1
Is there a future for Micro-, Small-, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Developing Countries after Covid-19? - Lessons from the SME Competitiveness Outlook 2021 with Raphaël Dard of ITC 22:10

3y ago22:10

22:10

The International Trade Centre conducted a survey on Covid-19 impact among businesses in 136 countries and the survey has shown that 60% of micro and 57% of small businesses were strongly affected by the pandemic, compared with 43% of large firms. One of the factors that contributed to surviving the crisis was the resilience of businesses. For exam…

1
The 99% of Businesses: How can we make SMEs in high-income countries more sustainable? Willem Overbosch of Ubiquity University 21:35

3y ago21:35

21:35

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key players and national economies around the world. For example, in the OECD area, they represent 99% of all businesses, generating about 60% of employment and between 50% and 60% of value-added. Therefore, SMEs play a major role in delivering growth that is more inclusive and whose benefits are shared more …

1
Episode 5: Robert Lustig, Metabolical 47:27

3y ago47:27

47:27

Join Professor Jeffrey Sachs and New York Times-bestselling author Dr. Robert Lustig for their discussion of Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine, Dr. Lustig's newest book about the interconnected strands of nutrition, health/disease, medicine, environment, and society. Together, they discuss the rela…

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The SDG Academy Podcasts

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