True stories each week of the things we wish we hadn't done. Smart, dark, wry, and surprising, this is a show for anyone who's made a big decision or regretted a small one. Hosted by philosopher Eleanor Gordon-Smith and produced by The Ethics Centre.
Festival of Dangerous Ideas is back this August – and bigger than ever. 10 days. 14 iconic Sydney venues. 20 international guests. 115 sessions.
We've gathered the world's most compelling thinkers, artists and provocateurs for ten days of talks, films, art, excursions and world-premiere commissioned works across Sydney this August.
The program is on sale now. Dig deeper and save with a Festival multipack at festivalofdangerousideas.com
Festival of Dangerous Ideas is the flagship event presented by The Ethics Centre.
24 Feb 2026
A FODI message from Stephen Fry
Presented by The Ethics Centre, Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI to those in the know) has been luring curious minds across 12 festivals to be part of bold, brilliant and occasionally uncomfortable conversations that actually matter.
From 21–23 August 2026, FODI returns to Sydney. Its Opening Night event with Salman Rushdie will ignite a jam-packed weekend, where global thought leaders, trail-blazing artists and fearless experts converge upon some of Sydney's most iconic venues.
The Festival's 'Little Black Book' is stacked with international and local provocateurs itching to take the stage at its proudly home-grown festival.
But here's the thing: a festival with global reach doesn't come cheap, and big ideas don't fund themselves. If you love FODI – and want it to keep dragging the world's sharpest thinkers to Sydney IRL – please consider making a tax-deductible donation today at festivalofdangerousideas.com.au.
20 May 2024
Step into a sanctuary at FODI 2024
Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI) returns to Carriageworks on 24-25 August 2024.
Presented by The Ethics Centre, FODI is Australia’s original disruptive festival, known for being at the zeitgeist of ideas. FODI will bring thought-leaders and artists from across the globe to fuel critical thinking, challenge preconception, provide information and spark conversations.
Offering a haven for exploration and a harbour for the curious, FODI 2024's theme, Sanctuary allows audiences to engage with the ideas behind the headlines of the 24 hour news cycle. In a litany of entrenched ideas, shallow information and self-censorship, we desperately need a space where we can engage with challenging ideas in good faith.
FODI 2024 is an opportunity to hear powerful and provocative speakers from around the world talk on important and rousing topics. And also a space, a sanctuary, where audiences can engage with these ideas in a way that we, unfortunately, can’t in the wild. In FODI's Sanctuary you are safe from hype and safe to listen and to ask questions.
Program announcement and tickets on sale in June. Sign up for the latest updates: https://festivalofdangerousideas.com/
8 Sept 2023
Donate to make FODI happen in 2024
Since 2009 the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, or FODI to its fans, has curated thought-provoking topics and new approaches to wicked problems.
FODI brings bold speakers, artists and experiences together in ways that are unexpected, and yes, sometimes a bit uncomfortable, but we are always unerringly authentic.
Never shying away from truth, Festival of Dangerous Ideas needs funds to go ahead in 2024.
This festival of international significance is expensive to deliver. In order to keeping ticket prices low so that it’s accessible, FODI's non-profit, independence is both an asset and a challenge.
For the first time ever, FODI is asking its fans to help keep them in the game. Your donation will go directly to helping FODI pay deposits to lock in the best speakers and artists from around the world for 2024.
FODI supporters think about the future and who want to play a role in shaping it. Is that you?
Donate now at www.festivalofdangerousideas.com
15 Feb 2022
FODI: The In-Between trailer
FODI: The In-Between is an audio time capsule recording this moment in time. It asks: Are we in-between two eras? And if so, what does this mean about the past and the future? 8 conversations between 16 of the world’s biggest thinkers, featuring Stephen Fry, Roxane Gay, Waleed Aly, Peter Singer, Sam Mostyn, Slavoj Žižek, Naomi Klein and more . Accompanied by 8 short creative sound responses to the themes that will be released alongside each conversation.
Two new episodes dropping weekly. Subscribe now to join us at the in-between.
Produced by The Festival of Dangerous Ideas, The Ethics Centre and Audiocraft.
28 Feb 2021
Festival of Dangerous Ideas Trailer
If you’ve been enjoying Little Bad Thing you might want to check out the audio recordings from the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. From narcissists and surveillance, to robots taking over the world, climate change, and broken systems, the Festival of Dangerous Ideas covers a lot of ground. With 10 years of the festival, the archive is deep. Search for Festival of Dangerous Ideas and subscribe.
19 Jan 2021
All's fair in love and war
Simon’s job in a Yemeni refugee camp was to enforce a new rule about food distribution. By following orders, he left people hungry and started a riot.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
12 Jan 2021
And a toy xylophone
Michelle left a seven-year relationship abruptly, taking only a few clothes and a toy xylophone. Years later she wonders why.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
5 Jan 2021
The sincerest form of flattery
Lukasz is a font designer who wanted desperately to complete a project he cared deeply about. He was prepared to do anything – even if it meant ripping off someone else’s work.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
29 Dec 2020
Two kinds of bully
Dan saw a stranger harassing women and went over ready to punch him, to be the vigilante. When he got there he changed his mind.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
22 Dec 2020
The art of the scam
David knowingly led someone into a bad investment. Then he found out it was even worse than he'd thought.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
13 Dec 2020
Do the right thing
Lucia did something that made thousands of people's lives better, but some days she wishes she could take it all back.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
7 Dec 2020
Bystanders standing by
Thomas didn’t stop the worst thing he’d ever seen. He always wondered why. Then he thought about his own past and saw that day anew.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Editing by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
24 Nov 2020
All in one basket
Champagne was flowing at the jazz bar when Georgina got a text calling her a thief. She didn’t agree then. But now she does.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix by Bryce Halliday. Music by Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Editing by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
1 Nov 2020
Little Bad Thing Trailer
A show from The Ethics Centre about the things we wish we hadn’t done. New stories every week, true stories every time.
Subscribe now so you don’t miss a confession.
A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix by Bryce Halliday. Music by Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Editing by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.
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