It’s not that simple

The received wisdom often views corruption as a domestic problem, internal within each country. However, Ricardo Soares de Oliveira, professor of Political Science at CERI–Sciences Po, challenges this view, arguing that «over the years, we have come to realise that corruption is more a matter of global governance and, in many ways, a feature of the global economy». In this episode of «It's not...

For decades, we believed DNA held all the answers. But biologist Alfonso Martínez Arias offers a different view: «Genetics is simple, the problem is thinking it’s the answer to who we are». In this live episode of «It's not that simple», recorded at the Salão Nobre of the University of Lisbon, the researcher from Pompeu Fabra University explains why the 21st century will be the century of the...

How far should a reporter go in search of the truth? Investigative journalism demands time, resources, and risk. In this episode of «It's not that simple», with journalist Mariana van Zeller, we discover that in her profession there are no shortcuts. A childhood curiosity took her to Columbia University in New York. From there, she set off on an adventure across more than 80 countries. But wha...

British journalist and bestselling author Tim Marshall, known for the book « Prisoners of Geography» , takes us on a journey through the real world: the one shaped by mountains, rivers, seas and natural borders that define how nations behave. «Geography doesn’t explain everything, but it explains almost everything», he says, and he says it with the clarity of someone who’s reported from twelve war...

In this interview, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski demonstrates that physical patterns are all around us and explains how they shape our daily lives, connecting human life with the planet’s life. For the researcher at University College London, understanding the world means investigating these invisible patterns, especially those affecting the ocean: how the wind transfers energy to the...

«If you look at the amount of spending that's going on right now, on self-optimisation, on self-help and self-improvement, we're at record levels. There’s never been more spending on these books, on these courses, on these coaching sessions… and at the same time, people have never been more miserable, more depressed and anxious». The warning is given by Thomas Curran, a British psychologis...

How do we measure and assess productivity? What impact does remote working have on productivity? And what about artificial intelligence? In this episode of  It’s Not That Simple , UK economist and remote work specialist Nicholas Bloom explores the dilemmas of modern management. At the start of the 20th century, in coal mining yards, «it was enough to count how many shovelfuls a worker dug per hour...

What if a single mistake by the European Central Bank could send Europe into a recession?   Ricardo Reis, one of the most awarded Portuguese economists of his generation, dismantles the myths around inflation and shows why keeping it under control is a delicate art - with inevitable costs. In this episode of  It’s Not That Simple , the professor of Economics at the London School of Economics, dism...

Are we safe hovering in the unknown? Harvard researcher and former assistant director for Space Policy at the White House, Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, is the guest of this «It's not that simple» edition. In this conversation, Ezinne explains how satellites and space technology are already protecting lives on Earth - from monitoring the climate to anticipating disasters.  But she also discusses the real...

AI: a dangerous threat or an indispensable tool for today and the future? «Artificial Intelligence is the most disruptive technology we've ever seen», claims Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Cambridge. However, he also believes that AI «is the continuation of a technological revolution» in how we share information via computers. Speaking in Lisbon, the...

There is a clear Cold War between the US and China, but it differs from the one between the US and the Soviet Union and is «far more dangerous». The warning is given by Anil Gupta, the renowned expert on globalization, emerging markets and innovation, who guarantees that China is not, in economic terms, a «pygmy» like the Soviet power was compared to the American «giant». Analysing what the specia...

Will we be able to programme the human genome like we programme computers? And will we be able to stop ageing or create medicines and vaccines in record time? Geneticist and synthetic biology pioneer Andrew Hessel explains how this field could transform medicine, making it possible not only to diagnose but also to cure diseases in a more effective and personalised way. Hessel draws parallels betwe...

The alliance that has ensured peace throughout most of Europe is now at the centre of all attention. «We are in a very dangerous era. The next 25 years will probably be the most challenging NATO has ever had», argues Peter Apps, global affairs columnist for Reuters and author of the book «Deterring Armageddon: a biography of NATO». In this interview, the expert is convinced that a new world confli...

Colin Bryar, former vice-president of Amazon and Jeff Bezos' right-hand man, shares the secrets that have transformed Amazon into the world's leading e-commerce company. In this interview, he discusses the philosophy of putting the customer at the centre of all decisions, the importance of analysing the right data to understand and respond to consumer needs, and the steps that led to the company's...

It's the tightest race for the White House in 60 years. CNN data reporter Harry Enten believes that Pennsylvania will be the state most likely to decide the outcome of the November 5 elections, where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off. In this interview, Harry Enten goes through the details of the American elections, explaining how the country's electoral system works, which is very different...

How does food influence mental well-being? Nutritional psychiatrist and author of the bestseller «This Is Your Brain on Food» Uma Naidoo argues that food is not only crucial for a healthy body, but also essential for a healthy mind. And the Mediterranean diet, known for its physical health benefits, can also help combat mental disorders. According to Naidoo – who leads the first and only Nutrition...

American activist and author Ashton Applewhite tackles the issue of ageism in this «It's not that simple» interview. With an assertive approach, Applewhite shatters myths about ageing and combats ageism. The activist stresses that ageing is a natural and inevitable process and that we should look at it with a more positive outlook, because «people with positive feelings about ageing live longe...

In a world increasingly defined by global environmental challenges and changes, the perspective of historian Peter Frankopan, author of the best-selling «The Silk Roads», is crucial to helping us understand a planet in constant change. In this interview, Frankopan discusses the consequences of climate change over time and highlights the importance of human resilience - a constant in human history...

«The Western world faces more complex challenges today than at any time in the past», says former CIA director David Petraeus. In this «It's not that simple» interview, the american general analyzes the geopolitical context according to his 37 years in the US army and his experience in multiple wars. «We [the US, its allies and partners] are the circus performer who keeps many plates spinning...

«The European Union is one of the largest and richest consumer markets. And few global companies can afford not to do business in the EU», says Anu Bradford, a specialist in global economics and digital regulation, who coined the term ‘Brussels Effect’ to describe Europe's influence on global markets. In this «It's not that simple» interview, the author of The Brussels Effect: How the Euro...

«There is nothing more permanent than a temporary migrant. Don't create any illusions that a fair share of migrants in not going to stay», says sociologist Hein de Haas, in this episode of «It's Not That Simples», a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. One of the most enlightened but also thought provocative voices of migrations, Hein de Haas explains that this hot topic...

Two dollars (about 1.85 euros) per day to cover all needs. This is the benchmark set by the World Bank to define extreme poverty, already accounting for differences in purchasing power among different countries around the globe.  Esther Duflo, awarded with the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2019 for her work on alleviating extreme poverty, provides insights on how to address inequalities. The author...

What’s it like to be a teenager these nowadays? What challenges do they face? How can adults contribute to their well-being? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Lisa Damour in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. A clinical psychologist, Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, an...

How important is the European Union? What is its role in today’s world? Is it still too distant from European citizens? How can it better reach out to young people? To answer these questions, José Maria Pimentel interviews the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. As President of the...

What does the world look like today? What can explain the many wars currently taking place around the globe? Will conflicts like the one in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians ever end? How dangerous is the Russian war against Ukraine? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Simon Sebag Montefiore in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manue...