New Thinking for a New World - a Tallberg Foundation Podcast

Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “The play’s the thing, wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king,” highlighting drama’s power. That same force drives The Trojan Women Project, created by Charlotte Eagar and William Stirling. The project uses Euripides’ ancient play to help refugees from the Middle East and Ukraine cope with trauma, combining classical text with lived experience for both therapy a...

Despite its vast natural wealth, the Democratic Republic of Congo is trapped in cycles of war, corruption, and foreign meddling. Armed militias, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have seized parts of the mineral-rich east, raising fears of wider conflict and possible regime change. Journalist and author Michela Wrong joins the podcast to unpack the stakes of Congo’s latest crisis—and why it matters bey...

The Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, ignited another cycle of devastation, leaving countless lives lost or shattered—mostly Palestinian, but also Israeli. Beyond rebuilding roads and houses, how can people on both sides heal from the hate, despair, and fear that fuel ongoing violence? This episode of New Thinking for a New World shifts the focus from political plans to the human reality of those...

Donald Trump has long criticized the EU, calling it unfair to the U.S. and favoring tariffs and direct deals with Moscow over cooperation with allies. His shift on Ukraine—from Biden’s full support to “Stop the killing”—has further strained transatlantic ties, with European leaders calling him a “traitor” and warning that U.S. unpredictability is a bigger threat than Russia. But could Trump’s host...

Winston Churchill once said, “A free press is the unsleeping guardian of every other right… the most dangerous foe of tyranny.” Today, as trust in governments and media erodes, we see how deeply connected they are. María Teresa Ronderos, co-founder of the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP) and 2024 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize winner, is working to restore f...

Donald Trump has been president for just five weeks, yet the whirlwind of executive orders, budget cuts, nominations, and sweeping policy shifts has made it feel much longer. His rapid-fire approach signals an intent not only to reshape Washington but to redefine America's role in the world. No modern president has begun with such relentless activity, prompting an early assessment rather than the...

We live in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world that is transforming how we learn, create, and interact. Ideally, this transformation would make people smarter, healthier, and more prosperous. But the reality is far from perfect—too many people lack the skills to navigate modern life, leaving them struggling to keep up. A massive OECD study of adult skills across 31 countries reveals a trou...

The Amazon rainforest, with its vast influence on global weather, its rivers supplying a quarter of the world’s freshwater, and its role as home to 10% of known lifeforms, is crucial to the planet. This week on New Thinking for a New World, Colombian marine biologist Fernando Trujillo, a 2024 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize winner and National Geographic Explorer of the Year, discuss...

We live in a violent and complex world—wars, mass migrations, cartel violence, climate disasters, and pandemics shape our daily reality. Yet, despite constant exposure to brutality, many of us still feel appalled, angered, and outraged. That’s due in large part to journalists who bring these stories to light—not to shock, but to deepen our understanding of the world as it truly is. Fabio Bucciarel...

When leaders fail, democracy suffers—and too many are failing today. That’s why the Tällberg Foundation has spent a decade honoring bold, innovative leaders with global vision and universal values. The 2024 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize winners—Kristian Olson (global healthcare innovator), María Teresa Ronderos (press freedom advocate), and Fernando Trujillo (Amazon conservationist...

The start of 2025 brings a cascade of global challenges: the war in Ukraine, Middle East conflicts, tensions around Taiwan, environmental crises, and uncertainty about Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. While these dominate headlines, the global threat of terrorism has largely faded from public concern. Al-Qaeda is weakened, ISIS is defeated, and Iran’s influence appears diminished, leaving...

When Donald Trump becomes the 49th President of the United States, the world will be watching. For many Americans, however, Trump never really went away. His return to power—winning the Republican primaries, taking control of the party, and securing a majority of the national vote—feels almost inevitable. While many view him as a narcissistic sociopath, his undeniable power stems from his unique b...

In a world overflowing with information, facts often fuel division rather than informed discussions, as individuals promote their own narratives. Technology, much like the runaway broom in Goethe’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice, often exacerbates the chaos instead of resolving it. But what if open-source information and intelligent technology could simplify complexities and illuminate the truth? Eliot Hig...

The Arctic, warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet, serves as a critical climate indicator, with the 2023 Arctic Report Card documenting the hottest summer in centuries, severe wildfires, ice melt, and rising sea temperatures—trends continuing in 2024. Amid concerns about tipping points and continuous warming, large-scale adaptation in the Arctic and Antarctica remains vital....

Politics in Mexico is fiercely competitive and violent. Last month’s elections saw Claudia Sheinbaum become the first female president with record votes, while her Morena party achieved significant victories. However, over 100 political assassinations and various acts of violence by drug cartels marred the campaign. This political violence is spreading across Latin America. Can the cartels be stop...

The Amazon rainforest, with its vast influence on global weather, its rivers supplying a quarter of the world’s fresh water, and its role as home to 10% of known lifeforms, is crucial to the planet. This week on New Thinking for a New World, Colombian marine biologist Fernando Trujillo, a 2024 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize winner and National Geographic Explorer of the Year, discus...

Winston Churchill once said, “A free press is the unsleeping guardian of every other right… the most dangerous foe of tyranny.” Today, as trust in governments and media erodes, we see how deeply connected they are. María Teresa Ronderos, co-founder of the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP) and 2024 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize winner, is working to restore f...

Healthcare is personal. Whether it’s a baby in Uganda struggling to breathe or a father in New York contracting MERS after surgery, individual experiences matter more than national statistics. Can innovative technology solve what ails us? Dr. Kristian Olson, a Harvard internist, pediatrician, and global health designer, thinks so. As founder of the Center for Affordable Medical Technology (CAMTech...

In 2015, the world pledged to achieve gender equality by 2030 as part of the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. Nearly a decade later, it’s clear the target won’t be met, with the World Economic Forum estimating gender parity is still 131 years away. While some progress has been made, particularly in Europe and North America, much of the Global South lags behind—though countries like Saudi Arab...

Youth mental health is in crisis. Globally, one in seven adolescents faces mental disorders, with depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues leading to illness and even suicide. In Africa, where 60% of the population is under 24, young people are particularly affected by climate shocks, inflation, and violence. What solutions exist? Dr. Olayinka Omigbodun, founder of the Centre for Child and Adole...

Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have long felt abandoned by the world, facing deadly, low-intensity conflict with Israel. The October 7th attacks and the brutal response have made it impossible to imagine a return to the previous, unstable status quo. But all wars end, and survivors, especially Gaza’s youth, will bear lasting scars. Could this tragedy lead to a better future and even a Pale...

Over 250 years ago, Robert Burns wrote, "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn." His words resonate today as millions are forced to flee their homes due to war, climate change, poverty, and more. Yet, overcrowded camps, drownings, and forced returns too often await them. Instead of focusing on solutions, much of the effort goes into stopping migration. In this episode, Sasha Chan...

Americans are once again gearing up for a presidential election, often called the most important in their lifetimes. The two candidates, former President Trump and Vice President Harris, represent starkly different choices, yet many voters wish they had other options. With just over five weeks until Election Day, both candidates are fighting to break a near tie in the polls, especially in swing st...

This summer, Iranians elected Masoud Pezeshkian, a cardiac surgeon and political reformer, as their new president, surprising many foreign observers who doubted anyone could defeat hardliners. Questions remain about whether he won with or without support from Iran’s Supreme Leader and Revolutionary Guards, and whether he can address the country's significant domestic and international challenges,...

Explore the intricacies of end-of-life care and perspectives on death in this episode of "New Thinking for a New World." Dr. Christian Ntizimira, founder of the African Center for Research on End-of-Life Care, delves into the social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects shaping the final days. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that may reshape your views on the inevitable. This...