The Why? Curve cover art

The Why? Curve

The Why? Curve

By: Phil Dobbie
Listen for free

Each week Phil Dobbie and Roger Hearing get to grips with one issue that impacts our lives. It could be economic, social, technological or geopolitical. Whatever the subject, they'll talk to the experts who can give help explain what's really going on. And Phil and Roger back it up with their own research and opinions. It's half an hour to get across one of the key issues of the time, and they promise, it'll never be boring.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Dobbie Economics Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Russian Threat

    The Russian Threat
    Aug 27 2026
    Moscow is warning of consequences for the UK's support of Ukraine, but - short of all-out war - what could they be? There's already a level of hybrid war, with sabotage of major industries, destruction of warehouses and hacking of key utilities, but could that escalate? How prepared is Britain for what the Russians could do next? Phil and Roger ask Dr Christian Kaunert, director of the International Centre for Policing and Security at the University of South Wales

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Jail Fail - Why Do We Have Too Many Prisoners?

    Jail Fail - Why Do We Have Too Many Prisoners?
    Aug 20 2026
    The UK is running out of cells, but there’s an outcry that convicts are being let out early. We already lock up more people for longer than most comparable European countries, so are we a more criminal society, or just a more punitive one? What could or should the government do? Are more and bigger prisons the answer? Or should we take a more lenient view of offences at a time when overall crime is decreasing? Phil and Roger ask Dr Jake Phillips, Associate Professor and Director of Criminology and Penology at the University of Cambridge

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Football For Sale

    Football For Sale
    Aug 14 2026
    The head of FIFA is clinging to his job because he announced a plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity firms - resulting in cries of outrage about the commercialisation of the beautiful game. But what’s wrong with getting the best return from a game that is already a billion-dollar cash machine? Or is there something beyond commercial advantage that matters to supporters and fans? Is making money from sport simply a recognition that it’s just another form of entertainment, or is it something special and personal that can’t be bought and sold? Simon Chadwick, Professor of Eurasian Sport at Emlyon Business School, gives his view to Phil and Roger

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.