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It’s not that simple

by Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos

It’s not that simple is a podcast by Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation dedicated to major interviews with international personalities linked to politics, economy and society. Conducted by renowned journalist Pedro Mendonça Pinto, the conversations with our special guests aim to demystify and simplify some of the most fascinating and relevant topics of our time. They will be objective, frontal, informal and informed dialogues to clarify why some issues «are not that simple». The Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation was founded in 2009 by Alexandre Soares dos Santos and his family to study the country’s major hindrances and bring them to the attention of the Portuguese people.The Foundation’s mission is to promote and expand the objective knowledge of Portugal today, thereby helping to develop society, strengthen the rights of citizens and improve public institutions and to cooperate in endeavours to identify, study and resolve society's problems.The Foundation is independent of p

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Episodes

  1. INTERNATIONAL CORRUPTION, with Ricardo Soares de Oliveira

    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...

  2. GENETICS, with Alfonso Martínez Arias

    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…

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  3. INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, with Mariana van Zeller

    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...

  4. GEOGRAPHY, with Tim Marshall

    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...

  5. PHYSICS, with Helen Czerski

    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…

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  6. PERFECTIONISM, with Thomas Curran

    «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...

  7. PRODUCTIVITY, with Nicholas Bloom

    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...

  8. INFLATION, with Ricardo Reis

    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...

  9. SPACE EXPLORATION, with Ezinne Uzo-Okoro

    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…

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  10. Artificial Intelligence, with Neil Lawrence

    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…

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  11. GLOBALIZATION, with Anil Gupta

    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...

  12. BIOTECHNOLOGY, with Andrew Hessel

    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...

  13. THE FUTURE OF NATO, with Peter Apps

    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…

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  14. E-COMMERCE, with Colin Bryar

    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...

  15. AMERICAN ELECTIONS, with Harry Enten

    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…

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  16. FOOD AND BRAIN, with Uma Naidoo

    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...

  17. AGEISM, with Ashton Applewhite

    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...

  18. CHANGING PLANET, with Peter Frankopan

    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...

  19. WAR AND PEACE, with David Petraeus

    «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...

  20. BRUSSELS EFFECT, with Anu Bradford

    «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...

  21. MIGRATIONS, with Hein de Haas

    «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…

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  22. Poverty, with Esther Duflo

    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...

  23. Adolescence, with Lisa Damour

    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...

  24. Youth and Politics, with Roberta Metsola

    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…

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  25. The World Today, with Simon Sebag Montefiore

    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...

  26. Blue Zones, with Dan Buettner

    What are “Blue Zones”? Where in the world do people live better and healthier lives? What makes them live longer and healthier? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Dan Buettner in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. The...

  27. Communicating Science, with Brian Cox

    What is scientific knowledge? How can it be relayed to the general public in our era of social media and fake information? What is the role of science in our society? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Brian Cox in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco...

  28. INNOVATION, with Niron Hashai

    What do we mean by “innovation”? Why do we need it? How can companies and societies encourage it? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Niron Hashai in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. An expert on innovation and...

  29. HUMAN CAPITAL, with James Heckman

    What do we mean by “human capital”? What is the relationship between democracy, human rights and economic prosperity? Are poor people doomed to remain poor? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews James Heckman in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel...

  30. BLOCKCHAIN, with Don Tapscott

    What is Blockchain? What is it for? How does it work? What kind of impact can it have on our societies? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Don Tapscott in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. One of the world’s leading...

  31. VETTING, with Alyssa Mastromonaco

    What is “vetting”? How does it work? Why is it so important to the quality of public service and government? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Alyssa Mastromonaco in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. With many years of...

  32. HUMANITY, with Yuval Noah Harari

    For the first-time live in Portugal, the historian and writer Yuval Noah Harari, author of «Sapiens» and «Homo Deus», reflects on the advances of humanity, its major threats, and the way in which artificial intelligence must be regulated to prevent it from becoming a «T-Rex» that will destroy...

  33. DEMOCRACY, with Daniel Ziblatt

    Is democracy dying? What challenges do democracies around the world face nowadays? How can they overcome such challenges? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Daniel Ziblatt in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. An expert…

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  34. HAPPINESS, with Laurie Santos

    What is happiness? Can it be studied? Are there steps we can all take in order to become happy? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Laurie Santos in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. An expert on the science of…

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  35. THE FUTURE OF WORK, with Daniel Susskind

    What will the economy of the future look like? How can we prepare for it? What impact is technology having on work and the job market? Are we heading towards a world without work? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Daniel Susskind in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a…

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  36. POLITICAL POLARIZATION, with Ezra Klein

    What is political polarization? Has social media contributed to its growth? What about Donald Trump? And where does this growing polarization leave “the center” of the political spectrum? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Ezra Klein in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a...

  37. LONGEVITY, with Andrew J. Scott

    How long can human beings live? Will it become increasingly normal for one to live up to 100 years? What impact will aging have in our societies? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Andrew J. Scott in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos…

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  38. CLIMATE MIGRATION with Abrahm Lustgarten

    What makes people migrate? How does climate change drive mass migration in today’s world? How serious is this problem? How serious will it become in the future? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Abrahm Lustgarten in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the…

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  39. CLIMATE CHANGE with Bill McKibben

    What is climate change? How is it affect our planet? What consequences does it have on our lives? And must we – and can we – do soften them? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Bill McKibben in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos...

  40. COSMOS with Vítor Cardoso

    How old is the Universe? How was it born? How will it end? Why are we here? What is a black hole and what do they do? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Vítor Cardoso in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. A renowned...

  41. CORRUPTION with Donatella della Porta

    What is «corruption»? What different kinds of corruption exist in our modern societies? How does corruption manifest itself in governments, corporations, the judicial system and every other sphere of our lives? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Donatella della Porta in this…

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  42. WOMEN’S RIGHTS with Leymah Gbowee

    What is it like growing up in a country in civil war? What remains to be achieved in the struggle for women's rights? Will it be possible to heal the wounds opened by the wars of the present and the past? Is it possible to reach peace when the scars of war are still visible? To answer these...

  43. BREXIT with R. Daniel Kelemen

    How disastrous was “Brexit”? How much did it affect the United Kingdom’s economy and its living standards? How has it changed the political relationship between the UK and the European Union? Could it ever be reversed? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews R. Daniel Kelemen in this...

  44. GLOBAL ECONOMY with Michael Spence

    How much impact did the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have on the global economy? How will technology change sectors like health or education? What is causing the slowdown in economic growth around the world? How worried should we be about inflation? To answer these...

  45. FROM RAGS TO RICHES with John Friedman

    What is social mobility? How can we measure it? How can we promote it? Is the “American Dream” still alive? How did the Covid-19 pandemic impact social mobility around the world? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews John Friedman in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast…

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  46. ECONOMY & COVID-19 with Adam Tooze

    Has the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world's balance of economic power? How important were political leaders in responding to the crisis born out of the pandemic? Has the latter led to a proliferation of propaganda and disinformation? How serious is the threat of Covid-19 when compared to other...

  47. (I)LIBERAL DEMOCRACY with Catherine de Vries

    What challenges and threats do European democracies face today? How actually democratic are they? What is an illiberal democracy? Will democracy in Europe resist the stress-test of the Covid-19 pandemic? Was “Brexit” a vaccine against Euroscepticism? To answer this questions, Pedro Pinto…

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  48. PUTIN’S RUSSIA with Mark Galeotti

    What does Vladimir Putin want? What makes him so dangerous? How can he be fought? What role could countries like China play in solving the crisis of the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Are we on the brink of nuclear war? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Mark Galeotti in this episode...

  49. ELECTIONS with Nate Silver

    Is it possible to predict the future? What is “data journalism”? Have polls become increasingly unreliable? To answer these questions, Pedro Pinto interviews Nate Silver in this episode of “It’s Not That Simple”, a podcast by the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation. A statistician famous for...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

It’s not that simple is a podcast by Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation dedicated to major interviews with international personalities linked to politics, economy and society. Conducted by renowned journalist Pedro Mendonça Pinto, the conversations with our special guests aim to demystify and simplify some of the most fascinating and relevant topics of our time. They will be objective, frontal, informal and informed dialogues to clarify why some issues «are not that simple». The Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation was founded in 2009 by Alexandre Soares dos Santos and his family to study the country’s major hindrances and bring them to the attention of the Portuguese people.The Foundation’s mission is to promote and expand the objective knowledge of Portugal today, thereby helping to develop society, strengthen the rights of citizens and improve public institutions and to cooperate in endeavours to identify, study and resolve society's problems.The Foundation is independent of p

HOSTED BY

Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does It’s not that simple have?

It’s not that simple currently has 49 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

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It’s not that simple is a podcast by Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation dedicated to major interviews with international personalities linked to politics, economy and society. Conducted by renowned journalist Pedro Mendonça Pinto, the conversations with our special guests aim to demystify and...

How often does It’s not that simple release new episodes?

It’s not that simple has 49 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to It’s not that simple on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts It’s not that simple?

It’s not that simple is created and hosted by Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos.
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