"What's the big idea?" podcast

In the award-winning What’s the Big Idea? podcast, President and Vice-Chancellor Michael Benarroch talks with leading thinkers and researchers from the UM community about their big questions, bold ideas and research making an impact in our world. 

In 2027, the University of Manitoba marks UM150. It's a year to celebrate and commemorate 150 years of ideas, discovery and community—including the difficult parts of our history—and to think about where we go from here. Season 5 looks at the UM ideas and discoveries that have shaped our world and the work making a difference right now. 

And we’re asking the question that started it all: What’s the big idea? 

All episodes
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Latest episode

Marissa Becker in conversation.

Local partnerships, global impact: The science of saving lives with Dr. Marissa Becker

From Manitoba to India, Kenya, and beyond, Marissa Becker explores how locally driven partnerships are transforming global public health. She shares the lessons, challenges, and measurable impacts behind programs that have reached millions and saved thousands of lives.

Listen now on UMToday

As UM president, I want to invite our community to think big, and support the big ideas that move us forward. In my podcast, we explore what ignites a big idea and the courage to act upon it.
Michael Benarroch University of Manitoba

Awards and recognition

  • CCAE Gold · Best Podcast

    2026, 2024
    Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education

  • CASE Bronze · Circle of Excellence

    2026, 2024 - Podcasts (Occasional)
    Council for the Advancement and Support of Education

  • Top 1% globally

    Episodes rank in the top 1% for first-week downloads

Recent episodes

Where to find "What's the big idea?"

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