Wide Open Air Exchange: Recent Episodes
CHRISTINE GALLAGHER
A podcast for generalists and lifelong learners seeking to expand their general knowledge. The Wide Open Air Exchange brings you accessible introductions to subjects from across academic disciplines and special interest areas.
Discussing art, science, and disability advocacy with multidisciplinary artist Magnets aka Dr Siobhan McGinnity. Siobhan is a clinical audiologist with a PhD in Audiology on the prevention of hearing injury in the music industry. This episode was first broadcast on radio 2SER 107.3FM and features music from Magnets' debut album DIPLACUSIS including excerpts of the tracks 'ADHme', 'Anxiety', 'Desire', 'Down', and 'Speak'. The album explores themes of self-acceptance and identity. Diplacusis is a hearing condition that Siobhan has experienced with Meniere's Disease.
Professor Nancy C. Unger is an historian with a special interest in the progressive era in American history and an author of biographies of progressive era reformists Bob and Belle La Follette. Senator Robert La Follette was a third-party candidate at the 1924 US presidential election (100 years ago) for the Progressive Party and Belle La Follette was active on the women's suffrage circuit.
Andrew Max Levy was one of the first comedy photographers carving out a scene in Los Angeles by providing photography services to comedy clubs and stand-up comedians. Andrew is now well established and trusted as Justoffthesix Photography and is expanding into directing specials. As well as having a fascinating vocation, Andrew has an interesting vocational history from starting out as a playwright and comedy writer and working as a maitre d’ in the restaurant industry for a decade to teaching himself photography before finding a niche as a comedy photographer.
Kankawa Nagarra discovered the guitar as an adult and found that Blues music resonated with her as a "soothing ointment" for healing pains and mending scars. As a Blues musician and environmental activist from Gooniyandi and Walmatjarri country in north western Australia, Kankawa has earned the title of "Queen of the Bandaral Ngadu Delta".
Dr Laura Tuohilampi is an academic researcher at UNSW with a specialty in mathematics education. Laura is currently working on a book about popularising maths and discusses some of her thinking about the value of maths for the wider population. Laura is author of the book, Seriously Fun Maths, and also shares insights about what makes learning fun and engaging in a classroom setting.
Andrew Leavold on his turn to gonzo filmmaking for his latest project, Film Safari Ghana, and the story of how he came to be featured in a no-budget, no-script, DIY digital film made by Ghanaian director 'Ninja". Andrew also reflects on the various ways that he has connected with likeminded people in cult film circles and outsider DIY culture in different parts of the world including through his iconic Trash Video store that he ran for many years in Brisbane.
An introduction to ethical investment with Dr Rodger Spiller along with Rodger's personal story of becoming interested in making a positive social impact from an early age and how that informed his vocational choices.
Multi-talented artist Demi Jenkins aka Peachy Skaterr shares her approach to living a creative vocational life. artist Demi Jenkins aka Peachy Skaterr shares her approach to living a creative vocational life. Peachy discusses the origins and development of her interests in roller skating, dance, choreography, hula hooping, film production, dopamine dressing, and the community connections she has made along the way.
Karima Hazim shares the motivation behind her efforts to document and share Lebanese food culture in Australia and how it relates to the history of the migrant experience.
Professor Maxine Piggott is a molecular biologist with a PhD in Genetics and a speciality in tropical biosecurity. Maxine has degrees in Business and Science and a background working in legal and government settings. Currently Maxine Piggott leads the Tropical Biosecurity Group in the Research Institute for Northern Agriculture (RINA) at Charles Darwin University.
Click above to see some of Sam's art. Mango shares where his art comes from and the ethos behind it. Sam Doughty is a multidisciplinary artist whose art is infused with the colours of the Australian landscape and inspired by his practice of taking time to slow down and observe the world around him.
Darren Fittler on his life philosophy, the social model of disability, and his interest in stand up comedy. This radio edit of a previous podcast conversation with Darren was broadcast on 2SER 107.3FM ahead of Darren's Sydney Fringe Comedy show.
Jasper Peach is a trans, non-binary and disabled writer and speaker. They are author of the book "You’ll Be a Wonderful Parent: Advice and Encouragement For Rainbow Families of All Kinds", a contributor to Able radio, and host of a new television talk show called "Unmasked" featuring neurodivergent guests and conversations about life as a neurodivergent person.
A discussion of organic gardening with Toni Salter aka The Veggie Lady. Tony shares her story of turning an interest in organic gardening into a vocation in teaching people how to grow veggies. Toni offers gardening workshops and seminars as well as horticultural therapy programs informed by her training in diversion therapy and recreational therapy.
A Song for You is a vocal ensemble with a rotation of around 50 members from a community of artists in the Berlin live soulful music scene.Co-founder Dhanesh Jayaselan shares the origins and ethos of the project which serves to elevate the voices and stories of BIPOC artists.The music in this episode is used with permission.
Aunty Cino (Cynthia Morrison) is an elder in her communities in various roles as head of the Garabara Dance Group, President and founder of the Didjurigur Netball Club, and as a much loved Aboriginal Education Officer teaching culture to primary school children K-6.
Dr Alistair Sisson is an academic researcher with a speciality in studying public housing and the relationship between stigmatization and gentrification.Alistair is a Macquarie University Research Fellow with the Macquarie School of Social Sciences in the Discipline of Geography and Planning.
Allison Dibben has recently made a vocational change from a career in the corporate sector to starting up her own local dog walking service, Wagtopian. Allison shares what's been involved in making that change along with some dog walking tips.
Port Chaplain Sister Mary Leahy RSJ OAM is a longtime advocate for the human rights and welfare of seafarers and other members of the maritime community. This conversation is shared ahead of International Day of the Seafarer on 25th June.
Jeremy Ray is host of Grokludo, an independent podcast covering topics at the intersections of gaming and cognitive psychology, game design, academic research, and policy.This conversation is a window into topics covered in the first three episodes of the Grokludo podcast including player responses to morality meters, workplace culture at games design studios, and video game classifications.
Professor Anna Clark is an historian and fishing enthusiast whose interests have intersected with her book, The Catch: Australia's love affair with fishing.Anna Clark is co-director of the Australian Centre for Public History at UTS and author of numerous critically acclaimed books about how history is made and taught in Australia.
Fred Piscop is a master puzzle creator and a legend of crossword construction. He has been a regular contributor to The New York Times, a former daily crossword editor for USA Today, former editor of the Washington Post Sunday crossword, and now a contributor of cryptic crosswords to the Times and The Guardian.Fred has an inspiring story of being introduced to puzzles by his school teacher George Bredehorn who became a mentor and dear friend. George Bredehorn was the inventor of the Split Decisions puzzle (pictured) for which Fred inherited the legacy of keeping it going.
Gemma McKinnon shares the story of her entry to Law and the development of her interest in issues at the intersection of law and poverty. This conversation includes a discussion of Gemma's experiences as a First Nations lawyer in corporate law and academic settings and the motivation for making her radio and podcast program Blaksiders together with co-host Peta McGillivray.
Adriana Rueda Barrios is a project officer at the Trust for the Americas which is a non-profit, non-government organisation that promotes economic and educational opportunities for vulnerable people in the Americas. As well as working on socioeconomic inclusion, Adriana has lived experience of the transformative power of education as the first person in her family to go to university. Adriana is interested in gender and socioeconomic inclusion and LGBTQIA+ advocacy as a queer woman from Colombia who has experienced social mobility and who personally understands the relevance of recognising intersectionality in diversity and inclusion policy.
Te Rina Taite has had a varied and interesting vocational life starting as an elite swimmer and more recently turning to stand-up comedy with a lot of experiences in between.
Dr Cathy Monro is a specialist in aged care policy and governance with a PhD in Health Policy from the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.Cathy shares insights about the aged care system in Australia from her experience as a non-executive on the board of an aged care provider and from her PhD research.
Anthony Dockrill is a media professional who was most recently Program Director at radio 2SER 107.3FM Sydney for 17 years. Prior to joining the staff at 2SER, Anthony had worked in various roles at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and for Film Australia.This episode features some of the regular themes of the Wide Open Air Exchange about the early interests and experiences that inspire our vocational choices and the personal qualities that make us suited to our professions.
Professor Peter Macdonald MBBS FRACP PHD MD FCSANZ is a world-leading cardiologist with a speciality in heart transplants who has made significant contributions to translational medical research including the "Heart in a Box" technology".
An introduction to the five player positions in basketball with reference to legendary NBA players along with an explanation of the NBA conference and division structures and historical rivalries. William Lyttle is a sports commentary enthusiast with a special interest in basketball. Will presents the Community Armchair sports segment on community radio station 2SER and co-hosts the Jnr & Snr: 2 Views podcast with his father.
A wide-ranging conversation about the problem of homelessness and the potential for Housing First policies and principles to lead on to greater economic empowerment. Naomi Lewis is Senior Project Officer, Together Home at Homelessness NSW and a former senior case manager for the Salvation Army.This episode includes a discussion of what it means to have an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, person-centred approach to social work.
A discussion of what it can mean to be a generalist in your vocational life with Pauline Futeran whose skills and attributes have transferred across professions in different sectors and in various kinds of roles.This conversation includes a discussion of some of the problems with recruitment processes.
2SER's Danny Chifley is a special guest host this week turning the tables to interview me (Christine Gallagher) on my own program.The episode covers the origins of the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast and includes the story of when I visited the home of an Elvis tribute performer in Memphis to record an early episode of the podcast. This conversation comes as I commence in a PhD program doing doctoral research on socioeconomic identification in workplace diversity and inclusion plans.
Norma Dann aka MsFixet is a handywoman providing lawn, garden and home repair services. Norma shares what informs and motivates her vocational choices and comments on some of the gender issues she observes through her work.
Eki Shola is a medical doctor who turned to making music after losing her home and clinic in California wildfires.Eki's latest album 還 Kaeru ("to return home") was recorded in Japan where Eki experienced another sense of home. All music featured in this episode is from the album.
Dr Elaine Laforteza leads the "Say My Name" campaign at UTS, an education initiative for improving literacy about names that are deemed "foreign" or "tricky" "unfamiliar" within a dominant linguistic context, which in Australia is an Anglo-British postcolonial context. Elaine is from the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and works with the Multicultural Women's Network.
Rachael Hunter has been a fan of The Simpsons since she was the same age as Bart Simpson during the first season of the show. Rachael shares some of her favourite characters, musical numbers, celebrity guests, and literary and historical references within storylines.We discuss references from The Simpsons that have become common phrases and memes, and the phenomenon of the writers seemingly predicting the future.Rachael is a member of a social media group for fans of The Simpsons and we hear about that social connection through fandom.You can watch The Simpsons on Disney Plus.
Melanie Junghans is a return guest, this time sharing with us her experience of growing up with her family running a Christmas tree farm business that has been active for more than forty years.
A discussion of Swedish Christmas traditions with John Tenho, a Swede living in Australia. From the winter setting in Sweden and specific Christmas decorations to Advent rituals, St. Lucia celebrations and St. Knut's Day, this conversation covers a broad range of Swedish Christmas traditions. Included is a description of foods that are part of a Christmas lunch Julbord and the tradition of gathering around the television to watch a Disney television special.
An introduction to aviation safety as a vocation with insights from Jorge Lobarinas who works for an aviation safety regulator. Jorge also shares the story of his mid-career change from anatomical pathology to aviation management.
An introduction to impact measurement as a process of demonstrating and articulating the positive impacts of an organisation's programs and projects beyond the reporting of activities and outcomes. Maxine Morrison has a qualification in Social Impact from UNSW and a vocational background in grant writing and philanthropy for medical research and in the social sector. Maxine is a Sydney Organising Committee member for SIMNA (Social Impact Measurement Network Australia) and a member of the AAMRI Research Impact Committee (Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes).
An introduction to some of the principles of adult education and adult learning. Adam Nobilia is an adult educator who has worked across various settings including at Long Bay prison working with inmates and more publicly as a teacher on the SBS television series, Lost For Words.
Musicologist Padraig Parkhurst is a doctoral researcher studying East German progressive rock (Ostrock) and other popular music of the early Honecker era. This conversation incudes a discussion of anti nuclear war songs of the Honecker era and Padraig's general interest in the localisation of progressive rock in different locations (with reference to Italy, Spain, Chile, UK).
Peta MacGillivray is an Aboriginal justice advocate, a Kalkutungu woman, lawyer and doctoral researcher with strong connections to community. Australia’s referendum to vote on Constitutional recognition of First Peoples is part of a many decades-long history of advocacy for self-determination. While this conversation is largely a post-referendum discussion, it is with an understanding that the referendum moment was not the beginning nor the end of the work that needs to be done.
A discussion of river health and Natural Resource Management with Sarah Holland-Clift. Sarah is a river health management specialist and General Manager of Community and Catchment Services at Corangamite Catchment Management Authority in Victoria. This conversation includes a focus on the importance of Aboriginal leadership in waterway management and the role of citizen science in monitoring the health of rivers.
Dr Tuan Nguyen has a PhD in Museum Studies with a speciality in LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Tuan's curatorial practice is with the Powerhouse Museum as an Assistant Curator, working on the recent Absolutely Queer exhibition among others.
Exploring how the American and Australian Halloween experiences compare. This is a video link up between Austin and Sydney with guest Davis Rivera.
Singer-songwriter Radical Son on finding his voice and why he sometimes chooses not to explain the lyrics of his songs.Radical Son invites listeners of his new single, 'I Hear You Call My Name", to interpret the lyrics for yourself:"I hear you call my name, wanting to engage; We're all finding our way; we're coping with the struggle; Life is just a game, and we're all stuck in the middle. We're challenged by the day; we're put in this position; Pushed into the corner; the torment this delivers;One step forwards and forever falling."
Bridget Cama is a lawyer and Co-Chair of the Uluru Youth Dialogue and a Wiradjuri and Pasifika Fijian woman. Bridget shares her knowledge of the process that has led to the proposal for Constitutional Reform and what Australians are being asked to vote on.This conversation is intended as an aid for learning about the Voice referendum that’s happening in Australia, asking Australians whether they agree with a proposed alteration to the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice: a body that may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dr Sonika Singh shares insights about the kinds of research and projects she works on as an academic specialising in digital marketing and data analysis. Sonika is a Marketing lecturer and Marketing Post Graduate Program Director at the UTS Business School. She has a PhD in Management Science from the University of Texas and an MBA from SIMS Pune.
Darren Fittler is a senior lawyer who runs a Charities and Social Sector practice. He shares his vocational story and life philosophy. Darren is a person who is blind and he explains the difference between the social model of disability as distinct from the medical model.
Roller Derby skater Paula “Shreddy” Kruger gives us an introduction to what is roller derby and provides insights to the subculture and philosophy of roller derby as an inclusive sport and community.
Community radio station manager Paula Kruger shares the origins of her interests in radio and storytelling and in doing so tells some of her own personal story. This episode features a discussion of Paula's approach to overcoming a fear of public speaking (in high school) before finding a home in Thailand (in early adult years) and carving out a media career (including many years at the ABC).
We hear about the vocational pathway of futurist Ross Dawson and his interests in systems thinking and feedback loops. Ross is an author and his most recent book Thriving on Overload contains practical strategies and tools for managing in a world of information overwhelm.
Scientist Tien Huynh is involved in research projects as diverse as developing fire retardant building materials from fungi and exploring the possibilities for planting seedlings on the Moon. Among Tien's expertise are specialities in biotechnology and mycology (Associate Professor Huynh explains what those terms mean) with other experiences in the biosciences and medical science.
Remarkable is Tien's personal story of growing up in wartime Vietnam, overcoming childhood illness, and moving to Australia as a refugee to go on to become a senior academic and a leader doing inspiring outreach work and inclusive workplace mentoring.
A short check in with an audio excerpt of my tribute to the late great Tony Bennett and a preview of our next Wide Open Air Exchange guest (a scientist specialising in biotechnology and mycology, who explains what that means).
Padraig Parkhurst aka Anarchosophist shares his approach to creating music and concept albums inspired by themes and musical ideas.
Tea specialist Katelyn Kent describes five types of tea and shares her knowledge and interest in tea with us. The teas featured are a Japanese Sencha, Oolong, Grand Yunnan, Lapsang Souchong, and a Herbal Tisane Blend.
Dr Nora Yitong Qiu is an economic historian of East Asia, specialising in the Qing Empire and 20th century China. Nora is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oxford in the Faculty of History as part of a research group studying Global Correspondent Banking 1870–2000. At the time of this conversation, Nora was in China for archival research.
A conversation about preventative health and wellbeing practices with wellness leader Melissa Tenho. Melissa is head of a corporate health hub that provides health and wellbeing services and programs for employees of a major financial institution, and the information discussed is relevant for all people regardless of vocation or employment status. It covers mindful eating and good sleep routines, the eight pillars of wellness and aiming for balance, thinking positively and living in gratitude.
Emeritus Professor Roxanne Doty from Arizona State University has transitioned from academic writing as a Politics and Global Studies specialist to creative writing as a published poet and novelist.
During her academic career, Professor Doty's work on anti-immigrantism and human rights and ethics informed a growing discontent with the kind of sanitised academic writing that was prominent in political science. This is the story of Roxanne Doty reclaiming a creative voice first within her academic writing and ultimately outside of academia as a published poet and novelist.
This extended podcast version includes a further discussion of autoethnography as a method in academic writing, and more on Professor Doty's approach to creative writing and her debut novel Out Stealing Water.
Emeritus Professor Roxanne Doty on how an academic can lose their distinctive voice in anonymised academic writing. This is an excerpt of a longer discussion about Roxanne Doty's turn from academic to creative writing and is intended as a preview of the next full episode of the Wide Open Air Exchange coming soon.
Professor of Environmental Politics, David Schlosberg is Director of the Sydney Environment Institute and joins the Wide Open Air Exchange this week for a discussion of global environmental governance on reflection of 50 years of World Environment Day.
You can listen to this conversation using the audio player above or subscribe to the podcast for free via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
It was at the United Nations 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment (pictured) that the idea for World Environment Day was proposed and the following year on 5th June 1973 that it commenced as an annual day of public outreach. Professor Schlosberg remarks on how little has changed or been accomplished with regards to the same conflicts and tensions that were evident in 1973 continuing to be present fifty years later.
This conversation also covers some of the developments with environmental movements and related discourses including reference to environmental justice which is a concept that Professor Schlosberg has been influential in defining and developing as a political and social theorist.
We also hear about a more recent development in thinking about “multispecies justice” which Professor Schlosberg is engaged with in collaboration with a collective of researchers at the University of Sydney.
A version of this conversation was first broadcast on the radio by 2SER 107.3FM.
Image is of members of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment on bicycles in Stockholm via Wikimedia Commons.
The Wide Open Air Exchange theme music is derived from ‘Tuesday Morning’ by The Pogues written by Spider Stacy.
Playwright and dramatist Alana Valentine shares her approach to telling the stories of individuals and communities across her works including Parramatta Girls, Letters to Lindy and My Beautiful Man, and for the State Library of NSW exhibition Send for Nellie.
With 30 years of experience in the heritage sector, and as Managing Director of SHP, Sue Hodges exercises best practices in enabling the rights of Firsts Nations peoples to determine how their histories are told in the design and production of heritage interpretation. Sue is a doctoral researcher at UTS with a PhD project on the 'Economic and social value of heritage interpretation'.In this extended podcast version, we also discuss Sue's international work and recognition as an international leader in heritage interpretation. Sue works with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) as President of the Committee on Interpretation, which is a global role. Sue also shares further thoughts on History as a profession and her view on doing meaningful commercial work.
A wide-ranging conversation about gender, race, ethnicity and university queer spaces. Sara Chaturvedi is a third-year student in the Communications/BCII course at UTS majoring in Social and Political Science. Sara is a member of the UTS Ethnocultural Collective and the Queer Collective and is currently involved in student politics as the Queer Officer on campus.
This week on the Wide Open Air Exchange, Jake Stone shares some of his early adult creative pursuits in comedy and music including being a frontman for the band Bluejuice. That follows from a discussion of Jake’s special interest in martial arts and how it relates to his experiences of school bullying.
To receive this conversation by podcast when it becomes available, you can subscribe for free via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
Images supplied by Jake Stone for use by the Wide Open Air Exchange.
Photo credits to Ashley Mar and DK Smith.
Below are Bluejuice music videos discussed or otherwise featured in this episode.
The Wide Open Air Exchange theme music is derived from ‘Tuesday Morning’ by The Pogues written by Spider Stacy.
To coincide with International Workers’ Day, historian Professor Glenda Sluga kindly participated in a chat about internationalism with attention to how international workers associations and the International Labour Organization fits in the history of the early phase of twentieth century internationalism.
Greg Poppleton shares the origins of his interests in swing and jazz music of the early twentieth century and archival radio broadcasts of the era that he carefully curates and presents in non-stop mixes for his long running radio program The Phantom Dancer. Greg is a singer in that style and leads a Roaring 20s speakeasy dinner show, and he's an actor on film, TV and stage and currently featuring as Joe Keller in a production of Arthur Miller's play All My Sons
An introduction to neural circuits and brain chemistry with behavioural neuroscientist Dr Christina Perry.
You can listen to this conversation using the audio player above or subscribe to the podcast for free via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
Comment on this subject at the Discord forum for the Wide Open Air Exchange.
This conversation was first broadcast on the radio by 2SER 107.3FM.
Image supplied by Christina Perry for use by the Wide Open Air Exchange.
The theme music is derived from ‘Tuesday Morning’ by The Pogues written by Spider Stacy.
In part two of this chat with author Nicholas Graham we hear about his vocational pathway to becoming a novelist of historical fiction, and we hear what horse riding and reading Latin have to do with this vocational pursuit. This follows an earlier episode about Nicholas' debut novel The Judas Case which is set in the first century with a biblical backdrop and told as a master detective story.
Author Nicholas Graham shares some of the thinking behind his genre bending debut novel The Judas Case which imagines: what if Judas had been working for the Temple police all along? It is both a work of historical fiction set in the first century with a backdrop of the gospels and a reimagining of the narrative of the Passion as a master detective story. This is not a work of religious faith, but this conversation has been shared in time for your Easter listening.
Oula Ghannoum is a Lebanese-Australian Muslim who has happy memories of Ramadan evening festivities during her childhood in Tripoli. Oula kindly provides an introduction to the religious and cultural significance of Ramadan for the interest of non-Muslim listeners and shares insights about how Ramadan is observed. This includes a description of prayer rituals at mosques and street food fairs and about Sawm (fasting) and Zakat (charitable giving).
Discussion of what makes the Moon a natural satellite, how it effects the tides, and what explains the changing visibility of the Moon from Earth across the various lunar phases. Also covers some popular culture perceptions of the Moon including whether a full moon could affect human behaviour and whether the Moon landing had been faked. This is a re-edit of a prior episode.
Julia Beveridge is a former Superyacht crew worker with experience as a steward and deckhand. Julia reflects on this vocational experience and comments on the accuracy of the reality TV show 'Below Deck'.The audio montage from Below Deck comes from a few seconds of various episodes of the program owned by Bravo TV.The theme music is derived from ‘Tuesday Morning’ by The Pogues written by Spider Stacy.
A television professional with vast experience as a Master Control Operator, Julia Beveridge gives us an introduction to what’s involved in the role including some of the technicalities of managing all of the vision and audio for the network and the communication skills that help in this line of work.
Dr Kumi de Silva is Gender Equity Programs Manager at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at UTS in conversation about gender equity issues and sharing what motivated her vocational shift away from academic research as a scientist to this professional role.
Karima Hazim shares the motivation behind her efforts to document and share Lebanese food culture and how it relates to the history of the migrant experience.
One of the ways Karima is doing this is through Sunday Kitchen, a cooking class she runs with her mother whose family left Lebanon at the start of the civil war in the 1970s and migrated to Australia where traditional recipes, ingredients and cooking methods were passed down through the generations.
You can listen to this conversation using the audio player above or subscribe to the podcast for free via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
Comment on this conversation at the small and intimate Discord forum for the Wide Open Air Exchange.
Karima had been a student of Fashion Design at UTS and went on to create her own small fashion label. She tells the story of her experiences meeting with tailors in regional Vietnam and how she found a way to overcome the language barriers and cultural differences by relating through food.
A radio version of this conversation was first broadcast on 2SER 107.3FM.
Thanks to Karima for supplying the below photos that correspond to her experiences in Vietnam.
(Above) Karima with her tailor at the time, Mr Anh Bong, who she grew to adore and respect very much, and her friend Hong who would translate.
(Above) Karima with her other tailor at the time, Ms Chi Dung, and her family who treated Karima like part of their family, and with whom Karima shared some of the most incredible meals during her visits.
(Above) Karima at the fabric markets on the border of Vietnam and China.
All images are owned by Karima Hazim and were supplied for use by the Wide Open Air Exchange.
The theme music is derived from ‘Tuesday Morning’ by The Pogues written by Spider Stacy.
Karima Hazim is our guest on the Wide Open Air Exchange this week sharing the motivation behind her efforts to document and share Lebanese food culture and how it relates to the history of the migrant experience. This is a preview only and you can subscribe for free to receive the full conversation when it becomes available soon.
This episode of the Wide Open Air Exchange was recorded with a live audience at the Powerhouse Museum as part of an event celebrating recorded sound, music, radio and audiophile content. We learn about DJ Soup's lifelong interests in sampling and beat-making as a pioneer of the Australian hip hop and trip hop music scene in the 1990s and beyond, as well as his experience playing professional basketball for the Sydney Kings.
We recorded an episode of the Wide Open Air Exchange in front of a live audience at the Powerhouse Museum a few days ago presented by 2SER 107.3FM. It was a great experience and that conversation is being broadcast by 2SER in two half hour episodes across two weeks from tonight at 630pm AEDT.
I’ll then be sharing the full hour conversation as a single podcast via the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast. You can subscribe for the full episode for free via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
Below are some images and video that our live audience could see as discussed in Part One of the conversation being broadcast on 2SER. I’ll be sharing more images and video for Part Two next week.
In Part One, DJ Soup describes his early experiences experimenting with developments in audio sampling technology from a double cassette boom box to an Amega 500 and a K2000 sampler.
DJ Soup also shares his early musical influences in the family and some of the first records he recalls hearing and playing.
To see a video of a square dancing event with an MC playing 45s (as described during our chat) you can click through to this external resource (Tyrell Historical Library).
And below is a video of DJ Soup on ABC TV’s Recovery program in 1997, as discussed during this episode.
Part Two of this conversation will be first broadcast on 2SER on Monday 13 February at 630pm AEDT before the whole conversation is shared as a podcast.
This episode of the Wide Open Air Exchange was recorded with a live audience at the Powerhouse Museum as part of an event celebrating recorded sound, music, radio and audiophile content.
Jenine Smith shares insights from her vocation as a careers adviser, assisting high school students with understanding their skills, abilities and interests and with identifying post-school learning and vocational opportunities. Jenine is President of the Careers Advisers Association of NSW & ACT.
Listen to this episode using the audio player above or by podcast via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
The live event mentioned in the opening is in Sydney at the Powerhouse Museum on 2 February 2023.
This episode was first broadcast on the radio on 2SER 107.3FM
Yirrmal joined us via a studio in Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land to discuss his music, culture, and community connections.
Listen to this episode using the audio player above or by podcast via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
Yirrmal shares how his earliest memory of music was as a child playing on stage with members of Yothu Yindi (one of the most famous Aboriginal musical groups) and how growing up in Daliwuy Bay and listening to his elders’ stories inspired his song writing.
This conversation has been reshared on 26 January which is a significant date in Australia’s colonial history. The Wide Open Air Exchange regards that date as a commemoration not a celebration and a moment to focus on Aboriginal perspectives.
This is a quote from Yirrmal during the interview:
“All of the songs for Yolgnu people it’s pretty much like bringing people together and making a unity as we are one people of Australia. And so our song it’s about healing – healing the times, healing the past – what it was before – and then we’re hoping for the better future to come to everyone living in Australia. We are all Australians”.
This is a follow up to an introduction to Natural Language Processing (NLP) in response to a listener suggestion that we should consider concerns and fears about the technology. Dr Sarah Barns has an academic and vocational speciality in Digital Futures and is someone who thinks deeply about the history of technology and information as well as being an artist with creative practices (see Esem Projects and STORYBOX).
Listen to this episode using the audio player above or by podcast via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform). Below is a video excerpt.
To my knowledge Sarah had not expressed personal concerns about the technology prior to me inviting her on the program and I want to be careful to be clear about the context of this conversation. It was me asking Sarah about what have been some of the concerns and fears expressed in public dialogues about AI technologies, particularly NLP, on the basis that she is someone who is engaged with this subject and who I knew had used ChatGPT (see this LinkedIn post)
Here is a link to an earlier vocational chat with Dr Sarah Barns on the Wide Open Air Exchange in August 2022.
You can comment on any of the above at the Discord group for the Wide Open Air Exchange or email me directly at wideopenairexchange@gmail.
You’re also welcome to suggest future topics and guests for the Wide Open Air Exchange.
Christine Gallagher
Dr Rachel Yuen-Collingridge shares insights from her studies of papyrology including ideas about cultural receptions to new forms of knowledge communication technology in antiquity and thoughts on ethical approaches to studying Ancient History. Rachel is an associate lecturer with the Department of History and Archaeology at Macquarie University.
You can use the audio player above to hear the radio version that was broadcast on 2SER 107.3FM Sydney.
The extended podcast version of this conversation (which is twice as long) is available by subscribing for free to the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast. After you subscribe, look in your podcast library for the episode titled: “Papyrology, Dr Rachel Yuen-Collingridge“.
The Wide Open Air Exchange podcast is available via iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify or by searching for “Wide Open Air Exchange” at your preferred podcast platform.
Rachel was a guest on the Wide Open Air Exchange in early September 2022 and this radio version is being shared as part of a short holiday series while the podcast is on hiatus.
The radio version of the Wide Open Air Exchange is broadcast on 2SER 107.3FM Sydney and streaming at 2ser.com every Monday at 630pm AEDT and each Saturday at 1030am AEDT.
Image supplied by Dr Rachel Yuen-Collingridge for use by the Wide Open Air Exchange
Revisiting part of a conversation with historian Catherine Freyne about her doctoral project which situates her own family experience of her father being secretly homosexually active with a wife and kids in an historical context.
You can use the audio player above to hear the radio version that was broadcast on 2SER 107.3FM Sydney.
The extended podcast version of this conversation (which is more than twice as long) is available by subscribing for free to the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast and searching in your podcast library for the episode titled: “Sexuality, History, and Family Memoir”.
The Wide Open Air Exchange podcast is available via iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify or by searching for “Wide Open Air Exchange” at your preferred podcast platform.
Catherine was a guest on the Wide Open Air Exchange in July 2022 whilst a doctoral researcher at UTS nearing completion of a thesis titled, “The Family as Closet: Gay/Bisexual married men and their families in Sydney, 1970-2000″.
Some of the primary sources that Catherine had been studying were her father’s personal correspondence and writings which document his experiences of having secret relationships with men and his reflections after leaving a 30 year marriage and claiming a homosexual identity.
Image supplied by Catherine Freyne for use by the Wide Open Air Exchange
Catching up with film enthusiast Davis Rivera about what we’ve seen at the cinema in the past year and recent streaming habits. We also draw on Davis’ academic studies of film for an analysis of why ‘Jeanne Dielman’ (pictured) topped the critics list of best films of all time in the once a decade Sight and Sound poll.
Listen to this episode using the audio player above or by podcast via iTunes or Spotify or Stitcher (or search for “Wide Open Air Exchange” on your preferred podcast platform).
To comment on any aspect of this episode, you’re welcome to join our Discord group for the Wide Open Air Exchange.
Here is the full Sight and Sound video with analysis of the significance of the latest poll results (excerpt featured in this podcast episode):
And here is the full Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds version of ‘In the Ghetto’ as discussed and featured in this podcast episode:
The theme music of the Wide Open Air Exchange comes from The Pogues song ‘Tuesday Morning’.
Emma Bellamy shares what's involved in her crystal bed healing practice and the qualities that are ascribed to chakras in her wisdom tradition. This conversation was conducted in a spirit of agnostic curiosity and openness to learn about different world views and theologies.
Natalie Clays had a vocational calling after quitting smoking at an Allen Carr's Easyway seminar and made a mid-career change from a successful corporate role to helping other people to quit smoking. Natalie is Director and Facilitator for Allen Carr's Easyway operations in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada. I also credit Allen Carr's methods for my own success (Christine Gallagher) with quitting smoking tobacco and quitting drinking alcohol, and we share those experiences.
Science and maths educator Selwyn Holland shares a lesson on physicist Albert Einstein and how his theories of relativity significantly changed our understanding of time and gravity with related findings about the speed of light and the concept of spacetime. You'll hear about Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity (and with it non-inertial motion, constant speed and time dilation) and his Theory of General Relativity (and with it gravity, acceleration and the curvature of spacetime) and how his famous equation E=mc2 fits in this story. Selwyn is also enthusiastic about Einstein the person and his humanitarian efforts and influence in the scientific community. This episode covers some of the historical context of his work, his contributions to debate about quantum mechanics and atomic theory, and his prediction of gravitational waves which was only recently confirmed.
Melanie Junghans took up ocean swimming while recovering from a foot injury a few years ago and now she does charity ocean swim events with Can Too, a non-profit organisation raising money to fund early career cancer researchers. Mel swims regularly as part of an ocean swim community and enjoys the mindset of it and the variety of ocean creatures that she sees.
An introduction to transborderism and how living at a borderland region is a formative experience and specifically, in the thesis worked discussed, the perspectives of pupils and students at the Cali-Baja region who routinely cross the Mexico-U.S. border.
Dr Mitxy Mabel Meneses Gutiérrez is a lecturer in International Relations and a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University with interests in postcolonialism and transborderism and a geopolitical focus on the Americas.
We are seeking to feature intergenerational conversations with people aged in their 90s who have some aspect of their vocational history or a special interest that would be a good fit for the Wide Open Air Exchange. Do you know someone who would be interested in sharing their experiences and insights? Find more information at wideopenairexchange.com
Michael Jones has been reviewing movies for a morning radio segment since 1997 and here he shares his approach to film reviewing, what kinds of movies he enjoys, what it is about the cinema experience that appeals to him, some formative experiences watching movies, and other experiences and interests.
Alex Carlton shares what it's like being a travel writer—a vocational speciality she's developed over the course of two decades working as a journalist.
You'll hear Alex's experience of international travel at a time when the world is emerging from the Covid pandemic, and her tips for being prepared when travelling through airports.
Joost Bakker is a zero-waste activist and innovator who is the subject of the documentary film 'Greenhouse by Joost' about his Future Food System: a project of designing and constructing a zero-waste building installed with a self-sustaining urban food system.
Tim Ritchie got his first radio gig as a school student and went on to carve out a place for innovative music on the radio as a broadcaster and music curator in a career spanning 46 years to date.
Tim shares insights from his vocational experiences, including how being an introvert made him suited to radio and being a club DJ, along with philosophical thoughts on the meaning of life.
This episode contains short excerpts of music by Prince Far I, Robert Johnson, Status Quo, Captain Beefheart, Centriphugal, Derek and the Dominos (and The Pogues in our theme).
On hearing the news of the death of Angela Lansbury, I recorded this personal reflection about her influence as a role model of someone doing great work later in life.
I quite often remind myself that I've not yet reached the age that Angela Lansbury was when she made Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and I think of what could be possible in the next few decades of my vocational life.
Coincidentally I had been thinking of Angela Lansbury before going to bed last night and woke up to the news of her death this morning, Sydney time.
I expect there will be others making similar reflections, but here's mine all the same.
Thank you, Angela Lansbury, for being a role model of someone who happily did not retire.
12-year-old identical twins Jaimee Rose Lynne and Jesse May Lynne share what it's like being a twin, and their mum Ali Gunn provides insights as a parent of twins.
Jaimee and Jesse help us to understand their special bond as well as the challenges of being compared to your twin. We get to know Jaimee's and Jesse's individual personal qualities, values and interests, and also hear about their experiences with modelling and acting including on the set of Thor: Love and Thunder.
Lydia Ayame Hiraidē is a doctoral researcher studying environmentalism from a social justice perspective and thinking about what it means to move towards a Black feminist theory of ecology.
In this seminar-style podcast, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar answers your questions about Dunbar's Number and his research on social bonding, friends, and religion.
You can find the time markers for each question within the episode page at wideopenairexchange.com
Jenine Smith is President of the Careers Advisers Association of NSW and ACT and shares insights from her role as a careers adviser at an independent secondary school. Careers advisers assist students with understanding their skills, abilities and interests and with identifying post-school learning and vocational opportunities.
Dr Rachel Yuen-Collingridge shares insights from her studies of including ideas about cultural receptions to new forms of knowledge communication technology in antiquity and thoughts on ethical approaches to studying Ancient History.
Professor Paulo Ferreira is a physiotherapist with a PhD in management of low back pain and a researcher in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. This conversation includes insights from research on psychological interventions for lower back pain and draws on evidence of the importance of good sleep, exercise and functional movement, and maintaining social connections if you’re someone who’s managing lower back pain.
Professor Paulo Ferreira is a physiotherapist with a PhD in management of low back pain and a researcher in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. This conversation includes insights from research on psychological interventions for lower back pain and draws on evidence of the importance of good sleep, exercise and functional movement, and maintaining social connections if you’re someone who’s managing lower back pain.
"Urbanist" is only one of the vocational descriptors for Dr Sarah Barns who has an interesting and varied vocational life at the intersections of academic research, public art and creative practice, and policy and strategy, with some of her specialities being in Urban Research and Digital Futures. Here we discuss Sarah's early influences and interests and some of the thinking that informs her interdisciplinary approach.
Adam Parker is a small business owner, of The Hive Bar in Erskineville, which he runs with his business partners Nikki and Dan. Adam shares thoughts on their business ethos and his own vocational pathway to being a venue licensee starting out as a musician and a sound and lighting technician. Subscribe to automatically receive … Continue reading Small bar owner Adam Parker →
Oxford Professor Robin Dunbar speaks about his early life in Australia and East Africa, his early interest in philosophy, and his accidental pathway to making a world famous scientific discovery and becoming a professor of evolutionary psychology. Professor Dunbar will be our guest again in September 2022 for a seminar style discussion of his recent books, answering your questions. Listen to find out more.
An introduction to forensic taphonomy and the research of the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER). Forensic taphonomy is the study of human remains from the time of death to the time of discovery, and AFTER is a facility researching what happens after death with the help of donors who have given their bodies for scientific research.
Jeremy Ray is a video game critic aka "Junglist" and content strategist for the blockchain tech company Enjin. You'll hear about Jeremy's aptitude for problem solving and his interest in systems exploration which are qualities that have informed some of his vocational choices. We also discuss Jeremy's use of the Zettlekasten system of note taking and his research interest in the relationship between wait time and toxicity in gaming. Jeremy has been a guest on the Wide Open Air Exchange a few times and most of his episodes were archived along with the first few years of the program when the Wide Open Air Exchange found a radio home at 2SER 107.3FM in 2022. This conversation introduces Jeremy to new listeners who have recently found the program and covers new topics as well.
A transcript of a conversation with Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, about the research he's led on social group size and social bonding and the limit to the number of meaningful relationships humans can maintain (often referred to as "Dunbar's Number"). This is part of a call out to read Robin Dunbar's recent books ahead of a future seminar podcast discussion about his latest research, building on the foundational ideas explained in the transcript.
Rowan Barrow is a special needs high school teacher in Darwin with a background in Sport and Recreation including school sports administration in Arnhem Land and Penang.
The conversation follows Rowan's vocational pathway from being a competitive school age swimmer and triathlete to professions as a school sports coordinator and high school teacher and overcoming classroom presentation nerves along the way.
The feature photo is Rowan at Nawurlandja lookout Arnhem Land escarpment, Kakadu National Park. We pay respects to the Bininj/Mungguy people traditional custodians of Kakadu.
18 July is United Nations Nelson Mandela International Day and on 2SER Breakfast we reflected on Mandela’s social justice legacy through the prism of pop culture.
Historian Catherine Freyne is nearing completion of a doctoral thesis at UTS, titled: "The Family as Closet: Gay/Bisexual married men and their families in Sydney, 1970-2000" which places her own father’s story and her family's experience in an historical context.
A conversation about cannabinoid science and developments in medical cannabis research with Cilla Zhou from the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics.
On World Refugee Day, we hear about a social enterprise that is connecting refugees and new migrants with career coaches and mentors.
Yvonne Kelly is a recruitment specialist and careers coach with 25 years experience who founded a social enterprise called Glow Up Careers that trains corporate coaches and mentors to help nurture diverse talent.
A conversation with James Jennings about some of his many encounters with the creative people he's met or interviewed over the years as a film and music journalist, including Quentin Tarantino, Jamie Lee Curtis, Cyndi Lauper, Ice Cube, Grandmaster Flash, Mark Ronson and others.
James is a host of The Australian Ghost Whisperer podcast and you'll hear about his experiences with the supernatural and paranormal.
Research by academics from Business Schools at UTS and Macquarie University finds that Diversity and Inclusion programs in organisations may actually be perpetuating inequalities. Professor Alison Pullen is a Professor of Gender, Work and Organization at Macquarie University and a chief investigator in this ARC research project.
Talking comedy, hip hop and radio with MC and broadcaster Danny Chifley aka Banga. It takes a few minutes to wrangle the conversation from Banga comedically riffing about his form as an altar boy to getting deeper into his experiences with music creation and radio broadcasting.
Banga has been making music for more than 20 years including hip hop with Chaos Maths and Dirtbox Kings and more recently making electronic, ambient and experimental sounds with Vape Dadz.
Chris Farquharson shares insights from a lifelong interest in boating and most recently in his experience as a volunteer with the Sydney Heritage Fleet helping to restore and run heritage boats. After being born in Zambia, Chris was raised on the west coast of Scotland and the south coast of England and he now lives on the east coast of Australia.
An introduction to Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning with Professor Massimo Piccardi including a discussion of some of the applications of NLP and how machine learning relates to artificial intelligence. Professor Piccardi is Head of Discipline, SEDE Signal Processing and Analytics at UTS and leader for the Big Data Analytics program of the Global Big Data Technologies Centre.
Yirrmal shares insights about his new music, community connections, culture and country in North East Arnhem Land and his experience developing his song writing as a new generation artist.
Ann Bridges is a birth educator, registered nurse, doula, clinical hypnotherapist and author of the book Gentle Birthing which is a practical guide for having a positive birth experience through the power of thought and preparedness.
An update on what's happening with the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast schedule at the moment, and previews of forthcoming conversations with doula Ann Bridges (about gentle birthing) and with music radio presenter Tim Ritchie (feat. music of Robert Johnston, Status Quo, and Centriphugal). Subscribe to receive forthcoming episodes via iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify or your preferred podcast platform.
Learning about the Moon in the week of the full moon before Easter. Science and maths educator Selwyn Holland is our guest fielding questions about the origins of the moon, how it effects the tides, and what explains the changing visibility of the moon from Earth.
Insights from a long-serving hospital volunteer who has shared many profound experiences with people in their final days of life in palliative care wards. Bernadette Gallagher had been a volunteer for more than 30 years in Sydney hospitals, including as a patient escort and giving pastoral care, until the Covid pandemic put that on hold. Like other seniors who volunteer, Bernadette would like to return to her meaningful work and community connections.
Matthew Connell's early interests in science and culture led to a 30+ year career as a museum curator specialising in computing and mathematics. We hear about Matthew's early influences, his thoughts on the relevance of museums and material culture, and his concerns about the trappings of technology.
An introduction to TikTok as a forum for special interests and for community-building.
Tracy Taylor aka everydaytrace joined TikTok during the first Covid lockdown and found communities of like-minded people in comedy and lesbian TikTok channels.
Clare Atkins shares her experiences of scriptwriting for television and researching for novels as well as insights from her role as a development executive assessing proposals for new television programs.
Plant physiologist Associate Professor Oula Ghannoum is working on solutions to problems of climate change and food security. Her research aims at discovering ways of enhancing photosynthesis and optimising protected cropping.
As well as explaining her research interests, Oula shares personal and vocational experiences such as migrating to Australia from war-torn Lebanon and how being vision-impaired informed some aspects of her career choices.
Visual artist Tom Swain aka Dript shares his experience of discovering an expression through art after struggling at school with ADHD and dyslexia. Tom shares his experience of realising he’s an artist and the stories behind some of his artworks.
Jingdong Yuan was a student in China when US President Richard Nixon made an historic visit for diplomatic meetings, and these days he's an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney specialising in China's defence and security policy and Asia-Pacific security. In these respects Jingdong is the perfect guest for discussing the historical significance of the event as well as the legacy of the visit in the context of current US-China relations and China's place in the world.
Dr Kumudika (Kumi) de Silva is a senior immunologist developing vaccines for livestock and advocating for cultural diversity in higher education leadership.
Dr Tim Dean describes his approach to philosophy communication and explains his interdisciplinary research on the evolution of morality including some of the ideas explored in his book, How We Became Human: And Why Need to Change
Allan Killick is a carpenter and joiner with more than 37 years experience as a contractor in the construction industry. You'll hear a discussion of the culture of worksites and the importance of mentoring when learning a trade.
A resource for learning about the ongoing impacts of colonialism on First Nations peoples
Sarah Caddy is an astronomer and astrophysicist working on the Huntsman Telescope. Includes foundational knowledge about the universe, ideas about life on other planets, and the potential for space tourism to change humanity for the better.
Tim Hansen is a music composer, youth arts tutor, and satirical cabaret performer. Tim advocates for investment in the arts and is optimistic that Covid lockdowns have reminded people of the value of shared cultural experiences.
The Wide Open Air Exchange is now a radio program on 2SER. Click through to hear what this means for the podcast.
Discussing movies with small town themes with Davis Rivera and with thanks to our contributors from around the world: Astrid (Poland), Lachlan (Australia), Betsy (United States), Natalie (England), Chanan (Israel), Rachael (Australia), Anne-Marie (Australia).
If public records are correct Dr Elisabeth Kirkby turned 100 earlier this year (2021). I've been thinking about our conversation for the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast when Lis was aged 96 and how it could be of interest to researchers of women in mid-20th century British and Australian social and political culture and to other readers more generally.
In the lead up to the Glasgow Climate Conference and the Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement, this interview with climate science scholar Professor Myles Allen is a reminder of key developments in the UNFCCC, from Rio to Paris, and provides some context for current climate politics.
After 20 years working as a successful media strategist and public relations consultant, including for the UK Ministry of Justice, Jo Oakes made a bold decision to make a change and retrain as a clinical audiologist. With the help of a career counsellor, Jo identified her vocational values, goals and skills and is now working as a health practitioner in a clinical setting and testing patients in her role as a clinical audiologist and neurophysiology technician.
An introduction to the Zettelkasten note-taking and knowledge management system which was famously used by sociologist Niklas Luhmann in the mid-twentieth century to inform his extensive research output, and recently made accessible to learn as a method by Sönke Ahrens through his book How to Take Smart Notes.
A virtual meeting of the Wide Open Air Exchange Film Club with guest Davis Rivera. Thanks to everyone who contributed reviews and comments for inclusion in the discussion.
A discussion of the candidates and their campaigns ahead of election day on 3 November. Topics include what might be the appeal of Joe Biden to moderate Republicans, and how the pandemic informed the Trump and Biden campaign approaches. You'll also hear thoughts on how liberal media bias against President Trump is making Fox News look relatively neutral, and on the absence of either candidate offering anything meaningful to people involved in widespread protests across the US.
Oxford doctoral researcher Hanna Nowicka explains the development of her interest in biomedical engineering and her work on brain imaging methods, and shares some of the realities of DPhil/PhD life. Hanna is a Clarendon Scholar who conducted her research at FMRIB, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging. The audio of this episode has been archived
'A Country Practice' was a popular family drama which aired on Australian television from 1981 and into the early 90s. There has been a place for nostalgia television during the Covid shut downs and my guest, and sister, Anne-Marie Gallagher has been keenly re-watching ACA in recent months. Anne-Marie shares insights about some of the beloved characters, production history, and social themes which were addressed in a progressive way for the time.
Talking sci-fi and fantasy fiction with author and comedian Sam Bowring. You’ll hear about some of the thinking behind Sam’s Broken Well Trilogy and his approach to writing his latest book, Scharlette Doesn't Matter and Goes Time Travelling.
A conversation for the interest of students and practitioners of History and others interested in scholarly approaches and attitudes to biography and autobiography as historical methods. Professor Barbara Caine explains changing perceptions of biography in the historiography and the emergence of what some refer to as a biological turn and more recently an autobiographical turn.
A brief introduction to the contributions of Socrates and Plato and other influential ancient Greek thinkers with freelance philosopher Dr Tim Dean. This is an unpublished excerpt from a longer conversation with Tim about the Philosophy of Love.
Valentine's Day is a time when romantic love is idealised. This conversation explores the usefulness of different philosophical conceptions of love and considers contemporary applications of various ancient Greek words for love: éros, storgē, philía and agápe.
In her 20 year career Alexandra Carlton has carved out a reputation as a skilled feature writer and editor across numerous magazines and digital media sites. These days as an accomplished freelance writer Alex's work can be found across a variety of formats and publications including features for Marie Claire, articles for News.com.au and travel writing for Qantas.
In this conversation Alex shares insights about her practices of interviewing and storytelling and thoughts on how developments in digital media have informed changing practices of journalists along with the core skills that transcend media technologies.
Film scholar Davis Rivera shares his favourite films of the 2010s including narrative films, documentaries and a couple of exceptional stand-out series. Davis has kept a record of his personal ratings of films since he was aged 13 and has a database of more than 3000 film ratings. These are his picks of the decade.
An explanation of vectorology and genome editing and how viral vectors are used in gene therapy. Dr Leszek Lisowski is a molecular biologist who is Group Leader of Translational Vectorology at the Children's Medical Research Institute and Manager of its Vector and Genome Engineering Facility.
A nostalgia trip for those who lived through it and a cheat sheet for those seeking an introduction to the premise and characters of the TV series Beverly Hills 90210. This conversation with pop culture aficionado Liz Marques is a primer for watching the reboot, BH90210.
Answering questions asked by Year 8 students from Christian College, Geelong about the processes of creating a podcast. The students are researching, scripting and recording their own podcasts for a Digital News unit of study.
A guide to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Jeremy Ray, Managing Editor for FANDOM. If you’re interested in The Avengers but the thought of catching up with 23 movies is stopping you from investing any time in the series this conversation should help you get on board. You'll find an introduction to some of the Avengers characters and a snapshot of the story arcs across the three phases of Marvel movies.
A conversation about chemistry with no assumed knowledge. Chemist Dr Adrian George explains some of the history of chemistry as a discipline and gives an introduction to foundational concepts along with examples of how the knowledge of Chemistry is applied and used in our every day lives.
The resignation of Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party and the end of her Prime Ministership is a moment to revisit some of my conversation with former Number 10 advisor Nick Rowley about the problems of Brexit and the challenges faced by government leaders in the UK along with some additional thoughts about this development.
Marianna Papas is the creator of women's fashion label LuLu Manna and founder of LuLu Manna Boutique. Marianna shares insights from her years of experience within the fashion retail and textile industries including the challenges and rewards of starting her own business. I was also interested to hear Marianna's views on personal styling and to reminisce a little about fashion trends of the 1990s (some of which are coming back in style again).
As a follow to the previous episode about having a baby and discussions of conception and breastfeeding is this special including excerpts from conversations with previous guests with related specialist views.
Reproductive geneticist Nada Kubikova speaks about declining fertility, miscarriages, and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis which can be used during IVF to identify embryos affected by genetic defects (recorded Feb 2017). At the time of recording Nada was a doctoral researcher within the Institute of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Oxford.
Dr Julie Smith is an Associate Professor at the Research School of Population Health at ANU who has been an expert advisor to the World Health Organisation. Julie speaks about some of the evolutionary health benefits of breastfeeding and public policy contexts and impacts of the hospitalisation of births and emergence of milk formula (recorded Sept 2017).
'Baking A Baby' author Emma Bellamy explains her philosophy of conscious co-creation in preparing to have a baby and shares practical advice based on personal experiences. The first half of the conversation canvasses processes of transformation and preparation which can be done pre-conception, and the second half of the conversation turns to conception, birth and breastfeeding.
Nick Rowley shares insights from his time as a senior advisor on climate change at the 10 Downing St Policy Directorate in the Office of Prime Minister Tony Blair, along with his thoughts on Brexit, political communication, and his experiences teaching public policy at the University of Sydney.
Associate Professor Glenn Anthony Brock explains deep time and the emergence and evolution of bilaterian animals that arose during the Cambrian Explosion. He also shares his experiences of field and lab work and insights about his discipline and academic life. Glenn is a researcher and lecturer with the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University.
Insights about professional tennis from player development to life on the circuit and coaching and management approaches as well as some of the basics of what are the grand slam tournaments and court surfaces. Jaslyn Hewitt-Shehadie from Tennis Australia is National Academy Manager, Talent Development Manager and Wellbeing Ambassador for New South Wales and a former professional player who shares her expertise and personal experiences.
Boy & Bear guitarist Killian Gavin shares thoughts on some of the albums which have been influential in his musical awakenings—Cat Stevens' Tea for the Tillerman, Neil Young's Harvest, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Tamam Shud's Evolution—as well as other reflections on song writing and live performance.
In New South Wales there have been renewed calls for pill testing at music festivals. In this short excerpt from our 2016 conversation August De Loor of Stichting Adviesburo Drugs in Amsterdam speaks about his successful campaigns testing the quality of ecstasy pills at parties and other substances at his drug testing houses where people have been able to visit without fear of police intervention. August has been a leading advisor on Amsterdam’s drug policies for 50 years.
Dan Ilic shares stories and insights from his career in media and work at the intersections of comedy and journalism including creating sketch comedy and political satire. Dan has been a presenter on numerous network television and public radio programs and most recently held senior roles as Executive Producer of 'Tonightly' on ABC television and as Executive Producer of Satire at Fusion Media.
English obscenity law from the Victorian period in the mid-nineteenth century was unevenly applied to literature available to working class audiences. Hierarchical thinking and elitism in the application of the law was enduring and is evident as late as 1960 during the Lady Chatterley's Lover trial. This is an idea explored in a forthcoming book by Professor Chris Hilliard from the University of Sydney. Chris is researching censorship and cultural change in Britain from the Victorian period to the 1970s.
A conversation about diplomacy and Indonesia including the Australia-Indonesia relationship. Bapak Hermanus Dimara is Consul for Information, Social and Culture at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia for New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia based in Sydney. Bapak Hermanus Dimara adalah Konsul Fungsi Penerangan, Sosial dan Budaya, Konsulat Jenderal Republik Indonesia untuk New … Continue reading Indonesian diplomat Bapak Hermanus Dimara →
Dread, surrealism, trash and a good dose of slasher movies—a discussion of films appropriate for the Halloween season. Davis Rivera is a programmer for the Austin Film Society and a cinephile with an MSt in Film Aesthetics from the University of Oxford.
A general explanation of the US midterm elections with no assumed knowledge followed by an analysis of what the 2018 results might mean for the major parties and the future of US politics. The imminent Supreme Court appointment is discussed as is the potential for influential gerrymandering with upcoming redistricting. Alex Carlton is a journalist and social commentator with a special interest in US politics and US political culture.
Insights about public relations techniques with Nicole Reaney who is founder and director of InsideOut PR and #AsSeenOn. Topics include tips for agency pitches to potential clients and to traditional media journalists and more recent developments in brand marketing via social influencers. Nicole also shares her story of entering the industry and starting and growing her business.
Reviews of some of my favourite music performances from live studio sessions by Durand Jones & the Indications, Dub FX, Grieves, The Milk, Shakey Graves and Daryl Hall with Chromeo.
A conversation about some of the techniques of beer brewing and the flavour profiles of different beer styles with master brewer and Director of Dad and Dave's Brewing, John Dumay.
Nerida Campbell is an historian with an interest in criminal and deviant history including the treatment of women in criminal histories. Nerida is curator of the Sydney portfolio for Sydney Living Museums where her current Underworld exhibition includes images from the the 'Specials' collection of the NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive: a series of unique and candid mug shots of suspects in custody taken between 1920 and 1930.
Dr Lynette Riley is a Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman from Dubbo and Moree with a long career as an educator. Lyn is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. Her doctoral research looked at conditions of academic success for Aboriginal students. Lyn has experience as a teacher and in Aboriginal education and administration within primary schools, high schools, TAFE, state offices and universities. Lyn is also a member of the National NAIDOC Committee.
A celebration of sad songs with music aficionado Angus Huntsdale. Angus explains the appeal of listening to sad songs and shares some of his favourites by Perfume Genius, Dirty Three, Elliott Smith and Weddings Parties Anything.
A conversation about the study of architectural history as an interdisciplinary pursuit combining art history, intellectual history and visual culture. Deborah Ascher Barnstone is a professor of architectural history and architectural design at UTS and a licensed architect and principal with Ascher Barnstone Architects. Deborah's latest book is titled, The Break with the Past: Avant-Garde Architecture in Germany, 1910 – 1925
Reviews of five movies you can watch at home this Easter holidays each with appropriate themes for the season
Ecologist Dr John Martin from the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney discusses some of the history and benefits of citizen science which involves public participation in research projects. John also shares advice for individuals interested in studying ecology and thoughts on intervention research methods such as trapping animals for study and tracking.
Dr Ooi Kee Beng is Executive Director of the Penang Institute which is a major public policy think tank in Malaysia. Dr Ooi explains some of the political history of Malaysia in relation to global history and international order and by critically analysing concepts of colonialism, nationalism and regionalism. Dr Ooi is an accomplished academic and author and his public commentary can be found at Wikibeng.com
In this 90 second edit from a podcast conversation about crate digging, Danny Chifley aka Banga explains which parts of two songs from the 1970 album Band of Gold by Freda Payne were sampled in the creation of the 1988 hip hop song 'Strong Island' by J.V.C. F.O.R.C.E.
Lucy Haslam has been a leading advocate for patient access to medical cannabis since witnessing the relief her son Dan got from using cannabis when he was terminally ill. Lucy has been at the forefront of a movement to introduce medical cannabis in Australia and continues her work due to inadequacies of the current system.
More about developments in cannabinoid science as a follow on from a previous discussion about medical cannabis. Professor Iain McGregor is Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics which is part of the Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney. As well as explaining the human endocannabinoid system and the potential medicinal uses of various components of cannabis plants, Iain comments on the current regulatory approach to medical cannabis in Australia.
Broken Hill is a mining town in outback Australia. The red dusty landscape of its surrounding regions has been a backdrop for numerous films including Mad Max 2 and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. It is the only heritage listed city in Australia and a place with a thriving arts scene. Locals Andrea Roberts and Bonnie Fitzpatrick share their knowledge of Broken Hill's history and culture and memories of growing up there.
A look at Donald Trump's first year as President of the United States through the lens of some of his Twitter activity.
A discussion of medical cannabis and the regulatory frameworks and market forces which impact its availability in Australia and elsewhere. Nick Lintzeris is a director of drug and alcohol services in Sydney, a conjoint professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney, and a chief investigator for the newly established Australian Centre for Cannabinoid and Clinical Research Excellence.
Danny Chifley a.k.a. Banga is a familiar voice on Sydney radio station 2SER where he hosts Friday Drive and co-hosts the hip hop program Hardcore Classic. He is a funk, soul and hip hop music aficionado who has recorded and performed as part of the groups Chaos Maths and Dirtbox Kings. Banga has an impressive vinyl record collection and here he shares five albums to look out for when crate digging in Australia.
Dr Elisabeth Kirkby shares insights from her lifetime of vocational pursuits. Lis was a theatre actress in Britain, a radio broadcaster in Singapore and Malaya, and a star of the Australian television soapie 'Number 96' before becoming a parliamentarian and state leader for the Australian Democrats political party. At the age of 93, Lis graduated with a doctorate from the University of Sydney.
Dr Marilynn Davis is a professional educator of outdoor leaders in first response strategies for mountaineering accidents and other pre-hospital care. Marilynn has volunteered with Teton County Search and Rescue in Wyoming and she featured on the television program Backcountry Rescue on the Outdoor Channel.
Old-time is a genre of American folk music which developed in the Appalachian Mountains region from a fusion of British/Irish folk and West African musical traditions. Joe Glover is banjo player for the band Shelley's Murder Boys and he explains the roots of old-time music along with sharing techniques for playing the banjo and banjo making. Joe also plays harmonica for the blues band Backsliders.
Professor Naguib Kanawati is Director of the Australian Centre for Egyptology. He explains his fascination with the Old Kingdom and why he considers that researchers should have hands-on experience of archaeological digs. Professor Kanawati has an inspirational personal story of pursuing what he loves doing.
A discussion of gaming and the video game industry with Jeremy Ray a.k.a. Junglist. Jeremy is best known as a video game critic and a journalist with interests in game and industry development. Among his accomplishments, Jeremy co-created Good Game on ABC television and 5 inch Floppy for GameArena and he recently became Managing Editor of FANDOM in Australia.
Often the first question people ask astronomer Ben Pope is whether Pluto should be a planet. Ben shares his thoughts on this and how it relates to different approaches to astronomy. He also explains his own research of astronomical imaging. Ben has a DPhil in Astrophysics from the University of Oxford and is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sydney. He's been awarded a NASA Carl Sagan Fellowship to pursue research at NYU.
A discussion of human milk sharing and emerging markets in breast milk with Dr Julie Smith from the Australian National University. Julie was formerly a senior economist for Australian and New Zealand governments, an advisor to the World Health Organisation, and a breastfeeding councillor and board member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
There are not many people who can say they were working in counter-terrorism during the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States. Nick O'Brien, who worked for Scotland Yard for thirty years, was on duty in charge of international intelligence and operations in Special Branch and he recalls the gravity of that moment.
Nick O’Brien is Associate Professor of Counter Terrorism and Head of the Australian Graduate School of Policing & Security at Charles Sturt University. Nick worked for Scotland Yard for thirty years and on the day of the 9/11 terror attacks, he was in charge of international intelligence and operations in Special Branch. We discuss issues related to terrorism including the impacts of community relations and possible future implications of climate change on migration and security.
Insights about the purpose of science communication and tips for practitioners in a discussion with Dr Will Grant from the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) at the Australian National University. Will is a researcher, lecturer and convenor of graduate studies and workshops at CPAS. He also co-hosts an entertaining podcast, The Wholesome Show, in conversation with scientists.
From Ovid's Metamorphoses to the poetry of Charles Bukowski, the textual nuances of Flaubert's Madame Bovary, and the genre-bending of Jamaica Kincaid's The Autobiography of My Mother, Sarah Houillon shares insights from her broad interest in literature and her own artistic inclinations. Sarah has been a fellow of New College, Oxford where she taught French literature and language and a member of Pembroke College, Oxford as a graduate of English literature.
A conversation about identity and languages with Lily Begg from Pembroke College, Oxford. We met when Lily was editor-in-chief of The ISIS magazine in Oxford where she’s studying French and Italian. Lily shares personal insights from her experiences living in Belgium and England and on exchange in Italy and from her roles as a language translator, magazine editor, and theatre director.
Olivia Durand is an Oxford scholar researching neo-Frenchness in the cities of New Orleans and Odessa. Olivia has lived in the United States as a Fulbright scholar and in the Ukraine working for the French Foreign Office. A doctoral researcher with the Department of Global and Imperial History at Oxford University, Olivia is also vice-president and treasurer of the MCR at Pembroke College.
Dinant Riks is a doctoral researcher of chronic migraines with the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at Oxford University where he's a member of Pembroke College. Dinant is using MRI technology to explore changes in the structure and function of the brain in the treatment of chronic migraines. We also discuss issues related to pain medication and Dinant shares insights from his previous studies of pharmacology and psychology.
As a school leaver Timothy Farrant took up a trade in amenity horticulture and worked as a greenkeeper on golf courses and as a farm labourer. It was whilst on his Morman mission that Tim was encouraged to apply to university and went on to study Medieval History. Tim is currently a Clarendon Scholar of Theology at Pembroke College, Oxford where he's researching Augustinian influences on zoology in the Middle Ages.
Lindsey Cohick is a Clarendon Scholar with the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University and a member of Pembroke College. Her current research focuses on pirates as non-state actors in the 'Golden Age of Piracy', around 1650-1730. We discuss her previous research of Japanese history particularly the construction of the Samurai ethos of 'death before dishonour'. Lindsey is also a creative writer and a comics enthusiast.
For the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, a companion episode to The Beatles' album with Chris Bayne from The Oxford Beatles edited from a discussion of every Beatles album in episode WOAE028.
Kira Huju is an Oxford scholar in the Department of Politics and International Relations. Her interests in feminism and decentering International Relations have informed Kira's research of Indian politics and foreign policy. Kira also shares personal insights about honing her approach to issues of social and global justice and her response to criticisms of political correctness.
Lucinda Cadzow is a Clarendon Scholar in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University. Lucinda has written about soft balancing and is currently researching the global governance of tax. Hailing from the Yarra Valley in Australia, Lucinda shares her story of exploring other vocations before discovering an interest and aptitude for political theory, political economy and international relations. We also discuss our mutual appreciation of soul and disco music.
An analysis of the policy implementation of Donald Trump’s campaign promises in his first 100 days as President of the United States of America. Hailing from New York, Gabriel Delaney studies Politics at Oxford University and has experience as a presidential election field organiser in Pennsylvania for the 2012 Obama campaign. As well as critiquing Trump’s presidency, Gabriel is very good explaining some of the mechanics of the U.S. political system.
Theologian Dr Chris Deacy from the University of Kent in Canterbury specialises in analysing the intersections of religion and secular films. Chris explains his approach with reference to popular films including Groundhog Day and Fight Club. We also discuss some philosophical questions about religion and Chris shares stories from his formative years and his discovery of film and theological studies.
Robin Dunbar is a world renowned professor of evolutionary biology. He explains his famous theory of social group sizes, known as Dunbar's number, which suggests there is a limited number of relationships which humans (and other primates) can maintain. We also discuss some of his other findings related to social bonding and the release of endorphins activated by certain interactions such as touch, laughing, singing, and dancing together. Professor Dunbar is with the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and he is a Fellow of Magdalen College.
Ryan Terribilini comes from technology and public policy roles at Google and Ripple to study Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. We discuss some of the emerging issues related to internet privacy and surveillance in a world in which we increasingly interact online and in which global finance operates using new technologies. Ryan also explains android ecosystems, bitcoin and distributed ledger technology.
Geeking out over the career and music of The Beatles with Chris Bayne from the Oxford Beatles. We discuss The Beatles story from their early years and chronologically through each of their studio albums 1963-1970. Chris also shares details about a theatrical production the Oxford Beatles are developing for the 50th anniversary of the Sgt. Peppers album this year.
An explanation of why The Jungle Book was recognised for best visual effects at the Academy Awards. Below is an excerpt of my pre-Oscars conversation with James Whitlam from Framestore. James explains the visual effects techniques used in the film based on the five categories it won at the Visual Effects Society Awards beginning with Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature.
Learn about the films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects this year. You'll hear industry and technical knowledge from James Whitlam who is executive producer of film at Framestore in London where he's currently in final delivery on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Previously James worked with Iloura as a producer on Deepwater Horizon, which is one of the nominees this year, and with Rising Sun Pictures on five of the Harry Potter movies, Wolverine, Superman and other major Hollywood films. James shares insights from his 25 year career in visual effects.
Andrew Linden is a doctoral researcher of population health at Oxford University specialising in epidemiology. Andrew uses data from the UK and China biobanks to investigate how adult height is related to chronic diseases. A Clarendon Scholar and a member of Brasenose College, Andrew is also a Fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa and he was an actuarial consultant in London before moving to Oxford.
Lotta Haegg met her husband through an online dating site after taking a proactive approach to finding a partner. She's now happily married. I'm happily single and together we discuss our experiences of attraction, dating, relationships and break-ups. Topics include online dating profiles, first dates and who pays, falling in love, living together, resolving conflict, and the benefits of married life and single life.
Nada Kubikova is a reproductive geneticist doing clinical work and doctoral research in a leading Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) lab in Oxford. PGD can be used during IVF to identify embryos affected by genetic disorders or abnormalities. Nada discusses innovations and ethical issues in her field. She also explains why infertility occurs in women. Nada is a Clarendon Scholar at Oxford University and a member of Brasenose College.
Inspired by U2 stealing back the song 'Helter Skelter', here is a reclaiming of 'My Way' after the Trumps used it for their first dance as president and first lady at an inauguration ball. Also your messages and comments about previous episodes. As well as US politics, other topics are Amsterdam's soft drug policy, sexism experienced by women in science, and thoughts on whether human connections will be possible with virtual reality technology.
A discussion of Trump's inauguration ceremony, a breakdown of his speech, and thoughts on what we might expect from his first days as president in US foreign and domestic policy. Oxford scholar Mitchell Robertson brings insights about American history and politics to this analysis. Mitchell is a doctoral candidate associated with the Rothermere American Institute and he has a Master of Studies in United States History from Oxford University.
Windex Pete is a New Orleans local who plays a washboard percussion instrument. We met in the Tremé neighbourhood on the street where he appears in the Cee Lo Green video for 'Music to My Soul'. Pete tells stories about some of the many famous people he's met including the Jacksons and Mick Jagger. He explains zydeco music and plays other songs including the soundtrack to his first slow-drag dance with a girl. We also share personal experiences of quitting smoking and the deaths of our fathers.
Alice Schwarze is a physicist with the Mathematical Institute at Oxford University and a member of Pembroke College. Alice is a Clarendon Scholar specialising in systems approaches to biomedical science. She currently works on modelling protein-interaction networks for pharmaceutical applications. Alice got interested in physics as a young teen attending Mensa summer camps. We discuss her career development including what it's like working in a male-dominated field. Alice shares advice for young women thinking of becoming scientists.
August de Loor has been at the forefront of advising on Amsterdam's drug policy for 50 years. Here he explains the social benefits of separating soft and hard drugs through the legal communal use of cannabis in the coffeeshop system in Amsterdam. August discusses developments in drug culture and recalls his social work and community initiatives including working closely with heroin users and starting a needle exchange as well as running a drug-testing project for many years. August advocates for a "Third Way" of dealing with drugs which comes from society rather than a top-down policing or white-coat medical approach.
Jojo Rahamim is a doctoral researcher in the Department of Physics at Oxford University where he is working on building a quantum computer. Jojo also has experience with particle physics and rocket science and you'll hear about how nanofibers are made and how rocket thrusters work. We discuss nuclear power, ethics in science, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and even time travel. Jojo shares stories of travelling across India in a rickshaw rally, attending the Burning Man festival, and performing in a children's entertainment troupe. He also explains the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.
Johanna Koehler is a doctoral researcher at Oxford University specialising in decentralisation and water security in Kenya. Johanna recently returned from Kenya and she shares what it's like on the ground in local communities as well as her interactions at the governance and policy levels. We also discuss Johanna's earlier field work on the border of South and North Korea which was inspired by her family's experience being separated between East and West Germany. Johanna is a Clarendon Scholar with the School of Geography and the Environment and she works on the Water Programme at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford.
Dylan James is a Clarendon Scholar of Ancient History in the Classics Faculty at Oxford University who specialises in Greek and Roman historiography. We discuss his intellectual development from being fascinated in ancient history and classics as a child to learning Latin and Greek languages as a young man so he could study classical texts for his honours, masters, and now doctoral research. Dylan is somewhat of an all-rounder and we also chat about his other pursuits in music, sport, comedy, and politics.
Post-election analysis including a breakdown of voter demographics with Mitchell Robertson from Oxford University. Mitchell explains who voted for Donald Trump in terms of sex, age, race, education, and geography and where Hillary Clinton fell short. We also discuss the House and Senate results and the prospects for Trump pursuing his policies. Mitchell is a doctoral candidate associated with the Rothermere American Institute and he has a Master of Studies in United States History from Oxford University.
Since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election I've received several messages from friends asking how this could have happened. Here is a little of my conversation with Gabriel Delaney from before the election in which he gives a good overview of how support for Trump is a push back against political correctness and elite establishment politics in America and a reflection of white nationalism by a portion of the population.
Ben Daus-Haberle is co-president of the Oxford chapter of Republicans Overseas UK. Ben hails from Massachusetts where he was raised as a Democrat. He worked for John Kerry after high school and campaigned for Obama in 2008 before having an intellectual and ideological conversion to Republicanism whilst studying at Yale University. On the eve of the U.S. presidential election, Ben shares what being Republican means to him as well as his thoughts on Donald Trump and the future of the Republican Party.
US presidential election guide with Gabriel Delaney who was a field organiser for the Obama campaign in 2012. Gabriel is currently a candidate for an MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) at the University of Oxford with a research interest in political narratives. We discuss the narratives of the Clinton and Trump campaigns and Gabriel explains the electoral map and what is needed by each candidate to win. He also shares insights about strategies in the final days before the election from his experience of campaigning in Pennsylvania.
Oxford climate scientist Professor Myles Allen explains the Paris agreement on the day it comes into force. Professor Allen leads the Climate Research Programme at the Environmental Change Institute in the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford where he also heads the Climate Dynamics Group in the Department of Physics.
Answering your correspondence and comments with audio from previous episodes. Topics include media coverage of funerals, the gentrification of Austin, Dolly Parton, the Black National Anthem, film remakes, Elvis, and pursuing your childhood dreams. Features music by Radford Ellis from his album Lonely Blue Boy.
Jack O'Sullivan is a medical doctor who researches overdiagnosis. He explains concerns about unnecessary tests detecting cancers which might never develop into serious health problems for individuals in their lifetimes. We also discuss the invention of medical conditions for commercial pharmaceutical purposes, among other topics. Jack is a Clarendon Scholar with the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at Oxford University.
Jaime Swift is a biological and forensic anthropologist and archaeologist. She is a Clarendon Scholar at Oxford University and a doctoral candidate in Archaeological Science. Jaime studied criminology and was a federal agent with the Australian Federal Police. She also previously spent a year on the professional tennis circuit. We discuss Jaime's career as well as her impressive archaeological research findings.
Carolyn Davis is co-host of the podcast Snatched! and a PhD student at the University of Texas. One of the few black people in her grad program, Carolyn discusses diversity issues in Austin as well national racial injustices with policing and the prison system. Carolyn shares personal insights as a queer bisexual woman. We also discuss her research of 18th century transatlantic literature and the class she teaches about fandom.
This week is dedicated to an explanation of gender identity terminologies and concepts which Jess explains both from an academic perspective and from his personal experience transitioning from being assigned female at birth to identifying as a genderqueer transgender man. Jess O’Rear is a PhD student at the University of Texas in Austin.
Radford Ellis is a Memphis singer known for his Elvis tribute on Beale Street. Radford knew Elvis for many years from care-taking at Graceland, initially cutting the yard. He was a confidant to Elvis, sometimes sitting on the roof together talking all night. Radford was also a body-double decoy for Elvis after concerts a few times. A musician in his own right, Radford was so often compared with Elvis that he was compelled to perform his songs. Music in this episode is used courtesy of Radford Ellis.
Lotta Haegg is a talk-radio producer living in London. We discuss what it’s like being a radio producer and Lotta tells of her first radio shifts during major news events. Lotta also shares stories from her years growing up in regional Australia and Sweden and speaks of her experience as a step mum to teenagers.
Mike King is founder of Smile Kids Japan, a non-profit organisation which connects volunteers with child welfare institutions. He's also in the final stages of a DPhil in Social Policy at Oxford University.