Think Again

While bushfires ravage large areas across several Australian states, our federal leaders deny that climate change is happening and that they have anything to do with the fires. Fake news spread by the Murdoch press and social media offer a range of phony reasons for the disaster, all of which have been debunked by climate scientists and fire chiefs in the relevant states. And meanwhile, our PM dec...

James Conlan talks about a local campaign to bring about the community's vision for redevelopment of the Upfield railway line in Coburg, in the inner north of metropolitan Melbourne. The railway line is being raised to do away with railway crossings, however the community wants to have a real say in what happens in the spaces below, and to improve bike paths and public transport linkages.

The commons as an approach offers a way to better organise our lives for the common good and the sustainability of our planet. In this program the history, meaning and practice of the commons is discussed, including a need to look to Aboriginal knowledge to deal with climate change and the current fires in Victoria and Australia. References:Bauman,  (1998) Work, Consumerism and the New Poor. UK: O...

Jennifer interviews Jacques about the global inequities in access to food, and the associated disempowerment of people in relation to food production and distribution (as featuring in the latest edition of New Community, # 67). While half the world is 'stuffed' and obsessed with food, the other half is 'starving'. Jacques talks a bit about some of the root causes, as well as the sort of projects t...

Jennifer and Jacques talk about climate change and the absolute abrogation of responsibility by our leaders. And their dedication to fossil fuels is really astounding... or is there a more plausible reason behind it...?The spectacle of governmental shennanigans around all aspects of global warming, climate change and anything 'ecological' is just astaunding...

Pablo Gimenez talks about his work in setting up and running social enterprises, and he shares some of the challenges and enablers. Refs:Mansfield, C. and Gregory, D. (2019) Capitalism in crisis? Transforming our economy for people and planet. UK: Social Enterprise UK (www.socialenterprise.org. UK)Social Enterprise UK (2019 The hidden revolution: Size and scale of social enterprise in 2018. UK: So...

David Craig from VALID talks about his work in the disability field, especially with peer action groups.

In this episode, Bob Pease talks about men, gender, family violence, and developments in the men's movement over the last few decades. Bob was one of the founders of the White Ribbon campaign in Australia and offers some interesting insights. Ref: Pease, B. (2019) Facing patriarchy. London: Zed Books.

This program continues the teme of 'sociogeneic' and governogenic' mental illness - with addiction being generated by the design, proliferation and regulation of high-intensity poker machines for private profit and government revenue. Refs:Borrell, J. (2008) Understanding problem gambling: the interaction of personal and stuctural processes. Germany: VDM Verlag. Costello, T. & Millar, R. (2000) Wa...

Jacques and Jennifer have a conversation about mental illness, particularly those generated by and within current social circumstances. Some of the misguided notions about causes and remedies are explored, with a focus on one man's journey. Ref:Hari, J. (2018) Lost connections: Uncovering the real causes of depression - and the unexpected solutions. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

The presenters explore how narcissism as a 'disorder' is the perfect fit for our current version of capitalism: greed is still 'good'... and 'I' deserve all I got and still can get... and 'wealth is god's gift (to me)'...Refs:Manne, A. (2015) The Life of I: The new culture of narcissism. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. Also see references for previous program: 'Psychopathic behaviour and po...

Why has psychopathic (or sociopathic) behaviour taken root in the upper and middle levels of management in the community sector in recent times, a sector where we should least expect this to happen? This is explored, with some reference to neoliberal ideology and managerialism. Refs: See previous program on psychopathic behaviour and power.

Jacques and Jennifer talk about socio- and psychopathic behaviour and power, and how psychopathic behaviour is encouraged and rewarded in our society. ReferencesClarke, J. (2005) Working with monsters: How to identify and protect yourself from the workplace psychopath. Sydney: Random House Australia. Manne, A. (2015) The life of I: The new culture of narcissism. Melbourne: Melbourne University Pre...

The economist Manfred Max-Neef died in August 2019. He was referred to as the 'barefoot economist' - a title conferred on him when he received the Alternative Nobel Proze for economics or the Right Livelihood Award. He received this for 'revitalising small and medium-sized communities through "Barefoot Economics"'. There is evidently much we can learn from his work and thinking. Ref:Max-Neef, M. (...

This episode looks at the fragmented and uncoordianted way in which we are governed and how our lives are organised. The consequences for our personal and social wellbeing and for the health of the planet are serious. In particular, consumerism as a solution to bolster a flagging economy is in direct contravention of what is needed for environmental sustainability. The episode ends with informatio...

In this program public and societal values are discussed. What values are promoted by our public figures? What values are rewarded? What values do we think are important in our lives? Are these changing?

We discussed the undesirability and impossibility of continual economic growth in a previous program. In this program we explore the 'degrowth' movement as a more hopeful alternative. Ref:Meadows, D., Randers, J., Behrens III, W.W. (1972) The limits to growth. Creative Commons attribution non commercial license. Web search for:Local Futures NetworkNew Economy Network Australia (NENA)Michael Bauwen...

In this program Kate Wheller, mother to two children with a disability, speaks about her experience of the NDIS.

In recent times the Morrison Government's credentials for managing the economy  have come into question with the slowing of its growth. This program looks at how we measure economic growth and what it means. Is continual economic growth even possible or desirable? And who and what are the winners and losers of all that presumed growth...?Refs:Raworth, K. Doughnut economics: Seven ways to think lik...

Are programs to improve resilience in children the best way to go? Perhaps we need to look at what is reducing resilience in the first place. This program refers back to the first program on relationality, making the argument that our individual and collective wellbeing relies on the health of the living network of relationships that we live and breathe within. Many of our mental health problems c...

This episode explores the usefulness of Royal Commissions. What are they? Why are we having so many? Are they effective or are there better and more economical ways of spending our common wealth for the better?

This program explores and compares the organisation of some cooperatives in Australia and in Argentina. Some of the challenges and success are explored in the context of different social, cultural, economic and governance contexts. The program finsihses with ideas and resources for people interested in more cooperative approaches to organising ourselves and living together. Ref:Borrell, J. and Bou...

For this program Jennifer continues her interview with Jacques about a book chapter he has written on populism, social media and community development. Ref:Boulet, J (2021a) “Social-media-weaponised Populism and Community Development” in Kenny, S, Ife, J & Westoby, P (eds.) Populism, Democracy and Community Development Bristol: Policy Press pp. 89 - 108

We've heard a lot about populist movements sweeping across the world, amidst the disenchantment of the marginalised. Todays populist movements seem to be turbo charged by social media which has co-opted the most initmate areas of our lives. For this program Jennifer interviews Jacques about a book chapter he has recently written, which includes some suggestions for a countering community developme...

The scams and frauds of the banking industry, exposed by the Royal Commission, have been enabled by loose or (pretty much) self-regulation. Meanwhile the federal government wants to tighten the screws on unions. The differential treatment of banks and unions is pretty stark, with successive governments clearly aligning themsleves with the interests of those holding wealth and power. Ref: Ziffer, D...