Conversations with The Smith Family

We're excited to share our new podcast, All I Can Be. A six-part series about big dreams, hidden struggles and turning points that change lives. You’ll hear from young Australians - as well as a few well-known voices - who faced tough starts but went on to achieve goals that once felt out of reach - proving that where you begin doesn’t have to define where you go.  Listen, follow and share -...

Distinguished Professor George Williams AO joins us to talk about the financial pressures forcing too many university students to skip meals and sleep in cars. He explains how we can better support young people and why universities must fight for equity and change.     He also explores the importance of the humanities in an age of misinformation and AI, and how showing up where stud...

What does it take to shift the systems that shape our lives? In this episode, Professor Kristy Muir joins us to explore how real change happens — from purpose-led leadership to valuing local wisdom and the key ingredients for good collaboration.     Kristy is a social impact, philanthropy and systems change leader who has spent decades tackling tough social challenges across educati...

Jesse King, a descendant of the Waanyi people, has spent his life in and around classrooms – first as the child of a teacher, then as one himself. Today, he’s a policy leader and advocate, helping young people thrive as the Aurora Education Foundation’s Head of Impact and Data, and as a member of The Smith Family's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Advisory Group.     I...

Eddie Woo is one of Australia’s most well-known educators, reaching millions through his YouTube channel, Wootube, and inspiring students and teachers alike with his passionate, human-centred approach to learning. Behind the online success is a teacher deeply committed to equity and making a positive difference in the lives of the students he teaches.    In this conversation, Eddie...

How is artificial intelligence transforming our classrooms? Professor Leslie Loble AM unpacks the real-world impact of AI and technology on learning and education. From the benefits of personalised learning to the risk of widening inequality, she shares insights on what this fast-moving tech means for students today and into the future.     Noting "AI is not all doom and gloom"...

In a must-listen episode, we hear from family psychologist Steve Biddulph AM, one of the world’s best-known parenting educators and authors. He shares insights on the importance of role models in a child’s development and education journey, and the traits that set young people up for a good life. Steve also reflects on the mental health challenges affecting young people today, describing anxiety a...

What if every child had an equal start in early learning? Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, makes a powerful case for why every child should have access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education and care, and how failing to provide that risks entrenching disadvantage from the very beginning.  Georgie unpacks why children who stand to benefit the most from early learning are the...

In our first conversation of 2025, Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, sits down with David Gonski AC, the driving force behind Australia’s landmark school funding reforms, to explore the current state of education and what’s needed to ensure every child – no matter their background – has the opportunity to succeed.   They discuss the legacy of the Gonski Report and the recent agreemen...

Welcome to a new season of  Conversations with The Smith Family – a podcast that dives into the big issues affecting young people, their education and their future. Over eight episodes, we explore ideas to help tackle educational inequality in Australia and ensure every child has the chance to thrive at school and beyond. Host Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, is joined by a stellar line-...

In this episode, we’re bringing you some of the highlights from our first season of conversations. If you'd like to hear more, you can scroll back through the feed to find the full episodes. This series has explored the work being done across the Australian community to help young people change their futures through the power of education. From expert insights to deeply moving personal stories, we...

In our final conversation for 2024, Kelly, a parent with two children on our Learning for Life program, reflects on the year that’s been, as cost-of-living pressures continue to take a heavy toll on families and impact children’s education.      Her story highlights the difficulties many families on lower incomes are facing. In a recent survey of nearly 2,500 families supported by The Sm...

In this episode, we dive into Pay What It Takes, an initiative within the not-for-profit sector to address misconceptions around admin costs and why these shouldn’t be seen as a measure of a ‘good’ or 'bad' charity. The campaign aims to increase understanding of the true cost of running effective charities and creating a positive and lasting impact in our communities.  Doug speaks with two of...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of building trusted partnerships with families to support their child’s education.   The conversation draws on the experiences of Ben Blowers, who has worked directly with families on The Smith Family's Learning for Life program over the past five years.   Ben shares insights into how The Smith Family engages with parents, offering not just fina...

In this important episode for Anti-Poverty Week, we meet James Manton, an alumni of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, who shares his deeply personal story of growing up in disadvantage, the impact it had on his education and how the right support at the right time helped him turn his life around. James also offers valuable insights into how our society can better support young people e...

In the lead-up to Anti-Poverty Week, this conversation explores what poverty looks like in modern Australia and how digital poverty is leaving young people experiencing disadvantage further behind in education and employment opportunities.    Caroline McDaid, CEO of WorkVentures, shares insights into what can be done to bridge this digital divide and how organisations are working to ensu...

Volunteers play a vital role in shaping our communities, yet volunteering rates in Australia are in decline. In this conversation, we hear from Mark Pearce, CEO of Volunteering Australia, about the changing nature of volunteering and efforts to revitalise volunteering for the future.   CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Mark Pearce, CEO, Volunteering Australia Audio produ...

In this special episode, we feature highlights from our recent webinar, exploring how we can collectively support more young Australians to achieve success at school and beyond. Currently, one in four young Australians aren't completing year 12 or the equivalent – and the rate is much higher for young people experiencing disadvantage. Yet we know that higher educational attainment is associated wi...

This week, we're meeting two award-winning primary school principals who see firsthand the challenges and hopes of young people experiencing disadvantage. Alison Forthuber and Rachel Armer have been educators for more than two decades, leaving an indelible footprint on thousands of young people over that time. In this conversation, Alison and Rachel share their passion for education, their inspiri...

Philanthropy has been a mainstay of The Smith Family's history, helping to transform the lives of thousands of young Australians through education. In this conversation, we welcome Shamal Dass, a renowned expert in philanthropy and social impact, to explore the world of philanthropic giving and how people and organisations can make a meaningful difference in their communities.    CREDITS...

Inequality in Australia has grown and social connection is on the decline. How can governments and charities work together to support young people and strengthen our communities for a better future?   We head to Parliament House for this conversation with The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment, addressing education reform, the future...

Education is a transformative force, yet the path to higher education isn’t always easy. In this conversation, we welcome Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Sydney, to discuss the challenges facing students from disadvantaged backgrounds and initiatives in the university sector to break down these barriers.   CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith F...

School attendance is a complex issue affecting many students and families. Declining attendance levels have been making headlines in Australia and around the world.   In this conversation, education researcher Dr Kirsten Hancock breaks down the latest trends and challenges, emphasising the need for supportive, non-punitive measures. Using both local and international research, she shares prac...

Welcome to  Conversations with The Smith Family , a new podcast series hosted by Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family. In this series, we delve into initiatives across Australia aimed at empowering young people to transform their futures through education. Each episode brings together diverse voices from the Smith Family community, alongside educators, researchers, philanthropists, business l...