Squares or Towers? Join economist Will Witheridge, businessman Jordan Shopov and I for a discussion on how networks and hierarchies have worked throughout history and in the modern age. We look at this by basing the discussion around Niall Ferguson’s newest book on the subject. But you don’t need to have read the book. Enjoy and remember to rate the podcast!

For this episode it’s just me ‘running solo’ and talking about my recent article (below) on books that I think young Aussies should read. Please leave a message with your thoughts. Happy listening! I thought I’d share with parents and young professionals some of the books that I wish I’d read sooner. Granted, this list may seem like a slight ‘stretch’ for a school-aged reader, as I didn’t conquer some of these books until my 20s. But I hope it achieves the right mix of self-development with a taste of the historical, economic and political issues that will continue to […]

For this conversation I’m joined by the Beijing-based Enoch Li – founder of Bearapy (www.bearapy.me) – to talk about avoiding burnout, the nature of depression, mindfulness and how ‘play’ can lead to good outcomes in staying fresh and fulfilled.

Although I feel slightly indulgent to speak about my new book, I pass the interviewer’s mic to good friend Jordan Shopov. We talk about the lessons in my book, in particular, how an intolerance of your circumstances, developing focus, improving your writing and taking advantage of the unique opportunities Australia offers all conspired to fuel my turnaround. For a copy of the book please visit Connor Court Publishing.

On this episode I talk to Dr Sammut from the Centre for Independent Studies. We start a little differently by discussing personal history but then move onto the (re)emergence of identity politics, the state of universities and building cultural confidence in Australian history.

For something slightly different, I talk to Gold Coast Lifeguard Luke Ingwersen on the range of roles a lifeguard plays, from local tour guide to first responder. It’s a great discussion on rips, some general water safety, the changing nature of international beach-goers and the challenges of being responsible for public safety in one of the busiest places in the country.

This episode’s title is borrowed from Robert Garran’s satire of the Australia’s State Premiers in 1934. While we oftentimes hear that the States should collect your income tax (the Feds currently do) they historically haven’t been too keen on it. Federalism is hardly a ‘fun’ topic but join Jordan Shopov, Will Witheridge and I as we talk about some of the unique features of our federal system.  

It’s not all about the United States, Trump or Brexit. All states and governments are under pressure, from technology and ‘automation’ to a new generation bringing all new grievances. Are robots really going to wipe out our workforce? And, in a more connected world, are we actually becoming more isolated? Join economist Will Witheridge and I for a discussion on the trends shaping our current world.

Renewable energy targets, power bills, nuclear power, Paris agreements and a ‘carbon constrained environment’. Join energy policy specialist Lauren Timms and I as we come at the energy discussion from different angles. I even manage to throw Adam Smith in there. Lauren Timms Lauren is an energy policy specialist with the Queensland Government, who came to the energy sector by way of an Arts degree majoring in international relations She started her career as a baby analyst and with a boutique consultancy firm in Vienna and specialising in European and North East Asian natural gas markets before moving into electricity. […]

From social media to our need for 24 hour news, we know that the world has changed. But how would past leaders survive today? And do we put our current political leaders under so much pressure, despite being able to do only so much? Talking through these topics with me is professional economist William Witheridge and Whig Capital’s Jordan Shopov. A special thanks to Sam Muller for his help in producing this episode! Jordan’s point that institutions should be our focus, instead of leaders themselves, is inspired by a Nobel Lecture from the late James M. Buchanan: https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economic-sciences/laureates/1986/buchanan-lecture.html And links […]