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PODCAST

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast

Community Broadcasting Association of Australia

Australian perspectives on the week"s neglected social aspects of life, too often ignored by economics-driven priorities. These undermine our options for good societies, not just growth. Eva Cox is a well-known sociologist and public feminist commentator with a long involvement in advocacy for more civil societies. Julie Macken has a wealth of experience as a journalist for AFR and New Matilda and has worked with a variety of non-profit organisations. Produced for community radio stations across

news news commentary

All Episodes

5:00

Australia’s Climate Blindspot - With Michael Walker

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2025/03/25

Australia faces an existential threat from climate change, yet unlike a rogue asteroid, which mobilises immediate global action, the government has no transparent strategy to tackle the crisis. In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate Michael Walker highlights how despite possessing a secret climate risk assessment described as “frankly terrifying,” leaders continue to keep the public in the dark. Michael argues that what Australia truly needs is a national peace and security strategy

en-AU

5:00

Returning to Civility – With Eva Cox

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2025/03/18

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox challenges us to rethink what truly matters, emphasizing that civility—our ability to trust and care for one another—has been lost in political agendas focused on money and power. She calls for a return to valuing our shared humanity, reminding us that a good society is built on connection, not just economic gain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

5:00

Introducing: This Is Not A Horse Race – With Julie...

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2025/03/11

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken introduces our upcoming extended special series that will focus on the looming federal election campaign. Entitled ‘This Is Not A Horse Race’ Julie and the team will be amplifying community voices and looking at policies over political theatrics. They’ll be asking experts: what should we look for in the candidates' policies on climate change, housing, energy, and cost of living? Plus, Julie discusses the role honesty and

en-AU

4:30

NBN & The Cost of Delay - With Michael Walker

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2025/03/03

In this episode of The Five-Minute Advocate, Michael Walker takes us on a journey through the history of Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout and its lasting impact on the country's digital future. From Tony Abbott's decisions to scale back the NBN, to the surprising connection with Rupert Murdoch's Foxtel, Michael explores how political choices delayed Australia's entry into the digital revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

5:00

Reclaiming Society in a Power-Driven World - With Eva...

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2025/02/25

This week on The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox, born in Austria during Hitler's fascist regime, reflects on how the world seemed to improve over time, but now faces a shift toward power and profit, sidelining community and human connection. In these uncertain times, Eva says we must remind ourselves that society is built on relationships, not just control and money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

4:30

Road to the 2025 Election - With Julie Macken

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2025/02/17

In this weeks episode of the Five Minute Advocate, Julie McCann challenges the growing influence of corporate power in politics and its impact on everyday Australians. As key decisions favor big business over the public good, she calls for greater accountability and stronger advocacy. With an election on the horizon, now is the time to demand leaders who put people first.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

4:31

Frontier Wars – With Michael Walker

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2025/02/10

With January 26 just passed, Michael Walker kicks off our first episode for 2025 with areflection on the divisive and awkward phase the country finds itself in and argues that it is no longer a national day of celebration but is instead an annual exercise in culture wars and division. Michael also examines Australia’s suppression of any recognition or commemoration of the Frontier Wars and calls for the formal acknowledgement, ownership and accountability of Australia’s violent colonial

en-AU

5:15

Connection, Democracy and Hope - With Eva Cox

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/12/10

In the final episode of The Five Minute Advocate for 2024, the brilliant Eva Cox reflects on the year and challenges us to reconnect with the essence of humanity: our need for connection, fairness, and belonging in a society that values people over power. Amid global uncertainty, she calls us to cherish relationships, rethink our collective future, and build a world rooted in care and respect—because thriving democracies and shared humanity depend on it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-AU

4:41

Narara Ecovillage: A Glimpse into a Sustainable...

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/12/02

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker visits the Narara Ecovillage, an intentional community near Gosford focused on sustainable living. He explores its eco-friendly homes, strong sense of community, and innovative practices like sociocratic decision-making and an internal exchange economy. While praising its low-carbon lifestyle, Walker discusses financial sustainability challenges and reflects on whether eco-villages like Narara could represent the future as more people seek

en-AU

5:15

Connection over Goods - With Eva Cox

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/11/26

As the holiday season approaches, Eva Cox reflects on the importance of human connection over economic consumption. Eva argues that our social relationships—friendships, family ties, and community bonds—define our humanity far more than economic measures ever could. She urges us to reclaim the joy and meaning found in these emotional connections, especially during times like Christmas, when the focus should be on togetherness rather than material concerns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-AU

5:38

Dark Times and Reasons To Hope - With Julie Macken

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/11/19

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken reflects on a year of upheaval, from global politics to the challenges of democracy and humanity. Drawing inspiration from Vaclav Havel’s ‘The Power of the Powerless’, Julie reminds us that in dark times, small acts of decency—looking one another in the eye, saying hello, and refusing to give in to lies—are revolutionary acts that sustain our shared humanity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

4:52

US election: lessons for Australia - With Michael Walker

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/11/11

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker unpacks the real story behind the U.S. election results, pushing back against the media's tendency to overhype shifts in voter sentiment. He explores why economic struggles in Middle America drove support for bold promises and how Australians often misunderstand the full picture of the U.S. He then draws some important lessons for Australian politics, warning Labor against just attacking Peter Dutton. With voters now leaning more toward

en-AU

5:06

Rethinking Democracy: Restoring Care Over Profit with...

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/11/05

This week on The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox breaks down the troubling shifts in democracy, social care, and economics, as nations worldwide—from Australia to the U.S.—increasingly prioritise profit over people. With democracy under threat and communities disconnected, she calls for a return to values of care, social connectivity, fairness and true citizenship to restore societal balance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

5:32

Submarines Over Services With Julie Macken

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/10/28

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate Julie Mackin critiques Australia’s $400 billion submarine deal with the US, arguing that funds are urgently needed to address domestic issues. She highlights the crisis in NSW’s mental health sector, where psychiatrists face burnout and low pay, risking mass resignations. Mackin questions why the government prioritizes defense spending over essential services like healthcare, infrastructure, and climate action.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-AU

4:44

Handover of the Chagos Islands - With Michael Walker

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/10/22

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker reflects on a historic moment as Britain announces its decision to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius after over 200 years. While Diego Garcia will remain a military base, this victory highlights the power of persistence and international law, offering hope to advocates everywhere who face an overwhelming disparity in power that they can still achieve their goal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

5:00

Exploring Identity and Belonging – With Eva Cox

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/10/14

In this episode of the Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox reflects on the complexities of identity, religion, and nationality. Drawing from her own life as a Jewish refugee from Austria, she questions the meaning of patriotism, religious identity, and the labels society places on individuals. Eva advocates for tolerance and understanding, emphasizing that humanity and respect for others should transcend religious and national boundaries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

5:35

A Mature Democracy Is a Healthy Democracy – With...

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/10/08

This week on The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken dives into the views of the influential psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott on democracy as laid out in his work Home Is Where We Start From. Winnicott argues that democracy thrives not just through conscious efforts, but also through our unconscious actions and maturity as individuals. Whilst our current political landscape may seem discouraging, Julie argues if we engage in internal work of self-reflection and development we can rebuild a thriving

en-AU

4:25

Doubt & Conviction - with Michael Walker

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/10/01

In the 1930s, British Philosopher Bertrand Russel said, that 'the whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.' This phrase still applies to so much to our world today. As Michaell explains, If you want to convince people of your idea or fight for a cause you believe in, you will need to hold your ground and fight for your cause with courage and conviction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

5:10

The Latest Inquiry Report on Early Childcare – With...

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/09/24

This week on The Five Minute Advocate Eva Cox shares her thoughts on the Productivity Commission’s latest inquiry report on the future of Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system. Whilst there are several recommendations and findings outlined in the report that Eva agrees with, she does express her concern as to the lack of action recommended to reduce the privatisation of the sector as well as the continued reference to the sector as a “market” which she argues again underpins

en-AU

5:00

The Danger of Border Force Exemptions - With Julie...

The Five Minute Advocate Podcast ·

2024/09/16

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken critiques a recent amendment passed by the Albanese government that exempts Border Force officers from workplace laws protecting asylum seekers during boat interceptions. She argues that this dangerous exemption, supported by both major political parties, dismisses concerns from the Human Rights Committee and undermines basic human rights.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-AU

167 results

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