Best Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Podcasts (2025)

1
What Makes a Good Society? - With Eva Cox 5:00

12h ago5:00

5:00

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, host Eva Cox explores how politics often overlooks the unpaid labor—especially by women—that sustains our communities. With the election approaching, Eva challenges us to rethink progress, focusing on care, connection, and equity over monetary measures See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Calling A Spade, A Spade - With Julie Macken 5:00

6d ago5:00

5:00

This week on the Five Minute Advocate Julie Macken explores how our society has collectively normalised human rights abuses — so much so, they barely register as atrocities anymore. From Trump’s praise for El Salvador’s brutal prisons to Australia’s own offshore detention regime, she shares the harrowing story of refugee Benham Sattar and connects …

1
Earth Day 30:00

7d ago30:00

30:00

To mark Earthday we’re playing two stories that explore how we can use disruption to effect change and save the environment around us. In our first story, Meagan takes us journey on the Murray-Baaka River that led to the Menindee fish kill in 2019. In Murky Waters Produced by Megan Williams (they/them). The supervising producer was Richard Dinnen. …

1
Sounds Like 27:50

14d ago27:50

27:50

What does heartbreak sound like to you? This week’s stories are about heartbreak… whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loss of who you once were…or a relationship that didn’t work out. Sounds of Heartbreak In our first story, Lee explores the sounds of different kinds of heartbreak and whether they can become sounds of healing. Produced by Lee…

1
Australia’s Polarisation Paradox 5:00

15d ago5:00

5:00

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker digs into why Australia isn’t following the global trend of political polarisation. He unpacks fresh research showing that Aussies are actually becoming more tolerant of differing views—thanks in part to things like compulsory voting and a general disillusionment with party politics. Plus,…

1
When Justice Fails 30:00

21d ago30:00

30:00

Can you think of a moment when things fell short of your expectations? A book or a movie you’ve been looking forward to. Maybe you’ve met one of your idols … and … wish you hadn’t. Maybe it was something bigger … maybe it’s your own country … a conflict of values around democracy and justice. In this episode, we explore the gap between a citizen an…

1
Uncertain Times Ahead - With Eva Cox 5:00

21d ago5:00

5:00

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox explores how the shifting global landscape, fueled by America's current policies under Trump’s administration, could impact Australia's upcoming federal election. With the US stepping back from its role as a global leader, Eva discusses how this uncertainty could shape Australia's future and its …

1
This Is Not A Horse Race - Part 1 55:00

27d ago55:00

55:00

The federal election is fast approaching and it got the FMA team thinking about the way in which campaigns are often treated as if they were horse races, with the mainstream media often framing the parties as either winners or losers depending on polling and who “won” the media that day. But this is not a horse race, it’s an election with very high…

1
Small Audio Art: Windows 27:50

28d ago27:50

27:50

In this episode, the artist collective Small Audio Art founded by Phoebe McIndoe invites us to contemplate the possibilities of windows… Interview with Phoebe McIndoe Are you creatively stuck, a worried novice audio-maker, or just feeling a little lonely? Don’t worry, Phoebe McIndoe feels you. Establishing Small Audio Art—a 6-month playful, low-sta…

1
Navigating the Election Campaign with Julie Macken 5:00

29d ago5:00

5:00

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken discusses the federal election campaign, highlighting how international instability and disillusionment with politics shape public sentiment. She explores how political campaigns use imagery and slogans to tap into the collective imagination, urging listeners to stay grounded in reality and …

1
Australia’s Climate Blindspot - With Michael Walker 5:00

1M ago5:00

5:00

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 terrifyi…

1
Humanimal 27:50

1M ago27:50

27:50

This week's stories call on us to humble ourselves before nature…and consider whether maybe …there are some things that animals know that we don’t. The Great Dingo Debate by Andrea Dixon In our first story, Andrea shares her love for Taz, a rescued dingo living on her family’s property in Hawkesbury, Darug country. As tensions rise between farmers,…

1
Returning to Civility – With Eva Cox 5:00

1M ago5:00

5:00

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 j…

1
Family Frequencies 27:50

1M ago27:50

27:50

The experience of exploring childhood memories can vary greatly from person to person. Sometimes, this emotional excavation can be painful, bringing up unwanted memories that you might not be ready to face. But it can also be a beautiful experience, allowing you to rediscover with fresh eyes the places or people you knew ... or thought you knew ...…

1
Introducing: This Is Not A Horse Race – With Julie Macken 5:00

2M ago5:00

5:00

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 loo…

1
Povo 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

This episode features voices from the story collection Povo edited by Adam Novaldy Anderson and produced by the Sweatshop Literacy Movement. Australia is often referred to as The Lucky Country — a land of economic opportunity and vast natural resources. But how does this myth square up against the true experiences of Indigenous and culturally diver…

1
Ancestral Voices 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

This week, three stories about connection: connection to the land and the sea, connection to history, connection to the divine and to ourselves. Weaving Ancestral Voices by Shareeka Helaluddin In our first story, Shareeka reconnects to faith and identity through the voice of the singer Sheila Chandra. Growing up in an interfaith household, Shareeka…

1
NBN & The Cost of Delay - With Michael Walker 4:30

2M ago4:30

4:30

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 poli…

1
Reclaiming Society in a Power-Driven World - With Eva Cox 5:00

2M ago5:00

5:00

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 …

1
Illuminated Manuscript 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

This week, two evocative stories exploring the notion of divinity through history and poetry. These stories were commissioned by guest editors Hasib Hourani and Adalya Nash for Issue 04: Illuminated Manuscript of Debris Magazine. The Crystal World by Bella Li There was, on the island of St John, a commonly sighted mirage, appearing to those afflict…

1
Keep Moving 29:09

2M ago29:09

29:09

"That’s the nature of movement, isn’t it? We are pulled from one thing to another and these things themselves transform into something else. In that vein, I’m once again moving on from something I love dearly to somewhere else my passions lie. It’s time for me to say goodbye to hosting All The Best and to you all." - Madhuraa Prakash This week, a f…

1
Road to the 2025 Election - With Julie Macken 4:30

2M ago4:30

4:30

In this weeks episode of the Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken 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 leade…

1
It's my ADHD 27:50

3M ago27:50

27:50

This week, stories about how ADHD can impact a person’s life, relationships and identity. Partners In Time by Felicity Weaver Are you a Type A, always-on-time kinda person? Or are you the one who is always last to arrive at a social gathering? In our first story, often-late Felicity speaks to her slightly frustrated husband about how ADHD has impac…

1
Frontier Wars – With Michael Walker 4:31

3M ago4:31

4:31

With January 26 just passed, Michael Walker kicks off our first episode for 2025 with a reflection 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 recognitio…

1
Banksias, Lies and Baby 27:50

3M ago27:50

27:50

This week, a specifically Australian take on magical realism weaving a mystery involving a baby, a potentially poisonous mushroom, and the mysterious disappearance of a friend, Chia. Through rich symbolisms and tension, this episode explores truth, lies, friendship, and vulnerability. Shhh…Listen. Banksia’s tell two truths, one lie. The game starts…

1
(Un)Intended Consequences - Live Storytelling Part 2 30:00

3M ago30:00

30:00

This week, we're sharing stories performed at our live storytelling night (Un)Intended Consequences last October with live music composed and performed by Matthew Forbes. Explore influential encounters, moments and ideas - and if you're eager for more, you can find three more stories in our 'Part I' Episode. Highly Strung - 'Neverland' Emily Suine …

1
Still Here 27:50

3M ago27:50

27:50

This week, words by First Nations people on January 26, Sovereignty and Identity. 'Australia Day' In our first story, people at the 2012 Yabun festival speak about what so-called ‘Australia day’ means to them. That story was produced by Lauren Carroll Harris, with interviews gathered by Lauren Carroll Harris, Carly Anne Kenneally & Jesse Cox. Unwel…

1
Sunburned 27:23

3M ago27:23

27:23

This week, stories that delve beneath the surface of the summer heat. Sunburned First up, Phoebe heads back to school to learn about workshops educating teens on sun safety and the lifelong risks of skin cancer - which affects two in three Australians. Through stories from survivors, students, and insights from experts and volunteers, she highlight…

1
Sink or Swim - Part III 27:50

4M ago27:50

27:50

In the final instalment of Sink or Swim, we look to the future and explore how we can survive the hotter summers that lie ahead for all of us. Blacktown is facing increasingly extreme urban heat, but locals are coming up with their own solutions. We visit two cool refuges where we discover ordinary citizens and local leaders who are shaping the com…

1
Sink or Swim - Part II 27:50

4M ago27:50

27:50

Angelica has decided: this is the summer she finally takes the plunge. Go with her as she joins an adult swim class for beginners, and realises that there are plenty of other adults who share both her trepidation and her determination. Angelica’s home of Western Sydney is heating up faster than nearly anywhere else, making swimming an essential sur…

1
Sink or Swim - Part I 32:38

4M ago32:38

32:38

Sydney holds a strong identity as the capital of sandy shores, ripper waves and the finest swimmers in the world. But this idealistic depiction of a devoted swimming culture doesn’t connect to many locals like Angelica who has never learned how to swim. Come and join Angelica on her personal quest to overcome the deep blue waters. Along the way, sh…

1
What About Her? 30:00

4M ago30:00

30:00

This week we journey back in time to look at Sydney’s music scene through the eyes of three different women. You can hit it as loud as you can First up, we hear from musician and music mentor turned academic, Hannah Fairlamb, about rock boot camps and gender equity. Produced by Mel Bakewell, with music by Ferus Cut Blue Dot Sessions. You can learn …

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