Introduction
Learn, listen and enjoy podcasts about the art of activism, history and campaigning. These podcasts are from The Paradigm Shift, a radio show on 4ZZZ in Brisbane-Meanjin, Australia which goes to air each Friday at noon.
The host Andy Paine speaks to people from across the country who are working to understand our world and change it for the better. Over the years the show has covered many topics.
Below is a selection of episodes picked by the Commons librarians. To listen to more access four years worth of episodes.
Episodes
Dundalli – Aboriginal Resistance Fighter and Lawman
This episode remembers Dundalli – Aboriginal resistance fighter, executed in the middle of Brisbane 170 years ago. Andy speaks to historian Libby Connors about who Dundalli was, and to author Melissa Lucashenko about the importance of remembering.
This show is about going to prison to protect the planet! In part one Andy speaks to Brad Homewood and Violet Coco about spending three months in prison for climate action.
In this episode Andy speaks to Ali Alishah who spent three months in a Tasmanian prison for locking on to protect old growth forest there. We hear some reflections on prison, strategy, and how to confront anti protest legislation.
The Extraordinary Life of Kawanji Don Brady
This episode discusses the life of Kawanji Don Brady – trailblazing Aboriginal activist, religious leader, culture man. Andy talks to historian Thom Blake who has just written a biography of him, and Don’s son Graham Brady.
Reflecting on the Campaign to Stop Adani
This show reflects on the almost decade-long, multi-faceted campaign to stop Adani’s Carmichael coal mine. Ultimately the mine has been built, but what lessons can we learn from the campaign? And where next for those of us trying to stop Australia’s out of control coal industry? We speak to Moira from Tipping Point, Christian from Market Forces and Alice from Frontline Action on Coal about these questions.
A Tribute to Kevin Buzzacott
This episode commemorates the extraordinary life of Arrabunna man Kevin Buzzacott. We will hear tributes to Uncle Kev and his influence on activism in this country from Lidia Thorpe, Robbie Thorpe, Bilbo Taylor, Izzy Brown, and his lawyer Len Lindon.
This show is about non-violent civil disobedience – getting arrested putting your body in front of machinery that’s wrecking the planet. Hear a variety of ordinary people talking about their experience taking direct action.
A conversation with Vesna Cerroni about her time in Otpor – the group of Serbian students who at the turn of this century were able to build a movement that could non-violently overthrow dictator Slobodan Milosevic.
This episode talks about about anarchism! We explore this political philosophy and how it can affect our lives and society with Barbara Hart from Black Current Anarchist Distro, CJ from the Locked In prison show on 4ZZZ, and Elise Imrey Papineau from Meanjin Solidarity Fund.
In this episode we hear how a small group of young aboriginal men started the tent embassy 50 years ago this week. We listen to a speech given at the embassy on the anniversary by Michael Anderson – who was there at the very beginning.
Degrowth
In this episode degrowth is discussed– the idea that for environmental sustainability and economic equity we need a smaller, more localised economy. Andy speaks to long-term degrowth advocates Terry Leahy and Anitra Nelson.
Australia’s First Atom Bomb, and 70 years of Aboriginal people Resisting the Nuclear Industry in South Australia
This episode marked a not very happy anniversary – 70 years since the first nuclear weapon was detonated on the Australian mainland at Emu Fields. Andy speaks with Karina Lester, whose father Yami was permanently blinded by the blast. We also hear about the long and continuing struggle of South Australian Aboriginal people against the nuclear industry on their country – from Arabunna elder Kevin Buzzacott about resisting the world’s biggest uranium mine on his land, and Barngarla elder Aunty Dawn Taylor about the most recent win – her people stopping a nuclear waste dump being built at Kimba.
Explore Further
- Commons Conversations Podcast: Insights into Activism
- People’s History of Australia Podcast
- Treesits, lock-ons and barricades: Podcasts about environmental blockading in the 1980s
- Listening to the Artivists: Podcasts about Activism and the Arts
- Stick Together Podcast: Union News, Workers’ Stories and Social Justice Issues
- For the Win Podcast
- Introduction to ChangeMakers Podcast
- Activism and Campaign History: Start here
- The Craft of Campaigns: A Podcast for Organisers
Topics
- Arts & Creativity
- Campaign Strategy
- Coalition Building
- Communications & Media
- Digital Campaigning
- First Nations Resources
- Fundraising
- History
- Justice, Diversity & Inclusion
- Lobbying & Advocacy
- Management
- Nonviolent Direct Action
- Organising
- Research & Archiving
- Story & Narrative
- Tactics
- Theories of Change
- Wellbeing
- Working in Groups