Deep Trouble

In conversation with Emeritus Professor James Flynn from the Joint Department of Politics at Otago University, New Zealand. We discuss his new book entitled A Book Too Risky To Publish: Free Speech and Universities. We discuss the history of right-wing control of universities during McCarthyism, and the totalitarian persecution that social democrat and liberal academics faced under the pretence of fighting Communism. We also discuss the Flynn Effect and his debates with intelligence researcher Charles Murray in relation to racial differences in IQ. Finally, we discuss his view that fields such as Women's Studies and Black Studies are too ideologically driven, and why he believes neither the far left nor the far right truly believes in freedom of speech.

In conversation with Professor Kenneth Freeman who is an Australian astronomer and astrophysicist. Prof. Freeman is currently Duffield Professor of Astronomy in the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at ANU. His research interests are in the formation and dynamics of galaxies and globular clusters, and he was one of the first researchers to point out that spiral galaxies contain a large fraction of dark matter. We discuss dark matter and his new book co-authored with David L. Block entitled God and Galileo: What a 400-Year-Old Letter Teaches Us about Faith and Science which is an exegesis on the dominance of atheism within science today. We also discuss how Professor Freeman reconciles his scientific work with his Christian faith.

In conversation with Professor Dennis Altman author of Homosexual: Oppression & Liberation (1972) which was considered the first serious analysis to emerge from the gay liberation movement. We discuss his memoir Unrequited Love: Diary of an Accidental Activist and we examine how his views in regards to sexuality were influenced by Freudian psychoanalytic ideas, as well as his family connection to Freud. We also discuss the role of cancel culture and free speech in universities, his experiences within the queer community, and his views on transgenderism.

In conversation with Professor Thalia Anthony who has expertise in the areas of criminal law and procedure, with a particular specialisation in Indigenous criminalisation and Indigenous community justice mechanisms. We discuss the history of 'blackbirding' in Australia, the case for reparations, as well criminal justice system reformation in relation to Indigenous people and the definition of systemic racism. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the names of people who are deceased are mentioned in this interview.

In conversation with Dr Anthony Dillon who is a post-doctoral research fellow at the Institute of Positive Psychology & Education at ACU. His teaching and research interests include alternative conceptualisations of mental health, statistics and psychometrics, applied psychology, and Indigenous health. Dr Dillon identifies as a part-Aboriginal Australian, and we discuss his criticisms of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the research from The Australian Institute of Criminology, which shows that Indigenous people are now less likely to die in prison custody than non-Indigenous people.

In conversation with Professor Gigi Foster from University of New South Wales School of Economics and co-host of the ABC Radio National talk-radio show and podcast series The Economists. We discuss ideas such as a statistical life and quality-adjusted life years in regards to the COVID19 pandemic, and her view that the closure of borders and severe lockdowns in Australia were a mistake, even if the worst case scenario of 150,000 deaths were to eventuate.

In conversation with Joe Huston who is the chief financial officer (CFO) of GiveDirectly; a non-profit that sends direct cash transfers to the world's poorest. We discuss GiveDirectly's work in East Africa as well as the effectiveness of unconditional cash transfers versus traditional in-kind donations. We also discuss the case for basic universal income (UBI) and if UBI is potentially the future even for people in first world countries.

In conversation with Dr Sue Heward-Belle, who is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney and is recognised as a leader in domestic and family violence research. In Australia, on average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner. We discuss Dr Heward-Belle's research on males who perpetrate domestic and family violence.

In conversation with Benjamin Gilmour who is a paramedic, author and film maker. We discuss his frontline experiences with COVID19, as well as his latest memoir, The Gap, which recounts his experiences as a paramedic in the summer of 2008 in Sydney. This remains etched into his memory for the worst reasons.

In conversation with Rachel Menzies, a psychologist at the University of Sydney whose research focusses on the association between death anxiety and psychopathology. We discuss the role of death anxiety during the COVID19 pandemic, Terror Management Theory and the psychological benefits of contemplating daily your inevitable demise.