Future Perfect

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of sexual assault and violence. If you find any of this distressing, you can seek support via 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 and the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

Dylan is joined by author and food journalist Dani Valent to take a further look at the issues tackled in her new piece for The Age, which shines a light on sexual abuse and assault in the hospitality industry. (1:22)

Dr Melinda Hildebrandt, Policy Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, unpacks concerns in the tertiary sector following the federal government’s proposal earlier this year of a cap on international student enrolments, and how the government could introduce the cap while protecting university funding. (14:28)

Author & federal MP Dr Andrew Leigh digs into his new book The Shortest History of Economics, and the insights that this history can offer on the evolution of human societies. (32:20)

Plus, comedian Josh Earl drops by to talk about his return to the stage with his comedy show Four Burners this week at the Butterfly Club, and the art of finding humour in a modern dilemma. (48:15)

And finally, musician St. Vincent checks in ahead of her upcoming Victorian tour to chat about her new album All Born Screaming, playing in Australia and much more. (1:00:46)

Dylan is joined by Charles Livingstone, Associate Professor at Monash University and gambling reform expert, to discuss the federal government’s imminent response to the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and why a partial ban won’t work. (1:05)

Ika Trijsburg, Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, unpacks how cities can help to address disinformation and prevent discrimation in light of protests in the UK fuelled by anti-Muslim rhetoric, as explored in her current project and recent analysis. (16:51)

Journalist Ben Mckelvey talks about his recent report for The Saturday Paper, which revealed that the Australian Defence Force contacted the Attorney General’s Department back in 2012 seeking advice on the possibility that Australian soldiers were breaching the criminal code in Afghanistan. (29:39)

Plus, director Jolyon Hoff takes us on a trip through the inception and history of Australian surf culture as celebrated in his new film You Should Have Been Here Yesterday, screening as part of Melbourne International Film Festival.(43:24)

And finally, Lach Denton of Australian band Pop Filter chats about the band’s latest single ‘Fragile’ and what the group are doing differently with their music in the lead up to their forthcoming album Ray and Lorraine’s.

Dylan is joined by Laura Davy, social policy expert and lecturer at ANU, to dig into the federal government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission, and its acceptance in full of just 13 out of the report’s 172 recommendations for which it has responsibility. (0:51)

Amelia Leavesley, Researcher at the University of Melbourne, visits to break down the ongoing investigation into the role ‘Big Plastic’ has in swaying local and international recycling and climate policies. (15:41)

Journalist and author Royce Kurmelovs explores his new book Slick, which charts the history of Australia’s relationship with Big Oil and the disastrous climate impacts of the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. (32:59)

Plus, R&B artist Jada Weazel drops by to chat about her relationship with music and accolades following the release of her new single ‘Send My Love’ and nomination for New Talent of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards. (59:28)

Dylan is joined by Jana Favero, Head of Systemic Change at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and former Nauru detainee Betelhem Tibedu, to explore the health crisis in Australia’s offshore detention camps in PNG and Nauru, as highlighted in the ASRC’s new report. (0:56)

Matt Byrne, Politics Lead at the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, visits to discuss the threat that AI poses to journalism and the creative industries, as outlined in the MEAA’s submission to a Senate inquiry into the opportunities and impacts of AI in Australia. (17:45)

Dr Courtney Walton, psychologist and Academic Fellow at the University of Melbourne, drops by to chat about the mental toll experienced by elite athletes and how Olympians cope with the huge pressure to perform on the world’s biggest stage. (34:53)

Plus, John Quiggan, Professor of Economics at the University of Queensland, lays out how the era of privatisation is coming to an end, as explored in his recent article for The Guardian. (49:48)

On this special bonus episode of Future Perfect, former Breakfaster Jeff Sparrow and cartoonist Sam Wallman join Dylan for an RRR In Conversation event from Triple R's Performance Space, to discuss the release of their new comic-book guide 12 Rules for Strife.

You can check out a preview gallery of 12 Rules For Strife here: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/news-articles/preview-gallery-12-rules-for-strife-by-jeff-sparrow-sam-wallman

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of sexual assault and violence. If you find any of this distressing, you can seek support via 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 and the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

Dylan is joined by Mark Willacy, journalist and reporter for ABC Investigations, to take us inside Retribution, his 2-part series for Four Corners on what a second Trump presidency would look like, featuring interviews with Project 2025 leaders, pro-Trump supporters and whistleblowers. (1:03)

Benita Kolovos, Victorian state correspondent for Guardian Australia, unpacks the political fallout and state government response to the bombshell allegations of organised crime infiltrating the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU). (13:45)

Author, ex-journalist and consent educator Jane Gilmore visits to give her thoughts on effective education to tackle misogyny in young men and promote positive attitudes towards women ahead of her panel appearance for Boys to Men: Remodelling Masculinity at the Wheeler Centre on July 25. (25:37)

Plus, director David Charles Rodrigues chats about their new film S/He is Still Her/E, a documentary exploring the radical and mixed legacy of artist Genesis P-Orridge, before its Australian premiere at ACMI on July 27. (44:08)

Dylan is joined by David Mejia-Canales, Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, to break down his new report ‘Protest in Peril’, which looks at anti-protest trends across various jurisdictions in Australia. (1:11)

Juanita Sherwood, Professor in Indigenous Policy at the University of Technology Sydney, discusses the snap curfews recently imposed to curb youth violence in Alice Springs, and concerns about how such powers discriminate against First Nations people and communities. (16:29)

Food historian Dr Lauren Samuelsson provides a history of the Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook series and its impact on Australian food culture ahead of her talk as part of Melbourne Rare Book Week on July 19. (33:26)

Plus, Lowanna Grant, NITV Radio Executive Producer, discusses her new podcast series Ngiyang, which tells the story of how the Wiradyuri language has been reclaimed and rejuvenated, and the continued efforts to ensure its survival (44:55)

And finally, singer-songwriter Darren Hanlon chats about his experiences gigging over the years and his current tour celebrating 22 years of his debut album Hello Stranger, including a stop at the Brunswick Ballroom on July 26. (57:11)

Dylan is joined by Ben Wellings, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at Monash University, to dig into France’s political future following the leftist coalition beating out Marine Le Pen’s far-right party in the country’s parliamentary election. (1:14)

Clare Corbould, Associate Professor of History at Deakin University, discusses the uncertain path ahead in US politics amid calls for President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race, and the Supreme Court’s decision to grant immunity to future presidents from criminal prosecution. (13:48)

Dave Nichols, Professor in Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne, chats about the new Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece and the major priority issues he has outlined, including housing in the CBD and the Green Line project. (34:05)

Plus, Matt Kunkel, CEO of the Migrant Workers Centre, visits to unpack the organisation’s new research report ‘Pathways and Pitfalls’ which investigates the challenges faced by migrant workers navigating the migrant advice sector in Australia. (50:20)

And finally, musician Evelyn Ida Morris drops by to catch up on their journey in music and voice ahead of their performance at ‘Esoteric Voice Practices’ on July 26, presented by Liquid Architecture, which will be the debut of their voice since transitioning and undergoing hormonal affirmation treatment. (1:03:45)

Guest host Ben Harrington is joined by Sam Whiting, lecturer in Creative Industries at the University of South Australia, to discuss the financial crisis facing Australian musicians and the live music sector, and the role Triple J and commercial radio has to play in it all. (1:09)

Tricia Malowney, Chief Accessibility Advocate at the Department of Transport and Planning, talks all things public transport accessibility, and her recent travels overseas to investigate contemporary examples of transport and navigation for people with disability. (12:36)

Wendy Stone, professor at Swinburne university unpacks new research she’s leading into the housing and living situations faced by young women and young gender diverse people in Australia. (28:49)

Plus, guitarist and songwriter Bobby K of Hobart band RABBIT chats about the group’s newly released single 'Dollarmites' and their upcoming debut Melbourne tour. (42:28)

Dylan is joined by climate scientist and author Joëlle Gergis to dig into her new Quarterly Essay Highway to Hell: Climate Change and Australia’s Future, which confronts what the future holds if action isn’t taken on the climate crisis. (0:55)

Jon Richardson, Visiting Fellow at ANU and former diplomat, gives an update on the status of the war in Ukraine and the outcomes of the Ukraine peace summit over the weekend. (18:23)

Jordy Kaufman, Associate Professor at Swinburne University, breaks down why calls to ban kids under 16 from using social media won’t work, and how to safeguard children's safety online. (38:42)

Plus, Kate Duncan, CEO of The Push, drops by to discuss the new documentary series Forever Young, celebrating The Push’s decades-long journey and importance in getting young people involved in music. (48:32)

And finally, Melbourne DIY artist Great Earthquake chats about the creative approach and near-death experience behind his forthcoming album Abstract Expression, which launches at The Tramway Hotel on August 25. (1:03:59)