Can feminism actually achieve anything without men contributing some of their power? How can we fairly distribute medical research funding, when the medical research landscape is just as messed up as the rest of the world right now?

Welcome to the show Newcastle's very own medical research and gender equity powerhouse, Nikola Bowden!

We chat about annoying acronyms, workplace terrorists, BoJack Horseman, and the definition of 'success'. We also resume our former position on capitalism. (it is: NO GOOD)

Keep a keen ear out for this episode's special guest: Chloe's fridge! #FeminismIsBae

Find us on Facebook @nicepod, Chloe on Twitter @sciencechloe & Natalie on Twitter and Instagram @nothingcutesy. Nikola is on twitter (yesssss) @nikolabowden

An episode of RN's Science Friction, "The whisper network: #MeToo, sexual harassment, and scientists speaking up" feat. Prof Nalini Joshi (love heart eyes) www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/sciencefriction/the-whisper-network:-metoo-and-sexual-harassment-in-science/10244242 The reason Nikola has some job security (we never got round to talking about it) www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-08/hunter-valley-winemakers-hope-for-ovarian-cancer-treatment/8506864 Australia's Science and Gender Equity program (SAGE) www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/

Are you a good friend or do you just exist in the same spaces as other people sometimes? How do you know when someone needs advice, a keen listening ear, or just a slap in the chops? Where are all the heart reacts?!

Scientist, comedian, and activist Emmalee Ford joins us to figure out that whole "friendship" thing. We also lament the awkwardness that is workplace email small-talk, and Chloe cries about being mean to her Dad when she was a teenager (but she still has no regrets about judging Brian). Natalie somehow manages to talk about Sesame Street again, and we ponder the correct spelling of ballet. IT'S "B-A-L-L-E-T", DICKHEADS.

Also, podcast warning for some fairly fruity language on the pod, and also in the show notes, apparently.

Find us on Facebook @nicepod, Chloe on Twitter @sciencechloe & Natalie on Twitter and Instagram @nothingcutesy Emma is also on Twitter @EmmaOolemma Emma on UON Women's Collective for Yak https://yakatuon.com/2018/08/31/exclusivity-in-womens-empowerment-groups-on-campus/

Should journalism be objective or do we need more empathy in our newsfeed? Can we retrain our brains to be less fearful of people who don't look like us? And if we're not already fearful – is that because we're nice people or just…privileged?

Climb on board the capitalism hate-train! From Fox News to the unethical entanglement of academia with money-based metrics, it's got a lot to answer for. We also chat about snobbery in the arts, terrorism, and the existence of God. Ooof.

Find us on Facebook @nicepod, Chloe on Twitter @sciencechloe & Natalie on Twitter and Instagram @nothingcutesy

You can hear some of Anne's poetry here, courtesy of Girls on Key: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsR75hYAL5k The Japanese embassy hostage crisis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_embassy_hostage_crisis (this resource calls the rebels, 'terrorists'…) Chloe's attempt to write about innovation and not sound like a wanker: https://www.newieventures.com.au/blogtext/2018/3/20/creative-collaborations The psychology podcast Chloe mentions (ABC's All in the Mind) which also tackles empathy: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/the-art-of-empathy/10151614

Can you be a fussy eater while also not being a fundamentally flawed human? Does your waitress hate you, and do you maybe probably deserve it?

We chat about workplace dynamics, drunken patrons, first jobs, food allergies and pre-emptive apologies with Laurise Dickson. Chloe finds an excuse to talk about her PhD again, and Natalie confesses her chalk stealing tendencies. And FINALLY – it's about bloody time - we share some crackin' POOP and VOM stories.

You can follow Laurise on Twitter @laurise_dickson 

Is there such a thing as true altruism? How much difference can we, as individuals, really make to the state of the environment? Why do charity bike-riders make Natalie so angry?

We welcome comedian and science communicator, Alanta Colley, to the pod to share some of her thoughts on the human centred design process, neoliberalism, the Drawdown project, and the plight of the lame-footed duck (NB not an actual animal). Custard attempts to drink Alanta's tea and snuggles the occasional microphone.

You can follow Alanta on Facebook here facebook.com/AlantaColleycomic

SHOW NOTES Josh Thomas on Ep42 of Queery with Cameron Espisito earwolf.com/episode/josh-thomas/ WTH is going on with Australia's recycling? theconversation.com/chinas-recycling-ban-throws-australia-into-a-very-messy-waste-crisis-95522 Project Drawdown - 100 Solutions to Reverse Global Warming (and it's searchable!) drawdown.org Sci Fight Comedy is still happening! facebook.com/SciFightComedy

Find us on Facebook @nicepod, Chloe on Twitter @sciencechloe & Natalie on Twitter and Instagram @nothingcutesy

Is there a difference between being nice and being kind? Can you be nice without also being kind? Does kindness trump niceness?

In today's episode, Chloe and Natalie explore these deep thoughts with podcast guest Jazz. They also discuss breastfeeding, feminism, the specific pressure on women to be nice, & Jazz's work in the disability care sector.

You can read Jazz's writings at jazzua.com

Find us on Facebook @nicepod, Chloe on Twitter @sciencechloe & Natalie on Twitter and Instagram @nothingcutesy