Open House Interviews

Like the culture wars, the war over school funding has often seen clashes of ideology and politics. Thankfully those days are, for the most part, behind us. How will mooted changes to one of the elements of school funding be received?

Can superheroes teach us some important lessons about how to respond to a crisis? That’s the question Katie Cox, PhD candidate at the Australian National University (ANU), is examining.

Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide, Phillip Wilson, has been found guilty of concealing his knowledge of offences committed in the 1970's by a notorious paedophile priest. Jesuit Priest, lawyer and high profile political and social justice advocate, Frank Brennan, pleaded with Wilson to resign yet the Archbishop refuses. Is the Archbishop's intransigence further evidence that the Catholic Church hierarchy just don't get the mess they are in following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse?

Reading to young children is the best gift you can give them. It improves their maths as well as literacy, language and problem solving according to a major new Australian Catholic University study.

Cryptocurrency is the next big new thing in fundraising. The security and other features provided by blockchain will be a game changer for Australian charities giving them access to new sources of funding and improved public accountability. "Tokens for Humanity" is Australia's first blockchain charity. Co-founders Bryce Thomas and Fredrick Brien explained all to Open House host, Stephen O'Doherty.

The federal government is moving closer to getting a Modern Slavery Act. A welcome move as that is. the Australian Law Council is concerned that there are key provisions missing in the draft laws. President of the Law Council explained the shortcomings to Stephen O'Doherty on Open House.

To be afflicted by hope seems a contradictory term. How could hope, so full of promise, joy and anticipation be an affliction? Being afflicted by hope is a term Baptist Minister, theologian, author and social commentator, Reverend Michael Frost used recently on his blog.  He describes this malady as something that can particularly strike men in their sixties. On Open House, Michael Frost discussed the issue with Stephen O'Doherty.

The Charity Dignity Ltd is taking a 'housing first' approach to homelessness. Operating for just two years they now have the capacity to provide meals, a warm bed and hot shower to 200 people a night. CEO and co-founder, Suzanne Hopman.

We love the relaxation and excitement of travelling the world. But in our rush to see the world, it could be that we forget the impact, for good or ill, on our spiritual life. Do we make packing our Bible as important as taking enough socks? 'Travelling the World as Citizens of Heaven' a new book by Reverend Stephen Liggins examines many of those questions.

Using smart phones and other digital technology to create emoji, memes, gifs has proved to be a great tool for improving literacy in primary school students. The SELFIE project led by Kathy Mills from Australian Catholic University (ACU) , embraced the modern language and platforms of children and gave them new ways to express ideas, feelings and emotions. Improved literacy is a benefit for many areas of life from health to employment.