Dr Sonika Singh shares insights about the kinds of research and projects she works on as an academic specialising in digital marketing and data analysis.  Sonika is a Marketing lecturer and Marketing Post Graduate Program Director at the UTS Business School. She has a PhD in Management Science from the University of Texas and an MBA from SIMS Pune.

Darren Fittler is a senior lawyer who runs a Charities and Social Sector practice. He shares his vocational story and life philosophy. Darren is a person who is blind and he explains the difference between the social model of disability as distinct from the medical model. We also hear about Darren's approach to community service, his prior advocacy at the United Nations, his turn to stand-up comedy, and his positive attitude to emerging AI technology.

Roller Derby skater Paula “Shreddy” Kruger gives us an introduction to what is roller derby and provides insights to the subculture and philosophy of roller derby as an inclusive sport and community.

Community radio station manager Paula Kruger shares the origins of her interests in radio and storytelling and in doing so tells some of her own personal story. This episode features a discussion of Paula's approach to overcoming a fear of public speaking (in high school) before finding a home in Thailand (in early adult years) and carving out a media career (including many years at the ABC).

We hear about the vocational pathway of futurist Ross Dawson and his interests in systems thinking and feedback loops. Ross is an author and his most recent book Thriving on Overload contains practical strategies and tools for managing in a world of information overwhelm.

Scientist Tien Huynh is involved in research projects as diverse as developing fire retardant building materials from fungi and exploring the possibilities for planting seedlings on the Moon.

Tien has an inspiring personal story of growing up in wartime Vietnam and overcoming childhood illness to becoming a senior academic doing inspiring outreach work and inclusive workplace mentoring.

A short check in with an audio excerpt of my tribute to the late great Tony Bennett and a preview of our next Wide Open Air Exchange guest (a scientist specialising in biotechnology and mycology, who explains what that means).

Padraig Parkhurst aka Anarchosophist shares his approach to creating music and concept albums inspired by themes and musical ideas.

Tea specialist Katelyn Kent describes five types of tea and shares her knowledge and interest in tea with us. The teas featured are a Japanese Sencha, Oolong, Grand Yunnan, Lapsang Souchong, and a Herbal Tisane Blend.

Dr Nora Yitong Qiu is an economic historian of East Asia, specialising in the Qing Empire and 20th century China. Nora is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Oxford in the Faculty of History as part of a research group studying Global Correspondent Banking 1870–2000. At the time of this conversation, Nora was in China for archival research.