Te Rina Taite has had a varied and interesting vocational life starting as an elite swimmer and more recently turning to stand-up comedy with a lot of experiences in between.
Dr Cathy Monro is a specialist in aged care policy and governance with a PhD in Health Policy from the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. Cathy shares insights about the aged care system in Australia from her experience as a non-executive on the board of an aged care provider and from her PhD research.
Anthony Dockrill is a media professional who was most recently Program Director at radio 2SER 107.3FM Sydney for 17 years. Prior to joining the staff at 2SER, Anthony had worked in various roles at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and for Film Australia. This episode features some of the regular themes of the Wide Open Air Exchange about the early interests and experiences that inspire our vocational choices and the personal qualities that make us suited to our professions.
Professor Peter Macdonald MBBS FRACP PHD MD FCSANZ is a world-leading cardiologist with a speciality in heart transplants who has made significant contributions to translational medical research including the "Heart in a Box" technology".
An introduction to the five player positions in basketball with reference to legendary NBA players along with an explanation of the NBA conference and division structures and historical rivalries. William Lyttle is a sports commentary enthusiast with a special interest in basketball. Will presents the Community Armchair sports segment on community radio station 2SER and co-hosts the Jnr & Snr: 2 Views podcast with his father.
A wide-ranging conversation about the problem of homelessness and the potential for Housing First policies and principles to lead on to greater economic empowerment. Naomi Lewis is Senior Project Officer, Together Home at Homelessness NSW and a former senior case manager for the Salvation Army. This episode includes a discussion of what it means to have an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, person-centred approach to social work.
A discussion of what it can mean to be a generalist in your vocational life with Pauline Futeran whose skills and attributes have transferred across professions in different sectors and in various kinds of roles. This conversation includes a discussion of some of the problems with recruitment processes.
2SER's Danny Chifley is a special guest host this week turning the tables to interview me (Christine Gallagher) on my own program. The episode covers the origins of the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast and includes the story of when I visited the home of an Elvis tribute performer in Memphis to record an early episode of the podcast. This conversation comes as I commence in a PhD program doing doctoral research on socioeconomic identification in workplace diversity and inclusion plans.
Norma Dann aka MsFixet is a handywoman providing lawn, garden and home repair services. Norma shares what informs and motivates her vocational choices and comments on some of the gender issues she observes through her work.
Eki Shola is a medical doctor who turned to making music after losing her home and clinic in California wildfires. Eki's latest album 還 Kaeru ("to return home") was recorded in Japan where Eki experienced another sense of home. All music featured in this episode is from the album.
Dr Elaine Laforteza leads the "Say My Name" campaign at UTS, an education initiative for improving literacy about names that are deemed "foreign" or "tricky" "unfamiliar" within a dominant linguistic context, which in Australia is an Anglo-British postcolonial context. Elaine is from the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and works with the Multicultural Women's Network.
Rachael Hunter has been a fan of The Simpsons since she was the same age as Bart Simpson during the first season of the show. Rachael shares some of her favourite characters, musical numbers, celebrity guests, and literary and historical references within storylines. We discuss references from The Simpsons that have become common phrases and memes, and the phenomenon of the writers seemingly predicting the future. Rachael is a member of a social media group for fans of The Simpsons and we hear about that social connection through fandom. You can watch The Simpsons on Disney Plus.
Melanie Junghans is a return guest, this time sharing with us her experience of growing up with her family running a Christmas tree farm business that has been active for more than forty years.
A discussion of Swedish Christmas traditions with John Tenho, a Swede living in Australia. From the winter setting in Sweden and specific Christmas decorations to Advent rituals, St. Lucia celebrations and St. Knut's Day, this conversation covers a broad range of Swedish Christmas traditions. Included is a description of foods that are part of a Christmas lunch Julbord and the tradition of gathering around the television to watch a Disney television special.
An introduction to aviation safety as a vocation with insights from Jorge Lobarinas who works for an aviation safety regulator. Jorge also shares the story of his mid-career change from anatomical pathology to aviation management.
An introduction to impact measurement as a process of demonstrating and articulating the positive impacts of an organisation's programs and projects beyond the reporting of activities and outcomes. Maxine Morrison has a qualification in Social Impact from UNSW and a vocational background in grant writing and philanthropy for medical research and in the social sector. Maxine is a Sydney Organising Committee member for SIMNA (Social Impact Measurement Network Australia) and a member of the AAMRI Research Impact Committee (Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes).
An introduction to some of the principles of adult education and adult learning. Adam Nobilia is an adult educator who has worked across various settings including at Long Bay prison working with inmates and more publicly as a teacher on the SBS television series, Lost For Words.
Musicologist Padraig Parkhurst is a doctoral researcher studying East German progressive rock (Ostrock) and other popular music of the early Honecker era. This conversation incudes a discussion of anti nuclear war songs of the Honecker era and Padraig's general interest in the localisation of progressive rock in different locations (with reference to Italy, Spain, Chile, UK).
Peta MacGillivray is an Aboriginal justice advocate, a Kalkutungu woman, lawyer and doctoral researcher with strong connections to community. Australia’s referendum to vote on Constitutional recognition of First Peoples is part of a many decades-long history of advocacy for self-determination. While this conversation is largely a post-referendum discussion, it is with an understanding that the referendum moment was not the beginning nor the end of the work that needs to be done.
A discussion of river health and Natural Resource Management with Sarah Holland-Clift. Sarah is a river health management specialist and General Manager of Community and Catchment Services at Corangamite Catchment Management Authority in Victoria. This conversation includes a focus on the importance of Aboriginal leadership in waterway management and the role of citizen science in monitoring the health of rivers.