Best Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Podcasts (2025)

1
Introducing: This Is Not A Horse Race – With Julie Macken 5:00

12h ago5:00

5:00

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken introduces our upcoming extended special series that will focus on the looming federal election campaign. Entitled ‘This Is Not A Horse Race’ Julie and the team will be amplifying community voices and looking at policies over political theatrics. They’ll be asking experts: what should we loo…

1
Povo 27:50

1d ago27:50

27:50

This episode features voices from the story collection Povo edited by Adam Novaldy Anderson and produced by the Sweatshop Literacy Movement. Australia is often referred to as The Lucky Country — a land of economic opportunity and vast natural resources. But how does this myth square up against the true experiences of Indigenous and culturally diver…

2
Ancestral Voices 27:50

9d ago27:50

27:50

This week, three stories about connection: connection to the land and the sea, connection to history, connection to the divine and to ourselves. Weaving Ancestral Voices by Shareeka Helaluddin In our first story, Shareeka reconnects to faith and identity through the voice of the singer Sheila Chandra. Growing up in an interfaith household, Shareeka…

1
NBN & The Cost of Delay - With Michael Walker 4:30

9d ago4:30

4:30

In this episode of The Five-Minute Advocate, Michael Walker takes us on a journey through the history of Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout and its lasting impact on the country's digital future. From Tony Abbott's decisions to scale back the NBN, to the surprising connection with Rupert Murdoch's Foxtel, Michael explores how poli…

1
Reclaiming Society in a Power-Driven World - With Eva Cox 5:00

16d ago5:00

5:00

This week on The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox, born in Austria during Hitler's fascist regime, reflects on how the world seemed to improve over time, but now faces a shift toward power and profit, sidelining community and human connection. In these uncertain times, Eva says we must remind ourselves that society is built on relationships, not just …

1
Illuminated Manuscript 27:50

15d ago27:50

27:50

This week, two evocative stories exploring the notion of divinity through history and poetry. These stories were commissioned by guest editors Hasib Hourani and Adalya Nash for Issue 04: Illuminated Manuscript of Debris Magazine. The Crystal World by Bella Li There was, on the island of St John, a commonly sighted mirage, appearing to those afflict…

1
Keep Moving 29:09

22d ago29:09

29:09

"That’s the nature of movement, isn’t it? We are pulled from one thing to another and these things themselves transform into something else. In that vein, I’m once again moving on from something I love dearly to somewhere else my passions lie. It’s time for me to say goodbye to hosting All The Best and to you all." - Madhuraa Prakash This week, a f…

1
Road to the 2025 Election - With Julie Macken 4:30

24d ago4:30

4:30

In this weeks episode of the Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken challenges the growing influence of corporate power in politics and its impact on everyday Australians. As key decisions favor big business over the public good, she calls for greater accountability and stronger advocacy. With an election on the horizon, now is the time to demand leade…

1
It's my ADHD 27:50

1M ago27:50

27:50

This week, stories about how ADHD can impact a person’s life, relationships and identity. Partners In Time by Felicity Weaver Are you a Type A, always-on-time kinda person? Or are you the one who is always last to arrive at a social gathering? In our first story, often-late Felicity speaks to her slightly frustrated husband about how ADHD has impac…

1
Frontier Wars – With Michael Walker 4:31

1M ago4:31

4:31

With January 26 just passed, Michael Walker kicks off our first episode for 2025 with a reflection on the divisive and awkward phase the country finds itself in and argues that it is no longer a national day of celebration but is instead an annual exercise in culture wars and division. Michael also examines Australia’s suppression of any recognitio…

1
Banksias, Lies and Baby 27:50

1M ago27:50

27:50

This week, a specifically Australian take on magical realism weaving a mystery involving a baby, a potentially poisonous mushroom, and the mysterious disappearance of a friend, Chia. Through rich symbolisms and tension, this episode explores truth, lies, friendship, and vulnerability. Shhh…Listen. Banksia’s tell two truths, one lie. The game starts…

1
(Un)Intended Consequences - Live Storytelling Part 2 30:00

1M ago30:00

30:00

This week, we're sharing stories performed at our live storytelling night (Un)Intended Consequences last October with live music composed and performed by Matthew Forbes. Explore influential encounters, moments and ideas - and if you're eager for more, you can find three more stories in our 'Part I' Episode. Highly Strung - 'Neverland' Emily Suine …

1
Still Here 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

This week, words by First Nations people on January 26, Sovereignty and Identity. 'Australia Day' In our first story, people at the 2012 Yabun festival speak about what so-called ‘Australia day’ means to them. That story was produced by Lauren Carroll Harris, with interviews gathered by Lauren Carroll Harris, Carly Anne Kenneally & Jesse Cox. Unwel…

1
Sunburned 27:23

2M ago27:23

27:23

This week, stories that delve beneath the surface of the summer heat. Sunburned First up, Phoebe heads back to school to learn about workshops educating teens on sun safety and the lifelong risks of skin cancer - which affects two in three Australians. Through stories from survivors, students, and insights from experts and volunteers, she highlight…

1
Sink or Swim - Part III 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

In the final instalment of Sink or Swim, we look to the future and explore how we can survive the hotter summers that lie ahead for all of us. Blacktown is facing increasingly extreme urban heat, but locals are coming up with their own solutions. We visit two cool refuges where we discover ordinary citizens and local leaders who are shaping the com…

1
Sink or Swim - Part II 27:50

2M ago27:50

27:50

Angelica has decided: this is the summer she finally takes the plunge. Go with her as she joins an adult swim class for beginners, and realises that there are plenty of other adults who share both her trepidation and her determination. Angelica’s home of Western Sydney is heating up faster than nearly anywhere else, making swimming an essential sur…

1
Sink or Swim - Part I 32:38

3M ago32:38

32:38

Sydney holds a strong identity as the capital of sandy shores, ripper waves and the finest swimmers in the world. But this idealistic depiction of a devoted swimming culture doesn’t connect to many locals like Angelica who has never learned how to swim. Come and join Angelica on her personal quest to overcome the deep blue waters. Along the way, sh…

1
What About Her? 30:00

3M ago30:00

30:00

This week we journey back in time to look at Sydney’s music scene through the eyes of three different women. You can hit it as loud as you can First up, we hear from musician and music mentor turned academic, Hannah Fairlamb, about rock boot camps and gender equity. Produced by Mel Bakewell, with music by Ferus Cut Blue Dot Sessions. You can learn …

1
Connection, Democracy and Hope - With Eva Cox 5:15

3M ago5:15

5:15

In the final episode of The Five Minute Advocate for 2024, the brilliant Eva Cox reflects on the year and challenges us to reconnect with the essence of humanity: our need for connection, fairness, and belonging in a society that values people over power. Amid global uncertainty, she calls us to cherish relationships, rethink our collective future,…

1
Beneath The Surface 27:50

3M ago27:50

27:50

This week, we’re playing stories from our 24 hour radio challenge, in which producers are tasked with creating audio stories from scratch in a day! This year we had people participating in Sydney here at fbi but also down in Naarm and even overseas as far as Italy and the UK. 1 - Cristina Marras takes us into a recurring dream. 2 - Keyari Page cons…

1
Lost Media 30:00

3M ago30:00

30:00

This week we’re diving deep into the world of lost media, and in particular the mystery of - Australia's most intriguing missing song - which you might just be able to help solve! The Most Mysterious Song in Australia: A Lostwave Story by Strange Australian In January 2024, Strange Australian was browsing Reddit looking for some obscure lost media,…

1
Narara Ecovillage: A Glimpse into a Sustainable Future - With Michael Walker 4:41

3M ago4:41

4:41

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker visits the Narara Ecovillage, an intentional community near Gosford focused on sustainable living. He explores its eco-friendly homes, strong sense of community, and innovative practices like sociocratic decision-making and an internal exchange economy. While praising its low-carbon lifest…

1
Connection over Goods - With Eva Cox 5:15

4M ago5:15

5:15

As the holiday season approaches, Eva Cox reflects on the importance of human connection over economic consumption. Eva argues that our social relationships—friendships, family ties, and community bonds—define our humanity far more than economic measures ever could. She urges us to reclaim the joy and meaning found in these emotional connections, e…

1
Out Hear 30:00

4M ago30:00

30:00

This week, stories about reclaiming public spaces. Demon Derriere by Azrielle de Vor Azrielle interviews an absolute icon of the local arts scene here in Sydney. Demon Derriere is a mesmerising performer and host, and the creator of Big Thick Energy. Produced by Azrielle de Vor with mentorship from Danni Stewart. It was produced as part of the Comm…

1
Dark Times and Reasons To Hope - With Julie Macken 5:38

4M ago5:38

5:38

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Julie Macken reflects on a year of upheaval, from global politics to the challenges of democracy and humanity. Drawing inspiration from Vaclav Havel’s ‘The Power of the Powerless’, Julie reminds us that in dark times, small acts of decency—looking one another in the eye, saying hello, and refusing to giv…

1
it's not me it's you 27:50

4M ago27:50

27:50

What do you think I look like? Is that a weird question? Probably. But I do have a point, stay with me. In a perfect world we’re all moving away from judging a book by its cover, I don’t think we can say we’ve achieved this quite yet. This idea is unpacked in our stories this week which delve into growing into our own skin, against the grain of soc…

1
Trash & Treasure 27:50

4M ago27:50

27:50

This week, stories about the things we sometimes need to do to get a decent bite to eat. Table Diving by Patrick Mckenzie In our first story, Patrick explores the odd temptation and social taboo of "table-diving"—taking leftover food from strangers' plates. Through his inner thoughts and expert interviews, the episode delves into themes of etiquett…

1
US election: lessons for Australia - With Michael Walker 4:52

4M ago4:52

4:52

In this episode of The Five Minute Advocate, Michael Walker unpacks the real story behind the U.S. election results, pushing back against the media's tendency to overhype shifts in voter sentiment. He explores why economic struggles in Middle America drove support for bold promises and how Australians often misunderstand the full picture of the U.S…

1
Rethinking Democracy: Restoring Care Over Profit with Eva Cox 5:06

4M ago5:06

5:06

This week on The Five Minute Advocate, Eva Cox breaks down the troubling shifts in democracy, social care, and economics, as nations worldwide—from Australia to the U.S.—increasingly prioritise profit over people. With democracy under threat and communities disconnected, she calls for a return to values of care, social connectivity, fairness and tr…

1
Licensed Poetics 31:55

4M ago31:55

31:55

This week, a podcast fiction story that examines the media industry and an interview about the artistic process behind it. B Fung-Ling and Derek Dao are the hosts of the Licensed Poetics podcast and extremely passionate about supporting emerging artists. All The Best Exec Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan sat down with the duo to talk about the story they…

1
Nights at the Circus 27:51

5M ago27:51

27:51

This week, a story about connection through theatricality and a night at the circus. For Persephone, La Clique is both home and family. She shares childhood memories spent in circus cabaret wings, sketching and watching performers she now calls colleagues. The episode also features Harley Mann, custodian of Na Djinang Circus, a First Nations led co…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Community Broadcasting Association Of Australia Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide