Wild with Sarah Wilson

There’s a lot we don’t know about our current Prime Minister. And what we do know - daggy dad, makes curry on the barbecue, Sharkies fan - is crafted by the ex-marketing man himself, the bloke who gave himself the moniker “ScoMo”.His biographer the Nine newspapers’ Sean Kelly joins me to talk through our PM'S past; the Hungry Jacks ad; how he left all previous jobs “under a cloud”; where his slogans and tactics came from; as well as his love of the Pentecostal church, whose followers believe that “end times” are nigh (but don’t worry, the believers will be saved while the rest of us…get to burn in the climate crisis hell left behind).Sean explains how Morrison's faith and the fact that he uniquely treats politics as a game has shaped the political landscape and landed us with a leader who lies and bullies. Sean also unpacks what it likely says about Australia if we “buy into” Morrison's marketing and slogan-making for another term on May 21.I think many of you will find this ep particularly revealing!Follow Sean https://twitter.com/mrseankellyAnd read his columns https://www.smh.com.au/by/sean-kelly-h1d26aGrab hold of his wonderful book The Game, A Portrait of Scott Morrisonbooktopia.kh4ffx.net/n1vEx7Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s ep we pull apart the corruption, lies, the removal and defunding of crucial bodies that hold governments to account, the stacking of boards with fossil fuel executives and the dead crook behaviour that has defined the current Government.Mike Seccombe is the national correspondent for The Saturday Paper and has covered this descent into what some political commentators have described as the worst era in Australian politics. It all explains why 81% of Australians want a federal anti-corruption body (or ICAC).And, I guess, why some candidates and parties are pushing for one ...and some are not. If you’re baffled by it all, join us as we thrash the whole sorry issue out…as well as the best solutions for voters.You can check out Mike’s columns at The Saturday Paper https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/contributor/mike-seccombeFind out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is where things get a bit fun! And, actually, this episode explains WHY i decided to do this election series.So. The policy and ideas gridlock is real. And there’s a reason for it. But there’s also a solution and policy think tank The Grattan Institute has mapped it out with research. It’s to vote in a number of climate-focused MPs who do not belong to either of the major parties. As it happens, there are about 30 running across Australia this election, and if three of them (give or take) get voted in May 21, then they will hold the balance of power. And thusly Australia has the best chance of moving forward on those 5 Pillars of Care I keep banging on about: climate policy; a federal corruption body; women's equality; an indigenous voice to parliament; and addressing the growing divide between the haves and have nots. It might sound wonky and complex, but the Institute's Danielle and I break the whole thing down into simple - and super hopeful - terms.That Gridlock report we talk about? It’s here https://grattan.edu.au/institutional-change-needed-to-reignite-policy-reform/You can learn about the independents, and see if there’s one running in your electorate, here https://www.climate200.com.auI mention a few “teal indies” I follow on Instagram:Dr Monique Ryan for Kooyong https://www.instagram.com/mon4kooyong/Allegra Spender running in Wentworth https://www.instagram.com/allegra.spender/Zoe Daniel for Goldstein https://www.instagram.com/zoedaniel/Kylea Tink for North Sydney https://www.instagram.com/kyleatink/Hannabeth Luke in Page https://www.instagram.com/hanabethluke/Kate Chaney for Curtin in WA https://www.instagram.com/chaneyforcurtin/David Pocock in Canberra (senate) https://www.instagram.com/davidpocock/Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we lay out where things are at as we head into the election campaign proper. Consider it a primer (if you’re just starting to get engaged in all this election guff). I’m joined by cofounder of @TheDailyAus Zara Seidler and Walkley Award-winning journalist, comedian and activist Jan Fran to chat through the frustration and fatigue (why we’re feeling it), as well as what is actually mattering to us…particular policies and issues to look out for (they’re not what you expect). We also answer a question about how polls work.Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yep, a one-stop pod that shows how we can make our vote count toward a more caring, humane, vibrant Australia on May 21. To kick off, I explain why I think this election is the most important in recent history, why things feel so fractured and dismal (you’re not imagining it; the country has swerved well off track!), but most importantly how we can strategically shake things up election day and land a hopeful result. I’ll be posting twice a week over the next month or so, speaking to my old friends from my political journalism days, and covering off how to vote if you care about the following: a legit climate policy; stamping out integrity and corruption in Canberra; fixing the bloody gender violence and inequality mess (it’s 2022, fellas!!); installing a First Nations voice to parliament; as well as the growing social issues that are splitting the haves and have nots like I’ve never seen before. So…not your usual political podcast. Sound good? Tell your friends and remember to keep sending me voice messages in my Instagram messages if you want your questions answered along the way.show notes:Find out how to postal vote and how to vote if you’re interstate or overseas on election day: https://www.aec.gov.auTo find your electorate and all the candidates running in your electorate go to https://votecompass.abc.net.auAAnd while you’re there, fill in the survey to find out which party your values are aligned with.To have your question answered in the series, send me a direct message via Instagram @_sarahwilson_ . When you go to post your message, hit the microphone icon and record your question. Please state your name and where you live, and then fire off what you’d like addressed (1-2 sentences max!).Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frankly, if the world needs anything right now it's better, more authentic, and discerning communication. In so many ways we seem to have lost track of how and WHY we get into such polarised positions. Sara Nass is a world expert (and the unofficial organiser of) the global authentic relating movement. I invite her to share tips on how we can be more artful at relating. How do we RELATE to people who've gone down conspiracy rabbit-holes? How do we navigate teenagers who've been in a pandemic cocoon…? How do we ask for a pay rise? How do we combat gaslighters? And how do we inject more kindness?Find out more about Sara Ness and Authentic Relating: https://www.authrev.org/ Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to give a shit. To fire up. To say yes — and mean it. Whether you're endlessly scrolling Netflix for the perfect movie or looking for a date online or wanting to make a “difference", it's time to commit. Global democracy expert Pete Davis says we've been hoodwinked into thinking we need to keep our options open. But our creative urges, our sense of humanity, our political system needs decisiveness, and all that flaking is eroding society (not just the dating scene!). We talk how to build our "psychological immune system”, the Grateful Dead, why good things take a long time and the loveliness of “long haul heroes”.Read Dedicated by Pete Davis: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/mgkVDZ Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economic anthropologist Jason Hickel is possibly the leading voice in the degrowth movement that's bubbling about the place. Heard of it? Degrowth pivots around the wild idea that constant growth - and GDP - is the wrong goal. Instead, human, and planetary wellbeing should be our marker of progress. You know, if we want to survive. I drill Jason on the implications: the necessary end of capitalism, four-day work weeks, accepting renewable growth can't save us (eek!), the uncomfortable truth that our unchecked obsession with “more" is killing the poor (despite what Bill Gates will try telling you). Basically, all the talking points to chuck on the table at your next (too) comfortable dinner party!Read Less is More by Jason Hickel: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/Gj1rqn Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 'world's most influential philosopher' loves to whack us around the head with our own morality. Aussie-born Peter Singer, the guy who brought us vegetarianism (and is also dubbed the most “dangerous” man on the planet) has spoken out on euthanasia, abortion, bestiality, cancel culture and mandatory vaccinations. But this episode he gets us wrestling with the ‘effective altruism' movement he helped bring about. We go in hard. Can you be good if you don't give a chunk of your income away? Is it moral to send your kids to private school? And should we shame the rich who don't give?Details about Peter's speaking tour: https://thinkinc.org.au/singer/ More about Peter's book and the organisation he founded — www.thelifeyoucansave.org.au/ Read the Journal of Controversial Ideas: https://journalofcontroversialideas.org/ Recommended charities, analysis and research — www.givewell.org/ Looking to find a more meaningful career? https://80000hours.org/ The national animal advocacy organisation that Peter helped start: https://animalsaustralia.org/ Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author, Johann Hari reckons our ability to focus didn't just disappear — it was stolen! This is a crisis and it's not your fault. Johann explains why you touch your phone 2167 times a day, why the average office worker can only focus on a task for three minutes, and why our kids' attention is shot. But it's one thing to lose the joy of reading a long book, it's another to distract an entire society away from democracy, peace and, well, survival. This is what distresses me most - we've become a shouty-yet-consenting “society on fire”. Mercifully, Johann has fixes...Read Stolen Focus by Johann Hari: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/9Wr9e3 More about Johann Hari: https://johannhari.com/Find out more about Sarah Wilson Subscribe to Sarah's Substack newsletter Get your copy of Sarah's book, This One Wild and Precious LifeConnect on InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.