Post-Growth Australia Podcast

In this mini episode, Post-Growth Australia Podcast reunites with Dr. Shane Simonson. Last time we spoke with Shane in PGAP season 3, he gave us a tour of his 'Zero Input Agriculture' farm in Queensland. We caught up with Shane to get an update of the farm - including the addition of some new four legged residents - only to discover that Shane has branched out accross many projects including: Cohosting the Going To Seed Podcast.. This podcast is of special interest to anyone wanting to explore deeply into alternative and revolutionary crop breeders from around the world. The episode with Bruce Pascoe will be of particular interest to Australian listeners. Shane has written a biological hard scifi novel "Our Vitreous Womb", under the author name Haldane B. Doyle. You can find more about Shane's impressive work of fiction here. Shane has also written a non fiction novel "Taming the Apocalypse", a short novella exploring the potential of novel domestications and low tech biotechnology to guide humanity through the end of industrial civilisation. Find out more here. Shane's two articles mentioned in the interview, are The City Is A Lion and The Genie in the Bottleneck. These articles will be of interest to anyone interested in overpopulation and seeking an original, perspective on the issue. PGAP is made possible by the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. All guest opinions, perspectives and past and present legacies are exclusively their own and may not always reflects those of PGAP or SPA. PGAP's official position on the population debate may be read at our [BLOG HERE].(https://pgap.fireside.fm/articles/population) Please rate and review PGAP on Apple PodcastSpecial Guest: Dr. Shane Simonsen.

Welcome to PGAP’s “World Population Day 2024” special, where your co-hosts Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss share their recent musings on sustainable population. World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. Our ‘manifesto’ on the population debate can be read on the PGAP blog: “To populate or not to populate? How we can come together around the eternal debate of everyone’s favourite vexed issue.” Mark’s article “A Holistic Activism Approach to the Population Issue” was published in MEDIUM and the Sustainable Population Australia newsletter May 2024 edition. Want to find out more about Holistic Activism? The booklet can be Downloaded HERE, or accessed at the Holistic Activism website. Michael’s article “Population growth and wealth inequality are more entwined than we thought: here’s why” was originally published on the Population Media Center blog. An audio summary of the themes may be listened to at the ‘Rethinking Sustainability’ podcast, to which Michael was a guest for the short episode: “Growth and the Parasitic Economy”. We believe that population sustainability is one essential component of transitioning to a post-growth society and we trust that this episode and our written contributions make for convincing arguments. Kelvin Thomson, former Australian Federal MP and a huge influence on the population sustainability movement, has released an EP of original music. The track ‘Break Away’, that ends this episode, may be watched on YouTube here. Sustainable Population Australia has launched a media release for World Population Day: “A population may survive but not thrive if it grows rapidly”. We have been told that this has had some positive response from the media, including interviews with SPA’s national president on mainstream radio. You can add your name to SPA’s position statement HERE (already at 15,000 signatures) or find out more about how you can make a difference HERE. SPA’s contributions to the population debate are also discussed in this episode. You can rate and review PGAP at Apple Podcast HERE. Feel free to contact us HERE with your feedback and suggestions, including ideas for future episodes.

This mini episode of PGAP is the 'soundtrack' to a recent seven-minute video that was made by Michael Bayliss on behalf of the Friends of Yakamia Boodja action group, "Meet Larry Blight, Menang Noongar Educator and Friend of Yakamia Forest Boodja" It touches on some of the main themes that were discussed during a more in-depth conversation that we had with Larry for the full-length episode of Season Five, "Conversation with Noongar Menang Educator and Storyteller Larry Blight." You may also be interested in another five minute video, "Meet Some of the Friends of Yakamia Forest Boodja" which was filmed on-site and also features Larry Blight along with many other active campaigners. This video was a success on social media and drew in support from the broader community in Albany, South-West Australia. PGAP recognises NAIDOC Week (07th to 14th of July) which honours the traditions, achievements, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This episode along with the videos were made on Menang Noongar Boodja, on lands that were never ceded and to whose lands our current extractive society keeps plundering and 'developing' without meaningful consultation. All in the endless pursuit of growth. Groups such as Friends of Yakamia Boodja are active in solidarity with the first custodians of the land in their campaign to protect what we can of remaining patches of bushland. Sadly all conservation groups will find themselves having to fight one battle after another until such time that we transition to a post-growth society that applies the wisdom of First Nation cultures. We deeply respect elders past, present and emerging.Special Guest: Larry Blight.

Our special guest for the first full length episode of this season is Marcus Feldthus from Post Growth Guide. Post Growth Guide is a company that is based in Denmark, where Marcus Feldthus and Oscar Haumann work within the business community to assist other organisations in transitioning to post-growth ways of operating. This is crystalised in the handbook "Setting Limits To Growth: How to make better business decisions in the 21st century" which also serves as a document of their own journey, still in progress, towards becoming a post-growth business. PGAP has previously interviewed many guests whose focus is on system/legislative change or citizen action. This is possibly the first time that we have had a guest who is working towards change from within the business sector. This places Marcus in a unique position as a true pioneer. We hope you enjoy this episode of Post Growth Australia Podcast. Please feel free to share this and other episodes of PGAP with your networks. You can also rate and review us on APPLE PODCAST, or send us a message with your thoughts and suggestions. Want to dip your toes deeper into Post Growth Guide, THE learning platform for anyone interested in how to align business with planetary boundaries? Below are a few links to get your started! Open-Eyed Planning 101: Pre-signup for the course: https://www.postgrowthguide.com/course-signup The Handbook "Setting Limits to Growth": https://www.postgrowthguide.com/handbook The Post Growth Guide Membership: https://www.postgrowthguide.com/membership Post Growth Guide's Open Hub (with 50+ resources on post growth business): https://postgrowthguide.notion.site/Open-Hub-7ff04fa753a644609e8ca98cdd594b2e Marcus would also like to share the following links for further information: 20 Cases of Post Growth Practices: https://www.notion.so/postgrowthguide/20-Cases-of-Post-Growth-Practices-dd67efd4c7304df7b6a5ed59cab4ac8e?pvs=4 Reduction Roadmap: Getting Out Of A Race To The Bottom (a case still unfolding): https://www.notion.so/postgrowthguide/Case-Getting-out-of-a-race-to-the-bottom-w-Reduction-Roadmap-594f3ef7d8bf4bb08c6e4345837e0e48?pvs=4 The Danish Deposit System: Collecting & Repurposing 1.9B bottles and cans annually: https://www.notion.so/postgrowthguide/Case-study-Danish-Deposit-System-cebd63fc07e7424d8e8ee3515cb06e0a?pvs=4 The World's First Carbon-Negative Beer (Without Offsets): https://www.notion.so/postgrowthguide/The-World-s-First-Carbon-Negative-Beers-Without-Offsets-5f9870afeed6436d8044252e14061dc9?pvs=4 How To Pay Living Wages w. Pura Utz: https://www.notion.so/postgrowthguide/How-To-Pay-Living-Wages-Pura-Utz-4fd6b454fe0c40ad936ac62eb86a7404?pvs=4 Steward Ownership - an in-depth explainer of how that works: https://www.notion.so/postgrowthguide/What-is-Steward-Ownership-ff98acf7156e47778d70f6c8922a4482?pvs=4 Antoine Monserand's paper on Degrowth and Pension Funds: https://sustainability.sciencesconf.org/data/pages/25_Monserand.pdf "Post-Growth in the Global South? Some Reflections from India and Bhutan" (as mentioned in the interview): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921800916315567 Vyld (Purpose Economy has done a case review): https://purpose-economy.org/content/uploads/purpose-vyld-case-study-en.pdf _ You can find out more about your co-hosts Michael Bayliss and Mark Allen here. Post Growth Australia Podcast is made possible from the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. All views and perspectives of our guests, as well as any past, present or future legacies, are their own and do not always reflect the positions held by PGAP. _Special Guest: Marcus Feldthus.

Post-Growth Australia Podcast welcomes back Dr. Alex Baumann for a mini episode on housing and Degrowth. Alex was one of our star guests a couple of years ago, whose epsiode, "A Public Housing Revolution for Degrowth with Dr Alex Baumann" remains one of PGAP's highest performing episodes. Alex returns to update us on the following: The launch of the De Gruyter Degrowth Handbook and most specifically, the chapter, cowritten by Alex and Samuel Alexander: "Land Commodification: A Structural Barrier to Degrowth Transition." An article in The Conversation: "Huge housing costs make us slaves to our jobs and unsustainable growth. But there’s another way". The strategy paper "LAND COMMODIFICATION AS A BARRIER TO POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC AGENCY: A DEGROWTH PERSPECTIVE" Alex is a lecturer at the 'Sustainable Futures' course at the University of Western Sydney. A video was made with the students of the course, which can be seen on YouTube here. PGAP is delighted to be returning for a SIXTH season with a mix of full length episodes as well as mini episodes with returning guests. We hope to make this format accessible to everyone, whether you are looking for a briefer or more immersive listen. Please send us your feedback by contacting us on our CONTACT PAGE HERE. We would appreciate a review on APPLE PODCAST if you have the time. Please share this and your other favourite episodes of PGAP among your networks. PGAP is run by Michael Bayliss and Mark Allen, supported by Sustainable Population Australia.Special Guest: Alex Baumann.

For the final episode of season 5, PGAP welcomes special guest John Seed (OAM). John is founder and director of Australia’s Rainforest Information Centre and is an Australian figurehead for the Deep Ecology Movement. A long time hero of both co-hosts Mark and Michael, John combines decades of successful environmental activism with an emphasis toward re-establishing a deep emotional connection with the natural world. It is the disconnection from nature which has resulted in the endless growth paradigm which is tearing apart our societies and our planet. John shares his thoughts on why system change is not enough and why a fundamental shift in our collective psychology is needed to get us out of this mess. In addition to John’s other accolades, he is also an accomplished musician. It was a pleasure to play his song ‘The World Bank Song’ on PGAP. The song was written in 1990 for a protest against the World Bank in Washington DC and the message is arguably even more relevant today. The video may be seen on YouTube and John’s music may also be heard on SoundCloud. You can find more about the RAINFOREST INFORMATION CENTRE HERE. Or about DEEP ECOLOGY HERE. More links to John’s work include articles on THE RELIGION OF ECONOMICS, THE RIGHTS OF NATURE, and CLIMATE GRIEF. More information regarding the Atlas network may be read HERE and HERE. You can find out more about HOLISTIC ACTIVISM HERE (founded by co-host Mark Allen). Both Mark and Michael Bayliss have been busy over the last couple of months. Mark has written A Holistic Activism Approach to the Population Issue for Medium. Michael was recently a guest presenter on the Rethinking Sustainability Podcast, on the topic of Growth and the Parasitic Economy.. Mark has written for Independent Australia: Sydney asbestos crisis the tip of the iceberg . EcoVoice published Mark's article Climate Activism and the Crisis of Language . Last but not least, the PGAP Blog has been updated with a new post, Building a house in the 2020s (and other fun things!). At PGAP, we like to give a shout out to the work of our past guests. The highly anticipated De Gruyter Degrowth Handbook has finally been released! Inside, contributors, including a forward by Jason Hickel, explore various facets of degrowth, delving into its intersections with Marxism, feminism, architecture, and issues related to the global south. A standout chapter, penned by our former podcast guest Alex Baumann and co-author Samuel Alexander, shines a light on the initial privatisation of capitalism, namely land privatisation. While the Handbook itself is behind a paywall, an excellent article in The Conversation gives a great overview. PGAP will be on break for two months before we return for season six in a couple of months. PGAP has now been on the air for nearly four years and we are so pleased that community support for our grassroots program has gone from strength to strength across the five seasons. We are looking forward to many more stellar guests in season six and we will also be experimenting with 'mini-episodes' for returning guests. Until then, we invite you to RATE AND REVIEW PGAP, SUBSCRIBE, or CONTACT US with our easy to fill out contact form. Please share this and other episodes of PGAP with your friends, family and networks. Until season six, until then! (All views, opinions, and past and present legacies of PGAP guests do not necessarily reflect those of PGAP of Sustainable Population Australia who are the kind supporters of this podcast.)Special Guest: John Seed.

For this short bonus episode of PGAP, we welcome back Martin Tye, Social Media and Promotions Coordinator of Sustainable Population Australia (SPA). Martin shares with us the details of SPA's new campaign 'Say NO to a Big Australia!' He also gives us a heads up on SPA's public forum, being held in Adelaide on April 20th, "From housing crisis to eco-crisis: Why Australia's Population Growth is Unsustainable," including keynote speakers Leith van Onselen and Dr Jane O'Sullivan. Please consider signing SPA's position statement, calling for a sustainable population. Find out more about the campaign here. Will you be in Adelaide on the 20th of April? Then do come along to SPA's free public forum on Australia's Ponzi population experiment - and what we can do about it. For those not in Adelaide, the event will be live streamed. PGAP has interviewed both keynote speakers, including Leith van Onselen from Macrobusiness, and Jane O'Sullivan, in past episodes. Martin Tye was also interviewed in the very first episode of PGAP. Listen here for a walk down history lane! SPA are the primary supporters of Post-Growth Australia Podcast (PGAP). While this podcast aims to invite broad perspectives on the Degrowth movement, we believe that a stable or slowly declining populations, both domestically and globally, are crucial components of the post-growth transition. If you want to find out more about where your co-hosts Michael Bayliss and Mark Allen sit on population, you can read more HERE and HERE. All opinions, views and past and current legacies of our guests are strictly their own, and do not always reflect the views of PGAP. PGAP have one last episode in the wings with a VERY special guest (no spoilers!) before we take a short break. Stay tuned! In the meantime, please share this and other episodes of PGAP with your friends, family and networks. Subscribe to PGAP HERE or contact us with your thoughts and ideas HERE. Special Guest: Martin Tye.

As this episode goes to air, a brand-new documentary on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) is touring Australia and PGAP has been given the incredible opportunity to speak to USA based director of "Finding the Money", Maren Poitras. Maren has just embarked on a screening tour of South East Australia alongside Stephanie Kelton, who is a leading proponent of the MMT movement and author of ‘The Deficit Myth’. (Australian Poster) During this revealing interview, Maren discusses the importance of MMT and the journey that making a feature length documentary on this important topic has taken her on. The conversation also explores why it is crucial that MMT goes hand in hand with post growth narratives and why it is important to combine the two in order to create an economic system that works within limits to growth. (Maren Poitras) ‘Finding The Money’ was filmed and produced in the USA with a focus around Stephanie Kelton’s advocacy in that country. However, Australia is the first country in the world to host screenings in advance of the documentary’s official release in the USA later this year. This is testament to the growing popularity of MMT in Australia and its many homegrown advocates of economic reform. These include institutions such as Modern Money Lab and Economic Reform Australia as well as author Steve Williams - all have been previous guests on PGAP. You can find the dates of the Australian screening tour below and if you are in the right place at the right time, we strongly encourage that you go and see it. Not only is it a brilliant documentary but you will also have the opportunity to meet and greet Stephanie Kelton and Maren Poitras. CLICK HERE to book your tickets. Post-Growth Australia Podcast is made with the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. We refer to SPA’s discussion paper in this interview: "Silver Tsunami or Silver Lining: Why We Should Not Fear an Ageing Population". Any views, opinions or legacy of our guests do not necessarily reflect those of PGAP or SPA. Your PGAP co-hosts Michael Bayliss and Mark Allen are very pleased and humbled by the excellent response to the podcasts that we have made so far this year. We have had more listens than ever before, so a big thank you to our ever-growing community! We truly believe that "Finding the Money" and the conversations in this episode are very important and worth supporting, so we would be very grateful if you could share this episode within your networks. Also, please feel free to contact us at any time with your feedback and thoughts. You can find out more about your hosts here and here.Special Guest: Maren Poitras.

Timothée Parrique, an economist at Lund University, dives into the misconceptions of green growth and advocates for degrowth economics. He critiques the idea of economic decoupling, showing the lack of scientific support behind it. Timothée passionately discusses his vision for a post-growth world that emphasizes social equity and reduced advertising. He reflects on the recent Beyond Growth conference and challenges outdated views on demography, arguing for a cooperative, need-focused economy instead.

Happy new 2024! For this very special episode of Post-Growth Australia Podcast, we interview Menang Noongar educator Larry Blight on site at the Yakamia forest, one of the few remnant pieces of bushland in Albany, which is currently under threat from overdevelopment (of course!) Larry discusses the environmental and cultural significance of the Yakamia forest. We then delve into a broader conversation across many issues such as overdevelopment, colonisation, the perils of neoliberalism and population policy. Larry incorporates his local knowledge and his connection to Boodja (Land) in what is a very deep and insightful conversation. From the Kirrah Mia website: “Larry is a Menang Man, who is passionate about his Boodja (Land) and all things on it. Larry has extensive knowledge of local bushfoods, medicines, fauna, local stories and traditions. Larry has been passing on this knowledge through cross-cultural awareness workshops, Aboriginal tourism, school educational workshops and more.” This episode was recorded on site at the Yakamia forest with our trusty portable recorder. Being immersed within the bushland allowed for a more immersive conversation to unfold. However, it also happened to be a windy day with quite a bit of ambient sound, affecting the quality of the recording. We did our best to throw all the production tricks to sharpen the recording, and we would like to thank Andrew Skeoch and Crystal Marketing for their additional assistance. As with our previous episode at the NENA conference, there is always a trade off with the intimacy of being 'live' with the unpredictable nature of sound recording, so we acknowledge the ‘rawness’ of this episode. To find out more about the Yakamia forest, you may be interested in our Season Four episode “A Tribute to Community Groups fighting Big Overdevelopment in WA” where we interview Annabel Paully from the Friends of Yakamia. For more First Nations’ perspective on Degrowth, you may be interested in Dr Mary Graham’s address in the episode, “PGAP live at the NENA conference: Life After Capitalism.” We also interviewed Prof. Anne Poelina in the Season Two episode: “Saving the Martuwarra-Fitzroy river”. This episode was recorded on traditional Menang Noongar country, on lands that were never ceded and we would like to offer our respect to elders past, present and emerging. We strongly encourage you to share this very important episode with your friends, family and networks and would love it if you could take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcast or your favourite podcast platform. Degrowth is about community and we encourage a community approach to the direction of future PGAP episodes! Contact us anytime with your feedback, suggestions and ideas. PGAP is made possible by the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. SPA has been active in including many diverse perspectives on the sometimes-contentious issue of population, including those from the Global South, as well as first generation migrant and First Nation's perspectives. More information can be found on SPA's 'diversity and social inclusion' page. If you would like to support SPA in saying 'NO to a big Australia' in 2024, please consider adding your signature to their position statement. More information about your co-hosts Michael Bayliss and Mark Allen can be viewed here and here.Special Guest: Larry Blight.