The Women's Agenda Podcast

This week, who gets excused and who gets judged!We look at the wins: A doctor turned patient, and a founder's AI women's health platform raises $4 million, and a World Cup that's been a genuine, underdog-loving joy. Then, we unpack Karl Stefanovic's platforming of the far-right extremist Tommy Robinson on his podcast and the fallout that ensued. Plus, we look at the French TV host who called footballer Jérémy Doku's plan to attend his baby's birth "disgusting", and why, from Virat Kohli to Cricket Australia's own paternity policy, we should be well past this. And we dig into the "brilliant leader" notion, following yet more investigations and headlines surrounding one of Australia's best-known founders. This week's discussed stories include:Doctor-turned-founder behind Ovum raises $4 million to scale AI women's health platformKarl Stefanovic's attention-grabbing antics hit new heights with far right extremist interviewTV host apologises after calling footballer Jérémy Doku's plan to attend baby's birth 'disgusting'Australian Federal Police human exploitation taskforce investigating Richard WhiteSubscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and head to womensagenda.com.au for the full stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top stories from the week! Pauline Hanson is abolishing things, everywhere, wants monoculturalism, claims the gender pay gap is a myth etc. Plus, how 12 hours risked reproductive rights in Australia.River Ahmad becomes the first Afghan woman to summit Mount Everest, and how Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha out-classed a US$60 million masculinity spectacle.Have you heard of career minimalism? We unpack the latest workplace trend and why it's fine, for some people.This week's discussed stories include:River Ahmad, the first Afghan woman to climb Everest, dedicates historic achievement to women and girlsA goalkeeper wept, a fighter sledged Michelle Obama. Only one of these men showed strengthBasically, Pauline Hanson wants to abolish a bunch of thingsAn alarming 12 hours of efforts to restrict reproductive health in AustraliaJane Fonda, Julia Roberts take on Trump at free speech concert in NYCSubscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and head to womensagenda.com.au for the full stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, two genuine wins and a look at who we blame when the going gets tough.A blood-stained front page across three South African newspapers turned period poverty into front-page news — and went global. Brittany Higgins was named Executive Director of Vida Fund, stepping into a leadership role as the organisation gears up for 2028. We unpack "masculinism" — the force Helen Lewis says is uniting the right against women — and ask whether Australia is catching the same trend. Tarla takes on one comedian's irresponsible anti-immigration rant. This week's discussed stories include:Blood-stained front page sparks global conversation about period povertyBrittany Higgins appointed Executive Director of Vida Fund as organisation ramps up gender equity campaign'Masculinism' unites the right in the US against women. Is Australia experiencing the same trend?Dave Hughes loves a rant. This anti-immigration one is his worst yet.I spent 20 years as a political staffer. Here's why toxic workplace culture is so hard to fixSubscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and head to womensagenda.com.au for the full stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Wilson has built a career on telling uncomfortable truths, including about sugar, anxiety, and about how we're living. Her new book, I Eat the Stars: How to Live Fully and Beautifully in a Collapsing World, goes further than anything she's written before. It argues we are already inside systemic collapse and experiencing the same pattern every complex civilisation before us has followed. The way through is to stop performing hope and start experiencing the world around us./ In this conversation with Angela Priestley, Sarah explains what "collapse" actually means, why women may be uniquely placed to lead through it, and what she calls "fierce mother energy" — the antidote to the "fierce toddler energy" of the men currently running the world. She also tackles the question every parent is asking: how do we talk to our kids about this? It is, against all odds, a hopeful listen.I Eat the Stars is out now in Australia and New Zealand via Penguin, with global release on 16 June 2026.The Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. Sign up to our free daily news update here. Thank you to this week's sponsor of the podcast, The Women in Leadership Summit. You can find out more about the event and here. Our partner's message: Leadership isn’t built in a single moment - it’s built through momentum. In partnership with UN Women Australia - The Women in Leadership Summit is coming to a city near you this September. Australia’s Queen of Comedy, Celeste Barber, headlines a lineup of leaders worth clearing your calendar for. Forget the one-off event - this is a leadership journey, designed to build momentum before, during and after the Summit. Every ticket also directly supports UN Women Australia's work advancing women's economic empowerment, leadership and safety. Find out more and register at australia.womenleadersummit.com.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antoinette Lattouff went from award-winning journalist to the unwilling face of one of Australia's most consequential press freedom cases — and a verb. In her new book Women Who Win, she reframes what winning actually means for women and what it costs, weaving in her own story of being sacked three days into a gig at the ABC and taking the ABC to court.Antoinette joins the pod to share why she claimed the win before the verdict came down, the loneliness of being the first, and the two years she spent in fight-or-flight while navigating the case. She outlines some of the inspiring and gameschanging stories of women presented in her book. You can learn more about Antoinette's book here. The Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. Subscribe to our free daily news update here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We wrap a week of wins and the giant gap in who says they're supporting women and who actually is. Women and girls are driving a record philanthropic boom in Australian sport, with more than $22.8 million directed into their programs last year. Melbourne writer Su Dharmapala's debut novel is heading to the big screen as a women-led rom-com, twelve years in the making. But in the week since the Federal Budget, five women and two children have been killed, while the Prime Minister insists he's "throwing everything" at the crisis. Schools are being blackmailed by cyber criminals using sexually explicit AI deepfakes of students. And EY has quietly walked back its once-celebrated paid parental leave policy, introducing a penalty for staff who resign within a year of returning.We also explore this week's much-discussed issue of women urging other women to use AI. This week's discussed stories include:Women and girls record philanthropic boom in Australian sportMelbourne rom-com about Sri Lankan community heads to big screenFive women, two children killed since Budget. But PM claims they're 'throwing everything' at the issueSchools are being blackmailed with explicit AI deepfakes of studentsAfter years of progress, EY is taking a step backwards on paid parental leave Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Taveeshi Gupta is the lead researcher behind The State of the World's Fathers 2026, Equimundo's tracking study of global fatherhood, which has been run every two years since 2015. The just-released 2026 edition surveyed 8,000 parents across 16 countries, and the headline finding is striking: in just three years, between 2023 and 2026, attitudes about who should do care work have measurably gone backwards. The number of fathers who think boys shouldn't be taught to change a nappy has almost doubled.In this conversation, recorded live at Women Deliver 2026 in Melbourne, Taveeshi sits down with Women's Agenda's Angela Priestley to unpack the data, the contradiction between what fathers want and what they believe, the trap of the "wallet dad" identity, and the surprising political constituency that nobody is currently organising: fathers who say they'd pay higher taxes for public care services, at a higher rate than mothers do.Backlash Conversations is a Women's Agenda Podcast series, recorded live at Women Deliver 2026 in Melbourne. Check out more from the series in the feed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teresa Zapeta is a Maya Indigenous leader from Guatemala and the Executive Director of the International Indigenous Women's Forum, a global network that has spent 25 years building Indigenous women's movements capable of holding democracies together when state institutions fail.In 2023, her movement was central to the 106-day resistance that protected Guatemala's democratic transition. A successful, violence-free campaign with lessons for any movement committed to protecting such things.In this conversation, recorded live at Women Deliver 2026 in Melbourne, Teresa sits down with Women's Agenda's Angela Priestley to talk about the funding gap that sees just 1.4% of global women's grant-making reach Indigenous women's organisations, why "care as leadership" is a counter-strategy to authoritarianism rather than just a value statement, and what global feminist media — including Women's Agenda — keeps getting wrong about Indigenous women's leadership.Backlash Conversations is a Women's Agenda Podcast series, recorded live at Women Deliver 2026 in Melbourne. Check out more from the series in the feed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Binaifer Nowrojee is the first female president of the Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros, and the source of more than $24 billion in funding to human rights causes worldwide.A human rights lawyer by training, her early work documenting sexual violence in Rwanda helped secure the first ever convictions for rape as a weapon of war.Open Society is now itself a target of the Trump administration's attacks on US civil society. If those attacks become illegal restrictions on their rights, she says, they'll see the administration in court.Binaifer offers a strong and compelling take on the manosphere, the moment we're in globally, and the opportunity for Australia to play a leading role. She is fiercely determined, even while at the centre of an organisation under sustained attack. She speaks with Angela Priestley for this conversation, recorded live at Women Deliver in Melbourne in April 2026. You can check out more of our 'Backlash Conversations' in the Women's Agenda Podcast feed. Check out more from Open Society Foundations here. The Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, also publisher of Women's Agenda. You can sign up for our free daily news update here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She's here to hold the line on big tech power, and the world's first eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is showing no signs of backing down. Julie Inman Grant features in our latest series of Backlash Conversations, recorded live at Women Deliver in Melbourne. She shares why she believes the social media ban in Australia is a long game, the success achieved and the work that's still to be done. And she outlines what she describes as "outrage", a vicious cycle of content online that sucks in people of all ages, but is especially problematic for young people. As for how the regulation is working to hold tech platforms to account, she says: "Some companies will come to the table, and some will see us in court." Women's Agenda is running Backlash Conversations all week, featuring short interviews recorded from our exhibition space at Women Deliver in Melbourne in April 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just six weeks ago, Maria Antonieta Alcalde stepped up to take on one of the toughest gigs globally: leading the International Planned Parenthood Federation at arguably one of its most challenging times in history. But with three decades of successfully fighting for women's rights across Latin America, she's got the experience and energy to take on the role, as funding cuts, the Trump administration, and a well-funded network globally are pushing to roll back hard-fought rights. Maria was recently in Melbourne for Women Deliver 2026, where she met with Women's Agenda's Angela Priestley to record this conversation live. This is the first of our Backlash Conversations, featuring some of the biggest global leaders fighting for women's rights. Maria shares what the world can learn from Latin America's grassroots playbook, why she rejects the term "backlash" to describe the global rollback of women's rights, and what Australia's $49 million in family-planning aid is actually achieving across the Pacific. Plus, the incredible gains she believes Australian women can help achieve for our sisters across the Pacific. The Backlash Conversations is a Women's Agenda Podcast series, recorded live at the Women Deliver conference in Melbourne. New episodes drop across the next week. The Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, the publisher of Women's Agenda. Sign up to our lunchtime daily news update here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week at Women's Agenda, it's all about money, power, and who's moving it.We celebrate a major reform win for sexual assault survivors in, and FIFA's landmark decision to formally recognise the Afghan women's national football team in exile, marking a rebirth of hope after years in limbo. Plus, we examine what was said about the global pushback against women's rights at Women Deliver, including how Julie Gillard and Dr Maliha Khan responded to questions on how to respond. Also, we look at the $5.4 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer underway in Australia, and what it means when around 65% of it is heading to women. Finally, we close with friction-maxxing: the viral wellness trend telling everyone to make their lives harder, which… have a word with us about that one.This week's discussed stories include:'Major win': Georgie Purcell, Brittany Higgins secure reform to reduce courtroom harm for survivorsAfghan women's team allowed to compete internationally after years in limboThe backlash against women is well funded. Why isn't the fightback?Giving to transform with women set to inherit trillions in next decadeSubscribe to our free daily newsletter, become a member, and get the full stories at womensagenda.com.au. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We unpack a week of wins, warnings and what-the-actuals.The landmark pay rise putting more value on women (but still not enough). How Hungary issued a blow to the anti-feminist, pro-natalist regime of an autocrat, Victoria's first Minister for Men and Boys, and what it means. And an historic appointment: Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, the first woman to command the Australian Army in its 125-year history. But of course, the "DEI hire" talk begins.Plus, Melania Trump has issued a rare public denial of any friendship with Jeffrey Epstein: unprompted, unasked, and in a way that left everyone scratching their heads. This week's discussed stories include:NSW nurses secure landmark pay rise after years-long fight over "undervalued" workA strongman’s defeat sparks optimism for women’s rights globallyTrump ally Viktor Orbán defeated in Hungary as voters reject strongman politicsVictoria now has a Minister for Men and Boys. Now where's the Gender Equality Minister?'Deeply significant': Susan Coyle becomes first woman to command Australian armyMelania Trump denies ties to Jeffrey Epstein in rare public statementSubscribe wherever you get your podcasts and head to womensagenda.com.au for our latest news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cardiovascular disease kills around one in four Australian women, yet it’s still widely misunderstood as a “male” health issue.In this episode, Assistant Minister for Health Rebecca White joins Women’s Agenda’s Editor, Tarla Lambert-Patel, to unpack the federal government’s new Ministerial Expert Panel on Women’s Health, and why heart health is its first priority.They discuss what’s driving this shift, why women’s symptoms have been historically overlooked, and what it will take to close the gap in diagnosis, treatment and care. The Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we take stock of a week that had plenty to celebrate, and of course to interrogate. The Matildas are in the Women's Asian Cup final on home soil, and Kyle Sandilands has been officially terminated by ARN after nearly three decades on Australian radio. Then the bigger stories: the Trump delegation's humiliating defeat at the UN's Commission on the Status of Women, the double threat of ageism and AI facing women over 50, and Louis Theroux's manosphere doco, including what it gets right, what it misses, and why the real story is about who is harvesting boys' attention, and why.Stories discussed this week include Matildas / Women's Asian Cup finalKyle Sandilands terminatedCSW70 / Trump delegationWomen over 50, ageism and AITheroux / manosphere, "misses the story"The manosphere and boys in an attention economy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new political leader wanting Australia to be great... just like the past. Only this time, a hyper Australia! Plus, progress on the lack of women in leadership globally is slow, who could possibly tell? Also some big wins for the week, including changes to superannuation that will get more money in women's pockets. And the Iranian football team, which showed the responsibility we have for those who silently speak truth to power. Key stories discussed this week: ‘More Australian babies!’ New Nationals leader Matt Canavan has a vision for Australia to help us return to the pastGlobally, the rate of cabinet posts held by women has decreased as political leadership overwhemingly dominated by menTwo more Iranian football squad members granted humanitarian visas, will stay in AustraliaThe Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're bringing you the first episode of There Will Be Dancing, from our friends at the Women's Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA)!Women's Agenda is thrilled to partner with WELA on this series, sharing a wide range of environmental and climate conversations that are anchored in optimism (hence the dancing).Hosted by WELA CEO Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, alongside publicist Odette Barry and clean tech policy leader Sanaya Khisty, There Will Be Dancing explores the motivations, strategies and experiences of women and gender-diverse leaders shaping Australia’s environmental movement. Alongside hard-won lessons from the frontlines of climate advocacy, the podcast also makes space for joy, humour and the human side of driving change.The series features a range of guests spanning grassroots activism, global diplomacy, community organising and cultural leadership.They share practical insights into their work, and also remind us why joy has a place in climate work.First up is Kelly O’Shanassy - former Chief Executive of the Australian Conservation Foundation, with more than a decade leading one of the country’s most influential environmental organisations through political volatility and institutional reform. In this episode, Kelly shares what a decade at the Australian Conversation Foundation taught her about endurance.Each episode also includes a contribution from one of our community members, such as a poem, essay, or audio profile. Today we’re pleased to include a reflection from Anna Hutchcroft, who will be reading a piece called When Language Returns. There Will Be Dancing is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's all a bit difficult for Anthony Albanese this week, as he faces very valid backlash over his description of former Australian of the Year, Grace Tame.Also today, we’re talking about the AI Deepfakes that are infiltrating politics right now, and Australia’s not immune. In fact, Pauline Hanson is capitalising sensationally. Plus, senior journalist Dinushi Dias shares an interview with Ayla Chorley, the CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, about the growing impacts of alcohol on women. You can learn more about FARE here. Stories discussed today include: When Albanese called Grace Tame “difficult,” he said more than he intendedAI deepfakes are warping Australian politics. Pauline Hanson is in the middle of it.And support our work! Become a Women's Agenda Member and/or Subscribe to our free daily news update.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senator Fatima Payman is not only one of the most productive members of parliament, but also courageous.As such, this conversation is all about how to be brave and courageous, even in the quieter moments and when the fear is present and inescapable.Born in Afghanistan, Senator Payman migrated to Perth with her family in 2003, studied pharmacy, and became president of Young Labor WA. In 2022, at just 27, she was elected as a Western Australian Senator for Labor, becoming one of the youngest senators in history and the first member of parliament to wear a hijab. Senator Payman crossed the floor in June 2024 over the Albanese Government’s Gaza response, seeing her indefinitely suspended from the Labor caucus. She quit the Labor party to sit as an independent. In January this year, Senator Payman announced she is expecting her first child in May. She will become the first Western Australian Senator to have a baby in office. This conversation was recorded in Januaray and some things may have changed. It also follows a piece Senator Fatima Payman penned as part of a collection of essays called A Time for Bravery: What Happens When Australia Chooses Courage? published by Australia Institute Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia has a new case of the glass cliff, with the (now former) Opposition leader being the latest high-profile woman to fall. We share how the events unfolded and why. Plus, we examine male confidence by exploring new research on how emotional openness changes across different ages for men. Finally, why does motherhood feel so lonely? We share the power of parent groups and why we're spending the next couple of months exploring how mothers connect. Topics discussed this week include: 1. Bad bunny’s superbowl show was an alternative joyful vision for America2. Angus Taylor is our new opposition leader. So, will there be a plan behind the man?3. From emotional openness to strength, this Male Confidence Index hopes to drive new conversations on men4. Why can motherhood feel lonely? Help us find out and change the experience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we talk about the language, the theories and the networking in the Epstein files. From influential doctors with big social followings to royals, presidents and former prime ministers. Plus, a couple of wins, including why thousands of women will soon be arriving in Melbourne to talk about gender equity. Stories discussed this week include: Minnesota woman dragged from car by ICE agents gives testimony in DCWhy thousands of feminist leaders will soon arrive in MelbourneThe powerful men named in the latest Epstein files releaseThe influential doctor mentioned 1737 times in the Epstein files Trump lashes out at yet another female journalist who presses him on Epstein Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wrapping up some of the top stories of the week we head to Davos, Canberra, Minnesota and back home again. On the agenda is extreme wealth, the lack of women at the World Economic Forum, the self-indulgence of some in politics and how "Wine Moms" became a thing and we also look at an excellent idea for addressing Jan 26. Key stories discussed this week include: Davos remains a festival of men despite (mostly) man-made risks we all faceSussan Ley “disrespected” us claim Nationals who have managed to make another week about themConservative media blame ‘wine moms’ as protests over ICE violence growWhy January 26 is not a date to celebrate and staying silent is not enough Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello 2026! And it's been a chaotic start already. Is the answer to start drinking, as one female EU leader suggested this week? We have a better idea instead. Also, Elon Musk’s Grok starts making thousands of sexualised deepfake images. Did we expect anything less? And why setting a health and wellness goal or intention for 2026 is a good idea. Plus, much more! This is our wrap of some of our biggest stories of the week. Stories discussed this week include: We don’t need a drink. We need more women in charge Grok, and how the algorithms aren’t psychologically safe for any of usWomen founders on their top health or wellness focus in 2026 — and whyThe Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. Sign up for our free daily newsletter here and support our work by becoming a member here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia is coming to terms with the horrific attack on the Jewish community in Bondi on Sunday night. Tarla Lambert-Patel and journalist Dinushi Dias sit down to unpack what happened, what it means and where we go next. They also break down some of the biggest stories on Women's Agenda this week. And find some hope in what has been a horrible week we will never forget. The Women's Agenda Podcast is published by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. You can subscribe to our free daily lunchtime update and support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pauline Hanson gets Barnaby Joyce into the party, as well as a substantial pay rise as leader. Is that actually... a win? Also, the US co-founder calling for public hangings and for the world to get more "masculine energy". Plus, the social media ban is officially here, and everyone from teenagers to parents, politicians and media barons have something to say about it. And what's with the outrage over Anika Wells' travel expenses? We dive in. Stories discussed this week include: A rare case of a man’s move resulting in a woman getting a 100k pay bumpAnother billionaire tech bro declares world needs more ‘masculine energy’A social media ban won’t save us from harms online. Educating us willThe outrage over Anika Wells says more about us than it does about her Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tech-facilitated abuse continues to grow as a dangerous part of gender based violence. This includes everyday financial products and services being weaponised by perpetrators to inflict harassment, terror and surveillance on their victims. One person who has been instrumental in examining the extent of the issue and how common services and products can do more to address this type of abuse, is Catherine Fitzpatrick She is a leading expert on disrupting financial abuse and gender biases through more innovative product and service design. And she joins the podcast for a fascinating but at times disturbing discussion on how this type of abuse is occurring, its prevalence, but then optimistically, the empowering actions both consumers and businesses can deploy to help stop it. Catherine has been leading industry-wide reforms. She’s advised the government on financial abuse policy and pioneered the financial safety by design framework, which is helping leading brands protect customers, manage risk and strengthen trust. She uncovered widespread abuse in online banking transactions while working as a banking executive in 2019, which led to her spearheading whole industry reforms to crack down on the practice. Catherine recorded this conversation with Women's Agenda on the 3rd December. And there’s much to learn, not just about how businesses and consumers can respond to the weaponisation of products and services, but also how she channelled a significant career curveball into a clear mission that is having real results. You can learn more about Catherine here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wrapping up another week on Women's Agenda, we explore the parliamentary stunt from a certain politician claiming she was supporting women’s rights. Plus, the wild rant from a billionaire claiming taxes almost "ruined" his life, and the reminder offered again this week that a woman celebrating epic success online can still trigger misogyny. Plus, we find the wins in the latest national snapshot from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency scorecard for Australia, where there has been an uptick in the share of paid parental leave being taken by men. The Women's Agenda Podcast is published by Agenda Media, the 100% all female owned and run media business. You can check out all the latest stories and discussed on our webste here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We wrap up the top stories of the week! Including the latest big party appointments and firsts for women, the cracking glass cliffs and why a billionaire thought it was a good idea to share his dating advice.Stories discussed this week include: NSW Liberals elect Kellie Sloane unanimously as leader‘May I meet you’? How a billionaire’s pickup line went viral Look away. Sussan Ley’s glass cliff is definitely starting to crack Even more ways police failed Hannah Clarke and her children revealedWomen's Agenda is published by the 100% women-owned and run Agenda Media.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Keen to support our work? Become a Women's Agenda Member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're honoured to share this interview with the recipient of former judge of the International Court and the recipient of the 2025 Sydney Peace Prize, Justice Navi Pillay. Justice Pillay is a trailblazer for human rights and women in law, and has delivered historic judgements on sexual violence and genocide. She is the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and was recently Chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Justice Pillay shares so much in this interview, including how she cultivated a career in South Africa's apartheid, her relentless pursuit of justice, and some really important lessons on hope. This interview was recorded over the phone with Angela Priestley during Justice Pillay’s time in Australia in early November, before she officially received the Sydney Peace Prize in Sydney. The Women's Agenda Podcast is published by the 100% women-owned and run Agenda Media. Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Keen to support our work? Become a Women's Agenda Member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our most-talked-about stories of the week! We look at the firsts achieved by women this week, following the first major electoral test since Trump was elected one year ago.Plus, Poland’s set to soon remove income tax for parents with two or more children in a bid to address its dwindling population. Will it work?Also, we look at the one in three Australian households that now report food insecurity. It’s far from a fringe issue.Plus much more, including our favourite wins from the week.Stories discussed include: . What Zohran Mamdani’s win says about the kind of politics we’re missing‘Not a fringe issue’: 1 in 3 Australian households facing food insecurityPoland is abolishing income tax for families raising two or more kids. Will it help?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In late October, we learned disturbing allegations about an iconic service long associated with heroics and saving lives in dramatic circumstances across NSW: the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The allegations of a toxic culture came thanks to Nine reporting, and the incredible courage of people involved in the organisation who spoke up. So are rescue-type and emergency services especially prone to these issues? When so-called "heroes" are involved, is it easier to overlook problematic cultures and behaviour? And what more can organisations do to prevent these issues in the first place? We took these questions and more to human rights lawyer Prabha Nandagopal. Prabha’s someone who is deep in the kind of work organisations need to do if not to prevent the kind of allegations that have come out against them – then at least to effectively respond. She has led the development of recommendations on numerous high-profile workplace cultural reviews, including the Independent Review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, and in 2020 was a senior legal advisor to the Respect@Work National Inquiry and helped shape the positive duty regulatory scheme.Now, she is the founder of Elevate Consulting Partners, supporting organisations in their commitment to positive social change.This conversation was recorded in late October and some things may have changed at the time of publishing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All about the big stories this week! We discuss the best and worst ages for the gender pay gap, plus how the "usual suspects" have entered the conversation on what should have been a non-controversial discussion on supporting grieving parents. Plus, the new AFP taskforce is cracking down on online networks targeting young girls, and how Fiji is doing the work Australia still isn’t when it comes to analysing gendered climate risks.Stories discussed this week include: A bill on stillbirth sees men enter the conversation to make unhinged abortion claims New AFP taskforce to crack down on networks targeting young girls Fiji is analysing gendered climate risks. Australia must learn from it Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The week's done! And this is the weekly wrap chat. We talk about the Royals' PR machine, the missing women in world negotiations and the mother who took on a corporate giant over her right to work from home and won.Plus much more. Stories discussed today include: Women missing from 9 in 10 peace processes, as rate of conflicts hits 80 year highIt’s official: Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minsterDeals done. Trump appeased. The cost of today’s meeting of menA mother’s work from home win highlights flaws in bank’s office mandateWomen's Agenda is published by the 100% women-owned and run Agenda Media.The Women's Agenda podcast breaks down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and takes a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Keen to support our work? Become a Women's Agenda Member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are in a care crisis, thanks to various forces compounding together, including the fact that Australians are now living longer. But the problem is not beyond our imaginations to solve. Abby Bloom joins the podcast, who has just penned a piece for Women’s Agenda on The Cost of Not Caring, and why Australia’s “safety net” is all of us. Abby is an expert in longevity, health, and care, with lived experience of caring remotely and understanding how the care crisis affects multiple generations. She has been researching and writing about the eldercare crisis – and has put what she’s learnt in a new book about caring for business, government and employees – launching at NSW Parliament tomorrow. It’s called “The Cost of Not Caring: Working while caring in the era of longevity  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the top stories from the week! Including our best wins and the stories that got people talking. This week, more courage from Gisele Pelicot in France, as she confronts one of her rapists. Why RFK Jnr is again targeting mothers. And Japan's set to get its first female prime mininster. So does it matter that she has 'Iron Lady" ambitions? Plus much more! Stories discussed today include: The women dubbed ISIS brides returning to Australia from Syria. RFK Jnr says circumcision and Tylenol cause autism and once again mothers cop the blame Japan's likely next female PM Sanae Takaichi has Iron Lady ambitions Women's Agenda is published by the 100% women-owned and run Agenda Media.The Women's Agenda podcast breaks down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and takes a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Keen to support our work? Become a Women's Agenda Member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former independent MP for North Sydney, Kylea Tink, joins the chat to discuss leadership, the art of listening, and why she's tackling one of Australia's biggest challenges: food insecurity.Kylea opens up about the devastation she felt upon learning that her seat in North Sydney would be abolished, but also notes how she's leveraging her insider experience in politics into leadership elsewhere. It's an opportunity she wishes more people had.She discusses the new focus she'll bring to her role as leader of Foodbank and why food insecurity poses such a significant challenge, particularly for women.Kylea speaks with journalist Dinushi Dias.Women's Agenda is published by the 100% women-owned and run Agenda Media. The Women's Agenda Today podcast breaks down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and takes a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Keen to support our work? Become a Women's Agenda Member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the Weekly Wrap Chat, we share the best wins, including some innovative new housing services for women.Plus, we ask why young women are more interested in gendered roles now than in 2010.We bid farewell to the great Jane Goodall, highlighting what she taught us all.And a new Hollywood 'star' has us creeped out. The AI character is depicted as a woman, has its own social accounts and is 'screen testing' for new roles.Stories discussed today include:Trailblazer for women in conservation: Dr Jane Goodall dies, aged 91AI actor Tilly Norwood sends Hollywood into a spin10 new homes open in Western Sydney to support women escaping domestic violenceFrom the manosphere to tradwives: why are young women embracing traditional gender roles? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three quarters of 2025 is officially done, which means we are well on the way to 2026! And you might be exhausted, with new research showing that Australians are Quietly Cracking at work, just a few steps before they're burning out. So what does it mean to quietly crack at work, and why are so many people experiencing it in 2025? Dr Michelle McQuaid is here to tell us all about it and the research she’s examined on the issue. Michelle is an award-winning research and playful change activator. The author has six books, numerous journal articles and a regular contribution to Psychology Today.Michelle's Women's Agenda piece on Quietly Cracking at Work, including links to her research, is available here.  Our new Women's Agenda podcast format aims to break down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and take a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.Expect to see the format evolve over that time. You can share your feedback by getting in contact.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's got social media talking, and the mainstream press talking. His name is Andrew Hastie, a Liberal MP with big ambitions for himself and for Australia. He wants to cut immigration, cut climate action, bring back car manufacturing and return Australia to an idealistic past that seems to have been at some point earlier than his 42 years. While he supports his leader Sussan Ley, the first woman to lead the Liberal party, Ley's leadership doesn't really work with Andrew Hastie's aspirations for the future. Today, we delve into what you need to know about Andrew Hastie, with special guest Su Dharmapala, co founder of Polipedia. Our new podcast format breaks down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and takes a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.Expect to see the format evolve over that time. Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the biggest stories of the week that got people talking, including girls changing behaviour to avoid transport, how Trump's latest dangerous rhetoric hurt mothers in Australia and Dr Kate Adams calling out sexism effectively and publicly. This is the weekly wrap of Women's Agenda! Check out our daily episodes in the feed, including key interviews and keynotes shared from our events. Stories discussed today include: When leaders blame mothers for autism, everyone losesMost girls and young women change their behaviour to avoid harassment Bondi vet owner Dr Kate Adams calls out mortgage brokers sexist assumption   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you manage your wellbeing, while staying across what's happening in the world? Today's Deep Dive sees us sharing Antoinette Lattouff's recent keynote on the topic from our Women's Health Summit on 2 September. Also today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the UN, where he noted Australia's historical role in advocating for women's participation in such meetings. Plus, the reality for women in business in Australia -- some highlights from our latest report on the challenges and opportunities for women starting, leading and scaling small businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In just one week in South Australia in 2023, four women were killed by a current or former partner. In response, the state established a Royal Commission, with 136 recommendations under the leadership of Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja. Today, Katrine Hildyard MP, the state's Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, joins the podcast to share how the government is responding to the recommendations, as well as recent legislation passed on coercive control. She also shares how her childhood shaped her need to engage with the community and enter politics. Katrine Hilyard MP speaks with journalist Dinushi Dias. Plus, what we're covering on Women's Agenda today, including:Women’s rights are “unfinished business”, according to the president of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock on the 30th anniversary of the landmark Beijing Declaration on gender equality, with 109 governments making new commitments this week.And why girls want politicians to listen and step up to solve the issues they face.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pregnant women and parents all over Australia and globally may be feeling concern and even guilt following US President Donald Trump's claims today that paracetamol use is "linked" to autism. We speak with AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen to explore the claims and alleviate the fears, and to outline the added risks that Trump's claims create for women. Plus, why did Opposition leader Sussan Ley write to 25 Republican Senators? And former New Zealand prime mininster Jacinda Ardern has a new book out, her second in four months. Our new Women's Agenda Today format aims to break down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and take a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.We're running Women's Agenda Daily as a pilot project for three months. Expect to see the format evolve over that time. You can share your feedback by getting in contact.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For six decades, Wendy McCarthy AC has been fighting to get women's voices heard and to create a more gender equal society.As an activist, she's led some of the most significant transformations of our time, especially for women's reproductive health, education and for more equal opportunities for everyone.Wendy also demonstrates the power of community and connection -- for embarking on change, retaining your resilience and supporting your own health.And more than anything, she understands the necessity of vigilance, always.We share Wendy's excellent keynote from our Women's Health Summit earlier this month, where wendy received a standing ovation from those in the crowd.Wendy was awarded Australia's highest honour earlier this year for her decades-long service across multiple communities, including the arts, business, health and women’s leadership.Also, what we're covering on Women's Agenda Today.Our Women's Agenda Today format aims to break down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and take a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.We're running Women's Agenda Daily as a pilot project for three months. Expect to see the format evolve over that time. You can share your feedback by getting in contact.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the wrap of the week that just was, our take on some of the biggest stories that got people talking.We discuss the wins: including how the youth of Nepal picked a 73yo woman to lead as interim PM.Also, the gender realities of the Albanese Government's new climate targets.How breastfeeding in public is still a thing, making people feel "uncomfortable".Then, to the story of the week: the cancellations, the firings, and the calls for violence against those who mention Charlie Kirk's assassination, including Australian women.Stories discussed this week include: Nepal’s youth pick a 73yo woman to lead. Sushila Karki promises she’s not there to ‘taste power’It’s 2025, and breastfeeding in public is still treated like a crimeLabor sets 62-70% emissions reduction target by 2035. Is it enough?The calls for violence against women who mention Charlie KirkThe Weekly Wrap shares the big stories covered this week on Women's Agenda. Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Support our work by becoming a Women's Agenda Member. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three women were murdered within just a few months in Ballarat, Victoria, shocking the community and the country. The grief and anger shared over the deaths of Samantha Murphy, Rebecca Young and Hannah McGuire, saw the community initiate a powerful and emotional protest against violence. And today, that collective grief has been turned into collective action, with the launch of a four-year "community saturation" model aimed at disrupting and shifting the drivers of violence. Today, we deep dive into the launch of Respect Ballarat, with Jacquie O’Brien, Respect Victoria's Director of Communications and Community Change. Also today: The airline lounge that made an issue out of a breastfeeding mother, and the search for why mid-career women are dropping out of technical roles. Our new Women's Agenda Today format aims to break down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and take a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.We're running Women's Agenda Daily as a pilot project. Expect to see the format evolve over that time. You can share your feedback by getting in contact.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Battersby once scaled Bumble across Asia Pacific, and has more recently sold a business. Now, she's on a mission to scale a new platform for women experiencing life transitions, including menopause and pregnancy. Michelle was appointed President of Peanut while heavily pregnant, something she says also makes the work she's doing deeply personal. Plus the latest stories we're covering on Women's Agenda, including a CEO and his (alleged) romantic relationship with a subordinate and the origins of the word 'bitch'. Our new Women's Agenda Today format aims to break down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and take a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.We're running Women's Agenda Daily as a pilot project for three months. Expect to see the format evolve over that time. You can share your feedback by getting in contact.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The global wins on gender equality face backlash, and Australia gets a risk assessment reality check on climate change.So where's the hope? Meet Natalie Kyriacou, an environmentalist and writer on a mission to get us all curious about the natural world, regardless of where we think we might sit on the political spectrum.Natalie has garnered massive local and international attention for her just-released book, Nature's Last Dance, especially in how she navigates the stories of nature in ways that everyone can access and find something worth saving.Natalie speaks about hope, the wins of the past that can highlight the opportunities of the present, and why she's dedicated her life and career to witnessing and sharing the best of nature, and bringing it to everyoneAbout today's guest: Natalie is an environmentalist, presenter, Board Director, climate and nature advisor, and Fortune 30 Under 30 honouree and one of LinkedIn’s “top green voices". Her first book, Nature's Last Dance: Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction, has just come out.Our new Women's Agenda Today format aims to break down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and take a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker, a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contributor or journalist.We're running Women's Agenda Daily as a pilot project for three months. Expect to see the format evolve over that time. You can share your feedback by getting in contact.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter.You can support our work by becoming a Women's Agenda Member.Women's Agenda Today is published by Agenda Media, the 100% female-owned and run publisher of Women's Agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grace Brown joins the podcast, marking the first episode of our new format: Women's Agenda Today!Grace just closed a $23 million raise for her humanoid robotics company Andromeda.Learn what she's looking to achieve with "Abi", to help address loneliness in aged care facilities.Also, we go over the latest headlines, including how the world got a new female head of state over the weekend -- one who has promised not to serve more than six months in office. Refreshing!Plus, what we learned from the new wellbeing index, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today.Our new Women's Agenda Today format aims to break down some of the latest things we're covering on Women's Agenda and take a daily 'deep dive' into a key story with a newsmaker (like Grace today), a key expert source who can share a great women's perspective on a major story we're following, or a key contribubtor or journalist we work with on Women's Agenda.We're running Women's Agenda Today as a pilot project for three months. Expect to see the format evolve over that time. You can share your feedback by getting in contact.Check out more on the stories discussed today at Women's Agenda, where you can also sign up for our free daily newsletter. You can support our work by becoming a Women's Agenda Member. Women's Agenda Daily is published by Agenda Media, the 100% female-owned and run publisher of Women's Agenda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Albanese Government’s Cabinet is now 55% female, and gender balanced across the outer ministry. So what kind of difference can this make to women in Australia, especially with advancements in AI and tech, threats to gender equality, as well as the continuing crisis of violence against women and children? Recently, Women's Agenda had the opportunity to catch up briefly with four of those female ministers and assistant ministers, including Minister for Women, Senator Katy Gallagher Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek Assistant Minister for Women, Health & Aged Care and Indigenous Health, Rebecca White And the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Ged Kearney We held the discussion in Sydney, just as the four were going into the Women and Women’s Safety Ministerial Council meeting, a meeting attended by ministers across states and territories to discuss a joint response across all jurisdictions to gender equality and the national crisis of gender based violence.  We discussed their current concerns regarding progress on gender equality, the potential of the social services portfolio, as well as the risks and opportunities associated with AI adoption. We also discussed ending violence against women, and tackling women's homelessness. This conversation was recorded on the 15th of August, in Sydney. And apologies, it is a little disjointed as we tried to make the most of a short period of time, which included people entering the room at different times, and utilising the two microphones our team had available.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.