Jodie Williams is a sound artist and historian from Norfolk Island, who embarked on a Churchill Fellowship journey to explore the soundscapes and heritage of her remote island home. In a conversation with host Adam Spencer about her art practice, Jodie emphasises the importance of sound in preserving memories and connecting generations, especially in the context of remote island communities. She has also received a Churchill Impact Funding Grant to bring sound healing and heritage preservation to her community, including aged care. Jodie shares her advice for aspiring artists and researchers looking to explore their heritage through sound and multimedia.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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It’s another example of how one person can change Australia for the better with just a little help. In this episode, host Adam Spencer interviews Kate Cole, a scientist and engineer who embarked on a Churchill Fellowship to improve workplace safety in the underground construction industry. Kate's journey takes her to the world’s tunnelling epicentres, where she learns best practices for managing the dangers of crystalline silica dust exposure in tunnels. She discusses the shocking lack of awareness about silicosis, outdated workplace exposure standards, and challenges in implementing health and safety measures. Kate discusses her efforts to bring about positive change in Australia, including collaborative projects, workshops, and improvements in air quality monitoring.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer explores the world of vaccines and efforts to make sure they are safe to use. Professor Nicholas Wood, a paediatrician and immunisation researcher, discusses his experiences studying vaccine safety and innovation during his Churchill Fellowship travels. From the development of mRNA vaccines to addressing vaccine hesitancy, Professor Wood talks about critical aspects of immunisation. He also outlines the need for a national vaccine safety office in Australia and the importance of understanding viruses in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we find new medicines from ocean creatures, and then how can we speed up those drugs’ development? These are questions being answered by Dr Michela Mitchell, Australia's first sea anemone taxonomist. In this episode, host Adam Spencer explores the fascinating world of sea anemone toxinology and its potential in drug development. Dr Mitchell discusses her journey from computer programming to marine biology and her research on sea anemone venom. She highlights the complexities of venom extraction and analysis, as well as the need for collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies to expedite drug development.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we know what is really going on behind bars in Australia’s prisons? In this episode, host Adam Spencer explores the secretive world of intelligence gathering in the corrections system. He interviews Helen Glazebrook about her fascinating career as an intelligence officer, and her experiences during her Churchill Fellowship, where she visited various countries to learn about intelligence methodologies and state-of-the-art technology. Helen highlights the need for greater collaboration and intelligence sharing between agencies, as well as the potential benefits of lifetime monitoring for serious organised crime offenders.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Scott Sleap is helping Australia reach for the stars through his involvement in the space industry and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education. In this episode, host Adam Spencer speaks with this passionate educator and explores his fascinating journey. Dr Sleap discusses his experiences as a Churchill Fellow, travelling to learn about space science and STEM education worldwide. From behind-the-scenes access at NASA to exploring the educational potential of Disney theme parks, his journey is an example of how Australians can gain valuable knowledge abroad and bring it back to inspire locally.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One person’s passion can change the world for everyone else. In this episode, host Adam Spencer talks to Ian Jarratt, the man responsible for bringing unit pricing — something we all use — to Australia. An executive member of the Consumers Federation of Australia, Ian is passionate about unit pricing, which provides standardized pricing for products, making it easier for consumers to compare prices. He discusses how his Churchill Fellowship allowed him to scour the world for the best system, and he reflects on its huge impact and the need for ongoing improvement.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What constitutes a good death, and to what extent should family and friends be involved in the process? In this thought-provoking episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer talks with Rebecca Lyons, who is an advocate for reimagining the funeral industry. Rebecca's unconventional journey from real estate to the funeral sector led her to question traditional practices. Through a Churchill Fellowship, she explored global approaches to death, finding inspiration, particularly, in Mexico's communal mourning rituals. Rebecca champions home funerals and natural burials, aiming to empower families in their grieving process. Her work extends to the Australian Home Funeral Alliance, an initiative focused on education and support.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.