Dunn Street founder and Community Organiser Stephen Donnelly was joined by SA Weekend writer and Obsessive fan of Celtic, Redlegs and Swans, Michael McGuire. With the 2022 South Australian State Election being held next month, Michael gives his insights into the key issues both parties will campaign on including covid, healthcare and public transport. He compares the leadership styles of Liberal Premier Steven Marshall and Labor’s Peter Malinauskas and Michael unpacks which target seats Labor mu...
Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder and Community Organiser Stephen Donnelly was joined by Dave Clark from Point Blank: a Canadian campaign agency that partners with the New Democratic Party - sister party of the ALP. With the “Freedom Convoy” of anti-mandate/vaccine truckers clogging up streets and disrupting supply lines between Canada and the US, Dave explains how this has impacted life in Ottawa and the larger political implications it has nationally. Dave discusses how an Englishman came to be involved in ...
Feb 18, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder and Community Organiser Stephen Donnelly was joined by federal member for Lilley, Labor’s Anika Wells. Anika joins Stephen fresh from attending the National Press Club in Canberra, where Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame gave impassioned addresses on gender violence and sexual harassment, to give her opinions on the mood at the Press Club, the takeaways from Higgins and Tame’s speeches, and their interactions from the press. She remarks on how Higgins and Tame’s addresses will ...
Feb 10, 2022•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder and Community Organiser Stephen Donnelly was joined by former economic adviser to the Rudd/Gillard Government and managing director at Accenture Australia, Amit Singh. After joining Stephen back in early 2020 to share his predictions about how COVID would impact Australia’s economy, Amit returns to Socially Democratic to share his thoughts on the actual outcomes of the pandemic two years on. In his previous interview Amit broke down his predictions into three phases: Response...
Feb 09, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by former Labor government media advisor, researcher, and fellow Aussies for Obama alum, Matt Nurse. Matt discusses his current PhD research investigating the COVID-19 science communication infodemic, what misinformation is and how it can impact communities, particularly in negative ways. He describes how his experience working in communications, and the misinformation he encountered, influenced his decision to pursue this research and shares his f...
Jan 27, 2022•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder and Community Organiser Stephen Donnelly was joined by co-chair of the First People’s Assembly of Victoria, Marcus Stewart. Catching up since his last interview back in March last year, Marcus reflects on how and why the First Peoples Assembly got started and updates us on the negotiations for a Treaty between the First People’s Assembly of Victoria and Victorian State Government. Marcus also shares his thoughts on the relevance of Australia/Invasion Day and gives his perspec...
Jan 20, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder and Community Organiser Stephen Donnelly was joined by cricket commentator, sports journalist, and former political advisor, Adam Collins. After a brief chat about the 2021/22 Ashes series, Adam gives the rundown as to how a group of die-hard Hawthorn Hawks fans went from chatting on online forums to leading the charge as part of the Hawks for Change historic and successful campaign. He unpacks how Hawks for Change, a grassroots movement founded by fans and supported by Dunn ...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder and Community Organiser Stephen Donnelly this week switches it up and becomes the interviewee for a change, joining founder of Fireside Agency and host of StoryCraft podcast - Ben Hart, for their final episode of StoryCraft, season one. Stephen talks about the rise of public narrative theory in politics, how Dan Andrews deftly used it to become the first Victorian Opposition leader in 60 years to defeat a one-term government, and why it can also be a potent organising tool fo...
Jan 07, 2022•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this week's episode of Socially Democratic, Stephen was joined by Harriet Shing in what is now officially a yearly tradition - the State Politics Year in Review. Starting off with an update on Harriet’s miniature donkeys, Harriet dissects the year that was 2021. First touching on COVID 2.0 - Delta Outbreak and the Two Major Lockdowns that followed - then Victoria Parliament’s historic passing of legislation banning Gay Conversion Therapy, and Dan Andrews fall which tested the depth of th...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by the former campaign director for Jacinda Ardern's successful landslide election in 2020 and now Public Relations Director at Capital NZ, Hayden Munro. Starting with New Zealand, Hayden discusses Jacinda Ardern’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Heading across the Pacific to the United States, we review the Biden Administration’s first year, the fallout from the Jan 6 insurrection, and how the recent gubernatorial elections could i...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by federal member for Lilley, Queenslander, Anika Wells, and federal member for Macnamara, Josh Burns once again for our annual Federal Politics Year in Review - 2021 edition. Together Anika and Josh unpack what has been an absolutely crazy year for Australian politics, starting with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as it rolled over from 2020 to 2021, followed by the revelations of the toxic culture towards women working in Federal Parliament, made s...
Dec 10, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by Socially Democratic’s Pop Culture Correspondent, Tess Farrell for our annual Pop Culture Wrap Up. Stephen and Tess review HBO’s “White Lotus”, Disney’s “Only Murders in the Building”, HBO’s latest season of “Succession” (with Spoilers), and the latest Bond film to hit the big screen “No Time To Die” (with Spoilers!!!!!!!). In this monster wrap up episode, they discuss the strengths of these shows, what tanked and why, and which characters vote L...
Dec 03, 2021•2 hr 38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by Victorian State Premier Dan Andrews. With 12 months out from the 2022 State election, and as Victorians begin to enjoy the hard won freedoms following a winter lockdown, Premier Andrews reflects on the shared experiences of the Victorian community and the sacrifices they made over the past 2 years to enable us to come through this incredible challenge. He also talks about the critical role of community leadership, the rise of truth vs fiction in...
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by the National Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, Michael Kaine. Michael discusses how, with Australian states opening up post lockdowns, the Australian transport industry is in crisis and explains how international businesses like Amazon and Uber are exploiting Australian workers, enabled by existing archaic industrial regulations and laws. Michael explains how the TWU are taking the fight to Amazon, the gig economy, and the airline indust...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by Washington DC based Democratic consultant and Obama campaign alum, Jonae Wartel. Inspired by the HBO documentary series “Obama: In pursuit of a more perfect union”, Jonae joins Stephen in revisiting the Obama years, reflecting on his legacy - in particular the impact the Obama campaign had on them both, and thousands like them, as emerging organisers. Jonae unpacks the 08 and 12 OFA campaigns and examines why they were so transformational for ma...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by NSW Labor Leader and member for Kogarah, Chris Minns. Chris discusses his ascension to the leadership of the NSW Labor Party, his constructive and, at times, conciliatory approach to the role of opposition during the recent 108 day lockdown, and details what kind of leader he aims to be for the people of NSW. Chris also shares his thoughts on where the government failed in its duty to govern for all NSW citizens, how NSW Labor will contrast itse...
Oct 22, 2021•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by US politics regular Sam Schniedman. Off-cycle election season is in the air and Sam unpacks which races to keep an eye on this November, with a particular focus on Sam’s home state, Virginia. Sam breaks down the candidates running, the context in which these elections are taking place, and dives into the issues of the American economy, voter enthusiasm and Democrat’s legislative agenda and its impact on the election outcome. They also discuss th...
Oct 15, 2021•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by American researcher and data analyst, Will Cubbison. As a former researcher with the US based Analyst Institute and a wealth of experience campaigning around the world, Will shares his extensive knowledge of data analysis, political behaviour, and organising - including how to get people to vote and to adapt after a losing campaign, drawing from his experience from the Hillary 2016 campaign in particular. Now living in Israel, Will also shares h...
Oct 08, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by National President of Australian Young Labor, Ali Amin. Ali responds to John Curtin Research Centre executive director, Nick Dyrenfurth's assertion that Young Labor is “too like the Greens,” with a narrow inner-city, tertiary educated, middle-class membership lacking diversity. Ali shares his story from refugee to student activist fighting Chris Pine’s education cuts, to becoming the President of Australian Young Labor. He also gives his th...
Oct 01, 2021•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by National Assistant Secretary for Australian Labor, Jen Light. Jen discusses her journey in Labor politics, including moments in her life which shaped her interests and values as a social democrat, as well as her experience as an Organiser with Labor. Jen reflects on how young people engage with politics and gives her thoughts on how best to organise young Australians into democratic politics. And with the upcoming Federal Election approaching, J...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by federal member for Griffith, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water, and former Student Unity alum, Terri Butler. In the spirit of the Marshall Ganz teachings of Public Narrative and Story of Self, Terri discusses her journey from a kid growing up in FNQ to student activist (one for the stu-pol folks circa 1997), to lawyer and then public office. As it is Socially Democratic’s “Women in Politics” month, Terri discusses the landmark Respec...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by the former Digital Manager for Premier Dan Andrews, now a Social Media, Digital Strategy & Content Consultant, Eloise Young. Eloise shares her journey into political digital communications and discusses how online strategy and comms has evolved, how it has become such a powerful engagement tool, how digital campaigning differs from the traditional means, and what makes a strong social media presence. Eloise draws from her wealth of experienc...
Sep 10, 2021•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by former Washington Bureau chief for the ABC, journalist, and author Zoe Daniel. Zoe discusses the current situation in Afghanistan as the US ends its 20 year war in the region and the relationship between journalists and the locals who risk life and limb to assist reporters in getting important stories out to the world. And, in celebration of the Melbourne Writers Festival, Zoe also discusses the evolution of journalism and writing in the social ...
Sep 03, 2021•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by senior public servant, policy expert and author, Andrew Wear. Andrew returns to the show to discuss his latest book, “Recovery: How we can create a better, brighter future after a crisis.” Andrew argues that Australia needs to lift its gaze beyond the pandemic and set up the foundations for a more prosperous and resilient future, anticipating future crises. And does so by analysing past examples of countries who have recovered and prospered afte...
Aug 27, 2021•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by former ALP National Organiser and the current Labor MP for the Queensland state seat of Logan, Linus Power. Linus shares his thoughts on the Queensland experience of COVID, attitudes towards it’s recent outbreaks and lockdowns, and the handling of the pandemic by the Palaszczuk government. Stephen and Linus evaluate the contrasting performance of Labor in the Sunshine State at state and federal elections and the reasons why Labor has performed s...
Aug 20, 2021•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by former Australian trade union organiser - now based in New York and the National Political Coordinator for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Lawerence Ben. Lawrence discusses the recent RDWSU campaign to unionise Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama - a campaign which faced serious resistance, including union busting tactics and intimidation of workers at the ballot box, from management. He gives us an insight into the org...
Aug 13, 2021•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by Assistant Secretary from the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Scott Connolly. Scott discusses the ACTU’s first virtual congress, and how the ACTU’s pushed the federal government into introducing Job Keeper and the need for Job Keeper 2.0. Scott also talks about the growth in union membership in various sectors, the fight to organise and advance wages and conditions for the expanding gig economy, and how unions are tackling global multinationa...
Aug 06, 2021•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by Federal Member for Bruce, Labor’s Julian Hill. Coming out of Melbourne’s 5th lockdown, Julian discusses Australia’s lacklustre vaccine rollout plan, with its shifting targets and mixed messaging, as we limp towards herd immunity and a “new normal.” He also reflects the absence of leadership from the Morrison government in implementing a national quarantine system, and how it has pitted the states against one another instead of uniting the countr...
Jul 30, 2021•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by the CEO of The McKell Institute, Michael Buckland. For our 100th episode, Michael discusses the current COVID outbreak in New South Wales, did the hubris of the Berejiklian Government lead to this NSW wave, and does the government have a clear plan to reduce the case numbers down to zero? Michael shares McKell research highlighting the social and economic impact of COVID, he discusses the federal government’s policy disaster that is the vaccine ...
Jul 23, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dunn Street founder Stephen Donnelly was joined by the National Assistant Secretary, Julia Fox from the SDA - the only Union that represents retail, fast food and warehouse workers. Julia paints a bleak picture when discussing the impact covid, customer violence, gender inequality, delayed wage increases and sexual harassment has had on retail and fast food workers and what the SDA and its 210,000 members are doing to address it. The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn ...
Jul 16, 2021•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
