The Few Who Do
SBS
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Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities…
Presented by Jan Fran and Marc Fennell, a series where we hear personal stories from Australians with big ambitions, entrepreneurs and small business owners, who are advocating for change and tackling society's big issues.
The Few Who Do is an SBS podcast with CGU Insurance.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Sep 26, 2019
Climate change and the teenagers putting it all on the (picket) line
The UN has declared the climate crisis an existential threat to humanity. Scientists warn that rising temperatures will have catastrophic effects on our weather, our food, our homes.
On September 20 millions of people flooded streets around the world in the largest ever strike action against climate change. One of the many student organisers of the event is 15-year-old Harriet O’Shea Carre, who co-founded the Australian school strike with her friends Milou and Callum after being inspired by Greta Thunberg.
But if we fail to stop climate change, can we just… dump Earth and move to Mars? Dr Jon Clarke is the president of The Mars Society (Australia). While he’s not advocating wholesale removal to the red planet, he thinks that by looking outwards we might develop technology to help us become more sustainable on Earth.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured guests:
Harriet O’Shea Carre, co founder, School Strike 4 Climate Australia
Dr Jon Clarke, President, Mars Society Australia
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Sep 12, 2019
Open for business: A tale of two main streets
As our lives increasingly move online, it’s important to maintain real public spaces—both for the local economy and to keep our communities vibrant and engaged.
Returning to his hometown of Newcastle, Marcus Westbury planned to start a trendy shopfront bar, but after counting 150 empty spaces on the main streets he started to think about how he could help people open their own businesses.
Food has the power to connect across cultures. Growing up in a multicultural suburb in North Melbourne, Loretta Bolotin learnt this at a young age. Combining her work in the refugee sector with her experience of connection through food and community, Loretta co-founded an enterprise to help newly-arrived refugees start their own businesses.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured guests:
Marcus Westbury, Founder of Renew Newcastle
Loretta Bolotin, Co-Founder and CEO of Free to Feed
Hamed Allahyari , co-owner Cafe Sunshine
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Aug 29, 2019
Going the distance: getting a job when you’re homeless
Running a marathon isn’t usually a requirement for job applicants, but for some homeless people around Australia it’s a key achievement that has led them towards employment.
While training for a marathon in Perth, Western Australia, businessman Keegan Crage would encounter people sleeping rough. He started wondering how to make practical changes in their lives and whether he could do it through the power of running.
But not everyone wants to run—and not everyone can. CEO of The Big Issue, Steven Persson, says that to work for the magazine you just need to walk, or roll, into The Big Issue headquarters.
Featured guests:
Keegan Crage, Founder On My Feet
Tara, participant and mentor, On My Feet
Steven Persson, CEO The Big Issue
Marcus, vendor, The Big Issue
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Aug 15, 2019
Names can never hurt me: cyberbullying and image-based abuse
Being told to ignore bullies and "walk away" was never an overly effective anti bullying method and now bullies are inescapable.
One-in-three Australians have reported experiencing some form of online abuse, whether that be someone posting negative comments, image-based abuse or identity theft. This kind of bullying can be anonymous, sustained and repeated.
When 18-year-old law student Noelle Martin realised an innocent selfie had been stolen and photo shopped into porn, she sought help from the police but at that point there was nothing they could do. Noelle decided it was up to her to raise awareness of online abuse.
Rosie Thomas remembers her teachers teaching anti bullying strategies like to report bullying, or to simply walk away. Fresh out of high school, she and her sister Lucy started a business to address bullying and cyber bullying in schools with effective strategies that offered more than walking away.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured guests:
Noelle Martin, law reform campaigner
Rosie Thomas, co founder of Project Rockit
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Aug 1, 2019
Plating up edible insects and the whole hog
Mealtime could look and taste a little different in the future. The United Nations estimates that by 2050 the world’s population will rocket to almost 10 billion people, that's another 2.5 billion more mouths to feed. As global markets continue to shift, and more extreme weather patterns predicted, it raises questions about how and where we grow crops and rear livestock.
Cricket yoghurt and ant candy could be coming to a supermarket near you. Insects have a small global footprint, are chock full of protein and are already consumed by 20 percent of the world’s population. So is it about time that we jump on the bug wagon? Skye Blackburn is an entomologist and food scientist – which, it turns out, is the perfect set of skills if you want to farm an alternative food source like insects.
If snacking on a mealworm isn't your thing- yet- take a tour of Matt Evans farm in a pocket of Tasmania. It was farm-to-table sustainable practices that compelled the food critic to move from inner city Sydney to a smallholding in Tasmania’s apple region. Matt’s approach to farming is all about sustainable methods and a circular system that values soil, diversity and a drove of pigs.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured guests:
Skye Blackburn, entomologist, Founder of Edible Bugs
Matt Evans, chef and TV presenter
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Jul 18, 2019
Planes, trains and driverless automobiles
Australia has the second busiest domestic air route in the world. Over 54 thousand flights fly
from Melbourne to Sydney each year, in part because we’re limited to driving or flying. But
what if there was another way to move around the continent.
A competition led by Space X in Los Angeles is challenging University students from around
the globe to build a new type of rail system- a pod that travels in a vacuum at almost the
speed of sound. Melbourne’s Zac McClelland co captained a team that designed a prototype
for the system.
Driverless cars are an inevitable part of our future but with intelligent vehicles we need an
updated transport system. Professor Marjid Sarvi is heading up a project to ensure that our
intersections, pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles will communicate with each other, ensuring
safety and efficiency on our highways and urban centres.
Featured guests:
Zac McClelland, Team Captain, VicHyper
Dr Majid Sarvi, Director of AIMES (https://eng.unimelb.edu.au/industry/transport/aimes)
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Jul 4, 2019
How do you wake a sleeping language?
Prior to 1788 there were an estimated 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages and 800 dialects spoken across this continent we now know as Australia. Now there are approximately 150.
In lutruwita (Tasmania) a sleeping language has been revived and made it’s way to the Venice Film Festival. palawa kani is a community initiative. Researchers and linguists combed through historical records, word lists created by French scientists and an English missionary.
Dr Richard Walley, a Noongar musician grew up on the outskirts of Perth, out of reach of the authorities, speaking language and practicing culture- he didn’t realise that it had been outlawed. Years later he took what he’d been taught and formed a performance group- then at a festival in 1976 he got a request that he couldn’t refuse...
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be advised that this episode of The Few Who Do may contain the voice and names of people who have passed away.
Featured guests:
Theresa Sainty, Aboriginal Linguistic Consultant, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Dr Richard Walley, Co-Founder of Aboriginal Productions
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Jun 20, 2019
Equal pay for equal play
When we speak of a sports pay gap we generally think of elite athletes. But what happened at a small town's annual footrace highlighted the gender inequality rife across all sporting codes.
Melanie Tait was shocked to realise that the male winner of the Robertson Show Potato Race was being awarded five times the amount of the female winner’s prize money. So she raised enough funds to equal the prize money then wrote a hit stage play based on her experience, using comedy and storytelling to highlight the issue.
At the top end of town, Elizabeth Broderick – aka Australia’s Chief Feminist – is enlisting Australia’s most powerful male CEOs to use their influence to correct the power imbalance present in Australia’s workplaces and sporting fields.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured Guests:
Melanie Tait, playwright
Elizabeth Broderick, Founder Male Champions of Change
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Jun 5, 2019
“You can’t watch me 24/7:” empty streets and violent homes
“You can’t watch me 24/7. When you least expect it I'm going to lock you all in this house and I want to burn the house down”
Arman Abrahimzadeh grew up witnessing his dad’s violence against his mum . At first, he didn’t question his dad’s behaviour. But then came that threat.
Jan Fran and Marc Fennell look into the issue of domestic and family violence and violence against women. Is an app the answer to help prevent harassment and abuse? Zoe Condliffe is working to document sexual harassment and abuse, turning stories into hard data.
Arman and his sisters created the Zahra Foundation which provides financial education and small funding grants to women so they can escape an abusive partner, build confidence, and regain control over their lives.
If you want someone to talk to:
1800RESPECT- (1800 737 732) National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and information referral service, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Lifeline 24-hour telephone crisis support 13 11 14
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured guests:
Zoe Condliffe, Founder of She’s a Crowd
Arman Abrahimzadeh, co founder of the Zahra Foundation
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May 23, 2019
Workplace mental health: "the anxiety was a weird feeling in my stomach"
Can sharing your experience with a mental illness help others? It’s estimated that 45% of Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 will experience a mental illness - but less than half will seek help and part of that comes down to stigma.
However, workplaces just may be the key to getting people to reach out for help and reducing that stigma. A Head’s Up report found that three quarters of employees reckon that their workplace should provide support to someone who is experiencing depression or anxiety.
Marc Fennell and Jan Fran talk to two people who are actively working to change attitudes about mental health.
Greg Kentish grew up in a family riven with trauma but has taken the lessons from that and turned it into a business that is changing workers lives all around Australia…. And he makes a mean fillet of fish too…
Osher Gunsberg- you might know him as the suited man on your TV foreshadowing rose ceremonies or introducing singing stars- he’s using his personal story to change workplaces from the outside.
If listening to this podcast affects you and you want someone to talk to:
Lifeline- 24 hour crisis support 13 11 14
Beyond Blue- 1300 22 4636
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured guests:
Greg Kentish, CEO The Acacia Foundation
Osher Gunsberg, Board Director SANE
Osher’s 2016 Sydney Story Club here
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May 9, 2019
Please don't stop the music
We love music, of course we do. More Australians caught a gig in 2018 then attended a major sporting event. It is a vital, billion dollar industry - but it's getting harder for the people who actually make the music to make a living.
Only 16% of musicians earn more than $50 thousand dollars a year. Musicians are being squeezed out of venues by noise complaints. They’re having to market themselves, prove themselves, build a profile and hustle.
Presenters Marc Fennell and Jan Fran speak to two industry heavyweights who are trying to make change.
Singer-songwriter Clare Bowditch created Big Hearted Business to help musicians develop skills to manage and market themselves.
Helen Marcou, the co-owner of Melbourne institution Bakehouse Studios took on a new role as activist when the city’s live music scene was threatened by noise complaints.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured Guests:
Clare Bowditch, singer/ songwriter…
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Apr 25, 2019
Making a brilliant career in Australia’s film industry
The bright lights of Hollywood will always beckon, but with the local film industry struggling to reward and retain its most experienced talent, what impact does this have on the stories on our screens?
Hosts Marc Fennell and Jan Fran talk to two industry veterans about how they’re working to drive change, to strengthen the local industry and make it less vulnerable to risk of a talent ‘brain drain’.
Gillian Armstrong, director of My Brilliant Career, is spearheading efforts to stave off threats to local production, and to diversify the talent pool.
Zareh Nalbandian, co-founder and CEO of Animal Logic is creating a studio at Hollywood level budget here in Sydney's Fox Studios. The company is innovating to develop local talent and attracting top-tier artists and investment to bring Hollywood here.
The Few Who Do with CGU insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities
Featured guests:
Gillian Armstrong, film and documentary director
Zareh Nalbandian, CEO and co-found…
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Apr 11, 2019
Risky business: start ups, STEMs and innovation
Australia has a proud history of being a “nation of innovation”: we created Wifi, the black box flight recorder… the Hills Hoist.
Nowadays, a technology and innovation slowdown appears to be making us more averse to risk. How did we get here? And how do we reignite the spark of innovation?
We meet two people who are using their experiences to encourage Australians to think differently, back themselves, and embrace the risk of a bold business idea.
Usman Iftikhar, who graduated with a masters in engineering but couldn’t catch a break, so used his time stacking shelves to hatch an idea.
Sarah Moran, whose experience of typing code into school room computers sparked a love of technology that she’s passing on to a new generation of girls.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insuance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured Guests:
Usman Iftikhar, Co-Founder and CEO of Catalysr
Sarah Moran, CEO of Girl Geek Academy
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Mar 28, 2019
Not OK computer: Future-proofing Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning is a big part of our lives. It predicts our searches, suggests answers for our emails, it’s been used in recruitment, surveillance and in the US to assist judges in determining judgement.
But AI and machine learning has been found to have bias.
Presenters Jan Fran and Marc Fennell seek out two different possibilities to tackle the inherent prejudice in software- and spoiler alert it’s not the robots who we need to worry about.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities
Featured guests:
Finn Lattimore, research scientist with the Gradient Institute
Susie Sheldrick, Silverpond
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Mar 14, 2019
Sustainable style and the price of fast fashion
What is the true cost of your latest fashion purchase?
Beyond the price tag are the factory workers barely making a living wage. Then there’s the environmental impact – the thousands of litres of water being used to make a single pair of jeans and toxic dyes that end up in river systems.
It’s a problem, but one that can be improved. SBS presenters Jan Fran and Marc Fennell look at how established fashion companies can strive for sustainability.
Spell and the Gypsy Collective co-founded by sisters who were set on a new path towards sustainability because of Instagram.
Conner hats was moved to innovate after founder Will took to the sea and was compelled to experiment… with algae.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance. Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Featured guests:
Lizzy Abegg, co founder and Chief Brand Officer, Spell and the Gypsy Collective
Will Conner, founder, Conners Hats
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Feb 26, 2019
The quality of equality: Transgender in the workplace
The successful campaign for marriage equality was a watershed moment for LGBTIQ+ Australians, but it would be a mistake to assume that all the major hurdles have been overcome. There are still significant barriers to equality, particularly in the trans and gender diverse community, and especially in Australian workplaces.
What does transitioning in the workplace look like? Marc Fennell and Jan Fran explore this very personal - but very public aspect of life for trans and gender diverse people.
The Few Who Do with CGU Insurance, two hosts, one problem, two possibilities.
Warning: This episode contains first-person accounts which might be distressing to some listeners. Qlife is available between 3pm and midnight on 1800 184 527
Featured guests:
Kimberly Olsen, CEO Trans Employment Program Australia
Aram Hosie, Director of Engagement, Equality Australia
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Jan 31, 2019
Introducing 'The Few Who Do'
Two hosts, one problem, two possibilities...
Presented by Jan Fran and Marc Fennell 'The Few Who Do' tackles the big questions in society and culture today.
Can we make AI that's free from prejudice? Who’s responsibility is it to make our streets safe for women? How will we support a growing population with dwindling food resources?
We’ll hear personal stories from Australians with big ambitions, entrepreneurs and small business owners advocating for change.
The Few Who Do is an SBS podcast with CGU Insurance.
Dropping into your feed March 1
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