Subtle Disruptors

Its easy to critique a system from the sidelines without knowing too much about it. But what about really understanding that system, and then finding ways to use the system for good? This is the work of Andrew Macleod.

While simple in the steps that need to be followed, leaving the familiar confines of the corporate world is not typically an easy task. And once the move has been made, there are some many potential voices to listen to about what to do next. How to filter out the noise?

The feather, the brick or the steam-train. Life seems to give us progressively more obvious hints that something needs to change. Often it isn't until the crisis that we see the opportunity.

Jess had one of those moments when a question asked of her challenged fundamental aspects of the way she was living.

Creating ideas that spark conversations, and moving from conversations to meaningful change: The subtle disruption of the creative agency.

As I start releasing new episodes for 2017, I discuss what I have been pondering over my three month break and the two questions that will shaping the podcast this year.

The themes and learnings that emerged from year one of Subtle Disruptors.

There are options for spending well over the holiday seasons - spending so that you get something that benefits not just the person you are buying for, but others in need as a positive social by-product. Cliff Moss talks about The Good Xmas Trail, a social enterprise helping promote other social enterprises this Xmas.

There are obvious problems to the economic system we have created for ourselves, but no obvious solutions. Jodie has created a platform to enable a sharing economy, a system she sees as one they could help us transition from what we have now to something more inclusive and connecting.

N'fa Jones helped bring hip-hop to the mainstream in Australia. Now, with the same gentleness and assurance with which he create music, he helps lift the eyes and spirit of those he serves at his Northcote cafe.

There seems to be a paradox with constraints: when we choose the bring certain constraints into our life, they seem to help us think and act in less constrained ways. For this week's guest, choosing to live with some carefully selected constraints are a feature of her life and work.

More and more of us are going to find ourselves living in apartment type housing, and living in closer proximity to our neighbours. How then can we make this experience as good as possible, so that we enjoy and actually thrive in this new set-up, rather than feeling more isolated and unwell?

Dr Jason Fox returns to the podcast for a second time, sharing ways we can make habits and rituals for meaningful progress in a milieu that rewards us for busyness.

The creativity and beauty of diversity - Shalini is spreading the goodness of hearing and celebrating all of our voices, whether it be through the interpreting work she does, the impact and way she affects people through the music she plays, or creating forums and platforms for large corporates or smaller social enterprises to have a positive social and environmental impact.

40 years ago Philip O'Carroll co-founded Fitzroy North Community school. Today it is still going strong, consistently rating in the top 1% of the state in areas like literacy and numeracy, and equipping kids with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

To have a sustained positive impact through business, it is paramount to get the business foundations right. Ben and Harvee are partners in an accounting firm helping purposeful businesses get their profits sorted so they can continue to positively impact people and our planet.

While I thought I may talk about them in separate episodes, I did not ever consider I may talk to a guest about feminism and football in the same episode. After spending an hour with Carmen Hawker, I am even more inspired by what gender equality and gender liberation could bring to the game I love, let alone the broader society within which I live.

Something is starting to shift. Little pockets are springing up where men are able to show up as they are, talk freely about how they feel, and connect with other men doing the same.

Design is all around us and impacts our mood, wellbeing and feelings whether we know it or not. Kate is on a mission to help us all be better designers and to be true to ourselves as we create the places within which we work and live.

Developing the mindset and tools to sustain our wellbeing and performance in an era of stress and busyness.