Welcome to the reMAKERS…
…a conversation that asks, ‘what is the best version of us, and how do we actually build it?’ How can we be more collaborative, transformative and ambitious? How can we help change systems, not just treat symptoms?
This is your home for nuanced, curious chats with Lily and Millie, alongside some of our most impactful leaders, thinkers and reMAKERs from all walks of life. It’s about politics and social change, about humans and all our weird and wonderful ways, about celebrating what we love while we reMAKE even more of the world we want. It’s a place to try on big ideas, change our minds, hear different perspectives and explore less chartered territory. Guests’ views are their own, obviously, and it would be pretty boring if we always agreed with each other and everything we heard.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters where we live, work, play and record these various conversations — honouring Elders past and present.
Subscribe to the reMAKERs on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. For more of our stories sign up to our newsletter, or follow us on social media. For transcripts, email podcast@AustraliareMADE.org.
Season 2 out now!
I’m Lilian Spencer, Communications Lead for Australia reMADE and host of the reMAKERs. I’m from the US originally but have been lucky enough to spend the last 20-some years enjoying the beaches, coffee and eye-watering price of housing in Sydney, Australia. I’ve also got two young children, who keep me motivated, laughing, tidying endless mess and addicted to caffeine.
Before joining Australia reMADE I worked as a communications advisor for social enterprises, non-profits, campaigning organisations and the occasional political campaign —but I was never tribal enough for a fully fledged career in party politics. It seems the older I get, the less interested I am in ‘us vs them’, and the more interested I’ve become in building a larger us.
Australia reMADE and our community of reMAKERs inspire, challenge and delight me with their brilliant brains and beautiful hearts. You can find me on LinkedIn, or email me and the team at podcast@AustraliareMADE.org.
I’m Millie Rooney, National Coordinator of Australia reMADE and frequent cohost on the reMAKERS!
As a kid, I spent hours collecting toothbrushes outside supermarkets for Gulf War refugees and, although I wasn’t allowed to watch movies for fear of scary themes like ‘divorce’, was aware from a young age of scarier things like ‘war’. As a result, my childhood dream was to become a butterfly dancer on stilts, catch the eye of a journalist and make it to the front page of the paper so that there could be some good news for once. Is it any surprise I ended up involved in something like Australia reMADE?
Prior to joining Australia reMADE I also worked as an environment officer at both the Australian National University and the University of Tasmania. At the latter, I attended a single seminar on the power of ‘delight not fright’ that changed the course of my life and work. It’s a funny world.
I grew up in Canberra on Ngunnawal country, and although I now call Tasmania home, I still miss the dry scrappy dirt, the warble of the magpies and the smooth, flat bike paths. You can find me on Twitter at @_MillieRooney, or get in touch with me and the team at info@AustraliareMADE.org.
Show credits:
The reMAKERS is produced by the multi-talented Anna Wilson.
Thanks to our Chair (and source of wisdom and sanity) Louise Tarrant.
Episodes
Ep 14: End of year wrap up with Millie and Lily
It’s the final episode of the year, and Millie and Lily are feeling reflective.
What did we learn this year that we don’t actually want to forget over the delightful amnesia of holiday shut down? What were the good bits to hang onto out of covid, and where did things fall apart? What are the wild possibilities for the future?
Ep 13: Caring for each other well, with Dr Greg Shields
Caring for each other well in life, at work and in death is something Dr Greg Shields has thought a lot about in his work as a psychiatrist and mental health educator. We talk about structural change vs therapy, the things we’re expected to be well-adjusted to that will seem strange to future generations, and what it means to live and die well in uncertain times.
Episode Twelve: The ‘pondcast’ - aka: why wellbeing matters, with Lily and Millie
“I need a sick day. Can you cheer me?” This is a request Millie Rooney gets often from friends and neighbours, who know her reputation as a fierce advocate for rest, care, community and wellbeing. Millie joins us back on the show, for a chat about the things we sometimes think of as fluffy and self-indulgent, but which are actually some of the most vulnerable and courageous work of remaking the world we want.
Episode Eleven: The Good Life with author and permaculture educator Hannah Moloney
What does it mean to live a good life, in the face of the climate emergency? How can we grow not just better gardens, but a better world? Hannah Moloney is a permaculture educator, best-selling author and popular guest host on Gardening Australia.
Episode Ten: what unity means to writer and advocate Thomas Mayo
Unity is more than a slogan for our next guest. A First Nations leader, unionist and acclaimed author, Thomas Mayor’s gentle voice reveals profound truth about who we can become, and what we can achieve, when we refuse to be divided.
Episode Nine: David Barrow and Thuy Nguyen, Big Deal, Part 2
So, you’re cynical about politics and our democracy. Yep, so what are you going to do about it? In part 2 in our series on democracy and the new movie, Big Deal, we explore what people power actually looks like, with community organisers David Barrow and Thuy Nguyen. Hard-won wisdom and ‘generous anger’ abound, but it’s no place for false hope.
Episode Eight: Craig Reucassel and Saffron Zomer, Big Deal, Part 1
Is our democracy for sale? Our next guests have done a deep dive into this thorny question, giving us some big ideas and a great new movie. Check out this two-part series as we unpack how money really works inside our politics, and what we can do about it. Part 1: Director Craig Reucassel and democracy expert Saffron Zomer. It’s a very Big Deal.
Episode Seven: In Case of Emergency with Kelly O’Shanassy & David Ritter
So by now we’ve all heard about the latest IPCC report, which has been described as a ‘code red’ for humanity. What does it really mean, and where to from here? Two of our best environmental leaders show us the way forward in a smart, human, candid conversation that won’t leave you rocking in the foetal position.
Episode Six: Grace Williams, Gentle Activist
Art is the doorway to the soul, but law is what upholds human rights. Meet the young filmmaker, writer and lawyer-to-be using both, and hear what she has to teach us about joy and gentle activism.
Episode Five: Creating the Next Economy, with Dr Amanda Cahill
Is it really possible to build an economy that works better for people and planet? Meet the leader who’s out there, right now, helping people do it.
Episode Four: Dan Ilic, comedian and activist
Will laughter save us all? Comedian Dan Ilic’s whole career is a testament to using humour as a force for good trouble and taking on the things that scare us most.
Episode Three: Dr Emma Lee on ‘real, revolutionary love’
The transformative power of real, revolutionary love. Dr Emma Lee is a trawlwulwuy woman from tebrakunna country, who teaches us about loving and belonging to Country and to each other.
Episode Two: David Ritter, CEO Greenpeace Australia Pacific
David Ritter drops some serious wisdom on hope, love, business, politics, doing hard things and rock bands that make life better.
Episode One: Introducing the reMAKERS
Introducing the reMAKERs: your home for bright, inspiring conversations about the best version of us, and how we build it.