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8. George Williams: When the Cost of University Is Poverty
24:31||Season 2, Ep. 8Distinguished Professor George Williams AO joins us to talk about the financial pressures forcing too many university students to skip meals and sleep in cars. He explains how we can better support young people and why universities must fight for equity and change. He also explores the importance of the humanities in an age of misinformation and AI, and how showing up where students are – even on TikTok – has been a game changer for building real connection. George is the Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University, and has decades of experience as a teacher, scholar and senior leader in higher education. Alongside that he is a barrister and one of Australia’s leading experts in constitutional law. CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, university vice-chancellor, educator and advocate Audio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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7. Kristy Muir: How to Create Social Change That Sticks
25:13||Season 2, Ep. 7What does it take to shift the systems that shape our lives? In this episode, Professor Kristy Muir joins us to explore how real change happens — from purpose-led leadership to valuing local wisdom and the key ingredients for good collaboration. Kristy is a social impact, philanthropy and systems change leader who has spent decades tackling tough social challenges across education, employment, housing and mental health. Today, she is CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Professor of Social Policy at UNSW Sydney Business School and Chair of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy Australasia. CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Professor Kristy Muir, social impact, philanthropy and systems change leader Audio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.6. Jesse King: Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
18:59||Season 2, Ep. 6Jesse King, a descendant of the Waanyi people, has spent his life in and around classrooms – first as the child of a teacher, then as one himself. Today, he’s a policy leader and advocate, helping young people thrive as the Aurora Education Foundation’s Head of Impact and Data, and as a member of The Smith Family's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Advisory Group. In this conversation with Doug Taylor, Jesse shares a fresh perspective on Closing the Gap and why redefining success in education matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. He also talks about his area of passion – embedding Indigenous Knowledges into STEM – and the benefits this can bring. CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Jesse King, Head of Impact and Data, Aurora Education Foundation Audio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.5. Eddie Woo: Hope, Potential and the Power of a Great Teacher
31:04||Season 2, Ep. 5Eddie Woo is one of Australia’s most well-known educators, reaching millions through his YouTube channel, Wootube, and inspiring students and teachers alike with his passionate, human-centred approach to learning. Behind the online success is a teacher deeply committed to equity and making a positive difference in the lives of the students he teaches. In this conversation, Eddie reflects on what keeps him in the classroom, how to connect with disengaged students and the small moments that can shape a life. He also addresses the teacher shortage, how to bridge learning gaps in maths and why he's excited about AI for teaching and learning. CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Eddie Woo, award-winning maths teacher, author and creator of Wootube Audio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.4. Leslie Loble: AI and the Future of Education
21:12||Season 2, Ep. 4How is artificial intelligence transforming our classrooms? Professor Leslie Loble AM unpacks the real-world impact of AI and technology on learning and education. From the benefits of personalised learning to the risk of widening inequality, she shares insights on what this fast-moving tech means for students today and into the future. Noting "AI is not all doom and gloom", Leslie outlines how these tools can improve outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage – and what it will take to ensure this tech revolution benefits all students, not just a lucky few. CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Professor Leslie Loble AM, chair of the Australian Network for Quality Digital Education and Industry Professor at UTS’s Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion Audio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.3. Steve Biddulph: What Children Really Need to Thrive
21:49||Season 2, Ep. 3In a must-listen episode, we hear from family psychologist Steve Biddulph AM, one of the world’s best-known parenting educators and authors. He shares insights on the importance of role models in a child’s development and education journey, and the traits that set young people up for a good life.Steve also reflects on the mental health challenges affecting young people today, describing anxiety as "the second-biggest problem on the planet". He reveals what the latest brain science tells us about the best way to manage anxiety and how we can use this to help young people thrive. CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Steve Biddulph AM, family psychologist, parent educator and author Audio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.2. Georgie Dent: The Case for Universal Early Learning
20:17||Season 2, Ep. 2What if every child had an equal start in early learning? Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, makes a powerful case for why every child should have access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education and care, and how failing to provide that risks entrenching disadvantage from the very beginning. Georgie unpacks why children who stand to benefit the most from early learning are the ones missing out, what recent reforms mean for families – and the big shift needed in Australia that could make all the difference. CREDITS Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family Guest: Georgie Dent, CEO, The Parenthood Audio production: Mylk Media GET IN TOUCH Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au Connect with us on: Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus LinkedIn @the-smith-family The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.