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How to be brave, with Senator Fatima Payman
26:12|Senator Fatima Payman is not only one of the most productive members of parliament, but also courageous.As such, this conversation is all about how to be brave and courageous, even in the quieter moments and when the fear is present and inescapable.Born in Afghanistan, Senator Payman migrated to Perth with her family in 2003, studied pharmacy, and became president of Young Labor WA. In 2022, at just 27, she was elected as a Western Australian Senator for Labor, becoming one of the youngest senators in history and the first member of parliament to wear a hijab. Senator Payman crossed the floor in June 2024 over the Albanese Government’s Gaza response, seeing her indefinitely suspended from the Labor caucus. She quit the Labor party to sit as an independent. In January this year, Senator Payman announced she is expecting her first child in May. She will become the first Western Australian Senator to have a baby in office. This conversation was recorded in Januaray and some things may have changed. It also follows a piece Senator Fatima Payman penned as part of a collection of essays called A Time for Bravery: What Happens When Australia Chooses Courage? published by Australia Institute Press.
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Falling from the glass cliff, confidence and ego
32:27|Australia has a new case of the glass cliff, with the (now former) Opposition leader being the latest high-profile woman to fall. We share how the events unfolded and why. Plus, we examine male confidence by exploring new research on how emotional openness changes across different ages for men. Finally, why does motherhood feel so lonely? We share the power of parent groups and why we're spending the next couple of months exploring how mothers connect. Topics discussed this week include: 1. Bad bunny’s superbowl show was an alternative joyful vision for America2. Angus Taylor is our new opposition leader. So, will there be a plan behind the man?3. From emotional openness to strength, this Male Confidence Index hopes to drive new conversations on men4. Why can motherhood feel lonely? Help us find out and change the experienceEpstein files? But You don't smile!
22:02|This week, we talk about the language, the theories and the networking in the Epstein files. From influential doctors with big social followings to royals, presidents and former prime ministers. Plus, a couple of wins, including why thousands of women will soon be arriving in Melbourne to talk about gender equity. Stories discussed this week include: Minnesota woman dragged from car by ICE agents gives testimony in DCWhy thousands of feminist leaders will soon arrive in MelbourneThe powerful men named in the latest Epstein files releaseThe influential doctor mentioned 1737 times in the Epstein files Trump lashes out at yet another female journalist who presses him on EpsteinDavos men, Coalition split, About those 'wine moms' and a Jan 26 idea
27:30|Wrapping up some of the top stories of the week we head to Davos, Canberra, Minnesota and back home again. On the agenda is extreme wealth, the lack of women at the World Economic Forum, the self-indulgence of some in politics and how "Wine Moms" became a thing and we also look at an excellent idea for addressing Jan 26. Key stories discussed this week include: Davos remains a festival of men despite (mostly) man-made risks we all faceSussan Ley “disrespected” us claim Nationals who have managed to make another week about themConservative media blame ‘wine moms’ as protests over ICE violence growWhy January 26 is not a date to celebrate and staying silent is not enoughStart drinking, as one EU leader suggested? No. Others ideas for a chaotic 2026
23:38|Hello 2026! And it's been a chaotic start already. Is the answer to start drinking, as one female EU leader suggested this week? We have a better idea instead. Also, Elon Musk’s Grok starts making thousands of sexualised deepfake images. Did we expect anything less? And why setting a health and wellness goal or intention for 2026 is a good idea. Plus, much more! This is our wrap of some of our biggest stories of the week. Stories discussed this week include: We don’t need a drink. We need more women in charge Grok, and how the algorithms aren’t psychologically safe for any of usWomen founders on their top health or wellness focus in 2026 — and whyThe Women's Agenda Podcast is produced by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. Sign up for our free daily newsletter here and support our work by becoming a member here.A week we will never forget
24:45|Australia is coming to terms with the horrific attack on the Jewish community in Bondi on Sunday night. Tarla Lambert-Patel and journalist Dinushi Dias sit down to unpack what happened, what it means and where we go next. They also break down some of the biggest stories on Women's Agenda this week. And find some hope in what has been a horrible week we will never forget. The Women's Agenda Podcast is published by Agenda Media, publisher of Women's Agenda. You can subscribe to our free daily lunchtime update and support our work.Bring back 'masculine energy'! And is Pauline Hanson closing the gender pay gap?
25:45|Pauline Hanson gets Barnaby Joyce into the party, as well as a substantial pay rise as leader. Is that actually... a win? Also, the US co-founder calling for public hangings and for the world to get more "masculine energy". Plus, the social media ban is officially here, and everyone from teenagers to parents, politicians and media barons have something to say about it. And what's with the outrage over Anika Wells' travel expenses? We dive in. Stories discussed this week include: A rare case of a man’s move resulting in a woman getting a 100k pay bumpAnother billionaire tech bro declares world needs more ‘masculine energy’A social media ban won’t save us from harms online. Educating us willThe outrage over Anika Wells says more about us than it does about her