Advertise on podcast: Conversations with Jim Penman

Why would anyone bring a child into a world this chaotic? Jim Penman, founder of Jim’s Group and father of 10, takes the question head on. In this episode of Conversations with Jim, his co-author Andrea Pearson puts the toughest objections from readers and online critics of Birth-Rate Crisis to him. Nothing is off limits, from women and careers to faith, money and parenting. Jim explains why he and his wife started a family with no savings while renting, and why he believes how much money you have has little to do with how kids turn out. He sets out why governments spending billions on baby bonuses haven’t lifted birth rates, and how a flood of dopamine from junk food, screens and social media makes family life feel boring. He also explains why he sees smartphones as a bigger danger to children than the outside world, and why helicopter parenting backfires. The conversation closes on addiction, purpose and why serving others is the surest path to a meaningful life. If you’ve ever questioned whether having kids still makes sense, start here. Get the book in ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:www.birthratecrisisbook.comhttps://books2read.com/u/mveYGe TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro1:00 Why have kids in a world this crazy?2:43 Short-term pleasure vs a good life5:30 Women, careers and staying home8:46 Divorce fears and giving up a career12:47 Living together before marriage14:53 Does faith lift birth rates?18:37 Can a multi-millionaire talk money?21:11 Do kids need money to do well?23:15 Raising kids who want kids25:00 Helicopter parenting and real risks30:19 Why smartphones are poison for kids31:45 Why good times are bad for kids34:53 Why release the book now?38:45 Why governments can't fix birth rates39:52 How dopamine drives the birth rate43:40 Nutella and beating temptation46:14 Choosing the right life partner49:18 Are people lazier than before?52:14 Is Jim an out-of-touch boomer?54:14 How to break an addiction1:01:06 How men can find purpose1:03:51 Where to get the book

#ASKJIM Facebook Live Q & A with Jim Penman Replay September 2026

Are we getting poorer? 7/11 and franchising issues, Victoria, plus a whole lot more on this monthly video newsletter update.

The Treasurer, Debt, Birth-rate crisis, My Fav books plus more! Here is the link to review Jim's Book as well - https://books2read.com/u/38jd5d To learn more about Jim's new book, sign up at www.birthratecrisis.com.au

Jim talks about his research, beliefs and all things Jim's in this 60 minute unfiltered Q & A with his new franchisees in training.

I speak about Jacinta Allan, the threat of China, Angus Taylor plus a whole lot more in my monthly video version of my monthly newsletter.

#ASKJIM Q & A with Jim's Group founder, Jim Penman and Joel Kleber from July 27, 2026.

Jim Penman shares his monthly update covering his research, Victorian politics plus a lot more. To learn more about Jim, check out www.jimpenman.com.au

Jim covers everything budget, snowy hydro, plus a lot more!

Jim Penman's April video newsletter covers the dopamine fast that has him working sharper than ever, the birth rate crisis book due in October with Andrea as co-author, why ChatGPT has dramatically accelerated his Bio History research, and the upcoming Jimbo features that will let franchisees buy and sell client bases inside the network. Joel and Jim go deep on the fuel crisis, the closure of 11 of Australia's refineries leaving only 2 standing, and why the government has Albanese flying cap in hand to Singapore and Brunei for supply. Jim makes the case that Australia's red tape is now actively crippling the economy, with examples from his own science labs (now moving research to China), the building industry his wife works in, and a holiday resort project on his Gippsland property that simply couldn't go ahead because of regulation. The conversation also covers happiness, why Jim refuses to compare himself to billionaires like Bezos, why Warren Buffett is the better model, and his views on the budget, the IMF warning, and what the next election means for the Libertarian Party. If you subscribe to Jim Penman's monthly newsletter, this is the video version. If you don't, this episode is a good introduction to how Jim thinks about business, technology, government and the country. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How the Lenten fast and dopamine fasting changed Jim's focus and energy What Jim thinks actually makes people happy (and why Bezos is the wrong model) The Birth Rate Crisis book update and Andrea joining as co-author How ChatGPT is helping Jim accelerate his Bio History research The new Jimbo marketplace that lets franchisees buy and sell client bases Why Jim's built-in accounting system will replace Xero and QuickBooks for franchisees Why Australia's red tape is killing scientific research, building and small business The full picture of the fuel crisis: 11 refineries gone, Singapore and Brunei dependence Why Jim thinks politicians need real life experience before holding office TIMESTAMPS 0:00 The Lenten fast and dopamine sensitivity 3:36 What happiness actually looks like and why Bezos is the wrong model 6:46 Birth Rate Crisis book update and Andrea joining as co-author 8:30 Jim's first experience using ChatGPT for book research 11:22 Jimbo updates: missed call alerts and conversion improvements 12:36 The new Jimbo marketplace to buy and sell client bases 17:50 Jimbo built-in accounting replacing Xero and QuickBooks 19:43 The insanity of red tape in Australian science and business 21:39 Why Jim's research is moving to China 23:50 The Gippsland holiday resort that couldn't go ahead 25:00 Australia's fuel crisis: 11 refineries gone, only 2 left 28:40 Why Singapore and Brunei now decide our fuel supply 31:02 The budget, the IMF warning and the cost of debt 33:42 Why Jim says politicians need real life experience 35:15 The November election and how preferential voting can send a message 36:25 The truth about immigration, zoning and house prices ABOUT JIM PENMAN Jim Penman is the founder of Jim's Group, one of Australia's largest franchise networks with more than 5,700 franchisees across 50-plus divisions. Jim writes a monthly newsletter on business, science, government and society, available on Substack and as a video podcast.

How would Jim fix housing, declining birth-rates, the government plus a lot more! Join Jim's Substack here - https://substack.com/@jimpenman

Make sure you sign up for Jim's Substack where you will receive these videos first before anyone else.

Jim talks about why he entered politics, updates about his research and how he would fix housing. To learn more, visit www.jimpenman.com.au

26/02/26 #ASKJIM Live Q & A replay with Jim Penman and Joel Kleber

#ASKJIM Livestream Q & A replay from FEBRUARY 2026.