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On episode 310 we discuss Katie's obsession with the ice-hockey romance TV shows Off Campus (Prime Video) and Heated Rivalry (HBO Max). Some issues we cover are homophobia in ice-hockey, male characters written by women and getting distracted during a threesome.  We also give a shout out to the spoof comedy show A Touch Of Cloth (Prime Video) and byesexuality.  If you'd like to support our show, we appreciate any ratings/reviews on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or whatever app you listen to our show on – thanks!  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.

On episode 309 Nick is joined by Hayden, Ruby and Claire to discuss Reddit stories through a social justice lens.  The stories cover: appropriate attire for meeting your partner's parents, surprise birthdays, TikTok trends, sparkling water, leave for work to care for companion animals, movie theatre etiquette when you're allergic to dogs, sharing food on dates and calling out line cutters.  This show is a 3CR Summer Special – we encourage everyone to listen to and support 3CR Community Radio! https://www.3cr.org.au/  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  Relevant songs that we mentioned but didn't play were Red Flags by Tom Cardy ft Montaigne, I'll Grow Up Tomorrow by The Beaches and 4chan Stan by Lily Allen. We have added these songs to our Spotify playlist Progressive Podcast Australia Music and Comedy: https://open.spotify.com/user/bronzecat83/playlist/6DK5AzWfrxSDcpHWlLsWi6  This episode is also available on our website: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2026/02/02/309/

Episode 308 features comedian Myq Kaplan on his Special 'Rini', the Riyadh Comedy Festival and the politics of comedy generally, plus plenty of Nick not knowing stuff.  This episode is also available in video form on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/SOXul8783MQ  'Rini' is out on Youtube the evening of November 19 US Eastern time and noon on November 20 Australian Eastern time. You can go to the link right now and click the 'Notify Me' button to watch it as soon as it comes out! https://youtu.be/y0uf9i_z-Aw  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2025/11/12/308/

Episode 307 features a Reddit story about chronic fatigue as a starting point for a broader discussion about privilege, oppression and the Left.  Links:  Naomi Klein's book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World: https://naomiklein.org/doppelganger/  Confessions podcast with Sammy Peterson: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Njlpt8rFB9HBy40s2QGGW  Rehash podcast on The Dirtbag Left: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RnIDbnXQSjuyaSzFvNHN7  If you'd like to support our show, we appreciate any ratings/reviews on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or whatever app you listen to our show on – thanks!  Music:  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2025/11/04/307/

On episode 306, Katie, Nick and Lottie discuss the Australian federal election and how they'll be voting. We cover: our love of politics being put to the test, Glutton versus Albo, the Greens under Bandt compared to Di Natale and some of the micro-parties.    How Lottie is voting:  House of reps - Wills  1. Sue Bolton - Socialist Alliance  2. Samantha Ratnam - Greens  3. Owen Miller - Fusion  4. Margee Glover - Legalise Cannabis  5. Peter Khalil - Labor  6. Jeff Kidney - Liberals  7. Rachel Versteegen - Libertarian  8. Bruce Stevens - One Nation    Victorian Senate (top six, see our website linked to below for the full list)  1. Animal Justice Party (AJP's animal and environment related policies are very comprehensive, their other policies less so but they say they stand for justice and compassion. I think having one animal-focussed Senator would be positive)  2. Victorian Socialists  3. Indigenous - Aboriginal Party of Australia (seems like some of their policies are still underdeveloped but overall they are for First Nations self determination and everything that comes with that)  4. The Greens  5. Heena Sinha Cheung (detailed policies to fix housing crisis, tackle climate change and support abuse victims)  6. Australia's Voice (axvoter think they look good but still finding their feet)    How Nick is voting:  House of reps – Melbourne  1: BANDT, Adam – THE GREENS  2: HUANG, Helen – FUSION | PLANET RESCUE | WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION | INNOVATION  3: WITTY, Sarah – AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY  4: KOUTOUFIDES, Anthony – INDEPENDENT  5: HUNT, Steph – LIBERAL  6: SMITH, Tim – INDEPENDENT  7: CASEY, Melanie – PAULINE HANSON'S ONE NATION    Victorian Senate (for those just doing top 6)  1. The Greens  2. Victorian Socialists  3. Animal Justice Party  4. Australian Democrats  5. Labor  6. LNP    For more in-depth show notes, including Lottie's full rankings for the Victorian Senate, plus links with information on the micro-parties etc, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2025/04/30/306/  If you'd like to support our show, we appreciate any ratings/reviews on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or whatever app you listen to our show on – thanks!  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.

On episode 305 we discuss "illness influencer" Belle Gibson and the TV series Apple Cider Vinegar (Netflix). We also cover broader themes of "conspirituality" (drawing on Naomi Klein's book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World), evidence-based versus non-evidence-based medicine, influencers and grifters.  Additional links/sources covered:  The Search for Instagram's Worst Con Artist (documentary on Netflix).  Maintenance Phase podcast episode "Illness Influencer" Belle Gibson (we took that illness influencer phrase above from this!): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xZ11pQv8tKZbJaI5w2S1D?si=HeEsESSIRG-lMdOfQhb3Kw&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1FgnTBfUlzkeKt&nd=1&dlsi=c758a80e0eb04798  You can hear the two of us discuss similar issues (but make different points) on the Freedom of Species show Vegans For Trump? Conspirituality in the Vegan Movement: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/vegans-trump-conspirituality-vegan-movement  If you'd like to support our show, we appreciate any ratings/reviews on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or whatever app you listen to our show on – thanks!  Clips: The Adventures of Lano & Woodley: Season 1, Episode 1 – The Girlfriend.  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2025/02/23/305/

On episode 304 Nick is joined by Hayden to discuss Reddit stories covering a wide range of topics, including: chosen names, religion, work, class, dogs, sexuality, gender and cheating. Happy Holidays!  This show is a 3CR Summer Special – we encourage everyone to listen to and support 3CR Community Radio! https://www.3cr.org.au/  A note to listeners that this show does not contain the music mentioned, for copyright reasons. If you'd like to listen to the full show with all of the music, just go to the Freedom of Species page on the 3CR site: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies and hit play on the player that says Freedom of Species - 22 December 2024. This show will be available to listen to via that player until December 29. We've also added the music mentioned on this show (Horror is a Human Being by Cursive – from the album Get Fixed, Environmental Anxiety by RAYE – from the album My 21st Century Blues and No War by Lowkey ft Styles P – from the album Soundtrack to the Struggle 3) to our Spotify playlist 'Progressive Podcast Australia Music and Comedy': https://open.spotify.com/user/bronzecat83/playlist/6DK5AzWfrxSDcpHWlLsWi6  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2024/12/22/304/

On episode 303 Nick is joined by politics professor Jason Brownlee who informs Nick of everything he has missed by just learning about US politics through Late Night with Seth Myers, which Katie watches constantly!  More specifically, the discussion covers:  Reflection on Biden's presidency including the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.  Will Harris/Walz change the direction of the Democratic party?  Should Harris have taken up Joe Rogan's invitation and joined him on that podcast, as Donald Trump did? *Update: since we recorded this episode, Joe Rogan has clarified that Harris didn't reject the offer to go on his podcast. She offered to do a one-hour interview if Rogan came to her, whereas Rogan wanted her to come to his studio in Austin for a longer discussion. Regardless, most of our points on the topic still stand: https://x.com/joerogan/status/1851118464447971595  The Democrats pursuing some Right-wing policies: https://x.com/shaun_vids/status/1734913698899067226?s=09  The eternal question of voting Democrat versus third party/independent.  Are the Republicans the party for workers that they claim to be? The Ted Cruz quote along these lines was from this episode of Late Night with Seth Myers: https://youtu.be/RPLvoPnwwNk?si=eg5OuQMQpY2gHtKl  We covered this issue of are the Republicans the party for workers on episode 258: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2020/11/10/258/  Jason's prediction for who will win the election.  What will the fall out of the election be in both possible scenarios – will this be America's last election?  This discussion is also available to watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/r7AOdE4eL7w  Additional links:  Who's Afraid of Democracy? By Steve Fraser: https://logosjournal.com/between-the-issues/whos-afraid-of-democracy/  Jason's article on the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan: https://www.statesman.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2024/08/26/us-afghanistan-withdrawal-anniversary-biden-made-the-right-call/74906226007/  Economics Not Culture Wars Drove Most Trump Voters – Thomas Ferguson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azd21dCriFE  Jason's prediction about the result was mainly based on the following data:  Five Thirty-Eight Forecast: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2024-election-forecast/  Real Clear Polling on the betting odds: https://www.realclearpolling.com/betting-odds/2024/president  Real Clear Polling on the battleground states: https://www.realclearpolling.com/elections/president/2024/battleground-states  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2024/10/27/303/

On episode 302 we discuss the time we watched a lot of Fox News – particularly the show Gutfeld! This is a Right-wing alternative to more liberal late-night talk shows like Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. We use this example to talk about broader issues of caricatures of the Left, political comedy and satire, free speech and cancel culture.  Here is the image we've used as the pic for this episode on our website: https://x.com/ITYSL_memes/status/1682378649696075776  And Nick's tweet with a similar theme: https://x.com/BozoDidTheTweet/status/1679339480107606016  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2024/10/13/302/

On episode 301 Lottie and Nick do a deep dive into a prank gone wrong from The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers in collaboration with Clementine Ford, Antoinette Lattouf and Yumi Stynes. We discuss the politics of pranking and comedy, focusing on intention versus impact and call in versus call out culture. We also reflect on some of the prank-like things we've done on this podcast and similarities with the Jokers/feminist panel prank.  Links:  Antoinette Lattouf explains the prank on her podcast – A Prank. 3 Feminists. Outrage. The Politics of Apologies:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1K7zvFar2AiNHSI5HxMcOg?si=d4fe39228a854a13  Article on Lattouf's explanation: https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/antoinette-lattouf-inspired-unemployed-prank/  Naomi Gall's article – I had a front row seat to the feminist event turned prank Love Unboxed, and yes, it was a shit-show: https://www.theaureview.com/arts/i-had-a-front-row-seat-to-the-feminist-event-turned-prank-love-unboxed/  Heath Parkes-Hupton's article – Journalist 'mortified' by reaction to Inspired Unemployed prank at feminist event: https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/media/journalist-mortified-by-reaction-to-inspired-unemployed-prank-at-feminist-event/news-story/dd87885638e8da35aa56d5918ce02890  Karl Quinn's article – Three feminists and a comedian hosted an event. It went horribly wrong: https://archive.md/2024.04.04-010330/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/three-feminists-and-a-comedian-hosted-an-event-it-went-horribly-wrong-20240404-p5fhaj.html#selection-3077.0-3077.70  Life Uncut podcast analysis of the prank – Living In a Glass House of Accountability, a Feminist Talk and the Inspired Unemployed: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LjB3cQQeYZHmzkxQwG3I2?si=xiG1QeJiRfiWjDD8xElzqw&t=1126  Article on Ricky Gervais skit shown in hearing for men accused of Nazi salute outside Sydney Jewish Museum: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/sep/16/nazi-salute-trial-sydney-jewish-musuem-ricky-gervais-ntwnfb  Nick and Lottie have done a bunch of Freedom of Species shows recently – here is one featuring Katie as well: Is Veganism A Cult? https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/veganism-cult  Tim Robinson on art and comedy: https://x.com/BozoDidTheTweet/status/1832928157143580720?t=rUCfUCWO_RH0ajqnIIDZxA&s=19  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  If you enjoy our show, please support it by giving us nice ratings and reviews on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible or whatever app you listen to our show on – thanks!  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2024/10/06/301/

We're back to keep the Progressive Podcast Australia brand alive with our 300th episode special! The show covers a wide range of topics with a bunch of pop culture stuff, a little bit of politics and some meta podcasting about podcasting.  We discuss the books Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World Book by Naomi Klein and How We Love by Clementine Ford; the TV shows The Curse and The Traitors (with a focus on disability representation); and the movie Guns Akimbo.  We finish the show with a quote that was featured in the Propaganda exhibition in London, which we visited in about 2010! We discuss the quote in light of the actions of the Israeli government towards Palestinians.  If you'd like a free Progressive Podcast Australia badge and/or iron-on patch, just email progressivepodcast at gmail dot com or message us on Facebook or Twitter @ProgPodcast.    Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2024/09/01/300/

On episode 299 Nick is joined by Meg and Lottie to discuss anti-capitalist alternatives, focusing on socialism and anarchism.  This show is a Summer Special from 3CR Community Radio – you can hear this discussion with the music included on the Freedom of Species page on the 3CR website:  https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/capitalism-pyramid-scheme-exploring-anti-capitalist-alternatives-summer  Additional resources:  Free Women of Spain: Anarchism and the struggle for the emancipation of women by Martha Ackelsberg.  Library Socialism & Usufruct by Srsly Wrong podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6TKvQQ0BpUeGpRavJdiJmo?si=gVtK81u5T8eXBRjqsJ8zpw&fbclid=IwAR0vTs7-mpMFNYhHxqSR_5l_C8avVaTuBPVxmzvCM7aJFpRlW1EILPCVnJE&nd=1&dlsi=700c992692f34930  Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You! By David Graeber: https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/david-graeber-are-you-an-anarchist-the-answer-may-surprise-you  The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin.  A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers.  Movies and TV shows referred to: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Peep Show, Office Space, On Becoming a God in Central Florida.  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  This song is free to use with credit.  Relevant songs that we mentioned but didn't play were Everything I Am by Lowkey and The Wasteland by Chumbawamba. You can hear these songs on the Freedom of Species page as mentioned above, as well as on our Spotify playlist Progressive Podcast Australia Music and Comedy: https://open.spotify.com/user/bronzecat83/playlist/6DK5AzWfrxSDcpHWlLsWi6  You can listen to the Palestine Special mentioned during this show here:  https://www.3cr.org.au/radioforpalestine  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2023/01/15/299/

On episode 298 Nick is joined by Claire to discuss the politics of ice hockey, including theme nights; Pride tape; race and class in the NHL; vegan ice hockey equipment and much more! We also touch on other sports, such as cricketer Usman Khawaja's stand for Palestine and the AFL and the Voice to Parliament.  This discussion is also available in video form on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/l7VJp1fq3rw  Claire hosts the animal rights radio show Freedom of Species on 3CR Community Radio with Nick. This episode is a continuation of the discussion Claire and Nick started on the 3CR Summer Special 'The Politics of Ice Hockey: Indigenous Advocacy, BLM and Queer Hockey Fanfic', which you can listen to on the Freedom of Species website or by searching Freedom of Species on your favourite podcast app: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/politics-ice-hockey-indigenous-advocacy-blm-and-queer-hockey-fanfic-summer  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including relevant articles and books recommended by Claire, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2023/12/24/298/

On episode 297 Nick and Lottie critique the idea of wanting to stay neutral on the "moving train" of Palestine and Israel - to quote Howard Zinn! Lottie also recommends a bunch of actions that you can take for Palestine. You can see all of the actions she mentions on this episode and more in this Google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13jT9PvJCnph_rGV5XCIUUFVe0KQVZsinsRo3LjYyOuo/edit  ABC chief is right: impartiality is paramount when reporting the Israel-Gaza war, article by Denis Muller:  https://theconversation.com/abc-chief-is-right-impartiality-is-paramount-when-reporting-the-israel-gaza-war-218100  Social media post on Palestine and genocide: https://www.facebook.com/679240068/posts/pfbid02Ub4wmJncehPVdHFood734VJZDrLALV9diWeFF8ZCy8amrtNwB8K8fJj5u3WXtQkEl/?mibextid=Nif5oz  The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism: https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/working-definition-antisemitism  Freedom of Species podcast episode on Palestinian solidarity: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/palestinian-solidarity  Freedom of Species podcast episode Vegans in Solidarity with Palestine, with Laura Schleifer and Leila Dehghan: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/vegans-solidarity-palestine-laura-schleifer-and-leila-dehghan  Cruelty Free Super: https://www.crueltyfreesuper.com.au/  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2023/11/25/297/

On episode 296 we play speeches from the Palestine Rally: Keep standing with Gaza, stop the genocide of Palestinians by Free Palestine Melbourne. We also discuss the recent developments and history of the issue, focusing on the Australian media coverage and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.  Additional links:  You can listen to our recording of all of the speeches of the Palestine Rally here – we have played a shortened, edited version of the talks on this episode: https://archive.org/details/palestine-rally  For more information about the Palestine Rally in Melbourne by Free Palestine Melbourne, see the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1704771963377431  Media Watch: Murder, missiles and misinformation in the Israel-Hamas war: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y5z1OCb1KM  The Chaser: Media guide - how to cover Israel and Palestine: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/448398/emails/102520594773313321  Caitlin Cassidy article on The Guardian: Melbourne university first in Australia to take up controversial definition of antisemitism: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jan/25/melbourne-university-first-in-australia-to-take-up-controversial-definition-of-antisemitism  You can hear our episode on the BDS movement, Episode 63: Take Action Against Occupation! https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2014/07/28/action/  Check out our previous episodes on Palestine here: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/tag/palestine/  Please spread the word about our show, for example by sharing our episodes on Facebook and Twitter, so they reach more people. Our most recent episode is always our pinned post at the top. Thanks!  Intro music: Embrace by ItsWatR: https://pixabay.com/users/itswatr-12344345/  Outro music: The Blackest Bouquet by Leonell Cassio: https://pixabay.com/users/leonellcassio-2264996/  Both of the above songs are free to use with credit.  For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2023/10/23/296/