Flip the Focus

Jen Dobbie
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Technology
  • Updated Fortnightly

Flip the Focus is the factory reset for tech. Jen Dobbie and Producer Nico spotlight the Founders, Funders and Leaders asking big tech questions that flip the industry on its head. From shaking up funding, to putting the status bro on notice, they’re building new systems to keep tech human. Join us each time and find out what got them focussed on tech, how they’re flipping it, and where they’re building community to give bad tech the bird.

  1. 3 days ago

    Ask better questions with Dr Amy McLennan Part 2

    What is cybernetics, and why does it matter now than ever? In this episode, Jen and Producer Nico sit down with Dr Amy McLennan, a medical anthropologist and systems thinker at ANU School of Cybernetics, for a conversation about cybernetics, leadership, and why the smartest way to understand technology is to stop treating it like a standalone thing. Cybernetics helps us look at tech feedback loops, relationships, and assumptions that shape what happens next. Amy explains why tech is really a systems enabler; and why the real work is in understanding the people, intentions, and power dynamics around it. From a speculative factory called Frank, to the egg oversupply during COVID, this episode shows how small examples can reveal big truths about how systems behave when the world changes fast. You’ll also hear why binary thinking gets us nowhere, why trust needs to be earned, and why the most useful leadership questions are the ones that surface what’s missing, what’s assumed, and what might break when the system is under pressure. For anyone leading teams, shaping culture, or making decisions in a complex environment, this one is a smart place to start. If you love this episode, subscribe, leave a star rating, and give us a quick review. It helps more people find the show and supports our mission to share stories from leaders shaping tomorrow’s health, tech, and inclusion... like Amy McLennan, Victor Dominello, Cindy Gallop, Ida Tin and more. Find out more about the books, people, and ideas in this episode Frank Makes a Factory by Josh Noble and Simona Dango: A piece of speculative fiction Amy uses to show how systems can be shaped by hidden assumptions.Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by (absolute icon) Caroline Criado Perez: referenced by Jen in the discussion about women being left out of data and design.American Sirens by Kevin Hazzard: the book Amy mentions about the Freedom House Ambulance Service and the roots of modern emergency medicine.Sir Ken Robinson: Jen's reference (and one of her heroes) in the discussion about education systems, creativity, and industrial style thinking.Clue and Ida Tin: Jen mentions them as an example of women’s health tech that is thoughtful about data and privacy. (You can hear Ida Tin in Season One of Flip the Focus, she's incredible.)David Ogilvy: Jen references as an example of starting from human insight.Watson: Producer Nico mentions this in the AI history discussion as part of the longer arc of machine learning and pattern recognition.

    Ask better questions with Dr Amy McLennan Part 2

  2. 10 July

    Ask better questions with Dr Amy McLennan

    Why staying curious is a skill - and how you can learn it. In this episode, Jen and Producer Nico sit down with Dr Amy McLennan, a medical anthropologist and systems thinker at ANU School of Cybernetics, for a conversation about AI, health, and why the smartest tech conversations are never as simple as for or against. And it's such a huge one, we've made it into 2 episodes.. so make sure you subscribe and catch both! Dr Amy breaks down why curiosity is a skill, why asking questions can feel weirdly uncomfortable, and why something as ordinary as eggs can reveal how wildly connected our systems really are. If you’re trying to make sense of the AI wave, the health data gap, or the pressure to have a hot take on everything, this one is a smart place to start. You’ll hear about the real world stuff that tech headlines love to skip over: a surgical robot that couldn’t fit through the hospital door, the giant blind spots in women’s health data, and why “AI will save us” is just as unhelpful as “AI will ruin everything.” If you love this episode, subscribe, leave a star rating, and give us a quick review. It helps more people find the show and supports our mission to share stories from leaders shaping tomorrow’s health, tech, and inclusion... like Amy McLennan, Victor Dominello, Cindy Gallop, Ida Tin and more. Watch us on YouTube Flip the Focus Season 3 Amy McLennan Find out more about the books, people, and ideas in this episode: Frank Makes a Factory by Josh Noble and Simona Dango: A piece of speculative fiction Amy uses to show how systems can be shaped by hidden assumptions.Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez: referenced by Jen in the discussion about women being left out of data and design.American Sirens by Kevin Hazzard: the book Amy mentions about the Freedom House Ambulance Service and the roots of modern emergency medicine.Sir Ken Robinson: Jen's reference (and one of her heroes) in the discussion about education systems, creativity, and industrial style thinking.Clue and Ida Tin: Jen mentions them as an example of women’s health tech that is thoughtful about data and privacy. (You can hear Ida Tin in Season One of Flip the Focus, she's incredible.)David Ogilvy: Jen references as an example of starting from human insight.Watson: Producer Nico mentions this in the AI history discussion as part of the longer arc of machine learning and pattern recognition.

    Ask better questions with Dr Amy McLennan

  3. 3 July

    The Big Three : Georgie Healy

    What advice would you give younger you if you got to start over? What would you love to change about your industry? Whose name should we all be shouting? These are the big 3 questions we ask every guest on Flip the Focus. Their answers get real deep, real fast.

    The Big Three : Georgie Healy

  4. 26 June

    Get AI Curious with Georgie Healy

    Should AI give us the ick - or should we get into it? In this episode, Jen and Producer Nico sit down with Georgie Healy from In the Blink of AI for a conversation on curiosity and innovation in artificial intelligence. You'll get personal stories, a heavy metal POV, and pondering how the three of us each relate to AI. From the pressure to either fully embrace AI or completely reject it, to the possibilities it's already unlocking in healthcare, you'll find out what the three of us think is exciting and what’s unsettling. Help us decide - should we be thoughtfully using AI, should it scare us - or is the smartest place to be in the messy middle? If you love this episode, subscribe, leave a star rating, and give us a quick review. This helps more people find the show and supports our mission to share stories from leaders shaping tomorrow’s health, tech, and inclusion... like Georgie Healy, Victor Dominello, Cindy Gallop, Ida Tin and more. Let’s flip the focus, together. Watch us on YouTube Flip the Focus Season 3 Georgie Healy

    Get AI Curious with Georgie Healy

  5. 06/10/2025

    Lifting Mental Health, with Marika Conomos

    Can AI be trusted to help with mental health? Let’s get into it. In this episode, host Jen Dobbie sits down with psychologist and founder Marika Conomos for a courageous, forward looking conversation on the intersection of human care and AI in mental health. Marika brings decades of clinical insight and a personal passion for tech, sharing the challenges and wins as she works to build ethical, accessible solutions for one of the toughest healthcare challenges. Through raw stories and powerful stats, we explore the deep need for timely support, consistent care, and innovative technology. Tech always built and strictly regulated to serve humans first. From heartbreaking wait times to new possibilities for tech supported therapy, Jen and Marika break down what’s working, what isn’t, and why ethical guardrails are non negotiable for tech in care. If you love this episode, help amplify our voice: subscribe, leave a star rating, and give us a quick review. This helps more people find the show and supports our mission to share stories from leaders shaping tomorrow’s health, tech, and inclusion—like Marika, Victor Dominello, Cindy Gallop, Ida Tin and more. Let’s flip the focus, together. Flip the Focus Seasons 1 and 2 are made possible by Hotwire Australia. Mental Health Resources: If this episode raised any issues for you; or you are experiencing poor mental health, you are not alone. Please reach out to your GP, talk to a trusted friend or colleague, or use the following resources. Telephone Support Lifeline Australia, 24/7 help at 13 11 14 SANE Helpline: 9-5 weekdays. 1800 18 7263 Online Support and Resources Suicide Prevention Australia: https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/

    Lifting Mental Health, with Marika Conomos

  6. 24/09/2025

    Trustworthy Tech, with Victor Dominello

    Where does digital trust come into our daily lived experiences? What impact should it have, and where does responsibility lie for getting it right? Let's get into it. In this episode, Host Jen Dobbie is joined by the Honorable Victor Dominello. Victor is a globally recognised leader in digital government transformation, renowned for his human first approach to tech. Serving 14 years as a NSW politician, including 4 years as State Minister for Customer Service and Digital, he revolutionised public service with initiatives like Service NSW and the Digital Driver’s Licence. His introduction of revolutionary digital services was not without controversy or difficulty. His willingness to address those issues; along with his huge knowledge of, and passion for, the power of tech for good, continue to keep him at the forefront of the digital conversation. Victor is now Director of the UNSW-UTS Trustworthy Digital Society Hub and Chair of Services Australia Advisory Board, driving ethical digital identity and government innovation strategies. If you love this episode, subscribe and help amplify our voice by giving us a star rating and review. It'll help others find the show and mean we can carry on sharing stories from awesome people like Victor, Cindy Gallop, Ida Tin and more... Let's flip the focus, together. Flip the Focus is made possible by Hotwire Australia.

    Trustworthy Tech, with Victor Dominello

  7. 26/06/2025

    The Ethics of AI, with Alina Timofeeva

    Is AI taking over, unchecked? In this episode, Host Jen Dobbie is joined by Alina Timofeeva. Alina is a globally renowned AI strategist and advocate for women’s empowerment. She champions AI’s power to dismantle hiring biases and promote workforce opportunities, while warning against algorithmic discrimination. Her TEDx talk, “Fail But Never Give Up,” has over 500,000 views. Alina is a sought-after speaker at the World Economic Forum and London Tech Week, guiding governments and business on AI for gender equity and operational resilience. If you want to understand how the societal impacts of AI translate directly to your brand and business, then let's get into it. Love this episode? Subscribe and help amplify our voice by giving us a star rating and review. It will help others find the show and flip the focus, together. Flip the Focus is made possible by Hotwire Australia.

    The Ethics of AI, with Alina Timofeeva

  8. 28/05/2025

    Strategic Compassion with Louise Wilson

    Can big tech companies help normalise working parenthood? In this episode, Host Jen Dobbie is joined by Louise Wilson. With more than 17 years at global tech giants like Yahoo, Twitter and LinkedIn to her name, Louise has delivered year on year revenue growth whilst driving systemic change for caregivers. A Senior Sales Leader at LinkedIn, she's also Global Co-Chair of Families@LinkedIn, where she scaled a community of over 6000 global members and 150 volunteers. Keen to widen the community, she also co-founded The Village, a supportive community for parents in media, and is a Finalist for B&T Women in Tech 2025. If you're a parent who works; not a worker who parents - let's get into it! Love this episode? Subscribe and help amplify our voice by giving us a star rating and review. It will help others find the show and flip the focus, together. Flip the Focus is made possible by Hotwire Australia.

    Strategic Compassion with Louise Wilson
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5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Flip the Focus is the factory reset for tech. Jen Dobbie and Producer Nico spotlight the Founders, Funders and Leaders asking big tech questions that flip the industry on its head. From shaking up funding, to putting the status bro on notice, they’re building new systems to keep tech human. Join us each time and find out what got them focussed on tech, how they’re flipping it, and where they’re building community to give bad tech the bird.

Information

  • Creator
    Jen Dobbie
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jen Dobbie 2026
  • Show Website
    Flip the Focus

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