Post-Growth Australia Podcast

Michael Bayliss
Post-Growth Australia Podcast

The podcast where better is definitely better than bigger. Do you think growing infinitely on a finite planet is an oxymoron? If the answer is yes, then this podcast is for you. In each episode of the Post-Growth Australia Podcast (PGAP), host Michael Bayliss talks to experts to unpack the notion of post-growth societies and what this means for us, for future generations and for the planet. Each episode will also play an environmental themed song from local artists. PGAP is made possible by the support of Sustainable Population Australia (SPA).

  1. In Memoriam:  Dr John Coulter

    12 DEC

    In Memoriam: Dr John Coulter

    In this episode of Post-Growth Australia Podcast (PGAP), we pay tribute to Dr. John Coulter, who sadly passed away in September 2024. John Richard Coulter (3 December 1930 – 6 September 2024) was a trailblazer in the conservation movement, most notably serving as Leader of the Australian Democrats in the early 1990s. In 1971, he organised an open letter published in The Australian newspaper, addressed "to those who shape Australia’s destiny," urging them to recognise the limits to growth. (This episode is in memory of Dr John Coulter) John remained an executive member of Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) until the end of his life. Through SPA, he fearlessly challenged mainstream media for neglecting critical issues such as overpopulation and the limits to growth. In 2021, PGAP had the privilege of interviewing John at his home in the Adelaide Hills. Unfortunately, a bushfire had swept through the property a few months earlier, leaving much of the land scarred. Walking through the devastated bushland was a sobering experience and a stark reminder of the profound changes occurring as society’s growth experiment entered the "decade of consequence." This interview was originally broadcast in 2021 as part of the episode World Population Day 2021. For this memorial episode, we are re-releasing that conversation, as John’s thoughts, perspectives, and reflections resonate even more powerfully in retrospect. Co-hosts Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss share their reflections on the interview and John’s legacy, particularly his pioneering work in the early 1970s for the broader post-growth movement. (The 1971 Newspaper open letter) A heartfelt tribute to John Coulter was penned by Dr Bob Brown: "I was sad to hear of John Coulter’s death, but that sadness was quickly replaced by a celebration of John’s remarkable, life-long advocacy for the environment. In his time as the Democrats’ spokesperson, he was the major Australian political voice for protecting this nation’s wildlife, wild regions, and oceans, as well as promoting greener living for us all. He was a gentleman but unswerving in his devotion to life on Earth. South Australia and the nation are indebted to John for a long, caring, and actively eco-saving career." One of John’s final articles, "The Guiding Criminal Lie in Economics", was published in Pearls and Irritations in 2024. A moving tribute in the same publication, "Vale Dr. John Coulter", was written by former SPA President Jenny Goldie. In April 2024, John was invited to become a Patron of SPA—a role that he very much cherished during the brief months before his passing. The Post-Growth Australia Podcast will take a short break over the festive season before returning to Season Seven in January. In the meantime, we warmly encourage you to share this and other episodes of PGAP with your friends, family, and networks. You can rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and we welcome your feedback, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes. You can contact us HERE. Remember, podcasts are rapidly becoming a key medium for mass communication and influence in the modern age. It is vital that we work together to ensure the message of Degrowth reaches a wide audience. To learn more about your PGAP co-hosts and their broader work, visit the respective websites for Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss. PGAP is made possible by the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. Special Guest: John Coulter.

    1h 4m
  2. Post US Election Blues:  Where Do We Take Our Activism from Here?

    28 NOV

    Post US Election Blues: Where Do We Take Our Activism from Here?

    The aftermath of the US election has left many of us in a state of shock. Voters were faced with a stark choice between more growth-based neoliberalism or alt right extremism, choosing the latter. It was a great day for billionaires either way. As Australia looks to face a very similar choice in mid-2025, it is clear that activists must take stock, recalibrate and work together effectively to advocate for a third alternative that celebrates people and planet. PGAP co-hosts Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss discuss their responses to the election and their recent engagements toward a Degrowth future. In this episode, Michael shares the speech that he gave on Degrowth at the Torbay Festival, Western Australia in late October – just before the election. A quote from the talk: “What can we do as Davids against the Goliaths of psychopathic multinational corporations and the politicians who serve time as their apologists for a few years in the promise of a cushy job in the gas industry? This is where I invite you to think about where from here and let’s have the conversation.” This is a conversation that needs to happen with greater urgency as humanity lurches towards an increasingly dark future. A transcript of Michael’s talk can be read on the PGAP BLOG. Mark shares his most recent posting on Holistic Activism following the US election. As Mark explains, “this message isn’t a call for optimism or hope…instead, it’s a call to hold space and to serve both human and non-human futures, with an awareness of our profound interconnectedness.” The post may be read at the Holistic Activism website HERE. You can be part of the Holistic Activism movement today by joining the HA FACEBOOK GROUP. PGAP is also proud to be the first to play Mark’s new song ‘Ballad of Yakamia’ performed by his occasional and ongoing musical project ‘Counting Backwards.’ You can download or purchase the song from BANDCAMP. One take away from the US election is that podcasts have now overtaken mainstream media as public informers. However, did you know that the top 10 performing podcasts tend to lean more towards right wing populism? It is time that podcasts that offer genuine solutions – planned degrowth, steady state economics, wellbeing societies, and stabilising populations start to make a bigger splash in the mainstream media. We have been very happy with the performance of PGAP’ Season Seven opener, “Rethinking Sustainability” which is looking to break PGAP download records. We invite you to help us to build this momentum. Please SUBSCRIBE and share PGAP with your friends, family and networks. You can rate and review us on APPLE PODCAST. CONTACT US with your feedback and recommendations for future episode. This episode is made possible by the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. SPA is the only population organisation in the world, that has demonstrated unequivocal support from the broader public, for a sensible and rational population policy. With 17,500 signatures to their position statement, SPA has demonstrated that the issue doesn’t have to be ugly or divisive to win popular support (someone should have told the Republicans). SPA has also released a sobering report on Australia’s water security: “Big thirsty Australia: how population growth threatens our water security and sustainability”. A couple more links: This blog piece from CASSE, A Steady Stater’s Response to the Harris-Trump Debate is good for a 'Degrowth' perspective on the Democract/Republic dichotomy. This video from Resilience.Org, A Dozen Years of Economic Thumb Twiddling, also resonates with us. From George Monbiot: Trump has pledged to wage war on planet Earth – and it will take a progressive revolution to stop him. "Voters have never been swayed by ‘rational debate’. Only a genuine change in the way we do politics can prevent the march of the right". Indeed.

    48 min
  3. PGAP presents Rethinking Sustainability Radio Documentary

    17 NOV

    PGAP presents Rethinking Sustainability Radio Documentary

    Welcome back to a brand-new Season Seven of Post Growth Australia Podcast! As our world teeters on the edge of an increasingly perilous environmental future—extending beyond climate change—we must ask: what does true sustainability entail? How far are we from it, what are the root causes of our current trajectory, and what paths could lead us there? Rod Taylor (author, columnist, radio host) asks these very questions to eleven esteemed Australian scientists and thinkers in a brand-new radio documentary. PGAP is proud to be the first platform to share this thought-provoking documentary, which explores ecological economics, planned Degrowth and Modern Monetary Theory. Rod Taylor is author of “Ten Journeys on a Fragile Planet”, co-author with Mark Diesendorf of “The Path to a Sustainable Civilisation” and co-editor with Stephen Williams, of the groundbreaking book, “Sustainability and the New Economics”. Rod is also host of the ‘Fuzzy Logic Science Show.” Rod was a previous guest on PGAP (Fuzzy Logic on a Fragile Planet with Rod Taylor). Stephen Williams and Mark Disendorf were also past guests on PGAP. You can listen to their episodes HERE and HERE. The impressive list of guests on the documentary ‘Rethinking Sustainability' include (in order of appearance): • Prof David Lindenmayer • Prof Will Steffen • Prof Clive Hamilton • Dr Kerryn Higgs • Prof Philip Lawn • Dr Mark Diesendorf • Prof Steve Keen • Ian Dunlop • Prof Steven Hail • High Court Justice Michael Kirby • Prof Ian Lowe Last but not least, a shout out to environmental scientist David Tiller, who provided production assistance in the making of this documentary. This episode of PGAP was produced just before the disastrous election results in the USA. As such your co-hosts Michael Bayliss and Mark Allen come across as merely VERY pessimistic at the state of the world, instead of EXTREMELY. Stay tuned for our upcoming episode, where we’ll address these events in more depth and discuss the underlying systemic issues that shape our society. In the meantime, you can explore these ideas further through Mark’s Holistic Activism movement. Now more than ever, it is important that progressive podcasts are supported, as some panacea to the extreme right leaning media that are dominating the airwaves. Please consider supporting PGAP by sharing this and other episodes with your networks, leaving a review on Apple Podcast and contacting us with your thoughts and feedback. This episode of Post-Growth Australia Podcast was made possible with the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. Special Guest: Rod Taylor.

    57 min
  4. Season Six Finale with Degrowth Network Australia

    24 AUG

    Season Six Finale with Degrowth Network Australia

    For the season six finale, PGAP welcomes three core members of Degrowth Network Australia: Sandy Gonzalez de la Vega Gonzalez, Tonié Field and Jess Prescott. According to the Degrowth blog: "As degrowth becomes a more familiar term worldwide, a loose informal network of Australian degrowth activists, scholars and advocates has emerged into the formal Degrowth Network Australia (DNA)." Although a new collective, DNA has already made their mark through workshops, Degrowth themed festivals, and at the New Economy Network Australia 2023 conference, through theatrical degrowth scenario skits. It was through this interactive workshop at the 'Life After Capitalism' conference that PGAP co-host Michael Bayliss was inspired to invite DNA as esteemed PGAP guests. During this episode, we explore the emerging popularity of the Degrowth movement and how presenting Degrowth concepts within fun and interactive ways such as theatrical skits is a means of broadening the movement beyond the academic sphere and include younger generations, local communities and mainstream society. Our guests each share their stories of how they arrived at the Degrowth movement and their perspectives on why we can't have infinite growth on a finite planet. To contribute, join the DNA network or get more details, contact Anisa Rogers at degrowthnetwork@proton.me or Natalie Lowrey at natalie.lowrey@gmail.com or campaign@aidwatch.org.au Remember to RATE and REVIEW PGAP on APPLE PODCAST or on your favourite platform. You can also SUBSCRIBE to PGAP or CONTACT US with your thoughts, feedback or suggestions for future topics and guests. As we take a short break, we would really love to hear from you, our valued listeners and PGAP community. In the meantime, you may also be interest in PGAP's coverage of the NENA conference HERE (Michael is still kicking himself for not recording the DNA workshop at the conference). You can find out more about your co-hosts Michael Bayliss HERE and Mark Allen[ HERE].(https://holisticactivism.net/) Special Guests: Sandy Gonzalez de la Vega Gonzalez and Tonié Field.

    38 min
  5. A Post Growth Approach to Urban Planning with Michael Buxton

    13 AUG

    A Post Growth Approach to Urban Planning with Michael Buxton

    The way we design and plan our cities and towns significantly influences our daily lives, which, in turn, affects our carbon emissions and ecological footprints. Australia's continually expanding cities are a striking example of this, illustrating the consequences of an unrelenting pursuit of growth. Fortunately, there are a few urban planners who recognise that transitioning to a degrowth, steady-state system is imperative for the future of urban planning. Our special guest, Emeritus Professor Michael Buxton (OAM) is one such expert. Michael Buxton is one of the most well known and most quoted planning professors in Australia and has taught thousands of planning students over the years at RMIT University and Monash University, as well as working in the public service for 12 years. Despite officially being retired, Michael continues to play a huge role in town planning issues, including being interviewed for podcasts such as PGAP. As a resident of Melbourne, Michael discusses his home city as a case study throughout the interview to illustrate the current state of urban planning. In particular, he draws attention to the Victorian government’s obsession with ‘growth at all cost’ and their ongoing deregulation of the urban planning sector. This episode provided us with an opportunity to discuss the importance of systemic change towards a post growth society and why this will lead to much better planning and development outcomes. We invite you to share this very important episode among your networks and rate and review PGAP on Apple Podcast, or contact us with your thoughts and ideas. PGAP is made possible by the support of Sustainable Population Australia (SPA). All opinions, views and legacies past and present of our guests are exclusive theirs and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of PGAP or SPA. Speaking of Sustainable Population Australia, PGAP co-hosts Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss worked with SPA on an animated video, "The Endless Growth Paradigm", launched in 2019. The animation explores why we need to break from a system of endless economic and population growth. Otherwise, our neighbourhoods will never be dense enough, our cities will never stop sprawling and we will never catch up with the infrastructure backlog. The video has amassed ten thousand views on YouTube and we believe it is still very relevant five years later. If you are keen to revolutionise the town planning sector, we encourage you to check out Town Planning Rebellion or, if you are a resident of Victoria, Planning Democracy, chaired by Kelvin Thomson. PGAP has explored the issue of urban planning and overdevelopment several times. If you would like to find out more, we recommend our interviews with Kelvin Thomson, Alex Baumann and David Holmgren. Looking outside Victoria, we interviewed several Western Australian groups fighting overdevelopment. You may also be interested in your co-hosts Mark and Michael’s own perspectives in the episode: “Housing Crisis?? What Housing Crisis!!” Special Guest: Michael Buxton.

    49 min
  6. Mini Episode:  Shane Simonsen on Farming,  Podcasts,  Books and Population

    25 JULY

    Mini Episode: Shane Simonsen on Farming, Podcasts, Books and Population

    In this mini episode, Post-Growth Australia Podcast reunites with Dr. Shane Simonson. Last time we spoke with Shane in PGAP season 3, he gave us a tour of his 'Zero Input Agriculture' farm in Queensland. We caught up with Shane to get an update of the farm - including the addition of some new four legged residents - only to discover that Shane has branched out accross many projects including: Cohosting the Going To Seed Podcast.. This podcast is of special interest to anyone wanting to explore deeply into alternative and revolutionary crop breeders from around the world. The episode with Bruce Pascoe will be of particular interest to Australian listeners. Shane has written a biological hard scifi novel "Our Vitreous Womb", under the author name Haldane B. Doyle. You can find more about Shane's impressive work of fiction here. Shane has also written a non fiction novel "Taming the Apocalypse", a short novella exploring the potential of novel domestications and low tech biotechnology to guide humanity through the end of industrial civilisation. Find out more here. Shane's two articles mentioned in the interview, are The City Is A Lion and The Genie in the Bottleneck. These articles will be of interest to anyone interested in overpopulation and seeking an original, perspective on the issue. PGAP is made possible by the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia. All guest opinions, perspectives and past and present legacies are exclusively their own and may not always reflects those of PGAP or SPA. PGAP's official position on the population debate may be read at our [BLOG HERE].(https://pgap.fireside.fm/articles/population) Please rate and review PGAP on Apple Podcast Special Guest: Dr. Shane Simonsen.

    15 min
  7. World Population Day 2024 Special

    9 JULY

    World Population Day 2024 Special

    Welcome to PGAP’s “World Population Day 2024” special, where your co-hosts Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss share their recent musings on sustainable population. World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. Our ‘manifesto’ on the population debate can be read on the PGAP blog: “To populate or not to populate? How we can come together around the eternal debate of everyone’s favourite vexed issue.” Mark’s article “A Holistic Activism Approach to the Population Issue” was published in MEDIUM and the Sustainable Population Australia newsletter May 2024 edition. Want to find out more about Holistic Activism? The booklet can be Downloaded HERE, or accessed at the Holistic Activism website. Michael’s article “Population growth and wealth inequality are more entwined than we thought: here’s why” was originally published on the Population Media Center blog. An audio summary of the themes may be listened to at the ‘Rethinking Sustainability’ podcast, to which Michael was a guest for the short episode: “Growth and the Parasitic Economy”. We believe that population sustainability is one essential component of transitioning to a post-growth society and we trust that this episode and our written contributions make for convincing arguments. Kelvin Thomson, former Australian Federal MP and a huge influence on the population sustainability movement, has released an EP of original music. The track ‘Break Away’, that ends this episode, may be watched on YouTube here. Sustainable Population Australia has launched a media release for World Population Day: “A population may survive but not thrive if it grows rapidly”. We have been told that this has had some positive response from the media, including interviews with SPA’s national president on mainstream radio. You can add your name to SPA’s position statement HERE (already at 15,000 signatures) or find out more about how you can make a difference HERE. SPA’s contributions to the population debate are also discussed in this episode. You can rate and review PGAP at Apple Podcast HERE. Feel free to contact us HERE with your feedback and suggestions, including ideas for future episodes.

    43 min
  8. Mini Episode:  Larry Blight,  Noongar Menang Friend of Yakamia Forest Boodja

    2 JULY

    Mini Episode: Larry Blight, Noongar Menang Friend of Yakamia Forest Boodja

    This mini episode of PGAP is the 'soundtrack' to a recent seven-minute video that was made by Michael Bayliss on behalf of the Friends of Yakamia Boodja action group, "Meet Larry Blight, Menang Noongar Educator and Friend of Yakamia Forest Boodja" It touches on some of the main themes that were discussed during a more in-depth conversation that we had with Larry for the full-length episode of Season Five, "Conversation with Noongar Menang Educator and Storyteller Larry Blight." You may also be interested in another five minute video, "Meet Some of the Friends of Yakamia Forest Boodja" which was filmed on-site and also features Larry Blight along with many other active campaigners. This video was a success on social media and drew in support from the broader community in Albany, South-West Australia. PGAP recognises NAIDOC Week (07th to 14th of July) which honours the traditions, achievements, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This episode along with the videos were made on Menang Noongar Boodja, on lands that were never ceded and to whose lands our current extractive society keeps plundering and 'developing' without meaningful consultation. All in the endless pursuit of growth. Groups such as Friends of Yakamia Boodja are active in solidarity with the first custodians of the land in their campaign to protect what we can of remaining patches of bushland. Sadly all conservation groups will find themselves having to fight one battle after another until such time that we transition to a post-growth society that applies the wisdom of First Nation cultures. We deeply respect elders past, present and emerging. Special Guest: Larry Blight.

    11 min
4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

The podcast where better is definitely better than bigger. Do you think growing infinitely on a finite planet is an oxymoron? If the answer is yes, then this podcast is for you. In each episode of the Post-Growth Australia Podcast (PGAP), host Michael Bayliss talks to experts to unpack the notion of post-growth societies and what this means for us, for future generations and for the planet. Each episode will also play an environmental themed song from local artists. PGAP is made possible by the support of Sustainable Population Australia (SPA).

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