The Silent Majority

Young and Resilient Research Centre
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The Silent Majority is here to flip the narrative of who is silent and who is the NEW majority. This podcast is about platforming young voices and tactical ways to move forward in times of change and crisis, ways to leverage research, communication and creative tools to connect with community and create change. Hosted by Varsha Yajman. Brought to you by the Young and Resilient Research Centre (YRRC) at Western Sydney University (WSU). The guests and statements by the guests on The Silent Majority do not reflect the views and values of YRRC Centre nor WSU.

Episodes

  1. 03/11/2025

    The role of the courts in achieving climate action with Dr Faith Gordon and Tom Webster

    You may have noticed a few more instances of climate change emerging. This week, we chat to Tom Webster, one of the litigants in a world-first case - Sharma v Environment Minister. Then we’re joined by Dr Faith Gordon, who shares her expertise on the importance of climate litigation and what some of the recent developments mean for us. Find us on Instagram @silentmajoritypod Explore more here: https://home.crin.org/readlistenwatch/stories/recent-developments-on-childrens-rights-and-climate-litigationhttps://issuu.com/unswlawsociety/docs/court_of_conscience_-_issue_18_2024/60

    41 min

  2. 14/09/2025

    The rise and consequences of anti-protest laws (Pt 2) with Hannah Thomas

    In this episode, part 2 of our two-part series on anti-protest laws, we are joined by Hannah Thomas, a lawyer, activist and writer, who was punched in the face by a police officer at a Palestine protest she attended. Thomas talks to us about her experience and recovery, the importance of protest and the impact of anti-protest laws. Resources: Human Rights Law Centre - ⁠The Protest in Peril report ⁠ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/10/uk-police-arrested-522-people-at-palestine-action-protests-in-london

    27 min

  3. 28/08/2025

    The rise and consequences of anti-protest laws (Pt 1) with Professor Rob Watts and Violet Coco

    In this episode, we are discussing the rise of anti-protest laws from the suppression of Palestine protests in the UK to Australia's own increasing arrests at climate protests. We are joined by Rob Watts, Professor of Social Policy at RMIT University, who has expertise in protest rights, and Violet CoCo, a frontline activist and organiser who works across the movement, specialising in direct action for peace, justice, and a liveable planet. Resources: Human Rights Law Centre - The Protest in Peril report https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/10/uk-police-arrested-522-people-at-palestine-action-protests-in-london

    48 min

  4. 21/07/2025

    The Polycrisis is here, so here’s what we can do with Professor Judith Bessant and Hannah Vardy

    In this episode, we discuss the nuances of the polycrisis where we see the intersection between climate change and housing, student debt and several other issues disproportionately affecting young people. We are joined by Judith Bessant, Distinguished Professor in Social Policy at RMIT University, talks us through the intersection of issues affecting young people and what meaningful policy looks like. Hannah Vardy, Duty of Care Campaigner and Senator David Pocock’s Senate running mate in the 2025 election, talks about her experience using campaigns and institutional politics to make change. Shownotes Duty of care campaign: https://www.dutyofcare.org.au/ https://adutyofcare.davidpocock.com.au/ Young people and the polycrisis Australia just elected it's youngest ever Senator...

    1h 7m

  5. 10/07/2025

    Gen Z buying off Temu and sustainable fashion with Nina Gbor (EcoStyles)

    In this episode, we are joined by Nina Gbor, the founder of Eco Styles and Director of the Circular Economy and Waste Program at The Australia Institute. Gbor is a sustainable fashion educator, international speaker, researcher, clothes swap maven and eco stylist. We talk about Meg O'Neil's comments about young people's carbon footprint and the role of the fashion industry and government policy in shaping what sustainability is. Links Learn more about EcoStyles The Australia Institute The Australia Institute petition - https://australiainstitute.org.au/initiatives/type/petitions/ https://missingperspectives.com/posts/climate-crisis-young-people/ https://x.com/market_forces/status/1927542149739917427 https://www.instagram.com/p/DLnCmIXMi1B/?igsh=cnY4bmoxNWl3MzNh https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/reject_north_west_shelfhttps://shirtloadsofscience.libsyn.com/rethinking-laundry-for-the-planet-with-dr-holly-kaye-smith-430https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/s1537-46612023004/full/html

    47 min

  6. 06/06/2025

    Breaking down the Woodside approval with Professor Rob Watts + how to take action with Marlene Baquiran

    Last week, the long awaited North West Shelf project received approval. Why did this happen? Where to from here? We are joined by Rob Watts a Professor in Social Policy and Marle Baquiran, the co-founder of Climate Writers. Resources: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-28/woodside-gas-approved-north-west-shelf-2070-watt/105347520https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/01/north-west-shelf-gas-extension-australia-lng-woodside-project-little-rent-tax https://www.climatewriters.community/   https://www.instagram.com/climatewriters/?hl=en How to write to an MP https://climatewriters.notion.site/How-to-write-to-an-MP-on-climate-change-a9097181bc784bc28bc532d60de62e99  Watts, R., Bessant, J., Catanzaro, M., Collin, P., Jackson, S., (2024) The Political in the Anthropocene: Reflections on a Ministerial Veto, 2021. Australian Journal of Environmental Education. 2024:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2023.37. This is a specific climate writers event: ⁠https://lu.ma/23b1hqd8?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadeNxHJYROQQgdJnWz0nNZ7xCzS4K_EsM0DI0N5h9Xbp8Rwu4AdmeQD2QoQXw_aem_Hyu_EaXmoSdIRkfX6BZ6tw

    33 min

  7. 29/05/2025

    The Australian election is done - so where do we from here?

    In this episode we discuss the election outcome, the role young people played in and canvas some of the big issues which young people need this Parliament to tackle. We also reflect on where the election result leaves young people and climate change and how they might be addressed in the new Parliament.  We are joined by Jane Body from Think Forward who helps us understand how the lens of intergenerational equity can help open up new and exciting possibilities for tackling the big issues - for young people and the wider electorate.  Resources:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZR-oAea2RoYYeZDUo19NidyWnWk18jz/view https://www.thinkforward.org.au/taxwealthnotwork https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal-election-2025https://theconversation.com/australia-has-elected-its-youngest-senator-with-gen-z-wielding-more-political-power-is-it-a-sign-of-things-to-come-257711 https://www.thinkforward.org.au/think-forward-fya/posts/2025-election-scorecard   https://www.thinkforward.org.au/taxwealthnotwork   https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2025/results?sortBy=latest&filter=all&selectedRegion=all&selectedParty=all&partyWonBy=all&partyHeldBy=all   Centre for development policy https://cpd.org.au/work/budgeting-for-natural-disasters/

    32 min

  8. 01/05/2025

    Beyond the Buzz: Decoding Election Speak at the Ballot Box

    We are two sleeps away from the election, and the big words "preferential voting", "hung parliament" are at play! What do they mean? How do I know the best candidate for me? Well, we're here to walk you through it! Varsha chats to Michelle Catanzaro, a Senior Research Fellow at the Young and Resilient Strategic Research Centre at Western Sydney University They both chat to Tegan Lerm from Build a Ballot, an election tool designed to help you sort out your how to vote for election day! Find us on Instagram  Resources Essential report⁠ https://www.buildaballot.org.au/ https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/  Email your queries and thoughts to P.Collin@westernsydney.edu.au

    47 min

  9. 29/04/2025

    A vote for the cost of living is a vote for the climate with Philippa Collin and Grace Vegasana

    The Cost of living is the biggest election issue. Amongst the talk about people struggling to pay their bills or put food on the table, we’re also grappling with climate change.  The 2025 Federal Election is weeks away and this time we want to talk about how your vote can make a difference and how a vote for the climate is a vote for all the issues you care about. We sit down for a chat with Grace Vegasana, the director of the youth climate justice org, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and Phillips Collin, Professor at Western Sydney University and the co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre Professor to talk about exactly how climate change intersects with the issues we’re concerned about.  Hosted by Varsha Yajman Polling data referred to by Grace Vegasana https://www.solutionsforaustralia.net/news/young-voters-demand-policies-that-tackle-cost-of-living-crisis-and-climate-together Learn about the Australian Youth Climate Coalition at https://www.aycc.org.au/  What matters to young people? Read about the insights from a longitudinal study:  https://westernsydney.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/2062126/What_Matters_to_Young_Australians_Through_Turbulent_Times_.pdf  Read more about the role of youth climate activism and advocacy in shaping democracy: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient/projects/current_projects/New_Possibilities_Young_People_and_Democratic_Renewa

    30 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The Silent Majority is here to flip the narrative of who is silent and who is the NEW majority. This podcast is about platforming young voices and tactical ways to move forward in times of change and crisis, ways to leverage research, communication and creative tools to connect with community and create change. Hosted by Varsha Yajman. Brought to you by the Young and Resilient Research Centre (YRRC) at Western Sydney University (WSU). The guests and statements by the guests on The Silent Majority do not reflect the views and values of YRRC Centre nor WSU.

Information

  • Creator
    Young and Resilient Research Centre
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Young and Resilient Research Centre
  • Show Website
    The Silent Majority