Game Changers

Philip Cummins and Adriano Di Prato
Game Changers Podcast

Welcome to the Game Changers podcast. We are your hosts: Associate Professor of Education & Enterprise Philip Cummins and prominent educational Thought Leader Adriano Di Prato. The Game Changers podcast aims not only to put a spotlight on the innovative ideas shaping the landscape of 21st century schooling, but to enter into a deep dialogue with those brave pioneers, the true game changers in education. These individuals, these leaders in education, don’t wait for permission. They are courageous enough to make real change in their learning communities as they foster the growth of each young person in their care and equip them with the necessary character, confidence, and competencies to flourish in a new world environment. These are their stories. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Orbital Productions, supported by a School for tomorrow.(www.aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE – The Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in Education (www.circle.education). The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, follow us on Twitter and on Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil and Adriano via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

  1. Series 17 Episode 189 Benjamin Cooper (Part 1): Without Fear

    2 DAYS AGO

    Series 17 Episode 189 Benjamin Cooper (Part 1): Without Fear

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates those true pioneers in education who are building schools for tomorrow. In episode 189 (Part 1) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Benjamin Cooper, Executive Chef at Chin Chin. Hailing from the small town of Taree in New South Wales, Benjamin Cooper has been Executive Chef at beloved Southeast Asian restaurant Chin Chin for the past 13 years. He has worked with several of Australia's most celebrated chefs, flexing his skill and knowledge in kitchens across Melbourne and the UK. Originally aiming to pursue a career in economics, Benjamin ended up completing a culinary apprenticeship on a gap year — and never looked back. The early days of his career saw him head to the UK, where he worked with head chefs at renowned restaurants including Nobu London, Bluebird in Chelsea and Smiths of Smithfield. Cooper’s passion for authentic techniques and high-quality ingredients grew as he worked with Australia's best-known Thai cuisine chef, David Thompson, at Nahm within London’s The Halkin — the first Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in Europe. Returning to Melbourne, Benjamin worked as Head Chef at fine-diner Ezard and esteemed Thai restaurant Longrain, both stints cementing his love of fresh and fiery flavours. In 2011, Benjamin joined restaurateur Chris Lucas to launch Chin Chin, where his now trademark big, brash flavour combinations had diners lining up down the street from day one. An icon of Melbourne’s food scene, Chin Chin arguably kickstarted the city’s trend of dining with energy, colour and music from its location on Flinders Lane. Benjamin's passion, understanding of ingredients and knack for experimenting with flavours and texture combinations has redefined Southeast Asian cuisine in Australia. It’s helped drive Chin Chin’s incredible success within the country’s hospitality scene, not just with the restaurant’s original Melbourne location, but also its second outpost in Sydney’s Surry Hills (opened in 2017) and the addition of Club Chin Chin at GMHBA Stadium (2024). Aside from the fiery Asian food he brings to life at Chin Chin, Cooper is passionate about coffee and cheese, and shares his years of culinary experience with those keen to learn via Chin Chin’s own ‘Cooking with Cooper’ classes. Benjamin’s recipes and kitchen experience have also contributed to Chin Chin’s three cookbooks, ‘Chin Chin: The Book’, ‘Chin Chin: Feed Me’ and the just-released ‘Chin Chin: Still Hungry’. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil and Adriano via LinkedIn and Twitter. Let’s go!

    31 min
  2. Series 16 Episode 6: Mainstream the Edge - Russel Howcroft

    8 JUL

    Series 16 Episode 6: Mainstream the Edge - Russel Howcroft

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates those true pioneers in education who are building schools for tomorrow. In this sixth conversation of Series Sixteen, we talk with Russel Howcroft. Over a long career in media and marketing, Russel has been one of the most prominent voices on the cultural and economic importance of advertising, particularly through his role as a panellist on the ABC’s Gruen program and host of ABC documentary How Australia Got Its Mojo. Howcroft co-hosts 3AW Breakfast with Ross & Russel – the #1 breakfast radio show in Melbourne. He has also recently launched advertising podcast AdMission which he co-hosts with industry up-and-comer Freddie Young (co-founder, Good One), in partnership with 9Podcasts. AdMission delves into untold stories behind the world’s most talked-about brands, as well as exploring the latest in advertising news, creative ideas and business. Howcroft has held multiple senior roles across the industry having served as PwC’s first Chief Creative Officer, Executive General Manager at Network 10, and CEO of one of Australia’s leading agency groups, Y&R Brands – where he was also a member of the global management team. Russel has had board involvement at a number of prominent organisations and is currently serving as Chair of the Jim Stynes Foundation. Previous positions include the inaugural ThinkTV Chair, Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) Council Chair, AFI/AACTA board member, Screen Forever Advisory Board Member, Enero (ASX: EGG) board member and Advertising Federation of Australia Chair. Howcroft has written or co-written three best-selling books, with his most recent book Right Brain Workout II currently published throughout the world. He is a founding partner and Brand Design Advisor at Sayers Group. He continues to be actively involved in the advertising industry via investments including marketing software platform Mutinex, and in particular, the young creative agency Good One. In 2023, Russel was inducted to the Advertising Hall of Fame – recognising his long career and impactful role in shaping the industry. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil and Adriano via LinkedIn and Twitter. Let’s go!

    48 min

About

Welcome to the Game Changers podcast. We are your hosts: Associate Professor of Education & Enterprise Philip Cummins and prominent educational Thought Leader Adriano Di Prato. The Game Changers podcast aims not only to put a spotlight on the innovative ideas shaping the landscape of 21st century schooling, but to enter into a deep dialogue with those brave pioneers, the true game changers in education. These individuals, these leaders in education, don’t wait for permission. They are courageous enough to make real change in their learning communities as they foster the growth of each young person in their care and equip them with the necessary character, confidence, and competencies to flourish in a new world environment. These are their stories. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Orbital Productions, supported by a School for tomorrow.(www.aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE – The Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in Education (www.circle.education). The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, follow us on Twitter and on Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil and Adriano via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

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