Socially Democratic

Stephen Donnelly
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Politics
  • Weekly

Socially Democratic is your weekly centre-left politics and campaign podcast hosted by Stephen Donnelly, founder of Dunn Street - a campaign agency bringing change by organising from the ground up. Each Friday, Stephen and guests breakdown the issues shaping Australia and the rest of the world and the social democrats leading them. Follow on Instagram at @dunn.street Facebook at @dunnstreetaustralia Twitter at @Dunn_Street_LinkedIn at Dunn Street Website at dunnstreet.com.au 

  1. 3h ago

    Ep. 378: Bonus Episode - The U.S. Midterms Preview with Katie Parsons | Australia's Labor Podcast

    Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with a special US midterms episode. In just under a week, Americans go to the polls and control of both the House and the Senate is on the line. The outcome will shape the back half of the Trump administration and the race for the 2028 presidential nomination. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Chicago-based Democratic consultant, and Senior Vice President of 270 Strategies, Katie Parsons, for a preview of the races to watch on election day. They discuss: 🇺🇸 The national picture: what this election says about American sentiment on Trump and beyond 🏛️ The House: a seat-by-seat look at the defense and pickup lists 🏅 The Senate: Katie and Stephen what gives them hope and worries them as the Dems try to flip 4 Republican held Senate seats. 🔮 What the results would mean for the 2028 Democratic and Republican primaries Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #USMidterms2026 #USPolitics #DemocraticParty #RepublicanParty #Trump #KatieParsons #AbdulElSayed #MichiganSenate #MaineSenate #OhioSenate #TexasSenate #JamesTallarico #KenPaxton #RoyCooper #NorthCarolina #Iowa #Alaska #Gerrymandering #HispanicVoters #2028PresidentialRace #AOC #JDVance Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 378: Bonus Episode - The U.S. Midterms Preview with Katie Parsons | Australia's Labor Podcast

  2. 4h ago

    Ep. 377: The Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone - October | Australia's Labor Podcast

    David Feeney and Jessie McCrone join host Stephen Donnelly for a packed episode covering the attack on Helen Haines, federal politics, and a sobering look at where Victorian Labor stands with five weeks to go. They cover: 🕯️The attack on Helen Haines and what it means for the culture of Australian politics. 🌡️ A federal check-in: why David is bullish on Labor federally, and what Jessie would be doing right now if she was in the federal government. Ⓜ️ The Victorian election campaign is underway and the polls don’t paint a great picture for Labor's reelection prospects. Plus all your favourite categories and nominations. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #VictorianElection #VictorianLabor #BenCarroll #JessWilson #OneNation #PaulineHanson #HelenHaines #Indi #PoliticalViolence #FeeneyFiles #DavidFeeney #JessieMcCrone #NewsPoll #RoyalCommission #DanielAndrews #FederalLabor #AnthonyAlbanese #Greens #AndyBurnham #CPAC #AngusTaylor #SocialMediaRegulation #HousingPolicy Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 377: The Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone - October | Australia's Labor Podcast

  3. Oct 22

    Ep. 376: The Energy Transition and the Politics of Renewables with Jono La Nauze and David McElrea | Australia’s Labor Podcast

    This episode of Socially Democratic covers the politics of energy transition — why renewables are not just good for the planet, but smart economics and a political winner heading into the Victorian state election and beyond. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Jono La Nauze, CEO of Environment Victoria, and David McElrea, CEO of the Smart Energy Council. They cover: 🍃 How renewables went from 15% to 45% of Australia’s electricity at half the cost of coal and gas.  ☀️ How One Nation voters are being misled about renewables, and what the polling actually shows.  ⛽ Why the Coalition’s Victorian energy policy is an act of economic self-harm.  ✊ The community organising story behind Victoria’s fracking ban.  Mentioned in the Show: Environment Victoria: https://environmentvictoria.org.au/campaign/2026-victorian-election/ Smart Energy Council: https://smartenergy.org.au Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #ClimateChange #CostOfLiving #VictorianElection #EnvironmentVictoria #SmartEnergyCouncil #JonoLaNauze #DavidMcElrea #OneNation #SolarEnergy #Batteries #EV #FrackingVictoria #SECVictoria #OffshoreWind #JessWilson #NuclearEnergy #JayWeatherill #CommunityOrganising Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 376: The Energy Transition and the Politics of Renewables with Jono La Nauze and David McElrea | Australia’s Labor Podcast

  4. Oct 21

    Ep. 375: Helen Haines

    On Monday afternoon, independent federal member for Indi, Helen Haines, was struck by a vehicle outside her office in Wangaratta. She was flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where she remains in a critical condition. Whatever the circumstances, Monday’s events in Wangaratta have shone a spotlight on something that that many of us have been watching with growing concern - threats against elected representatives are rising, offices are being attacked, and violent language is more common in the political discourse. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Labor member for Macnamara, Josh Burns MP, for a conversation about Helen Haines, political violence, and the state of our democracy. We wish Helen Haines a full and speedy recovery. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #HelenHaines #Indi #Wangaratta #PoliticalViolence #JoshBurns #Macnamara #Democracy #ASIO #ThreatsAgainstMPs #WomenInPolitics #OnlineAbuse #Misogyny #NACC #AustralianDemocracy #PoliticalDiscourse Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 375: Helen Haines

  5. Oct 16

    Ep. 374: October Mailbag: The Nationals vs One Nation, Minority Governments, and Leadership Transitions with Lissie Ratcliff and Michael Gunner | Australia’s Labor Podcast

    Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with the October Mailbag, and with the Victorian state election just weeks away, this one’s a cracker. Former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and two-time election-winning Labor leader Michael Gunner joins the ever-reliable Lissie Ratcliff and host Stephen Donnelly to answer your questions. Three big threads this month: the Nationals and whether they have any idea how to fight One Nation on their own turf. How to hand over power in a Westminster system without handing your party a disaster. And whether minority governments are really as bad as Australian political culture insists they are. -- Minderoo is the home of THRIVE BY FIVE, a movement built on the power of families and community in Australia’s early years. Find out more at  https://www.thrivebyfive.org.au/ or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. -- Mentioned in the Show: Andy Burnham’s Labor Conference speech  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyjTT_55Gi0 The Beartown trilogy by Fredrik Backman:  https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781405930208/9781405930208 'No, labourism is not liberalism' by Liam Byrne:  https://byrnel.substack.com/p/no-labourism-is-not-liberalism Music League app:  https://apps.apple.com/au/app/music-league/id1589815321 Kaitlyn Does Politics:  https://www.instagram.com/kaitlyndoespolitics/ -- Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #VictorianElection #OneNation #PaulineHanson #NationalParty #MattCanavan #MinorityGovernment #LeadershipTransition #AnthonyAlbanese #BenCarroll #JessWilson #MichaelGunner #LissieRatcliff #Mailbag #AndyBurnham #USMidterms #Greens #Liberals #Coalition Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 374: October Mailbag: The Nationals vs One Nation, Minority Governments, and Leadership Transitions with Lissie Ratcliff and Michael Gunner | Australia’s Labor Podcast

  6. Oct 8

    Ep. 373: Socially Democratic: The Recount 1974 - Give Gough a Go

    Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic continues 'The Recount', our month-by-month journey through every federal election since 1972. On the 18th of May 1974, just 17 months after Labor's historic It's Time victory, Gough Whitlam was forced back to the polls. He hadn't chosen to go early. He'd been pushed by a Senate that refused to pass his legislation, a Country Party senator kept drunk on Townsville prawns, and a Queensland premier who moved faster than his own government. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Dr. Stephen Mills, journalist and former speechwriter in Bob Hawke's office, to examine what they call the 'almost forgotten' election. They cover: The Gair Affair: how Labor's attempt to create a casual Senate vacancy by offering Vince Gair the ambassadorship to Ireland collapsed into scandal. The campaign itself: why Give Gough a Go was more about appealing to the base than winning the marginal seats Labor needed. How a critical pivot at the start of week two got the Labor campaign back on track. The joint sitting: the only one in Australian political history, and why it ultimately vindicated Labor's strategy. And the unlikely connection between Gough Whitlam and Dame Edna. Plus, nominations. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 373: Socially Democratic: The Recount 1974 - Give Gough a Go

  7. Oct 1

    Ep. 372: The Israeli Elections with Political Analyst Will Cubbison

    Socially Democratic turns its attention to one of the most consequential elections in Israeli history. On the 27th of October, Israel goes to the polls. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Will Cubbison, political consultant based in Israel and holder of a PhD in political science from George Washington University, to unpack the complexities of Israeli electoral politics ahead of what could be a historic vote. We break down: 🗳️ How the Knesset works, and why Israel's fully closed list proportional system produces such volatile and fragmented results 🔵 The opposition bloc, the Democrats under Yair Golan, Eisenkot's Yashar, Bennett and Lapid's Together, and Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu, and whether they can get to 61 Knesset seats 🔴 The Netanyahu bloc, Likud, the ultra-Orthodox parties, and the far-right figures of Ben-Gavir and Smotrich whose behaviour has appalled the world 🕌 The Arab sector: Ra'am and the Joint List, and the crucial question of whether their votes can get the opposition over the line ⚖️ The fault lines shaping this election: October 7th and the war in Gaza, the hostages, the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption, and the cost of living 🔮 Will's prediction about the next round of Israel Elections. Don't miss this episode. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #IsraeliElection #IsraelPolitics #Netanyahu #Knesset #Eisenkot #YairGolan #Lieberman #Bennett #Lapid #BenGavir #Smotrich #Likud #October7 #Hostages #UltraOrthodoxDraft #IsraeliOpposition #ArabSector #MiddleEast #WillCubbison #UNGA #TwoStateSolution Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 372: The Israeli Elections with Political Analyst Will Cubbison

  8. Sep 24

    Ep. 371: The Feeney (McCrone) Files with Lissie Ratcliff: The Andrews Legacy, Immigration, and One Nation's New Voters | Australia's Labor Podcast

    Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with the Feeney (McCrone) Files, with Lissie Ratcliff subbing in for David Feeney.  This month's episode covers three big threads: the media's campaign to blame the Andrews government for Victorian Labor's current polling slump, the Albanese government's immigration announcement and what it means for One Nation's vote, and what it means to be authentic in modern politics. We cover: 🏛️ The Andrews legacy. Did eleven years of Labor government neglect the West and the North, or is the media rewriting history 67 days out from a state election? 📊 The data: Stephen's deep dive into primary vote movements across target and non-target seats, and what it tells us about campaign effect and the power of authenticity 🌏 Immigration: Tony Burke's big announcement, and why Pauline Hanson is caught between two incompatible voter bases 📰 Plus all the categories you know and love.  Don't miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook (https://tr.ee/9jGIOy) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic) LinkedIn (https://tr.ee/YxyYJh) X (https://x.com/SocialDemPod) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

    Ep. 371: The Feeney (McCrone) Files with Lissie Ratcliff: The Andrews Legacy, Immigration, and One Nation's New Voters | Australia's Labor Podcast
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Socially Democratic is your weekly centre-left politics and campaign podcast hosted by Stephen Donnelly, founder of Dunn Street - a campaign agency bringing change by organising from the ground up. Each Friday, Stephen and guests breakdown the issues shaping Australia and the rest of the world and the social democrats leading them. Follow on Instagram at @dunn.street Facebook at @dunnstreetaustralia Twitter at @Dunn_Street_LinkedIn at Dunn Street Website at dunnstreet.com.au 

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Donnelly
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    378
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Socially Democratic
  • Show Website
    Socially Democratic

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