What's Your Poison

Peter Lewis & Damian Damjanovski
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Pouring through the week of politics, culture, and tech.

  1. 5d ago ·  Video

    Covid, conspiracies, and chop-chop with Dr Nick Coatsworth (Ep 22)

    We're joined by Dr Nick Coatsworth, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer, which means we talk the pandemic. What the public health measures actually did, how governments and the media shaped what people believed, and why conspiracy theories filled the gaps. We get into the geopolitics of the pandemic, and what happens when the argument is happening on someone else's platform. We then exlore social cohesion and why trust in government went up for a while then didn't stay, vaccine disinformation, the tobacco excise, and what the political class does with public health. We also get into how much of what people believe is evidence versus culture, history, and old colonial hangover, whether Dr Nick will take a run at politics, plus a few historical mysteries, because of course we do. You can also catch Dr Nick and Richard Baker on their Conspiracy Cabal podcast here https://open.spotify.com/show/17VXANMDCOpaSwdDRVjTTQ?si=4921fb5c58124607 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/conspiracy-cabal/id1882577385 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Poison of Choice01:11 Dinner Salon Discussions02:02 Bridging Divides and New Polling Methods03:17 Three-Dimensional Political Landscape04:04 Digital Duty of Care and Consent Education06:19 Introduction of Dr. Nick Coatesworth07:34 Media and Public Perception08:42 Transition to Deputy Chief Medical Officer09:15 Path to Deputy Chief Medical Officer10:07 Formation of Deputy Chief Medical Officer Position11:27 Public Health Expertise and Media Exposure12:26 Public Health Crisis Communication13:31 Media Exposure and Public Speaking14:09 Government Response and Leadership15:28 Institutional Response and Public Trust16:40 Institutional Resilience and Social Media Impact17:44 Shift in Public Perception and Political Leadership18:07 Public Health Measures and Economic Impact19:22 Public Health Measures and Societal Values20:40 Reflection on Government Response and Policy Shift22:23 Policy Decisions and Path Dependency23:44 Public Health Messaging and Communication25:00 Public Health Messaging and Public Perception26:19 Evidence-Based Decision-Making and Public Perception28:49 School Closures and Decision-Making29:54 COVID-19 Origins and Conspiracy Theories31:05 Conspiracy Cabal Podcast and Critical Analysis40:09 Tobacco Excise and Public Health Policies41:12 Freedom of Choice and Public Health Policies41:30 Philosophical Differences in Public Health Fraternity42:16 Conspiracy Theories and Illicit Tobacco Trade43:15 Disruption to Social Fabric and Public Health Policies44:03 Bureaucracy and Policy Making45:00 Influence of Bureaucracy on Policy Making46:13 Regulated Vapes and Nicotine Content47:18 Challenges in Accessing Medicinal Vapes49:33 Political Aspirations and Career Choices51:01 Shift in Moral and Ethical Foundations52:09 Conspiracy Theories and Cultural Beliefs55:27 Conspiracies, Mysteries, and Unsolved Disappearances01:01:31 Predictions and Speculations

    Covid, conspiracies, and chop-chop with Dr Nick Coatsworth (Ep 22)

  2. Aug 28 ·  Video

    Going bush - road trips, endings, and new beginnings (Ep 21)

    We talk about living wakes and their significance, then take a deep dive into the Bush Summit in Dubbo, where farmers air their grievances and political figures respond. We get into the dynamics between the Nationals and One Nation, and what they mean for regional politics. We cover the challenges facing the agricultural industry, how geopolitical issues ripple through the food supply, including biosecurity, fertilizer and the impact of climate change on farming. We then celebrate Peter's stepping back from Essential media after 30 years and reflect on how politics and activism have shifted over the past three decades. Building alliances, the power of lobbying, what long-term politicians actually change, the value of failure, and the stability of government and the role of public service. Chapters 00:00 The Significance of Living Wakes03:25 The Bush Summit: Farmer Grievances17:27 Political Dynamics: Nationals vs. One Nation25:12 Agricultural Challenges and Food Supply27:18 Biosecurity and Fertilizer Industry30:30 Climate Change and Farming43:47 Changing Landscape of Politics and Activism52:02 Building Alliances and Social License52:59 The Power of Lobbying54:30 Impact of Long-Term Politicians01:07:31 Value of Failure and Stability of Government

    Going bush - road trips, endings, and new beginnings (Ep 21)

  3. Aug 23 ·  Video

    The hangover - Sydney Swans anatomy of a crisis - with Elizabeth Lukin (Ep 20)

    This week we sit down with Elizabeth Lukin, ex-AFL GM Corporate Affairs and Comms, who arrives with an alcohol-free drink and many good stories. We unpack the Sydney Swans scandal, how it's being handled, the culture of sports, the AFL, and the Swans. Francis Leach also joins us as we get into male entitlement and misogyny in sport, how much of the pile-on is genuine accountability versus media sanctimony chasing clicks, the manosphere's grip on young athletes, and the partners who cop the social media fallout. We also ask what would real change at the AFL actually take, beyond just managing the headlines? Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction02:01 Career Journey and AFL Experience03:19 Scandal and Culture in Sports32:37 Male Entitlement and Misogyny in Sports34:20 The Impact of Sanctimony and Media Sensationalism37:07 The AFL Landscape and Public Perception48:00 Rebuilding and Brand Damage49:54 Media's Handling of Serious Issues50:35 Impact of the Attention Economy55:22 Influence of the Manosphere on Young Athletes58:07 Role of Masculinity in Sports Culture

    The hangover - Sydney Swans anatomy of a crisis - with Elizabeth Lukin (Ep 20)

  4. Aug 14 ·  Video

    Politico comes to Australia. How about them melons! W/ Ryan Heath (Ep 19)

    With guest Ryan Heath - Editor of Politico Australia. We cover the week, Ryans story and the changing Australian political landscape. We explore the media's approach to reporting political events and the role of Politico in filling the gaps in political reporting. We also talk political media tactics, diplomatic incidents, party politics, and the impact of populism on political parties.

    Politico comes to Australia. How about them melons! W/ Ryan Heath (Ep 19)

  5. Aug 7 ·  Video

    Hacks are from Mars, Wonks are from Venus. Staffers v Bureaucrats - w/ Caroline & Danielle (Ep 18)

    Guests: Danielle Elston & Caroline Croser-Barlow from the Westminster Tradition podcast. We cover a range of topics, including the Canberra experience, the role of Parliament, the naming of Canberra, whiskey and beer, the Westminster Tradition Podcast, perspectives on staffers and bureaucrats, the role of lobbyists and advocacy, perceptions of the bureaucracy, the impact of COVID on bureaucracy, and understanding public acceptance. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to What's Your Poison01:03 The Canberra Experience02:14 The Role of Parliament in Canberra03:29 The Naming of Canberra04:06 Discussion on Whiskey and Beer04:38 Reflection on Guardian Essential Report05:01 Introduction of Guests and Their Poison07:23 Westminster Tradition Podcast and Public Service09:40 Perspectives on Staffers and Bureaucrats24:30 The Role of Lobbyists and Advocacy26:24 Perceptions of the Bureaucracy29:04 The Impact of COVID on Bureaucracy33:53 Understanding Public Acceptance34:22 The Limitations of Bureaucracy35:19 Government Decision Making During COVID42:21 Trust in Government and Public Sector46:35 The Role of Public Servants and Consultants56:06 Technology and Public Sector Efficiency You can listen and subscribe to the Westminster Tradition podcast here: https://thewestminstertradition.buzzsprout.com/

    Hacks are from Mars, Wonks are from Venus. Staffers v Bureaucrats - w/ Caroline & Danielle (Ep 18)

  6. Jul 31 ·  Video

    Vic's new Premier, future of the Liberal Party, the Beattie Gambit - with Keith Wolahan (Ep 17)

    Guest - Keith Wolahan (former MP, Menzies) This episode we deep dive into Victorian politics, the future of the Liberal party, the the evolution of political messaging, the impact of historical political strategies, and the role of values in political identity. You can read Keith's article here: https://inflectionpoints.work/articles/liberal-foundations Chapters 00:00 Setting the Scene: Happy Friday, Peter02:34 Introducing Keith Wolahan37:03 The Evolution of Political Messaging41:01 The Impact of Historical Political Strategies45:19 The Role of Values in Political Identity46:51 Modernising Political Infrastructure51:02 The Influence of Digital Technology on Politics55:01 The Changing Dynamics of Political Alliances01:01:45 Reforming Parliamentary Practices01:06:52 The Future of Infrastructure Projects01:08:17 Predictions and Speculations

    Vic's new Premier, future of the Liberal Party, the Beattie Gambit - with Keith Wolahan (Ep 17)

  7. Jul 24 ·  Video

    SITDOWN! ALP National Conference, Barnaby yelling at dogs, Pauline's gaffs (Ep 16)

    Peter is live from the Labor National Conference in Adelaide. The backdrop for discussions on various policy issues. We discuss various issues including the role of the Labour Party, the impact of One Nation, and the significance of the AUKUS alliance. We also touch on the gas export tax, Palestine, and voluntary assisted dying. We also explore Barnaby and his on-air dog yelling, Pauline and her gaffs, and our predictions for the week. Chapters 00:00 Setting the Stage in Adelaide00:26 The Role of the Labour Party00:55 The Impact of One Nation01:24 The AUKUS Alliance02:02 The Gas Export Tax02:39 Palestine and Voluntary Assisted Dying03:08 Cost of Living and Housing Affordability03:38 Labour's Institutional Dynamics05:19 The Role of Unions06:11 Labour's Policy Agenda07:20 The Lack of Major Contentious Debates08:12 The Future of the Labour Party09:09 The Conclusion of the Conference14:10 Labor Conference and Policy Development15:03 Political Figures and Gaffes26:21 Billionaires and Athlete Support34:36 Outdoor Media and Political Advertising Ticket's to Burning Platforms Live in Parramatta on Tuesday 28 July: https://events.humanitix.com/burning-platforms-believe-it-or-not-navigating-the-misinformation-age

    SITDOWN! ALP National Conference, Barnaby yelling at dogs, Pauline's gaffs (Ep 16)

  8. Jul 17 ·  Video

    In-depth on AI after Albo's speech - with Lizzie O'Shea (Ep 15)

    Guest: Lizzie O'Shea - Lawyer and Author. This week's conversation we really focus on AI, Data Centres, digital rights, technology, and government policy. We explore the complexities of AI, the role of digital rights, and the impact of technology on society. We debate the challenges of centralising policy-making and the commercialisation of technology, the need for a nuanced approach to AI and the importance of considering the diverse applications and implications of tech. Also be sure to listen and subscribe to Burning Platforms Chapters 00:00 Introduction and AI Developments00:50 Choice of Poison and Prime Minister's Speech02:28 Guest Introduction and Digital Rights Watch06:16 AI Regulation and Libertarian Perspectives11:15 Context Collapse and Universal Room12:15 Flattening of Society and Uni Context20:48 AI and Lazy Tendencies26:06 Prime Minister's Speech and AI Policy30:27 The Albo Speech and AI Governance32:21 The Role of AI in Society and Governance53:01 The Chinese Approach to AI

    In-depth on AI after Albo's speech - with Lizzie O'Shea (Ep 15)
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About

Pouring through the week of politics, culture, and tech.

Information

  • Creator
    Peter Lewis & Damian Damjanovski
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Peter Lewis & Damian Damjanovski
  • Show Website
    What's Your Poison

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