Podcasts about Victoria University

An expert says time is ticking for MPI to eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet before the Autumn breeding season. Phil Lester, Professor of Biology at Victoria University of Wellington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

What does it really take to build a championship organisation in one of the most competitive leagues in the world? On this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits down with Jon Horst, General Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks and one of the most respected executives in the NBA. From starting as an intern to becoming the youngest GM in the league, Jon shares the mindset that shaped his rise - and the leadership principles that helped deliver an NBA championship and sustained excellence. He reflects on building a team around Giannis Antetokounmpo, what makes Giannis so rare beyond talent, and why character is non-negotiable when constructing a winning culture. Big topics: Jon's reputation for recruitment and the “IP” behind their decision-making process The balance between analytics and instinct How clear communication cuts through high-stakes pressure Why sustained success is about people, not just performance Jon also speaks about the cross-pollination of leadership across sport - you’ll hear him mention leaders like Matt LaFleur (listen to Matt’s Empowering Leaders episode here) - and how community and shared learning elevate teams beyond what any individual can do alone. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. We are privileged to have Jon as part of our Aleda Connect community. Book a discovery call today to find out more about how you can learn and grow alongside people like Jon within our signature leadership program. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, our guest is Bruce Mountain, Director of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre at Victoria University in Melbourne. With over three decades in energy economics and policy, Bruce shares sharp insights into how distributed solar, batteries, and EVs are reshaping the electricity market. We discuss the rapid fall in battery costs, the growing possibility of grid defection, and whether traditional distribution monopolies face stranded assets. Bruce also gives a candid critique of Australia's proposed "free electricity" policy, questioning whether it promotes fairness — or distorts the market. From vehicle-to-grid to regulatory reform, this conversation challenges the role of government in the energy transition. Bruce argues that the economics of clean energy now stand on their own — and that policymakers should focus less on subsidies and more on removing barriers. Please join to find more. Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie X (Twitter) @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie YouTube @energypreneurs Instagram @energypreneurs Tiktok @energypreneurs

What’s it like to be part of a small, trusted leadership group? Inside Aleda Connect, leaders from more than 20 countries come together each month in small groups to learn, reflect and collaborate. In this episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke Darcy shares the voices of ten leaders who are part of the Aleda Connect Global Leadership Program. From elite sport to global business, from diplomacy to AI, they offer honest reflections on what it means to step into a trusted leadership community. You’ll hear from Adam Driussi, Dan Rutstein, Emma Hayes, Jeremy Kodomichalos, Dixie Marshall, Paul Barnes, Sami Whitcomb, Aubrey Pleasant, Jenny Boucek and Jeff Scott - each responding to a simple question: What’s it actually like to be part of a small, trusted leadership group? What comes through isn’t theory. It’s lived experience. Conversations about vulnerability, accountability, imposter syndrome, loneliness at the top, and the compound effect of learning alongside people who think differently to you. We're privileged to work with this incredible collection of leaders who believe growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Find the full conversations with each of these guests right here: Aubrey Pleasant: The NFL Coach’s Emotional Intelligence Playbook Dan Rutstein: British Diplomacy to American Soccer Leadership Dixie Marshall: The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Adam Driussi: The Moment AI Saved My Company a Million Dollars Emma Hayes LIVE from London: For Women, By Women, Football & Beyond Jenny Boucek: How Servant Leadership Takes You to the Highest Level Jeremy Kodomichalos: There’s No Standard Path in Life or Business Paul Barnes: Navigating the Fast Lane of Formula One Sami Whitcomb: From Undrafted to WNBA Champion Super Bowl 2025 Leadership: Jeff Scott VP of Football Operations, Philadelphia Eagles To discover how you can learn and grow alongside leaders like the ones you've heard from today head here. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Holly Bennett and Richard Pamatatau. First up, Clifton Motor Camp in Hawke's Bay is evacuated due to the extreme risk of major landslide. The panel are talk to Keith, long-time Haumoana resident Keith Newman, who knows the site and the community well. Then, we check in with Tairawhiti Civil Defence to see how the region is faring under a orange heavy rain warning. Finally, Max Rashbrooke, senior research fellow in the School of Government at Victoria University chats with the panel about the large multinational company Veolia charged with running the now infamous Moa Point treatment plant. They've had similar issues in the past in other countries, should critical infrastructure be run by overseas companies?

When you listen to leaders long enough, certain names keep coming up. In this Success Leaves Clues episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke asks a simple question: who has been the greatest leader in your life? The answers are intimate and often unexpected. A television director who kept a young host’s ego in check. A boss who held a job open throughout chemotherapy. A father with “magic dust.” A partner who quietly led the family while the world watched the cricket. A wife building programs for kids with neurodiversity. A dad who could walk with kings and keep the common touch. A dentist who modelled what it meant to run a values-led practice. It is a moving reminder that leadership is often most present in the home, the clinic, the training track and the everyday conversations nobody else sees. Find the full episodes right here: Wil Anderson: "I'm a storyteller, not a documentarian!" Jamila Rizvi: Leadership, Legacy, and Living With a ‘Broken Brain’ Bec Daniher: Why Action Speaks Loudest — $115M and Counting Mike Hussey: How to Lead When the Heat Is On Jeremy Kodomichalos: There’s No Standard Path in Life or Business Super Bowl 2025 Leadership: Jeff Scott VP of Football Operations, Philadelphia Eagles Dr Tim McGrath: How to Beat Burnout and Find Balance at the Top Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the best leadership wisdom fits on a Post-it note. In this Success Leaves Clues episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke asks his guests for the one piece of advice they keep returning to. The answers range from the disarmingly simple to the deeply strategic. “Wake up each day and don’t be a wanker.” Keep the team at the centre but honour the individual. Keep dreaming and prepare for your chance. Catch people doing things right. Coach the way you’d want someone to coach your own kids. Lean into authenticity, even when it costs you. Say yes to leadership, even if you doubt yourself. And get to know yourself properly, especially the things you’d rather avoid. These are small sentences that shape entire cultures. Find the full episodes right here: Natalie Kyriacou: Leadership during the Climate Crisis Emma Hayes LIVE from London: For Women, By Women, Football & Beyond Bruce McAvaney: The voice behind the most unforgettable moments in Australian sport Todd Duncan: The 10 Word Question You Need To Ask Every Client Mike Brey: From Notre Dame to the NBA Brad Harrison: A Warrior’s Take on AI, Ayahuasca, and the Future of Defence Jacinda Ardern: The Cost and the Power of Compassionate Leadership Pippa Grange: Leading with Soul in a World Obsessed with Winning Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A warning more insurance companies could follow AA Insurance, which has paused signing up new new policies in the West Coast's Westport. Buller District Council says the insurer has confirmed it's temporarily halting new property policies because of the high flood-risk. Existing policyholders can renew as usual. Victoria University Emeritus Professor Jonathan Boston says he can almost guarantee it won't be a one-off. "We are in a period of climate-intensified risk, those risks are going to grow - sea level rise will intensify flood risk for many communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new domestic exchange programme will soon let students swap cities as easily as they swap courses. Otago, AUT and Victoria University of Wellington have launched Uni Exchange Aotearoa, giving second-year undergraduates the chance to study at another university for a semester. The scheme offers students a taste of travel without the challenges of going overseas. Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith told Mike Hosking New Zealand can actually offer a real diversity of experience within its universities. He says the programme is designed to be at no cost to the students, so the decision can be made on the experience they want to have instead of a financial barrier. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acknowledgement of Country// Headlines:Attempted bombing at Boorloo Day of Mourning rally Gaza and West Bank updatesUN Human Rights Council review urges extensive action by Albanese government Telstra service issues affecting regular and emergency calls by older iPhones We played a speech by veteran Gumbaynggirr activist and historian Professor Gary Foley at this Monday's Invasion Day rally in Naarm. Speaking on the steps of Parliament House on Spring Street, Professor Foley reminded the crowd about the artificial history of so-called Australia's national day, and connected present-day Invasion Day rallies to a legacy that began with the 1938 Day of Mourning. Check out Professor Foley's website and incredible archive (access to physical materials by appointment) at Victoria University to learn more about the history of the Aboriginal land rights movement.// We listened to a speech and segments of commentary by Torres Strait Islander woman Julie Saylor Briggs delivered at the Djilang Invasion Day rally on Monday. During the rally, Julie read out the text of the original motion moved by Aboriginal community members at the 1938 Day of Mourning gathering, and spoke about the history of colonial violence on Wadawarrung Country, the colonial child removal industry, and the relationships between genocide, dispossession and ecocide. Our thanks to Amy from 3CR's Kill Your Lawn and Kick Your Fence for sharing this recording.// Leila interviewed Dr James Martin, Tobacco Harm Reduction Advisor for Harm Reduction Australia and Director of the Bachelor of Criminology at Deakin University, about the social impacts of Australia's law enforcement approach to substance use with a focus on Victoria's tobacco licensing laws. From February first, the Victorian Labor government will be enforcing new tobacco licensing laws, which restrict the sale of tobacco products to licensed retailers only. Individuals or businesses who sell tobacco without a licence may face fines of over $100,000, and fines for the sale of illicit tobacco products are even higher. You can listen back to Dr Martin's interview with Inez on the 20th of March 2025 about vaping regulations here.// Lucinda Thorpe, Privacy Campaigner at Digital Rights Watch joined us to discuss the use of AI by police in Australia for report writing, suspect identification, and to guide investigations. Victoria Police use generative AI in 20% of crime reports. When a contact centre employee files an online crime report, they use generative AI on the form to generate a summary for police officers. However, these systems are trained on biased data and can reproduce racism, sexism, and other inequalities. If you have been affected by police use of generative AI, contact Digital Rights Watch at info@digitalrightswatch.org.au// We replay a conversation between Xan and Koshin of Uprise Radio from early this month about Israel's controversial recognition of Somaliland's independence last year. The recognition of Somaliland by Israel, a state whose own recognition is contested, occurred late last year, and is a significant geopolitical development in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region. Tune in to Uprise Radio every Wednesday at 5:30PM on 3CR.// Invasion Day Donation Initiatives:Dhadjowa FoundationGrandmothers Against Removals Victoria

Cost barriers continue to keep disadvantaged students out of university. Of the 26 thousand students who went straight from Year 13 into study in 2024, just 1.3%, or around 230 students, came from the most disadvantaged schools. It's despite the fees free policy aiming to alleviate costs. Victoria University Students' Association Vice President Aidan Donoghue told Ryan Bridge study should be a full time job if we want that return on investment, with a well educated workforce. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True collaboration is not just getting along. It is committing to a mission together. In this episode of the Empowering Leaders Success Leaves Clues, Luke talks with people who have lived collaboration in very different ways. Peter Rea explores character, growth and post-traumatic growth. Mikel Arteta reflects on a simple object, a football, and how it can change a life and even a country. Adam Driussi explains why his most important business relationship feels like a marriage. Paul Barnes talks about clarity and communication under race pressure. Dixie Marshall shares what happens when creatives, strategists and data people actually listen to each other. Lucinda Hartley and Andy Walshe bring in cross-sector collaborations that reimagine housing, cities and human performance. It is a wide-ranging look at what happens when you put different experiences in the same room and ask them to build something together. Find the full episodes right here: Dr. Peter Rea: Ask Your Kids This Instead - The 3 Questions That Cut Anxiety & Build Character Steve Kerr & Mikel Arteta LIVE: The Leadership Playbook Adam Driussi: The Moment AI Saved My Company a Million Dollars Paul Barnes: Navigating the Fast Lane of Formula One Dixie Marshall: The Power of Storytelling in Leadership Lucinda Hartley: How Our Spaces Shape The People We Become Andy Walshe: Has Human Potential Peaked? Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone says communication is important. But how do you master it? In this episode of the Empowering Leaders Success Leaves Clues, Luke brings together people who think deeply about how words land. Dan Rutstein talks about the power of three. Julian Treasure shares why listening is a radical act. Steve Kerr explains why he sometimes writes letters instead of speeches. Michael Cheika leans into honest conflict. Yasmin Poole walks toward hard truths. Suzanne Eyler Williams reminds us to say less and hear more. And Gilbert Enoka talks about the internal shift that needs to happen before any external change can stick. It’s a collection of stories about communication that is clear, human and often uncomfortable, but always in service of something bigger than ego. Find the full episodes right here: Dan Rutstein: British Diplomacy to American Soccer Leadership Julian Treasure: The Real Power Move? Saying Less, Listening Better Steve Kerr & Mikel Arteta LIVE: The Leadership Playbook Michael Cheika: Leading Across Cultures - What Business Can Borrow From Sport Yasmin Poole: How to Speak Up - Even When It’s Hard Suzanne Eyler Williams: Cushioning the effects of concussion and repetitive impact Gilbert Enoka: The Mind Behind the All Blacks Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Appearance Matters: The Podcast! In this month's episode, Kat speaks to Zali Yager, an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University, Australia, and the founder and executive director of the Embrace Collective. The Embrace Collective: https://theembracehub.com/ If you're interested in hearing more about the Appearance Matters Conference, hosted by the Centre for Appearance Research (9th – 11th of June 2026), click here: https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance/news-and-events/am-conference Appearance Matters 11 early bird registration is available until the 31st of January! Cover image by Trevor James Music by Sian Evans & John Landau: toplinefilm.com Episode developed and produced by Kat Schneider

Some leaders feel the pressure to have all the answers. The most interesting ones stay curious instead. In this Success Leaves Clues episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke sits with people who’ve built entire careers on asking better questions. From future-of-work expert Dr Ben Hamer to AI advisor Dr Ayesha Khanna, cave diver Craig Challen, Paralympic champion Curtis McGrath, artist Vincent Fantauzzo and coach Lorena Bernal, they all talk about staying open, not finished. They share how curiosity makes you more agile, more humble and more collaborative, whether you’re trying to save lives, win gold or create something beautiful. It’s a celebration of leaders who don’t pretend to know everything, and who enjoy the process of learning as much as the outcome. Find the full episodes right here: Dr. Ben Hamer: AI + Gen Z = the End of Business as Usual Dr Ayesha Khanna: How to Build Big with AI and Lead with Humanity Dr Craig Challen: Leadership When the Stakes Are Life and Death Curtis McGrath: Finding Purpose When the World Falls Apart Vincent Fantauzzo: The bravery, beauty and brilliance of a neurodivergent mind Lorena Bernal: Authenticity Over Perfection Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In leadership, everyone talks about high performance. Fewer people talk honestly about what it actually costs. In this Success Leaves Clues episode of Empowering Leaders, Luke brings together a powerful mix of coaches, athletes and leaders who all start in the same place: self leadership. From the NFL to elite netball, from politics to BMX gold, they talk about managing energy, filling your own cup, and knowing who you are before you try to lead anyone else. You’ll hear about meditation, vitamins and morning routines, but also about boundaries, honesty and the strange balance between being selfish enough to pursue a dream and selfless enough to use it to help others. It’s a reminder that before you lead a team, a family or a country, you have to learn how to lead yourself. Find the full episodes right here: Aubrey Pleasant: The NFL Coach’s Emotional Intelligence Playbook Jack Preddey: Training Your Mind Like an Elite Athlete Jenny Boucek: How Servant Leadership Takes You to the Highest Level Tyson Ballard: Innovating at the crossroads of Law, AI & Lifestyle Tania Obst: From 23 Losses to Double Championship Glory Behind the Politics: Peter Dutton on Family, Leadership, and Australia’s Challenges Saya Sakakibara: Turn Your Fear into a Superpower Many of the leaders featured in this episode are members of our Aleda Connect community. To discover how you can learn and grow in a group alongside leaders like them, book a discovery call today and learn more about our signature program. Learn. Lead. Collaborate. Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Sinica, recorded at Yale University, I speak with Michael Brenes and Van Jackson, coauthors of The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy. Their argument is that framing the U.S.-China relationship as geopolitical rivalry has become more than just a foreign policy orientation — it's a domestic political project that reshapes budgets, norms, and coalitions in ways that actively harm American democracy and the American people. Rivalry narrows political possibility, makes dissent suspect, encourages neo-McCarthyism (the China Initiative, profiling of Chinese Americans), produces anti-AAPI hate, and redirects public investment away from social welfare and into defense spending through what they call "national security Keynesianism."Mike is interim director of the Brady Johnson Program in Grand Strategy at Yale, while Van is a senior lecturer in international relations at Victoria University of Wellington and host of the Un-Diplomatic Podcast. We discuss the genesis of their collaboration during the Biden administration, how they navigate China as a puzzle for the American left, canonical misrememberings of the Cold War that distort current China policy, the security dilemma feedback loop between Washington and Beijing, why defense-heavy stimulus is terrible at job creation, how rivalry politics weakens democracy, recent polling showing a shift toward engagement, and their vision for a "geopolitics of peace" anchored in Sino-U.S. détente 2.0.5:47 – The genesis of the book: recognizing Biden's Cold War liberalism 11:26 – How they approached writing together from different disciplinary homes 13:20 – Navigating China as a puzzle for the American left21:39 – How great power competition hardened from analytical framework into ideology 28:15 – Mike on two canonical misrememberings of the Cold War 33:18 – Van on the security dilemma and the nuclear feedback loop 39:55 – National security Keynesianism: why defense spending is bad at job creation 44:38 – How rivalry politics weakens democracy and securitizes dissent 48:09 – Building durable coalitions for restraint-oriented statecraft 51:27 – Has the post-COVID moral panic actually abated? 53:27 – The master narrative we need: a geopolitics of peace 55:29 – Associative balancing: achieving equilibrium through accommodation, not armsRecommendations:Van: The Long Twentieth Century by Giovanni Arrighi Mike: The World of the Cold War: 1945-1991 by Vladislav Zubok Kaiser: Pluribus (Apple TV series by Vince Gilligan)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Director of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre at Victoria University, Professor Bruce Mountain, joined Heidi Murphy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ali Al Omari is a Palestinian-Philippino artist and architecture graduate, who holds a masters degree from the Victoria University of Wellington. His work focuses on Palestinian art, Sumud and Resistance through architecture. In this episode, he talks about architecture in Palestinian history including that of Gaza, a city that rises from the ashes, just like the Phoenix, tune in for the full episode. View Ali's work here:https://www.filemail.com/d/ybtuqoyfindbthf The Ditch 2025 Review Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146018449 The Sanctuary Runners Donation:https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/campaign/step-up-for-solidarity-the-12ks-of-christmas Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Ali Al Omari is a Palestinian-Philippino artist and architecture graduate, who holds a masters degree from the Victoria University of Wellington. His work focuses on Palestinian art, Sumud and Resistance through architecture. In this episode, he talks about architecture in Palestinian history including that of Gaza, a city that rises from the ashes, just like the Phoenix, tune in for the full episode. View Ali's work here:https://www.filemail.com/d/ybtuqoyfindbthf The Ditch 2025 Review Podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-146018449 The Sanctuary Runners Donation:https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/campaign/step-up-for-solidarity-the-12ks-of-christmas Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

To mark the 1000th anniversary of his death we revisit the bachelorhood of Basil II. My guest is Mark Masterson — until recently Associate Professor of Classics at Victoria University of Wellington (retired 2025). His work explores masculinity, desire, and male social bonds in the Roman world.In his book Between Byzantine Men he discusses an oration written in Basil's day which may shed light on his intimate life.Find out more about Professor Mark Masterson here and check out his two books on male relationships within the Roman world. Between Byzantine Men: Desire, Homosociality, and Brotherhood in the Medieval EmpireRoutledge (2022)Man to Man: Desire, Homosociality and Authority in Late-Roman Manhood The Ohio State University Press. (2014) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Power gets loud when it's insecure. Strategy becomes theater. And ideology sneaks in wearing policy jargon. The White House's newest U.S. National Security Strategy claims realism while quietly demanding dominance, preaching restraint while laying groundwork for escalation. Civilizational panic collides with imperial muscle, producing a document that wants everything, everywhere, all at once. Van Jackson, Professor of International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington, sits down with Jacob Shapiro to chat about how culture war thinking seeps into grand strategy, why “prioritization” turns into mission creep, and what this blueprint signals for allies, adversaries, and a world already stretched thin. If this is restraint, buckle up :)--Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:40 Understanding National Security Strategy02:23 Critique of the Current Administration's Strategy07:22 Historical Context and Comparisons13:14 Primitive Accumulation and Geopolitics16:47 Latin American Policy and Imperialism25:33 Military Strategy and Global Implications29:47 China as a Pacing Threat30:47 Misconceptions in Military Strategy31:52 Potential Conflicts in Latin America34:23 US Military Intervention in Mexico35:38 Challenges of Addressing Drug Cartels41:56 Hegemonic Decline and National Security48:24 Global Reactions to US Strategy53:58 Brazil's Role in Latin America56:53 Concluding Thoughts--Referenced in the Show:Van Jackson - https://people.wgtn.ac.nz/van.jacksonNational Security Strategy 2025 - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdfNSS (2002) - https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/nsc/nss/2002/NSC-68 (1950) - https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/NSC68--Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com --Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today's volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--

Happy Wednesday!   This week on Finding Something Real, we are joined with one of our favorite guest, Xandra Grieme. We are also joined with three of our co-host, Ana, Christie and Sarah.    In this episode, we talk about the tension of faith and science, and how they go more hand in hand than you think. Xandra opens up about hard parts of her story and brings light to difficult topics - suffering and free will. And why that keeps a lot of people from fully believing in Jesus. How could a good God allow suffering, abuse, and evil? That's one of the hardest questions, and one we won't know the complete answer to on this side of eternity.    But you can trust this - He's a God of Compassion. His heart was never for any of these things to happen. He became flesh and came down to be in the suffering with you. That's how much He loves you.   Rest in that truth today.   About Xandra: Xandra Grieme received a BS from Colorado State University and later studied at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Xandra continued her studies at Victoria University of Wellington where she completed a master's degree in Conservation Biology. Her scientific research includes work in parasitology, flow cytometry, and ecological restoration. Xandra is passionate about educating youth on our role as stewards of the natural world.   We hope you enjoy this week's episode!  - -- -- -- --    LINKS   Is This Even Real? - Katelyn Deal's Story   Release What God Has Already Given Us with Jesse Childress   Making the Case for Christ with J. Warner Wallace   Dealing with Grief and Church Hurt with Jason Schmidt   How to Love People in Truth and Love with Drew Berryessa   The Difference Jesus Makes - Frankie's Story   Season 8 - First Episode       Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856     Follow us on:  Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood

A Victoria University Professor has sparked a debate over what is acceptable language after she posted on social media saying she ignores emails from students if they use the greeting "hey", as she thinks it is rude. However in a statement Victoria University said "so long as correspondence is not ill-mannered, then an informal tone can be quite acceptable". Plain language and writing trainer Colleen Trolove spoke to Lisa Owen.

A visiting defence and foreign policy expert is urging New Zealand to rethink how we prioritise defence spending, arguing we should draw inspiration from the Australian echidna – a small but spiky animal. . Sam Roggeveen, a programme director at the Lowy Institute in Australia, came to New Zealand as a guest of Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Studies. . He says the future of defence of Australia and New Zealand relies on making use of the vast distances any attacker would have to cover, and to purchase equipment designed to sink ships and shoot down aircraft. . Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

How can higher education remain resilient in an age of uncertainty?Universities everywhere are under pressure, from political interference and funding cuts, to rapid technological change and shifting public expectations.In this episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson speaks with Michael Ignatieff, an award-winning author and historian, former leader of Canada's Liberal Party, and former President and Rector of Central European University (CEU). A keynote speaker at the British Council's Going Global 2025 conference, Michael reflects on the “storm clouds” gathering over higher education, drawing on his experience leading CEU through significant challenges, including political pressure that forced the institution to relocate. Together, they examine what resilience means for higher education today, the role of international partnerships and values-led leadership, the defence of academic freedom, and the human side of teaching and learning.We also hear live reflections from three delegates at last month's Going Global conference. Urvashi Prasad, a public policy and health specialist explores the role of empathy and evidence in shaping education, whilst Rawan Taha, a UN World Food Programme officer and UK Alumni SDG Ambassador shares her experience of adapting, upskilling and building resilience through international study. Finally, Caryn Nery, Director of Transnational Education (TNE) Partnerships at Victoria University, reflects on how TNE models proved robust during Covid and why diversified, student-centred partnerships matter now more than ever. Listen to Our World, Connected, brought to you by the British Council. Subscribe and follow for more conversations on culture, connection, and the power of education.

A new report has found a large increase in the number of university students receiving A grades. The think-tank 'The New Zealand Initiative' has analysed grade data from New Zealand's eight universities and found a 64 percent increase in the number of students earning 'A's' in 2024 compared to 2006. Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association Academic Vice-President Ethan Rogacion chats to Jesse.

Where do Pacific and western MEL approaches naturally align, and where do they clash?  Margaret Eastgate, Seraseini Vulavou and ‘Aulola ‘Ake discuss how MEL practice may honour Pacific ideas and ways of knowing in how we design, implement, and evaluate programs – including the concepts of tā (time) and vā (relational space).  This podcast was made possible through SPC's Funding with Intent initiative, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.    Please provide us feedback here: https://forms.office.com/r/yHK0eDhrex     Guests:  Margaret Eastgate, consultant - Pacific Magaret has worked in the development space for over 30 years. She is a Pacific MEL Influencer who has: co-authored the Pacific MEL Capacity Strengthening Rebbilib “For the Pacific, By the Pacific, With the Pacific” which situates MEL; co-curated & co-convened the Inaugural Pacific MEL Convening; and was a Member of the MEL Technical Experts Group that endorsed the Pacific MEL Diploma programme.  Seraseini Vulavou, Performance Quality and Learning (MERLA) Manager for Balance of Power - Fiji Seraseini works in the space of legitimizing the leadership of women – politically, culturally and socially – at a regional level, particularly across Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga.  She has been a MEL practitioner for more than 10 years having worked in 9 Pacific island countries in the health sector (International Planned Parenthood Federation), as well as UN entities (UN Women, World Food Program and UNICEF) and Oxfam. ‘Aulola ‘Ake, Programme Officer at SPC – Tonga  ‘Aulola is part of a team that supports Pacific Women Lead at SPC's portfolio of grants, providing technical advice, assistance and capacity building, planning, monitoring and reporting at country and regional level. Prior to SPC, she worked for the Australian High Commission Nuku'alofa as Senior Program Manager managing Australia's bilateral investments in governance, gender equality and infrastructure. Her background is international affairs and development holding both a BA and MA in International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and Monash University, Australia. Links: Pacific MEL Rebbilib: https://www.spc.int/updates/blog/2020/08/pacific-mel-rebbilib-report-on-mel-capacity-available-for-download  Pacific MEL Diploma: https://www.spc.int/DigitalLibrary/SPC/Collection/Pacific_MEL  Reflections on tā and vā  by Ōkusitino Māhina: https://i-m-m.org/onewebmedia/IMM_PDFs/2021_imm_archiv/_archiv_sprache/210406_Ta_VA_Moana_by_Mahina_01.pdf  https://www.vamoana.org/news/talanoa-hufanga-he-ako-moe-lotu-dr-okusitino-mahina  Tongan sociospatial relations by Tevita Ka'ili: https://kealakai.byuh.edu/tevita-kaili-presents-new-book-on-tongan-sociospatial-relations  Decolonisation & Locally Led Development (including practical ideas for action): https://acfid.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ACFID-Decolonisation-and-Locally-Led-Development-Discussion-Paper.pdf  How can aid be decolonized and localized in the Pacific? by Theresa Meki and Jope Tarai: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dpr.12732  Kakala Research Framework: (PDF) Kakala Research Framework  Kakala_Research.pdf  Kakala Research Framework | SpringerLink  

Ian Williamson is dean of The UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business. Prior to joining the Merage School, he served as pro vice-chancellor and dean of commerce at the Wellington School of Business and Government at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Ian has also served as a faculty member in business schools in Australia, Switzerland, and Indonesia. Ian is a globally recognized expert in the area of human resource management and his research has been published in leading academic journals and covered by leading media outlets across the world. Ian received his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a bachelor's degree in business from Miami University. In this episode we discuss the following: Ian sees himself as a steward, making decisions for the person who comes after him, recognizing that he's caring for something that existed long before him and will continue long after him. What a powerful example of long-term thinking Ian encountered with the Māori leaders, who asked, "How will this decision affect our great-grandchildren?'” Not all leadership looks the same, and it's perfectly fine for some leaders to focus on the short term. But the key is being intentional about what our role demands and what kind of leader we want to be.

Dr. Patrick Schröder, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, assesses the progress and barriers for circular economy policymaking. Patrick Schröder specializes in the circular economy, climate change, resource governance, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His work brings together science, policy, and media to help further evidence-based policies, communicate complex sustainability issues, and promote equitable governance solutions at the multilateral level. Patrick is currently the Coordinating Lead Author for one of the three working groups for the IPCC Assessment Report 7, reporting on Mitigation of Climate Change, and he is also the Coordinating Lead Author for the UN Global Environment Outlook 7. Patrick holds a PhD in Environmental Studies, and is now studying part-time for a second PhD in circular and regenerative design with the Centre for Sustainable Design. In 2024, UNIDO and Chatham House published a ground-breaking global stocktake of 75 national circular economy roadmaps featuring more than 2,800 policy actions. The first roadmap, from Japan, was published in 1999, and since 2016, as governments strive to accelerate their circular transitions, over 70 countries have published national circular economy roadmaps and strategies. The review aims to ‘bridge knowledge gaps and shed light on critical aspects of these publications', and the authors point to a ‘significant lack of focus on the need to ensure a just and inclusive' transition, warning that a ‘lack of recognition of the need to work collaboratively with the global community' risks derailing a global just transition. Patrick tells us how he currently sees the global state of play for circular economy policies and roadmaps, where progress is happening and from a policymaking perspective, what is holding it back. The team at Chatham House have created a micro-site – circulareconomy.earth – and Patrick tells us more about that, and how we can use it. Stay in touch for free insights and updates…  Read on for more on our guest and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention. Links we mention in the episode: Links for our guest: DISCOUNT CODE for A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business https://www.koganpage.com/CircEcon3 buy direct from the publisher Kogan Page, which ships worldwide (free shipping to UK and US) and you can use discount code KOGANPAGE25 for 25% off the book. This offer also applies to Kogan Page’s bundle option (print plus e-book for the same price as the print edition).  Read more about the book and download the Introduction: circulareconomyhandbook.com Read more about Patrick Schröder: https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/patrick-schroder Patrick Schröder's publications on Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xeaCha8AAAAJ&hl=en Patrick Schröder on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-schr%C3%B6der-b5789119/?originalSubdomain=uk The circular economy global policy microsite: circulareconomy.earth Books, people and organisations we mentioned The Chatham House paper launched during the Summit of the Future in NY:https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/09/how-circular-economy-can-revive-sustainable-development-goals Patrick's paper on the SDGs and Circular Economy in the Journal of Industrial Ecology: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patrick-Schroeder-9/publication/344220320_The_Relevance_of_Circular_Economy_Practices_to_the_Sustainable_Development_Goals/links/5f85b316458515b7cf7c9143/The-Relevance-of-Circular-Economy-Practices-to-the-Sustainable-Development-Goals.pdf Human Development and Circular Economy paper (co-authored by Patrick Shroeder with Peter Desmond and Alex Lemile): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344920300082 The Lancet Countdown on health and plastics https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01447-3/abstract Episode 166 Circularity Gap Report 2025: insights https://www.rethinkglobal.info/166-circularity-gap-report-2025-insights/   Episode 119 Ken Webster: the circular ECONOMY https://www.rethinkglobal.info/119-ken-webster-the-circular-economy/ Episode 119 Bonus Ken Webster: the circular ECONOMY! Part 2 https://www.rethinkglobal.info/119-bonus-ken-webster-the-circular-economy-part-2/ Guest bio Patrick Schröder is a senior research fellow at Chatham House. He specializes in the circular economy, climate change, resource governance, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  He works at the intersection of science, policy, and media to advance evidence-based policies, communicate complex sustainability issues, and promote equitable governance solutions at the multilateral level. He currently serves as Coordinating Lead Author for the IPCC Assessment Report 7 (WG III – Mitigation) and Coordinating Lead Author for the UN Global Environment Outlook 7. He holds a PhD in Environmental Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, and currently studies part-time for a second PhD in circular and regenerative design with the Centre for Sustainable Design. Chatham House – The Royal Institute of International Affairs – is a world-leading policy institute based in London, dedicated to helping governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous, and just world. The Environment and Society Centre (ESC) at Chatham House examines how environmental change intersects with global economics, politics, and society. Its work focuses on advancing systemic solutions to address climate change, resource governance, and accelerate circular economy transitions — fostering dialogue and evidence-based strategies that align environmental sustainability with social equity and geopolitical realities. Please let us know what you think of the podcast – and we'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or wherever you find your podcasts.  Or send us an email… Search for previous episodes….

As schools and homes continue to dispose of asbestos contaminated play sand - the government is being urged to investigate how this happened. Chris Peace, a Senior Lecturer in Workplace Health and Safety at Victoria University spoke to Corin Dann.

In this episode ‘Does minor aggression have a major impact?' we confront a sensitive but crucial area: the effects of intimate partner violence and aggression on children. Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb are joined by Dr. Hedwig Eisenbarth from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, the lead author of the paper The Impact of Less Severe Intimate Partner Aggression on Child Conduct Problems, published in JCPP Advances. This paper focuses on lower levels of violence, so they use phrases like ‘minor' or ‘less severe'. This phraseology, of course, does not imply that they are considered acceptable.  They explore how attachment theory, social learning, and even genetic factors may intersect with a child's experience of aggression in the home. The discussion covers the importance of the home environment, the need for intervention, and the complex challenge of studying these behaviours across different cultures. More information Read the Open Access paper from JCPP Advances ‘The impact of less severe intimate partner aggression on child conduct problems' Hedwig Eisenbarth, Karina Clavijo Saldias, Paul E. Jose, Johannes A. Karl, Karen E. Waldie https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.70024

Recently, the controversial Regulatory Standards Bill passed its third and final reading. The bill has raised concerns amongst many for a variety of reasons, including its lack of recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the risks it poses to the environment, and what opponents say is its ‘narrow neoliberal framework'. The bill, during public submissions, received 156,000 submissions, with over 98% voicing their opposition to the proposed legislation. News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Geoffrey Bertram, a visiting scholar and retired lecturer at the Victoria University of Wellington about the bill, why it is so polarising, and what the passing of this bill means heading forward.

Recently, ACT Party MP, Laura McClure, has launched a member's bill, proposing the disestablishment of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, or BSA. This member's bill follows a complaint laid to the BSA regarding Sean Plunket's online media network, The Platform. Plunket says the content of his show does not meet the requirements of the Broadcasting Act, and that the BSA had “"woefully and egregiously overstepped its bounds". The BSA, however, says Plunket's show clearly meets the requirements of the ACT. News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Peter Thompson, an Associate Media and Communications Professor at the Victoria University of Wellington and board member of the Better Public Media Trust, about this member's bill and what the bill is proposing.

This week on the Wednesday Wire: For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about The Green Party's pledge to revoke, what they consider, the most destructive fast-track mining consents handed out by the current government, the adjustments to the Clean Car Standard, and the official passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill into law. News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Geoffrey Bertram, a visiting scholar and retired lecturer at the Victoria University of Wellington about the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill, and what this means heading forward. Max spoke with John Minto from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, to discuss the UN Security Council voting 13-0 in favour of implementing US President Donald Trump's plan for a lasting peace in Gaza. And Joel spoke to Peter Thompson, an Associate Media and Communications Professor at the Victoria University of Wellington, and board member of the Better Public Media Trust, about ACT MP Laura McClure's member's bill, proposing the disestablishment of the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Cindy Mitchener and Andrew Clay. First up, the fallout continues from the IPCA's bombshell report into allegations against Jevon McSkimming. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers was quick to minimise the scandal to a few bad actors in an otherwise healthy system. Jan Jordan, emerita professor of criminology at Victoria University, doesn't buy it. Then, new adaptation guidelines suggest no more property buyouts, and much less support for those hit by bad weather. Martien Lubberink, Associate Professor of Accounting and Capital at Victoria University of Wellington says a tough reality is sinking in for homeowners.

The story of the Redcoats, as they were known, has been told in a new book Garrison World by Victoria University history professor Charlotte Macdonald.

Hornet-watcher Phil Lester is a professor of ecology and entomology at Victoria University of Wellington.

 What's the episode about? In this episode, hear Dr Jessica Young on assisteddying, the New Zealand End of Life Choice Bill, culturally responsive research, end of life care and decision making, and sociological approaches.Who is Jessica?Dr Jessica Young is a Senior Research Fellow at Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland, and an adjunct senior lecturer in the Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology.She is a sociologist specialising in death, dying andassisted dying. She completed her PhD in 2020 at the University of Otago and received a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship from the Cancer Society of New Zealand.Since the End of Life Choice Bill was introduced in NewZealand, Dr Young has been building a programme of research to investigate multiple facets of assisted dying.  She leads and contributes to several projects on assisteddying, most recently ‘Exploring the early experiences of the assisted dying service in Aotearoa', funded by the Health Research Council. Dr Young has led impactful research in end-of-life care, securing over $3 million in competitive funding.  She is the founder and co-chair of New Zealand'sAssisted Dying Research Network and was appointed by the Director-General of Health to the Support and Consultation for End of Life in NZ (SCENZ) Group (2021–2023). Her work has directly shaped national policy: 13 of her team's recommendations were adopted in the Ministry of Health's 2024 End of Life Choice Act Review.She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, six editorials, and three book chapters.  To ensure her research goes beyond academia, she activelyengages with media. She is passionate about improving end-of-life experiences for patients, whānau/families and health practitioners. Committed to ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsive research, she seeks to involve tangatawhenua (indigenous people of NZ), stakeholders and communities. You can find Jessica on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-young-7097a722/ The book introduced in the episode introduction is Death, Commemoration, and Cultural Meaning Past and PresentEdited by Robert Spinelli and Robyn S. Lacy. How do I cite the episode in my research and reading lists?To cite this episode, you can use thefollowing citation: Young, J. (2025) Interview on The Death Studies Podcast hosted by Michael-Fox, B. and Visser, R. Published 1 November 2025. Available at: www.thedeathstudiespodcast.com, DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30507878 What next?Check out more episodes or find out more about the hosts! Gota question? Get in touch.

It's not often you get to say you've found 40 new species in one go - but that's exactly what a group of Kiwi scientists has done in Fiordland with the discovery of new marine sponges. The finding came as a huge surprise to Professor James Bell, a marine biologist from Victoria University, who says the results exceeded all expectations. He joins Jesse.

Billionaire Bill Gates is shifting his tone on climate change, cautioning against a 'doomsday' future view. In a lengthy online memo, the Microsoft co-founder says he still believes it is a major problem needing solving. But Gates says innovation and breakthroughs shouldn't come at the expense of funding global health or development. Victoria University adjunct professor of climate change, Adrian Macey, says he agrees. "I see what he's saying is - don't assume it's going to be Armageddon if we sail past the 1.5 degrees, which we have already, but think about the positive things you need to do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Monday Wire: For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Simon Court about the government's recent energy reforms, and about the three New Zealanders aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla who have been intercepted by Israel. Producer Alex spoke to Doctoral Candidate at the University of Auckland Luke Bird about concerns around Sportwashing with the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States in the midst of human rights concerns under the Trump Administration. Joel spoke to the National President of the Tertiary Education Union or TEU, Julie Douglas, about the University of Auckland, Massey University, and the Victoria University of Wellington, all announcing they will not be using software to detect AI in student's work, and what this means heading forward. Following their chat with Douglas, Joel also spoke to Shahper Richter, a Senior Marketing Lecturer at the University of Auckland, about using “interactive oral assessments” or IOA's, as a way to combat AI in testing students. Whakarongo mai!

This week, an underwater mystery connecting New Zealand and Ireland - the puzzle of the disappearing sponges of Lough Hyne. In the late 1990s/early 2000s James Bell was doing PhD research on the sponge communities that coated the underwater cliffs of this small sea inlet in West Cork. When he returned 15 years later, they had vanished. Why did they disappear, are they starting to recover, and can they be helped to return? Now a Professor at Victoria University of Wellington, these are the key questions that James, and PhD candidates from his lab, have been working to answer. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.In this episode:00:00 – Divers return, introduction to Lough Hyne and its scientific history.02:50 – James Bell on his early research at Lough Hyne and the surprising disappearance of sponge communities.05:15 – Gabi Wood and Kea Witting get ready to dive at Whirlpool Cliffs.06:30 – James Bell explains the unique tidal regime of Lough Hyne that means it has many diverse habitats.09:00 – Gabi Wood is collecting water samples to study sponge feeding and nutrient levels.11:00 – What caused the sponges to disappear.14:00 – Kea Witting is investigating sponge community recovery.21:00 – Experiments to help the sponges return…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The family of the man Wellington's Gordon Wilson Flats are named after is backing plans to redevelop it rather than knock it over. The government have carved out a section of the law so the earthquake prone abandoned heritage building can be demolished by Victoria University. Nick James reports.

Weekly shoutout: A new essay on HowlRound by theatermaker and friend of the show, Anne Mason! -- Hi there, Today I am delighted to be arts calling author Monica Macansantos! (monicamacansantos.com) About our guest: Monica Macansantos is a Filipino writer from Baguio, and is currently a Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellow with the Carson McCullers Center in Columbus, Georgia. She is the author of the essay collection, Returning to My Father's Kitchen (Curbstone/Northwestern University Press, 2025), and the story collection, Love and Other Rituals (Grattan Street Press), 2022. She was a 2024-25 Shearing Fellow with the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, and her work has appeared in Colorado Review, The Hopkins Review, Bennington Review, River Styx, Electric Literature, Literary Hub, and Katherine Mansfield and Children (Edinburgh University Press), among other places. She earned her MFA from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, and her PhD in Creative Writing from the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. Her work has been recognized as Notable in Best American Essays 2016 and 2021-2023. RETURNING TO MY FATHER'S KITCHEN, now available from Northwestern University Press/Curbstone Books: Purchase from Northwestern University Press: https://nupress.northwestern.edu/9780810148390/returning-to-my-fathers-kitchen/ From Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/returning-to-my-father-s-kitchen-essays-monica-macansantos/ Purchase from Book People in Austin, which sells signed copies of the book! https://bookpeople.com/book/9780810148390 Also from Monica, LOVE & OTHER RITUALS, a collection of stories: https://www.monicamacansantos.com/loveandotherritualsselectedstories.html Thanks for this amazing conversation, Monica! All the best! Arts Calling is produced by Jaime Alejandro. HOW TO SUPPORT ARTS CALLING: PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A REVIEW, OR SHARING THIS EPISODE WITH A FRIEND! YOUR SUPPORT TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE! Much love, j artscalling.com

For hayfever sufferers, spring can bring a whole load of unwelcome symptoms. Victoria University of Wellington professor Rewi Newnnam spoke to Corin Dann

David Harland - an international diplomat who has devoted decades to finding ways to overcome armed conflict - is one of this year's Victoria University of Wellington's Distinguished Alumni. 

It's one small step for SpaceX, one giant leap for New Zealand's fledgling space industry. A rocket bearing a first-ever experiment built in Lower Hutt has lifted off from Cape Canaveral. The mission, called Hēki, will plug onto the outside of the International Space Station. Scores of scientists and others watched the launch on a screen at a Victoria University facility in Lower Hutt this morning. Phil Pennington reports.

A tech hub based at Victoria University in Wellington is proving to be a success in its first year - contributing $11.9 million to the economy and supporting 127 fulltime jobs in that time. 

Amy Leigh Wicks is a poet, actress, and educator from New York City. She holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and an MFA from The New School in New York. She recently served as Dean of Performing Arts at Bethel Conservatory of the Arts and is the author of The Dangerous Country of Love and Marriage (Auckland University Press, 2019) and Orange Juice and Rooftops (Eloquent Books, 2009).In this episode, Stephen Roach talks with Amy about the intersection of presence, performance, and poetic confession. Their conversation explores the emotional depth of character work, the daily rhythms that sustain creativity, and the subtle terrain where vulnerability gives way to transcendence.At the heart of the conversation, Amy unpacks the idea of confessional transcendence—the mysterious way raw honesty in art can lead beyond self-expression into something sacred and universal. Through personal stories and reflections, she explores how poetry and acting together deepen her awareness of beauty, pain, and the human condition. The episode culminates in a moving reading of her poetry that embodies the very themes explored.Resources: Get Amy's Book: The Dangerous Country of Love and MarriageSupport The Podcast! Show some love! If this, or other episodes, have helped you in your creative/spiritual journey, become a monthly patron. Follow us on InstagramSend us a textSupport the show Get Tickets to The Breath and The Clay 2026 featuring Malcolm Guite, Jon Guerra, and Jonathan Pageau! March 20-22 in Winston-Salem, NC.