Shows
SEARCH Foundation AustraliaMichael Samaras in conversationTitle: Anti-Fascists: Jim McNeill and his mates in the Spanish Civil WarAuthor: SAMARAS MICHAELFormat: PAPERBACKPublication date: 12/04/2025Imprint: CONNOR COURT PUBLISHING ISBN: 9781923224575Hello, and welcome to this SEARCH Foundation podcast.Michael Samaras’ book Anti-Fascists: Jim McNeill and His Mates in the Spanish Civil War was published in March 2025. The book has been launched in Sydney, Melbourne and Thirroul. This podcast was created on 10 June 2025, and by the time you hear this, the book will have been launched in Canberra. Michael’s book concentrates of the stories of two...
2025-06-1142 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 16In this sixteenth, and final, Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 20 of the 23 interviewees talk about their political lives following the dissolution of the CPA. The other three interviewees can be heard on this topic in Episode 1.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. S...
2024-03-071h 41SEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 15In this fifteenth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 7 of the 23 interviewees talk about their experiences as members of the CPA.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the...
2024-02-1845 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 14In this fourteenth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 6 of the 23 interviewees talk about their experiences as members of the CPA.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the...
2024-02-0544 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 13In this thirteenth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 6 of the 23 interviewees talk about their experiences as members of the CPA.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the...
2024-01-2530 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 12In this twelfth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, another 7 of the 23 interviewees talk about the reasons for the CPA's dissolution.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of th...
2024-01-1129 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 11In this eleventh Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, another 6 of the 23 interviewees talk about the reasons for the CPA's dissolution.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of th...
2023-12-0635 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 10In this tenth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 6 of the 23 interviewees talk about the reasons for the CPA's dissolution.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the f...
2023-11-2725 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 9In this ninth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, a further 7 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision not to join, or to leave the ALP.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forum...
2023-11-1324 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 8In this eighth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, a further 6 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision not to join, or to leave the ALP.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forum...
2023-11-0613 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 7In this seventh Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 6 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision not to join, or to leave the ALP.Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to comme...
2023-10-1612 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 6In this sixth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 6 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision to join to the CPA. Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of th...
2023-10-0237 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 5In this fifth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 8 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision to join to the CPA. The other voices will be heard in subsequent episodes. Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six...
2023-09-1855 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 4In this fourth Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 8 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision to join to the CPA. The other voices will be heard in subsequent episodes. Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six...
2023-09-0428 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 3In this third Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, a further 8 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision to join to the CPA. The other voices will be heard in subsequent episodes. Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-da...
2023-08-2122 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 2In this second Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, 8 of the 23 interviewees talk about their decision to join to the CPA. The other voices will be heard in subsequent episodes. Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six...
2023-07-3021 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of Postwar communists: Series 2, Episode 1In this first Episode of Series 2 of the Postwar Communists podcasts, a further 23 interviewees are heard. Thanks to our interviewees, currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of Aus...
2023-04-071h 40SEARCH Foundation AustraliaAllison Pennington - The war on wages and how to win it (July 2020)Alison Pennington was Senior Economist with the Centre for Future Work. She has been quoted and published in various news outlets on the impact of the economic crisis on workers, particularly on young people and women, and has made numerous TV, podcast and radio appearances on a broad range of topics related to her areas of expertise.She talks in this Zoom forum on her articles (linked below) ‘How the government is turning back the clock for women’ published in the New Daily, and ‘Why governments must spend, spend, spend to save the Australian economy’, from the Newcastle Herald...
2022-12-151h 06SEARCH Foundation AustraliaDr Dylan Lino - Voice, Sovereignty and Constitutional ChangeDr Dylan Lino is Senior Lecturer at the TC Beirne School of Law at the University of Queensland, and was a member of the team that provided legal advice to the Uluru Dialogue. Dylan spoke to us and took questions on what the Voice means for sovereignty, on why it comes first in the Voice Treaty Truth sequence, and how change to the constitution has historically led to further positive changes for First Nations peoples.Dylan researches constitutional law, colonialism and imperialism, and in particular, the rights and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander p...
2022-12-151h 01SEARCH Foundation AustraliaBernard Collaery - Oil under Troubled Waters - Australia’s Timor Sea Intrigue.Bernard Collaery is an Australian solicitor and barrister who specialises in litigation in high-profile catastrophic personal injury cases. He has acted for families of victims of the Thredbo landslide, the Royal Canberra Hospital demolition tragedy, the Glenbrook rail disaster in the Blue Mountains, the fire aboard HMAS Westralia and the tragic loss of an RAAF F1-11 in the South China Sea.Throughout his career as a solicitor, advocate and politician Bernard has been a fearless advocate for human rights. During his tenure as Attorney-General for the Australian Capital Territory, he introduced an independent law reform process...
2022-12-151h 13SEARCH Foundation AustraliaBill Fletcher Jr - prospects for the Left in Trump's America (May 2020)Bill Fletcher Jr is the executive editor of Global African Worker and the author of “They’re Bankrupting Us!": and Twenty Other Myths about Unions (2012). Having been an activist since his teen years, upon graduating from college Bill went to work as a welder in a shipyard, thereby entering the labor movement. Over the years he has been active in workplace and community struggles as well as electoral campaigns. He has worked for several US labor unions in addition to serving as a senior staff member in the national peak body AFL-CIO.Bill Fletcher is the...
2022-10-241h 50SEARCH Foundation AustraliaSean Sweeney on Energy DemocracySean Sweeney PhD is the Director of the International Program for Labor, Climate and Environment at the School of Labor and Urban Studies at City University of New York.His extensive writings, podcasts and videos on energy democracy are available on the unions for energy democracy website…: http://unionsforenergydemocracy.org/s...He is a long time leading trade unionist and climate and energy activist. Originally from the UK, he joins us live from New York to talk about energy democracy and energy ownership in a covid 19 world…Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED) is a...
2022-09-071h 06SEARCH Foundation AustraliaJim Stanford on wages, prices and the risks of monetary austerityDr Jim Stanford speaks on Wages, Prices, and the Risks of Monetary AusterityWorking people are seeing their real wages decline rapidly, and governments everywhere are threatening to cut incomes and services to tame inflation. But what’s Causing It? Who’s Benefiting From It? And How Can We Solve it Without Austerity?Jim Stanford is the author of countless academic and popular articles on economics, trade, workers’ rights, industrial relations, economic history and policy. His book Economics for Everyone is one example of his years of dedication to education for trade unionists and progressive activi...
2022-08-291h 03SEARCH Foundation AustraliaMyanmar Solidarity event with Alison Tate and April KhaingAlison Tate (ITUC) and April Khaing (Burmese Australian activist) talk about the situation in Burma, why it matters to Australians, and what we can do about it.Alison Tate is the Director of Economic and Social Policy of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), a body representing 207 million workers in 165 countries. Her policy work spans such areas as international trade and investment, social policy, and sustainable development. In her role at ITUC, she represents unions in bodies including the United Nations, the G20, and international financial institutions, and a Commissioner of the Financial Sector Commission on Modern...
2022-07-141h 05SEARCH Foundation AustraliaInside COP26 with Fiona ReynoldsFiona Reynolds, (now former) Managing Director of the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, speaks at this online public forum on the COP26 conference and its outcomes, followed by a Q&A.About Fiona ReynoldsAt the time of recording, in Nov 2021, Fiona Reynolds was Managing Director of the PRI, responsible to the board for the PRI’s global operations which includes more than 1350 signatories representing over US$45 trillion in assets under management, across 50 countries.Fiona has more than 20 years’ experience in the pension sector working in particular with the Australian Government and has play...
2022-07-1457 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaDrug Wars or New Laws? With Neil Woods, former undercover copNeil Woods, author of 'Good Cop, Bad War', and 'Drug Wars', former UK undercover police officer, speaks in this webinar on the need for drug law reform, followed by an audience Q&A. About Neil Woods Neil is a former UK police officer and undercover drugs operative. Now he’s an active member of the international drug policy reform movement. He worked undercover between 1993 and 2007 befriending and gaining the trust of some of the most violent, unpredictable criminals in Britain. With the insight that can only come from having fought on its front lines, Neil ca...
2022-07-141h 00SEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 10 - Contemporary political activity and party membership.In Episode 10, interviewees talk about contemporary political activity and party membership.This is the final episode in this series. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of th...
2022-06-1456 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 9 - what the Party provided (Part 2)In Episodes 8 & 9, members outline what the Party provided to their political perspective and activism. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of A...
2022-06-0624 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 8 - what the Party provided (Part 1)In Episodes 8 & 9, members outline what the Party provided to their political perspective and activism. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of A...
2022-05-3025 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 7 - Voting to dissolve (Part 2)Flowing on from Episode 6, other former members talk about the decision to dissolve the CPA. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the founding of the Communist Party...
2022-05-2330 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 6 - Voting to dissolve (Part 1)In this episode former members talk about the decision to dissolve the CPA. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of Austr...
2022-05-1624 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 5 - CPA & ALPJoin us as we continue to explore the rationales for what many on the left considered incomprehensible then, and quixotic now. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a complement to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of th...
2022-05-0923 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaSharan Burrow - 17 April 2020Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation, on COVID19, what it means for working people, and the priorities for the international union movement.
2022-05-051h 11SEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 4 - Beneficiaries of the boom & communists, part 3
2022-05-0226 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 3 - Beneficiaries of the boom & communists, part 2Join us as we continue to explore the rationales for what many on the left considered incomprehensible then, and quixotic now. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a compliment to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of th...
2022-04-2630 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaRebecca Huntley - How to talk about climate change in a way that makes a differenceDr Rebecca Huntley speaking on her book - How to Talk About Climate Change in Way that Makes a Difference.About the bookWhy is it so hard to talk about climate change?While scientists double down on the shocking figures, we still find ourselves unable to discuss climate change meaningfully among friends and neighbours - or even to grapple with it ourselves.The key to progress on climate change is in the psychology of human attitudes and our ability to change. Whether you're already alarmed and engaged with the issue, concerned but...
2022-04-191h 01
SEARCH Foundation AustraliaPandemic Solidarity and Degrowth - Anitra Nelson and Vincent LiegeyThis event features Anitra Nelson (Central Victoria) and Vincent Liegey (Budapest) speaking on their recent books – Exploring Degrowth: A Critical Guide and Pandemic Solidarity: Mutual Aid during the Covid-19 Crisis.DescriptionIs postcapitalism nigh? If so, what visions and practices exemplify postcapitalism?Revolutions are wrought from testing times and sparks that light the way ahead. These two books have evolved as international collaborations from contemporary social movements. One explains the background, activities, and political achievements and challenges for ‘degrowth’. The other analyses the eruption of mutual aid organisations across 18 countries and regions in the curren...
2022-04-191h 12SEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 2 - Beneficiaries of the boom & communists, part 1Join us as we continue to explore the rationales for what many on the left considered incomprehensible then, and quixotic now. Thanks to our interviewees (30 so far currently younger-than-old-but-older-than-young (aka baby boomers). This series can be seen as a compliment to the other material produced for the centenary year of the CPA. In SEARCH's book Comrades! Lives of Australian Communists (SEARCH, 2020) we published biographies of 50 women and 50 men, some famous and some not, who had been part of the CPA. SEARCH also produced a one-day series of six one-hour online forums to commemorate the Centenary of th...
2022-04-1628 minSEARCH Foundation AustraliaStories of postwar communists - Series 1 Episode 1 - An IntroductionWhy would a member of the luckiest generation in history join a communist party, and dedicate their lives to radical change? As part of the celebrations for the 100 anniversary of the Communist Party of Australia in 2020, SEARCH members had the idea of asking Communist Party of Australia (CPA) members born after World War II - why they joined the CPA. A podcast series made-up of excerpts from 18 of the first-round interviews conducted since 2020 has been created. Episode 1 is an introduction to the series. A new episode will be published each week. And a se...
2022-03-1134 min
SEARCH Foundation AustraliaAllira Davis - 2022 - Time for Voice Treaty Truth!In this, our first ever podcast episode, we hear from Allira Davis.Allira Davis is a proud Cobble Cobble woman from the Barrungum and Birrigubba nations of South-East Queensland, and also of South Sea Islander descent from Ambae and Tanna islands. Allira is the Co-chair and Manager for the Uluru Youth dialogues, which works closely with the grassroots Uluru Statement from the Heart movement and has focused largely on ensuring Indigenous youth voices are given a platform to be heard. She manages, builds and connects Uluru Youth in promoting and educating Australians on the Uluru Statement from...
2022-03-0957 min