Shows
Concept Economy Podcast“Systemic design for better policy” with Emma BlomkampThe creation of good public policy requires policymakers to solve complex problems. This is challenging work, especially because reliable methods for creating good policy are not always clear.Science, technology, and product development have made leaps and bounds in recent decades, in part thanks to advances in problem solving derived from fields of study such as design thinking and systems theory. Is it possible to apply the tools from these domains to solve complex policy problems?Systemic design and co-design offer strategies for enabling policymakers to develop better policy – a big part of the picture is...
2026-01-3156 min
Church for the City, Sydney AustraliaFresh Stats Part 3 - Confronted by Grace - Sam Kellahan - 25 Jan 2026
2026-01-2528 min
Concept Economy Podcast"The purpose of universities" with Andrew NortonDoes higher education hold the key to national prosperity?Universities are complex and ancient institutions, yet instrumentalists view them primarily as a means to achieving government goals. The workers of the future will require advanced skills – so it is reasoned – and universities are perfectly positioned to deliver the training.But does increasing the number of students at university automatically lead to a better educated workforce? Does it matter whether university educators have been trained to teach? And how can we know what the jobs of the future will be?Professor Andrew Norton joins Sam...
2025-12-201h 08
Concept Economy Podcast"Housing, banking, and MMT" with Alan KohlerIn a nation grappling with expensive housing, our lives are dominated by banks. Social mobility is no longer a function of hard work but a question of how much cash you can borrow from your parents.Economic policy has played a central role in shaping these undesirable outcomes but it can be hard to understand how this works. That’s where Alan comes in.Alan Kohler has been helping ordinary punters understand finance and the economy for over five decades. He joins Sam to unpack his writing – The Great Divide: Australia’s Housing Mess and How to...
2025-12-0445 min
Concept Economy Podcast"Housing and political change" with Maiy AzizeThe Australian government has decided it is not responsible for providing access to affordable housing. Despite playing a pivotal role in the provision of public education and healthcare, government builds only a fraction of Australia’s housing stock. In a market dominated by private developers, house prices have seen staggering increases.Everybody’s Home is a campaign to fix the Australian housing crisis. Sam speaks to national spokesperson, Maiy Azize, about how to effect political change, and why the government needs to return to the tried-and-tested policy of building more social and affordable housing. Get...
2025-10-3153 min
Concept Economy Podcast"Money and the balance of power" with Brett ScottWe rely on it every day, but we rarely stop to consider, “What is money?”There’s an important difference between a $50 banknote, and the numbers you see in your bank account. The availability of cash and digital money, and the infrastructure that supports them fundamentally shape our monetary system.Much like a transport system, the monetary system is vital to the operation of a modern nation. But who is designing it? And what do we need a monetary system to provide?Sam and Brett discuss the origin of money, monetary systems, and Brett’...
2025-10-021h 02
Concept Economy Podcast"Better government" with Jordan Lane, MPHave you ever met a politician under the age of 30?When Jordan Lane was elected as the NSW State Member for Ryde, he was one of just two parliamentarians in that age bracket.Young people around the world are facing unique challenges, yet they are under-represented in our parliaments.Jordan joins Sam to discuss young Aussies losing faith in politics and why he’s optimistic about the potential for positive change. Get full access to Concept Economy at samkellahan.substack.com/subscribe
2025-09-1154 min
Concept Economy Podcast"Australian neoliberalism" with John QuigginEconomic policy has transformed Australia in the past forty years.If you’re reading about the Australian economy, it’s only a matter of time before you come across the term, “neoliberalism”. Over the past four decades, this brand of economic thought has had a massive impact on the shape of economies around the world.Professor John Quiggin unpacks the rise of neoliberalism in Australia, the distinguishing characteristics of this ideology, and how events like the Global Financial Crisis undermined the credibility of key neoliberal theories.John’s 2024 book, After Neoliberalism, can be found here...
2025-08-2853 min
Concept Economy Podcast"Australia's culture crisis" with The Emergent CityWhat does it mean for a nation to build its identity around owning a house? And what happens when that goal is systematically placed out of reach?The great Australian dream of home ownership is now unattainable for a growing proportion of ordinary Aussies. According to some voices in the debate, government red-tape and planning regulation are a core part of the problem.Sam speaks with the urban designer and city strategist behind Substack publication, The Emergent City, to discover that the problem is far more complex. Get full access...
2025-07-0650 min
Concept Economy PodcastRewind #3 – "The truth about the budget"Sam and Rowan dive into the fascinating world of MMT as they step through the interview with Professor Bill Mitchell from the University of Newcastle.They’re not economists, but they did help Kevin Rudd fix the GFC by accepting a free laptop in high school.Listen to the original interview on MMT here: Get full access to Concept Economy at samkellahan.substack.com/subscribe
2025-07-0134 min
Concept Economy Podcast"The truth about the budget" with Bill MitchellWe’ve been told that the federal budget is like a household budget. But what if that’s not true? What would economic policy look like if there were no financial constraints on government spending?Modern Monetary Theory offers a transformative lens through which to view the economy. Contrary to the claims of critics, MMT identifies very clear limits on government spending – they’re just not the limits politicians, commentators, and mainstream economists are talking about.Professor Bill Mitchell joins Sam to discuss common misconceptions of MMT, the disconnect between economists and the general public, and how...
2025-05-0143 min
Concept Economy PodcastRewind #2 – "Inequality is bad for the economy"Sam and Rowan are back to discuss the interview with Senior Economist, Matt Grudnoff, wrapping their heads around competitive markets and Australia’s inequitable tax system.They’re not economists, but they are bravely fighting back against the Australian grocery duopoly by occasionally shopping at Aldi.Find the original interview on inequality here. Get full access to Concept Economy at samkellahan.substack.com/subscribe
2025-04-2531 min
Concept Economy Podcast"Inequality is bad for the economy" with Matt GrudnoffAustralia has been called, “the lucky country”, but it’s clear that some people are more lucky than others.Where does inequality come from? Is it possible, or even desirable to eliminate inequality? Why does the Australian tax system reward asset speculation and penalise Aussies for working hard to earn a wage?Sam is joined by Senior Economist from The Australia Institute, Matt Grudnoff, to discuss how excessive corporate profits, stagnant wages, and an illogical tax system are undermining Australia’s ability to build a better future as the land of the fair go. They e...
2025-04-0449 min
Concept Economy PodcastRewind #1 – "A better housing market"Sam is joined by writer and comedian, Rowan Thambar, to discuss the interview with Dr Cameron Murray and unpick lingering questions about the Australian housing crisis. They’re not economists, but at least one of them has shared a mushroom risotto with Ross Gittins. Get full access to Concept Economy at samkellahan.substack.com/subscribe
2025-03-2929 min
Concept Economy PodcastNarrated: "The Weakness of Markets"Reading of the Concept Economy article, The Weakness of Markets.For more content, including written articles, visit www.concepteconomy.com. Get full access to Concept Economy at samkellahan.substack.com/subscribe
2025-02-0612 min
Concept Economy Podcast"A better housing market" with Cameron MurrayAustralia’s housing market has been the topic of intense debate for well over a decade. Prices have surged around the nation and vulnerable people are being left behind. In his 2024 book, “The Great Housing Hijack”, seasoned economist, Cameron Murray, explains that this is precisely what we should expect to see when government steps back from the provision of housing. In other words, the housing market is functioning normally. But is normal good? How can we improve outcomes without crashing the market?And why is everyone so worked up about buying a house anyway?Sam...
2025-02-0338 minChurch for the City, Sydney AustraliaDAVID - The kind of people God can use - Part 6 - 23-07-23 - Sam Kellahan
2023-07-2327 min2023-05-1431 min2023-03-0530 minChurch for the City, Sydney AustraliaDaniel Part 10 - Sam Kellahan - 11 Dec 2022We apologise for the poor audio on this recording
2022-12-1238 min2022-10-2329 min2022-03-1426 min2022-03-0425 min