Big Ideas

Has your doctor ever told you to go on a diet? Does that conversation put you off going to them in the first place, even if you need treatment for something not related to your weight? Has being in a larger body ever meant you can't access surgery or IVF?Some are pushing for a weight-inclusive approach to healthcare, which de-centres obesity, and focuses on 'health-at-every-size'. But what does that really mean, and why does it matter?
This event was held at the 11th Annual Weight Stigma Conference at Griffith University.
Original broadcast on September 17, 2025.
Speakers
Ana Ximena Torres, clinical psychologist and founder of the practice, Elemental Collective.
Dr Fiona WillerDietitian, bioethicist, President of Dietitians AustraliaLecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at Queensland University of TechnologyFounder, Health, Not Diets consultancyHost, Unpacking Weight Science podcast.
Tracy Taylor-BeckManager, Strategy and Health Promotion (interim CEO at the time of this event)Women's Health in the North, a women's health promotion and advocacy organisation in Melbourne's North.
Thanks to Dr Lily O'Hara from Griffith University, convenor of the conference.

Scientists are uncovering the surprising power of the trillions of microbes living inside you and how they can shape your mood, your thinking, even your sense of self. How might the health of your gut change the course of serious mental illness? This a deep dive into the mind-body connection offers a glimpse of where the future of mental and physical health might be headed.
Healthy microbiome. Happy brain? was presented at the World Science Festival Brisbane.
Speakers
Gordon ParkerScientia Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and founder of the Black Dog InstituteAuthor of A Gut Mood Solution
Associate Professor Heidi StaudacherDietitian and lead of the Diet, Gut and Brain Group at Monash University
Damien KeatingMatthew Flinders Professor of Physiology in the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) and Head of the Gut Sensory Systems research group
Julia Baird (host)Award-winning journalist and co-host of the podcast Not Stupid on ABC Listen

Once, a musician’s success could live or die on the opinions of its reviewers. But now, music culture is being shaped by algorithms and PR companies. So what is the future of music journalism?
This podcast episode was originally recorded on 19 August 2026 in partnership with The Wheeler Centre and Now or Never Festival. Discover more talks and bold conversations by following The Wheeler Centre wherever you get your podcasts or at wheelercentre.com.
Speakers
Al Newstead Double J music and pop culture reporter Author, Tame Impala's Currents
Sose Fuemoli Host of Sista Sounds and On the Record on ABC Radio AustraliaMusic correspondent, ABC News BreakfastHost of, Window Seat, Triple R
Sarah Smith Former music editor at The Big Issue magazineFormer editor of Faster Louder Host, Sometimes Always, Triple R
Simon Winkler (host)Double J Assistant Music DirectorFormer music coordinator (for 18 years) Triple RFormer co-host of Breaking and Entering, Triple RCo-founder, Good Question

What will stop you slipping into homelessness? In a cost-of-living crisis, it's getting harder to keep a secure roof over your head. And did you know that 14% of people accessing specialist homelessness services in Australia are unaccompanied children? That's thousands of children, homeless, alone. A conversation about what kind of community we want to create together, and how to prevent a crisis before it comes. Join Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell and guests at the 2026 Australian Homelessness Conference on Larrakia Country in Darwin. 
Speakers
Professor Kerry ArabenaDescendant of the Meriam people from the Torres StraitManaging Director, Karabena ConsultingFormer co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, Executive Director of Apunipima Cape York Health Council, and Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne. Former president of Ecohealth International.
Rebecca PinkstoneChief Executive, Homes NSW, NSW GovernmentNon-executive director, Australian Housing and Urban Research InstituteFormer CEO of a social housing provider
Catherine RobinsonAssociate Professor in Communities and Social Justice, University of TasmaniaNon-executive board director of Homelessness Australia, the Youth Network of Tasmania and Home Base. Co-host, Filthy Rich and Homeless on SBS TV
Further information
Reimagining Indigenous Housing, Health, and Wealth report (2020)Example: Denver Basic Income Project (Example of unconditional cash transfers approach)
Example: Community of Schools and Services (COSS) model
Example: Safe and Connected Youth Program (ACT Conflict Resolution Service)
Example: Housing stabilisation initiative (Canada)
Better futures: Supported accommodation for unaccompanied children and young people experiencing homelessness (AHURI, 2026)Yes, we see you. Why a national plan for homelessness must make thousands of children on their own a priority (The Conversation, 2023)NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035NSW Homelessness Strategy Action plan 2025-2027Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) (organises the biennial Australian Homelessness Conference and National Housing Conference).

He's covered wars, elections and everything in between. But what happens when a hardened foreign correspondent goes looking for a lighter travel story - and comes home changed?
Hear what his road trip to Africa taught him about our shared humanity. This talk was provided by the York Festival of Ideas. The Festival is led by the University of York, UK.
Speakers
Clive MyrieMulti-award-winning journalist, BBC foreign correspondents, host of Mastermind and Clive Myrie's African AdventureAuthor of Everything Is Everything: A Memoir of Love, Hate & Hope
Joan Concannon (host)Director of York Festival of Ideas