In this bonus episode, Jeni Whalan hosts a discussion on the recent commitments from both NSW and Victoria to deliver a year of universal play-based learning for children in the year before they start school. As well as transforming early child

Evidence is not enough: a review of Backing Kids

Jun 6th, 2022 27m 25s

In this bonus episode, hosts Jeni Whalan and Glyn Davis examine the insights gained across this season of conversations about putting children at the centre of good public policy. They discuss the frustrating gap between knowledge and action wh

Children at the centre: looking overseas

Apr 25th, 2022 38m 36s

‘Never again’ were words that echoed around the world in the wake of the second world war. Organisations were formed with the explicit aim of respecting and promoting international cooperation, aid and development. Only a few decades later, we

Strong in culture: backing Indigenous kids

Apr 18th, 2022 38m 13s

First Nations children in Australia are some of the most disadvantaged and disenfranchised in our society. But they’re also on a journey of discovery, healing and strength through culture in response to the devastating impact of colonisation. O

A pram walk from every home: the case for a universal early learning system

Apr 11th, 2022 34m 53s

We know what children need in their first five years to develop to their full potential, so why isn’t action around this at the top of the national agenda? Former Premier and South Australian Minister for Children, Jay Weatherill, leads the Thr

Building blocks for life: public health and kids

Apr 4th, 2022 32m 11s

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for developmental outcomes and long term health. Paediatrician and leading child health researcher, Professor Sharon Goldfeld, argues we need a radical redesign of how families can be best supp

Kids and the Federal Budget

Mar 31st, 2022 31m 29s

We debrief the 2022 Federal Budget to explore how children are reflected in the national economic plan. Amanda Robbins and Alicia Mollaun from Equity Economics share their analysis of the implications for kids and families and explore how the B

Children in the national conversation

Mar 21st, 2022 34m

We live in a wealthy nation but the experiences of Australian children are diverse, with many experiencing real challenges in their everyday lives. Two years into the pandemic, there are strong concerns about the impact on kids and the cost to

Trailer

Introducing season 2: Backing Kids

Mar 14th, 2022 2m 21s

In season 2 of Life’s Lottery we explore how we can best support and back children through better policy making and public investment. How do we create a society where all kids can thrive? Join us for a series of thought-provoking conversations

The challenge to philanthropy

Nov 22nd, 2021 35m 44s

If we want to inform better public policy to end poverty and disadvantage, hard data and facts are more important than ever. This sets up both a challenge and an opportunity for organisations as philanthropy in Australia develops even further.

Collective impact: communities driving change

Nov 15th, 2021 36m 49s

No major social problem has a single cause so why would a single approach or organisation be able to solve it? Collective Impact starts with social objectives that are agreed upon across all sectors of society. This episode considers the idea a

Parents in prison

Nov 8th, 2021 34m 14s

Most people in jail have experienced disadvantage at some point in their lives, and it’s a legacy that often passes from parent to child. This episode examines current Australian research into the experience of mothers in the criminal justice s

Possibility thinking

Nov 1st, 2021 29m 20s

In this episode we examine systems change and possibility thinking with a leader in the field. Charlie Leadbeater is a creative systems innovator who works with organisations around the world to address long term problems, such as unacceptable

On merit

Oct 25th, 2021 33m 26s

Australians believe our country is the land of the fair go. A meritocracy where if you work hard you can be successful, no matter what circumstances you were born into. But how true is this? Is intelligence and hard work really enough to break

Trailer

Introducing Life’s Lottery

Oct 18th, 2021 1m 53s

Birth is a throw of the dice. The consequences can last a lifetime. A child born into disadvantage today will struggle to break out in adulthood - no matter how hard they work.Life’s Lottery is a podcast about new ways to break the cycle of di