France is the place to go to learn some of the best cooking skills, and in this episode of The Churchill Collective, we travel to the French countryside to discover new skills that can be brought back and enjoyed in Australia. Host Adam Spencer explores the passions behind that country’s charcuterie tradition, and how artisan chef Sascha Randle intends to bring it all home to Australia. The first recipient of a memorial fellowship dedicated to the late daughter of TV Chef Maggie Beer, Sascha describes her journey from Melbourne to France, where she’s perfecting traditional French charcuterie techniques. Sascha discusses her background, the art of charcuterie, and her experiences learning from renowned French chefs. She shares her vision of bringing these refined skills back to Australia to inspire local culinary practices and elevate the nation's food culture.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

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Australia’s homelessness crisis is growing, particularly in the big cities. But although the problem is often on their doorsteps, local councils have been feeling powerless. With most powers in the hands of Canberra or the states, what can councils do? In this episode of The Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer investigates this pressing issue with anthropologist and writer Leanne Mitchell, a Churchill Fellow who went overseas to fill an Australian knowledge gap. The discussion highlights innovative global solutions to homelessness and how they can be adapted locally. Leanne shares her insights from her international research, emphasising prevention strategies and the crucial role of local governments in tackling this complex issue.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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Jodie Williams is a sound artist and historian from Norfolk Island, who embarked on a Churchill Fellowship journey to explore the soundscapes and heritage of her remote island home. In a conversation with host Adam Spencer about her art practice, Jodie emphasises the importance of sound in preserving memories and connecting generations, especially in the context of remote island communities. She has also received a Churchill Impact Funding Grant to bring sound healing and heritage preservation to her community, including aged care. Jodie shares her advice for aspiring artists and researchers looking to explore their heritage through sound and multimedia.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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It’s another example of how one person can change Australia for the better with just a little help. In this episode, host Adam Spencer interviews Kate Cole, a scientist and engineer who embarked on a Churchill Fellowship to improve workplace safety in the underground construction industry. Kate's journey takes her to the world’s tunnelling epicentres, where she learns best practices for managing the dangers of crystalline silica dust exposure in tunnels. She discusses the shocking lack of awareness about silicosis, outdated workplace exposure standards, and challenges in implementing health and safety measures. Kate discusses her efforts to bring about positive change in Australia, including collaborative projects, workshops, and improvements in air quality monitoring.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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In this episode of the Churchill Collective, host Adam Spencer explores the world of vaccines and efforts to make sure they are safe to use. Professor Nicholas Wood, a paediatrician and immunisation researcher, discusses his experiences studying vaccine safety and innovation during his Churchill Fellowship travels. From the development of mRNA vaccines to addressing vaccine hesitancy, Professor Wood talks about critical aspects of immunisation. He also outlines the need for a national vaccine safety office in Australia and the importance of understanding viruses in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can we find new medicines from ocean creatures, and then how can we speed up those drugs’ development? These are questions being answered by Dr Michela Mitchell, Australia's first sea anemone taxonomist. In this episode, host Adam Spencer explores the fascinating world of sea anemone toxinology and its potential in drug development. Dr Mitchell discusses her journey from computer programming to marine biology and her research on sea anemone venom. She highlights the complexities of venom extraction and analysis, as well as the need for collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies to expedite drug development.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

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How do we know what is really going on behind bars in Australia’s prisons? In this episode, host Adam Spencer explores the secretive world of intelligence gathering in the corrections system. He interviews Helen Glazebrook about her fascinating career as an intelligence officer, and her experiences during her Churchill Fellowship, where she visited various countries to learn about intelligence methodologies and state-of-the-art technology. Helen highlights the need for greater collaboration and intelligence sharing between agencies, as well as the potential benefits of lifetime monitoring for serious organised crime offenders.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

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Dr Scott Sleap is helping Australia reach for the stars through his involvement in the space industry and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education. In this episode, host Adam Spencer speaks with this passionate educator and explores his fascinating journey. Dr Sleap discusses his experiences as a Churchill Fellow, travelling to learn about space science and STEM education worldwide. From behind-the-scenes access at NASA to exploring the educational potential of Disney theme parks, his journey is an example of how Australians can gain valuable knowledge abroad and bring it back to inspire locally.

The Churchill Collective is produced for the Winston Churchill Trust by:

SoundCartel
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.