Activista
By Activista
Join hosts Brett Solomon (CEO accessnow.org) and Nell Schofield (ex lockthegate.org) as they strap on their activist's tool belt and share ideas about campaign strategies.
Broadcast live every Tuesday from Bundjalung Country on BayFM 99.9, the most easterly station in the Australian nation, Activista explores progressive ways to win hearts and minds.
ActivistaMar 17, 2022
Activista Election Special #5 - The Debrief
In the last of our Activista Election Specials, we’re joined live in the studio by special guest, Mandy Nolan - Green’s candidate for Richmond who helps us debrief on Australia’s seismic Federal election last Saturday - the Teal Steal, Greensland, the QUAD, Makarrata and more. Brett Solomon is on the line from Davos where he's standing with other human rights defenders against spyware at the World Economic Forum.
Activista Election Special #4 - London Calling
Brett Solomon dials in from London to give us an international perspective. Does anyone overseas even care about the Australian federal election? Or do they, like us, want whoever governs to stop our coal exports increasing warming? And who has the best climate policy anyway? From the global to the local we try to find out.
Activista Election Special #3 - Preferences and Predictions
Pre-Polling has officially started so we take a look at the How-To-Vote cards and unpack the Candidates preferences. Who is putting who first and last and why? And where are some of these "ghost candidates" hiding out? In the Senate and House of Reps, there's an awful lot of paperwork to negotiate but this is your moment to participate in our beloved, if somewhat confusing Australian democracy. We also debrief on the second leaders’ debacle of a debate and ask why anyone would vote for either of them anyway?
Activista Election Special #2 - The Colour Teal
In the second of our Activista Election Specials we’ll take a look at the so-called ‘Teal Independents, and how King Maker Rupert Murdoch is out to get ‘em. Why? Because he, like the Coalition, wants to keep mining coal instead of taking climate action. It’s the same old conservative story but has its day finally arrived?
Activista Election Special #1
In the first of our Activista Election Specials we drill down into Covid. How will the pandemic pan out as an election issue? Will the Coalition leader’s handling of the virus over the past two years put him ahead of the opposition? The Labor leader is still in isolation after the superspreader event that was Byron Bay Bluesfest which knocks him out of at least a week of campaigning. How will that affect his chances? Transphobia raises its head in Warringah and Beijing is now in Honiara. WTF dudes?
1.15 - Follow the Money
All campaigns need money. Where does it come from? How can you get your hands on it? And who are you most likely benefactors? From big donors to micro money, you can fund your work in a wide range of ways. But what are some of the pitfalls and how can you brace yourself against them? Transparency is key. Find out why as we ethically and diplomatically plunder available vaults.
1.14 - Volunteers for Votes
The Australian federal election was called on Sunday and campaigning for votes now begins in earnest. Your preferred candidate needs you! So this week, we talk about political volunteering. How can you help? And what are some of the expectations on your time, your expertise, and your values? Data entry, core flutes on your front lawn, calling parties, and handing out how-to-vote cards on election day itself. What sort of an Activista are you?
1.13 - Facts, Fiction and Flibbertigibbets
How can we fact check our data to bolster the impact of our campaigns? And what even are facts in the age of fake news, conspiracy theories and unlimited Youtube wormholes? In a week when Julian Assange got married in Belmarsh Prison, and the IPCC brought out its latest report, we attempt to navigate our way towards truth, justice and rock solid evidence to back up our actions.
1.12 - When bird-dogging bites back
We all love humorous political stunts, especially when they flush out targets on issues they’re trying to avoid. But what happens and these kinds of pranks are criminalised? We take a look at the current defamation case against comedy act 'Friendly Jordies' by the former Deputy Premier of NSW and how Google is now also being implicated. The case coincides with the federal government's "anti trolling bill" so how will this all impact on our freedom of speech?
1.11 - Staying Cool in a Crisis
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more stressful, we set our sights on de-escalation. When they go low we go high. Or rather, when our opponents talk of war, we talk of peace. Non-violent direct action, like that demonstrated by Gandhi and so many others, sets an example for how to take the wind out of your adversaries sails. Stay calm, and carry on. And don't get caught up in alarmist rhetoric. This is just the beginning.
1.9 - Allyship to bring down the Patriarchy
On International Women’s Day we explore how men can become better allies for women striving for equality. Listening, asking questions, and definitely no mansplaining is in order for men to help women shift the dominant paradigm. And definitely no more “manels” please!
1.10 - Sustainable activism - going the distance
Campaigns often go on for years and years before a result is achieved. So how can activists sustain the momentum? What can we do to foster self-care in the midst of a crisis? Sometimes just a smile and a cuppa can recharge the batteries. It never ends. So sharpen your sword and open your heart. Activistas are in for the long haul.
1.8 - Flags: Tools or Targets?
This week's Activista waves the flag for truth, justice and the progressive way while trying not to get tangled up in nationalistic fervour. Flags have been planted all over the world to stake a claim to various countries, identities, and campaigns. They can be a source of pride but also highly divisive. We probe into their flapping nature to see how activists the world over have used them for good and for evil.
1.7 - Photos, Logos, and Impactful Imagery
What can a picture say that a thousand words can’t? This week we take a look at the importance of a key image to a campaign. Peter Dombrovski’s photograph of Rock Island Bend mobilised a nation to save the Franklin River from being dammed. Nick Ut’s Pulitzer Prize-winning image of a nine-year-old girl shocked America into pulling out of the Vietnam war. Photos, logos and impactful imagery can advance your endgame like nothing else.
1.6 - Words that shift the message
This week, we look at the specific language of campaigns - what slogans work best, which rally cries resonate through time, and what placards get the most traction? Optimistic, respectful, even humorous wording can hit your target much better than divisive hate speech and vandalism. We review the NSW Nurses and Midwives Strike rally to see how creative slogans helped them convey their demands.
1.5 - Petitions to shape society
In our Activista episode this week we take a magnifying glass to the small print on the petition to reveal its ability to shape society. From the old fashioned paper version to the game changer that is change.org, petitions are a solid wrench in the activists tool belt. So strap on and join Brett and Nell for that little piece of expert campaign advice.
1.4 - Make the most of the Media Moment
Traditional media outlets help amplify your campaign message and broadcast it to a wider audience. But how do you ensure your Media Release captures the attention of journalists? What is the story, who is your spokesperson and what are the visuals that will cut through to get maximum ink in the broadsheets and airtime on TV? We break it down for you and explain how to be your own publicity guru on both conventional and social media.
1.3 - How to Chair a kick ass meeting
Make your meeting matter with a tight agenda, an open mind, and of course, cheese and wine. You need people to help you build your campaign and their ideas could be the key to success so we explore how to Chair a meeting to get the most out of your team. Making space for the quietest voices in the room to contribute is just one key to achieving best results.
1.2 - The Power of the Whiteboard
First the chalk board then the whiteboard. Invented by Korean War veteran, Martin Heit in the mid 50s, this now ubiquitous feature of every boardroom has gone on to be an essential activists tool. Boring? Not in the digital age. The virtual whiteboard has enabled even the most reluctant contributor to contribute in meaningful ways. We hear how the simple whiteboard helped unseat conservative Prime Minister John Howard.
1.1 - What is an activist?
In our inaugural episode, our hosts Nell Schofield and Brett Solomon explore what it takes to be a better activist. In a wide ranging discussion that takes in the birth of the Gay Rights movement in Australia and the pro-democracy movement in Egypt, they find out what it takes to create change for the betterment of you and your society.