JJ Podcast

Will Shackel | The Nuclear Debate Australia Is Avoiding

Episode 34 | Will Shackel | The Nuclear Debate Australia Is Avoiding What happens when a 16-year-old takes on Australia’s energy debate? In this episode, we sit down with Will Shackel — the founder of Nuclear for Australia — who’s built a national movement pushing to lift the country’s nuclear ban. We tackle the big questions: Why is Australia the only G20 nation without nuclear power? Is fear driving policy? And are we ignoring one of the most reliable, low-emissions energy sources on the planet? From radiation myths (yes — the banana comparison) to jobs, costs, waste and energy security, this is a no-nonsense conversation about what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what’s at stake for Australia’s future. Plus — rapid fire: the biggest myths, political roadblocks, and what a realistic energy mix should actually look like. This is the nuclear debate Australia isn’t having… but should be.

Mike Newman | Is Australia Self-Sabotaging?

Season 2 | Episode 33 — Mike Newman This week on The JJ Podcast, we sit down with former NSW Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner Mike Newmanfor a no-holds-barred conversation about what’s really holding Australia back. From trade deals that are raising eyebrows, to a public sector many say has grown beyond control, to an energy system struggling under red tape — this episode pulls apart the decisions shaping our economic future. We unpack: * The EU Free Trade Agreement and why farmers aren’t celebrating * The growing influence of climate, social and political conditions in trade deals * Australia’s bloated bureaucracy — and whether it’s now a drag on productivity and growth  * The explosion in public sector jobs and what it signals about the health of the private economy  * Red tape choking investment in energy, mining and property * The housing shortage and why developers are walking away * Australia’s reputation as an investment destination — and why it may be slipping * And the global energy reality, with countries like China doubling down on coal, nuclear and energy security This is a conversation about accountability, competitiveness and economic reality — and whether Australia is at risk of regulating itself into decline. If you want to understand what’s happening behind the headlines — this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 Listen now to Season 2, Episode 33 of The JJ Podcast.

Steven Nowakowski | Saving Nature from Net Zero?

Season 2 | Episode 32 — Steven Nowakowski This week on The JJ Podcast, we sit down with environmentalist and conservationist Steven Nowakowski, whose work protecting Australia’s wilderness and rainforests spans more than 30 years. Steven shares his journey through the conservation movement, including his time as a Greens candidate in Queensland, and his lifelong commitment to preserving Australia’s unique natural landscapes. But this conversation goes deeper. Steven makes it clear: he does believe climate change is real and supports the goal of de-carbonisation. However, after decades working directly in environmental protection, he has serious concerns about whether the current path to “Net Zero” is actually sustainable for the planet. We discuss: ·       The environmental impact of large-scale renewable infrastructure ·       The vast mineral demand required to build wind turbines, solar panels and batteries ·       The challenge of replacing that infrastructure every 15–25 years ·       And why the destruction of wilderness may be an overlooked cost of the energy transition Steven argues that while emissions reduction matters, so does biodiversity — and one of the most precious and diminishing resources on Earth is untouched wilderness. It’s a thoughtful and provocative conversation about conservation, climate policy and the difficult trade-offs facing modern environmentalism. https://www.rainforestreserves.org.au [https://www.rainforestreserves.org.au/] 🎧 Listen now to Season 2, Episode 32 of The JJ Podcast.

Hayley Mary | Cancelled for her Politics. Speaking out in Showbiz.

Season 2 | Episode 31 — Hayley Mary This week on The JJ Podcast, we sit down with Australian singer and songwriter Hayley Mary for one of our most candid conversations yet. We dive into politics inside the entertainment industry — and what happens when artists step outside the accepted narrative Hayley opens up about: * The dominance of left-leaning ideology in creative circles * Cancel culture and the pressure to conform * The personal and professional fallout she faced * Political judgement and public backlash * The MAGA movement and why it became such a flashpoint This isn’t a shouting match — it’s a thoughtful discussion about identity, free expression, career consequences and the cost of dissent in modern culture. Whether you agree or disagree, this episode explores what happens when politics and art collide. 🎧 Listen now to Season 2, Episode 31 of The JJ Podcast

Dimitri Burshtein | $1 Trillion in Debt. What Now?

Season 2 | Episode 30 — Dimitri Burshtein This week on The JJ Podcast, we sit down with economist, strategist and policy analyst Dimitri Burshtein for a deep dive into the state of Australia’s economy. For the first time in our history, government debt has pushed past $1 trillion. What does that actually mean — and who ultimately pays? We unpack: * Employment figures — including claims that 8 in 10 new jobs are public sector or government-funded * Inflation, interest rates and rising mortgage repayments * Pressure on renters and the ongoing housing shortage * Australia’s per capita recession * Falling productivity and what that signals long term * The squeeze on small business * Whether the GST debate needs to be reopened This is a serious, solutions-focused conversation about where the Australian economy is headed — and what needs to change if we want growth, opportunity and prosperity again. If you’re feeling the cost-of-living crunch, this episode explains why. 🎧 Listen now — and join the conversation.