Chasing Financial Equality

In this compelling episode of Chasing Financial Equality, host Kane Jackson speaks with Fiona Patten, a trailblazing two-term parliamentarian who has become a powerful voice for equality, sustainability, and personal freedom in Australian politics. From her unique journey - beginning as a fashion designer, briefly working in the sex industry, then becoming a passionate advocate for sex workers' rights during the HIV/AIDS epidemic - Fiona shares how decades of lobbying led her to establish the Australian Sex Party and ultimately enter Victorian state politics. With remarkable candor, Fiona discusses overcoming her third battle with cancer while discovering the benefits of medicinal cannabis, her successful championing of reforms others thought impossible (from decriminalising sex work to legalising supervised injecting rooms and voluntary assisted dying), and her current campaign as the lead Senate candidate for Legalise Cannabis Australia. This conversation offers invaluable insights into creating systemic change, building coalitions across ideological divides, and the importance of authenticity in public life - particularly as rising authoritarianism and wealth concentration threaten our democratic foundations. Key Themes & Timestamps 1. Political Entry & Motivation (02:28 - 03:13) Fiona explains how frustration with the disconnect between community attitudes and government policies led her to enter politics, highlighting the need for evidence-based policy making. 2. Authenticity in Public Life (03:13 - 05:05) Discussion of her unplanned entry into sex work, the freedom of having her "closet door open," and why she chooses to share her authentic self publicly despite judgment. 3. Gender Politics & Support (05:05 - 12:00) Examination of misogyny in politics, comparisons with Georgie Purcell's experiences, and how colleagues and the public responded to her openness about sex work, including her famous maiden speech line. 4. Cancer Journey & Medicinal Cannabis (12:00 - 19:03) Personal reflection on battling cancer three times, discovering medicinal cannabis during chemotherapy, and how illness shaped her approach to health policy and prevention. 5. Evolution of Drug Policy (19:03 - 21:42) Discussion of society's relationship with drugs, the historical medical use of cannabis, and the need for evidence-based approaches to drug policy free from stigma. 6. Inside Parliament vs Outside Advocacy (21:42 - 24:10) Insights on transitioning from lobbyist to parliamentarian, the importance of parliament despite its archaic nature, and how little her advocacy strategies changed once inside. 7. Political Realities & Personalities (24:10 - 30:06) Frank discussion about the humanity and limitations of politicians, the problem of absenteeism, and the need for stronger codes of conduct in parliament. 8. Progressive Reform Strategies (30:06 - 38:08) Personal costs of pursuing progressive reforms, strategies for making big ideas palatable, and dealing with opposition from conservative and religious groups. 9. Systemic Barriers for Marginalised Groups (38:08 - 43:09) Analysis of how stigma and law create barriers for marginalised communities, particularly focusing on sex workers and cannabis users. 10. Compassion & Community Connection (43:09 - 46:52) The importance of compassion in society, addressing loneliness and social isolation, and the need for more human connection in an increasingly digital world. 11. Business Role in Social Change (46:52 - 52:53) Discussion of how businesses can drive social change, the importance of engaging with local representatives, and pushing back against anti-diversity rhetoric. 12. Senate Campaign & Vision for Democracy (52:53 - 57:03) Details about her Senate run with Legalize Cannabis Australia, and her vision for compulsory voting globally as a way to improve democratic participation and diversity.

Join Kane Jackson in this episode of Chasing Financial Equality as he delves into the journey of Pete Ceglinski, founder of Seabin. Hear firsthand about the challenges faced by social impact startups, the hurdles with traditional investors, and the innovative solutions to environmental pollution. Discover how Seabin is making waves in cleaning up our oceans and why financial backing for impactful initiatives remains a critical discussion. From the highs of crowdfunding successes to the tough realities of profitability, Pete shares invaluable insights on navigating the social impact space. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, purpose, and the pursuit of a cleaner planet. 00:00 Introduction to Chasing Financial Equality 00:40 Introducing Pete Ceglinski and Seabin 02:12 The Journey of Seabin: Challenges and Innovations 06:35 Crowdfunding Success and Financial Struggles 08:34 The Reality of Impact Investing 17:38 Data-Driven Environmental Impact 24:07 Personal Sacrifices and Mental Health 30:19 Consulting and Future Plans 35:42 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of Chasing Financial Equality, host Kane Jackson delves deep into the story of Lacey Filipich, Head of Financial Wellness at Maslow and renowned financial educator. Content note: this episode includes a brief discussion of suicide and the mental health conditions that contribute to suicidal ideation. Join us as Lacey shares her extraordinary journey from a chemical engineer in the Australian mining industry to becoming a leading advocate for financial education and systemic change. Through candid conversation, Lacey reveals the pivotal moments that reshaped her life's path, including her battle with severe illness and the tragic loss of her sister. Discover how Lacey's transformative experiences fuelled her mission to improve financial capability and challenge the status quo within the finance industry. Learn about her innovative work establishing the FinCAP Co-op, aimed at creating a unified community for financial educators and driving collaborative solutions to financial inequality. This episode is not just about financial literacy; it’s about questioning the systems that perpetuate inequality and envisioning a future where financial health is accessible to all. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that underscores the critical intersection of personal finance, social policy, and systemic reform. Share your thoughts on social media, rate and review the show on your favourite podcast platform, and help us on our journey to combat financial inequality, one of humanity's greatest challenges.

Join us for this compelling episode as we dive into the incredible journey of Cindy Gallop, founder of Make Love Not Porn. Cindy shares her unique trajectory from growing up in Brunei to becoming a titan in the advertising world and an advocate for healthy sex. Discover how Cindy's platform disrupts the traditional porn industry by promoting real-world sex education and learn about the the challenges she faces in securing venture funding. Hear firsthand how Cindy's innovative approach and relentless drive is changing lives, promoting healthy sexuality, and paving the way for the business models of the future. This is an inspiring conversation that highlights the importance of collective action and breaking societal taboos. A must listen for anyone who loathes the status quo. Language warning - best not listen with young kids around.

In this interview, Adam Verwey, the former founder of Future Super, discusses his background, experiences, and new venture, SIX - which seeks to give ordinary investors the same influence as wealthy individuals. Adam started in the finance industry at Australian Ethical, known for its ethical investment policies. He later founded Future Super, which now manages over $15 billion for 100,000 Australians. In this episode Adam reflects on his upbringing in Broken Hill, an isolated mining town, and how it influenced his views on fairness and ethics in finance. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining the core ethical values of Future Super while raising investment. Verwey is now launching SIX, a platform aimed at democratizing investment opportunities and enabling shareholder activism to drive change at Australia’s largest companies. Adam says Billionaires shouldn’t exist, that many companies extract from the world, and that change is needed if we’re to secure a sustainable economic and environmental future for our society.

The Exposed Truth of Startup Greed | Melanie Rieback Explores Financial Extraction in Tech. Join us on a deep dive as Dr. Melanie Rieback, renowned post-growth Entrepreneur and Academic, lifts the veil on the destructive pattern of our finance industry, specifically focusing on the role of venture capital. Dissecting the exponential growth model in startups, Melanie exposes how wealth is systematically funnelled from the masses to the select few while leaving a trail of financial vulnerabilities within our economy. Covering everything from Silicon Valley's monopoly to systemic looting from our public funds, this episode serves as a wake-up call to investors, business owners, and consumers alike. Are our startups turning into financial black holes? 𝗪𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: 🦹🏻‍♂️ The Devastating consequences of the Unicorn pump & dump scheme. 🔗 The unhealthy link between venture capital & growing political instability 🔫 Greenwashing of financial extraction by ESG & 'impact' investors. 🙋‍♀️ Business as the best form of activism. ❌ The limitations of NGO’s & the fallacy they operate by. 🌉 The need to bridge the gap between startups and impact NGO’s 💸 The misconceptions of profit 🗳️ Steward ownership & how it can help save democracy. 🎩 How VC’s foster an inexorable monopoly leaving us with fewer choices & less control. 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝗸: 📈 Is the VC model & the exponential growth startup narrative leading us on a collision course with democratic decay? 🔥 Is the pursuit of VC funded growth in startups harmless or is it fuel on the fire of wealth inequality that's dividing society? 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: 👨🏻‍🏫 Prof Muhammad Yunus, Cory Doctorow, Ann Pettifor Marjorie Kelly, George Soros, Kate Raworth & Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), Dana Meadows & Elon Musk. If you think the startup industry is a positive contribution to society, this episode will challenge all that you think you know or, perhaps - at the very least - it will remind you of all the things you do know, but choose to ignore. Listen in, take a step back & challenge your beliefs as we engage in a dialogue that could, and should, reshape our collective future.

This stirring episode of Chasing Financial Equality delves into a discomforting reality: How the tech industry, fuelled by late-stage capitalism and male dominance, is scripting a future that sidelines women and marginalised voices. Tracy Spicer, a distinguished journalist and social justice advocate, and Kirstin Hunter, a pioneering figure in the Venture Capital world, join host Kane Jackson in a candid and disruptive conversation. They pull back the veil on tech's glaring gender bias, spotlighting the culture of silencing marginalised voices and diving deep into biases within capital funding. Tune in to this gripping episode that calls for a revolutionary change - a beacon leading us from the binary codes of inequality towards universally inclusive tech.

Ever wondered why humanity's progress is stunted, despite advances in technology, infrastructure and knowledge? Why socio-economic disparities are wideing? Why life is scarier, harder and less hopeful than ever before? Why a rapidly increasing portion of people are afraid to bring children into this world? 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! My recent conversation with Erinch Sahan, former chief executive of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and the business lead at Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), dives into the uncomfortable engrained fallacies of the profit-centricity in companies, the effect of a brazen shareholder primacy and discusses how both shape an economy that supports a privileged few at the expense of the many. In this episode, we name the finance industry as the biggest extractor of wealth in today's economy, stifling innovation and increasing socio-economic inequality, and, we identify that all we do to improve the world for future generations is doomed unless we fix the finance industry. Erinch outlines how every problem we face as a civilisation starts and ends at the finance industry and we explore how founders of humanity’s next greatest businesses will redesign industries for the collective good and unleash a torrent of hidden potential that will take humanity forward and off this terrifying path. We discuss how humanity's collective survival depends on transforming the finance industry from being a system that feeds narrow and privileged self-interests to one that fuels holistic prosperity for all of earths citizens. This thought-provoking conversation has implications for all of us - entrepreneurs, employees, investors(!!) and, the most important people of all; consumers. It’s crucial each of us understands and works every day towards changing the status quo because a sustainable future for all of us depends on reshaping the finance industry and corporate world. Do you think you're ready to acknowledge that nothing else we do to improve the future for humanity matters unless we fix finance? If so, join us as we dive into the very hard and very deep issues that humanity MUST fix. Transforming the future 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 with transforming finance! If you're invested in solving climate, in improving diversity, in pursuing equality, in breaking down power structures and jamming a stick in the cogs of colonialism and its patriarchal systems, you'll find a welcome friend in this episode.

In this episode, Kane Jackson is joined by journalist Joan Westenberg to discuss the problems with capitalism and the need for systemic change. They explore the limitations of impact investing, the lack of diversity in the startup industry, and the extractive nature, and accompanying delusion, of venture capital. The conversation touches on the importance of addressing economic inequalities and the potential for a universal basic income. Overall, the episode offers a critical perspective on the finance industry and calls for a shift towards a more equitable and sustainable system. If you'd like to own part of Maslow and the new finance industry head to maslow.com.au and register (it's free).

This episode of Chasing Financial Equality comes in the form of a live panel recording in front of a packed crowd at SXSW Sydney in October 2023. Touted as one of the best panels of the conference, audience members said this was a conversation that needed to be had nationally, so here it is! If you'd like to own part of Maslow and the new finance industry head to maslow.com.au and register (it's free). This episode covers: - How the Finance Industry extracts from society to fuel its own growth. - The incredible damages of its conflicted model on humanity. - How the worlds largest system is overlaid by its most damaging industry. - How fixing it the is largest lever we can pull to drive positive global change. - How financial wellness is the foundation of ALL wellness. - How we charge those with the least the most to access financial products. - How social impact startup Maslow plans to fix these issues, why we need to do it & why doing it should be labelled a basic human right, not socialism. Our host, Kane Jackson is joined by 👨🏻‍🏫 🏳️‍🌈Professor Nick McGuigan, Accounting & Director of Equity, Diversity & Social Inclusion at Monash Business School, where he works as an Innovator, Instigator and Disruptor with a particular focus on accounting and accountability - especially when it comes to innovation and sustainability. 👩‍🏫📣Lacey Filipich, the founder of Money School, author and TEDx Speaker, who helps Australians wanting to achieve financial independence, and has run into all of the ugly issues the Finance Industry causes in the world. 👨🏻‍⚕️🏦 Dr. John-Paul Monck, former Bank CEO, APRA Regulator, Corporate Advisor turned Adjunct Professor at University of Sydney and UNSW, who wrote his PHD on 'Governance and Risk Management: Evidence from Australian Banks', following the banking royal commission. JP is a Chartered Accountant & registered Lawyer.

Today's guest is Marjorie Kelly, Distinguished Senior Fellow at The Democracy Collaborative and author of an incredible new book about how Wealth Supremacy is an emergency equal to climate. It's been labeled a must read, and for good reason. In this episode we speak about how solving climate for the future goes hand in hand with solving the finance emergency, talk about how collective ownership of companies is the way forward, and discuss the issues that so many of us in society are feeling today through the lens of an unprecedented cost of living crisis that is the product of a globa, emergency we need to address. This is a must listen for anyone who says they're committed to securing the sustainability of a future that, as it stands, few of us will be afford to live in even if we're lucky enough to make it there. Marjories book is called Wealth Supremacy How the Extractive Economy and the Biased Rules of Capitalism Drive Today's Crises and can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com.au/Wealth-Supremacy-Extractive-Economy-Capitalism/dp/1523004770. If you'd like to own part of Maslow and the new finance industry head to maslow.com.au and register (it's free). Learn more about Marjorie here https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-kelly-6bb8363/ Learn more about Kane here https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanejackson1/

In this Episode, Maslow's founder Kane Jackson speaks to Dr. JP Monck, one of the Banking Industry's brightest minds, about the harmful issues in the finance industry that nobody wants to talk about, and how Maslow plans to address them. Kane and JP discuss why it's the most harmful industry on earth, how it contributes to out-of-control wealth inequality and the true size, and growth, of the problem. They chat about what must change to fix the issues as well as have a chat about Maslow and it's strategy to stop the finance industry extracting from society. If you'd like to own part of Maslow and the new finance industry head to maslow.com.au and register (it's free). JP Monck is a former Bank CEO, Bank Regulator with APRA, and currently an Adjunct Professor at both Sydney University and University of New South Wales. JP wrote his phd on 'Governance and Risk Management: Evidence from Australian Banks' and teaches his students about the origins of the finance industry, as well as its significant affect on our society. His Linkedin is https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpmonck/ Kane Jackson is the co-founder and CEO of Maslow. His Linkedin is https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanejackson1/