You probably know Dicko best as that arsehole judge from Australian Idol, but there’s a lot more to the old codger than that. He’s been a window washer, a music journalist, a radio host and more, all the while retaining his trademark unflinching honesty.

Here we discuss his father’s remarkable story, the political colouring of his youth, stories from his time working with everyone from Pearl Jam to Rage Against the Machine, political correctness and why he’s found himself in hot water with Quentin and Paulini.

Cause of the Week: The Australian Children’s Music Fund

Dicko’s story about Quentin on ABC iView

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Kate Doak is a freelance investigative journalist who runs her own current affairs website (thedeadlynewt.com) and writes and reports for numerous publications.

She is a proud transwoman who’s passionate about confronting transphobia and other forms of discrimination facing the LGBTIQ community. Listen to hear about her coming out story (both of them), the physical threats trans people still face and the importance of language and visibility.

@katedoak

Cause of the Week: The Safe Schools Coalition

For more info check out The Gender Centre & short film In My Shoes

Direct download       iTunes         libsyn

Samah Hadid is a human rights and social justice campaigner who’s worked with the Global Poverty Project, the UN and grass-roots organisations all over the world.

She very kindly sat down with me in a Bankstown cafe to talk about being called a terrorist, wearing (and not wearing) a veil, Charlie Hebdo, foreign aid and being addicted to warzones.

samahhadid.com

Cause of the Week: www.globalpovertyproject.com

Direct download       iTunes     libsyn

This is my free weekly podcast in which I sit down with interesting people and have them explain stuff to my dumb head.

I ask activists, advocates, politicians, journalists, writers, comedians and pretty much anyone else out there to tell me who they are and what they believe in and hopefully we’ll all learn some stuff along the way and hey maybe laugh a bit why the hell not lol.

You can subscribe to the show on iTunes here or via libsyn here.