Writer and activist, Biff Ward is one of the original, so called ‘Brazen Hussies’, those fiery feminist activists of the 1960’s and ‘70’s who defied the status quo, demanding gender equality and profound social change.  

Helen Dalley-Fisher heads the Equality Rights Alliance, and is a seasoned feminist activist. Called upon by the campaign’s organisers to help steer the politics around some of the March 4 Justice policy ‘demands’, Helen sat down with BroadTalk just two days after the March to take a deep breath and reflect on … what the hell just happened!

How do two 17-year-old school girls, with a passion for a global social enterprise, turn their dream into reality and a thriving business? The 2021 Young Australian of the Year, Isobel Marshall, and her ‘bestie’, Eloise Hall, are using the power of their Australian privilege to do something super practical, and push back against a pervasive gender inequity.

Licia Heath stepped up for one of the toughest by-elections in the nation, but when she failed to win, Licia turned her efforts to teaching other women how they too could and should have a go. She is now CEO of the not-for-profit group Women For Election Australia.

Ashleigh Streeter-Jones is a 26-year-old, global award-winning feminist advocate, named by Forbes as one of Asia’s ’30 Under 30’ “youthful visionaries”. In this raw and delicate discussion about what it’s like to push back against the rolling tide of inequality, Ash explains how at times young women feel simply overwhelmed. And how maintaining her energy, whilst also honouring her passion, has come at a considerable cost.

In this special episode of BroadTalk, Virginia Haussegger sits down to a big, bold, broad ranging discussion with Julia Gillard as they unpack myth from reality around gender equality and women’s progress. In a reflective mood, Julia muses over age and feminism and the power of hindsight.

Trish Bergin is co-Director of the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, at the University of Canberra. As Head of the Office for Women, she was required to defend the Australian government’s failure to meet its gender equity obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Jane Halton AO PSM has a CV that makes heads spin. A formidable, trailblazing woman in the Australian public service, she’s a giant in health policy leadership and right now the global ‘go-to’ girl on government responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Virginia challenges former Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, to verbal combat over women, leadership, the power of male command and “that video”.

Kate Ellis reflects on the extraordinary challenges faced by women in politics; the pressure of relentless media trivialisation; the public’s misconception about what leadership looks like … and the need for greater truth and collegiality among women with ambition.

Virginia chats with a trailblazing Kiwi political warrior, Dame Annette King, about her extraordinary life in politics and managing the leadership spotlight. Dame Annette is New Zealand’s longest-serving female MP and now NZ High Commissioner to Australia.

In the very first episode of BroadTalk, Virginia chats to Australia's Foreign Minister, Senator Marise Payne about her journey to the top job, her personal motivations, and her passion for feminisim.