A podcast exploring the big issues affecting young people, their education and their future. Host Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, speaks to educators, researchers, parenting experts, business leaders and policymakers – as well as members of The Smith Family community – about the best ways to help all young people thrive at school and beyond. Learn more at thesmithfamily.com.au
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
A Message From Doug Taylor: Introducing All I Can Be
We're excited to share our new podcast, All I Can Be. A six-part series about big dreams, hidden struggles and turning points that change lives. You’ll hear from young Australians - as well as a few well-known voices - who faced tough starts but went on to achieve goals that once felt out of reach - proving that where you begin doesn’t have to define where you go.
Listen, follow and share - All I Can Be (https://tr.ee/allicanbe ).
Audio production: Mylk Media (https://www.mylkmedia.com.au/)
GET IN TOUCH
Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au (https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/)
Connect with us on:
Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia (https://www.facebook.com/TheSmithFamilyAustralia)
Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus (https://www.instagram.com/thesmithfamilyaus)
LinkedIn @the-smith-family (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-smith-family/)
The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
2 Dec 2025
George Williams: When the Cost of University Is Poverty
Distinguished Professor George Williams AO joins us to talk about the financial pressures forcing too many university students to skip meals and sleep in cars. He explains how we can better support young people and why universities must fight for equity and change.
He also explores the importance of the humanities in an age of misinformation and AI, and how showing up where students are – even on TikTok – has been a game changer for building real connection.
George is the Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University, and has decades of experience as a teacher, scholar and senior leader in higher education. Alongside that he is a barrister and one of Australia’s leading experts in constitutional law.
CREDITS
Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family
Guest: Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, university vice-chancellor, educator and advocate
Audio production: Mylk Media (https://www.mylkmedia.com.au/)
GET IN TOUCH
Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au (https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/)
Connect with us on:
Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia (https://www.facebook.com/TheSmithFamilyAustralia)
Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus (https://www.instagram.com/thesmithfamilyaus)
LinkedIn @the-smith-family (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-smith-family/)
The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
21 Oct 2025
Kristy Muir: How to Create Social Change That Sticks
What does it take to shift the systems that shape our lives? In this episode, Professor Kristy Muir joins us to explore how real change happens — from purpose-led leadership to valuing local wisdom and the key ingredients for good collaboration.
Kristy is a social impact, philanthropy and systems change leader who has spent decades tackling tough social challenges across education, employment, housing and mental health. Today, she is CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Professor of Social Policy at UNSW Sydney Business School and Chair of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy Australasia.
CREDITS
Host: Doug Taylor, CEO, The Smith Family
Guest: Professor Kristy Muir, social impact, philanthropy and systems change leader
Audio production: Mylk Media (https://www.mylkmedia.com.au/)
GET IN TOUCH
Learn more about The Smith Family: thesmithfamily.com.au (https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/)
Connect with us on:
Facebook @TheSmithFamilyAustralia (https://www.facebook.com/TheSmithFamilyAustralia)
Instagram @thesmithfamilyaus (https://www.instagram.com/thesmithfamilyaus)
LinkedIn @the-smith-family (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-smith-family/)
The Smith Family acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which this podcast is made and their continuing connection to Culture and Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on Conversations with The Smith Family
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Steve Biddulph
Georgie Dent
David Gonski
Kelly
Jo Taylor
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
3,493,517
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
61
Social presence
100
YouTube
86
Engagement
0
Contact Conversations with The Smith Family
Guest appearances
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