Inspiration Hub
Looking for inspiration? Keen to learn something new? Or maybe you’re just looking for that catch-all boredom cure…
Well, you’re in luck! Welcome to our INSPIRATION HUB.
Our Editorial Committee have pulled together a list of awesome resources – some of them our favourite go-to’s and some we have just stumbled across.
But, as per all things WhyNot, we want to hear from you! Send through any recommendations to whynot@the-y.org.au to be added to the below list.
We will be regularly updating this page, so pop back soon to see the latest.
‘Dare to Lead’ – Dr Brene Brown
Research professor and TED talk phenomenon Dr Brene Brown reveals how to choose courage over comfort, so we can step up, make a difference, and dare to lead. Based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers and culture shifters, Brene Brown is showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead. You can learn all about it in her book Dare to Lead, the accompanying podcast, or various other opportunities on Dr Brene Brown’s website.
‘The Kindness Revolution’ – Hugh Mackay / Recommended by Rhegan
“Revolutions never start at the top. If we dare to dream of a more loving country – kinder, more compassionate, more cooperative, more respectful, more inclusive, more egalitarian, more harmonious, less cynical – there’s only one way to start turning that dream into a reality: each of us must live as if this is already that country.”
‘Thinking, fast and slow’ – Daniel Kardiman / Recommended by Aileen
Kahneman reveals where we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of slow thinking. He offers practical and enlightening insights into how choices are made in both our business and our personal lives—and how we can use different techniques to guard against the mental glitches that often get us into trouble.
‘Show your work!’ – Austin Kleon
Show Your Work! is about why generosity trumps genius. It’s about getting findable, about using the network instead of wasting time “networking.” It’s not self-promotion, it’s self-discovery—let others into your process, then let them steal from you. Filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples, Show Your Work! offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, productive.
‘Give A Sh*t’ – Ashlee Piper
Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. Is for those of us who with eco-anxiety that want to save the world but are unsure where to start. Give a Sh*t guides you through a transition into a kinder, healthier, more conscious and more sustainable life. It is not a manual or a rule book, more of a handbook full of suggestions and places for you to scribble notes. It is humorous and non-judgemental, asking us to start where we are to make easy and impactful shifts that you can use every day.
‘Frontier War Stories’ / Recommended by John
Boe Spearim is a Gamilaraay & Kooma radio host and podcaster who lives in Brisbane. Frontier War Stories – a podcast dedicated to truth-telling about a side of Australian that has been left out of the history books. Each episode Boe will speak with different Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people about research, books and oral histories which document the first 140 years of conflict and resistance. These times are the Frontier Wars and these are our War Stories.
‘Old Boys Club’ / Recommended by Erin
Welcome to the podcast that helps you *actually* understand Australian politics. Hosted by Justine Landis-Hanley and Matilda Boseley.
‘Backchat by FBi’ / Recommended by Maddie
Your alternative to talkback. News and current affairs independently produced by the young, sharp minds of Sydney community radio.
‘The Daily’ – The New York Times / Recommended by Teri
This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week.
The Wire is a daily current affairs program, broadcast nationally around Australia on the Community Radio Network and coveringPolitics, Education, International affairs, Science & Technology, Health, Indigenous Affairs and Arts & Literature.
Background Briefing is daring narrative journalism — Australian investigations with impact. Our award-winning reporters forensically uncover the hidden stories at the heart of the country’s biggest issues.
‘You Can’t Ask That’ / Recommended by Lydia
Asking the most outrageous and uncomfortable questions to uncover the truth behind what it’s like for marginalised and misunderstood Australians.
‘The Art of Being Yourself’ – Caroline McHugh / Recommended by Sam
Caroline McHugh helps people effectively be themselves for a living. Here she presents us with a fascinating talk on the subject.
Writers Bloc is a publishing alternative for writers. This site provides you with a place to develop your writing anonymously, read fantastic stories for free and create collectives with other emerging writers. Writers Bloc has clubs and forums you can join for inspiration as well as events, workshops, and publishing opportunities.
The Hemingway app is a distraction-free writing and editing tool designed to help you polish your writing. It focuses on identifying common errors that bring down the quality of your prose: confusing sentence construction, overuse of weak adverbs, excessive passive voice, and the like.
In a time when misinformation spreads like wildfire and the underlying bias of many news outlets is drawn into question on the reg – the conversation brings analysis and news direct from experts, edited by journos, to the masses.
‘Upworthy’
Upworthy is on a mission to tell stories that bring people together – because we’re all part of the same story. Upworthy is on a mission to change what the world pays attention to. They believe that stories about important issues can and should be great stories – stories for everyone, stories that connect us and sometimes even change the world.
The Happy Broadcast are all about bringing ANXIETY-FREE NEWS from around the world – because there is enough negativity going around. The Happy Broadcast’s aim is to make a difference to the mental well-being of the members in our community. All their stories are fact-checked and illustrated, and will just make you feel better about the world.
Shit You Should Care About is an NZ based account keeping us all up to date on anything pop culture, media and politics.
The sex education you never had! Chantelle has created an amazingly open, inclusive and informative community to talk about all things sex and normalise sexuality in all of its forms
Australia’s leading provider of writing courses. If you’d like to improve your writing skills or find inspiration, this is the place. There are courses for all skill levels, filled with practical and relevant world-class content, created by experts or are active in the industry.
‘Writing Courses’ – edX
Take free online writing courses to learn essay writing, business writing, creative writing, and more from top universities. Review English grammar skills and learn how to improve your writing process to produce clear and effective written communications. edX offers a wide selection of writing classes ranging from fiction writing, personal essays, novel writing, script writing, and more below.
Australian Capital Territory
Opportunities for young professionals within the ACT to connect and build their network.
New South Wales
Writing NSW is the state’s premier organisation for writers and writing. They support thousands of writers each year through courses, events, prizes and fellowships, opportunities to network with industry, and information and advocacy.
Youth Action (formerly YAPA) is the peak organisation representing young people and youth services in NSW. Their work helps build the capacity of young people, youth workers and youth services, and they advocate to see positive change on issues affecting these groups.
‘IPAA NSW Young Professionals Network’
The IPAA NSW Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a group of professionals aged 34 years and under with a shared interest working in, or with, the NSW public sector, Members of the YPN work together to provide a framework which supports the public sector leaders of the future. The professional and personal development of members is a key focus for this group, as is arranging events and networking activities addressing topics of special interest to members.
Northern Territory
‘Young Professional Network NT’
The Young Professional Network – Northern Territory chapter (YPN NT) is a group that is run by the very people it was intended for – young professionals in the Territory. They provide opportunities for likeminded ‘next generation’ professionals to meet, socialise and learn with others of varying industries, job titles and experiences.
Queensland
The Queensland Writers Centre is a community that champions writers across Queensland. They help writers at all stages of their writing journey develop skills to improve their craft, engage their readers and build a sustainable career.
Brisbane Writers Festival champions curiosity and creativity in Queensland. For 59 years they have connected and grown Queensland’s reading and writing communities through transformative cultural experiences.
South Australia
Writers SA is the peak organisation for writing and literature in South Australia. They are a not-for-profit membership-based organisation that aims to foster, develop and promote writers and a national culture of writing.
Tasmania
A network within the Tasmanian Writers Centre where programs are run to support young Tasmanian writers and their development.
The Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT) is the peak body for young people aged 12-25 years and the non government youth sector in Tasmania. Their vision is a Tasmania where young people are valued and can achieve anything.
Victoria
Writers Victoria offers a number of initiatives for younger writers, including their joint digital membership deal with Express Media, targeted workshops and school visits.
SLV have pulled together some opportunities for further learning, places and platforms to publish your work, writing prizes and fellowships, and other avenues to explore as you take your next steps as a writer.
Western Australia
‘Fellowship of Australian Writers WA’
The Fellowship of Australian Writers WA was founded in 1938 to support Western Australian writers, and promote the literature created by them. They host monthly writing groups, book launches, author talks, and poetry readings, as well as collaborate with other writing centres.
Don't forget to add your voice, send through any resource recommendations to whynot@the-y.org.au