At Vanilla Club, we are all about simplicity. But on Vanilla Club Podcast, we venture out, asking the basic questions of real world experts, taking a desire for simplicity and contrasting it with worlds of complexity. Today we delve into the great blue yonder, crank that Blue Danube tune on Space Odyssey 2001 and join us! Here we go. Simpletons in Space!

In this week's thought provoking episode, political scientist and space policy expert, Dr. Kathryn Robinson, joins us to explore how space is far more than rockets and stars, it’s a hidden infrastructure underpinning our everyday lives. From GPS and climate data, to medical systems and financial networks, space technology is woven into the fabric of modern existence.

Dr. Kat unpacks the ethical and political stakes of space governance, and critiques Australia’s dependence on foreign satellites and urges for smarter sovereign investment.

With sharp insight and personal warmth, Dr. Kat shares her experience as an American academic in Australia, touching on cultural contrasts in academia and gender equity in STEM. We also hear about Dr. Kat's personal journey into space policy and her lifelong fascination with the cosmos.

We hope you enjoy.

In this week's episode, we were joined by Forrest Rain Oliveros at the Vanilla Club Plantation in Coorumba, Queensland. Ground Zero for Simple Wellness!

The conversation begins directly with the sheer physicality of ballet, and the required emotional discipline, and how it challenges conventional ideas of masculinity. Forrest opens up about navigating gender expectations and lingering stereotypes, including the absurdity of perceptions that ballet is feminine, when it is in fact a "power + endurance" discipline.

From here, we explore toxic masculinity, the social impacts of fatherlessness, and the media’s role in shaping distorted ideals around manhood and self-worth. We touched how many modern men find themselves emotionally isolated and disempowered, struggling to form real connections, and Forrest offers his simple advice for any young men today who are struggling. Complex stuff that Vanilla Club is here to try and make simple!

Forrest also shares his experience of the differing health perspectives of Eastern and Western cultures. We also explore other cultural contrasts between the U.S. and Hong Kong, from Hong Kong’s blend of family and filial piety, to the U.S.'s focus on individualism and self-centredness.

The episode closes with Forrest's reflections on the relationships he made during his Far North Queensland stay, and the importance of connection and community.

We hope you enjoy.

What does Australia, one of the driest inhabited continents on Earth, teach us about water challenges and solutions? A lot, as it turns out!

At Vanilla Club, our motto is "Return to Simple." And there is nothing simpler than water. Episode 3 of Vanilla Club Podcast dives deep with Dr. Stuart Khan, a world-class water researcher, Head of School and Professor at the University of Sydney’s School of Civil Engineering. It's important to note that that is not just a word salad of prestigious titles, Prof. Khan manages a path-breaking school with heaps of brilliant engineers and he teaches and publishes research himself. Prof. Khan has decades under his belt in urban water systems and wastewater management, and from water governance quirks to rethinking what "wastewater" even means, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about sustainability, education, and the technologies shaping our future.

Is wastewater… really wasted? Dr Khan flips what many of us consider "wastewater" on its head. Sydney is dumping over 1,000 million litres of treated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean every single day. Meanwhile, treatments like reverse osmosis are becoming drought-resistant heroes, transforming "waste" back into quality, clean water usable for drinking or agriculture. The key takeaway? There is no such thing as waste-water. Every molecule needs to "carry it's own weight" if we start to look at things as an engineer would.

Also, you’ve probably heard about Australia’s engineering skills drought, but have you thought about its effect on water reforms? Over 50% of water engineers are skilled migrants, but the sector struggles to attract graduates due to limited wages compared to high-revenue mining or construction. Prof. Khan also highlights the industry's need to engage young women, with less than 30% representation in engineering undergraduates relating to water. The future of sustainable water solutions depends heavily on who we inspire today.

We hope you enjoy.