Hugh Mackay AO: Kindness = How Kindness Helps Us Survive

David welcomes one of Australia's most respected social researchers and authors, Hugh Mackay AO, for a deeply personal conversation about the state of our society and the transformative power of kindness.

Hugh reflects on his journey from a young researcher to a passionate advocate for social change. He describes the pivotal moment when his publisher encouraged him to move beyond simply reporting what is and begin exploring what should be. Beginning with The Good Life (2016), his work shifted from observing Australians to challenging us to build a kinder society.

The discussion explores loneliness as one of Australia's greatest public health challenges. Around one-third of Australians—and an alarming one-third of young adults aged 18–24—report feeling lonely most  ...