How can organisations build trust in a world filled with scepticism and uncertainty? Discover the answer with socio-technology ethicist Nate Kinch, who shares his expertise in integrating philosophy, cognitive science, and systems theory to operationalise trustworthiness through design thinking. Nate offers a compelling definition of trust as the willingness to be relationally vulnerable based on positive expectations. He reveals the foundational elements of trust—benevolence, integrity, and competence—and how these can enhance an organisation's social license to operate amidst varying perceptions and definitions of trust.

Journey with us through Nate's inspiring shift from a promising golf career halted by nerve damage to an entrepreneurial path that led him to create the Sports Performance Accelerator startup. Using machine learning to predict and prevent athlete injuries, Nate's venture uncovered unhealthy dynamics in sports, sparking his interest in social theories and responsible innovation. His experiences paved the way for his role as an entrepreneur in residence, where he applies ethical principles to support startups and larger corporations in fostering trustworthy practices.

Explore the profound challenges and potential solutions for transforming organisations towards sustainability and ethical frameworks. Nate and I delve into the necessity of re-evaluating deeply ingrained metaphysical assumptions and shifting from profit-maximisation to participatory value systems. With practical examples and philosophical insights, we highlight the incremental process of building trustworthy organisations, the unique hurdles large versus small entities face, and the critical role of participatory leadership and experimental approaches. Tune in to understand how ethics and a holistic value system can drive impactful organisational change.

Want to know more about Nate's work? Check out any of the links below.

• Ethics in Action Workshop with RSA x CoLabs
• Trustworthy by Design Website
• Nate's Substack

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.

When Ariella Heffernan-Marks traded her stethoscope for a Software Startup, she didn't just shift careers—she went on a mission to redefine women's healthcare through the power of AI. Our latest episode welcomes this tenacious CEO to share her story of resilience, defying sceptics to lead a platform that's transforming the way female health literacy and collaborative decision-making coalesce. Her insights weave through the potent mix of medicine, law, science, and technology, underscoring the potential of AI to augment the capabilities of healthcare professionals and personalise patient care.

Venture into the world of transdisciplinary innovation, where Ariella illuminates the power of creativity in science and the influence of diverse perspectives on patient care. Our discussion traverses her challenges as a med student turned Femtech innovator, the systemic issues undermining women's healthcare, and the strategic journey from concept to pilot of Ovum AI's platform. We examine the roles of AI in healthcare, and explore its potential to optimise for holistic healthcare while reducing the administrative load on medical professionals.

Listen as we unveil the future of women's healthcare shaped by technology, highlighting how Ovum AI pioneers accessible, intuitive care. Ariella's invitation to join their pilot program is not just a call to action—it's a beacon for a future where technology elevates women's health and well-being. She also shares her experiences around fostering partnerships and collaborations and lets us in on how honing her intuition has been essential to her success. Join us in a dialogue that's not only about innovation but an inspiring narrative around addressing AI biases, through uniting women to fill the gap and enhance diagnostics and treatment for women worldwide.

Keen to know more? Check out the links below for more info on Ovum.

• Website
• Pilot Program
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.

Prepare to be schooled by the lab virtuoso himself, Aaron Budai from Amicus Labline, as he takes us under his wing, imparting wisdom on the subtleties of lab creation. This episode promises to equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the nuanced landscape of lab design, avoiding the dreaded pitfalls that often besiege the unwary as they venture out on their lab-building journey.

Imagine a laboratory space so flexible it evolves with your company's growth, a place where innovation isn't just nurtured but explodes into being. That's the future Aaron envisions, and throughout our discussion, we unravel the strategies that go into creating such dynamic environments. From the critical role of mechanical engineering to the transformative power of biophilic design, we stitch together a vision of lab spaces that are not only functional but inspiringly beautiful. It's a masterstroke in design thinking, challenging the sterile norms and championing labs that set the stage for groundbreaking work.

As we close this enlightening chapter, we peek into the property crystal ball, observing the post-pandemic trends that have driven investor interest in the PC2 lab market. It's a brave new world where investment and innovation entwine; who knows, maybe this is signalling a golden era for Australian science and biotech.

For those eager to join the ranks of the lab construction savvy, Amicus has an upcoming 'Building Better Labs' webinar series that is well worth checking out, the Laboratory Design and Construction Australia – Ideas Exchange Group, designed as a community hub for those looking to learn and share information about the art and science of building lab spaces.

For more information on Amicus, check out the links below:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Still Curious? Check out what we're up to:

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.

Join us as we dive into a discussion with one of our long-time members, Vignesh from Purifloh. We explore the multitude of applications for purifying water, sterilising surfaces, destroying PFAS, and even improving how we preserve food. Tune in and discover the interplay of natural principles and human ingenuity that's shaping a cleaner, healthier world.

Water is life, and this episode delves into the complexities of safeguarding this precious resource. Vignesh provides an insider's view on the formidable task of eradicating PFAS, the notorious pollutants lurking in our waters. We dissect the commercial viability of current decontamination processes, highlighting the unsung heroes—microorganisms—that may hold the key to a cleaner tomorrow.

Our exploration doesn't stop at water; we also cast a lens on the implications of PuriflOH's technology for air quality and the medical field. From the sterility of surgical instruments to the freshness of the air we breathe, Vignesh and I discuss the potentially game-changing advancements on the horizon. The episode concludes with Vignesh sharing why he feels motivated to work on impact-oriented innovation, echoing a similar sentiment that many of our members share about leaving the world a little bit better than how we found it.

For more info on PuriflOH:
- Website

Still Curious? Check out what we're up to:

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.

We recently reconnected with Aqeel Akber, a nuclear physicist turned entrepreneur and co-founder of AI and Data consultancy Thaum. 15 minutes into our catch-up at Market Lane over a batch brew, we decided to jump behind the mic for an impromptu exploration into the heart of technology's impact on society.

It's not every day that you meet a kindred spirit at Burning Seed, but when you do, you're in for a dialogue that dances from the poetic ebb and flow of whale migrations to the gritty pragmatics of AI's rapid evolution. Our discussion traverses the realms of quantum and nuclear physics, machine learning, and the ethics of innovation, offering a fresh lens through which to view the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

You might wonder how whale tracking and scientific innovation find common ground with machine learning intricacies, but it's all part of the curious mind of Aqeel Akber. The WhalePod project exemplifies the ingenuity that springs from the fusion of disciplines. We share the backstory of this intriguing endeavour, its impact on our understanding of the ocean's largest inhabitants, and the broader environmental consequences. Meanwhile, we tackle the uncertainties of data and the implications of imperfect models, diving into the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence with a critical yet hopeful eye toward its potential to reshape our collective futures.

To wrap up our epic exchange, we contemplate the human elements at the heart of technological progress—diversity, creativity, love, and connection. As we discuss the role of diverse backgrounds in innovation and how AI could bridge cultural divides, it becomes clear that our digital age holds the promise of uniting us in ways we've yet to grasp fully. Join us for an episode that challenges conventions, inspires a reimagining of value and perception, and, ultimately, redefines the essence of human purpose in a world increasingly shaped by the tools we create.

We look forward to seeing what Aqeel manages to manifest in his next venture as they continue on their mission of 'making the ethical decision, the economic one' using cleverness and invention.

Want to know more? Keep up with Aqeel's latest movements on LinkedIn.

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.

We're experimenting with a first for us on the podcast: a shorter, condensed version where we (Andrew and Sam) cover off what has been happening recently in and around the lab.

This conversation includes updates on:

• Our new site that is being built in the Monash Precinct
• Our civic science hub, BioQuisitive and it's relaunch
• Two of our members that are graduating!
• A few new members that are coming on board

Still Curious? Check out what we're up to:

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.

For this episode, we sat down with Edgar Charry, the co-founder of Symex Labs, to explore the nuanced and deeply personal world of reproductive health.

This episode brings forth a candid account of Edgar's startup journey, driven by his own fertility challenges. Together, we chart the human experiences that fuel scientific breakthroughs, and how Edgar's venture is carving out a new path for pre-IVF treatment, offering hope and empowerment to females who want to better understand personal insights about their fertility.

Throughout our discussion, we delve into Symex Labs' wearable ‘lab-on-a-chip’ sensor, which is designed to streamline hormone monitoring for women looking to track their ovulatory cycle.

As we wade through the complexities of entrepreneurship, we pause to acknowledge the softer side of the startup hustle – the necessity of hobbies, the art of striking a work-life balance, and fostering human connections. Our conversation explores the importance of tending to the inner garden, through music, embracing the simple joys of life, and how the practice of reflection is pivotal to the well-being of any change-maker.

Curious to hear more about Symex Labs?

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Still Curious? Check out what we're up to:

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.

Have you ever wondered what happens when the frontiers of biology and technology collide? Hon Weng Chong, the CEO of Cortical Labs, sits down with us and takes us on a recap of his journey thus far. Starting with his transition from being a medical doctor, through to being a tech innovator, Hon takes us through the crests and troughs of startup life, explores some of the philosophic implications of his organisation and outlines the fascinating ways in which biological systems predict, interact and make sense of the world.

Join us as we uncover a symphony of stories that weave together medicine, technology, and the human spirit, like the tale of a medical student's crusade against childhood pneumonia using a digital stethoscope and smartphone wizardry. We navigate the complex terrain of bio-ethics, the nuances of transdisciplinary collaboration, and the thrill of pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Before we sign off, we turn our gaze towards the horizon, where the synthesis of deep tech and automation heralds a new era.

Listen in to the unfolding tale where biology and technology converge, and be part of the conversation that's charting the course of tomorrow!

Keen to know more about Cortical Labs?

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Blog

Still Curious? Check out what we're up to:

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This experimental and emergent podcast will continue adapting and evolving in response to our ever-changing environment and the community we support. If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, folks you'd like us to bring onto the show, or live events you feel would benefit the ecosystem, drop us a line at hello@colabs.com.au.

We're working on and supporting a range of community-led, impact-oriented initiatives spanning conservation, bioremediation, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and systems innovation.

If you have an idea that has the potential to support the thriving of people and the planet, get in contact! We'd love to help you bring your bio-led idea to life.

Otherwise, join our online community of innovators and change-makers via this link.