Australia is in trouble. Not just economically, not just politically, but spiritually and culturally. In this gripping episode of the Church and State Show, Dave Pellowe sits down with media veteran Damian Currie to dissect the deep rot in our institutions and the urgent need for national reformation. The conversation is a sobering reminder that Australia’s decline is not accidental—it’s the result of decades of cultural capture by neo-Marxist ideology. But the good news? There’s still time to fight back.
Dave opens with a stark assessment: Australia is “going to hell in a handbasket.” Our population replacement rate is plummeting, and the abortion industry—what he rightly calls “child sacrifice”—is claiming 90,000 lives a year. This isn’t just a demographic crisis; it’s a moral and spiritual one. Once a nation that humbly relied on the blessing of Almighty God, Australia now parades its pride in sin. The need for reformation is urgent.
Enter Damian Currie, host of The Other Side, who brings decades of experience in mainstream media and public relations. Having returned to Australia after years abroad, Damian was stunned by the cultural decay and ideological shift. He recounts his own journey through university and journalism, where neo-Marxist ideas were subtly and persistently embedded. The result? A generation of professionals conditioned to dismiss conservative and Christian thought as anti-intellectual.
Together, Dave and Damian explore the concept of “wokeness” as a modern religion—a replacement for the God-sized hole left by secularism. Woke ideology, they argue, mirrors the legalistic, oppressive nature of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time, obsessed with regulating morality through endless rules. It’s a worldview built on victimhood, identity politics, and a binary of oppressor versus oppressed. And it’s infiltrated every corner of Australian society: media, education, politics, bureaucracy, and even the church.
But this isn’t just a lament. It’s a call to action.
Damian shares his own response to the crisis: launching The Other Side, a podcast and video show that delivers independent, Australian-focused news and commentary. Despite the challenges of building a media platform in a small market dominated by global tech giants like Google and YouTube, Damian has carved out a space for truth and reason. With tens of thousands of weekly views and a growing base of supporters, The Other Side is proof that Australians are hungry for honest media.
The conversation turns practical. What can everyday Aussies do to push back against the cultural tide? Dave and Damian offer clear, actionable advice:
Get involved politically—join a party, support a candidate, or volunteer during elections.
Be vocal—speak up at work, in schools, and on social media. Don’t let the left monopolise the conversation.
Redirect your resources—stop funding institutions that hate your values. Support independent media, ethical schools like Campion College, and businesses that stand for truth.
Invest in character—recognise that good laws mean nothing without good people. True reform starts with self-government and moral integrity.
Damian’s final message is simple but powerful: fight. Don’t underestimate the impact of small, consistent actions. Whether it’s a tweet, a phone call, or a donation, every effort counts in the battle for Australia’s soul.
This episode is a masterclass in cultural analysis and civic responsibility. It’s a must-watch for anyone who refuses to be a passive observer in the face of national decline. As Dave reminds us, “You cannot be an observer.” The time for action is now.
👉 Watch now, and share this with a friend who needs courage for the days ahead.
The Church And State Show, recorded 03OCT25, hosted by Dave Pellowe with special guest Damian Coory. To be part of the live online audience during recording, subscribe now at DavePellowe.com/follow.
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Dave Pellowe is a Christian political educator & writer who gives priority of philosophy to God’s Word. He founded Church And State ministries in 2016, which has grown to include annual teaching conferences in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and regional Australia by invitation.
Specialising in what God says about complex ethical and social issues, Dave Pellowe is a sought after guest speaker at churches, Christian schools, TV, radio and podcast interviews and other secular and Christian forums where love of Truth and nonpartisan thinking are valued. [more]
