The heavy metal bar where Aquaholics began

What happens when three water specialists walk into a centuries-old heavy metal bar in Stockholm? A podcast is born.

In the first episode of Aquaholics, Kylie Johnson brings together Sarah Ransom, Professor Bradley Moggridge and Dr Andrew O'Neill to share the unlikely origin story of the series and explore a much bigger question: who cares about water, and why should we?

The conversation moves from Brad's childhood beside a polluted Western Sydney creek to Indigenous water knowledge, community-led research, global water bankruptcy and the challenge of turning decades of environmental data into decisions. The group also asks whether modern life has disconnected us from the systems that make clean water appear at the turn of a tap.

Aquaholics is an initiative of the Australian Water Partnership, supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Key takeaways Reconnect with water. Treat water as a living system with cultural, ecological and social value, not simply as a commodity. Start with community questions. Build research with communities from the beginning, including their priorities, knowledge and ownership. Use evidence to drive action. Long-term monitoring can show where waterways are declining and where investment will make the greatest difference. Make the consequences visible. Connect water science with the economic, cultural and community impacts that matter to decision-makers. Challenge misinformation early. Clear, accessible communication is essential when evidence is contested or dismissed as alarmism.

Meet the guests and hosts Kylie Johnson is Senior Manager, Partnerships and Communication at the Australian Water Partnership. Her career spans climate, water and communication across journalism, government and the not-for-profit sector. Kylie Johnson profile Sarah Ransom is General Manager of the Australian Water Partnership. A former Australian diplomat and lawyer, she has worked across international development, governance, gender, community engagement and partnership brokering. Sarah Ransom profile Professor Bradley Moggridge is a proud Kamilaroi man, Professor of Science and Associate Dean, Indigenous Leadership and Engagement, at the University of Technology Sydney. His work brings Indigenous knowledge, hydrogeology and water science into research, policy and environmental management. Professor Bradley Moggridge profile Bradley Moggridge research outputs Dr Andrew O'Neill is Chief Science and Sustainability Officer at Healthy Land & Water. He leads innovation and supports scientists and engineers working to improve South East Queensland's environment, connecting research, policy and practical action. Dr Andrew O'Neill profile

Relevant links and resources Australian Water Partnership - Learn about AWP and its work supporting sustainable, climate-resilient water management in the Indo-Pacific. Global Water Bankruptcy report - Read the 2026 United Nations University report discussed in the episode. About World Water Week - Explore the Stockholm conference where the idea for Aquaholics began. Healthy Land & Water Report Card - Explore more than 25 years of environmental monitoring and reporting for South East Queensland. Healthy Land & Water - Learn about the region’s natural resource management organisation and its environmental programs.

Contact and follow Send a question to the Aquaholics team: [email protected] Australian Water Partnership enquiries: Contact AWP Phone: +61 2 6206 8320 Address: UC Innovation Centre, Bruce ACT 2617, Australia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.