HAUS 6 · Previous work

Super Punk Corporate Meltdown

The podcast examines workers rights, institutional betrayal and corporate retaliation.

Released 9 August 2022

The podcast

On 9 August 2022, we released the podcast Super Punk Corporate Meltdown. The podcast examines workers rights, institutional betrayal and corporate retaliation. The podcast features stories provided through a case study, in which we examine the events of the last six to seven months, surrounding the beer company, BrewDog.

You can hear all episodes of Super Punk Corporate Meltdown via: Spotify (opens in a new tab), Apple (opens in a new tab) and wherever you get your podcasts.

Seven episodes

Episodes and transcripts

Episode Zero

Culture & Context

Episode Zero establishes the cultural landscape and chronological context required to tell the stories featured in the podcast. We address why we wanted to make the podcast, and our intention for those involved and those listening. We also speak with Ren Navarro about her work as a DE&I practitioner, consultant and beer professional within the craft beer industry. You can follow Ren on Instagram (opens in a new tab) or Twitter (opens in a new tab), or read more about her work and company via her website (opens in a new tab). Exclusive and superfluous interjections in this episode include Jordan Peterson (Lobster Daddy), Beyonce (CEO of the Cultural Zeitgeist), Elon Musk, Dashboard Confessional and Metal Gear Solid.

Transcript (PDF, 88 KB)

Episode One

Discredit & Deny

Episode One begins in January 2022, where our story kicks off with a company’s actions that begin to ripple across the community, and those impacted directly. We revisit historical examples of cultural issues and then follow the public events from February 2022 onwards, culminating in listeners first touch point with the notorious calamity of Quotegate.

Transcript (PDF, 90 KB)

Episode Two

Invade & Intimidate

Episode Two looks at the concept of abrasive leadership, exploring the implications for all stakeholders when an individual starts exhibiting traits of abrasive leadership. The forensic detailing of Quotegate continues, and we hear the lengths the community went to trying to clarify the issue. We hear about an example of corporate retaliation, not dissimilar to tactics employed by Harvey Weinstein or Tesla, who have notably used private investigators with former workers. We also hear what happens when diplomacy falls apart when confusion and mistrust set in.

Transcript (PDF, 98 KB)

Episode Three point One

Control

Episode Three point One kicks off our lengthy analysis of how the media is utilised or seemingly weaponised as an apparatus of control in public debates around workplaces. We cover ground on inaccuracies in reporting, how a company could use social media and traditional publishing media to “socialwash” or “Boris Bus”, and syndication and distribution methods that can tip the scales in matters of public debate defined by power dynamics and resources. We discuss the impacts this can have. Fanny & Kate discuss some of their experiences dealing with the media in the last year.

Transcript (PDF, 141 KB)

Episode Three point Two

“The Narrative”

Episode Three point Two continues our discussion around the media. We discuss the difficulty the media seems to have when it comes to workplace issues, and the complexities that are not accounted for in some reporting about workplaces. Citing examples from recent months, we also assess the impact these difficulties can have on certain stakeholders.

Transcript (PDF, 96 KB)

Episode Four

Cover Up & Cry Wolf

Episode Four presents the results of matters that developed earlier in the timeline of our case study, and the nature and impacts of data breaches in anonymous surveys, and the implications that has for entities charged with independence from an embattled company.

Transcript (PDF, 87 KB)

Episode Five

Truth Before Power

Episode recaps the story so far, as well as detailing the status of any matters related to the case study discussed through the podcast. We reflect deeply on the pillars of workers rights, institutional betrayal and corporate retaliation and strive to summarise these pillars into the ecosystem of behaviour we can anticipate in a Super Punk Corporate Meltdown.

Documents

Sources, claims and right of reply

Production credits

Super Punk Corporate Meltdown: Production Credits

Hand & Heart extend our appreciation and gratitude to all who contributed to this podcast, and all who assisted in its production.

The song “Back to the Wall” was composed and performed by AMUNDA, and produced by AMUNDA with Kyle Startup (Instagram (opens in a new tab)). It is a cover of the 1988 song by the Divinyls (opens in a new tab). You can follow AMUNDA on Instagram (opens in a new tab) or listen to their music on Spotify (opens in a new tab), Apple (opens in a new tab) or Soundcloud (opens in a new tab). If you love AMUNDA’s music, please consider buying it directly from BandCamp (opens in a new tab). Support indie, always.

Additional music provided by Julia Laws, of Ronboy, and you can follow them on Instagram or listen to their music on Spotify (opens in a new tab), Apple (opens in a new tab) or SoundCloud (opens in a new tab). If you love Julia’s music, please consider buying it directly from BandCamp (opens in a new tab). Support indie, always.

The artwork was created by Regina Schneider, of Van Velden Studios (opens in a new tab). Regina’s work was featured in a billboard earlier this year as part of a Pussy Riot exhibition. You can follow Van Velden Studios on Instagram (opens in a new tab).

Super Punk Corporate Meltdown was produced by Kate Bailey (opens in a new tab) (H&H Instagram (opens in a new tab) / H&H Twitter) and Fanny Wandel (Instagram (opens in a new tab) / Twitter (opens in a new tab)) for HAUS 6 (then Hand & Heart Media), the audio label of Hand & Heart GmbH. For any enquiries related to this broadcast, please use our contact form.