In this episode, I'm joined by the legendary Dame Susan Jocelyn Bell Burnell - the pioneering astrophysicist who discovered pulsars, launching an entirely new field of astrophysics. She began her PhD searching for quasars, but soon noticed a strange, repetitive signal appearing night after night - so peculiar she jokingly labelled it LGM ("Little Green Men"). That signal would become one of the most important astronomical discoveries of the century, though the credit and Nobel Prize were controversially awarded to her supervisor. Dr Bell Burnell also shares why she donated $4.3 million of her own prize money to support underrepresented researchers in physics, especially women and girls, and the work she's doing to make the field more inclusive. We dive into her views on religion, her life in science since that landmark discovery, and her mission to help more young women pursue careers in physics.
This week I'm joined by John Staton, one of Australia's leading sunscreen-testing experts, to unpack the big headlines surrounding sunscreen safety. A recent Choice report revealed that 16 out of the 20 tested sunscreen products failed to meet their advertised SPF rating by a significant figure. John helps us to understand what is really going on. He breaks down how sunscreens actually work and the science behind SPF testing and why so many products fell short.
In this episode, friend of the show and astrophysicist Professor Geraint Lewis returns to help me wrap my head around one of the strangest ideas in modern physics: Time Crystals. After stumbling across a Nature article that left my brain pleasantly scrambled, I called up Geraint for a deep-dive into what time crystals are and why physicists are so excited about them. We explore why Time Crystals don't have real-world applications yet, but how they could open entirely new frontiers in future technology.
In this episode, futurist and award-winning scientist Dr Catherine Ball dives into the state of science in Australia, uncovering the good, the bad, and the overlooked. From humanoid robotics and wearable exoskeletons transforming healthcare, to Australia's lagging space economy, Ball offers an unflinching look at where we stand. She also highlights world-class cancer detection research happening in Australia, like PROCAN and early ovarian cancer screening innovations that deserve far more recognition. Passionate about inspiring the next generation, Ball shares her advice for young Australians ready to shape the future of science ww.drcatherineball.com/
In this episode, I'm joined by Professor Clare Collins, Australian dietitian and Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle. Clare is my go-to expert when it comes to all things nutrition, and today she's here to unpack the often confusing world of processed and ultra-processed foods. We dive into what really separates the two, explore the role of additives, emulsifiers, and flavour enhancers, and discuss how some of these ingredients, designed to make foods more appealing, may be doing our health more harm than good. Plus, she shares practical, no-nonsense tips to help you make smarter choices next time you're wandering the grocery aisles. Check out Clare's free online resource, No Money No Time, for simple, budget-friendly recipes and nutrition advice - nomoneynotime.com.au/ Follow Clare on X: @ProfCCollins and LinkedIn: Clare Collins.
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Renee Goreham, a physicist and nanotechnologist at the University of Newcastle, and passionate science communicator. Renee is an experimental physicist exploring how our breath could hold the key to detecting lung cancer early—by identifying specific proteins as biomarkers. We also delve into her PhD student's exciting research into a new red-light laser diagnostic tool for breast cancer. Along the way, Renee breaks down the basics of cell biology and shares her inspiring, non-linear journey through physics, nanotech, and beyond. A brilliant example of multidisciplinary science in action. Follow Renee on TikTok: @dr_renee_goreham
In this episode, we speak with Associate Professor Leszek Lisowski, Head of the Translational Vectorology Unit at the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI), about the cutting-edge world of gene therapy. He explains how viral vectors are engineered to deliver life-saving treatments for rare genetic diseases - many of which are so uncommon, they're only known by the name of the affected gene. Despite being often overlooked, genetic diseases impact 10% of adults and 30% of children in hospitals. Leszek sheds light on the challenges of diagnosis, the promise of emerging genetic testing, and how his work is paving the way for more accurate, effective therapies. Linkedin: Children's Medical Research Institute, Leszek Lisowski Facebook: @jeansforgenes Instagram: @jeansforgenesau
In this episode, we're joined by Associate Professor Sharna Jamadar, a cognitive neuroscientist at Monash University, to explore how the brain uses energy, and how that changes across the lifespan. Did you know that a 10-year-old's brain uses over 50% of the body's total energy, compared to just 20% in adults? We dive into why younger brains work harder, the role of synaptic pruning and proliferation, and how the brain's organisation impacts cognitive efficiency. We also touch on the importance of glucose metabolism and its connection to age-related disorders like Alzheimer's. A fascinating look at the energy demands of our most complex organ! Bluesky: @SharnaJamadar Linkedin: Sharna Jamadar www.sharnajamadar.com Email: Sharna.jamadar@monash.edu
My go-to guy for all cosmic things Prof. Geraint Lewis, astrophysicist at the University of Sydney, returns to unpack a fascinating New York Times article on a newly observed "onionlike" space explosion that may reveal a new type of supernova. We dive into what actually happens when a star dies, the onion-layer buildup of elements through nuclear fusion, and how these cataclysmic blasts forge the building blocks of life on Earth. Plus, we explore what this might mean for the ultimate fate of our own Sun. www.geraintflewis.com/ Linkedin: Geriant Lewis
In this episode, friend of the show Geriant Lewis, Professor of Astrophysics at the Sydney Institute for Astronomy within the University of Sydney, joins us to unpack a fascinating New Scientist article theorising on how a strange line of dwarf galaxies may have formed. We explore how high-speed collisions between dwarf galaxies can scatter gas and stars across space, sometimes giving rise to entirely new tidal galaxies. Geraint explains the latest thinking on where these dwarf galaxies come from and how these cosmic smash-ups might even shed light on one of the biggest mysteries in physics: the true nature of dark matter. www.geraintflewis.com/ Linkedin: Geriant Lewis Bluesky: cosmic_horizons
In part two, Associate Professor Marian-Andrei Rizoiu from the University of Technology Sydney explains how misinformation and toxic online cultures spread. We dive into the "manosphere pipeline" targeting boys as young as 10, its real-world impacts on schools and families, and how it can escalate into radicalisation. Rizoiu outlines his team's six-stage pipeline - from passive curiosity to active involvement - and why simply giving people facts doesn't solve the problem. Instead, this is a human challenge, and his lab is exploring new ways to diffuse and counter online misinformation before it turns dangerous. Linkedin: Marian-Andrei Rizoiu
In this episode, I sit down with Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, Associate Professor and head of the Behavioral Data Science Lab at the University of Technology Sydney. Drawing on a three-year research project into the misinformation ecosystem, he reveals that online conspiracies aren't just about false facts. Instead, they meet deep human needs for belonging and identity. We explore the idea that misinformation is less a content problem and more a human problem, fueled by the attention economy. Rizoiu also weighs in on the growing debate around restricting social media use, such as proposed bans for under-16s, unpacking the potential benefits and drawbacks. Keep your ears peeled for Part 2 next week Linkedin: Marian-Andrei Rizoiu
In this episode, we sit down with two of today's most prominent defenders of science: Professor Michael Mann, world-renowned climate scientist, and Professor Peter Hotez, vaccine researcher and advocate for global health equity. Together, they've co-authored Science Under Siege, a powerful new book exposing the forces behind the global anti-science movement. We explore the surprising parallels between climate denial and vaccine misinformation, and how both Mann and Hotez have faced personal attacks simply for standing by the evidence. They break down the five key drivers of anti-science - plutocrats, professionals, propagandists, petrostates, and the press - and reveal how these forces shape public discourse and policy. This conversation is not just about diagnosing the problem, but about pathways forward: the urgent role of science communication, strategies to counter misinformation, and reasons to remain hopeful in the fight to reclaim trust in science. www.michaemann.net www.peterhotez.org www.scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/science-under-siege-9781761381669
In part two of our conversation with Professor Carolyn Hogg, Research Manager of the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group at the University of Sydney, we dive deeper into the science and strategy behind threatened species management. Carolyn shares how her team is developing crucial genetic data to guide conservation, including breed-and-release programs with species like the Tasmanian devil. We discuss the vital role of biodiversity in sustaining planetary health, and the ambitious Earth Biogenome Project, which aims to map the genomes of all 12 million species of eukaryotic life on Earth. Beyond the lab, Carolyn reveals how genetic insights are shaping real-world decisions—bridging the gap between cutting-edge science, social change, and the policies that determine the future of our ecosystems. Linkedin: Carolyn Hogg X: @HoggCarolyn, @BioplatformsAus, @ThreatenedSpGen https://wildlife-genomics.sydney.edu.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bioplatforms-australia/
From collecting urine samples in Antarctica to sampling whale snot to study reproduction, Dr. Carolyn Hogg's career is anything but ordinary. In this episode, she shares how her passion for protecting threatened species led her down some unexpected paths, including earning the nickname 'Dr. Snot'. We chat about her PhD on whale behaviour, wild whale facts, and the creative ways scientists gather data in the field. There was so much to cover, we had to split it into two! Part 2 dives into her groundbreaking work in conservation genetics. Linkedin: Carolyn Hogg X: @HoggCarolyn, @BioplatformsAus, @ThreatenedSpGen https://wildlife-genomics.sydney.edu.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/bioplatforms-australia/
In this episode, Professor PJ Cullen, Chemical Engineering expert from the University of Sydney, breaks down the global nitrogen challenge. We explore why nitrogen is essential for life, the history of fertiliser - from the Guano Wars to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process - and how today's nitrogen production is harming the planet. Cullen introduces PlasmaLeap, his startup using non-thermal plasma to mimic lightning and fix nitrogen sustainably. We also dive into the risks of nitrogen storage, the 2020 Beirut explosion, and the urgent need to electrify chemical industries. https://www.plasmaleap.com/ Linkedin: PJ Cullen
In part two with Online Safety Consultant Troy Hunt (Have I Been Pwned), we unpack the risks of online age verification in light of Australia's social media ban, including the personal data (often times photos or government documents) sites may demand, and how these security practices can be questionable. Troy explains why we should be thinking more about data minimisation and the dangers of unnecessary data retention. We go through the safest multi-factor authentication methods, from SMS to physical keys, and Troy shares a personal phishing story, reminding us that no-one is immune to hacking thanks to increasingly sophisticated phishing techniques. https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Linkedin: Troy Hunt
In this episode, we're joined by Troy Hunt, Australian online security consultant, creator of Have I Been Pwned, and one of the world's leading voices on data breaches. He breaks down the key differences between encryption and hashing, and what they mean for keeping your data safe. We dive into infamous data breaches, including the Ashley Madison case, and explore the often hidden, long-term impacts these leaks can have on people's lives. With online scams and breaches costing Australians over $3 billion every year, we also look at the rising threat of ransomware and why it's so hard to fight. This conversation opened so many cans of worms, we had to save the rest for part two. https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Linkedin: Troy Hunt
In this episode, we sit down with Australian climate scientist Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick to explore the story of climate science, how we first discovered the planet was warming, and what we now know about the forces driving it. Sarah breaks down the role of carbon dioxide in trapping heat like a planetary blanket and shares insights from her cutting-edge research on long-term climate modelling. What would happen if we stopped emitting CO₂ today? The answers are sobering, yet they also offer hope, underscoring why optimism remains essential in the fight for a livable future. Linked in: Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/
I had the honor of sitting down with Professor Donna Strickland, Nobel Prize-winning physicist the third woman in history to receive the prestigious award in physics. In our conversation, we discuss her groundbreaking work in laser physics and the journey that led her there. From her early academic interests to the moment she received the life-changing call from the Royal Swedish Academy at 5AM (?!), Donna shares insights into her discovery of chirped pulse amplification (CPA), a revolutionary technique that changed the field of high-intensity lasers. We discuss the science behind CPA and the moment she accidentally broke the fibre optic cable required for her PhD research. Donna reflects on the role of perseverance, collaboration, and the underestimated metric of "luck" in scientific discovery.
In part two of our chat with Dr. Heather Ford, we delve deeper into the hidden dynamics of Wikipedia — the world's largest encyclopedia and 8th most visited website, run largely by volunteers. We explore how pages are updated in real time, yet controversial topics like Indigenous place names often face delays and heated edit wars. Dr. Ford explains how this can lead editors to walk away, raising concerns about who gets to shape history. We also unpack the platform's lack of diversity and the growing influence of AI — with up to 90% of internet content projected to be AI-generated by the end of 2025. Connect with Dr. Heather Ford on Linkedin hblog.org
I'm joined by Dr. Heather Ford, ARC Future Fellow and Professor in the School of Communications at UTS, to explore the fascinating world of Wikipedia. Inspired by her article "We analysed 35,000 Wikipedia entries about Australian places. Some of them sanitise history" in The Conversation, we dive deep into the strengths and shortcomings of one of the internet's most beloved resources. We unpack how Wikipedia works behind the scenes: who edits it, how "edit wars" break out, and why it remains such a radical platform — a place where history can be written in real time, sometimes even before events unfold. Together, we question whether Wikipedia offers an honest account of Australia's past, particularly when it comes to Indigenous history. This is a two-parter so be sure to tune in next week for part 2. Connect with Dr. Heather Ford on Linkedin https://hblog.org/
In part two of my conversation with Dr. Graham Wild, we dive deeper into the fascinating world of hypersonic machines. We explore how sound waves behave at extreme speeds, the significance of the boundary layer, and what materials are best suited for these ultra-fast aircraft. Connect with Dr. Graham Wild on LinkedIn Twitter/X: @AerospaceDoctor
Aviation expert Dr. Graham Wild returns to take us beyond the basics of flight and into the high-speed world of subsonic vs. hypersonic aircraft. We break down the engine mechanics behind these incredible machines, and I squeeze in a humblebrag about sitting in an SR-71 (yes, okay, it was grounded). It's a theory-packed episode, so we've split it into two parts. Catch Part 2 next week. Connect with Dr. Graham Wild on Linkedin Twitter/ X - @aerospacedoctor
In 2020, Scientific American made waves with the provocative headline: "No One Can Explain Why Planes Stay in the Air." But is that really true? Dr. Graham Wild, senior lecturer in aviation science and technology at the University of New South Wales in Canberra, joins us to set the record straight. In this episode, we dip our toes into the complex of flight. We scratch at the very surface of the topic in an episode that could easily take over 20 hours. Connectt with Dr. Graham Wild on Linkedin Twitter/ X - @aerospacedoctor
Most of us throw our clothes in the wash without a second thought, but what if that habit is doing more harm than good? In this episode, Dr. Holly Kaye-Smith, social change expert and communications specialist, challenges the way we think about cleanliness, climate action, and everyday laundry. From surprising stats (over 90% of washed clothes aren't even dirty!) to the hidden environmental cost of every wash cycle, we dive into the myths, microplastics, and mindsets that shape our laundering routines. Holly shares practical refreshing techniques that save water, and why she recommends everyone have a "rewear chair." Connect with Dr Holly Kaye Smith on Linkedin Instagram - www.instagram.com/drhollyphd/ Youtube - www.youtube.com/@drhollyphd
Are ice baths really the recovery miracle they're made out to be? We plunge into the science with Dr. Hunter Bennett, lecturer at the University of South Australia, exploring the pros and cons of ice baths, when they're helpful, and when they might actually hinder your gains. We also unpack health misinformation online and Dr Hunter shares five evidence-based tips for anyone curious about cold plunges. Connect with Dr Hunter Bennett on Linkedin Dr Bennett's article on Ice Baths in The Conversation https://theconversation.com/ice-baths-are-popular-for-exercise-recovery-and-general-wellness-but-what-does-the-science-say-250649
Dr. Brooke Nickel dives into the murky world of health misinformation on social media, exposing how overdiagnosis and unverified health claims are thriving in a mostly unregulated space. We explore the influence of online personalities, the power of personal anecdotes, and the urgent need for evidence-based guidance in digital health conversations. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Brooke Nickel on LinkedIn
Award-winning author and investigative journalist Alice Driver joins me to discuss her powerful new book, Life and Death of the American Worker. Her investigation exposes the deeply unethical practices within the meatpacking industry in the United States. For Alice, this story is personal. She grew up in Arkansas, one of the country's poorest states and home to Tyson Foods, the largest meatpacking plant in America. We delve into the harsh realities faced by the industry's workforce, many of whom are undocumented immigrants, with estimates suggesting that up to 30% of the labor force lacks legal status. Our conversation explores the severe health consequences these workers endure and the broader implications for workers' rights in America today. Find Alice's book at https://www.alicedriver.com/ IG: @alice__driver
In this episode, Prof. Boris Kuhlmey and Prof. Peter Tuthill join me to discuss the Toliman Mission, a space telescope project focused on detecting Earth-like exoplanets around Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system, using precise astrometric measurements. We discuss logistics, the costs involved and the success rate of such an astronomical project. Developed by a collaboration including the University of Sydney, NASA's JPL, and Breakthrough Initiatives, it aims to launch by 2026. University of Sydney, Faculty of Science Toliman: https://toliman.space/ Boris Kuhlmey www.sydney.edu.au/science/about/our-people/academic-staff/boris-kuhlmey.html linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/boris-kuhlmey-48b45615 Peter Tuthill www.sydney.edu.au/science/about/our-people/academic-staff/peter-tuthill.html Bluesky: https://blueskydirectory.com/profiles/spiralstar.bsky
