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© Fiona Kelly 2022
Description
Looking for a podcast that bridges the generation gap and tackles the issues that matter? Look no further than "The XYZ Experiment". Our show brings together people of all ages to talk about everything from pop culture, social issues, relationships, and everything in-between.
With each episode, we delve deep into the thoughts and experiences of our diverse presenters and guests, representing a range of age groups and backgrounds. From the wise wisdom of our elders to the fresh perspectives of our youngest voices, we explore the nuances and complexities of modern life in a way that will have you laughing, nodding your head in agreement or maybe yelling at our podcast in disagreement.
So what are you waiting for? Tune in and get ready for some serious intergenerational bonding as we travel through time and explore the issues that matter most, learning from each other and have a blast doing it.
Produced by Fiona Kelly and Darsh Ayton
Edited by Fiona Kelly
Website: thexyzexperiment.com
Original Music created and performed by Luke Champion
137 Episodes
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In our final episode for 2025, we look ahead twenty years and ask: what might disappear and what would we truly miss?From Melbourne's iconic trams to the magic of bookshops and cinemas, we explore the everyday joys that shape our sense of place.We also reflect on youth itself, those years when freedom feels infinite and life is full of possibility.Join us for a nostalgic and thoughtful conversation to end the year, Hosted by Fiona, Darsh & LukeProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode, we explore how Gen X, Gen Y and Gen Z each build their sense of community and how those communities shift as we move through different life stages.From neighbourhood friendships and university groups, to workplace tribes, online communities and chosen families, we unpack what "finding your people" looks like today.We also ask: what keeps us connected, and what makes us drift apart?Hosted by Fiona, Darsh & LukeProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode Gen Z Luke and Gen X Fiona dive deep into a very modern question: What is your algorithm showing you right now and what? From TikTok rabbit holes to YouTube recommendations and Facebook, they explore how their feeds look completely different, built from different cultures, interests, and online behaviours. Do they curate their content or is the algorithm doing all the curating for them? What does the algorithm say about who you are? Is your algorithm expanding your world or narrowing it? Hosted by Luke & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
Gen Z Luke is about to take his first big step into the workforce, whilst Gen X Fiona vividly remembers what that moment felt like decades earlier. In this episode the two compare their expectations, fears and dreams as they stand on opposite ends of the career starting line.From first job fears to modern career hopes, they explore what each generation wants from work and what has stayed the same.Fiona shares advice, Luke shares fresh perspectives, and together they uncover the generational gap (and the unexpected bridges). Hosted by Luke & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
It's Halloween in a couple of days, and on this week's episode Fiona and Darsh share memories of the first time they watched a horror movie and the unforgettable mix of fear, nightmares and fascination that came with it. From VHS rentals and sleepovers gone wrong, too hiding behind hands and fingers in their ears, they relive the movies that scared them silly and the ones that turned them into lifelong avoiders (or fans). Does the horror genre have a place in their adult lives through movies, books or true crime podcasts? Some scares just seem to stick with you forever. Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this week's episode, Fiona and Darsh stir up a conversation about when they first learnt to cook. What they started with, who taught them, their favourite cook books, and how their relationship with cooking has changed over time.Our Gen X, Fiona finds peace in the kitchen, loving the creativity of baking and crafting meals from scratch.Meanwhile our Gen Y Darsh, admits it's more if a chore than a joy.From childhood kitchen memories to the role cooking plays in their adult lives, this episode serves up a delicious mix of nostalgia, honesty and generational flavour. Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
This week's episode gets personal. Fiona opens up about the heartbreak of almost losing her beloved dog, Suki - her soul dog and constant companion. She shares the fear, the tears, and the overwhelming love that surfaced as she and her family did everything they could to save her (spoiler alert: Suki made it through).Darsh reflects on her own bond with her aging dog, Peduncle, and what it means to love and care for a pet who holds such a special place in your heart.Together, they explore why our dogs can become our anchors, healers and family and how they teach us unconditional love and loss.Maybe the generations aren't that different when it comes to the love of their fur babies. Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
This week, Gen Y Darsh reveals how her friendship catch-ups come with a plan - from planned agendas to voice memo updates in recurring chat groups.Meanwhile, Gen X Fiona is amazed; her friendship catchups are random, spontaneous and unstructured. Together they explore how different generations maintain connection, the rise of 'admin in friendship' and whether planning makes us closer as we navigate friendship maintenance in the age of constant communication. Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
Dr Minto Felix is not a stranger to migration across borders. In this episode we hear his experience of the Gen Y rite of passage of working and studying in the UK. But Mintos story extends beyond the experience of work, to stories of self discovery and becoming.Note: We apologise for the sound quality of this episode. Dr Minto was dialling in from the UK Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
This week, Fiona and Darsh sit down to explore what it really means to grow older.From shifting priorities to letting go of things that once felt urgent, they ask: do we actually become more relaxed with age, or just more selective about what matters?Join the conversation as our Gen X and Gen Y share their discoveries, wonderings, and the surprising ways perspective changes across generations. Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode , Darsh and Luke delve into what lifelong learning means across the generations. From school, to self education, career growth to personal passions, they explore how learning has shaped their lives and why it continues to matter.They reflect on the role of curiosity, technology, and opportunity in keeping the mind open, and ask: is learning ever really finished? Hosted by Darsh & LukeProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode of The XYZ Experiment, Darsh and Luke dive into the foods that make them squirm.From childhood experiences to cultural quirks, they share the stories behind why certain dishes give them the dreaded "ick".Along the way, they explore whether eating is just about survival or if its something to savour - do we eat to live, or live to eat?Join us for a fun, honest, and slightly gross conversation about food aversions, taste, and everything in between. Hosted by Darsh & LukeProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
This week on The XYZ Experiment, we sit down with Dr Scarlett Howard (Head of the Integrative Cognition, Ecology and Bio-inspiration Research Group at the School of Biological Sciences) to explore the surprising intelligence of tiny insect brains. Her current work focuses on bees and whether they can understand mathematical concepts like odd and even numbers - spoiler alert, they can!How do miniature brains solve such complex problems? What might this reveal about animal cognition, climate change, and even our own understanding of intelligence? Join us for this absolutely fascinating conversation that will change the way you see the next bee buzzing past. Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
This week, Luke (our resident Gen Z) is grappling with the harsh reality that his beloved 7year old iP{ad has hit its expiry date. No longer able to support the latest apps, it's sparked a bigger question: is it fair - or even ethical - that technology becomes obsolete so quickly?From nostalgia for the vices we once loved to the environmental and financial cost of constant upgrades, we unpack what it means to live in a world where tech has a shelf life. Hosted by Darsh, Luke & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
Perfume is no longer just a luxury, it's a booming multibillion dollar industry, growing at record speeds.In this episode, we explore the world of fragrance from a generational lens. We talk about perfumes and colognes we grew up with, the scents that defined our youth, and how a simple spray can transport us back in time.Do we still wear perfume today? Why do some of us feel unfinished without a final spritz before we leave the house, while others have abandoned it entirely. We explore what scent means to identity, confidence and memory and whether the industry's explosive growth reflects a deeper human need for connection, nostalgia and self-expression. Hosted by Darsh, Luke & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode of The XYZ Experiment, we sit down with Professor Greg Bamber from Monash University's Faculty of Business and Economics, to unpack the forces transforming our workplace.From the different ways generations approach work (or if this Gen ideology is actually relevant), to the evolving role of unions, Professor Bamber offers insights grounded in decades of research and global experience.We explore lessons from his books - Up in the Air: How Airlines Can Improve Performance by Engaging Their Employees and International and Comparative Employments Relations: Global Crises & Institutional Responses - and discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping jobs, industries, and the skills we'll need to thrive.A conversation rich with stories, research, and forward looking ideas about how to navigate a rapidly changing world of work.Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode of The XYZ Experiment, Darsh, Fiona & Luke, dive into the unsettling experience of learning the hidden truths behind beloved things—and how that knowledge can forever change your relationship with them. From the surprising origins of Monopoly as an anti-capitalist protest to the disillusionment of overanalysing sports and the heartbreak of discovering dark truths about admired artists, this conversation explores the tension between nostalgia, ethics, and awareness.What happens when you find out that the game you loved as a child was originally designed to critique the very system it now glorifies? Or when the stats behind your favorite sport reveal a chaotic reality that undermines its strategic beauty? And how do you reconcile the brilliance of a creator with the darkness of their personal actions?Hosted by Darsh, Luke & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode our guest Amelia and co-host Luke, dive into the Gen Z approach to travel and it's not about snapping selfies at landmarks (sorry Millennials!). For Gen Z it is all about the experience. Whether it's slow travel, solo travel, or chasing the vibe in lesser known places, this generation is redefining what it means to explore the world. Tune in to hear how they choose where to go, what they value most, and why 'authenticity' matters more than luxury. Hosted by Darsh, Luke & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
In this episode, we hit the road and compare what it was like learning to drive, then versus now. Our Gen X Fiona takes us back to the Wild West days of minimal supervision, dodgy cars and maximum freedom. Meanwhile, our Gen Y Darsh shares what it's like navigating modern driving; think apps, anxious parents, log books and ages on learner's permits. From manual gearboxes to automatic everything, we explore how getting your drivers licence has changed - and what driving means across the generations. Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
Why are we all so obsessed with true crime? In this episode Darch and Fiona dive into their love - or unease- with true crime podcasts and TV series. From "Serial" to "Making a Murderer, we unpack what it is about crime stories that keep us up at night (and somehow help us fall asleep).Do different generations consume true crime differently? Is it empowering, numbing, or just addictive content? Tune in for a generational unpacking of fear, fascination, and a whole lot of forensic files.Hosted by Darsh & FionaProduced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh AytonShow runner Darsh AytonOriginal music created and performed by Luke ChampionSocial media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly
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