Making A Difference

This month’s episode by journalism students at Edith Cowan University features the male ballet dancer, the adult with ADHD, the vision-impaired, the lifesaving nurse, the person seeking connection, the ‘body positive’ woman. And the link between them all? They’re all trying to pave their own way, often against formidable challenges and the expectations of others. Hosts: Jack Penniment and Samuel Sparkes Stories: ‘Men Can Ballet’ - Reporter: Oli Pike ‘A Brain Wired Differently’ - Repor...

It’s a good thing that as a society, we’re more open to discussing mental health and the challenges it poses for many people. University of Sydney reporter Ben Fragiadakis investigated this transformation on what used to be a very taboo topic. What he found were the unintended consequences of such openness. And despite all the attention, serious doubts remain among experts about our approach to treating mental health. Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond 1300 22 46 36 Host/Reporter: Ben Fragiadakis...

It's a story full of compromises, contradictions and unsuspecting victims. The use of rat and mice baits help to keep our home free of rodents. But they also pose a serious threat to native wildlife and ecosystems. A team of journalists at Curtin University investigates how precious owl species are becoming the victims of secondary poisoning from rodent control products. It's also a story of determination as communities battle the bureaucracy, manufacturers and public indifference to try to p...

We deal with threats – both real and perceived – all the time. In this episode, journalism students at Swinburne University look at how we are confronting some of those threats. From having the right to protest, to supporting the wellbeing of children, to some of life’s basics like driving a car, swimming at the beach and trying to find a job. And we end on an uplifting note with some bogan funk. What is that? Have a listen and get onboard. *Content warning* This episode includes references t...

Keeping people safe, helping people out, giving people a leg-up, giving people a chance to shine – it’s what a functioning society does. In this episode of Making a Difference, journalism students at Deakin University bring us stories about looking out for people: keeping apprentices safe on the job, helping those with addiction and incarceration, creating a new world for visually impaired children, supporting emerging musicians, and encouraging artists to live their fantasy through their id...

As Gen Zers become more socially and politically aware, they’re starting to understand the world they inhabit and will inherit. In this episode, journalism students at UNSW Sydney look at the impact of some of those issues such as social media, politics and smoking. And possibly one of the biggest – mental health – is explored through the experience of two autistic sisters who mask their disorder. Host: Dominique Lakis-Nash Stories: "Social control" - Reporter: Caitlyn Todorovski "Celebrity...

Representation matters because it helps us imagine our place in the world: our identity, self-worth and sense of belonging. Come on an entertaining and informative ride as journalism students from Griffith University look at representation: how it’s being done well and where it can improve. *Language warning for this episode. Hosts: Lucy Ingham, Sophia Thomas and Nicole Symens Stories: "It's Her Video Game, Too" - Reporter: Sophia Thomas "Women in Horror" - Reporter: Molly O'Dempsey "Love ...

In a world of heightened tension and conflict, there is lots to be wary and anxious about. But as the experts say: focus on the things you can control and don’t worry about what you can’t. This episode is the first appearance on our podcast by students from Western Sydney University. And they look at the things that scare us…and how people deal with those fears. Host: Claire Brownlie Stories: ‘Parra-normal’ – Reporter: Claire Brownlie ‘Finding Home’ – Reporter: Polina Krongauz ‘Not So Soci...

This episode by student journalists at Curtin University in Perth makes us think about the concept of trust and the belief in the goodness of people. The things they say, the way we rely on them…and the potential risk of placing our trust in others. Hosts: Madigan Spooner and Camila Egusquiza Santa Cruz Stories: ‘Man or Bear’ – Reporter: Camila Egusquiza Santa Cruz ‘The Aliens Are Coming’ – Reporter: Andrew Hanlon ‘Pet Custody’ – Reporter: Madigan Spooner ‘Moondyne Joe’ – Reporter: Aimee Gl...

For many people, food and the simple act of cooking can provide solace and comfort, particularly for those who go through the upheaval of migrating to another country. Cooking reminds them of home – not just the food but the people and places as well. Nicole Alcantara from the University of Sydney spent an evening with two young men from Nepal. And as they cooked a traditional Nepali curry, the conversation around food revealed a lot more about their new life in Australia and the enduring co...

It’s hard enough for anyone to find a home to rent in Australia. The difficulty factor is multiplied many times more for hundreds-of-thousands of international students who come to the country each year, also needing a rental. In this episode, reporter Gwen Liu reveals the desperate measures many students are turning to that are exposing them to potential scams and exploitation. Reporter: Gwen Liu Executive Producer: Simon Brady Original stories Crikey – Rental crisis: desperate students t...

Our Long Read series continues with a reckoning from Australia's past and the way it might influence our future. Our reporter Sydney Lang looks at the legacy of governor Lachlan Macquarie from the early colonial settlement days. Macquarie was considered a visionary who wanted to turn a penal colony into an egalitarian nation. But there is a dark side to his legacy that has an enduring, as well as painful, lesson. Reporter: Sydney Lang Executive Producer: Simon Brady More stories from the be...

In the next episode of our Long Read series, Tylah Tully from Curtin University reports on the site of two of Australia's greatest riches. The Burrup peninsula in the north of Western Australia is home to more than one million rock carvings by First Nations people that date back tens-of-thousands of years. It's also the site of a multi-billion dollar gas and oil development. Can the two co-exist as neighbours? And what threat does a petrochemical plant pose to a sacred rock art museum? Produ...

In this episode, Aston Brown from University Technology Sydney – and now a rural and regional reporter at Guardian Australia – takes us inside the world of people who forage through rubbish bins to collect bottles and cans for cash. Are they environmental warriors? Is it a hobby job? Or are they trying to earn precious money to make ends meet? This is the first in our Long Read series where we focus on one, in-depth story each episode. Reporter: Aston Brown Original story on Guardian Austral...

In this episode, our reporters from Deakin University look at how important health issues – period poverty, loneliness and therapy for young offenders – are being tackled. And there’s some fun in there, as well, with roosters on the loose, the cult following of an anime classic and how AI might be creeping into your music playlists. If you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness or struggling with mental health: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: www.beyondblue.org.au/ Black D...