Episodes

  • 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 scandal: PDiddy - Reporter: Marian Caburian
    "Masking autism" - Reporter: Nerissa Caviliere
    "On the vape" - Reporter: Daniel McLaren-Kennedy
    "Speak my language" - Reporter: Mae Rawson

    Sound Design: Peter R. White
    Executive Producer: Connie Levett
    Supervising Producer: Simon Brady

    More stories from UNSW:
    https://www.newsworthy.org.au/

    More stories from The Junction:
    https://junctionjournalism.com/

    Music:
    ‘Betelgeuse’ / Kunal Shingade
    ‘Peach Ice’ / Big Moist and the Smoking Durries
    ‘Come Back Home’ / Olexy

    Images:
    'Thinking' by Sukinah Hussain / Pixabay

  • 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 Your Body" - Reporter: Nicole Symens
    "Rom Com Rebirth" - Reporter: Lucy Ingham
    "Spike" - Reporter: Isabelle Garland

    Sound Design: Heather Anderson
    Executive Producers: Bridget Backhaus and Heather Anderson
    Supervising Producer: Simon Brady

    For more stories from Griffith University:
    https://thesourcenews.com/

    For more stories from The Junction:
    https://junctionjournalism.com/

    Music:
    ‘Betelgeuse’ / Kunal Shingade
    'Wedding' / Nesterouk
    ‘Come Back Home’ / Olexy

    Images:
    'Video games' / StockSnap
    'Black Coat' / Ovan
    'Female body' / Ri Ya
    'Heart balloons' / Peggy Marco

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  • 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 Social Media’ – Reporter: Bianca Paige Tropiano
    ‘Gore-lore’ – Reporter: Emily Mah-Chut

    Supervising Producer: Roger Dawkins
    Executive Producer: Simon Brady

    More stories from the best student journalism in Australia:
    https://junctionjournalism.com/

    Music
    ‘Betelgeuse’ - Kunal Shingade
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XANS2XsG4DE
    ‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy
    https://pixabay.com/users/olexy-25300778/

    Photos (social media)
    'Tunnel’ – Bruno
    https://pixabay.com/users/bru-no-1161770/
    'Backpack traveller' - Tumisu
    https://pixabay.com/users/tumisu-148124/
    'Ghost silhouette' - Nick Magwood
    https://pixabay.com/users/magwood_photography-6599853/

  • 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 Glossop
    ‘The End Zone’ – Reporter: Beth Mackiewicz

    Supervising Producers: Kayt Davies, Sarah Taillier and Glynn Greensmith
    Executive Producer: Simon Brady

    More stories from student journalists at Curtin University.
    https://westernindependent.com.au/

    Music
    ‘Betelgeuse’ - Kunal Shingade
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XANS2XsG4DE
    ‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy
    https://pixabay.com/users/olexy-25300778/

  • 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 connections to home.

    Reporter: Nicole Alcantara
    Editor and Supervising Producer: Lea Redfern
    Executive Producer: Simon Brady

    Avishek’s Nepalese fish curry recipe
    https://alcantaranicole.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/avisheks-fish-curry-1.pdf

    More stories from the best student journalism in Australia.
    The Junction

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' – Get Music
    ‘When the Ash Settles’ – The Westerlies
    ‘Ngoni’ – The Mini Vandals
    ‘Bridgewalker’ – Bitters
    ‘Basketliner’ – Bitters
    ‘High Life’ – The Mini Vandals
    ‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy

  • 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 turn to Chinese brokers and pay the price
    https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/08/14/rental-crisis-desperate-students-chinese-brokers/
    The Citizen – Rental crisis: Desperate students turn to Chinese brokers and pay price
    https://www.thecitizen.org.au/articles/rental-crisis-desperate-students-turn-to-chinese-brokers-and-pay-price

    More stories from the best student journalism in Australia.
    The Junction

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' – Get Music
    https://motionarray.com/royalty-free-music/there-is-only-the-unknown-ahead-840056/?q=there%20is%20only%20the%20unknown%20ahead&search_header=1
    ‘The Art of Silence’ – DHD Music
    https://motionarray.com/royalty-free-music/the-art-of-silence-1066952/
    ‘Steps’ – Lance Conrad
    https://motionarray.com/royalty-free-music/steps-1012004/?q=steps
    ‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy
    https://pixabay.com/users/olexy-25300778/

  • 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 best student journalism in Australia.
    The Junction

    Additional links
    Professor Bronwyn Carlson on ABC Radio National
    State Library of NSW documentary on Lachlan Macquarie

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' – Get Music
    ‘Silent Cry’ – Valster
    ‘Thinking in Silence’ – Ashot Danielyan
    ‘Come Back Home’ - Olexy

  • 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?

    Production
    Reporter: Tylah Tully
    Executive Producer: Simon Brady

    For more stories from the best student journalism in Australia:
    The Junction

    Episode images
    Social media and web: Robin Chapple, Tylah Tully

    Music
    'Spirituality' by Maximus Sound
    'Anxious' by Oleksii Kaplunskyi
    'Desert Orchid' by Alisha Studio
    'So Many Memories' by Myton Music
    'Just a Light Secret' by MooveKa
    'Come Back Home' by Olexy

  • 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 Australia:
    ‘The professional recyclers cashing in on Australia’s bottles and cans’
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/15/people-see-rubbish-but-i-see-money-the-professional-recyclers-cashing-in-on-australias-bottles-and-cans
    Voice actor: Darryle Macdonald
    Executive Producer: Simon Brady

    More stories from the best student journalism in Australia:
    The Junction

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - Get Music
    ‘Come Back Home’ – Olexy

    Episode image
    Hans (The Junction social media)
    Jas Min (The Junction website)

  • 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 Dog Institute: www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

    Hosts: Josie Day and Ziska Mayadeen

    Stories
    'Period poverty' - Reporter: Ali Calafiore
    'The Straw Hats' - Reporter: Shae Hambling
    'Auto play' - Reporters: Mariam Ashraf and Molly Howie
    'Rooster on the loose' - Reporter: Veia Bradley
    'Healing paws' - Reporters: Ellie Claringbold and Jane Tyack
    'Not on your own' - Reporters: Ben Cashin and Cathy Langley
    Audio Editor: Christopher Scanlon
    Executive Producer: Alison McAdam
    For more stories from Deakin University: Dscribe
    https://www.dscribe.net.au/

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    ‘Reflected Light’ by SergePavkinMusic via Pixabay
    'Last Summer' by Ikson
    ‘Fluid’ by ItsWatR
    ‘Inspiring Cinematic Ambient’ by Lexin Music
    ‘Thinking In Silence’ by Ashot-Danielyan
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

  • Shifts in trends and attitudes - some good and some less so - means that at the end of 2023, we are seeing ourselves and our country differently. This episode by students from the University of New South Wales explores the changing identity of Australia.

    Host: Jade Psihogios
    Stories
    'The Matilda effect' - Reporter: Maddie Nixon
    'On the drink' - Reporter: Jacob Sukiennik
    'Whose crime?' - Reporter: Cayle Reid
    'Audio porn' - Reporter: Margareth Kowik
    'Own your story' - Reporter: Anna Tidswell
    Audio Editor: Peter R. R. White
    Executive Producer: Connie Levett
    For more stories from UNSW: Newsworthy
    https://www.newsworthy.org.au/

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

    Episode image
    King G from Pixabay

  • In this episode by journalism students at Griffith University in Queensland, we talk to people needing support in difficult times. And for all those people needing support, there are individuals, communities and organisations who are there to provide help.
    Hosts
    Merced Hernandez and Olivia Schoenauer
    Stories
    'Youth detention' - Reporter: Merced Hernandez
    'Bushfires...again' - Reporter: Olivia Schoenauer
    'Seeking shelter' - Reporter: Nicholas Powell
    'Finding resilience' - Reporter: Larissa Espig
    'Speak and Share' - Reporter: Alana Williams
    Audio Editors
    Merced Hernandez, Olivia Schoenauer, Nicholas Powell, Larissa Espig, Alana Williams, Bridget Backhaus and Heather Anderson
    Executive Producers
    Bridget Backhaus and Heather Anderson
    For more stories from Griffith University:
    The Source News
    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    ‘With Me’ – Sabine Bloch
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

  • Para athletes don’t get the headlines or recognition of their able-bodied peers yet their stories are the epitome of resilience and overcoming adversity. Less than a year until the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, we speak to four athletes about how sport has transformed their lives.

    Hosts
    Ella Bradford and Julia Forbes

    Stories
    Emily Beecroft – Reporter: Julia Forbes
    Jenna Jones – Reporter: Ella Bradford
    Blake Cochrane – Reporter: Bobby Wilson
    Nathan Jason – Reporter: Rattanakorn Boontem

    Editor: Simon Brady
    Executive Producer: Peter English

    For more stories from the best student journalism in Australia:
    The Junction

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    ‘Steps’ – Lance Conrad
    ‘Fell In Love’ – Keplar Beats
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

  • Every place has a story to tell: its past, present and what might lie ahead in the future. In this episode, our reporters from RMIT take us to native forests, a former prison, a public housing estate and a community on bushfire alert to find out how those places are changing.

    Hosts
    Annabel Fleming and Ned Coleman

    Stories
    ‘Citizen Scientists’ – Reporter: Melanie Bakewell
    'Stories From The Inside’ – Reporter: Ruth McHugh-Dillon
    ‘Public Housing: Retain, Repair, Reinvest’ – Reporter: Penry Buckley
    ‘The Bushfire Spectre’ – Reporter: Sydney Lang

    Audio Editor: Tito Ambyo
    Executive Producer: Tito Ambyo

    For more stories from RMIT:
    The City Journal

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

  • This episode by journalism students at Curtin University in Perth challenges conventions that have dictated our lives and the progress of society.

    We look at ways people are taking on and dealing with accepted norms around housing, families, drug use, gender equality and identity.

    Host: Andrew Du

    Stories
    'Grand Designs' - Reporter: Xander Sapsworth-Collis
    'Stemming the Tide' - Reporter: Cindy Cartojano
    'No Children, Please' - Reporter: Premila Ratnam
    'It's Not Easy Being Me' - Reporter: Andrew Du
    'Pot Luck' - Reporter: Georgy Sides

    Producer: Andrew Du
    Editor: Simon Brady

    For more stories from Curtin University:
    Western Independent

    Music:
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

  • This episode by journalism students at the University of Melbourne explores the binaries that govern us: good and bad, real and virtual, life and death.

    But life often exists in the grey zones in-between and we look at what happens when you bend, blur or break those binaries.

    Host: Thomas Phillips

    Stories:
    ‘Human-made nature’ – Reporter: Meghan Dansie
    ‘Death Doulas’ – Reporter: Sasha Gattermayr
    ‘Virtual Boyfriend’ – Reporter: Qiyun Liu
    ‘Parallel Universe’ – Reporter: Jade Murray
    ‘Lying for Good’ – Reporter: Sean Ruse

    Audio editor: Thomas Phillips

    Executive Producer: Louisa Lim

    More stories from the University of Melbourne's Centre for Advancing Journalism:
    The Citizen

    Music:
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound



  • This month’s episode is the first in a three-part podcast by Nicola Brayan from the University of Sydney.
    We’ve all been told that there’s a “proper” way to speak English. What if that wasn’t true?
    There are thousands of dialects of English that are “non-standard” yet they still carry cultural and historic significance.
    Nicola’s deep-dive into English dialects around the world shows how language shapes identity, communities, and, too often, discrimination.
    This story challenges us to think before we judge the way others speak.

    You can listen to the entire three-part podcast (and you should!):
    Spotify
    Apple
    Podcast Index
    iHeart
    Amazon Music
    Podchaser

    Or type 'Standard Deviations Junction Journalism' into your favourite podcast app.

    Written and produced: Nicola Brayan
    Supervising Editor: Lea Redfern
    Sound design and audio editing: Josh Dowton
    Artwork: Veronica Lenard

    For more stories by journalism students at the University of Sydney:
    https://www.salienceatsydney.org/

  • This episode by journalism students at the University of Canberra tells stories that make us think about some of the important things in life: our health, our happiness and our fellow human beings.

    Hosts
    Maddi Green and Lila Greyling

    Stories
    'The 'New' Australian Dream’ – Reporter: Lara Stimpson
    ‘Nutrition For The Mind’ – Reporter: Hannah Donald
    ‘A Taste of Country’ – Reporter: Leo Phimphravichith
    ‘Libraries 2.0’ – Reporter: Celeste Gibbs
    ‘They Do More Than Bring Me Flowers’ – Reporter: Chloe Swan
    Executive Producer: Simon Brady

    For more stories from the University of Canberra:
    The Owl

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    'Brown Hill' - Motion Array Originals
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound




  • This episode by journalism students at Curtin University in Perth tells stories about preservation: preserving the environment, our reputation, our identity and our well-being.

    Hosts
    Ruby Devlin and Amy Figueiredo

    Stories
    'Money For Marks’ – Reporter: Elliahn Blenkinsop
    ‘Saving the River’ – Reporter: Bronte Holmes
    ‘The Young and the Restless’ – Reporter: Mya Kordic
    ‘Complex Identities’ – Reporter: Ash Ramos
    ‘Do I Need Therapy?’ – Reporter: Amy Figueiredo
    ‘The Comfort Bottle’ – Reporter: Ruby Devlin
    Producer: Simon Brady

    For more stories from Curtin University:
    Western Independent

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound

  • This episode by journalism students at Deakin University tells stories about our changing world and how people are finding ways to navigate these new times.
    You will meet Australia’s first dental therapy dog who is helping people overcome their fear of going to the dentist, and join theatre workers as they delight in a return to the stage after long lockdowns.
    The episode also explores the dangers of a La Nina weather pattern, the problem of inequality in STEM jobs, and the pros and cons of social media influencers, which may make a difference to how you view and use certain platforms.

    Hosts:
    Billy Eason and Brad McGee

    Stories:
    'The dangers of a La Nina weather pattern' - Reporters: Will Tremain and Garbis Sanossian
    'Equity in STEM' - Reporter: Grace MacKenzie
    'The thrill of theatre’s return' - Reporters: Chloe Williams and Ashleigh Kreveld
    'Teacher shortages' - Reporters: Jonathan Peck and Ali Calafiore
    'Australia’s first dental therapy dog- - Reporter: Jena Carr
    'The influence of influencers' - Reporters: Phoebe Griffiths and Rylee Pattison-Moore

    Audio Editor: Dr Chris Scanlon
    Executive Producer: Alison McAdam

    For more stories from Deakin University:
    DScribe

    Music
    'There Is Only The Unknown Ahead' - GetMusic
    ‘Illumination’ - Paul Yudin
    'You Can Do More' - lemonmusicstudio
    'Inspirational Background' - AudioCoffee
    TikTok accounts for influencer story:
    @ellieshauls_
    @spencer.barbos’
    @jellybean.celine
    @hismile
    'Wake Up' - vitaminsound