The Swanston Explainer

Empty supermarket shelves and rising prices have become the norm for Victorian shoppers due to egg shortages caused by avian flu. The avian influenza outbreaks have led to the culling of millions of hens and is worsened by high seasonal demand and shifts in farming practices. Major retailers like Coles and Woolworths have imposed purchase limits, while local grocers may offer better availability....

From rising costs in groceries to increases in the housing market, the cost of living is affecting everyone. Our podcast will discuss the effects that the cost of living is having on university students, as they are often overlooked. We discuss the physical, mental and social impacts that the cost of living is having on students. Through speaking to students, we have gained first-hand insight into...

Basketball in Australia continues to rise each year. Now the second most played sport for kids in the country. Becasuse of this, Basketball Australia devised a 4 year strategic plan in order to capitlise on this growing success. There are more Australians in both the NBA and WNBA, the number one pick in this years NBA draft chose to come down under instead of the traditional college route and cont...

There has been a spate of chemical factory fires in Melbourne's west. In July alone, there was a massive fire explosion in Derrimut followed by another in the neighbouring suburb of Deer Park just days later. It's led concerned residents to call on the government and the EPA to take action. Host Matthew Younan and reporter Mel Bakewell investigate.

Artists like Chappell Roan, Renee Rapp and Charlie XCX are singing and collaborating on music that embraces queer, specifically sapphic, sexuality. This wasn’t always the case, with artists historically having to hide their sexuality, and even in the early 2010’s, queer artists were being subtle about their queerness. So, how did the explosion of queer and sapphic music come about? Host Lily Beami...

The 2032 Brisbane Olympics are projected to cost $7 billion AUD, sparking debates about whether it's too expensive. With past Olympics often exceeding budgets, could Brisbane face the same issue? Supporters say infrastructure upgrades and tourism will justify the investment, but will taxpayers feel the strain? As the budget grows, so do the questions about the event's true value. Host Alex Cameron...

The AFL is deeply woven into the fabric of Australia’s history, culture and sense of national identity, encapsulating positive qualities of connection, competition and tradition. However, when Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson received a three-match ban for using a homophobic slur in early April, it sparked renewed debate over the culture of homophobia that pervades the beloved sport and the A...

Australia's leading supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths, are under fire after being called out for engaging in price gouging practices.    In-store prices are reaching an all time high, but local farmers are struggling the most.   Despite farmers' efforts to feed Australian families, supermarkets are not providing the adequate compensation they need to survive.    So what does this mean for...

Has thrifting a once sustainable practice, just become another way to feed the consumption machine?  This episode unpacks the trend of second-hand goods, the pressures of social media, Depop re-sellers and the major jump in prices across all opportunity shops.  The second-hand market is expected to increase by 126% by 2026, this is three times faster than the global apparel market.  So, it’s clear...

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games are back, set to takeover Paris in July - and for the first time in eight years, they'll be full-scale events, no longer restricted by the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic. New venues have been constructed to facilitate thousands of athletes as millions of fans flock to France for the competition. There's no refuting the grand scale of the produ...

To steal or not to steal? For many Australians, staying above the poverty line is a full time job. With the cost of living crisis raging, the pressure of arguably unreasonably high prices for grocery staples has come under fire, with Australia's major supermarket chains being accused of price gauging. Is it fair for for those facing financial pressure to take from supermarket chains, arguably...

Join reporter Alexander Masterson as he unpacks the pressing debate on pill testing with host Alexandra Lehmann, diving into the contention surrounding harm-reduction strategies. The episode follows a suspected overdose at the Pitch festival, with Greens senator Aiv Puglielli urging the Victorian Government to respond to alarming illicit drug use findings. * Host: Alexandra Lehmann Reporter: Alexa...

Thinking of taking Ozempic? Here's everything you need to know. You might have heard of Ozempic - the revolutionary drug originally developed for type 2 diabetes that's now changing the face of weight loss and challenging perceptions of food. Its popularity is skyrocketing, fuelled by social media buzz and celebrity endorsements. Join us as we delve into the personal impacts of Ozempic, ex...

Marijuana, or cannabis, is illegal for use or trade in Australia. However Cannabis has been decriminalised in Canberra, but not throughout the rest of the country.    A new bill titled the Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 could change this.   If passed, the 2023 bill will legalise cannabis for recreational use in Australia. The bill is currently awaiting the reporting date, May 31.    Until the repor...

On Valentine's Day 2024, a class action was filed against Match Group, the company responsible for dating apps such as Hinge, Tinder and OkCupid.  The Class Action Lawsuit claims the apps are purposefully designed to be addictive. The lawsuit notes that the company profits from a predatory business model that transforms looking for love into something similar to a gambling addiction.  In this...

On April 13th a man entered the Westfield at Bondi Junction and killed 6 people. On April 15th a teenager allegedly stabbed a church Bishop during a livestream.    Only one of these attacks was considered terrorism. Where can we draw the line on ideology?    This podcast contains discussion of terrorist attacks both current and in Australia’s past, as well as domestic violence. These topics can be...

So much in our world goes to waste. From the food we eat, clothes we wear and even our energy. It's getting to the point where our actions can be irreversible.   However, there is hope all thanks to the zero waste movement.    With a chat to a pioneer in the space, Joost Bakker, who is behind zero-waste creations such as The Future Food System. Find out how you can take those small steps to le...

Discover the magic of romanticising your life in our latest podcast. We delve into the history and concept of romanticism, exploring how this mindset can transform daily routines. Interviewing Melbournians, we uncover their views on whether romanticising life offers a meaningful escape or practical solution during the cost of living crisis. Tune in to learn how to infuse beauty into the mundane an...

The life of an athlete is extraordinary. A fast-paced lifestyle, with accolades and sponsorships. Incredible opportunities to show off talent and hard work. However, this profession comes with many challenges, often manifested in mental health issues. With more and more athletes becoming outspoken about their own internal struggles, what about their job causes these hits to mental health and what...

The Nazi salute has been banned in Victoria following multiple displays across the state, with a federal ban soon to arrive. But with neo-Nazis marching once again, this time in Ballarat, Penry Buckley and Edmund Coleman take you through the apparent ‘rise’ of the far-right in Victoria: How has it expanded post-pandemic? Where is its base? Who opposes it? And what is the government doing about it?...

Ruth McHugh-Dillon, Annabel Fleming and Niamh Sutton explore the launch of SSRI drugs. Revolutionised treatment for depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, but how are these drugs affecting the body?

Madi Lo-Booth and Sydney Lang present The Varroa mite, or Varroa destructor. It is a parasitic mite that affects European Honey Bees. In 2022, the parasite reached Australian shores for the first time, prior to this, Australia was the only continent in the world unaffected by the mite. Whilst the mite hasn’t been seen in Victoria yet, the recent decision to shift from eradication to management may...

Laura Costello and Dechlan Brennan discuss and breakdown the legal battles that former president Donald Trump is currently facing, and how his legal issues are impacting his 2024 presidential campaign.

Australian students who are studying a range of vocational degrees such as nursing, social work, teaching, counselling and psychology are forced to undertake hours of unpaid placements as a part of their study. However, due to the rising cost of living, the amount of hours they are forced to spend at their placement is often unviable for students trying to support themselves. Many don’t have time...

When was the last time you watched a DVD? Enter your own world of nostalgia but be careful, what was once the generic way to watch a movie is now outdated. After Netflix's recent decision to stop its DVD mailing service after 25 years, it seems that putting on a physical DVD is a thing of the past. This podcast delves into the transition from physical DVD stores to the rise of streaming servic...