PODCAST · education
The Yarn
by Centre for Advancing Journalism
The Yarn is a podcast showcasing work from The Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne. It features original reporting by students, content from The Citizen publication, as well as talks and events held by the Centre.
Episodes
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The Wait for Gender-Affirming Healthcare
Gender-affirming surgeries can cost tens of thousands of dollars. None of it is covered by Medicare. This week on The Yarn, reporter August Mikleus shares his investigation into the years-long fight for public funding, and what happens when trans patients are forced to front the costs themselves....
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The Hereafter
In this episode of The Yarn, everybody is trying to stay in touch with somebody who has died. A family who turned their house into a hospital, a granddaughter burning money for her grandfather, a woman who says the dead can be booked by the hour, and a stargazer chasing light from stars that no...
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Craig Silverman: Industrialised Deception and the Truth Crisis
In this episode, we're joined by Craig Silverman, one of the world's leading experts on online disinformation, who says the era of tech companies funding fact-checking is over. Craig has spent more than two decades reporting on how our information environment gets manipulated, from a blog…
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Firsts: Breaking Ground
In this episode of The Yarn, we meet people who broke new ground without setting out to. The team behind Victoria's first golden kelp restoration project, a sailor who raced a yacht through the roughest water on the planet, and the first woman on the fireground in her region. Stories by Theoné…
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Firsts: Small Beginnings
In this episode of The Yarn, we meet people whose lives turned on a single first. A boy who became a Beyblade champion, a man whose first night at a soccer club became twenty-five years, and a journalist who chased her first byline from Fiji to Melbourne. Stories by Erielle Sudario, Sihan Ren and...
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Somebody's Watching: The Algo Knows
In this episode of The Yarn, the watching comes with a verdict. Cameras keeping guard over a wildlife sanctuary, an app that tracks a delivery rider's every stop, footballers waiting on selection, and women who change how they move through the city just to avoid being watched. Stories by…
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Somebody's Watching: Love, & Other Surveillance
This is the second episode in our three-part series, Somebody's Watching - and it's about Love, and Other Surveillance. In this episode, nobody is performing. But they're being watched anyway. And some of the watching arrives dressed as love, fear, or judgement. Sometimes, a chaotic blend of all....
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Somebody's Watching: Screentime!
This is the first episode in our new three-part series, Somebody's Watching - and it’s about Screentime. In this episode, we meet people who perform for the screen. But in the economy of attention, both performers and watchers are being surveilled. We meet a streamer who games in front of...
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Posting Against the Patriarchy
On Chinese social media, political influencers risk censorship with every post. On today’s episode of The Yarn, we speak to feminist content creators from China and Australia about their differing experiences, both online and in real life. This episode was created by Rachel Liu, Jinghe Huang…
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Food for Thought
Food can provide far more than just sustenance. For many, meals are a pivotal link to memory, identity, and belonging. On today’s episode of The Yarn, our reporters explore the transformative power of food. They speak to a gardener growing Chinese vegetables in Australia, a baker building…
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Labour of Love
This week on The Yarn, we explore the benefits of volunteering. Volunteers from aged care homes, food delivery programs, and elsewhere explain how small contributions can make a big difference in their local communities. This episode was created by Tianxiao Zhou, Sophie Sewell, Yuqing Hao, Lijing...
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Levelling up
Melbourne’s Teddy Bear Hospital might sound childish, but it’s where medical students practice vital skills (albeit with stuffed animals as patients). It’s one of several unorthodox learning methods explored in this week’s episode of The Yarn. This episode was created by Erielle Sudario, Lewis...
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Life After Graduating
Last week, we heard from international students struggling with fee hikes. Today, we explore the ongoing challenges once they finish their studies. We speak to graduates about the application process for post-study work visas, the completive job market, and the unfair disadvantages they face...
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The Rising Cost of Studying
Today, we talk to international students feeling the crunch of the University of Melbourne’s fee hikes. For three years running, their enrolment costs have risen by seven per cent. On top of this, they’re dealing with a rental crisis, demanding coursework, and restrictive limits on working hours....
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Acts of Kindness
In this episode, we’re exploring the motivations behind acts of kindness. We speak to Victorians working in homelessness support, sex worker advocacy, and other fields about why they’re so dedicated to their causes. This episode was created by Michael Saliba, Alexandra Nevill, Yunqian Shi, Ruonan...
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Action is the Antidote
In the words of Joan Baez, action is the antidote to despair. Today on The Yarn, we’re sharing stories of resistance and resilience, from pro-Palestine activists fighting for free speech, to teachers striking for fairer working conditions. This episode was created by Siena Kinkela, Yiming Liu…
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The Price of Truth
To mark World Press Freedom Day, we're dedicating an episode of The Yarn to journalists in danger. We speak to reporters and media experts about navigating war zones, covering authoritarian regimes, and why exposing the truth is often a matter of life and death. This episode was created by Isaure...
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Hope is a Practice
This week, we're hearing about what keeps people up at night — and what keeps them hopeful in the face of despair. Student activists, marine ecologists, and other change makers share their tactics for turning fear into action. This episode was created by Eamon Leggett, Theone Van Der Merwe, Fan...
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Waste Colonisation: How Textile Exports are Polluting Fiji
Donating used clothes might seem sustainable, but Australia's textile waste is causing an environmental catastrophe in Fiji. This week on The Yarn, reporter Shayal Devi explains how “waste colonisation” is harming the pacific nation. Show Notes: Shayal Devi's reporting for The Citizen See...
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Gone Gull: How a Native Seabird Became an Urban “Pest”
To most Melburnians, urban seagulls are noisy pests. But why did these once coastal creatures abandon their seaside habitats in the first place? This week on The Yarn, reporter Luisa Bonazzoli explains the human-led changes forcing gulls into cities. Show Notes: Luisa Bonazzoli's Feature for The...
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Passion Project: Trailblazers
For the final episode of our Passion Project series, we’re hearing from trailblazers, trendsetters, and leaders. From a woman motorsport racer smashing her industry’s glass ceiling, to a music teacher rekindling passions for a neglected genre. This episode features reporting by Aimee Watson…
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Passion Project: Communal Care
Next in our Passion Project series, five stories about communal care. In this episode, a former cult member guides others to freedom, an ICU doctor supports burnt-out colleagues, and an anorexia survivor helps those in recovery. This episode features reporting by Eliza McIntosh, Celina Lahdo,...
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Passion Project: Discomfort Zone
On this week’s episode of Passion Project, we’re entering the DIS-comfort zone. We’re investigating extreme hikers who rebel against modern life, elite athletes struggling with burnout, and others who push themselves to the absolute limit. This episode features reporting by Grace Viney, Berit…
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Passion Project: Outliers
Nude movie screenings might sound perverse, but this one-of-a-kind experience has been selling out Melbourne cinemas. It's just one of the hyper niche interests we're exploring in this week's episode of Passion Projects — our new series about outliers, trailblazers, and the pastimes they love.…
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Chris Hedges: Journalism, Gaza, and Genocide
Today, we’re sharing a talk from Pulitzer Prize-winning war journalist Chris Hedges, who believes the Western media is complicit in the Gaza genocide. Chris spent two decades covering war zones in places like Iraq, Sarajevo, and Gaza. He’s also the author of more than a dozen books. His most…
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Labubu Warning
The Labubu craze might be baffling to some, but their relentless popularity has led to a thriving black market for counterfeits, or “Lafufus”. This week on The Yarn, reporter Ashleigh Wyss explains how these low-quality fakes could be putting kids in danger. Her investigation on this issue was...
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Passion Project: Flow States
From bread tag collecting to rocket building, the first episode of The Yarn’s Passion Project series delves into the world of immersive hobbies. Across five stories, our reporters investigate interests that blur the line between leisure and purpose, and question why women are treated differently…
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News Bites: The Future of Pacific Journalism
Pacific newsrooms are in crisis. US funding cuts, the rise of artificial intelligence, and constraints on press freedom are just some of the threats to the region’s journalists. On this week's episode of News Bites, Louisa Lim discusses the future of Pacific media with Solomon Islands journalist...
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Failing Gaza: A Critique of Australian Media
Who gets to shape the story? That’s what journalist Nour Haydar has been asking in relation to Australian coverage of Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. On this week’s episode of The Yarn, we’re sharing her AN Smith lecture from December 2024. It’s a searing critique of the Australian media’s double...
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Interviewed by an Algorithm
First, Artificial Intelligence took our jobs. Now, it's deciding how we're recruited into the ones that are left. For today's episode, Sarah Jensz discusses her reporting on this new—and barely regulated—industry practice. She also speaks with legal experts, including Human Rights Commissioner...
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The Grassroots Fight Against Seismic Blasting
Thousands of Little Penguins nest along the southwest coast of Victoria, but their colonies are constantly threatened by energy companies pushing to conduct seismic surveys. Fearing these shockwaves could devastate local marine life, citizen scientist Carli Reeve rallied her community to protect...
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Memorial Landscapes
Nature is like a time capsule. The cyclical rhythm of healthy ecosystems can outlast entire civilisations. This week on The Yarn, two environmental stories take us back to postwar Germany and prehistoric Australia. We hear how fragile ecosystems have stood the test of time — and what’s at stake…
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Distraction: Healing
In the final episode of Distraction, we explore how a well‑timed distraction, often thought of as a mindless time sink, can become tools for mindfulness, connection, and creativity. Featuring stories by Guilia Scenna, Ying Wan, and Georgie Preston. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
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Distraction: Game On Or Game Over
Whether powered by pixels or pure imagination, gaming offers players a way to forget the outside world. But when the stakes become real, is it really just a game? This week on The Yarn, we’re bringing you stories about the comforts and consequences of gaming, how it helps some players cope, and…
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Distraction: Escapism
For the third episode of Distraction, we explore the psychological benefits of hobbies — and investigate whether leisure time is divided equally. Featuring stories produced by Elliot Rodriguez, Molly Frew, James Worsfold, and Sarah Jensz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Distraction: Tech Overload
They say that if something is free online, then you’re the product. So are we controlling technology, or is it controlling us? This week on The Yarn, we’re bringing you stories from both sides of the spectrum. From the dangers of social media addiction, to harnessing technology as a tool for…
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Distraction: Finding Focus
The first episode of our Distraction series is about wayward attention and the struggle to focus. This week, our producers navigate ADHD, limit screentime, and question whether the solution to distracting technology can come from technology itself. This series was made in collaboration with the...
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Journalism Against Autocracy: Mikhail Zygar’s AN Smith Lecture
Exiled Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar says the Russia-Ukraine war is far from over. He believes Vladimir Putin is prolonging the conflict to fuel propaganda and silence critics. This week on The Yarn, we’re sharing Zygar’s 2025 AN Smith Lecture—Journalism Against Autocracy. Addressing a…
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News Bites: Amplifying Untold Stories
Who do you think of when you think of an Australian pioneer? Maybe Fanny Finch, the first woman to vote in Australia, who was also a woman of colour. Or perhaps Rosaleen Norton, also known as the Witch of King's Cross. These are the trailblazers whose stories Dr Corey Martin is telling in her...
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Voters' Voices: Election Post-Mortem
It’s been called “a win for the ages”. Anthony Albanese is Australia’s first prime minster to win consecutive terms in more than two decades. His landslide victory has left the Coalition reeling, especially in major cities like Melbourne. For the final episode of Voters’ Voices, we’re focusing on...
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Voters’ Voices: Marginal Melbourne
Ahead of Australia's federal election on May 3rd, we’re bringing you another episode of Voters’ Voices. This week we're focusing on Marginal Melbourne — the city’s most tightly-contested electorates. Our reporters investigated the seats on a knife’s-edge this year and the hot-button issues that...
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Voters’ Voices: Demographic Divides
Last week, we focused on young, disaffected voters ahead of the federal election on May 3rd. For episode two of Voter’s Voices, our reporters zoomed out. They went to a broader mix of voters, from retirees to small business owners. They found values were front of mind this year – like political...
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Voters’ Voices: Generation Now
Ahead of Australia's federal election on May 3rd, we're launching a new series — Voters’ Voices. Episode one is all about what young voters really care about. Gen Z and millennial voters will outnumber baby boomers for the first time this year. It’s being called a cost-of-living election and our...
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Visa Victory: A Family’s Fight Against Ableism
After more than a decade apart, a disabled 14 year old in Indonesia will be reunited with his parents in Australia. Despite being born in Melbourne, Jonathan Lumintang was later denied residency due to his cerebral palsy. A ministerial intervention has allowed him to stay — but other families...
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A War Cry From Wieambilla
Australia's first ever Christian terrorist attack — that's how Queensland police classified the 2022 mass shooting in the rural township of Wieambilla. This week, producer Kirralee Nicolle revisits the incident in detail. She explores how Christian fundamentalism can turn deadly, especially in...
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Angling for Defence Contracts at Fisherman’s Bend
Today we're focusing on the ties between the University of Melbourne and weapons manufacturers. While the University has downplayed these ties, our reporter James Costa has found it’s still pursuing new defence partnerships. In particular, the university is spruiking its forthcoming inner-city...
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Three Years of News Bites
We’re continuing our centenary celebrations by revisiting highlights from our News Bites series. Over the last three years, we’ve featured more than 40 of Australia’s top journalism experts. These include newspaper editors, podcasters, war journalists, and our very own staff. Today you’ll hear…
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The Yarn at 100
Today marks the 100th episode of our award-winning student podcast, The Yarn. In the three years since we started, we’ve featured work from 151 emerging journalists and won the Climate Award at the Australian Podcast Awards. To celebrate our centenary, we’re revisiting the highlights from our...
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News Bites: Journalism Survival Guide
Intimidated, lucky, chaotic: this is the emotional rollercoaster of the first days working in a newsroom. This episode is our survival guide to starting out in journalism, as delivered by three of our graduates. Gwen Liu from the Ballarat Courier, Harry Sekulich from the Daily Aus, and freelancer...
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Uncurated: DONATIONS
The Baillieu Library is the largest library here at the University of Melbourne. Walking through the library, the shelves are filled with books on everything from philosophy and history, to science and computing, all from a Western Eurocentric perspective. But the library also holds one of the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Yarn is a podcast showcasing work from The Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne. It features original reporting by students, content from The Citizen publication, as well as talks and events held by the Centre.
HOSTED BY
Centre for Advancing Journalism
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Yarn have?
The Yarn currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Yarn about?
The Yarn is a podcast showcasing work from The Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne. It features original reporting by students, content from The Citizen publication, as well as talks and events held by the Centre.
How often does The Yarn release new episodes?
The Yarn has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Yarn?
You can listen to The Yarn on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Yarn?
The Yarn is created and hosted by Centre for Advancing Journalism.
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