Australian Highlights
Claim This Podcastby Rachel Rayner
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Podcast Overview
<p>The Australian Highlights series is the place where we find the innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge. </p><p>Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, this series takes the form of regular podcast episodes and online articles where we explore the captivating stories behind Australia's groundbreaking creative moments. With a focus on game-changing women and Indigenous trailblazers, this collection of <strong>interviews, explainers and articles</strong> shines a light on the ingenuity and diversity that propel Australia forward.</p><p>We’ll hear from people themselves doing amazing work; industry leaders that have been inspired by innovators from our past; and those who are enabling people to step forward and be spotlighted themselves. It's a lot of fun, as we've got comedians hearing these amazing stories for the first time! </p><p>There will bonus episodes of snippets and stories that didn't make it into the full interviews and there will be regular catch-ups where you can hear a rapporteur account of previous episodes.</p><p>So come join us. Head to our website for more information, <a href="https://australianhighlights.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">australianhighlights.com.au</a>, follow us on our socials, or send us an email if you know someone who should be highlighted on this show: <a href="mailto:news@australianhighlights.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">news@australianhighlights.com.au</a></p><p>The production of this series is funding by the Meta Australian Journalism Fund, administered by The Walkley Foundation, and is supported by Comedy Victoria.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/3/2025
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Recent Episodes
May 22, 2026
Lyn Harwood, native foods
<p>Lyn Harwood literally watches the grass grow. Lyn, along with partner Bruce Pascoe, is bringing back connection to our Country through lived experience and ancient agriculture. </p><p>She is building widespread recognition for Australian native foods: the grains, grasses and more that were grown and harvested by Aboriginal peoples for tens of thousands of years. This journey is captured in the book, Black Duck: A Year at Yumbarra. </p><p>Lyn takes host Rachel and comedian Alex Ward through the beauty of the farm, the work that goes into it, and how much we're learning about our country's roots (literally).</p><p>Alex also grows her own food, including foraging in urban areas. Magnolias have never sounded so...tasty?</p><p><strong>Links</strong></p><p>Find out more about <a href="https://www.blackduckfoods.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Black Duck Foods</a>, Yumbarra farm and <a href="https://www.blackduckfoods.com.au/get-involved" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">get involved</a></p><p><a href="https://kooricurriculum.com/products/black-duck-a-year-at-yumburra-by-bruce-pascoe?srsltid=AfmBOopoKnr-FWD4foYBgg_j6hEHQxFX2iITI_HHMnogGLAX_ScWa2MS" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buy the book</a>, Black Duck: A Year at Yumbarra</p><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/bruce-pascoes-black-duck-is-a-healing-and-necessary-account-of-a-year-on-his-farm-following-a-difficult-decade-after-dark-emu-224971" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Great article </a>on the book, by Julienne van Loon</p><p>Check out where to <a href="https://comedy.com.au/tour/alex-ward/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">see Alex next</a></p><p><strong>Credits</strong></p><p>Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer</p><p>Guests: Lyn Harwood, Alex Ward</p><p>Music: Michelle Cashman</p><p>Editor: Graham Hunter</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
May 4, 2026
Bonus: The creativity of comedy
<p>Extracted from our conversation on Innovation vs Invention (Ep 26), Mandy Scotney expands on the innovative world of the comedian, the fountains of funny, and where the politics comes in.</p><p>Follow Mandy and <a href="https://www.mandyscotney.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">find out what she’s up to next</a></p><p><strong>Credits</strong></p><p>Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer</p><p>Guests: Jonathan Englert, Mandy Scotney</p><p>Music: Michelle Cashman</p><p>Editing: HoboHut Media</p><p>Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
May 2, 2026
Innovation or Invention
<p>Innovation is a loaded term, a buzzword. When this is a podcast on innovation, what do we mean? Are we using the term correctly? Where does invention sit in all of this?</p><p>Jonathan Englert and Mandy Scotney from Episode 6, Culture Shocks, are back to unravel the conundrum of language and entrepreneurship. Jonathan draws from his PhD looking into Australian innovation, where he interviewed various inventors and explored his relationship to Australian culture.</p><p>Comedian Mandy Scotney, on her own PhD journey and fresh off a successful tour of her award-nominated show, Married for Six Weeks, brings some much-needed rationality to Jonathan and Rachel's whimsy.</p><p><strong>Links for more:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.australianhighlights.com.au/cultureshocks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Highlight article by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer </a>from Episode 6</li><li>Bonus episode on Mandy's stand up comedy process, is our episode 27!</li><li><a href="https://www.exploratorium.edu/tinkering" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exploratorium's Tinkering Studio</a>, and an article on <a href="https://www.exploratorium.edu/tinkering/blog/2014/05/06/bubble-machine-evolution" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">making bubble-blowing machines</a></li><li>Barry Marshall, who worked out that <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2005/marshall/facts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bacteria cause stomach ulcers</a> in the 1980s</li><li>Lawrence Hargrave, who is credited as <a href="https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/lawrence-hargraves-first-flight" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">supplying key innovations </a>to enable airplanes in the 1890s.</li><li>David Skellern, a key figure in the story of <a href="https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/wi-fi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">inventing fast Wifi</a> in the 1990s.</li><li>Henry Hoke, who built a collection of innovations like the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQSvfgnXFNA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rope hammer and the leg pull</a> from the first half of the 20th century. </li><li>Mark Thomson, keeper of Henry Hoke’s archives and founder of the<a href="https://www.ibys.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Institute for Backyard Studies.</a></li><li>Follow Mandy and <a href="https://www.mandyscotney.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">find out what she’s up to next</a></li></ul><p><strong>Credits</strong></p><p>Producer: Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer</p><p>Guests: Jonathan Englert, Mandy Scotney</p><p>Music: Michelle Cashman</p><p>Editing: HoboHut Media</p><p>Made possible through Meta Australia Journalism Fund, administered by the Walkley Foundation, with support from Comedy Victoria.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
26 total episodes available
Recent guests on Australian Highlights
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Professor Lynette Russell AM
Guest
Tori Crisp
Guest
Dr Heather Bray
Guest
Nicholas Richard
Guest
Caitlin Creak
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for Australian Highlights
Frequently asked questions
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- What is Australian Highlights?
<p>The Australian Highlights series is the place where we find the innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge. </p><p>Hosted by Rachel Rayner, Science Explainer, this series takes the form of regular podcast episodes and online articles where we explore the captivating stories behind Australia's groundbreaking creative moments. With a focus on game-changing women and Indigenous trailblazers, this collection of <strong>interviews, explainers and articles</strong> shines a light on the ingenuity and diversity that propel Australia forward.</p><p>We’ll hear from people themselves doing amazing work; industry leaders that have been inspired by innovators from our past; and those who are enabling people to step forward and be spotlighted themselves. It's a lot of fun, as we've got comedians hearing these amazing stories for the first time! </p><p>There will bonus episodes of snippets and stories that didn't make it into the full interviews and there will be regular catch-ups where you can hear a rapporteur account of previous episodes.</p><p>So come join us. Head to our website for more information, <a href="https://australianhighlights.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">australianhighlights.com.au</a>, follow us on our socials, or send us an email if you know someone who should be highlighted on this show: <a href="mailto:news@australianhighlights.com.au" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">news@australianhighlights.com.au</a></p><p>The production of this series is funding by the Meta Australian Journalism Fund, administered by The Walkley Foundation, and is supported by Comedy Victoria.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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