Hosts Mike Kilpatrick and Susan Strongman talks to researchers and academics at Auckland University of Technology about the work shaping Aotearoa New Zealand - from science, health, sport and technology to business, law and society.
Each episode unpacks real research in plain language, plus two rolls of the die of destiny throws in a few unexpected questions.
A podcast from AUT, Aotearoa's university of technology.
Asbestos in play sand, the dangers of DIY - Dr Terri-Ann Berry | Ep 21
AUT Associate Professor Terri-Ann Berry talks asbestos in kids' play sand, the dangers of DIY and how her childhood dream of becoming a dancer was dashed when she lost the use of her legs.
As an environmental engineer at AUT's School of Future Environments, Terri-Ann's work focuses on finding practical solutions to issues relating to construction waste management, sustainability, environmental and product contamination, and indoor air quality.
But she's probably best known for her research into the presence of airborne asbestos in coloured sand products, which has made global headlines in recent months.
USEFUL LINKS
Airborne asbestos found in children's play sand, RNZ. (https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/651994/incredibly-disheartening-airborne-asbestos-found-in-children-s-play-sand)
Asbestos Still Kills Podcast, YouTube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuXqUl6TWrE)
NZ Draft Unsafe Goods (Consumer Sand Products) Notice 2026, MBIE (https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-on-draft-unsafe-goods-consumer-sand-products-notice-2026).
Australian Government to improve product recalls process, Treasury (https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/andrew-leigh-2025/media-releases/making-product-recalls-faster-and-more-effective).
Tools down: New cancer data offers safety reminder for DIY renovators, cancer.org.au (https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/news-and-media/media-releases/tools-down-new-cancer-data-offers-safety-reminder-for-diy-renovators)
Challenging Global Waste Management - Bioremediation to Detoxify Asbestos, (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33269243/) NIH.
Asbestos remediation in the Cook Islands - a long-term solution for making schools safer, Unitec (https://www.unitec.ac.nz/epress/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Asbestos-Remediation-in-the-Cook-Islands-by-Terri-Ann-Berry-and-Daniel-Wairepo.pdf).
COMMUNITY CALLS AND ACTION
Rate and review on your chosen podcast app
Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/)
Tell us what you want to know about next: media@aut.ac.nz (media@aut.ac.nz)
CREDITS
Host – Susan Strongman
Editor – Susan Strongman
Producer – Mike Kilpatrick
Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins
Music – Clinton Watkins
Design – AUT Brand Team
22 Sept 2026
Oral health, inclusive language and people-centred care - Dr Karen Lansdown | Ep 20
Dr Karen Lansdown (https://academics.aut.ac.nz/karen.lansdown), Head of AUT’s Department of Oral Health and Deputy Head of School Academic for Acute and Primary Health talks to host Mike Kilpatrick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekilpatrick/) about oral healthcare.
Karen explains the role of oral health therapists, the importance of prevention, and why dentistry needs to be seen as part of the wider healthcare system.
She also touches on the links between oral health and wider wellbeing, including chronic conditions, confidence, employment, quality of life and access to care.
The conversation also explores Karen’s PhD research into oral-health-related quality of life for people with cerebral palsy, the need for more inclusive and strengths-based language in dentistry, and the value of person-centred care.
There's also shares practical advice on toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste, and chewing gum.USEFUL LINKS
The Niho Ora ki Manukau clinic (https://adc.aut.ac.nz/)
Teeth Matters with AUT's Chanae Ihimaera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Hy7AhNx6g)
ActionStation's Free Dental For All campaign (https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/make-dental-care-free-for-all-nz)
COMMUNITY CALLS AND ACTION
Rate and review on your chosen podcast app
Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/)
Tell us what you want to know about next: media@aut.ac.nz (media@aut.ac.nz)
CREDITS
Host – Mike Kilpatrick
Editor – Mike Kilpatrick
Producer – Mike Kilpatrick
Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins
Music – Clinton Watkins
Design – AUT Brand Team
8 Sept 2026
AI chatbots, psychotherapy and social media bans - Dr Brigitte Viljoen | Ep 19
Brigitte Viljoen (https://academics.aut.ac.nz/brigitte.viljoen), Lecturer and Course Lead in the Department of Mental Health and Wellbeing and registered practising psychotherapist, talks to host Mike Kilpatrick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekilpatrick/)about the growing use of AI chatbots for mental health advice and emotional support.
They talk about what psychotherapy is, why the therapeutic relationship matters, and how AI chatbots can create dependency, reinforce false beliefs, and blur the line between real and simulated connection.
They also discuss social media and whether a social media ban would help in Aotearoa New Zealand. They also talk about how parents can help children use AI more safely, and why cyberpsychology may become an increasingly important field.
USEFUL LINKS
How humans interact with AI (https://theconversation.com/social-robot-or-digital-avatar-users-interact-with-this-ai-technology-as-if-its-real-229798)
Accessing psychotherapy help at AUT (https://aih.aut.ac.nz/our-services/psychotherapy)
AI chatbots are no substitute for therapy (https://www.aut.ac.nz/news/stories/ai-chatbots-no-substitute-for-therapy)
COMMUNITY CALLS AND ACTION
Rate and review on your chosen podcast app
Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/)
Tell us what you want to know about next: media@aut.ac.nz (media@aut.ac.nz)
CREDITS
Host – Mike Kilpatrick
Editor – Mike Kilpatrick
Producer – Mike Kilpatrick
Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins
Music – Clinton Watkins
Design – AUT Brand Team
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