Sci_Burst

About Sci_Burst

Sci_Burst is an Australian podcast and startup all about science, popular culture, and entertainment! We’re your hosts, Isabel & Ella, two science communicators and solarpunk enthusiasts taking you on a journey into sustainable, hopeful futures. This podcast is meant for you, no matter your level of expertise - whether you are a practising physicist, a tradesman, or a circus acrobat! Follow us on @Sci_Burst (Instagram, LinkedIn, Mastodon) for updates. You can also get in touch via sciburstpodcast@gmail.com. Buy us a cuppa: https://ko-fi.com/sciburst

Publisher

Sci_Burst

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Jul 2022

Latest episode

3 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

40 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   3 Jun 2026

   S3 E12: Aussie Solarpunk

   We saved the best for last: welcome to our episode on Aussie Solarpunk! In this season finale of Sci_Burst we record live from the Woden Library to bring you a joyous episode close to our home & heart. Join us in a chat on community owned solarfarms, Mad Max, reconciliation, science communicators, men’s sheds, and of course, the famous Hills Hoist clothesline. Australia has some serious Solarpunk potential! To complement this special episode, we’ve created a little game of Aussie Solarpunk themed BINGO: https://www.sci-burst.com.au/solarpunk-in-australia-bingo/ (https://www.sci-burst.com.au/solarpunk-in-australia-bingo/) Episode time stamps: 0:00 Introduction 5:52 Solarpunk Technologies in Australia 25:06 Aussie Solarpunk Communities 47:00 Solarpunk Culture in Australia 1:01:50 Good News Stories Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend: -Household solar electricity generation in the Australian national accounts https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/household-solar-electricity-generation-australian-national-accounts (https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/household-solar-electricity-generation-australian-national-accounts) -Comparing and ranking the global cost of green industrial electricity (Graham & Havas, 2023) https://mssanz.org.au/modsim2023/files/graham125.pdf (https://mssanz.org.au/modsim2023/files/graham125.pdf) -Goulburn community solar farm plugs in after 12-year journey https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-27/goulburn-community-farm-opens-after-significant-delays/106494962 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-27/goulburn-community-farm-opens-after-significant-delays/106494962) -Australia's largest community-owned solar farm begins powering homes in Canberra https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/act-community-solar-farm-opens-in-majura/13238882 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/act-community-solar-farm-opens-in-majura/13238882) -Majura Community Energy Project https://www.solarshare.com.au/majura-community-energy-project (https://www.solarshare.com.au/majura-community-energy-project) -Broken Hill String https://www.ibys.org/index.php/2012/09/21/broken-hill-string/ (https://www.ibys.org/index.php/2012/09/21/broken-hill-string/) -Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlOTGzPZvfw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlOTGzPZvfw) -From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbark https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/reuse-recycling/from-earth-cans-and-tyres-earthship-ironbark/ (https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/reuse-recycling/from-earth-cans-and-tyres-earthship-ironbark/) -Earthship Ironbank http://www.earthshipironbank.com.au/ (http://www.earthshipironbank.com.au/) -Matt and Kate built an earthship house with recycled bottles and the help of strangers https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-16/grand-designs-australia-earthship-cygnet-matt-kate/105782588 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-16/grand-designs-australia-earthship-cygnet-matt-kate/105782588) -Australia’s Net Zero Plan https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/net-zero-report.pdf (https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/net-zero-report.pdf) -Hobbit homes to earthships: the NSW village setting a green example for Australia https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hobbit-homes-to-earthships-the-nsw-village-setting-a-green-example-for-australia-20220908-p5bgjg.html (https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hobbit-homes-to-earthships-the-nsw-village-setting-a-green-example-for-australia-20220908-p5bgjg.html) -Narara ecovillage https://nararaecovillage.com/ (https://nararaecovillage.com/) -Sunshine Coast eco village turns 30 as pioneering permaculture ideas become mainstream https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-03/crystal-waters-eco-village-celebrates-30-years/9929342 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-03/crystal-waters-eco-village-celebrates-30-years/9929342) -Solarpunk + Solarpunk at Home https://www.dancehouse.com.au/whats-on/solarpunk/ (https://www.dancehouse.com.au/whats-on/solarpunk/) -Ginninderry https://ginninderry.com/living-here/sustainability/ (https://ginninderry.com/living-here/sustainability/) -Community Toolbox Canberra https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/community-projects/community-projects/community-toolbox-canberra (https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/community-projects/community-projects/community-toolbox-canberra) -The Men’s Shed Movement in Australia: Rights, Needs and the Politics of Settler National Manhood (Boucher & Robinson, 2021) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1031461X.2021.1901946 (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1031461X.2021.1901946) -Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/ (https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/) -The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia's First Peoples by Corey Tutt (2021) -The Koala Brothers (2003-2007) -Tracey McBean (2001-2006) -Play School (1966–) -Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) -Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) Good News Stories: -https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/students-innovate-to-address-climate-change-livability/106200782 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/students-innovate-to-address-climate-change-livability/106200782) -https://www.scarymommy.com/entertainment/ryan-gosling-andy-weir-project-hail-mary-interview (https://www.scarymommy.com/entertainment/ryan-gosling-andy-weir-project-hail-mary-interview)

2. 

   3 May 2026

   S3 E11: Gardening, DIY, & Tangible Solarpunk

   Hold solarpunk in your hands as you listen to this episode, where we dive deep into the aspects of a tangible solarpunk future that are already here! Discover soilpunk, permaculture, gleaning, friction-maxxing, mending circles, analogue media curation, junk journalling and more as we discuss why physical, tangible and intentionally crafted living is SO necessary right now. A brighter, greener, more sustainable future is in reach! Episode time stamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:56 Soil, Gardening, and Permaculture 33:43 Return to Analogue Media 1:01:10 Thriving DIY1:13:24 Good News Stories Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend: -What is Soilpunk? https://aarongreider.medium.com/what-is-soilpunk-c2bc2301dfbc (https://aarongreider.medium.com/what-is-soilpunk-c2bc2301dfbc) -@greengirlleah and @tractorbeam.earth on Soilpunk: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM-12DZpJJ_/?igsh=OW43cjlucG9obHRs (https://www.instagram.com/p/DM-12DZpJJ_/?igsh=OW43cjlucG9obHRs) -Introduction to Permaculture (1991) by Bill Mollison -Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual (1988) by Bill Mollison -How to prepare (not prep) for uncertain times: https://susankayequinn.com/2025/04/how-to-prepare-not-prep-for-uncertain-times-and-build-a-better-world-in-the-process.html (https://susankayequinn.com/2025/04/how-to-prepare-not-prep-for-uncertain-times-and-build-a-better-world-in-the-process.html) -Association of Gleaning Organizations: https://gleaningorgs.com/ (https://gleaningorgs.com/) -Why owning nothing is so expensive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AKn-zJMIwY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AKn-zJMIwY) -A love letter to cassette futurism: https://twistedwonderland.substack.com/p/a-love-letter-to-cassette-futurism (https://twistedwonderland.substack.com/p/a-love-letter-to-cassette-futurism) -Why friction-maxxing could be good for your brain: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/04/07/friction-maxxing-benefits/ (https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/04/07/friction-maxxing-benefits/) -Nonnamaxxing: do Italian grandmothers hold the secret to a long and happy life?: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/nonnamaxxing-italian-grandmothers-gen-z?CMP=default&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=LinkedIn#Echobox=1776269045 (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/nonnamaxxing-italian-grandmothers-gen-z?CMP=default&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=LinkedIn#Echobox=1776269045) -‘Nonnamaxxing’ Is the Cozy Trend Gen Z Swears Is Changing Their Lives: https://www.vice.com/en/article/nonnamaxxing-is-the-cozy-trend-gen-z-swears-is-changing-their-lives/ (https://www.vice.com/en/article/nonnamaxxing-is-the-cozy-trend-gen-z-swears-is-changing-their-lives/) Good News Stories: -https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9vx1z4jkno (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9vx1z4jkno) -https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-04-12/nasa-artemis-ii-earthrise-geopolitics-wonder/106548512 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-04-12/nasa-artemis-ii-earthrise-geopolitics-wonder/106548512)

3. 

   3 Apr 2026

   S3 E10: Why We Need Solarpunk Now

   Why Solarpunk? Why now? Discover the compelling journey of climate change discoveries, following actions (and lack thereof), the stories that have been told about climate breakdown, and what alternatives to those stories are now surfacing. Tune in to hear about why facts aren't always enough, why media literacy is a necessary climate communication skill, and why new inspiring, connecting, and hopeful stories might just be the solution... There are hundreds of reasons for solarpunk, and right now there are more than ever before! Episode time stamps: 0:00 Introduction 04:40 A brief history of climate change science 15:50 Where this brings us (the problem) 35:55 The solution (it's solarpunk) 1:05:05 Good news stories Want more? Look through the material that both inspired and informed this episode: - Dr Karl's Little Book of Climate Change Science (2021) by Karl Kruszelnicki - The Myth Gap: What Happens When Evidence and Arguments Aren't Enough (2017) by Alex Evans - Media Literacy with Saffana Banana: https://www.youtube.com/@SaffanaTeachingComms - Solarpunk Means Dreaming Green by Jay Springett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq16vAsB18Q&t=2175s -“Solarpunk” & the Pedagogical Value of Utopia: https://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/solarpunk-the-pedagogical-value-of-utopia_2020_05/ (https://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/solarpunk-the-pedagogical-value-of-utopia_2020_05/) -Solarpunk: A Container for More Fertile Futures: https://solarpunkmagazine.com/solarpunk-a-container-for-more-fertile-futures-jay-springett/ (https://solarpunkmagazine.com/solarpunk-a-container-for-more-fertile-futures-jay-springett/) -Deny, Deceive, Delay: Documenting and Responding to Climate Disinformation at COP26 and Beyond: https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Executive-Summary-Deny-Deceive-Delay.pdf (https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Executive-Summary-Deny-Deceive-Delay.pdf) -The Day After Tomorrow (2004) -Mad Max movies -Monk & Robot series by Becky Chambers -1997 Kyoto Protocol: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-kyoto-protocol (https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-kyoto-protocol) -2015 Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement (https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement) Good News Stories: -https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-is-reportedly-testing-a-new-airborne-wind-turbine/ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-is-reportedly-testing-a-new-airborne-wind-turbine/) -https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ireland-launches-its-permanent-income-for-the-arts-scheme-becoming-the-first-government-committed-to-paying-artists-180988226/ (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ireland-launches-its-permanent-income-for-the-arts-scheme-becoming-the-first-government-committed-to-paying-artists-180988226/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

23 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

38

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71