Hear Chantella’s journey, from her WNBL days and subsequent successful AFLW career to her advocacy work in women’s sports and leadership in sport marketing. Content warning: this episode contains discussion of racism, sexism, discrimination, and grief. For support in Australia visit: deakin.edu.au/24hoursupport or for support in another country visit spotify.com/resources Read more about Chantella’s story. Learn more about Women Sport Australia: womensportaustralia.com.au Click here to watch a v...
May 26, 2026•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 2
Shaun Wilson knows business. The Bondi Sands co-founder and Deakin Master of Business alum sat down with us to talk about his education and business journey. Read more about Shaun’s story. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - From Deakin to Bondi Sands (00:31) - Meet Shaun Wilson (Founder, Bondi Sands) (00:53) - Early entrepreneurial mindset & family influence (01:51) - Lessons from sport, family & growth mindset (03:03) - Lead...
May 12, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode, we catch up with Deakin’s Vice-Chancellor, Iain Martin to explore the evolving role of universities. From his beginnings as a medical student in 1980s UK to leading one of Australia's major universities, he explores the delicate balance between education and research, the concept of social licence, and why "ceaseless curiosity" matters more than ever. Read Iain’s white paper on social licence here. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode trans...
Mar 10, 2026•58 min•Season 2Ep. 7
From ballet to a career in research and disability advocacy, Tim Harte’s journey is an awe-inspiring one. Tim sits down with us to share his story. Read the article Content Warning This podcast includes discussion of lived experience with disability and discrimination. We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing. You can pause, skip chapters and stop the episode at any time. A list of support services is available here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/student-life-and-services/health-wellbe...
Feb 24, 2026•1 hr 38 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode, Jo Weston takes us through her netball journey and unpacks how she balances a thriving sports career with study. Read more about Jo's story. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:57 – The Vixens’ Fairytale Run 03:34 – Handling Setbacks 05:15 – Sending Off Coach Simone McKinnis 07:05 – Jo’s Country Upbringing 09:11 – Starting Netball 11:54 – Netball as a Career 14:52 – Becoming a Professional Athle...
Feb 10, 2026•57 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode, Cassandra Iannucci and Alex Green explore how student support programs are paving the way for more inclusive and equitable university systems. Read more about Cassandra and Alex's work here: https://this.deakin.edu.au/career/how-student-support-programs-can-transform-universities/ Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:36 – What is Students as Partners? 01:33 – Cassandra’s Journey 02:57 – Alex’s St...
Jan 27, 2026•48 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Al Fricker talks about the power of a great education, why we need to decolonise Australia’s education system, and the importance of Indigenous Australian representation in academia. Read more here. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Content Warning This podcast includes discussion of colonisation, systemic racism, genocide and intergenerational trauma. People who have experienced these may find some of this content difficult. People who have ...
Jan 13, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 3
As a successful film and TV producer, Anna Charalambous knows what it takes to succeed in the industry. From student films to SXSW premieres, Anna’s journey is our latest Story of Wonder. Watch Spreadsheet Champions now: https://www.spreadsheetchampions.com/ Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:55 – Why Film? 02:00 – First Year Challenges 06:15 – Discovering Producing 09:00 – What Does a Producer Do? 16:00 – Prob...
Dec 30, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Legendary children’s writer and alumnus Andy Griffiths talks about his life and career journey from teacher and punk rocker to one of the most recognised children’s authors in the world. Read more about Andy's story at: https://this.deakin.edu.au/career-and-study/andy-griffiths-answers-what-does-it-take-to-be-an-author Learn more about Andy and his most recent work at: https://andygriffiths.com.au/ Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Chapters 0...
Dec 17, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Jaleesa Basnight’s journey to become a nurse is dotted with its fair share of challenges and triumphs. From raising a family at a young age, to flying thousands of kilometres to study, Jaleesa’s story is one of resilience, growth, and determination. She’s now back in the Torres Strait working as a nurse, with a mission to improve the health outcomes of her community and inspire the next generation. Content Warning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this podcast incl...
Oct 17, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this episode, Lucky shares his unconventional journey through careers in science, photography, and teaching - reflecting on the risks and rewards of embracing change. He shares his experience and challenges growing up in Australia, finding purpose, and his passion for connecting with people as an educator and photographer. Lucky’s story highlights the importance of perseverance, flexibility, and the joy found in embracing change. Learn more about Deakin's education courses here: https://www.d...
Aug 14, 2025•52 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode of Stories of Wonder, Ameer shares his journey. Despite significant barriers, he graduated high school twice and earned Deakin University's Sanctuary Scholarship to study Medical Imaging. Ameer reflects on his experiences, the vital role of scholarships in accessing education, and his aspirations in Medicine. Chapters: 00:00 Ameer's Arrival in Australia 00:47 High School Challenges and Achievements 01:23 Life in War-Torn Iraq 03:42 Adjusting to Life in Australia 04:47 Pursuing Hi...
Jul 31, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode of Stories of Wonder, learn about Michele's journey and how she is transforming legal education through community law clinics, empowering students and supporting underserved local communities. Find out more at https://50years.deakin.edu.au/story/deakin-law-students-break-down-barriers-for-justice/ Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive,...
Jul 16, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3
The textile industry has become the second worst polluting industry in the world. With a mammoth amount of waste from manufacturers and retailers, and almost no textile recycling, it’s an issue that’s having a negative impact on the planet – literally. Deakin Associate Research Fellow, Lucas Rosson aims to change that in some innovative ways. From chemical recycling to working with industry to turn food waste into textiles, his research is showing that sustainable materials are possible. This is...
Jul 02, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In 2016, a thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne left 10 people dead and thousands in hospital. It was a dramatic outcome that exposed a serious issue - there was no easy way to detect pollen in the air. Previous technology would take a whole day to complete a scan and produce a report. And those machines were massive. Enter Dr Kira Morgan Hughes, a Deakin PHD graduate who knew there had to be a better way. So she created it. Her invention makes it possible to detect pollen in the air within th...
Jun 18, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1
