Podcast reviews by Jacqueline Trebilco

Example Submission

jacqueline_trebilco1 — 2023-07-28 05:23:30 UTC

This short 6 minute podcast attempted to answer the question- should humans prepare a defence from an asteroid ambush. The decision-making required by NASA to determine which asteroids are worth destroying highlights the need for risk analysis in Science.

Student Instructions

jacqueline_trebilco1 — 2023-07-28 05:43:55 UTC

1. Press the plus symbol to add a card in the topic column that best classifies your chosen podcast.
2. Provide a title for your podcast review, add the URL link, and type a short 100 word review of the podcast.
3. Press update.
4. Add a star rating to the podcast.
5. Choose another podcast listed in the reviews to listen to.
6. Add a comment (approximately 80 words) explaining how the podcast is relevant to your studies, providing appropriate justification.
7. Give the second podcast a star rating.

Educator Instructions

jacqueline_trebilco1 — 2023-07-28 05:49:20 UTC

1. On the right hand toolbar, choose the remake button (square with arrows) to create a copy of this activity.
2. In the copy version, update the section titles to topics relevant to your unit.
3. Add more sections if required.
4. Review and amend student instructions depending on if you initially provide podcasts.
5. Delete this card before sharing the link with students.

Health Literacy - we all play a role

rgil0020 — 2024-02-23 05:58:20 UTC

This podcast summarises the information in a new WHO report, which focuses on the impact of health literacy on a person's ability to make lifestyle changes and how community and cultural norms are likely to impact a person's ability to make long-standing change. It highlights the importance for health professionals to vary their communication channels, depending on the client, educating clients on how to access the correct information and how education and communication between family and peers strongly impact the decisions a person makes regarding their health.

Thebarton Aquatic Centre's $8.7 Million Upgrade

ezoh0002 — 2025-04-01 05:36:36 UTC

Hosts Sonya Heldoff and Jules Schiller, smoothly and promptly introduced expert guest, Craig Houghton, YMCA's Head of Sport & Recreation, setting the pacy rhythm of the podcast. Hosts pitched a Q&A style interview discussing the re-opening of the Thebarton Aquatic Centre. Driven by leading questions, aimed at involving and representing the Thebarton community, to provide listeners with an wholistic representation of the project and how it will positively impact them and their community. Craig's concise answers allowed for the interview to flow and for a large amount of information to be covered in the short time slot. Contrastingly, the fast pace, may decrease the accessibility to digest information for some listeners.

Problem with our suburbs- Melbourne

tlad0003 — 2026-03-26 07:12:21 UTC

The podcast looks at the design of suburbs in Melbourne, which seems to favor low-density housing and the use of cars over walkability. It also looks at the fact that suburbia is not designed to be close to daily needs, which makes it a very undesirable location to stay, as opposed to the city center. The podcasters argue that the new suburbias should be designed to include the feature of “gentle density.” It is interesting to note that it is actually easier to design suburbias correctly and smartly before they come about, as opposed to after the fact. However, the political reality of suburbs is also touched on, as many people do not support it due to the issue of too much density.

Renting Forever

cmof0003 — 2026-03-31 01:14:34 UTC

This short podcast from ABC News looks at the rapid move towards ‘forever renting’ in Australia. Highlighting the effects of the housing crisis, limiting affordability within our suburbs. Forcing people to rent long term in order to find a sense of security. With many willing to pay higher rent to sustain that stability. The episode merges both public experiences/perspective with expert insights, to help illustrate how the rental shift could impact housing and retirement policies. As the number of renters has grown in the past two decades in every age group other then 80+. Creating a new reality for Australians and urging policies to adapt with these new circumstances to find a long term solution.

What happened to our front yards?

2026-04-01 10:06:15 UTC

The episode explores how front yards are disappearing across Australian suburbs as older houses are replaced with larger new builds. According to Macquarie University research, contemporary developments increasingly prioritise maximising indoor floor space and driveways over maintaining traditional front gardens. This shift is reshaping suburban streetscapes, reducing greenery, altering neighbourhood character, and raising questions about urban planning, liveability, and community connection. Presenter Dom Knight discusses how these changes reflect broader trends in housing preferences and development pressures in Sydney.

Demolishing heritage listed buildings - aid in housing crisis?

tphe0003 — 2026-04-01 10:42:53 UTC

The podcast discusses the role of heritage listed/protected buildings and if the challenges of the housing crisis means that we start repurposing them into new housing. Guest speaker Dr. Elizabeth Farrelly touches on how it is not either or and that frankly we do not have a well established protection of heritage buildings right now regardless. The host carries out the discussion through a Q&A format opening up to questions on how then could we determine the criteria of heritage protection to ensure we are protecting what we value through law. Ultimately the conversation circles to how it is more so a political issue than a heritage issue as the housing crisis is not purely a supply and demand challenge. More so it is about many factors that contribute to making the housing market infinite, hence prices continue to increase. The argument concludes to how perhaps the housing issues is about putting money into what we need (public housing as an example). Also looking into re-legislation of zones and building heights in order to open up streets and walkways creating a more livable and inviting environment.

How can we solve Australia's housing crisis?

icov0001 — 2026-04-01 10:56:22 UTC

This portion shows how housing affordability is the most pressing problem in Australian politics given that housing is getting increasingly difficult to afford. For instance, deposits now take 12 years instead of six. The conversation with Georgina Harrison (CEO of Amplify) and Ben Snell, a participant, shows the gap between generations: homeowners typically have a more straightforward experience than younger people endeavouring to buy a home. Amplify's method of bringing 100 different Australians together to discuss reforms uses structured discussion and expert input to get people to reach an agreement, regardless of whether they have different political and personal perspectives. It shows that solutions need long-term, collaborative thinking and that getting the public involved, thinking critically, and being willing to make compromises are all essential elements of solving the Australian housing crisis.

Seeing the better city

tmeh0005 — 2026-04-08 10:45:37 UTC

The Blueprint for Living episode Seeing the Better City offers a concise and insightful reflection on how everyday urban environments can be critically observed and interpreted. Through a calm and accessible narration, it encourages listeners to pay closer attention to spatial details, patterns of movement, and the layered meanings embedded within the built environment. The episode successfully balances academic thinking with an engaging, conversational tone, making complex urban ideas approachable. Its strength lies in framing observation as an active practice, prompting a more attentive and reflective engagement with cities and the subtle dynamics that shape urban life.

Fiji drinking water contaminated by microplastics, study finds

yhoo0022 — 2026-04-20 09:29:42 UTC

I reviewed the ABC Pacific Beat episode on Microplastics. While seemingly an environmental study, it is a critical study of Urban Metabolism. It highlights how 'The Pipe' (stormwater and wastewater infrastructure) acts as a high-speed conveyor for land-based pollutants into the ocean. This relates to Gleeson’s (2008) critique of the 'Promethean Dream'—our belief that we could infinitely discard plastic without 'Ecological Feedback.' Technically, the podcast’s use of interview layering provides a great template for our group’s conversation segment on the 'taste' of water. It effectively makes the invisible infrastructure of waste visible through audio storytelling.