The moral panic of novels and video games with Dr Tof Eklund.

In the eighth episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, Dr Tof Eklund chats to host Susan Strongman about moral panic, what parents and caregivers should actually worry about if their kids are into video games, and whether the hype around generative AI is just that; hype. In between, they discuss Dungeons and Dragons, Dr Eklund’s most watched film, and which fictional character they admire the most.  

Dr Tof Eklund earned their PhD in English at the University of Florida with a thesis on time and narrative in etching and printmaking, comic books, and video games. Now a lecturer at AUT’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities, their research interests lie at the intersection of the theoretical, the subcultural, the digital, and the creative. 

A queer parent, philosophical anarchist, videogame and tabletop RPG designer, zine comics creator, speculative fiction writer, and former wine steward, Tof is "interested in everything," with the possible exception of team sports. 

Main Topics & Discussion 

• Moral panic – from novels to video games. 

• Do videogames make people violent?  

• Gamergate to Groypers: should parents and caregivers be worried if their kids are gamers? 

• Is concern around generative AI the latest moral panic? 

 Community & Calls to Action 

1. Rate & Review on your chosen podcast app 

1. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/ 

1. Tell us what you want to know about next: [email protected] 

Credits: 

Host – Susan Strongman 

Editor – Susan Strongman 

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick 

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins 

Music – Clinton Watkins 

Design – AUT Brand Team

The workplace and its impact with Associate Professor Rachel Morrison.

In the seventh episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, Rachel Morrison chats to host Susan Strongman about the impact of toxic masculinity on future workplaces, how open plan offices affect women and minority groups differently, and whether a plastic plant can make you feel better.   

An associate professor at AUT’s Business School, Rachel has a background in psychology. Her current research primarily focuses on the place we all spend, on average, about 22 percent of our time, work. 

Main Topics

• Te Kaunihera Wāhine o Aotearoa National Council of Women of New Zealand 2025 Gender Attitudes Survey
• Amy Wrzesniewski and Jane E. Dutton’s Crafting a job: Revisioning employees as active crafters of their work. 
• How women’s life‑long experiences of being judged by their appearance affect how they feel in open‑plan offices by Rachel Morrison 
• Get out of my face! We’re more antisocial in a shared office space by Rachel Morrison

Community and calls to action

• Rate & 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: ⁠[email protected]⁠

Credits

Host – Susan Strongman

Editors – Susan Strongman

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins

Music – Clinton Watkins

Design – AUT Brand Team

Journalism and its future with Dr Greg Treadwell. 

In episode six of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, Greg chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about journalism, how media has become a tool for the powerful, and the impact AI and social media are having on both journalism and then next generation of journalists.

They also speak about the importance of what Greg has coined ‘the new community journalism’ when it comes to rebuilding trust in the media.

Greg is a senior lecturer in the School of Communication Studies at AUT. He previously worked as a reporter, photographer and newspaper editor before becoming a journalism lecturer in 2005.

His PhD was on the loss of freedom of information experienced by public-interest journalists in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Main Topics

• The 2025 Trust in News in Aotearoa New Zealand 2025 report produced by the AUT research centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy (JMAD)

• How to Rebuild Trust in Journalism by Tim Watkin

• The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

• AI, journalism and news media in Aotearoa New Zealand by Dr Merja Myllylahti

• Waiheke Gulf News

Community and calls to action

• Rate & 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: [email protected]

Credits

Host – Mike Kilpatrick

Editors – Mike Kilpatrick

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins

Music – Clinton Watkins

Design – AUT Brand Team

Christmas movies from an academic (and non-academic) point of view with Dr Rebecca Trelease.

It’s tiiiiime for a Christmas special! Love them or hate them, Christmas movies are everywhere you turn at the moment.

We welcome back Rebecca for a Christmas Special of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast.

Rebecca (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi) chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about the characteristics of Christmas movies, and they dissect Christmas Karma, a new Christmas movie from Gurinder Chadha out now on Netflix. She also brings the academic receipts to settle the question – is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

They finish by talking about a potentially problematic favourite of the genre, and then share what they love most about the Christmas period.

Rebecca is a senior lecturer in the Critical Media Studies Department at AUT. Her research field lies primarily in television, with her PhD thesis conducting case studies into four global entertainment reality television formats.

Main Topics & Discussion

- Official trailer for Christmas Karma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGGC5YCTNaQ

A Muppets Christmas Carol

- Michael Caine playing Scrooge alongside The Muppets – watch on Disney+ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNo-Q0IDJi0

Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas Movie

- Nathan Scoll, University of Pittsburgh -https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14775700.2023.2277073

A slight correction to Rebecca’s story of Chrishell Strauss’ name:

- The Correct Story of Chrishell Strauss' Name is Even Better!

Community & Calls to Action

1. Rate & Review on your chosen podcast app

2. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/

3. Tell us what you want to know about next: [email protected]

Credits:

Host – Mike Kilpatrick

Editors – Mike Kilpatrick

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins

Music – Clinton Watkins

Design – AUT Brand Team

AI and its impact, authenticity and bias with Senior Lecturer Justin Matthews.

In the fourth episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, Justin chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the impact it’s having on our lives. 

After a random fact that gives context to how short our lives are, they begin chatting about one of Justin's earlier publications on Judge Dredd and why the satirical point of the comic has been missed. 

They then talk about generative AI, authenticity, bias, and other ethical issues around its use, with Justin highlighting the good and bad from his point of view and why he thinks it’s transformative. 

The duo then discuss bringing back performers from the dead via AI as well as ABBA’s decision to ‘tour’ using ABBAtars and the rise of deepfakes. 

Justin is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Communication Studies at AUT.  

Before joining AUT, Justin had an extensive career in the commercial sector specialising in digital media and communication.  

His teaching covers a wide range of topics related to digital media, including cutting-edge technologies and their role in enhancing communication experiences.  

Main Topics & Discussion 

- Who is Judge Dredd and why it matters that media invoke the cartoon character 
Judge Dredd is satirical – not an instruction manual! 
https://theconversation.com/who-is-judge-dredd-and-why-it-matters-that-media-invoke-the-cartoon-character-124412  

- Holograms and AI can bring performers back from the dead – but will the fans keep buying it? 
Fan longing, ethics and AI – Justin Matthews and Angelique Nairn dissect holographic performances and bringing artists back from the dead with the ABBA Voyage concerts showcasing ABBAtars. https://theconversation.com/holograms-and-ai-can-bring-performers-back-from-the-dead-but-will-the-fans-keep-buying-it-202431 

- Generative AI and copyright - AI startup Anthropic agrees to pay $1.5bn to settle book piracy lawsuit https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/05/anthropic-settlement-ai-book-lawsuit  

- Robin Williams' daughter [Zelda] pleads for people to stop sending AI videos of her dad https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0r0erqk18jo  

- Four Thousand Hours book (not Five Thousand as Mike said during the episode!) - https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/four-thousand-weeks-9781784704001

Community & Calls to Action 

1. Rate & Review on your chosen podcast app 

2. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/ 

3. Tell us what you want to know about next: [email protected]

Credits 

Host – Mike Kilpatrick 

Editors – Mike Kilpatrick 

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick 

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins

Music – Clinton Watkins 

Design – AUT Brand Team 

New Zealand infrastructure and the future with Professor John Tookey.

In the third episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, John chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about infrastructure and what Aotearoa should be doing to ensure the best bang for our buck in infrastructure builds. 

They talk about new houses on floodplains, the need for housing intensification, the importance of Auckland’s Harbour Bridge and why running rail under the Waitemata Harbour isn’t an easy thing to do.

There’s also a mention of poos and pees as some areas of Auckland can’t deal with waste in the way we’d expect. 

And, while they know summer has arrived in Aotearoa, they finish with some tips on how best to prepare your house to ensure everyone stays nice and warm next winter. 

John is the AUT programme leader for two postgraduate programmes - the Master of Construction Management (MCM) and the Master of Engineering Project Management (MEPM) as well as being the director of international for the School of Future Environments. 

He is a go-to expert for media in Aotearoa because he can talk about the complexities of the built environment and make it more accessible for a wider audience. 

Main Topics & Discussion 

Auckland Council approves homes on floodplains 

Auckland Council approves 4000 new homes on floodplains since 2023 

 Intensification around Auckland’s light rail stations 

Auckland's train station developments: Is the Govt overstepping? 

 A new crossing for the Waitemata Harbour? 

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed second harbour bridge may cost billions, expert says 

 Tips for making your home warm in winter 

Four ways to make your home feel warmer this winter 

Calls to Action 

Rate & 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: [email protected] 

Credits

Host – Mike Kilpatrick 

Editors – Velvl-Kai Ryder, Mike Kilpatrick 

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick 

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins

Music – Clinton Watkins 

Design – AUT Brand Team

International law, Palestinian statehood and the UN with Dr Myra Williamson.

Note: This episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast was recorded on 8 October 2025.  

In the second episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, public international law expert Dr Myra Williamson chats to host Susan Strongman about Palestinian statehood, the role of the United Nations, New Zealand’s foreign policy, and whether international law really is law. 

Dr Williamson is a senior lecturer at AUT with a broad range of research interests. She’s published extensively on terrorism, the use of force by states, human rights, gender equality and justice, renters’ rights, seabed mining, genocide and more. 

Dr Williamson previously taught law at Waikato University, at universities in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and at an international school in Aleppo, Syria. In the 2023 general election she ran, unsuccessfully, for the Labour Party in Hamilton West, where she was born, raised, and currently lives. 

Main Topics and Discussion 

Palestinian statehood & foreign policy  

- A UN finding of genocide in Gaza adds pressure on NZ to recognise a Palestinian state: https://theconversation.com/a-un-finding-of-genocide-in-gaza-adds-pressure-on-nz-to-recognise-a-palestinian-state-265473   

- The World Court says Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land is illegal: 4 steps NZ can take now: https://theconversation.com/the-world-court-says-israels-occupation-of-palestinian-land-is-illegal-4-steps-nz-can-take-now-235878  

- New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters addresses United Nations General Debate, 80th Session: https://youtu.be/yQvYd5rgR6U?si=sNBZUbhheFE96S1f 

Calls to Action 

1. Rate and Review on your chosen podcast app 

2. Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/⁠ 

3. Tell us what you want to know about next: ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Credits 

Host – Susan Strongman 

Editors – Velvl-Kai Ryder, Susan Strongman 

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick 

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins

Music – Clinton Watkins 

Design – AUT Brand Team  

Reality television and sexist critiques of entertainment with Dr Rebecca Trelease.

In the first episode of Hey, Did You Know? An AUT Podcast, Rebecca (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi) chats to host Mike Kilpatrick about television and particularly Rebecca's experience on reality TV, when she appeared on season two of The Bachelor NZ.

They also speak about sexism inherent in critiques of entertainment and of Taylor Swift and her new album as well as The Swiftposium 2024 and Oceania’s first ever Taylor Swift summer school programme.

They finish with a reality television recommendation.

Rebecca is a senior lecturer in the Critical Media Studies Department at AUT. Her research field lies primarily in television, with her PhD thesis conducting case studies into four global entertainment reality television formats.

As an academic, fan, and former participant, Rebecca offers a unique viewpoint into the reality television genre. 

Main Topics and Discussion 

Rebecca Trelease’s exit from The Bachelor NZ Season 2 
- "I was on the show for love. I hope he saw (that)."

- Is reality TV harmful?

Taylor Swift 
- The Swiftposium 2024
- Inside Australasia's first university course studying a pop megastar

The Humungous Fungus 
- Malheur National Forest in Oregon is the home the Humungous Fungus, an occurrence of Armillaria ostoyae. It's believed to be the largest single organism on Earth, according to the Oregon Encyclopaedia.

Calls to Action 

1. Rate and Review on your chosen podcast app 

2. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autuninews/ 

3. Tell us what you want to know about next: [email protected] 

Credits 

Host – Mike Kilpatrick 

Editors – Velvl-Kai Ryder, Mike Kilpatrick 

Producer – Mike Kilpatrick 

Executive Producer – Nicola Hopkins

Music – Clinton Watkins 

Design – AUT Brand Team