Jinxed!

Wait, Chinese astrology is more than just the 12 zodiac animals?

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting is joined by Chinese-born comedian He Huang to talk about her renewed interest in Ba Zi, also known as Chinese astrology.


Together, they explore their shared fascination with the practice, how they reconcile it with a more "rational" worldview, and why they see it as a tool for self-reflection rather than something to depend on.



They're also joined by Chinese astrologer Lydia Lee from Yin Waters Astrology, who unpacks what a Ba Zi chart can reveal, why a chart reading is ultimately about gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, and how approaching it with curiosity and an open mind can be more valuable than seeking certainty.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

Why is the left hand considered evil?

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting is joined by Ethiopian-Australian comedian Tilahun Hailu to explore where the stigma around being left-handed comes from.

Together, they reflect on his childhood in South Sudan, where left-hand dominance was often viewed with suspicion, the impact those beliefs had on his left-handed brother, and how moving to Australia made him question ideas he had once accepted as normal.

Helping unpack and challenge the stigma is inclusion and education specialist Frances Akinde. Frances shares her own experiences with left-handed stigma, explains what her research has uncovered, and considers how some practices that appear to be ignorance may have originally been understood as forms of protection.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

What is it about mirrors that makes them so creepy?

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting chats with comedian Sashi Perera about her lifelong fear of mirrors.

Together, they explore the legend of Bloody Mary, the connection between mirrors and women's knowledge, and what really happens when you stare into a mirror for too long.

They're also joined by Sean Perera—Sub-Dean at the Australian National University, researcher, writer and self-described "superstitious scientist"—who unpacks the significance of mirrors in Sri Lankan culture, the origins of the seven years of bad luck myth, and whether there's really a way to reverse the curse after breaking a mirror.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

How does community become a code word for witchcraft?

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting speaks with Venezuelan-born comedian Ivan Aristeguita about growing up around Santería and the misconceptions that continue to surround it.

Together, they unpack the myths and stigma attached to the religion, exploring how fear, racism and misunderstanding have shaped public perceptions.

Helping separate fact from fiction is anthropologist Carlos Ramos Garcia, who reflects on growing up in Cuba with family members who practised Santería. He discusses his research into how the religion adapts and evolves in new homes like Australia, and explains why dismissing it as "superstition" can be both inaccurate and harmful.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

Ever been told to hold your breath when driving past a cemetery? Comedian Alex Hudson takes it one step further: lift your legs, too.

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting is joined by comedian Alex Hudson to unpack the superstition that spirits will grab your legs if you don't lift them while driving past a cemetery.

Together, they break down the surprisingly specific rules behind the belief, chat about Alex's father's time as a gravedigger, and explore the strange rituals and traditions surrounding death in Victorian times.

To help make sense of it all, psychology lecturer Dr Charlotte E. Dean joins the conversation. She explains why superstitions exist, how culture shapes what we believe, and whether a psychologist can make room for the paranormal.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

Does the evil eye really exist? (Spit, spit!)

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting is joined by comedian George Kapiniaris to unpack his belief in the evil eye.

Together, they explore how the superstition is meant to work, the joy of inventing family superstitions with your kids, and whether social media might be the perfect breeding ground for a modern-day evil eye.

They're also joined by Jorge Menidis, Director of the Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture, who traces the history of the belief, explains its roots in women's knowledge and oral tradition, and reflects on what the evil eye reveals about Greek culture today.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

In southern Vietnam, you never call the eldest child the eldest – you call them the second eldest.

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting is joined by comedian and "(second) eldest" daughter Diana Nguyen to unpack one of Vietnamese culture's more curious traditions.

Together, they explore the responsibilities that come with being the "(second) eldest," the beliefs surrounding children and family in Vietnamese culture, and what these customs reveal about the values behind them.

They're also joined by SBS Vietnamese Digital Producer and eldest daughter Linh Nguyen, who shares her own experience growing up as the eldest child. She explains why luck plays such an important role in Vietnamese culture and how navigating pronouns can be one of the biggest cultural shifts when moving between Vietnamese and English.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

Why are some people told to avoid poinciana trees at night?

In this episode of Jinxed, Ting is joined by comedian Leon Filewood to explore the urban legend of the Poinciana Woman.

Together, they unpack where the story may have come from, compare ghost stories from around the world, and ask why the Torres Strait Islands can feel especially eerie after dark.

They're also joined by animator, visual artist, lecturer and researcher Christie Widiarto, who shares her work on the Indonesian folklore figure the Kuntilanak. She chats about how ghost stories travel across cultures and continents, why so many of them centre on women, and how these stories can become a way of processing grief and preserving cultural memory.

#sbsaudiopodcast

Credits:
Hosted and produced by: Ting LimExecutive Producer: Bernadette Phương Nam NguyễnEdited by: Philip SolimanSpecial thanks to: Joel Supple

Comedian Ting Lim delves into the quirky world of superstitions and beliefs that shape our lives in new podcast series Jinxed! Join Ting as she unpacks the strange rituals and habits passed down through generations, from avoiding frangipani trees to the peculiarities of family love languages. With insights from Australia’s funniest voices and expert opinions, this series explores why these beliefs persist and what they reveal about our search for meaning in a humorous journey into the cultural tapestry that binds us!