In Macquarie University's news storytelling podcast "Leading Lights" Producer / Presenter Sean Britten talks to the man behind Macquarie University's new world-first, not-for-profit breast implant check clinic Professor Anand Deva, who is in the media spotlight after the Sunday Telegraph published a story on his research into the link between cancer and certain types of implants. Channel 9's A Current Affair will also broadcast the story this week, highlighting the need for more safety education for women asking for breast surgery.

As the latest Star Wars story hits screens - a tale of young Han Solo and Chewbacca smuggling their way across the galaxy - we sat down with Dr Lee Spitler at the Australian Astronomical Observatory to find out the secrets of the Force. Along the way we talk of the realities of human exploration in space, the ambitions of Elon Musk and Richard Branson, and the cutting-edge research underway between the AAO and Macquarie University to help us make sense of the sublime complexity of the universe.

On May 19, 2018, the saga continues as the Royal Family welcomes Meghan Markle into the Firm. The wedding of Prince Harry and Markle is global news, but what makes it so significant? Why are we still invested in the monarchy at all? Is the presence of Queen Elizabeth II the only thing holding the Commonwealth together? We chat to Professor Robert Reynolds about the evolution of dynasties, and why Her Majesty keeps popping up in people's dreams.

From the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster to the most polluted place right here in Australia, Professor Mark Taylor takes us on an entertaining and sobering journey into environmental contaminations. Across household dust and vintage wine, to blueberries and poisoned groundwater, we talk of lessons the next generation must learn in order to survive the environmental landscape of the future.

On this week's episode, we speak to Dr Anthony Lambert from the Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies about the rise of superhero cinema, and the influence these larger-than-life characters wield over our society. We also discuss how media has never been more ubiquitous—or more reflective of the increasing importance our culture is placing on diversity.

In this episode we continue our discussion with Professor Catharine Lumby and Dr Theresa Senft from the Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies on the ever-changing media landscape. We delve into the evolution of journalism, the movement of journalists to universities and how ideas are produced in a time where everyone has a platform for their opinions.

On this episode of the Pioneering Minds Podcast we chat to Professor Catharine Lumby and Dr Theresa Senft from the Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies to discuss our ever-changing media landscape. We discuss the role of traditional and social media, how we define news in the age of the consumer-producer and the unique position of universities to act as a news source.

In this special Movember edition of the Pioneering Minds podcast we chat to GP and men's health expert, Dr Luke Morphett. We look into the often undiscussed physical and mental health issues that Australian men encounter and what can be done to improve the quality of life of those suffering.

This week we chat to Dr Yeshe Colliver from the Department of Educational Studies about his work to uncover the most effective ways to teach children. We discuss the sense of play and creativity that's so important in developmental learning as well as the ways to encourage this sense of fun in the early years of childhood.

This week on the Pioneering Minds Podcast we chat to Dr Wade Marynowsky from the Department of Media Music Communication and Cultural Studies about his amazing catalogue of interactive robotic art (robot operas, anyone?) and offers insights into the practical and artistic potential of robots as well as their spiritual and cultural implications for artificial creation.