Country roads have paved the way for new learning experiences for Bachelor of Social Work student Danyel Wallbridge. Danyel has swapped the ocean views of Tweed Heads for the inland rivers of St George, Queensland, for her 18-week social work practicum. Danyel talks about the experience of studying in a rural area, her passion for social work and ambition to help others.

For Olivia Dalaf, education is of the upmost importance. Born in Syria, Olivia’s family fled to Iraq before coming to Australia as refugees. After missing three years of school, Olivia learnt English in just six months so that she could complete her senior years of high school.

Now studying the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus, Olivia was awarded a 2023 International Women’s Day scholarship in recognition of her determination.

Professor Anne Graham AO is challenging the notion that children should be ‘seen and not heard’. As Founding Director of the Centre for Children and Young People, she ensures that young people are given a seat at the table in discussions about challenges facing youth. In this episode, River speaks with Anne about how the pandemic and natural disasters have impacted on young people and how we as a community can support them.

If you need support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Is playing videogames a form of athleticism? Blake chats with Dr Dylan Poulus about the world of esports - the competitive playing of videogames - and the multi-million-dollar prize pools attached to it. Dr Poulus discusses the inclusivity of gaming, his research into the factors associated with success in esports and the introduction of videogames to the Olympics. A fascinating chat for gamers and non-gamers alike!

How can we use food to fuel our bodies for high-endurance sport? River chats with clinical nutritionist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the National Centre foe Naturopathic Medicine, Dr Jessica Bayes, about the importance of nutrition during marathon training. A fascinating chat for all those interested in athletics, the science behind snacks and the effects of food on our bodies and minds.

What is a circular economy and why is it so much more than just waste management? In this episode, River chats with Professor Linda Godfrey, Extraordinary Professor at North-West University South Africa, and Professor Dirk Erler, Chief Investigator of Recirculator and academic within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Southern Cross University. They discuss the similar challenges Australia and South Africa face in implementing circular economy strategies, sustainable resource management, and the new business opportunities a circular economy can create.

Bachelor of Contemporary Music student Alako Myles wants to rewrite the gigging experience for musicians. He is the brains behind the Anemoia Music Festival, a student-led live event which aimed to do things differently. Speaking to student host River for the SCU Buzz podcast, Alako discusses the financial hurdles for musicians, the creation of Liminal band, the audio experiences of vinyl versus streaming and how to best support your favourite artist.

What is the sovereign citizenship movement and why do we mostly hear about it when it comes to traffic laws? Dean of Law and former magistrate David Heilpern chats about his experience with the sovereign citizenship movement and whether or not the legal argument behind it stacks up. He is joined by law student Amy and student host River as they cover the challenges of advocating a no-law society, the popularity of the movement and why traffic and vaccines are two major issues for sovereign citizens.

The countdown is on for the Gold Coast Marathon, which is taking place on 1-2 July 2023. To help you prepare, Southern Cross University and Gold Coast Marathon gathered leading sport and exercise science experts to share their top training tips. In this episode of the SCU Buzz, Australian Olympic long-distance runner Benita Willis and Southern Cross University’s Chair of Discipline (Health Sciences) Dr Chris Stevens, Associate Professor in Psychology Christian Swann, and Lecturer and Professional Practice Lead (Exercise Science) Dr Jena Buchan share their top training tips and how to apply what you learn in training to other parts of your life.

River chats to Dr Hanabeth Luke, senior lecturer in regenerative agriculture at Southern Cross, about her journey to a PhD that began with coal seam gas licences, and why understanding a landscape is as important as how you manage a landscape. A fascinating chat for all those interested in farming and environmental management covering the secret to good soil, integrating animals into the mix, what regenerative agriculture actually means, and why we should all care.