Stories of Wonder

By Deakin University

Stories of Wonder platforms and celebrates the real impact Deakin students, alumni, researchers and staff are making in the world, right now.

Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B... more

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FAQs about Stories of Wonder:

How many episodes does Stories of Wonder have?

The podcast currently has 19 episodes available.

Stories of Wonder episodes:

July 21, 2026Kirsten Diprose’s journalism career: from the ABC to research
From the ABC to podcasting to research, Kirsten Diprose’s journalism career has been wide-reaching. She revisits it on this episode of Stories of Wonder.

Content warning: this episode mentions a distressing news story, but doesn’t go into detail. For support in Australia visit: deakin.edu.au/24hoursupport or for support in another country visit spotify.com/resources

Read more about Kirsten’s story.
Listen to ‘Ducks on the Pond’: ducksonthepond.com.au

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:38) - From 16 to the ABC: a clear goal early
(02:52) - Building a pathway into journalism
(07:00) - Starting in radio at 15 and learning fast
(11:10) - Why career focus mattered early
(12:19) - Breaking into the ABC and early wins
(17:41) - Handling rejection and building resilience
(21:23) - Moving interstate and starting at the ABC
(23:34) - Learning fast in regional journalism
(28:17) - From city journalist to life on a farm
(33:08) - How podcasting is reshaping journalism
(40:05) - Redefining success and career paths
(46:03) - The future of local news in Australia
(55:07) - Why rural voices matter more than ever

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
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1h 3min
July 07, 2026James Murphy on sustainable marine tourism and employability
James Murphy explores his career in sustainable and regenerative marine tourism. Plus, we unpack why work integrated learning improves employability.

Read more about Murph’s story
Learn more about Southern Ocean Environmental LInk

Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:00) - Introduction – James Murphy’s story
(00:50) - Early connection to the ocean
(01:40) - Finding purpose without feeling like work
(02:33) - Starting in marine tourism
(03:15) - Discovering dolphins in Victoria
(04:01) - Regenerative tourism explained
(05:02) - Sustainable vs regenerative tourism
(06:19) - How to spot greenwashing in tourism
(07:13) - Personal responsibility in sustainability
(08:42) - Wild animals vs theme park experiences
(10:15) - The ethics of marine wildlife tourism
(14:08) - Managing expectations in wildlife tours
(15:10) - Tourism for everyone
(17:42) - James’ journey to Deakin
(18:08) - Gap years and finding direction
(20:12) - Why James chose to study business
(23:00) - Learning marketing and entrepreneurship
(24:04) - Partnering with Deakin and student programs
(25:13) - Work Integrated Learning in practice
(27:45) - Why hands-on experience matters
(30:36) - How Deakin students stand out
(31:23) - Finding purpose through lived experience
(35:31) - Creating positive environmental impact
(36:05) - Marine education and student engagement
(38:23) - The importance of giving back
(40:09) - Sustainability advice – care and respect
(42:01) - Southern Ocean Environmental Link

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
...more
44min
June 23, 2026Paralympian Kate Naess on resilience, loss and success
Paralympian, psychologist, high performance coach, author, and speaker Kate Naess talks mindset, resilience, and responding to change with intention.

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of lived experience with disability, mental health, and grief. For support in Australia visit: deakin.edu.au/24hoursupport or for support in another country visit spotify.com/resources

Links:
Read more about Kate’s story
Read ‘The Hand You’re Dealt’

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:10) - Introducing Kate Naess
(01:05) - Core mindset – challenge, learning and no regrets
(03:27) - Challenging early limitations
(04:26) - Growing up with assumptions and barriers
(06:40) - Curiosity, disability and self-belief
(08:32) - Adapting through music and sport
(10:25) - Early sport – horses and school
(13:24) - Studying psychology at Deakin
(16:13) - Discovering organisational psychology
(17:51) - Why Deakin worked as an athlete
(21:15) - Placements and building a career path
(22:28) - High performance in sport and leadership
(24:26) - Recovery, burnout and workplace performance
(26:55) - Balancing study, sport and life experience
(31:19) - Grief, uncertainty and rebuilding
(34:22) - Running, triathlon and a new path
(38:14) - Reaching the Paralympic start line
(41:58) - Returning to racing after motherhood
(43:53) - Support, funding and being a parent
(45:26) - Racing internationally with Henrik
(46:50) - COVID, Tokyo and retiring from sport
(50:32) - Why Kate wrote The Hand You’re Dealt
(53:18) - Quick fire
(55:12) - What’s next – book two and leadership work
(56:30) - Final reflections

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
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59min
June 09, 2026Jayden Battey: what is a career in community advocacy and development like?
Jayden Battey’s career has spanned across community development, advocacy, live-in community housing management, and recently documentary filmmaking.
Content warning: this episode contains discussion of homelessness and grief. For support in Australia visit: deakin.edu.au/24hoursupport or for support in another country visit spotify.com/resources

Read more about Jayden’s story
Learn more about Servants Community Housing
Watch ‘Love in the Walls’ on SBS
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:07) - Jayden Battey’s story
(00:37) - Growing up with curiosity and empathy
(01:59) - The drive to create belonging and connection
(04:07) - Living with 28 others
(09:20) - Redefining connection and community
(12:14) - Day-to-day life
(13:22) - Balancing work and purpose
(14:42) - Studying economics at Deakin
(17:11) - Thinking differently about systems and change
(19:21) - The real cost of inequality
(21:42) - Global systems, poverty, and impact
(24:36) - Studying online at Deakin
(26:47) - Learning to understand people and worldviews
(29:57) - Making meaningful connections while studying
(32:02) - Love in the Walls – the documentary
(40:49) - Loss, grief, and real life in the community
(42:37) - How advocacy really begins
(45:57) - Advice for getting started in advocacy
(47:19) - Living your values and leading with care
(49:08) - Why giving back matters
(55:45) - Quick fire questions
(52:26) - What’s next for Jayden

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
...more
55min
May 26, 2026Chantella Perera: from WNBL to AFLW to sports marketing and advocacy
Hear Chantella’s journey, from her WNBL days and subsequent successful AFLW career to her advocacy work in women’s sports and leadership in sport marketing.

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of racism, sexism, discrimination, and grief. For support in Australia visit: deakin.edu.au/24hoursupport or for support in another country visit spotify.com/resources
Read more about Chantella’s story.
Learn more about Women Sport Australia: womensportaustralia.com.au

Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:00) - Chantella Perera’s journey
(00:35) - From Sri Lanka to sport – early life and beginnings
(02:12) - College basketball and chasing the Opals dream
(03:15) - WNBL highlights and lessons from sport
(04:46) - Transitioning from basketball to AFLW
(06:17) - Life after sport – study, work, and finding direction
(08:04) - Discovering AFLW and starting again
(12:20) - Purpose and giving back through sport
(15:01) - The reality of being an elite athlete in Australia
(18:04) - Identity, culture, and representation in sport
(26:26) - Raising children and passing on culture
(30:48) - Career transition into sport marketing
(32:10) - Transferable skills from sport to leadership
(34:05) - Building a career at KOJO
(44:24) - Major events and creating fan experiences
(47:42) - Women Sport Australia and advocacy work
(50:54) - Progress and challenges in women’s sport
(55:02) - Advice for aspiring athletes
(56:44) - Quick fire questions
(58:00) - What’s next for Chantella
(59:10) - Outro

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
...more
1h
May 12, 2026Shaun Wilson talks business education and co-founding Bondi Sands
Shaun Wilson knows business. The Bondi Sands co-founder and Deakin Master of Business alum sat down with us to talk about his education and business journey.
Read more about Shaun’s story.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:00) - From Deakin to Bondi Sands
(00:31) - Meet Shaun Wilson (Founder, Bondi Sands)
(00:53) - Early entrepreneurial mindset & family influence
(01:51) - Lessons from sport, family & growth mindset
(03:03) - Leadership journey
(05:12) - Managing teams & learning people leadership
(05:55) - Why Deakin and postgraduate study?
(07:43) - Key business principles still used today
(10:58) - Applying Deakin projects to real-world business
(12:14) - Building confidence & leadership frameworks
(13:43) - What makes a great CEO?
(15:59) - Was the degree at Deakin worth it?
(16:48) - Why beauty? Choosing the self-tanning market
(18:56) - Identifying gaps & building a better product
(21:00) - Product innovation: solving real problems
(23:20) - From idea to product launch
(25:12) - Going all-in: when to leave your day job
(28:04) - Getting into retail
(31:00) - Major setback: product recall crisis
(33:23) - Why honesty & integrity matter in business
(37:12) - Lessons from building Bondi Sands
(40:01) - What makes a great leader?
(41:26) - Sustainability & brand values in action
(44:42) - Selling Bondi Sands – how it happened
(49:01) - Selling a company: what founders should know
(52:24) - The emotional side of selling a business
(56:59) - What's next for Shaun Wilson?
(58:00) - Sol Rise: investing in the next generation
(59:55) - Mentors who shaped Shaun’s career
(01:03:42) - Quickfire questions

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
...more
1h 8min
March 10, 2026Vice-Chancellor Iain Martin on Social licence and the future of universities
In this episode, we catch up with Deakin’s Vice-Chancellor, Iain Martin to explore the evolving role of universities. From his beginnings as a medical student in 1980s UK to leading one of Australia's major universities, he explores the delicate balance between education and research, the concept of social licence, and why "ceaseless curiosity" matters more than ever.

Read Iain’s white paper on social licence here.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:00) - Introduction
(00:26) - University Experience
(03:52) - Trust in Universities
(05:21) - Social Licence and University Purpose
(07:36) - The Role of Curiosity
(08:19) - Evolution of Higher Education
(11:50) - Rankings and Research vs Education
(14:10) - Balanced Excellence at Deakin
(18:04) - White Paper on Social Licence
(23:45) - Universities and Difficult Debates
(27:48) - Creating Safe Debate Spaces
(29:27) - Personal Experience with Change
(34:57) - The Evolution of University Research
(40:24) - Making Research Accessible
(44:05) - Deakin Research Highlights
(46:06) - Why Study at University
(48:45) - Student Experience and Support
(50:16) - Advice for New Students
(51:50) - Improvements in Higher Education
(55:37) - Quick Fire Questions

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture. Information provided is as known at time of publishing.
...more
59min
February 24, 2026Tim Harte’s story: from ballet to a career in research
From ballet to a career in research and disability advocacy, Tim Harte’s journey is an awe-inspiring one. Tim sits down with us to share his story.
Read the article
Content Warning
This podcast includes discussion of lived experience with disability and discrimination.

We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing. You can pause, skip chapters and stop the episode at any time. A list of support services is available here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/student-life-and-services/health-wellbeing-and-safety/safety-security/emergency-and-crisis. For support outside of Australia, please visit http://spotify.com/resources.

Editorial note
The taxation treatment of Graduate Research (GR) scholarships is determined by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), not the Research Training Program (RTP) Guidelines or Deakin University. Under current ATO legislation, part-time scholarships are deemed taxable, whereas full-time RTP stipends are generally tax-exempt. This distinction sits outside of Deakin’s policy or discretion. It is something Deakin and the sector have lobbied the government about over many years. It is a genuine challenge for the sector and for all current and prospective candidates who cannot study at a full-time rate.

In relation to awards and prizes, eligibility criteria may be set by either external funding bodies or by Deakin, depending on the award. In the case of PhD stipends Deakin’s own award (DUPR) align with the RTP awards (set by Commonwealth legislation) with restricted criteria for enrolment load, duration or progression requirements. We acknowledge that these criteria can have unintended impacts for part-time GR candidates, including students whose enrolment status reflects disability or other equity-related circumstances. Tim’s reflections highlight how these settings can be experienced as barriers in practice.

More broadly, we recognise that the legislative and policy frameworks surrounding RTP stipends, enrolment load and taxation can create genuine challenges for some HDR candidates. While Deakin administers scholarships within parameters set by the Commonwealth Government and relevant tax law, these broader settings do not always align well with the diverse circumstances of HDR students.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:11) - Ballet Journey
(05:11) - Onset of Disability
(16:00) - Leaving Ballet
(18:33) - University Life
(21:15) - Academic Achievements
(26:00) - PhD Beginnings
(27:29) - Research Challenges
(33:01) - Structural Energy Storage
(37:00) - Life Reset & Advocacy
(43:00) - Disability Advocacy Work
(46:41) - Speaking at the UN
(54:31) - Behind the Scenes
(58:00) - Leadership
(01:00:02) - Disability & STEM
(01:01:14) - Inclusion Matters
(01:03:13) - ChemAbility Network
(01:06:43) - Power of Community
(01:08:55) - Representation
(01:10:00) - Barriers in STEM
(01:22:55) - Scholarships & Stipends
(01:23:13) - Young Australian of the Year Victorian Nomination
(01:24:26) - Representation in Awards
(01:26:43) - Impact Vision
(01:27:19) - Challenging Assumptions
(01:31:17) - Desired Change
(01:32:14) - Resourcing, power & systemic barriers
(01:34:46) - Quickfire Round
(01:36:17) - Final Reflections

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture. Information provided is as known at time of publishing.
...more
1h 39min
February 10, 2026 Jo Weston’s netball career, leadership and advocacy
In this episode, Jo Weston takes us through her netball journey and unpacks how she balances a thriving sports career with study.
Read more about Jo's story.
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:57 – The Vixens’ Fairytale Run
03:34 – Handling Setbacks
05:15 – Sending Off Coach Simone McKinnis
07:05 – Jo’s Country Upbringing
09:11 – Starting Netball
11:54 – Netball as a Career
14:52 – Becoming a Professional Athlete
18:00 – Working While Playing for Australia
20:55 – Growing with the Sport
22:52 – Managing the Pressures
24:52 – Advice for Younger Athletes
25:53 – Studying a Master of Communication
29:00 – Study Shaping Leadership
31:41 – Storytelling and the Power of Sport
34:10 – Netball Besties
37:01 – Podcasting
39:34 – Turbulence and Transformation in Netball
40:00 – Negotiating Player Pay & Conditions
44:50 – Leadership Under Pressure
47:04 – The Rise of Women’s Sport
49:50 – Advice for Girls in Sport
50:55 – Looking Ahead to Brisbane 2032
52:00 – Life Beyond Netball
53:57 – Quickfire Round
57:01 – Closing

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
...more
58min
January 27, 2026 How student-staff partnership programs are transforming universities
In this episode, Cassandra Iannucci and Alex Green explore how student support programs are paving the way for more inclusive and equitable university systems.
Read more about Cassandra and Alex's work here: https://this.deakin.edu.au/career/how-student-support-programs-can-transform-universities/
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:36 – What is Students as Partners?
01:33 – Cassandra’s Journey
02:57 – Alex’s Story
04:18 – Authentic Partnership in Action
07:01 – Matching Students and Staff
09:32 – Impact Moments
11:00 – Shifting Attitudes in Higher Education
11:34 – How Projects Begin
13:07 – Voices from the Classroom Podcast
14:46 – Students Mentoring Staff
17:15 – Why Equity Matters
18:25 – Avoiding Tokenism
21:06 – Removing Barriers for Students
24:01 – Lived Experience as a Catalyst
25:43 – Career Impact
26:14 – Tangible Changes Across Deakin
33:36 – Normalising Partnership
35:59 – Why Belonging Matters
39:02 – Skills and Confidence
42:00 –Proud Moments
45:36 – What Staff Should Know About Students
47:00 – Closing Reflections
Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.
...more
48min

FAQs about Stories of Wonder:

How many episodes does Stories of Wonder have?

The podcast currently has 19 episodes available.