For the third episode of Distraction, we explore the psychological benefits of hobbies — and investigate whether leisure time is divided equally.  

Featuring stories produced by Elliot Rodriguez, Molly Frew, James Worsfold, and Sarah Jensz. 

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They say that if something is free online, then you’re the product. So are we controlling technology, or is it controlling us? 

This week on The Yarn, we’re bringing you stories from both sides of the spectrum. From the dangers of social media addiction, to harnessing technology as a tool for good. 

Featuring stories by Brandon Kearns, Ellen Cutler, Yuqi Zhao, and Yang Li.

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The first episode of our Distraction series is about wayward attention and the struggle to focus. This week, our producers navigate ADHD, limit screentime, and question whether the solution to distracting technology can come from technology itself. 

This series was made in collaboration with the Science Gallery for their new exhibition, which is open now. Today's stories were produced by Ricky Sproule,  Shixin Wang, Yeting Gao, and Samuel Irvine.

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Exiled Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar says the Russia-Ukraine war is far from over. He believes Vladimir Putin is prolonging the conflict to fuel propaganda and silence critics. 

This week on The Yarn, we’re sharing Zygar’s 2025 AN Smith Lecture—Journalism Against Autocracy. Addressing a sold-out audience at Melbourne University, Zygar recounts covering Putin’s Russia for more than two decades. He also discusses attacks on press freedom, coming out as gay in a deeply homophobic society, and why his new home in the United States is giving him “déjà vu”. 

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Who do you think of when you think of an Australian pioneer?  Maybe Fanny Finch, the first woman to vote in Australia, who was also a woman of colour.  Or perhaps Rosaleen Norton, also known as the Witch of King's Cross. These are the trailblazers whose stories Dr Corey Martin is telling in her podcast, Maiden Australia. In this episode of News Bites, she discusses feminist approaches to storytelling and how podcasting can amplify marginalised voices. 

Show Notes 

Maiden Australia

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It’s been called “a win for the ages”. Anthony Albanese is Australia’s first prime minster to win consecutive terms in more than two decades. His landslide victory has left the Coalition reeling, especially in major cities like Melbourne. 

For the final episode of Voters’ Voices, we’re focusing on Melbourne’s swing towards Labor. We’re also revisiting the key themes of this series — marginal electorates, the youth vote, and civic disillusionment. 

Featuring reporting by Ashleigh Wyss, Preeshita Shah, Eva Sementino, and Morgan Reinwald.

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Ahead of Australia's federal election on May 3rd, we’re bringing you another episode of Voters’ Voices. 

This week we're focusing on Marginal Melbourne — the city’s most tightly-contested electorates. Our reporters investigated the seats on a knife’s-edge this year and the hot-button issues that could decide their futures.

Featuring pieces by Ruby Perryman, Daniel Gawne, Ashleigh Wyss, and August Mikleus. 

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Last week, we focused on young, disaffected voters ahead of the federal election on May 3rd. For episode two of Voter’s Voices, our reporters zoomed out. They went to a broader mix of voters, from retirees to small business owners. They found values were front of mind this year – like political honesty and social and environmental concerns.   

Featuring reporting by Maxine Ford, Morgan Reinwald, Kai-wern Koo, Daniel Gawne, and Nicole Wang.

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Ahead of Australia's federal election on May 3rd, we're launching a new series — Voters’ Voices. Episode one is all about what young voters really care about.  

Gen Z and millennial voters will outnumber baby boomers for the first time this year. It’s being called a cost-of-living election and our reporters investigated whether that’s true.They learned that young Australians feel poor, alienated, and not represented by major parties.

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After more than a decade apart, a disabled 14 year old in Indonesia will be reunited with his parents in Australia. Despite being born in Melbourne, Jonathan Lumintang was later denied residency due to his cerebral palsy. A ministerial intervention has allowed him to stay — but other families aren’t as lucky.   

Our student Kristian Oka Prasetyadi reported on this issue for The Citizen and the ABC. For today’s episode, The Yarn spoke to him about the family’s struggles, and Australia’s ableist migration policies. 

Show notes

Kristian Oka Prasetyadi's article for the ABC

 Kristian Oka Prasetyadi's article for The Citizen

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