Trust Me, I'm An Expert

By The Conversation

Trust Me, I'm An Expert episodes

March 13, 2018 Politics podcast: the Batman byelection battleground
On Saturday, Labor and Bill Shorten face a major test in the Melbourne seat of Batman.
51 min
March 07, 2018 Politics podcast: the 'X factor' in the South Australian election
Labor is pitching for a fifth term in South Australia.
52 min
March 01, 2018 Trust Me I’m An Expert: The science of pain
Pain lets us know when there is something wrong, but sometimes our brains can trick us. Mai Lam/The Conversation NY-BD-CC, CC BY-SA
As many as one in five Australians suffer from chronic and recurring pain. But despite its prevalence, it’s not always easy to find the help you need to manage it.
“When I went through medical school, we had about one hour on acute pain. And the whole concept of chronic pain and how it’s so very different from acute pain was not something that was ever on our horizon,” pain expert Professor Fiona Blyth says in the latest episode of The Conversation podcast Trust Me, I’m An Expert.
On Trust Me, I’m An Expert, we ask researchers to take us behind the headlines and walk us through the research on issues making news.
Our latest episode takes a deep dive into the science of pain: what it is and what the evidence really says about how to manage it. Today, we’re talking about:
What exactly is pain?
Professor Lorimer Moseley explains to Deputy Health Editor Sasha Petrova what really happens in your body when you experience pain. Pain is meant to keep us safe, he says, but unfortunately your brain can play tricks on you, making you feel pain even when there’s no real need for it.
Bioplasticity – the body and brain’s ability to train and change itself – could hold the key, he says. Here’s a taste:

Professor Lorimer Moseley on bioplasticity.

After the codeine crackdown, what now?
We asked student Sabine Hamad, who has thus far managed her chronic and recurring pain with occasional codeine use, to join us in the studio with pain experts Professor Michael Nicholas and Professor Fiona Blyth, to talk about the recent ban on over the counter sales of codeine – and the alternatives.

Professor Michael Nicholas on making sense of someone’s pain.

Australia’s opioid issues
Ben Ansell spoke to Dr Suzanne Nielsen, a lead researcher from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, about growing concern around opioid addiction in Australia.

Dr Suzanne Nielsen on addiction.

Talking about suicide and self-harm in schools can save lives
Our last story is about a different kind of pain. Education editor Sophie Heizer spoke to Dr Sarah Stanford, whose research focuses on self-harm in schools, churches, and other community settings. Dr Stanford said there are helpful – and harmful – ways for schools to talk about suicide:

Dr Sarah Stanford on suicide and self-harm prevention strategies.

For support, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Headspace, which has information for schools, young people, and family and friends.
Trust Me, I’m An Expert is out at the start of every month. Find us and subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Additional audio
David Szesztay, Backward, Free Music Archive
Kindergarten, Unkle Ho, from Elefant Traks
Poddington Bear, Storm Passing from Free Music Archive
Poddington Bear, Paper Boat, from Free Music Archive
Poddington Bear, Waves, from Free Music Archive
Letmeknowyouanatole, Free Music Archive
Komiku, Resolution, Free Music Archive
Kosta T, Free Music Archive
Audiobinger, Stress, Free Music Archive.
Blue Dot Sessions, Paper Feather
A Life in Pictures by David Hilowitz
43 min
March 01, 2018 Trust Me I'm An Expert: The science of pain
Our podcast Trust Me, I'm An Expert, goes beyond the headlines and asks researchers to explain the evidence on issues making news. Today, we're talking pain and what science says about managing it.
43 min
March 01, 2018 Politics podcast: Jacinda Ardern on her political life
Jacinda Ardern on the toughness of Australian politics, her ambitious policy plans, and the demands of being a young high-profile female leader that everyone wants to know about.
29 min
February 26, 2018 Politics podcast: Peter Dutton on balancing interests in home affairs
Peter Dutton says there is no basis to concerns about the excess power of the home affairs department.
38 min
February 12, 2018 Politics podcast: Brian Howe on revisiting Henderson, poverty and basic income
Brian Howe says the targeted nature of Australia's social security system goes hand-in-hand with stigmatising welfare recipients.
26 min
February 08, 2018 Politics podcast: Mark Dreyfus on changing the government's foreign interference bill
Mark Dreyfus says Labor acknowledges the need to do more about espionage activity and foreign influence in Australia but argues changes need to be made to the 'hastily' and broadly drafted bill.
27 min
February 01, 2018 Politics podcast: Bill Ferris on Australia's innovation mission
Innovation and Science Australia chair Bill Ferris launched a report this week setting out a plan that seeks to put Australia into the top tier of innovation nations by 2030.
35 min
January 29, 2018 Trust Me I’m An Expert: Why February is the real danger month for power blackouts
There are ways we can stay cool in a heat wave without blasting air con at peak times. AAP Image/TRACEY NEARMY
It’s been hot – and it’s going to get hotter. Australia has experienced some record hot days in recent weeks and scientists say Sydney and Melbourne need to prepare for 50°C days by the end of the century, or sooner.
In today’s episode of Trust Me I’m An Expert, we’re unpacking the research on why some of the most disadvantaged parts of our cities cop the worst of a heatwave.
And Chris Dunstan, an expert on energy policy, explains why February is the month when energy ministers and energy operators really get worried there won’t be enough electricity to go around – and how you can do your bit to curb blackout risk.
Join us as we ask academic experts to explain the issues making news in Australia.
Trust Me, I’m An Expert is out at the start of every month. Find us and subscribe in Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Further reading
Beyond Coal: Alternatives to extending the life of Liddell power station, by the Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS.
Explainer: power station ‘trips’ are normal, but blackouts are not
Additional music and audio
Kindergarten by Unkle Ho, from Elefant Traks
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Summertime.
YACHT: Summer Song (Instrumental) from Free Music Archive
Broke For Free: Summer Spliffs from Free Music Archive
Unheard Music Concepts: Hot Summer Day from Free Music Archive
Ketsa: Summer from Free Music Archive
RT: Sizzling Up: Australian policeman fries egg on car hood in 46°C weather via YouTube
Lateline: Cities need adapt to deadly heatwaves from ABC News
ABC news report
ABC news
Seven News, January 8, 2018
19 min

About Trust Me, I'm An Expert

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The Conversation's editors bring you the most insightful, fascinating, surprising analysis and stories from the academic world. We're asking the experts to bust the myths, explain the science and put…