By Monash University
The Handmaid’s Tale. Brave New World. Mad Max. Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course?
What Happens Next?, a podcast
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The podcast currently has 107 episodes available.
22.11.24
What Happens Next?
What's Behind the Gender-Based Violence Crisis? | 98
Every nine days, an Australian woman dies at the hands of a current or former partner.
In this episode of Monash University’s “What Happens Next?” podcast, Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests expose the deep-rooted forces perpetuating violence against women.
Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon challenges our national security priorities, while former Victims of Crime Commissioner Fiona McCormack AM unravels centuries of patriarchal influence. Professor Jane Fisher illuminates the complex barriers facing migrant and refugee communities, Professor Steven Roberts and Dr Stephanie Wescott reveal alarming trends in our schools and Associate Professor Charles Livingstone exposes the hidden links between gambling addiction and violence.
Discover how patriarchal systems, economic inequality and modern threats such as social media’s manosphere and technology-facilitated abuse create a perfect storm of violence – and learn why Australia's current response falls dangerously short.
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
Eliminating gender-based violence
Masculinity, part 1: It’s a Man’s World – “What Happens Next?”
Gambling: A developing global disaster for public health
Australian resources recommended by our experts:
Gender-Based Violence help:
For anyone in immediate danger, call 000 for police and ambulance
1800RESPECT or 1800respect.org.au – Confidential national counselling and support service for people who have experienced, or are at risk of experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, their family and friends and frontline workers
1800FULLSTOP (1800 385 578) – National violence and abuse trauma counselling and recovery service
WhiteRibbon.org.au
Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline – 1800 497 212
13YARN (13 92 76) – A national crisis support line for mob
Men's Referral Service (1300 766 491) – A service for men who use family violence
Mensline Australia (1300 789 978) – telephone and online support for men in Australia
Gambling help:
1800 858 858 or gamblinghelponline.org.au
Information about the crisis:
Ourwatch.org.au – Quick facts about violence against women
RespectVictoria.vic.gov.au – Research and resources
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘How Do We Build a Future Where Everyone Feels Safe?’, the final episode of season nine.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
15.11.24
What Happens Next?
Can Good Stories Help Save the Planet? | 97
When it comes to climate change, data alone often fails to inspire action. But across the Indo-Pacific, communities are reframing climate communication by shifting from statistics to human-centred storytelling. This episode of “What Happens Next?” explores how real stories of resilience, innovation and traditional knowledge are adding new plotlines to the narrative of climate change, helping us understand its impacts on a deeper level.
Host Dr Susan Carland speaks with frontline storytellers who are amplifying local voices – from communities adapting to rising sea levels to Indigenous leaders drawing on age-old wisdom to combat environmental challenges. Expert outline how these narratives bridge the gap between global issues and local experiences, making climate science relevant to daily life.
You’ll hear about groundbreaking projects like Monash University’s Global Immersion Guarantee program, which sends students to witness climate impacts firsthand, and RISE (Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments), a collaborative effort combining traditional and modern methods to address climate challenges in challenging urban environments. By focusing on the lived experiences of those directly affected, the episode highlights how storytelling can transform climate awareness into meaningful action.
Tune in to discover why the stories we tell might just help save the planet.
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
Part One: Will Climate Change Wipe Out the Indo-Pacific?
RISE Indonesia: Revitalising informal settlements in Makassar
Why we need disability-inclusive climate change adaptation plans
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with an all-new topic.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8.11.24
What Happens Next?
Will Climate Change Wipe Out the Indo-Pacific? | 96
Explore the mounting climate challenges facing the Indo-Pacific, Monash University’s home and a region at the frontline of the global environmental crisis. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events and record-breaking heat are reshaping the lives of millions, but these issues are more than just numbers and projections—they’re personal, cultural and immediate.
Host Dr Susan Carland speaks with experts from Monash, including Professor Tony Capon, Dr Gabriel García Ochoa, Dr Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Dr Elissa Waters and Professor Christian Jakob. Together, they discuss why the Indo-Pacific’s unique vulnerabilities demand urgent action and how the stories we tell about climate change impact our willingness to act.
Dr García Ochoa highlights the power—and dangers—of storytelling, explaining how compelling but simplified narratives can either inspire change or undermine it. Dr Jackson shares the deeply personal cost of climate impacts on Pacific Island communities, whose connection to the land is both cultural and ancestral. Meanwhile, Dr Waters calls for nuanced narratives that recognise the resilience and rights of Pacific Islanders, emphasising that adaptation, not just relocation, is key.
As COP29 approaches, this episode calls for global attention on the Indo-Pacific’s fight for survival.
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘Can Good Stories Help Save the Planet?’.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1.11.24
What Happens Next?
Can We Create a Better Reality? | 95
In this thought-provoking episode of "What Happens Next?", Dr Susan Carland and her guests explore how emerging technologies like AI and robotics could help build a more equitable future. Following last week's examination of AI risks, we shift focus to the unprecedented opportunities for social good these tools present.
Leading experts – including Monash Data Futures Institute Director Professor Joanna Batstone, Robotics Australia Group chair Dr Sue Keay, Monash Faculty of Information Technology’s Professor Geoff Webb, and Monash Faculty of Arts’ Associate Professors Stephanie Collins and Ben Wellings – reveal how AI and robotics are already transforming healthcare, democracy, agriculture and elder care. They discuss fascinating innovations, from AI-powered crop monitoring systems helping Kenyan farmers to robots providing non-judgmental support for the elderly.
The conversation takes an important turn as Professor Chris Lawrence shares how Indigenous knowledge systems are being integrated into technology development at Monash, ensuring new innovations truly serve their intended users. Meanwhile, futurist Dr Ben Hamer highlights AI's potential $600 billion contribution to Australia's economy, while emphasising the need to focus on enhancing rather than replacing human capabilities.
We’re at a technological crossroads, and the experts agree – success lies in balancing innovation with responsible development. They outline practical steps toward implementing appropriate governance frameworks, ensuring inclusive design and maintaining human oversight.
Join Monash as we envision a future where technology serves humanity's highest aspirations, from strengthening democratic processes to revolutionising healthcare and education.
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with an all-new topic.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25.10.24
What Happens Next?
Will AI Cut Us Off from Reality? | 94
In the Season 9 premiere of Monash University’s “What Happens Next?”, host Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests examine one of today’s most urgent topics: the impact of artificial intelligence on our perception of reality.
With AI technology evolving rapidly, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. From deepfakes that manipulate visual truth to AI companions offering mental health support, AI is reshaping how we interact with the world—and each other.
In this episode, experts explore the ethical, psychological and societal implications of these advancements. Professor Geoff Webb from Monash’s Faculty of Information Technology discusses how far AI capabilities have come in just a few years, while futurist Dr Ben Hamer warns of the dangers deepfakes pose to democracy and daily life. Dr Sue Keay, Chair of Robotics Australia, highlights the rise of humanoid robots and how they’re changing human-AI interaction, and Professor Joanna Batstone outlines the evolving relationship between humans and machines. Associate professors Ben Wellings and Stephanie Collins discuss the implications of emerging technology on politics and philosophy.
The episode also touches on the psychological impact of new technology, including the emerging phenomenon of “robotic nudging” and the value and drawbacks of AI companions. It’s an enlightening—and cautionary—preview of how these technologies could shape our future.
Listen now to hear how we can harness AI’s potential while navigating the ethical minefield it creates.
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘Can We Create a Better Reality?’.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe and rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What if today is the day you change the world?
Monash University’s multi-award-winning “What Happens Next?” podcast returns soon for its ninth season.
Join your host, Dr Susan Carland, as she addresses a new set of topics that will define our future. This season, she explores the changing nature of reality in our digital age, the climate crisis facing the Indo-Pacific and the ongoing struggle to eliminate gender-based violence.
Join Susan and her expert guests – including tech visionaries, climate scientists, and social justice advocates – as they examine the future we're hurtling towards if we don't change course, envision the future we could create if we take action and, most importantly, explore how we can work together to build the kind of future we all want.
Subscribe now so you don't miss this exciting new season! Already a subscriber? Help others find the show by giving “What Happens Next?” a five-star rating and review.
Can’t wait to find out what happens next? Explore our back catalogue.
A full transcript of this trailer is available on Monash Lens.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10.11.23
What Happens Next?
Can We Learn to Be More Civil? | 93
New this season: Subscribe to Monash’s YouTube channel to watch the video version of each episode.
With the advent of social media, conversations and disagreements are magnified. But as our exchanges become increasingly digital, we must remember that behind every screen, there’s a fellow human being.
In the last episode of Season 8, Dr Susan Carland’s expert guests highlight the importance of maintaining civility, and its role in preserving democratic principles and collective pursuit of the common good.
Dr Amanda Stephens emphasises the importance of being aware of our mindset before engaging with others.
Dr Steven Zech points out that building cooperation – whether it’s between governments or individuals – takes time, and it can be lost in a moment.
Professor Lucas Walsh calls attention to the need to educate young people about common challenges such as climate change that demand collective solutions.
Associate Professor Helen Forbes-Mewett recognises the significance of civility as a cornerstone of social cohesion, particularly in multicultural societies.
Scott Stephens, co-host of ABC Radio National’s The Minefield, emphasises the essential nature of face-to-face interactions for understanding the moral reality of another person.
Finally, academic and presenter Dr Waleed Aly identifies the ways we can remove contempt and engage in good faith with people whose views we oppose.
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
Thank you for joining us for Season 8 of “What Happens Next?”. We’ll be back with all-new episodes in a few short months. Explore our back catalog or watch your favourite episodes.
Don’t forget to subscribe to be notified about our next season, and rate or review the show to help others discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
3.11.23
What Happens Next?
Are We Getting More Rude? | 92
New this season: Subscribe to Monash’s YouTube channel to watch the video version of each full episode.
Lockdown helped stop the spread of COVID-19, but it didn’t do our social skills any favours. Have we forgotten how to get along?
Civility goes beyond simple politeness – it’s a crucial virtue that binds people together. It’s also essential for maintaining democracy.
This week, host Dr Susan Carland is joined by world-leading journalists, commentators and academics for an investigation of civility.
Are we getting more rude? Monash University’s Dr Steven Zech talks about the concerning trend of increasing incivility among certain groups, especially politicians.
Dr Amanda Stephens, of Monash’s Accident Research Centre, discusses road rage and the “de-identifying bubbles” of our cars.
As our society becomes more individualised, finding shared values and a mutual understanding of the common good becomes a critical challenge. Without them, says education expert Professor Lucas Walsh, a breakdown of civility in public discourse is inevitable.
Engaging civilly means inviting responses and acknowledging humanity. Dr Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens, co-hosts of The Minefield, consider the issue of contempt, highlighting how it can erode the foundation of a democratic society.
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series and our final episode of the season: ‘Can We Learn to Be More Civil?’.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
27.10.23
What Happens Next?
Can Escapism Be Good for Us? | 91
New this season: Subscribe to Monash’s YouTube channel to watch the video version of each full episode.
Content warning: This episode contains drug references. To skip them, jump ahead to 08:04.
Whether through television, books, games, films or music, escapism serves as a crucial element of the human experience.
This week, Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests explore different forms of escapism, from pseudo-nostalgia, to live action role-playing and video games, to reality TV.
Author Michael W Clune makes a vital distinction between healthy escapism and addiction.
Monash University Business School Associate Professor Davide Orazi explains the appeal of pseudo-nostalgia and live action role-playing.
Cultural critic Dr Clem Bastow discusses the ways we can use escapism to learn about ourselves.
Monash Arts lecturer Dr Whitney Monaghan argues that we bring our full selves into our interactions with media. Are we really escaping anything after all?
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with an all-new topic.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20.10.23
What Happens Next?
What Are We Trying to Escape? | 90
New this season: Subscribe to Monash’s YouTube channel to watch the video version of each full episode.
“What Happens Next?” returns with a new topic: escapism. From pseudo-nostalgia that transports us to imagined pasts, to the allure of live action role-play and video games, host Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests shed light on the power of escapism, the blurring of fiction and reality, and the fine line between healthy indulgence and potential addiction.
Escapism often involves seeking refuge in an alternative reality, be it through binge-watching TV shows, playing video games, or even live-action role-playing (LARPing).
But is it unhealthy to long for a place – or even a time – that you’ve never experienced? And what about the parasocial relationships we often create with fictional characters from our favourite media?
This week’s guest experts include Monash University Business School’s Associate Professor Davide Orazi, cultural critic Dr Clem Bastow, Monash’s School of Media, Film and Journalism lecturer Dr Whitney Monaghan and author Professor Michael W Clune.
Today’s episode raises questions about the balance between healthy escapism and excessive immersion, as well as the impact of escapism on individuals' ability to return to reality. Can the line become too blurred?
A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.
Learn more:
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘Can Escapism Be Good for Us?’.
If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe, or rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The podcast currently has 107 episodes available.
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