What if the opportunity that changes your entire career is just one email away?

If there is one episode of, Where Are You Now? That students should listen to before — or during — their degree, this is it.

Despina Vedis started Biomedical Science at Griffith knowing she wanted to be a scientist, but with very little idea of how to get there.

Then she started saying yes. An exchange took her to Hawaii. A networking event led to a summer research scholarship. That became a Master of Medical Research developing peptide-based vaccines for rheumatic heart disease.

An email from her supervisor led to a ThinkSwiss scholarship and three months conducting research in Zurich.

Now, she’s packing those famous pink suitcases again — this time to move to Arizona and take up a research position at the Mayo Clinic, working in cancer genetics.

But this episode isn't really about Hawaii, Switzerland or the Mayo Clinic.

It's about how she got there.

Despina talks candidly about being shy, feeling overwhelmed, imposter syndrome, experiments that fail, opportunities that don't work out, and learning to push herself out of her comfort zone before she ever feels ready.

Her philosophy is beautifully simple: don't be the person who says no to yourself.

Apply. Send the email. Go to the networking event. Put your name forward. Let somebody else decide whether you're ready.

Because sometimes an entire career really can begin with one email.

General website for IBG: https://www.griffith.edu.au/research/institute-biomedicine-glycomics

Study with us at IGB: https://www.griffith.edu.au/research/institute-biomedicine-glycomics/study

Created, written, directed and voiced by Dr Barbara Hadley, whose passion for storytelling brings each conversation to life.

Executive producer Sarah Elley.

What if the biggest career move of your life happened 17 years after graduation?

Adam Daniels left a successful physiotherapy business, returned to university as a mature-age PhD student, and is now developing wearable technology that could change the future of cricket injury prevention.

Along the way, he shares honest insights about entrepreneurship, burnout, taking risks, finding your purpose, and why it's never too late to start again.

Whether you're a student, researcher, entrepreneur or simply wondering what's next in your own career, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Every year, complete strangers make one final gift to the next generation.

They donate their bodies so future health professionals can learn anatomy from real human donors.

It's an extraordinary act of generosity that most of us never see.

In this episode of Where Are You Now?, multi-award-winning Anatomy and Physiology lecturer Assoc Prof Leanne Kenway takes us behind the doors of the anatomy laboratory to reveal how these selfless donors continue teaching long after they've passed away. She shares the moving story behind Griffith University's annual Thanksgiving Service, where students honour the donors and thank the families who made this incredible gift possible.

We also explore Leanne's remarkable career - from working with babies in neonatal intensive care and burns units, to practising physiotherapy in the United States, before returning to university as a mature-age student and becoming one of Australia's most respected educators.

This is a conversation about science, humanity, gratitude, and the people whose final act of kindness helps educate generations of healthcare professionals.

Created, written, directed and voiced by Dr Barbara Hadley, whose passion for storytelling brings each conversation to life. Executive producer Sarah Elley.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 2: Rachel Almaw – Research, Resilience and the Power of Conversation

What starts as a dream of becoming a doctor evolves into a passionate career in research, advocacy, and community impact. In this episode, PhD candidate and research assistant Rachel Almaw shares her remarkable journey from Canada to Australia, exploring osteoarthritis, sleep, health equity, and the importance of amplifying voices that are often overlooked.

From TEDx talks, 3 Minute Thesis and Stanford presentations to mentoring young people and supporting clean water initiatives in Ethiopia, Rachel reflects on the experiences that shaped her career. Along the way, she offers honest insights into imposter syndrome, networking, saying “yes” (and learning to say “no”), and why meaningful conversations can change lives.

An inspiring and refreshingly candid discussion about purpose, people, and finding impact beyond the expected career path.

Created, written, directed and voiced by Dr Barbara Hadley, whose passion for storytelling brings each conversation to life. Executive producer Sarah Elley.

What happens when your career takes a path you never expected?

In the debut episode of Where Are You Now?, Griffith University nutrition and dietetics graduate Claire Chapman shares her extraordinary journey from printer technician and doula—supporting more than 300 births—to becoming a PhD candidate.

Along the way, she balanced university with family life, navigated the challenges of COVID, cared for a seriously ill child, discovered a passion for teaching, and unexpectedly fell in love with research.

Claire also reveals why her PhD involves collecting blue poo for science, how her research could change the way we understand food energy, and why saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities transformed her career.

Honest, funny and inspiring, this episode is a reminder that the most rewarding careers are often the ones you never planned.

Link for PASS Leader

Created, written, directed and voiced by Dr Barbara Hadley, whose passion for storytelling brings each conversation to life. Executive producer Sarah Elley.