This week, we are joined by Dr Brianna Le Busque, an environmental psychology scientist and marine social scientist from Adelaide University, to talk about how sharks are portrayed in the media.

Bri talks about shark bites in the news, sharks in popular media and cinema, and the special connection between people and the ocean.

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we talk about a new dinosaur that was identified from bones left in a museum for nearly 100 years, the mysterious way that whales navigate when they migrate from New Zealand to Australia, and the horrifying stats behind how many Aussies are not washing their hands.

Interview guest: Dr Jake Kotevski - Vertebrate Paleontologist at Monash University

Links to the stories:

New dinosaur: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/forgotten-fossil-revels-new-dinosaur-species

Whale road trips: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/whales-take-different-routes-but-reach-supper-on-the-same-time

Wash your hands: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/many-aussies-still-not-always-washing-hands-after-a-pee-or-a-poo-handwashing-day-15-october-2026

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are joined by Seth Westhead, a Research Fellow at The Kids Research Institute Australia, who is working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescent health and wellbeing.

Seth recently participated in the AusSMC's Indigenous Media Mentoring Program, an intensive media training program aimed at giving Indigenous scientists and researchers the skills and the confidence to engage with the media.

More on the IMMP here: https://www.smc.org.au/our-latest/indigenous-media-mentoring-program

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are putting the O in OMG with our most-viewed story ever, and we look at why a dolphin is getting shamed for the way it finds a meal.

Links to the stories:

Bubbles the food-stealing dolphin: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/bubbles-the-food-stealing-dolphin-finds-shortcut-to-easy-meal

Female dolphins have a functional clitoris: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/do-female-dolphins-enjoy-sex-the-cliterature-suggests-they-do

Our most viewed story ever: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/angling,-rocking,-shallowing-and-pairing-could-help-women-get-to-the-big-o

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Olivia and Steven as they cover some of their most interesting stories from Scimex this week.

links to stories:

Mysterious rash: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/resting-your-laptop-on-your-lap-for-long-periods-could-risk-skin-disfiguration

Elephant impulse control: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/asian-elephants-can-resist-impulse-and-think-before-they-act

Pig kidney transplant: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/genetically-modified-pig-kidney-kept-a-patient-off-dialysis-for-6-months

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what the research says about medical marijuana? On this episode, we cover the latest research that’s come across our desks on medical marijuana and cannabis more broadly.

Featuring interviews with:

Matthew Large, a Conjoint Professor in the School of Psychiatry at UNSW
Carly Stevens, a trainee doctor and lead author from the UNSW School of Biomedical Sciences

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode, we’re talking about the latest in sports research. We’re looking at the physical health of our community athletes, and the mental health of our elite olympians.

Featured expert: A/Prof Jessica Orchard from the University of Sydney

Links to stories:

Heart attacks in young athletes: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/how-can-clubs-prepare-for-a-sudden-heart-attack-in-a-young-athlete

Mental health of Olympians: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/olympic-athletes-mental-health-should-be-routinely-screened-and-monitored-says-ioc

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speeding and saving time; the ancient lives of Egyptian princesses; and the latest trends in the Orca community. This week, we talk about some recent stories that stirred up conversation in the office.

Links to today’s stories:

What is speeding costing you every day?

Ancient Egyptian princesses knew how to use the daggers and bows they were buried with

Orcas ram one of the world’s heaviest fish so hard it explodes

Also mentioned:

The car you passed will always catch up with you thanks to 'Friday the 13th' rule

Killer whales were killing boats

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OFF EMBARGO PODCAST: In a world awash with misinformation, the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) takes you behind the scenes on what it takes to make reliable science information a breeze to read, watch, and listen to in the news.

Tune in to get a look at interesting stuff that’s just off embargo, hear insightful interviews with scientists and journalists, and find out what goes on in the AusSMC office to ensure credible science hits the headlines. We’re giving you the stories behind the stories.

Hosted by Olivia Henry and Steven Mew.

Off Embargo is the official podcast of the Australian Science Media Centre.
AusSMC website: https://www.smc.org.au/
Scimex, AusSMC’s Science News Portal: https://scimex.org
Instagram: http://instagram.com/aussmc

Made possible through a Science Engagement Grant from Inspiring South Australia: http://inspiringsa.org.au/

Music by Nathan Hui-Yi
Instagram: @nathanhuiyi
TikTok: @nathanhuiyi
Spotify: Nathan Hui-Yi
YouTube: Nathan Hui-Yi
Website: nathanhuiyi.com

Edited by Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/
Executive Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur/
Friends of the P. Zinner Network https://www.pzinner.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.