In a world facing unprecedented challenges – where climate change, technological advancements, and social tensions dominate headlines – it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if you had a secret weapon that could empower you to understand and navigate these complex issues?
Monash University's award-winning podcast, What Happens Next?, hosted by academic and commentator Dr Susan Carland, offers precisely that—an opportunity to step through sliding doors and explore the potential futures that await us based on our actions today.
Play
From childhood to adulthood, play holds tremendous benefits, including fostering creativity, enhancing our wellbeing and strengthening social connections. But what happens when we stop playing? And how do we balance work and fun?
Climate anxiety
We’re facing an existential crisis in the form of climate change, and its psychological impact runs deep. Can we learn to conquer climate anxiety? And can art play a role in helping us manage it as we work together towards a sustainable future?
Transhumanism
As technology advances at an unprecedented rate, the lines between man and machine may begin to blur. Is humanity on the brink of the next step in our evolution? What are the ethical quandaries emerging tech raises? And how can we unlock our full potential?
Influencer culture
Influencers wield significant economic power, but many people don’t take them seriously. Are gendered stereotypes at play? Susan and her guests take a closer look at influencer culture, exploring the consequences of one-sided relationships with our favourite content creators and questioning the hidden gendered labour behind this phenomenon.
Escapism
We all yearn to escape reality occasionally, whether it’s through binge-watching Netflix, playing a little Dungeons & Dragons, or reading a good book. But can we overdo it? And is escapism addictive?
Civility
In an increasingly polarised world, civility is a crucial aspect of fostering healthy relationships and maintaining social cohesion. Are we becoming ruder? Does increasing incivility mean the end of democracy? And can we re-learn how to get along?
Can't wait to find out what happens next? Catch up on our back catalogue.
Each episode in the upcoming season of What Happens Next? offers listeners expert insights and valuable perspectives, empowering us to make informed decisions and positive change. You’ll hear from world-leading experts including Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor Marilyn Fleer; Professor Margaret S Barrett, head of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance; and Associate Professor Shaun Gregory, co-director of the university’s Artificial Heart Frontiers Program, among other prominent researchers.
Other notable guests this season include social commentator Waleed Aly, alumna and 1998 Young Australian of the Year Tan Le and more.
Whether you’re seeking to deepen your understanding of global challenges or are keen to help change the world, season eight of What Happens Next? has something to offer. Join us and step through those sliding doors to glimpse the potential futures that lie ahead.
Season 8 is coming to your favourite podcast app later this month – subscribe now. Already a subscriber? You can help other listeners find the show by giving What Happens Next? a rating and review.
New this season: Subscribe to Monash’s YouTube channel to watch the video version of each episode.
Transcript
[Music]
Dr Susan Carland: Right now, you and I and everyone we know has problems, and they're not small problems either. We're facing massive challenges on a global scale, challenges that no previous generations have had to navigate. There's the worryingly fast rise of AI, the terrifying reality of climate change, political tensions across the world. It's enough to keep anyone up at night.
But you and I? We have a secret weapon. We can take each of these problems and step through a set of sliding doors to see what will happen to our world if we don't change and what it will look like if we do. Our guides on this journey are the global experts leading the way to a better tomorrow, and they want to bring you along.
I'm Dr Susan Carland. Join me for the latest season of Monash University's podcast, What Happens Next?, as we learn the facts behind today's headlines.
This season on the podcast, we'll take a look at climate anxiety. We'll unravel the psychological impact of climate change and identify practical solutions.
Associate Professor Susie Ho: Climate anxiety is really about feeling powerless and feeling overwhelmed by the size of the problem.
Dr Susan Carland: Join us as we tackle climate anxiety head-on, offering hope and resilience as we work towards a sustainable future.
Civility. Are we becoming more rude or does it just feel that way? We delve into the fundamental aspects of civility, its importance in fostering healthy relationships and its impact on society.
Dr Waleed Aly: If I speak to someone in an uncivil way, I'm speaking to me the way that actually is declaring to them, “You know what? I have nothing to hear from you.”
Dr Susan Carland: With expert insights, we'll explore how incivility is tearing us apart and how we can bridge those divides.
Transhumanism. We've already begun merging technology with humanity. Are the rapid advancements in AI, medicine, and neuroscience propelling us towards a transhumanist future?
Associate Professor Karinne Ludlow: Where do you draw the line, particularly between medical assistance versus enhancement?
Dr Susan Carland: We'll unpack the potential benefits, ethical concerns, and societal implications of this controversial movement.
Escapism. Everyone wants to get away from it all sometimes, even if it's just to binge-watch Netflix. From media to role-playing games and beyond, we'll discuss escapism's role in stress relief and creativity, but we'll also investigate the pitfalls of too much of a good thing.
Professor Michael W Clune: Sometimes people think of escapism as escaping reality.
Dr Susan Carland: We'll uncover strategies to walk the fine line between escape and avoidance.
Play. From childhood to adulthood, play fosters creativity, enhances our well-being, and strengthens social connections. So when did we stop playing and why?
Dr Mike Rucker: So many of the things that we think are fun are really overtaxing our dopamine system, right?
Dr Susan Carland: Join us as we discover the lifelong benefits of play and what happens when we take ourselves too seriously.
Influencer culture. Influencers are often dismissed even though they're an economic force. Are gender roles to blame? We'll delve into the hidden world of influencer culture and look at the consequences of one-sided relationships with our favourite content creators.
Liv White: I think when you think of the word influencer, you can think that as good or bad, and perhaps we're attaching that to people we've perceived as bad influencers.
Dr Susan Carland: What Happens Next? returns for season eight soon on your favourite podcast app. Subscribe now so you don't miss a moment.
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