Podcasts by Self Improvement Wednesday
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Turtles with a bite! Meet a baby Alligator Snapping Turtle from 2022-04-27T15:30
Learn all about the the prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle. It's the largest freshwater turtle in North America and among the largest in the world. With its spiked shell, beaklike jaws, ...
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The dangers of consuming too much salt from 2022-04-20T15:30
Australians consume on average almost twice the recommended amount of salt per day.
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Orchids: masters of deception from 2022-04-13T15:30
They're the most diverse plant family in the world and they've managed to survive in all kinds of environments thanks to a whole lot of kooky and deceptive survival techniques. Learn about some of ...
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Public transport as a public space from 2022-04-06T15:30
Train carriages, station platforms and other transport like buses and ferries are also some of the most-used public spaces in our cities – many thousands of us share these intimate spaces with stra...
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The lines of succession to the British Throne from 2022-03-30T15:30
The lines of succession to the British Throne
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The extra lives of the Roman poet, Virgil from 2022-03-23T15:30
Virgil was the Roman poet credited with keeping the flies out of Naples.
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Why do bugs invade my home when it rains? from 2022-03-16T15:30
The wet weather has driven many insects out of their homes to seek shelter elsewhere — often in our homes.
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Bushrangers Of The Sydney Region from 2022-03-09T15:30
The Sydney region was absolutely plagued with bushrangers, as well as cattle thieves, illegal distillers and even a few pirates, right up to the 1840s.
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The wonderful world of the waratah from 2022-03-02T15:30
It's the iconic flower that has attracted attention since it was first observed by Aboriginal people thousands of years ago. Take a dip into the inner workings of the waratah with Dr Brett Summerell.
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Australia's Fiery Volcanic Past from 2022-02-23T15:30
Where might the next volcanic eruption occur in Australia?
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What is a trojan asteroid? from 2022-02-16T15:30
Professor Fred Watson explains how asteroids can cluster near planets in a gravity-neutral space
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Checking the pulse of the environment - how do we measure it? from 2022-02-09T15:30
Just like a visit to a GP, there are ways to test the health of the environment. Richard Kingsford is professor of Ecosystem Science at UNSW and explains how the stethoscope is applied to an ecosys...
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The enduring popularity of long-running radio series Blue Hills from 2022-02-02T15:30
The series ran for 27 years with every episode written by Gwen Meredith. Professor Michelle Arrow from Macquarie University explains why it was so captivating.
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The fascinating life of the leaf-curling spider from 2022-01-19T15:30
If you've ever seen a spider wrapped up in a leaf on its web, that's the leaf-curling spider. Learn more from Dr Jess Marsh, an arachnologist at Murdoch University.
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Do you know the story of Jesus'birth? from 2021-12-08T15:30
When you think of the story of Jesus' birth, you might be confused with the different stories you've heard about how it all happened. The Reverend Professor Dorothy Lee from the University of Divin...
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Meet Eastern Australia's Two Newest Frog Species from 2021-12-01T15:30
We thought this was one species, but we've actually got three different species.
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Dogs of Antiquity from 2021-11-24T15:30
Having dogs as companions is a recent thing, isn't it? Not at all. Just ask the ancient Greeks and Romans
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The Order of Adjectives in the English Language from 2021-11-17T15:30
Why do we say the Big Bad Wolf, instead of the Bad Big Wolf? Tiger Webb, the ABC's Language Expert explains the hierarchy of how adjectives have to appear in the English language
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The Journey of a Water Molecule through a tree from 2021-10-27T15:30
A fascinating lesson on how the tallest trees manage to transport water from their deepest roots right through to their furthest limbs
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How to build healthier, livelier cities. from 2021-10-20T15:30
Imagine a more relaxed commute with more space and fresh air. The key could be getting rid of many of our cars
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A Midsummer Night's Dream. Why the play is much darker than is commonly supposed from 2021-10-13T15:30
It's considered so light an amusing, but Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is darker than you might think
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Australia's Astronomer-at-Large, Fred Watson, on whether or not Sodom and Gomorrah were really destroyed by an asteroid. from 2021-10-06T15:30
The Bible says the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by an asteroid. Our own Astronomer-at-large isn't so sure.
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What is the Alligator Snapping Turtle? from 2021-09-29T15:30
It's mating season for the Alligator Snapping Turtles at the Big Cat Conservation Centre near Sydney. Ben Britton gives you a crash course on these fascinating creatures.
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Self Improvement Wednesday. Scanning human remains at Pompeii. from 2021-09-15T15:30
The slave whose life story can now be told
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"Here be dragons": The numbers and sequences we know, and those we don't from 2021-09-08T15:30
See if you can wrap your head around this fascinating maths lesson from your teacher Professor Nalini Joshi from the School of Mathematics at the University of Sydney as she dives into the world of...
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Somewheres and Anywheres from 2021-09-01T15:30
How do you define your place in the world? The theory of "Somewheres" and "Anywheres" was devised by British journalist and commentator, David Goodhart. It suggests some people are grounded to the ...
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How music heightens your emotions from 2021-08-25T15:30
Ever wondered why some pieces of music make you feel just so amazing you can't quite describe the feeling? Your teacher is Professor Emery Schubert, leader of the Empirical Musicology Lab at the Un...
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Plants get sick too: the pandemic facing some Aussie natives from 2021-08-11T15:30
On Self Improvement Wednesday, Dr Brett Summerell dives into Myrtle Rust, a plant disease which has spread rapidly around Australia in just over a decade.
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Self Improvement Wednesday. The Pygmy Blue Whale. from 2021-08-04T15:30
Two sightings of the Pygmy Blue Whale off Maroubra last year, but it's not the first time these mysterious creatures have been seen in our own blue backyard.
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Self Improvement Wednesday: Smoke and seeds from 2021-07-28T15:30
In Self Improvement Wednesday, how Australian Flora is helped along by fire and smoke.
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Self Improvement: The Art of Dale Harding from 2021-07-21T15:30
The departing director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Liz Ann Macgregor, on the work of artist, Dale Harding, of the Bidjara, Ghungalu and Garingbal peoples.
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Self Improvement: A short history of dog training from 2021-07-14T15:30
Ever wondered how on earth we managed to train our favourite furry friends to do both fun and very important things? Turns out the accepted methodology for training man's best friend hasn't always...
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Self Improvement: revitalising an ancient Aboriginal snow song from 2021-07-07T15:30
A small group of Ngarigu people and academic colleagues have been working hard to revitalise an ancient snow making song, sung on Ngarigu Country at Kunama Namadgi (the Snowy Mountains). It was onc...
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Self Improvement: how does language shape the way you think? from 2021-06-30T15:30
Does language influence how we think? Could it affect your conception of time, or the colours you see, or even your ability to count? These questions are at the heart of what’s called the theory ...
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Self Improvement: how outdoor advertising is reshaping our cities from 2021-06-09T15:30
You might be used to the idea that advertising revenue funds much of the media we access – newspapers, magazines, radio, television, digital media and more. But advertising is increasingly fundin...
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Self Improvement: Finding black holes with warped space from 2021-06-02T15:30
The black hole has captured the imagination of many an astronomer and our brightest boffins are constantly finding out more about one of the most mysterious phenomena in the universe. Your teacher ...
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Self Improvement: Archimedes'Eureka and other moments from 2021-05-26T15:30
It's a Greek word that has slipped into the Aussie vernacular, but the word "Eureka" was famously yelled by the great thinker Archimedes. So where did his lightbulb moment come from? And what happe...
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Self Improvement: How to Think Like a Landscape Architect from 2021-05-12T15:30
Most people understand what architects do, but fewer understand what is involved in Landscape Architecture and what kind of skills we bring to their work. Elizabeth Mossop, Professor of Landscape A...
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Self Improvement: Which frogs survive best in human environments? from 2021-05-05T15:30
Do you have a frog in your backyard? Maybe you often hear one at night in your street. Like us, frogs have preferences when it comes to where they live. Take a listen to this week's fascinating les...
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Self Improvement: Floods on the Hawkesbury from 2021-04-28T15:30
Dyarubbin, the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, west of Sydney, has the longest recorded flood history in modern Australia. Written records go back to 1795, but Aboriginal people also told Governor King a...
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Bees need flowers but flowers need bees, so who came first? from 2021-04-21T15:30
Dr Eliza Middleton on the history of insects
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Self Improvement Wednesday: Human-Wildlife Conflict from 2021-04-14T15:30
Everyone has had a nasty encounter with wildlife, even if it’s only getting stung by a bee. Now there is a global discipline of conservation science working on managing Human-Wildlife Conflict. Pro...
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Self Improvement: the influence of Aristotle from 2021-04-07T15:30
Greek philosopher Aristotle influenced everything from logic to politics. So how was he able to set the tone for over two millennia of philosophical enquiry? Dr Tim Dean, a philosopher from the Uni...
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Self Improvement: What's the point of Hamlet? from 2021-03-24T15:30
“To be or not to be, that is the question" they're some of Shakespeare's most famous words. But do we know the true meaning of them? Huw Griffiths, Chair of English at the University of Sydney and ...
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Self Improvement Wednesday: Artemisia Gentileschi from 2021-03-17T15:30
Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art educates us on the work of baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi. An artist who turned the turmoil in her own life into incredibl...
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Self Improvement: The Wood Wide Web from 2021-03-10T15:30
Fungi can help trees communicate with each other. Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Institute of Botanical Science explains how this fascinating symbiotic relationship works.
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The history and evolution of the suit. from 2021-02-17T15:30
The suit can be tracked back to 1666. Fashion Historian Dr Lydia Edwards with the history and evolution of the suit in Self Improvement Wednesday
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The People's Park: A History of Centennial Park from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Originally a swamp, Sydney's Centennial Park is now a playground for adults and children alike. Professor Paul Ashton from the Australian Centre for Publi...
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History of the Murray Darling Basin from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
There's a lot we don't know about the Murray-Darling Basin. Richard Kingsford from the University of NSW delves into the depths of the basin to reveal all ...
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In a bind? Here’s how ancients used magic to improve their lives from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Recovering from a sprain or hoping to defeat a foe? Take a leaf from the book of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
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Self-improvement Wednesday. Greg Bourke from Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens on Carnivorous Plants from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Real Life Little Shop of Horrors
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Is there anybody out there? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Professor Fred Watson explains astrobiology and how it's being used in the search for life in the universe.
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The History of Vegemite from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
We may all adore our vegemite, but do you know who invented it? And why has it become such an iconic Australian product?
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Does listening to music make you smarter? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Is there any evidence that music and intelligence are related?
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What plants tells us about the history of our planet from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
Shifting continents and dinosaur trees, what can plants tell us about history of Earth?
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Self Improvement: The Tale of the Tattooed Mummy from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
The oldest known tattoos are over five thousand years old, what was used to make them and what were the tattoos? Find out in this week's Self Improvement. ...
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Simone de Beauvoir: Philosopher, feminist or neither? from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393
When you hear the name Simone de Beauvoir, there are two labels that probably spring to mind: philosopher and feminist. However, she rejected both of those...
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Self Improvement: Snakes in Studio from 2021-01-27T15:30
This week your teacher is Ben Britton, Director of the Wild Cat Conservation Centre. He joined Richard in studio with two royal pythons.
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Self Improvement: Moral Relativism in philosophy from 2020-12-09T15:30
A quick glance around the world or through history will reveal that no matter what we happen to believe is morally right and wrong, there is at least one person or culture that believes differently...
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Self Improvement: Invertebrate Mythology from 2020-11-18T15:30
When we think about the Greek myths we think of beasts like multi-headed dogs or giant eagles, but what about insects?
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Self Improvement: Acknowledgement of Country from 2020-11-11T15:30
This week, you'll learn how and when to do an ‘acknowledgement of Country’, with a particular focus on the Sydney area. Your teacher is Jakelin Troy, a Ngarigu woman from the Snowy Mountains of Sou...
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Self Improvement: the importance of urban parks from 2020-11-04T15:30
Green spaces in cities are vital for our wellbeing, but did you know that here in Sydney we have access to some of the best parks in the world? Elizabeth Mossop, Professor of Landscape Architecture...
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Self Improvement: The Art of Yinka Shonibare from 2020-10-21T15:30
Take a listen to this week's interesting lesson with Liz Ann Macgregor from the MCA on the art of Yinka Shonibare, a British-Nigerian artist, renowned for his works that investigate race, class, gl...
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Self Improvement: What's in a (place) name? from 2020-10-07T15:30
Do you ever wonder why your local road or place here in Sydney is called what it is? You might be surprised to learn it's gone through several different names over the years - and that's even befor...
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Self Improvement: Secrets of sea snakes from 2020-09-30T15:30
They can hold their breath for two hours, they can dive up to one hundred metres and they are venomous. Learn all about sea snakes with this week's lesson from Dr Vanessa Pirotta from the Marine Pr...
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Self Improvement: What is extinction? from 2020-09-23T15:30
Most people know that extinction is the end of a living species or group of species but our scientific knowledge goes well beyond this. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Richard Kingsford,...
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Self Improvement: A tad mysterious from 2020-09-16T15:30
The tadpoles of some frog species remain unknown to science, years after the adult frog is discovered. However, being able to identify the species a tadpole belongs to is vital for understanding th...
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Self Improvement: Vertical Transport and Cities from 2020-09-09T15:30
The technologies that allow us to move across our city are much discussed, but what about those that enable us to move up and down in our cities? Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson abo...
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Self Improvement: The Loudest Sound in History - the 1883 Eruption of Krakatoa from 2020-09-02T15:30
This week saw the anniversary of one of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in recorded history - Krakatoa, a volcano in the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java. Take a listen to this week's...
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Self Improvement: The Elusive Black Panther – Fact or Fiction? from 2020-08-19T15:30
Have you ever seen one? Many say they have and debate has raged for many years - do big cats roam free in the Australia?. The main sighting is normally that of a large black cat, a black panther, w...
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Self Improvement: Clone wars - how plants reproduce asexually from 2020-08-12T15:30
Most flowering plants reproduce by producing seeds or by pollination, but some species have given up this process altogether. They just clone themselves. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr...
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Self Improvement: Astronomy in times of crises from 2020-08-05T15:30
History shows us that astronomy and troubled times go well together. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Fred Watson, astronomer-at-large.
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Self Improvement: Invertebrate Weapons from 2020-07-22T15:30
Insects have a vast array of weaponry - they bite, they sting, they spray, they infest and they've even been used as military weapons in warfare! Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson wit...
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Self Improvement: Kara Walker from 2020-07-15T15:30
Kara Walker is a contemporary American artist widely known for her artworks that examine race, gender, sexuality and identity. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Dire...
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All about the Greenland shark from 2020-07-08T15:30
The Greenland Shark can live more than 500 years. Dr Vanessa Pirotta for Self-Improvement Wednesday
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Self Improvement: Brenners Bobtail Squid from 2020-07-01T15:30
It might not be such a giant squid but a newly discovered bobtail squid is certainly fascinating. Take a listen to this week's this lesson with Dr Mandy Reid, Malacology Collection Manager at the A...
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Self Improvement: Ecosystems are the world's biggest jigsaw from 2020-06-24T14:30
When we focus on threatened species, how much thought do we also give to the ecosystems in which they live? Take a listen and learn just how important these ecosystems are with your teacher, Prof...
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Self Improvement: An Idiot's Guide to Grammatical Terms from 2020-06-17T15:30
How's your English grammar? Are you someone who always corrects or are you corrected? Take a listen to this week's grammatical lesson with the ABC's language expert Tiger Webb.
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Self Improvement: Sydney’s criminal underworld after the 1918 flu pandemic from 2020-06-10T15:30
Another pandemic, this one over 100 years ago led to a very different Sydney. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Nerida Campbell, curator at Sydney's Justice and Police Museum.
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Self Improvement: The future of meetings from 2020-05-27T15:30
Even before Covid-19, the CSIRO were looking at new ways of working remotely. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Vanessa Moss, astronomer at the CSIRO.
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Self Improvement: The evolution of religion from 2020-05-20T15:30
Every culture that we have encountered through history seems to have some kind of spiritual belief. Are we hardwired to believe in agency, to believe that there's some meaning to life? Take a liste...
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Self Improvement: Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander – 8 days botanising in the Shire 250 years ago from 2020-05-13T15:30
Just over 250 years ago - Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander stepped ashore at Kurnell Peninsula in Botany Bay. Over the next eight days they collected enthusiastically and amassed specimens of 132 p...
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Self Improvement: Bloodlust for Conservation from 2020-05-06T15:30
Finding frogs is often very hard, so how to detect them using another creature? Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Dr Jodi Rowley from the Australian Museum.
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Self Improvement: The Growth and Development of a Caracal Kitten from 2020-04-29T15:30
The Wild Cat Conservation Centre has recently become the first organisation to breed Caracals in Australia. Take a listen to this week's lesson about these beautiful cats with Ben Britton, director...
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Self Improvement: How to Drink in the Colony of New South Wales from 2020-04-15T15:30
Were the early days of the New South Wales colony awash with rum and alcohol as it was passed around as currency? Professor Grace Karskens from the School of Humanities and Languages at the Univers...
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Self Improvement: The wonders of bioluminescence from 2020-04-08T15:30
Bioluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon - to teach you all about it is Dr Vanessa Pirotta from the Marine Predator Research Group at Macquarie University.
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Self Improvement: Invertebrate tricksters from 2020-04-02T15:30
An April Fool's Day treat - caterpillars who pretend they are poo, death-feigning beetles and moths which outsmart bats. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Eliza Middleton from th...
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Self Improvement: Percy Cavill, swimmer and (non-budgie) smuggler from 2020-03-25T15:30
The Cavills were a well-known Sydney family who were pioneers in swimming. Take a listen to their story and the tale of Percy Cavill who, amongst other things, invented the Australian Crawl.
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Self Improvement: Convict Rations in early Sydney from 2020-03-18T15:30
A pound of flour or bread, a pound of salted beef OR just over half a pound of salted pork, plus a few dried peas and not much else. How was food in early Sydney distributed? Take a listen to this ...
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Self Improvement: Ecosystem Services - what the environment gives us for nothing from 2020-03-11T15:30
Can the environment help us in economic terms? How is that measured and how will it make our lives better? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Professor Richard Kingsford from UNSW.
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Self Improvement: The master Australian bark painter John Mawurndjul from 2020-03-04T16:00
John Mawurndjul is a Kuninjku bark painter and sculptor and one of Australia’s most successful contemporary artists. Take a listen to director of the MCA Elizabeth Ann Macgregor talk about his life...
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Self Improvement: The words you hate may be older than you think from 2020-02-26T16:00
You might see a word or phrase suddenly pop up over and over again in the news, or in your office, that you find incredibly annoying. What’s the origin of these words, are they new or in fact quit...
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Self Improvement: Frogs, drought and fire from 2020-02-19T16:00
Are you hearing as many frogs as usual? Probably not as frogs are amongst the most threatened groups of animals on the planet. Take a listen to how you can help the Australian Museum understand how...
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Self Improvement: The Long-legged hunter - The African Serval from 2020-02-12T16:00
Did you know the Serval name is derived from a Portuguese word meaning 'wolf-deer'. Find out about this fascinating creature in this week's lesson with Ben Britton, director of the Wild Cat Conserv...
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Self Improvement: How plants respond to bushfires from 2020-02-05T16:00
The recent bushfires have had a devastating impact on plants, how can they ever recover? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, Chief Botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden.
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Self Improvement: Your celestial diary for 2020 from 2020-01-29T16:00
Dates for your stargazing diary - what to look out for in 2020 with CSIRO astronomer Vanessa Moss.
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Self Improvement: Chasing shadows against black holes from 2019-11-27T16:00
How are black holes lighting the way for scientists who want to look into the history of the universe? Find out in this week's lesson with CSIRO astronomer Vanessa Moss.
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Self Improvement: The diseases attacking our favourite plants from 2019-11-20T16:00
Why might coffee, chocolate and bananas be harder to come by in the future? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, chief botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden.
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Self Improvement: Australia - Land of the Parrots from 2019-11-13T16:00
Australia is often known as the land of the parrots even though our 57 species only make up about 15% of the world's parrots. Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson with Professor Richard ...
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Self-Improvement Wednesday: Charles Kingsford-Smith from 2019-11-06T16:00
Self Improvement Wednesday. The story of Charles Kingsford-Smith, as told by Tom Wright
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Self Improvement: Invertebrates that share our bodies from 2019-10-30T16:00
The bugs that right now could be stuck on you! Take a listen to this week's Halloween inspired self improvement with Eliza Middleton from the University of Sydney.
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Self Improvement: Finding frogs in the clouds from 2019-10-23T16:00
A frog-finding journey in the Solomon Islands with Dr Jodi Rowley from the Australian Museum. Take a listen to her fascinating field trip surveying frogs with the Kwaio community.
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Self Improvement: Doris Salcedo from 2019-10-16T16:00
Colombian artist Doris Salcedo's work is influenced by her experiences of life growing up in Colombia. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Elizabeth-Ann Macgregor, director of the Museum of Co...
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Self Improvement: The Wonder of Whale Vomit from 2019-10-09T16:00
It's worth up to ten thousand dollars a kilo and the largest piece ever found was over four hundred kilos! Take a listen to this week's fascinating lesson on ambergris, with marine scientist Dr Van...
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Self Improvement: How to overcome implicit bias regarding race from 2019-10-02T16:00
How can implicit bias create racist attitudes of which we are not really conscious? Find out how you can test yourself during this week's lesson with philosopher Tim Dean from the School of Life.
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Self Improvement: Australia's radio eyes on the sky from 2019-09-25T16:00
Radio astronomy is still a relatively young field by comparison with optical astronomy, but even from its early years, Australia has always played a key role in advancing the field of radio astronomy.
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Self Improvement: Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra from 2019-09-18T16:00
What does Antony and Cleopatra tells us about Shakespeare's language? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Huw Griffiths from the Department of English at the University of Sydney.
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Self Improvement: The Lions Roar! How big and small cats differ from 2019-09-11T16:00
Can a lion purr? Can a moggy roar? Ben Britton from the Wild Cat Conservation Centre talks about the differences and similarities between big and small cats.
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Self Improvement: What food did convicts eat at the Hyde Park Barracks? from 2019-09-04T16:00
The life of a convict in Hyde Park Barracks was not such a great one... take a listen to what was on the menu in the nineteenth century. Your teacher is Janson Hews from Sydney Living Museums.
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Self Improvement: What makes a marsupial? from 2019-08-28T16:00
Some of the most amazing marsupial facts you'll ever hear! Take a listen to this week's lesson with Richard Kingsford, professor of environmental science at UNSW.
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Self Improvement: Grasses - the plants we are completely dependent upon from 2019-08-21T16:00
Grasses are the most widespread group of plants on the planet and most animals, either directly or indirectly, are dependent on them. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Brett Summerell, Chief...
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Self Improvement: Insect Mimics from 2019-08-14T16:00
Mimicry is a survival strategy used across the animal world. Take a listen to this week's lesson on how insects specialise in mimicry, your teacher is Dr Eliza Middleton from the University of Sydney.
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Self Improvement Wednesday: Taking care of a mother and child's teeth during the early years from 2019-08-07T16:00
Pregnancy can pose a lot of challenges for dental health, and expectant mothers can take some important steps in improving their dental care and that of their baby. Things like morning sickness can...
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Self Improvement: The Museum of Human Disease from 2019-07-31T16:00
There is a Museum of Human Disease right here in Sydney. Founded in 1959, it houses a collection of over 2,500 diseased human tissue specimens with the earliest specimen dating back to 1898. Take a...
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Self Improvement: More than just Moon rock – the legacy of the Apollo missions from 2019-07-17T16:00
Fifty years ago this week, the world watched as three NASA astronauts made their way to the Moon on board their Apollo 11 spacecraft. What were the scientific results of that and subsequent mission...
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Self Improvement: Seeing the ‘Unseen’ World of Bacteria from 2019-07-10T16:00
We can never get rid of bacteria, not even the bad ones because our life is dependent on them but we do need to know more about them. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Professor Liz Harry, D...
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Self Improvement: Emotional Intelligence from 2019-07-03T16:00
What exactly is emotional intelligence and do you just have it or can you develop it? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Tim Dean, philosopher and faculty member at the School of Life.
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Self Improvement: Cacti and succulents and their adaptations from 2019-05-22T16:00
Are cacti and succulents the same thing, and do they suit our Australian gardens? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Dr Brett Summerell, Chie...
What evolution tells us about sex, slimming and selfies from 2019-05-15T16:00
How human evolution has shaped the modern world. Take a listen to this week's lesson with Rob Brooks, Professor of Evolution at the University of N...
The battle to save Australia's bite-sized native animals from 2019-05-14T16:00
Australia has the worst extinction record in the world with 29 of our mammals now extinct. The common denominator for those extinctions and also fo...
What are the benefits of honey? from 2019-04-10T16:00
It's been around for millions of years and humans have been using it as long as we've been on earth.
Learn about some of the benefits of honey ...
The curious velvet worm. from 2019-04-03T16:00
In some Australian species of the velvet worm, the male places a sperm packet on his head like a tiny trophy in order to attract females. Just one ...
The science behind why we like music. from 2019-03-27T16:00
Music is everywhere and most of the time we voluntarily choose to listen to music. But why? Take a listen to this week's lesson with Professor Eme...
New light on how the pyramids were built from 2019-03-20T16:00
New discoveries are casting fresh light on the long-asked question of how the Giza Pyramids were built. We know that they were not built with slave...
Contemporary artist Lindy Lee from 2019-03-13T16:00
Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most respected contemporary artists, with a career spanning three decades in Australia and internationally. As a fi...
Liking Lichens from 2019-03-06T16:00
Everything you need to know about lichens in this week's self improvement with Dr Brett Summerell from the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
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The mysteries of Buddhism from 2019-02-27T16:00
We might say we're feeling 'zen', or seeking 'nirvana', but where did the terms come from and what's the philosophy behind them? Take a listen to t...
The modern day sabre-tooth – The Clouded Leopard from 2019-02-20T16:00
Clouded Leopards are two species of wild cat that live in forests throughout Southeast Asia. They are secretive and rare in the wild, preferring to...
The vanishing rings of Saturn from 2019-02-06T16:00
The planet Saturn is losing its distinctive rings. But have you ever wondered where they came from, or what they're made of? Australia's astronomer...
Rediscovered Frogs from 2019-01-30T16:00
Frogs are in a lot of trouble globally, so it’s important to highlight the good news- and this is certainly good news for the Booroolong Frog. Thou...
The Intelligence of Bees from 2019-01-23T16:00
Bees are clever creatures; they can recognise faces, display emotion, have mathematical skills and can teach their peers.. find out just how intell...
Follow the star - what was the Star of Bethlehem? from 2018-12-12T16:00
A festive Self Improvement to finish the year, the story being the star of Bethlehem with astronomer Fred Watson.
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All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth - what we know about baby teeth! from 2018-11-28T16:00
Why do we have baby teeth and why do some adults never lose them? This week's fascinating Self Improvement with Dr Ky-Anh Nguyen, Associate Profess...
'Flea Queen' - the art of Maria Fernanda Cardoso from 2018-11-21T16:00
Born and raised in Columbia, Maria Fernanda Cardoso is one of Latin-America’s leading figures in the contemporary art world. She blends together na...
Self Improvement: The Sting in the Tail from 2018-11-14T16:00
With summer on the way it's time to start digging out the mozzie coils and insect spray. If you've ever wondered why insects feel the need to bite ...
The Enduring Mystery of the Mary Celeste from 2018-11-07T16:00
On 7th November 1872 a ship set sail from New York...less than a month later the vessel was found deserted. The cargo was intact and there was plen...
Self Improvement: A tribute to the wonderful Richard Gill from 2018-10-31T16:00
Legendary conductor, teacher and music educator Richard Gill, who died over the weekend, gave several Self Improvement lessons on Drive. Take a lis...
Platypus: The world's most enigmatic animal from 2018-10-24T16:00
It is on every 20c coin, yet not many have ever seen one in the wild. Professor Richard Kingsford from UNSW talks us through the mysterious world o...
Not playing nice: how English words have changed their meaning from 2018-10-17T16:00
Over centuries, or even within a lifetime, the meaning of words in the English language changes. ABC language expert Tiger Webb takes you on a jour...
Probing the Edge of the Solar System – NASA’s mission to Ultima Thule from 2018-10-03T16:00
For the past few months, Ultima Thule has been the informal nickname given to a tiny icy asteroid that will be visited next New Year’s Day by a NAS...
African Crested Porcupine - the Quilled Pig! from 2018-09-26T16:00
The crested porcupine is one of the largest rodents in the world, weighing up to 30kg, and growing nearly up to a metre in length. Find out all abo...
Self Improvement: Shakespeare’s King Lear and “Nothing” from 2018-09-19T16:00
Why does the word 'nothing' appear 29 times in King Lear? Is it just that play, or does Shakespeare have a tendency to repeat words in his other wo...
Self Improvement: The hidden abundance of frogs from 2018-09-12T18:00
Unless you head into your local wetlands after rain, or the desert in a flood, you might not realise just how many frogs there are! Would you be su...
A breath of fresh air - the Chinese philosophy of Daoism from 2018-09-05T18:00
There are three big pillars of Chinese philosophy - Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. Today's lesson looks at Daoism - take a listen to this week'...
Self Improvement: Is music really good for you? The Science on Music and Health from 2018-08-29T18:00
We might enjoy listening to music, but is it actually good for your health?
Self Improvement: Deciding which species we save from 2018-08-22T18:00
Just last week another Australian species was declared extinct, what was it?
The Life and Work of Artist, Lee Bul from 2018-08-08T18:00
Elizabeth Ann McGregor. Museum of Contemporary Art, talks you through Lee’s inspiration, from a range of sources including film, literature and mo...
Step into the world of Emily Brontë from 2018-07-11T18:00
200 years ago - this month - Emily Brontë was born, the author of one of the most unusual novels in all of literature, Wuthering Heights.
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The true identity of some Aussie frogs from 2018-06-27T18:00
It’s taken some serious investigation across three countries to solve some 150 year old mysteries about two Australian frog species.
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Why do fish need to climb ladders? from 2018-06-20T18:00
River fish can travel over a thousand kilometres in order to breed, they rely on the flow of rivers to do so. What happens when we put a dam or wei...