Spring in Australia means pollen, sneezes and endless antihistamines, but what’s really happening inside our immune system when allergies hit?
Associate Professor Theresa Larkin breaks down the science behind hay fever, food reactions and mysterious sensitivities, and shares how we can better understand and manage our body’s over-the-top responses.
Guest: Associate Professor Theresa Larkin, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong
Presenter: Warren Andrew

New York Assembly member Zohran Mamdani has been dubbed “the Internet’s Mayor”. His joyful, viral campaign is turning local politics into a global phenomenon.
Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne unpacks how Mamdani blurred the lines between authenticity, performance and politics and what his rise says about the new rules of power and personality online.
Guest: Lauren Rosewarne, Associate Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne
Presenter: Warren Andrew

The Melbourne Queer Film Festival has been named a finalist in this year’s Melbourne Awards, recognising its role as a cultural force for connection, creativity and visibility.
CEO David Martin Harris joins us to reflect on what the honour means for the team, the evolution of queer cinema, and how the festival continues to amplify voices and stories that shape our community.
Guest: David Martin Harris, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Queer Film Festival
Presenter: Warren Andrew

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has dropped its 2026 program, with more than 80 events celebrating connection, creativity and pride. From the Parade and Fair Day to new performances and venues across the city, this year’s festival is set to be bigger than ever.
Interim CEO Jesse Matheson shares the stories behind the new theme, the return of iconic moments, and what’s in store for next February.
Guest: Jesse Matheson, Interim CEO, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Presenter: Warren Andrew

A United States investigation has found that more than two-thirds of popular protein powders contain unsafe levels of lead, but what does that mean for Australians shaking up supplements after the gym?
Dr Evangeline Mantzioris from the University of South Australia breaks down how contamination happens, which products are most at risk, and why “organic” doesn’t always mean safe.
Guest: Dr Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of South Australia
Presenter: Warren Andrew

The Sound Museum’s Leo Stubbing returns with fresh releases from Florence & the Machine, Orville Peck, Ed Sheeran, Go-Jo & Erika Vikman, and David Archuleta, plus a cheeky ABBA throwback. We talk sound, stories, and why pop nostalgia still rules the playlist!
Guest: Leo Stubbing, The Sound Museum Podcast & YouTube Channel
Presenter: Warren Andrew

A Paris jewel theft, a viral photograph, and one sharply dressed stranger. Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne from the University of Melbourne unpacks why we’re obsessed with turning ordinary bystanders into internet icons, and what this says about our need for mystery, memes and modern myth-making.
Guest: Lauren Rosewarne, Associate Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne
Presenter: Andy Mac

From the rugged Ikara–Flinders Ranges to Melbourne’s world-class food scene and Victoria’s Great Bathing Trail, Australia has scored big in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026. Chris Zeiher breaks down the picks, the global trends behind them, and why wellness and nature are topping traveller wishlists.
Guest: Chris Zeiher, Lonely Planet
Presenter: Andy Mac

Fear-free, dog-only, and proudly queer-owned, Melbourne Dog Clinic is reimagining the vet experience. Founders Dr Don Woo and Harlow Wu share how they built a space designed for calm, comfort and care, plus what’s next as they celebrate the clinic’s first birthday.
Guest: Dr Don Woo and Harlow Wu, Melbourne Dog Clinic
Presenter: Andy Mac

Before pumpkins and plastic spiders, Halloween was a Celtic New Year’s festival marking the boundary between life and death. Professor Carole Cusack from the University of Sydney traces its ancient roots, migration to America, and uniquely Australian reinvention.
Guest: Professor Carole Cusack, University of Sydney
Presenter: Warren Andrew

Could psychedelics revolutionise mental-health care? Professor Susan Rossell from Swinburne University reveals groundbreaking results from Australia’s first psilocybin-assisted therapy trial for depression. She explains how the sessions work, what participants experienced, and where the research goes next.
Guest: Professor Susan Rossell, cognitive neuropsychologist and Professorial Research Fellow, Swinburne University of Technology
Presenter: Warren Andrew

From blockbuster releases to local indie hits, Checkpoint’s Elliot Attard joined JOY Drive with a queer lens on the biggest gaming stories right now. We cover Xbox shake-ups, subscription fatigue, AI in design, and the next wave of Australian-made games making global noise.
Guest: Elliot Attard, Host of Checkpoint on JOY
Presenter: Warren Andrew

Can turning off your phone really reboot your brain? Dr Anastasia Hronis from the University of Technology Sydney breaks down the viral “dopamine detox” trend, separating fact from hype. We explore why our brains crave constant stimulation, what’s actually happening chemically, and how to reset motivation and focus without the pseudoscience.
Guest: Dr Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer, University of Technology Sydney
Presenter: Warren Andrew

It’s wild, it’s fierce, and it’s back! Hella Queen 2025: Welcome to the Jungle is taking over Section 8 this Cup Eve. It will be a full day of drag, dance, and unapologetic queer joy. Bree aka Tinkerbell from the House of Diesel joined JOY Drive to spill what’s in store: the looks, the lip-syncs, the chaos, and the community that makes this night such a Melbourne favourite.
Guest: Bree aka Tinkerbell, House of Diesel
Presenter: Andy Mac

It’s a bumper week in pop! Leo Stubbing from The Sound Museum dives into new releases from Demi Lovato, Bon Jovi, Sheppard, and more! Plus a festive revival from Girls Aloud and a throwback to ABBA’s first Australian #1.
Guest: Leo Stubbing, The Sound Museum Podcast & YouTube Channel
Presenter: Warren Andrew

From an almond farm in California to the bright lights of Broadway, Tricia Paoluccio has turned her creative dreams into reality as an actor and artist. She is now the co-writer and star of ‘Here You Come Again’, the hit musical celebrating Dolly Parton. She joined JOY Drive to talk art, ambition, motherhood and finding laughter in heartbreak, and all with a bit of Dolly sparkle!
Here You Come Again is now lighting up Melbourne before touring across Australia and New Zealand.
Find tickets and tour details at hereyoucomeagain.com.au and explore Tricia’s world of art and design at triciapaoluccio.com
Guest: Tricia Paoluccio, co-writer and star of Here You Come Again
Presenter: Warren Andrew

Two in three people with chronic pain turn to comfort eating for relief, and Professor Toby Newton-John explains why food can both soothe and sabotage our wellbeing. He shares the science behind the “pain-food loop” and practical ways to find comfort without the crash.
Guest: Toby Newton-John, Professor of Clinical Psychology, and Head of School in the Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney
Presenter: Warren Andrew

They’re bold, brilliant and brimming with joy. Members Gary Wilson, Colin Gudgeon and Beau-Luke from LowRez join us to preview their upcoming concert and celebrate how music and mateship create community.
Performing on 15th November 2025 at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood College
Guests: Gary Wilson, Colin Gudgeon and Beau-Luke, LowRez Men’s Choir
Presenter: Warren Andrew

Melbourne’s once-sacred weekend ritual of brunch is quietly disappearing, but why? Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne unpacks how the cost of living, lockdown habits and “little treat” culture have reshaped how we socialise and sip our Sundays.
Guest: Lauren Rosewarne, Associate Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne
Presenter: Warren Andrew

When mpox hit Melbourne, Thorne Harbour Health moved fast… pop-up vaccination clinics, zero-barrier access and community-driven messaging saved lives and built trust. Joel Parker joins us to reflect on the campaign that’s now a finalist for the LGBTIQA+ Melbourne Award.
Guest: Joel Parker, Communications Coordinator, Thorne Harbour Health
Presenter: Warren Andrew