On Chinese social media, political influencers risk censorship with every post.   On today’s episode of The Yarn, we speak to feminist content creators from China and Australia about their differing experiences, both online and in real life.     This episode was created by Rachel Liu, Jinghe Huang, Yufei Li, and Zijun Qi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food can provide far more than just sustenance. For many, meals are a pivotal link to memory, identity, and belonging.   On today’s episode of The Yarn, our reporters explore the transformative power of food. They speak to a gardener growing Chinese vegetables in Australia, a baker building community through a cake club, and others who turn to food for multifaceted nourishment.  This episode was created by Kunfan Bai, Zhenxi Zeng, Zhoujun Cai, Qianrui Lu, and Ruiying Tang. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Yarn, we explore the benefits of volunteering.   Volunteers from aged care homes, food delivery programs, and elsewhere explain how small contributions can make a big difference in their local communities.     This episode was created by Tianxiao Zhou, Sophie Sewell, Yuqing Hao, Lijing Zhu, and Shumin He. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne’s Teddy Bear Hospital might sound childish, but it’s where medical students practice vital skills (albeit with stuffed animals as patients). It’s one of several unorthodox learning methods explored in this week’s episode of The Yarn.      This episode was created by Erielle Sudario, Lewis Weir, Yuxuan Qiang, Zongqi Liu, and Tongfei Zhang. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, we heard from international students struggling with fee hikes. Today, we explore the ongoing challenges once they finish their studies.   We speak to graduates about the application process for post-study work visas, the completive job market, and the unfair disadvantages they face compared to permanent residents.     This episode was created by Hailing Luo, Sihan Ren, Ashley Cai, and Xiaoyu Liu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we talk to international students feeling the crunch of the University of Melbourne’s fee hikes.   For three years running, their enrolment costs have risen by seven per cent. On top of this, they’re dealing with a rental crisis, demanding coursework, and restrictive limits on working hours.   This episode was created by Beatrix Chirnside, Rae Zhang, Harry Robertson, and Fangning Dong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re exploring the motivations behind acts of kindness.   We speak to Victorians working in homelessness support, sex worker advocacy, and other fields about why they’re so dedicated to their causes.   This episode was created by Michael Saliba, Alexandra Nevill, Yunqian Shi, Ruonan Yang, and Hope Kloppenburg. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the words of Joan Baez, action is the antidote to despair.   Today on The Yarn, we’re sharing stories of resistance and resilience, from pro-Palestine activists fighting for free speech, to teachers striking for fairer working conditions.      This episode was created by Siena Kinkela, Yiming Liu, Zoe Eyles, Matt Melia, and Lynn Pan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To mark World Press Freedom Day, we're dedicating an episode of The Yarn to journalists in danger. We speak to reporters and media experts about navigating war zones, covering authoritarian regimes, and why exposing the truth is often a matter of life and death.    This episode was created by Isaure Duruy, Jiali Hong, Xue Xue, and Olivia Wright.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're hearing about what keeps people up at night — and what keeps them hopeful in the face of despair. Student activists, marine ecologists, and other change makers share their tactics for turning fear into action.    This episode was created by Eamon Leggett, Theone Van Der Merwe, Fan Chu, and Yixin Zhang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.