The Aftershock Podcast

The Human & The Machine

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:00:00 +0000

When we talk about high-mortality rate cancers, time is our greatest enemy.

But what if we could use artificial intelligence to see what the human eye might miss?

To discuss this, I’m joined by a true global leader in the field: Professor Meng Law, a specialist in neuroradiology who is at the forefront of integrating AI into medical imaging.

We talk about how we’ve been investing into AI being used in research for a number of years, along with what the future may hold for AI and radiology.

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The disparities

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:03:11 +0000

Sara is a nurse who specialises in the treatment and patient support of people living with lung cancer and mesothelioma. Sara works on the front line of care - walking alongside patients and families through diagnosis, treatment decisions, side effects, uncertainty and, often, some incredibly complex emotional moments.

We talk about what it really means to support someone facing these diseases. The realities of lung cancer and mesothelioma. The misconceptions. The challenges. The breakthroughs. And the human side of care that so often goes unseen.

This is an honest, compassionate and deeply insightful conversation about what support truly looks like — and why it matters so much.

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The heartbreak no parent should know

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:30:00 +0000

At just 22 years old, Jill’s daughter, Catie, passed away from cancer.

In this conversation, Jill opens her heart to share her journey through unimaginable loss, the lessons her daughter taught her, and how she’s learning to carry grief and love side by side.

This was my first episode since becoming a mother where I’ve spoken to a parent about loss. It was by far the most challenging episode I’ve hosted. But nothing about cancer is easy, and we must continue to share stories that represent the full ripple effect of a cancer diagnosis.

This episode is a tribute — to Catie’s life, to every parent walking this painful path, and to the strength it takes to keep moving forward when a part of your heart is missing.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Servier Australia.

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The lab leading change

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 21:28:58 +0000

In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, I’m joined by Professor Marco Herold, a globally recognised expert in cancer research and the current CEO of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.

With a background in molecular biology and a passion for translating discoveries from bench to bedside, Professor Herold is leading groundbreaking efforts in cancer therapeutics, immunology, and personalised medicine.

In this episode, we dive into his journey from academic researcher to institute leader, the future of precision oncology, and how ONJCRI is bridging the gap between research and real-world impact for patients.

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The Athlete

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 02:50:31 +0000

In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, we speak to AFL legend Jarryd Roughead - a 4-time premiership winning forward, former Hawthorn captain, and one of the most respected figures in the game. But in 2016, Jarryd faced something far more daunting than any grand final opponent: a cancer diagnosis that would change his life forever.

Today’s conversation goes far beyond the world of sport. Jarryd opens up about his cancer journey - from the initial shock of the diagnosis, through the treatments, the mental and physical toll, and ultimately, the strength and support that carried him through.

It’s a story of vulnerability and perspective, a conversation about life, fear, and hope - and the power of facing adversity head-on.

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The Radiation Therapist

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:00:00 +0000

There are many treatment options a cancer patient may face. Some are well known, others are not. The lack of knowledge around radiation treatment can stress people out which is why in this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, we are joined by Radiation Therapist, Nat. Nat shares with us how radiation therapy can help and cure patients of their cancer, and the approaches her and her team take to educate patients and their families.

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The Gen Z Patient

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Imagine being 26 years old, feeling at your peak health and fitness levels, about to run your first marathon, and you collapse 21 kilometres into your final training run. This was reality for Rama Davies as he woke up on the side of Beach Road, surrounded by onlookers and an ambulance on the way.

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The Dietician

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 22:00:35 +0000

Being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer is life changing and takes an enormous toll on your body and mind. Ensuring the patient is set up for success post surgery requires a team of experts. One of those experts is Lisa Murnane - Senior Dietician at Alfred Health. In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, I chat to Lisa about the role a Dietician plays in patient care, specifically around those undergoing an esophagectomy.

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The Mindset

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 07:58:05 +0000

Hugh van Cuylenburg is Founder of The Resilience Project and co-host of The Imperfects Podcast.

The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs to schools, sports clubs and businesses, providing practical, evidence-based mental health strategies to build resilience and happiness.

Hugh joins me to discuss how you can look after yourself when the sun is shining, but also when trauma hits.

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The Unexpected Turn

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 07:42:20 +0000

For Briony Benjamin, life was going along pretty well.

That was until at the age of 31, when Briony was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Going through cancer treatment was life changing, so Briony wrote a book about it.

In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast I speak to Briony Benjamin, author of Life is tough but so are you.

There was so much I took out of this book, so I couldn't wait to chat to Briony and dive deeper into her experience of the aftershock of a cancer diagnosis.

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The Teacher

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 05:58:08 +0000

A child being diagnosed with cancer is a beyond devastating and disrupting time in their lives. It's not just the patient but their parents who are overwhelmed with information and meeting various staff of the hospital. Thankfully people like Suzie exist.

In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, I speak to Suzie Alev, who is a teacher in the Cancer Centre at the Monash Children's Hospital in Melbourne. I didn't know this role existed, and was so excited to chat to Suzie about the role she plays in a cancer patient's life.

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The Father

Sun, 29 May 2022 10:00:52 +0000

In 2016 I had the pleasure of working with Scott Bennett. He was my manager and quickly became a mentor and someone for me to look up to. One morning, we went into a team meeting and Scott wasn't there. We had no idea why Scott had not turned up to work and later found out he was in hospital after having had a seizure in the shower. After numerous tests, Scott was later diagnosed with brain cancer. In true Scott style, he got on and lived his life with his beautiful wife Jess and their 2 kids, Henry and Sadie. Scott wanted to tell his story so we organised to record an episode of The Aftershock Podcast together in September last year. Devastatingly, Scott's health took a turn and he passed away before we got the chance to record.

In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, we speak to Scott's wife Jess. Jess shares with us Scott's incredible story, his approach to his diagnosis and how they handled the conversation with their 2 young kids.

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The Researcher

Sat, 21 May 2022 05:43:37 +0000

After her father was killed in a civilian bomb attack when she was 12, Mastura and her family fled Afghanistan for Australia. Without speaking a word of English or being able to communicate, she began High School in a completely foreign environment.

In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, we speak to Dr Mastura Monif, Neurologist and cancer researcher. Through her grandfather, she learnt from an early age the value of education. With a driving force of growing up in a war torn environment, Mastura did everything she could to enter a career of helping people.

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The Survivorship Diary

Tue, 03 May 2022 21:01:26 +0000

Brain cancer kills more children in Australia than any other disease and more people under 40 than any other cancer. The survival rate has not improved over the last 30 years.

In this episode of The Aftershock podcast, I speak to Cassandra. Cass' life completely changed when at the early age of 38 years old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She has been through surgery, 28 months of chemotherapy and many MRi's and PET scans.

Cass' life took a turn she was not expecting, however decided to create something incredible to contribute to other patients dealing with brain cancer.

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The Neurosurgeon | Part 2

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 01:17:32 +0000

In our previous episode of The Aftershock Podcast, you heard from Ian the Neurosurgeon who recently operated on George. In this episode, we hear from the patient himself, George, on what it was like to be on the receiving end of a marathon surgery and his road to recovery.

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The Neurosurgeon | Part 1

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 01:10:00 +0000

Dr Yi Yuen (Ian) Wang is a Neurosurgeon based in Melbourne who shares with us what attracted him to neurosurgery, the connection he forms with his patients, and an incredible 2 day surgery he recently completed called an en bloc resection of C2 chordoma. This is part 1 of a 2 part series where we also speak to Ian’s patient, George.

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The Pandemic Part 1

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 06:41:00 +0000

COVID has had a profound impact on every industry across the globe since it hit late in 2019. The ripple effect is currently immeasurable. In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, we speak to Mark Shackleton, Director of Oncology at Alfred Health Melbourne. Cancer certainly hasn't stopped for COVID. Mark speaks to us about the impact it is having on hospital staff, patients and their family members. This is part 1 of our Pandemic series where we hear from a range of medical experts speaking to the COVID impact on their particular field.

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The Second Occurrence

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 09:49:43 +0000

Barry Du Bois was enjoying a morning surf when he was hit by a big wave, and heard a sharp crack in his neck. The pain that followed forced him to visit his Doctor, with scans revealing one of his vertebrae had caved in, and was eventually diagnosed with plasmacytoma myeloma. Baz shares with us how his diagnosis changed his life, and overall outlook, especially after the birth of his kids.

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The Warrior

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 04:21:43 +0000

In this episode of the Aftershock podcast, we speak to Emily. A cancer survivor 3 times over, founder of Bravery Co, new mother and quite frankly, a force to be reckoned with! Emily talks about the adversity and triumphs of being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 27 and the huge weight of fertility and lifestyle decisions that had to be made at such a young age.

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The Mother

Fri, 14 May 2021 00:43:00 +0000

In this episode of The Aftershock Podcast, we speak to the amazing Michelle Hensel, mother of Braedon. Braedon was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, just as he was starting life at university. Michelle shares what it’s like to experience cancer at such a young age, as well as in a rural community.

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The Surgeon

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 11:41:38 +0000

We're joined by Professor Wendy Brown, Director of Surgery at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. We go behind the masks and gloves, and get into Wendy's operating theatre regime, and the connection she makes with her patients.

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The Diagnosis

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:05:00 +0000

We speak to Theresa Gallucci who was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma in 2016. Theresa went from living a very healthy lifestyle full of Yoga and Pilates, to sitting across from her oncologist telling her to get her affairs in order immediately. We speak to her about what her diagnosis felt like, the importance of knowing how to take control of your circumstances, and the unknown impacts of being diagnosed with a lesser known cancer.

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Welcome

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 08:09:00 +0000

In today's episode, we speak to Adrian, our Executive Producer, who is brave enough to share his story of losing his wife Lauren, known as Lozza to some, in the prime of their lives. He remembers the tenacity and strength she carried with her, despite being diagnosed with cancer 6 times.

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