This week on The XYZ Experiment, we sit down with Dr Scarlett Howard (Head of the Integrative Cognition, Ecology and Bio-inspiration Research Group at the School of Biological Sciences) to explore the surprising intelligence of tiny insect brains.

Her current work focuses on bees and whether they can understand mathematical concepts like odd and even numbers - spoiler alert, they can!

How do miniature brains solve such complex problems? What might this reveal about animal cognition, climate change, and even our own understanding of intelligence?

Join us for this absolutely fascinating conversation that will change the way you see the next bee buzzing past.

Hosted by Darsh & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly

This week, Luke (our resident Gen Z) is grappling with the harsh reality that his beloved 7year old iP{ad has hit its expiry date. No longer able to support the latest apps, it's sparked a bigger question: is it fair - or even ethical - that technology becomes obsolete so quickly?

From nostalgia for the vices we once loved to the environmental and financial cost of constant upgrades, we unpack what it means to live in a world where tech has a shelf life.

Hosted by Darsh, Luke & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly

Perfume is no longer just a luxury, it's a booming multibillion dollar industry, growing at record speeds.

In this episode, we explore the world of fragrance from a generational lens. We talk about perfumes and colognes we grew up with, the scents that defined our youth, and how a simple spray can transport us back in time.

Do we still wear perfume today? Why do some of us feel unfinished without a final spritz before we leave the house, while others have abandoned it entirely. We explore what scent means to identity, confidence and memory and whether the industry's explosive growth reflects a deeper human need for connection, nostalgia and self-expression.

Hosted by Darsh, Luke & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly

In this episode of The XYZ Experiment, we sit down with Professor Greg Bamber from Monash University's Faculty of Business and Economics, to unpack the forces transforming our workplace.

From the different ways generations approach work (or if this Gen ideology is actually relevant), to the evolving role of unions, Professor Bamber offers insights grounded in decades of research and global experience.

We explore lessons from his books - Up in the Air: How Airlines Can Improve Performance by Engaging Their Employees and International and Comparative Employments Relations: Global Crises & Institutional Responses - and discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping jobs, industries, and the skills we'll need to thrive.

A conversation rich with stories, research, and forward looking ideas about how to navigate a rapidly changing world of work.

Hosted by Darsh & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly

In this episode of The XYZ Experiment, Darsh, Fiona & Luke, dive into the unsettling experience of learning the hidden truths behind beloved things—and how that knowledge can forever change your relationship with them. From the surprising origins of Monopoly as an anti-capitalist protest to the disillusionment of overanalysing sports and the heartbreak of discovering dark truths about admired artists, this conversation explores the tension between nostalgia, ethics, and awareness.

What happens when you find out that the game you loved as a child was originally designed to critique the very system it now glorifies? Or when the stats behind your favorite sport reveal a chaotic reality that undermines its strategic beauty? And how do you reconcile the brilliance of a creator with the darkness of their personal actions?

Hosted by Darsh, Luke & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly

In this episode our guest Amelia and co-host Luke, dive into the Gen Z approach to travel and it's not about snapping selfies at landmarks (sorry Millennials!).

For Gen Z it is all about the experience. Whether it's slow travel, solo travel, or chasing the vibe in lesser known places, this generation is redefining what it means to explore the world.

Tune in to hear how they choose where to go, what they value most, and why 'authenticity' matters more than luxury.

Hosted by Darsh, Luke & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly

In this episode, we hit the road and compare what it was like learning to drive, then versus now.

Our Gen X Fiona takes us back to the Wild West days of minimal supervision, dodgy cars and maximum freedom.

Meanwhile, our Gen Y Darsh shares what it's like navigating modern driving; think apps, anxious parents, log books and ages on learner's permits.

From manual gearboxes to automatic everything, we explore how getting your drivers licence has changed - and what driving means across the generations.

Hosted by Darsh & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly

Why are we all so obsessed with true crime? In this episode Darch and Fiona dive into their love - or unease- with true crime podcasts and TV series.

From "Serial" to "Making a Murderer, we unpack what it is about crime stories that keep us up at night (and somehow help us fall asleep).

Do different generations consume true crime differently? Is it empowering, numbing, or just addictive content?

Tune in for a generational unpacking of fear, fascination, and a whole lot of forensic files.

Hosted by Darsh & Fiona

Produced by Fiona Kelly & Darsh Ayton

Show runner Darsh Ayton

Original music created and performed by Luke Champion

Social media content created by Darsh Ayton & Fiona Kelly