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Are video games bad for us, or could they actually help our mental health?

In this episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked, host Lucy Lin sits down with Dr Michelle Chen, game developer, researcher, and founder of Mental Jam, to explore how video games can become powerful tools for emotional expression, empathy, and self‑care.

Michelle shares how her lived experiences of depression and anxiety inspired her to co‑create games with young people that turn real emotions into playable stories. She explains how her mental health-focused design, rejects addictive “pay‑to‑win” game systems, in favour of compassion‑driven mechanics like spoon limits and cozy characters, including a bubble‑tea‑loving wombat baristas 🧋🐾.

Whether you’re a gamer, a mental‑health advocate, or simply curious about the future of tech for good, this conversation will change the way you see your controller, your phone, and your own mental wellbeing.

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*Chapters*

00:00 Meet Dr. Michelle Chen & a Filipino Fun Fact

03:42 A Third-Culture Journey: Philippines, Taiwan, UK, Australia

07:11 A PhD in Gaming + Mental Health: Surviving Through COVID

15:22 Why Asians Don’t Talk About Mental Health (and How Gaming Open Doors)

21:47 Commercial vs Empathy-Driven Game Design (Avoiding Addictive Tricks)

24:35 Ethical Monetisation + Fixing Harmful Portrayals in Gaming

27:51 Women in Games: Representation, ‘Jiggle Physics,’ and More Female Devs

36:06 Designing Feelings: Embodied Sound vs Metaphor vs Narrative Games

39:14 Not All Games Are the Same: Violence, Cozy Play, and the PTSD Example

41:47 Consent, Safety & Ownership in Mental Health Co‑Creation

43:55 Culture & Language Barriers: Making Games for Diverse/Asian Families

51:57 CSIRO ON Program Pivot: 200+ Interviews and Focusing on Access & Early Intervention

54:56 Quickfire Skills for Game Dev & Founders: Creativity, Resilience, Communication

57:22 AI & Ethics in Mental Health + Game Studios: Chatbots, Copyright, and Human Art

01:02:54 Games as a Complement to Therapy: The ‘In‑Between’ Support Role

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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Redundancy. Reinvention. Risk‑taking.

In this special episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked, I (host Lucy Lin) flip the microphone and share my own leadership odyssey - from six‑year‑old migrant arriving in Australia from Taiwan, to teaching in Japan, global professional in London and Canada, and now innovation leader, founder and STEM podcast host.

You’ll hear the honest story behind the LinkedIn headlines: navigating culture shock and language barriers, building a global career across technology, law and financial services, facing a career‑shaking redundancy, and turning it into a values‑led portfolio career in consulting, ecosystem building and emerging tech communications.

We dive into nonlinear career paths, the mindset shift from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What matters to me?”, and why I believe communication is the foundation of modern leadership and a true power skill.

If you’re a founder, emerging leader, woman in STEM, global citizen or someone sitting at a career crossroads, this episode will give you practical inspiration to follow your curiosity, back your adaptability and design work that aligns with your values.

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For more information, visit our website: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

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Support the Podcast

💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007

☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lucy Lin's Journey

01:41 Early Life and Migration to Australia

04:19 Settling in Australia and Cultural Adaptation

10:57 Educational Pursuits and Career Beginnings

16:02 Teaching in Japan: A Formative Experience

20:56 Professional Growth in the UK

27:57 Innovation and Corporate Roles in Australia and Canada

36:27 Facing Redundancy and Embracing Entrepreneurship

39:18 Starting the Entrepreneurial Journey

40:30 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

41:49 Naming the Business: Forestlyn

44:37 Challenges and Realities of Entrepreneurship

47:20 Teaching Entrepreneurship Skills to Diverse Founders

55:59 Launching a Podcast: Emerging Tech Unpacked

01:08:40 Reflections on a Portfolio Career

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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When you think about the future of work, are you energised, or quietly terrified? In an era where AI is evolving faster than job titles, the real advantage isn’t predicting what’s next, it’s learning how to adapt, reinvent and stay human in the middle of it all.

In this special live episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked from the SXSW Sydney podcast stage, host Lucy Lin sits down with leaders from LinkedIn, Google Cloud and Microsoft to unpack the mindsets, skills and strategies you actually need to thrive in an age of uncertainty. From empathy, storytelling and human connection to AI fluency and lifelong learning, this conversation goes beyond the buzzwords and into practical, real-world advice.

Tune in for a dynamic, insight-packed discussion filled with key takeaways you can apply immediately to future‑proof your career and navigate the evolving tech landscape with confidence.

For more information, visit: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

Follow us on our social media channels to get the latest news:

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🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergingtechunpacked/

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🔔 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergingtechunpacked

Support the Podcast

💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007

☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

Chapters

00:00 Emerging Tech Unpacked Live from SXSW Sydney

01:51 Meet the Panellists

04:26 Audrey's Career Journey

06:29 Natalie's Career Journey

09:28 Tim's Career Journey

13:43 Future Skills and Workforce Trends

17:19 Impact of AI on Jobs

21:18 Emerging Technologies and Skills

26:02 Essential Skills for the Future

30:40 Leadership Skills For Fast Moving Times

37:02 Strategies for Staying Updated

39:04 Diving into New Learning Methods

44:35 Gender Differences in AI Upskilling

49:37 The Role of Small Businesses in AI Adoption

51:51 Future Skills and Systems Change

56:58 The Art of Prompting and Critical Thinking

01:00:04 The Power of Storytelling and Personal Branding

01:02:13 Superpowers and Fun Facts

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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Curious how artificial intelligence and wearable tech are making hearing effortless?

Join Emerging Tech Unpacked host Lucy Lin and guest Nicky Chong-White, Principal Engineer at the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), as they dive into the latest hearing innovations, AI hearing aids, live captioning apps, and game-changing wearable technologies for hearing health.

Discover how advancements in artificial intelligence, real-time audio processing, and augmented reality are revolutionising hearing aids and communication for people living with hearing loss. Nicky shares her personal engineering journey, how NAL leads the world in hearing research, and how user-centred design thinking creates practical solutions that empower millions globally to hear better.

Whether you’re curious about cutting-edge audiology, keen for inspiration in STEM, or want to hear better in noisy places, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and expert advice. Don’t miss it: tune in, subscribe, and start hearing the possibilities!

Thank you to the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) for sponsoring this episode!

For more information, visit: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

Follow us on our social media channels to get the latest news:

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Support the Podcast

🤝 Join our community, please consider a small monthly donation on Patreon. Supporters will gain access to exclusive posts, news, announcements and our community chat. You will also have a direct influence on the podcast by voting on future episode topics, submitting questions for guests and suggesting speakers: www.patreon.com/EmergingTechUnpacked

💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007

☕ Or

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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Think yeast is just for bread and beer? Think again!

Discover how this tiny microorganism is driving the future of biofuels, cleaning up oil spills, transforming sustainable food, and creating eco-friendly materials. On Emerging Tech Unpacked, host Lucy Lin dives deep into the incredible world of “yeast hacking” with trailblazing microbiologist and biotech entrepreneur, Claudia Bruinsma.

Explore how wild and engineered yeast are revolutionising climate solutions, boosting food sustainability, and even producing natural flavours, scents, and renewable packaging. Uncover the secrets of yeast fermentation, the crucial role of citizen science in new discoveries, and the behind-the-scenes challenges of working with engineered microbes, including regulations, safety, and ethics in synthetic biology.

From rural farming roots to biotech breakthroughs, this podcast episode reveals how curiosity and adaptability fuel innovation. Perfect for anyone passionate about science, sustainability, brewing, food innovation, or launching a career in emerging tech. Tune in and get inspired by nature’s ultimate powerhouse!

Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked?sub_confirmation=1

For more information, visit: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

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🔔 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Emerging-Tech-Unpacked/100090565331236/
🔔 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergingtechunpacked

**Support the Podcast:**

🤝 Join our community, please consider a small monthly donation on Patreon. Supporters will gain access to exclusive posts, news, announcements and our community chat. You will also have a direct influence on the podcast by voting on future episode topics, submitting questions for guests and suggesting speakers: www.patreon.com/EmergingTechUnpacked

💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007

☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

**Chapters**

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Yeast
02:29 From Farm to Lab: Claudia's Journey
07:28 The Wonders of Microscopy
11:51 Hacking Yeast: Innovations and Applications
17:00 Citizen Science and Environmental Impact
28:11 Challenges and Future of Yeast Research
31:50 Ensuring Safety in Biotechnology
33:26 Regulatory Challenges in Australia
36:27 Understanding Biohacking and GMOs
40:28 The Journey of a Scientist and Entrepreneur
43:36 CSIRO ON Innovation Program & Communicating Science
53:00 The Future of Synthetic Biology
54:42 Fun Facts About Yeast

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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What if the medicines you rely on suddenly stopped working?

In this episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked, host Lucy Lin is joined by Dr Christine Carson, founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Cytophenix, a trailblazer in tackling the urgent crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Discover how AMR threatens everything from routine surgeries to cancer care and why the World Health Organisation calls it one of the biggest global health challenges of our time.

Christine shares her inspiring journey from scientist to entrepreneur, exploring how AI-powered diagnostics and rapid testing are revolutionising the fight against drug-resistant infections. Learn the difference between antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance, why responsible use of antibiotics matters, and how government funding and innovative business models could inject more money into essential health research and drug development.

If you’re interested in the future of healthcare, passionate about innovation, or curious about how science and entrepreneurship are coming together to combat superbugs, this episode has vital insights you won’t want to miss. Watch now to see how we're protecting the future of medicine and tackling superbugs with science, AI and startups.

Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked?sub_confirmation=1

For more information, visit: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

Follow us on our social media channels to get the latest news:

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🔔 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Emerging-Tech-Unpacked/100090565331236/
🔔 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergingtechunpacked

**Support the Podcast:**

🤝 Join our community, please consider a small monthly donation on Patreon. Supporters will gain access to exclusive posts, news, announcements and our community chat. You will also have a direct influence on the podcast by voting on future episode topics, submitting questions for guests and suggesting speakers: [www.patreon.com/EmergingTechUnpacked](http://www.patreon.com/EmergingTechUnpacked)

💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007

☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

**Chapters**

00:00 The Looming Threat of a Global Health Crisis
00:58 Meet Dr. Christine Carson: From Researcher to Founder
02:41 Christine's Journey into Science and Microbiology
08:58 Antimicrobial Resistance Explained
13:02 The Global Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance
22:09 The Role of Antibiotics and the Rise of Superbugs
39:07 Antibiotic Use in Agriculture and Its Implications
42:52 From Academic Research to Entrepreneurship
44:55 Innovative Solution: Faster and More Accurate Testing
46:38 The Role of AI in Revolutionising Diagnostics
49:18 The Journey from Academic Research to Commercialisation
51:05 The CSIRO ON Innovation Program and Its Impact
55:08 Challenges in Funding and Drug Development
01:04:15 The Importance of Networking and Leadership
01:10:32 Future of Antimicrobial Resistance and Emerging Technologies
01:20:18 How We Can All Slow Antimicrobial Resistance

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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How can maggots and robots solve the global food waste crisis?

Join host Lucy Lin on Emerging Tech Unpacked as she sits down with Olympia Yarger, Founder and CEO of GOTERRA, the “Maggot Lady” herself, for an eye-opening conversation about insect farming, robotics, and the future of sustainable food waste solutions.

Discover how millions of maggots inside automated shipping containers are transforming food scraps from cities and businesses into valuable protein and fertiliser, closing the loop on waste and creating new opportunities for agriculture. We’ll unpack the deep tech behind these robotic insect farms, the urgent need for circular economy solutions, and the surprising challenges of disrupting a 500-year-old industry.

Learn about the trillion-dollar global food security challenge, the realities of building deep tech as a female founder, and why being outspoken can be a superpower in innovation. Whether you’re passionate about sustainability, curious about the future of food, or just love a story about unconventional problem-solving, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.

Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked?sub_confirmation=1

For more information, visit: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

Follow us on our social media channels to get the latest news:

🔔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emergingtechunpacked

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🔔 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergingtechunpacked

🔔 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Emerging-Tech-Unpacked/100090565331236/

Support the Podcast:

🤝 Join our community, please consider a small monthly donation on Patreon. Supporters will gain access to exclusive posts, news, announcements and our community chat: www.patreon.com/EmergingTechUnpacked

💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007

☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Global Food Crisis

01:08 Meet the Maggot Lady: Olympia Yarger

02:28 From Farming to Tech: Olympia's Journey

03:44 The Importance of Sustainability in Agriculture

07:38 Circular Economy Explained

11:54 The Role of Insects in Waste Management

15:53 Challenges and Innovations in Waste Management

29:46 Deep Tech and Fundraising Challenges

39:42 Cultural Bias Against Insects

40:21 Learning Without a Tech Background

42:50 Food Shortage Crisis by 2050

49:42 Challenges of Being a Female Founder

54:38 Being Outspoken Women

01:02:23 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

01:10:08 Sustainability Tips & Advice

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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How does Australia, a nation of just 26 million, consistently dominate Olympic swimming?

In this episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked, host Lucy Lin sits down with Jess Corones, General Manager of Performance Support and Olympic Campaign at Swimming Australia, to reveal the tech and teamwork powering Australia’s swimming success.

Discover the latest innovations - from AI-driven computer vision and wearables in training, to real-time race analysis and cloud-powered decision-making on competition day. Jess shares exclusive insights on how technology is shaping elite athlete preparation, the culture of high performance, and what really happens behind the scenes at the Olympics (including life in the Olympic Village and those famous cardboard beds!).

Whether you’re a sports fan, tech enthusiast, or just love the Olympics, you’ll learn how leadership, culture, and cutting-edge tech combine to keep Australia at the top of the podium.

Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked?sub_confirmation=1

For more information, visit: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

Follow us on our social media channels to get the latest news:

🔔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emergingtechunpacked 🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergingtechunpacked/ 🔔 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Emerging-Tech-Unpacked/100090565331236/ 🔔 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergingtechunpacked

Support the Podcast:

☕ If you find this podcast valuable, consider supporting it: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007

☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Swimming Tech Innovations

01:00 Meet Jess Corones: From Sports Science to Olympic Leadership

03:00 Behind the Scenes of Olympic Preparation

06:13 Managing Pressure: Mindset and Mental Preparation

08:43 Individualised Training Approaches

11:21 The Role of Technology in Competitive Swimming

15:01 Training Innovations: Computer Vision, Wearables & Data

19:39 What is Computer Vision? AI and Machine Learning in the Pool

24:34 Race Day Technology and Data Analysis

30:00 The Importance of Reflection and Adaptation

32:54 Standout Olympic Moments

36:01 Life in the Olympic Village

39:12 Australia's Dominance in Swimming

43:39 The Role of Technology in Sports

50:58 Leadership, Culture, and Building High-Performance Sport Teams

56:04 Pathways for Women and Diversity in Sports Leadership

59:20 The Future of Technology in Sports

Host Bio:

Lucy Lin is a global marketing and education strategist. She hosts the Emerging Tech Unpacked podcast that demystifies new and emerging technologies and features the career stories of incredible women in STEM leadership. It aims to inform, engage and inspire audiences to learn more about the latest technologies and hear inspiring st

Support the show

🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG