Series 22

1. Are We Killing Our Koalas?

February 16, 2021 · 56m

The koala is a national icon on the path to extinction. Professor Tim Flannery investigates the story behind the headlines, meeting researchers working to understand the threats koalas face, and how we can avoid them.

2. Mars: Our Second Home?

February 23, 2021 · 59m

In the first of a two-part special, astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis and astronomer Greg Quicke meet the Australian scientists on a mission to solve the many challenges of putting people on the red planet.

3. Mars: The Hunt For Life

March 2, 2021 · 58m

In this second episode of Catalyst's Mars special, astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis and beloved astronomer Greg Quicke explore a question we've longed to answer - is there life on Mars?

4. Kill or Cure: The Story of Venom

March 9, 2021 · 56m

Australia is home to 66 venomous species - some are so lethal they can kill a human in thirty minutes. But within the deadly cocktail of their venom, lies a potential pharmacy of drugs that could save your life.

5. Cancer: A Story of Hope

July 20, 2021 · 1h 2m

It's a diagnosis we all dread but with advances in technology and medicine, more people are living better and longer with cancer. We follow patients experiencing this new kind of care - their stories are filled with hope.

6. The Truth About Fasting

July 27, 2021 · 58m

Intermittent fasting is growing in popularity, and aside from weight loss, there are claims it can improve our health. Dietician Dr Joanna McMillan tracks 5 people fasting to understand the benefits and impacts on our bodies.

7. The Wildlife Revolution

August 3, 2021 · 1h 1m

Australia is home to over a million species of plants and animals, but we're losing them at an alarming rate. In this race against time, Dr Ann Jones explores how technology can help protect our wildlife in bold new ways.

8. The Grid: Powering the Future

August 10, 2021 · 1h

Dr Niraj Lal meets the Australians leading the biggest change to the electricity grid in a century: the rise of renewable energy. Along the way he explores new technologies keeping the power on now and in the future.

9. Doctor at the Door: The McClellands

August 17, 2021 · 59m

How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived? In a Catalyst special, Dr Preeya Alexander prescribes lifestyle interventions for a couple headed towards Type 2 Diabetes, and their fussy eating son.

10. Doctor at the Door: The Kulkarnis

August 24, 2021 · 56m

How much could a doctor change your life if they saw how you lived? In this two-part series GP Dr Preeya Alexander leaves her surgery and meets two families in their homes. Over 8 weeks she reshapes their lives - not with medication but with lifestyle medicine, tackling chronic pain and anxiety.

11. Magic and the Brain: The Science of Illusion

August 31, 2021 · 56m

Lily Serna explores the strange world of sensory perception, using magic and illusions to reveal the difference between how we perceive the world - and reality.