Even More Than This

Being an adolescent today can feel like a never-ending race, filled with countless hurdles and obstacles ready to bring you down at any moment. But with time you become stronger, more resilient and you gain a deeper sense of what you’re capable of. Even More Than This is a podcast that explores the - at times - treacherous journey of teenagehood and aims to shed light on the ways in which we can face and overcome the hurdles along the way. Based on the television series More Than This (now available on Paramount Plus), this podcast explores the journey of peer pressures, sexuality, friendships, mental health, relationships, consent, and so much more through the complicated characters and storylines in the show. Being an adolescent can be tough, but the journey shouldn’t be faced alone; let our conversations help you to cruise through the rough seas of growing up. This podcast is created by the ACTF in collaboration with Queer Town. Hosted and written by Anika and Kien-Ling. Produced and edited by Bridget Hanna, ACTF and Archie Beetle, Queer Town. Mixed by Phil Threlfall, The Base. Recorded at State Library Victoria Studio 4.

All Episodes

Even More Than This

Even More Than This Ep. 0 / Trailer

November 03, 2022 • Season 1 • Episode 0

Enjoyed the series More Than This? Then get the inside scoop, and indulge in the podcast series, Even More Than This!

Get to know your hosts, Kien-Ling and Anika who debrief on the show, with attempts of piecing together the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful what it means to be an adolescent today!

In preparation for the Even More Than This podcast, you can watch More Than This on Paramount + or download the show from the ACTF Shop.

This podcast is created by the ACTF in collaboration with Queer Town. Hosted and written by Anika and Kien-Ling. Produced and edited by Bridget Hanna, ACTF and Archie Beetle, Queer Town. Mixed by Phil Threlfall, The Base. You can watch More Than This on Paramount +. Keep up to date with Even More Than This via the ACTF Instagram.

0:00 ANIKA We acknowledge the custodians of place, the traditional owners of our lands, waters and skies, wherever you are in this moment.

We created this podcast here on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation and pay our respects to the Elders and Culture Leaders past, present, and future.

0:22 [Theme Music]

0:42 ANIKA Hey, and welcome to our podcast titled Even More Than This.

It’s been created by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, otherwise known as the ACTF in collaboration with Queer Town and I am one of two of your hosts Anika and I’m also joined by Ling.

0:57 LING Hey everyone I’m Ling and I’m really happy to be joining you today. This podcast is based off the show More Than This, which I absolutely love, just because you know how much I could relate to it as a teen and I think the representation as a teen is really great as well.

So, just a little bit about the show before we dive right in, More Than This was written and created by Olivia Deeble when she was just 17 years old, who also stars in the show as the main character Charlotte. And I’d really recommend watching the show before you listen to this because there is going to be some spoilers, and if you are trying to find the show it is now available to download in the ACTF online shop and on Paramount Plus.

1:35 ANIKA And the show basically provides audience members with a slice of life, and teen drama, that explores the overwhelming messy, difficult and beautiful issues surrounding teenagers lives as characters explore relationships, sexuality, grades, online social lives, family pressures and taking risks which I’m sure as Ling said we can all relate to.

1:54 LING Yeah, and so this podcast will explore the topics and themes mentioned within the show in a much deeper context. And we aim to promote inclusivity and we hope that you learn more about yourself through our discussions and I think we’re gonna be learning a lot about ourselves as well.

2:08 ANIKA I definitely agree and we’re going to be jumping into some pretty heavy topics, so we will be stating some trigger warnings at the beginning of every episode, but just keep an ear out for any listeners who might find that a bit sensitive.

2:20 LING Yeah, so a little bit more about ourselves. So hi everyone, my name is Ling, my pronouns are She/They and I’m from Penang, Malaysia.

I’m currently a first year studying media and communications at Uni Melb, and I really hope to go into journalism. I love writing, reading, analysing films and anything creative. And my favourite artists are Lana Del Rey and Nirvana.

And I’m so so excited to be on this podcast with Anika, Queer Town and the ACTF.

2:46 ANIKA Yes, Hi, I’m Anika pronounced like Sneaker, and my pronouns She/ Her and I’m all about wholesome vibes, top notch music and just creating lasting memories with wonderful humans.

I’m a big big radio lover and creator and I’m in my second year of studying media communications, similar to Ling, at RMIT. And I’m so super pumped to collab on the project with ACTF, Queer Town, Ling and of course you.

3:10 LING Yeah, and so we would like to ask you before we start, what does it mean to be an adolescent today? So just really have a think about that, ’cause we’re gonna be going really deeply into that in this podcast.

3:20 ANIKA Yeah, totally. And like the intention of our podcast is to uncover what that question means to you personally. And if you don’t know well, you’re in the right place.

3:29 LING We hope that you have an idea of an answer after listening to all the episodes and we really hope you enjoy.

3:34 ANIKA So now, time for the first episode

[drum roll on table]

3:38 ANIKA

LING Roll Call!

3:40 [Theme Music]

4:14 End