From Down Under to Down South
From Down Under to Down South is a twice-weekly reflection from an Australian making a life in the American South.
After moving from Australia to Tennessee in 2018, I began noticing the subtle cultural differences most people miss — the way politeness sounds different, the way goodbyes stretch longer, the way everyday moments quietly reveal what’s different.
Some episodes explore those contrasts directly. Others are quiet stories from the week — conversations and small moments that say something bigger.
It’s not outrage or culture wars. And it’s not a travel diary. It’s simply one Australian perspective on life between two countries.
If you’ve ever lived overseas, loved two places at once, or found yourself caught between familiar and foreign — you’ll feel at home here.
New episodes are released twice weekly as part of the broader From Down Under to Down South series across podcast and YouTube.
From Down Under to Down South
Australian Food Taste Test: 15 Must-Try Eats
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Australian food often surprises people — not because it’s extreme, but because it carries memories and rituals that don’t always translate.
In this episode, I revisit fifteen classic Australian foods and reflect on what makes them so enduring, from pantry staples to childhood party favourites and weekend traditions.
On the list:
• Vegemite and how it’s actually meant to be eaten
• Fairy Bread and the nostalgia attached to it
• The Chiko Roll and its particular place in takeaway history
• The Tim Tam Slam ritual
• The Bunnings sausage sizzle
• The Aussie burger (yes, with beetroot)
• Spiders, chicken salt, lamingtons, Milo, and more
Living in the United States has made me more aware of how much food is tied to identity. Some of these flavours are practical, some are sentimental, and some only make sense if you grew up with them.
It’s not about shock value.
It’s about understanding how everyday foods become cultural touchstones.
If you’ve ever tasted something that instantly took you home, you’ll recognise the feeling.
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Thanks for watching.
Hoo roo maties.
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