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 vs American Elections: The Surprising Differences
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Voting feels very different depending on which country you’re standing in.
Having lived — and voted — in both Australia and the United States, I’ve come to appreciate how differently the two systems are structured, and how those structures shape political culture.
In this episode, I take a clear look at the contrasts, including:
• Compulsory voting in Australia and voluntary voting in the US
• Preferential voting compared with first-past-the-post
• The role of the Electoral College
• Why Australians vote on Saturdays and Americans on Tuesdays
• How each system influences participation and outcomes
This isn’t a partisan argument.
It’s a comparative look at how two democracies approach the same task in very different ways — and what those differences reveal about national priorities and history.
When you step outside your own system, certain assumptions start to stand out.
And that’s often where the most interesting conversations begin.
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Thanks for watching.
Hoo roo maties.
Check out additional content on our YouTube page!
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