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
Crazy Baby Names Banned in Australia
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Australia has rules about what you can and can’t name a child.
Living overseas, I’m often reminded how differently countries handle things that seem deeply personal — and baby names are one of them.
In this episode, I look at some of the names Australian authorities have refused to register — from official titles like “Princess” or “Admiral,” to more unusual attempts that raised eyebrows for other reasons.
We’ll explore:
• Why certain names are restricted
• What the guidelines are designed to protect
• How Australia’s approach compares with other countries
• And what these cases say about culture, identity, and boundaries
It’s not just a list of strange names.
It’s a look at how societies balance individual expression with shared standards.
Some of the examples are surprising.
Some are understandable.
All of them tell a story.
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Thanks for listening.
Hoo roo maties.
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