Emerging Tech Unpacked with Lucy Lin

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Quantum isn’t just mind‑bending physics - it is creating new industries, reshaping cybersecurity and demanding a whole ecosystem of skills, investment and policy to bring it to life.

In Part 2 of this special quantum series, Australia’s former Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley joins host Lucy Lin to explore how we move quantum from the lab to the real world, and what it means for careers, national security and Australia’s tech future.

In this conversation, we unpack:

⚛️ The hard realities of taking quantum technologies from research labs into fabs, foundries and investible startups, and why Australia needs a coordinated ecosystem, not just brilliant science.

⚛️ How governments, states and industry are quietly building quantum infrastructure, from fabrication and packaging facilities to deep‑tech precincts.

⚛️ Why quantum is already here in sensing and encryption, how “harvest now, decrypt later” works, and what being truly “quantum ready” means for banks, infrastructure and cybersecurity teams.

⚛️ The new jobs emerging across quantum hardware, software, cryogenics, materials, policy, communications and storytelling, and the skills that will be in highest demand.

⚛️ How diversity, feedback and resilience have shaped Cathy’s four‑decade career, and her advice on turning setbacks into fuel for growth and leadership.

If you’ve ever wondered whether quantum will actually deliver on the hype, what Q‑Day really is, or how your own skills might fit into this new wave of deep tech, this episode will give you a clear, grounded roadmap.

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 *Chapters*

00:00 Meet Dr Cathy Foley, Australia’s Former Chief Scientist
03:00 The Funding and Commercialisation Gap
04:40 Building Industry Support Programs
09:41 Quantum's Promise Timeline
12:00 Why Australia Backs Quantum
13:56 Encryption Risks and Readiness
18:11 Jobs and Key Skills
24:59 Why Quantum Needs To Be Cold
26:48 Women in STEM Progress
29:28 Fixing Early Career Pathways
31:08 Long Game Mindset
35:39 Career Feedback and Resilience
40:29 No Overnight Success
42:26 Quantum's Decade Vision
46:42 A Quantum Fun Fact 

 
 
Support the show
🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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Have you ever wondered what a Chief Scientist actually does, or how quantum physics could change your everyday life?

In this episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked, host Lucy Lin sits down with Dr Cathy Foley, physicist, board member at CSIRO, and Australia’s former Chief Scientist, to unpack how “science for humanity” drives everything from national policy to quantum innovation.

Cathy shares how she went from a curious kid who loved science to becoming Australia’s Chief Scientist, what really happens behind the scenes in that role, and why Australia is now a front‑runner in the global quantum race.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a science fan, or just quantum‑curious, this conversation will change how you see physics, policy, and Australia’s role in the future of technology.

*Chapters*

00:00 Meet Dr Cathy Foley
04:32 CSIRO Career Highlights
06:13 Superconductors Explained
10:33 Global Research Collaboration
13:21 Why CSIRO Matters
17:15 Becoming Australia’s Chief Scientist
20:14 Chief Scientist Responsibilities
23:16 Quantum Basics
25:44 Quantum Leap Explained
27:33 Superposition And Entanglement Explained
30:44 Explain It Like A Five Year Old
31:54 Schrödinger’s Cat Explained
35:10 Quantum In Everyday Tech
37:38 Quantum Computing 
42:46 Australia & the Global Quantum Race
45:12 Building The National Quantum Strategy
 
 
Support the show
🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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Are video games bad for us, or could they actually help our mental health? 

In this episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked, host Lucy Lin sits down with Dr Michelle Chen, game developer, researcher, and founder of Mental Jam, to explore how video games can become powerful tools for emotional expression, empathy, and self‑care.

Michelle shares how her lived experiences of depression and anxiety inspired her to co‑create games with young people that turn real emotions into playable stories. She explains how her mental health-focused design, rejects addictive “pay‑to‑win” game systems, in favour of compassion‑driven mechanics like spoon limits and cozy characters, including a bubble‑tea‑loving wombat baristas 🧋🐾.

Whether you’re a gamer, a mental‑health advocate, or simply curious about the future of tech for good, this conversation will change the way you see your controller, your phone, and your own mental wellbeing.

*Subscribe to our YouTube channel:*

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For more information, visit our website: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

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*Chapters*

00:00 Meet Dr. Michelle Chen & a Filipino Fun Fact 
03:42 A Third-Culture Journey: Philippines, Taiwan, UK, Australia 
07:11 A PhD in Gaming + Mental Health: Surviving Through COVID 
15:22 Why Asians Don’t Talk About Mental Health (and How Gaming Open Doors) 
21:47 Commercial vs Empathy-Driven Game Design (Avoiding Addictive Tricks) 
24:35 Ethical Monetisation + Fixing Harmful Portrayals in Gaming 
27:51 Women in Games: Representation, ‘Jiggle Physics,’ and More Female Devs 
36:06 Designing Feelings: Embodied Sound vs Metaphor vs Narrative Games 
39:14 Not All Games Are the Same: Violence, Cozy Play, and the PTSD Example 
41:47 Consent, Safety & Ownership in Mental Health Co‑Creation 
43:55 Culture & Language Barriers: Making Games for Diverse/Asian Families 
51:57 CSIRO ON Program Pivot: 200+ Interviews and Focusing on Access & Early Intervention 
54:56 Quickfire Skills for Game Dev & Founders: Creativity, Resilience, Communication 
57:22 AI & Ethics in Mental Health + Game Studios: Chatbots, Copyright, and Human Art 
01:02:54 Games as a Complement to Therapy: The ‘In‑Between’ Support Role
 
 
Support the show
🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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Redundancy. Reinvention. Risk‑taking.
In this special episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked, I (host Lucy Lin) flip the microphone and share my own leadership odyssey - from six‑year‑old migrant arriving in Australia from Taiwan, to teaching in Japan, global professional in London and Canada, and now innovation leader, founder and STEM podcast host.
You’ll hear the honest story behind the LinkedIn headlines: navigating culture shock and language barriers, building a global career across technology, law and financial services, facing a career‑shaking redundancy, and turning it into a values‑led portfolio career in consulting, ecosystem building and emerging tech communications.
We dive into nonlinear career paths, the mindset shift from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What matters to me?”, and why I believe communication is the foundation of modern leadership and a true power skill.
If you’re a founder, emerging leader, woman in STEM, global citizen or someone sitting at a career crossroads, this episode will give you practical inspiration to follow your curiosity, back your adaptability and design work that aligns with your values.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: 
http://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked?sub_confirmation=1

For more information, visit our website: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

Follow us on our social media channels to get the latest news:
🔔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emergingtechunpacked 
🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergingtechunpacked/ 
🔔 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Emerging-Tech-Unpacked/100090565331236/ 
🔔 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergingtechunpacked

Support the Podcast
💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007
☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Lucy Lin's Journey 
01:41 Early Life and Migration to Australia 
04:19 Settling in Australia and Cultural Adaptation 
10:57 Educational Pursuits and Career Beginnings 
16:02 Teaching in Japan: A Formative Experience 
20:56 Professional Growth in the UK 
27:57 Innovation and Corporate Roles in Australia and Canada 
36:27 Facing Redundancy and Embracing Entrepreneurship 
39:18 Starting the Entrepreneurial Journey 
40:30 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 
41:49 Naming the Business: Forestlyn 
44:37 Challenges and Realities of Entrepreneurship 
47:20 Teaching Entrepreneurship Skills to Diverse Founders 
55:59 Launching a Podcast: Emerging Tech Unpacked 
01:08:40 Reflections on a Portfolio Career
 
 
Support the show
🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG

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When you think about the future of work, are you energised, or quietly terrified? In an era where AI is evolving faster than job titles, the real advantage isn’t predicting what’s next, it’s learning how to adapt, reinvent and stay human in the middle of it all.
In this special live episode of Emerging Tech Unpacked from the SXSW Sydney podcast stage, host Lucy Lin sits down with leaders from LinkedIn, Google Cloud and Microsoft to unpack the mindsets, skills and strategies you actually need to thrive in an age of uncertainty. From empathy, storytelling and human connection to AI fluency and lifelong learning, this conversation goes beyond the buzzwords and into practical, real-world advice.
Tune in for a dynamic, insight-packed discussion filled with key takeaways you can apply immediately to future‑proof your career and navigate the evolving tech landscape with confidence.
For more information, visit: https://www.emergingtechunpacked.com/

Follow us on our social media channels to get the latest news:
🔔 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emergingtechunpacked 
🔔 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergingtechunpacked/ 
🔔 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Emerging-Tech-Unpacked/100090565331236/ 
🔔 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emergingtechunpacked

Support the Podcast
💙 If you find this podcast valuable, consider keeping the podcast lights on and helping us cover some of our video and audio editing and operational costs: https://www.paypal.me/lucylin007007
☕ Or buy me a coffee (or three! :-): https://buymeacoffee.com/lucylin

Chapters
00:00 Emerging Tech Unpacked Live from SXSW Sydney 
01:51 Meet the Panellists 
04:26 Audrey's Career Journey 
06:29 Natalie's Career Journey 
09:28 Tim's Career Journey 
13:43 Future Skills and Workforce Trends 
17:19 Impact of AI on Jobs 
21:18 Emerging Technologies and Skills 
26:02 Essential Skills for the Future
30:40 Leadership Skills For Fast Moving Times 
37:02 Strategies for Staying Updated 
39:04 Diving into New Learning Methods 
44:35 Gender Differences in AI Upskilling 
49:37 The Role of Small Businesses in AI Adoption 
51:51 Future Skills and Systems Change 
56:58 The Art of Prompting and Critical Thinking 
01:00:04 The Power of Storytelling and Personal Branding 
01:02:13 Superpowers and Fun Facts
 
 
Support the show
🎙️ Website: https://www.EmergingTechUnpacked.com/
🎙️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@emergingtechunpacked
🎙️ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4d6Hfoi
🎙️ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/49TS1LG