From Down Under to Down South

Aussie Mike

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.

  1. 1d ago

    Is Everyone in America Exhausted?

    Send us Fan Mail Is Everyone in America Exhausted? When did being busy become something to be proud of? And why does taking a day off sometimes feel like something we need to apologise for? Since moving from Australia to the United States, I've noticed how much American life revolves around staying busy. Work, school, children's activities, household chores and the constant pressure to get ahead. Even weekends can feel like another working week. In this episode, I'm taking an Australian look at America's culture of busyness and our increasingly complicated relationship with rest. From packed family calendars and organised childhoods to weekend work and the pressure to turn every spare moment into something productive, I wonder whether we've forgotten how to enjoy doing absolutely nothing. And I'm certainly not immune. Between raising two daughters and building From Down Under to Down South, I've reached the point where I sometimes mow my lawn in halves because I can't find enough uninterrupted time to finish the whole thing. We'll also look at what research tells us about workplace burnout, weekend work and the declining amount of time Americans spend socialising. I admire America's ambition and work ethic. But have we reached a point where we feel guilty whenever we're not accomplishing something? Here's my question for you: When was the last time you had an entire day with absolutely nothing you had to do? And if you had one tomorrow, would you actually relax? Enjoying the podcast? Buy this Aussie a coffee! From Down Under to Down South is an independent project, sharing an Australian's perspective on American life, culture and all the little things that make this country fascinating. If you've enjoyed an episode, had a laugh or found yourself looking at America a little differently, you can help keep the podcast going by shouting me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue creating new episodes, videos and stories. It's completely optional, but genuinely appreciated. Buy Me a Coffee – Support the Show Thanks for being part of the journey! Find me elsewhere YouTube | Website | Facebook | X Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com Thanks for listening. Hoo roo, maties!  Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

  2. 5d ago

    This Week in America - Dolly Parton the McRib and a Mystery Woman

    Send us Fan Mail This week on This Week in America, I'm heading to Nashville for a Dolly Parton tribute concert, where my seven-year-old daughter Brianna gets to enjoy a little of her favourite Dolly song, 9 to 5. I'm also putting myself to the test after reading an article about six hobbies that supposedly make men a great catch. Apparently, I've got a few things going for me! Then there's the mystery woman at my workplace who kept riding the elevator up and down with an empty trolley. Six trips, no explanation, and I'm still wondering what on earth she was doing. The girls are learning old-fashioned progressive dances at school, which brings back memories of growing up in Australia. Although Georgia, who dances competitively, isn't particularly thrilled about having to hold a boy's hand! And finally, the McRib is back at McDonald's, but living in Tennessee, I'm not convinced it can compete with proper local barbecue. Just another week of the little things that make life in America interesting, confusing and occasionally downright strange, all through the eyes of an Aussie living in Tennessee. Enjoying the podcast? Buy this Aussie a coffee! From Down Under to Down South is an independent project, sharing an Australian's perspective on American life, culture and all the little things that make this country fascinating. If you've enjoyed an episode, had a laugh or found yourself looking at America a little differently, you can help keep the podcast going by shouting me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue creating new episodes, videos and stories. It's completely optional, but genuinely appreciated. Buy Me a Coffee – Support the Show Thanks for being part of the journey! Find me elsewhere YouTube | Website | Facebook | X Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com Thanks for listening. Hoo roo, maties!   Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

  3. Oct 26

    Why Americans Talk to Strangers but Not Their Neighbors

    Send us Fan Mail Americans have a reputation for being remarkably comfortable talking to complete strangers. At the supermarket, in a waiting room, standing in a queue... sometimes you can learn someone's life story before you've even learned their name. But when it comes to the people living right next door, things get a little more complicated. Recent research found that Americans are talking to their neighbors far less often than they used to, even though most still want to live somewhere where neighbors look out for one another. As an Australian living in Tennessee, that got me thinking about my own experience. The neighbors I know, the ones I don't, what happened after tornadoes came through our area, why Halloween completely changes our street, and all the little relationships I've built with people who don't actually live anywhere near my house. It also made me think back to ten years living in Canberra, where enormous Colorbond fences made it remarkably easy to have absolutely no idea who was living a few metres away. Maybe community hasn't disappeared. Maybe some of it has simply moved. In this episode of From Down Under to Down South, I'm looking at American friendliness, privacy, neighbors, strangers and what it really means to feel like you belong somewhere. Enjoying the podcast? Buy this Aussie a coffee! From Down Under to Down South is an independent project, sharing an Australian's perspective on American life, culture and all the little things that make this country fascinating. If you've enjoyed an episode, had a laugh or found yourself looking at America a little differently, you can help keep the podcast going by shouting me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue creating new episodes, videos and stories. It's completely optional, but genuinely appreciated. Buy Me a Coffee – Support the Show Thanks for being part of the journey! Find me elsewhere YouTube | Website | Facebook | X Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com Thanks for listening. Hoo roo, maties! Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

  4. Oct 22

    This Week in America - 2,500 Job Applications, 4 Interviews

    Send us Fan Mail 2,500 Job Applications, 4 Interviews | This Week in America Is experience becoming a disadvantage in the American job market? After submitting more than 2,500 job applications and landing just four interviews, I'm wondering whether being 52 is working against me. A recent 60 Minutes report on age discrimination and AI in recruitment has raised even more questions about what happens to our résumés before a human being ever sees them. But that's only the beginning of another week in America. My daughter's orthodontic appliance has broken three times in one day, our dental insurance turned out to be a rather expensive loyalty program, and my wife apparently believes six o'clock in the evening is a perfectly reasonable time to start grocery shopping. There's also a disappointing Halloween trunk-or-treat that unexpectedly reminded me how quickly my two daughters are growing up. And to finish, we're looking at some fascinating American research into occupations and divorce. Apparently, bus drivers and actuaries have rather different marital histories. Who knew spreadsheets could be so romantic? It's another mix of American life, Australian observations, family adventures and the occasional absurdity. Enjoying the podcast? Buy this Aussie a coffee! From Down Under to Down South is an independent project, sharing an Australian's perspective on American life, culture and all the little things that make this country fascinating. If you've enjoyed an episode, had a laugh or found yourself looking at America a little differently, you can help keep the podcast going by shouting me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue creating new episodes, videos and stories. It's completely optional, but genuinely appreciated. Buy Me a Coffee – Support the Show Thanks for being part of the journey! Find me elsewhere YouTube | Website | Facebook | X Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com Thanks for listening. Hoo roo, maties! Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

  5. Oct 19

    Why Americans Say “I Appreciate You” (And Why It Confuses Australians)

    Send us Fan Mail Why do Americans say “I appreciate you”? To an Australian, it can sound surprisingly personal. We've only just met. Where exactly is this going? In this episode of From Down Under to Down South, I explore one of those small differences between Australian and American culture that reveals something much bigger. From Southern hospitality and the casual “‘Preciate ya” to the difference between appreciating what someone does and appreciating who they are, I try to work out what Americans really mean when they say it. There's a little Ted Lasso, a few awkward cultural misunderstandings, and a story from my years in banking that made me reconsider the whole thing. Perhaps Americans aren't being overly personal after all. Perhaps there's something rather lovely about telling someone they're appreciated. I'd love to hear from you: Do you say “I appreciate you”? Does it mean something different from a simple thank you? If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss the next one. ☕ Enjoying the podcast? Support From Down Under to Down South: Buy Me a Coffee   🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromDownUndertoDownSouth   🌏 Website https://fromdownundertodownsouth.com    📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068568677919    🐦 X https://x.com/aussiemika74    📩 Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com    Thanks for listening. Hoo roo maties. Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

  6. Oct 15

    Why Does America Still Have the Death Penalty?

    Send us Fan Mail Why does America still have the death penalty when countries like Australia abolished it decades ago? Living in Tennessee, I've found myself asking that question more than once. But a recent failed execution brought the issue much closer to home. In this episode of From Down Under to Down South, I explore the history of capital punishment in America, the troubling questions surrounding execution methods, the enormous costs involved, and the arguments on both sides of a debate that continues to divide Americans. We also look at the human stories behind the headlines, including the victims, their families, and the people sentenced to death. As an Australian living in the American South, I'm not here to tell Americans what they should think. I'm trying to understand why two countries with so much in common have taken such different paths on one of the most difficult questions any society can face. It's a complicated subject, and one that left me with more questions than answers. Watch the documentary on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0M9m3coXkf0 Enjoying the podcast? Buy this Aussie a coffee! From Down Under to Down South is an independent project, sharing an Australian's perspective on American life, culture and all the little things that make this country fascinating. If you've enjoyed an episode, had a laugh or found yourself looking at America a little differently, you can help keep the podcast going by shouting me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue creating new episodes, videos and stories. It's completely optional, but genuinely appreciated. Buy Me a Coffee – Support the Show Thanks for being part of the journey! Find me elsewhere YouTube | Website | Facebook | X Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com Thanks for listening. Hoo roo, maties! Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

  7. Oct 12

    Why Americans Can't Agree on America

    Send us Fan Mail Ask ten Americans what America is like, and you might get ten completely different answers. The funny thing is, they could all be telling the truth. After sharing my observations about American friendliness and why Americans talk to strangers, I started reading the comments. People from different parts of the United States were describing completely different experiences of American life. What one person considered perfectly normal, another insisted simply didn't happen where they lived. As an Australian living in Tennessee, it made me wonder whether I've been trying to understand America as one country when, culturally speaking, it can sometimes feel like several. In this episode of This Week in America, we explore regional differences, small-town life versus big-city life, American friendliness, community, and why our experiences can shape completely different understandings of the same country. There are some wonderfully contradictory stories, a few laughs, and an unexpected reminder that America is far more complicated than any one person's experience. Perhaps Americans aren't disagreeing as much as it seems. Perhaps they're simply describing the America they know. What's America like where you live? I'd love to hear your perspective. If you enjoy the podcast, please follow or subscribe so you don't miss future episodes. You can support my work through Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/fromdownundertodownsouth 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromDownUndertoDownSouth   🌏 Website https://fromdownundertodownsouth.com    📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068568677919    🐦 X https://x.com/aussiemika74    📩 Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com    Thanks for listening. Hoo roo maties. Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

  8. Oct 8

    This Week in America - When America Stops Being Something You Watch

    Send us Fan Mail This week in America, I finally reached one of the stranger stages of immigrant life: realising I am no longer just watching the country from the outside. There was long awaited rain in Tennessee, a storage facility tenant who still seems confused about the difference between storage and housing, Georgia’s new dance competition schedule, a fall break theatre camp, baby names in America and Australia, reaction videos about my YouTube channel, and a surprisingly heated argument over whether I’m allowed to say I live in America. I also saw a child nearly get hit by a truck passing a stopped school bus, looked at the reported Sean “Diddy” Combs prison perks story, and reflected on what it feels like to be a new American citizen writing to state senators about execution policy. At some point, the foreign country stops being something you watch. It becomes somewhere you live. And then, somehow, it becomes we. Enjoying the podcast? Buy this Aussie a coffee! From Down Under to Down South is an independent project, sharing an Australian's perspective on American life, culture and all the little things that make this country fascinating. If you've enjoyed an episode, had a laugh or found yourself looking at America a little differently, you can help keep the podcast going by shouting me a coffee. Every contribution helps me continue creating new episodes, videos and stories. It's completely optional, but genuinely appreciated. Buy Me a Coffee – Support the Show Thanks for being part of the journey! Find me elsewhere YouTube | Website | Facebook | X Business enquiries: michael@fromdownundertodownsouth.com Thanks for listening. Hoo roo, maties! Support the show Check out additional content on our YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjipgN51kc8swHyKeSx2tzw

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.