Journalism
As a writer with a keen interest in politics, social media trends and pop culture, Sweeney’s work has been featured in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Time Out Melbourne, ABC Weekend Breakfast, Young Diplomats Society, National Youth Commission Australia, UN Youth, & PEDESTRIAN.TV — Australia’s largest youth publisher — where he was the Weekends Writer and occasional podcast host from 2021-24.
With a knack for recognising developing stories and online trends in their infancy, Sweeney was the first journalist in Australia to cover the Fitzroy Garage Party saga, teenagers wearing suits and ties to Minions 2, and Liver King’s steroid use admission — all of which were eventually picked up by the major mastheads days later.
Sweeney’s articles for PEDESTRIAN.TV have been read over 8 million times.
Television
In 2024, Sweeney wrote on Season 11 of Spicks and Specks, one of Australia's best-loved and longest-running TV shows.
Working within a six-person writers room that included the show’s host, Adam Hills (The Last Leg), he produced jokes, questions, guest panelist introductions and games for the esteemed music quiz show.
On the eve of its season premiere, the show was watched by an estimated 936,000 people across Australia.
Teaching
In addition to working his own projects, Sweeney is also deeply passionate about helping the next generation of writers and comedians become more confident on and off stage.
While abroad in New Zealand, he was one of the resident mentors for Stand Up, Stand Out, a teens comedy program (facilitated by Harriet Moir) in the Dunedin Fringe Festival.
Alongside other professional comics, Sweeney coached the youngsters in brainstorming, joke-writing, and stagecraft.
The program culminated in a sold-out showcase performance, with the kids eventually taking out the festival’s Outstanding Emerging Talent award.
