The Briefing

Are your noise-cancelling headphones doing you serious damage? In ear, over-ear, for work, for working out, for study, for music festivals – removing background or outside noise has started to become an essential part of our listening experience day-to-day. But what if we’re going to all this effort – only to be doing terrible damage to our hearing, our memory and our brains? Wayne Wilson is an associate professor in the school of health and rehabilitation sciences at The University of Queensland. He joins Sacha Barbour Gatt on this episode of The Briefing to explain how it all works.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Luis Rubiales found guilty of sexual assault over soccer player kiss, Peter Dutton wrongly says Labor is fast-tracking citizenship for Gazans to win votes, Meta and Google pull out of sponsoring Sydney’s Mardi Gras among DEI fight in the US, and the chances of an asteroid hitting earth yo-yos. Deep Dive: For decades now, whether you like it or not, we’ve had a desire to keep up with famous people, know their secrets and delight over their scandals. Up until recently, we’ve relied on so-called “sources” to spill the tea to a gossip rag or for paparazzi to capture an outrageous moment. Then came social media and it felt like we were getting a little glimpse behind the curtain into the “real” lives of famous people. But there’s no better source than straight from the horse’s mouth. Enter the TikTok lip reader, and it’s not just celebs in their sights; it’s politicians too. On this episode of The Briefing, we speak to Nina Dellinger, or @ninacelested on TikTok, a lip reader who is sharing what she thinks celebs and pollies are saying, why she creates the content she does, and how she does it. Further listening from the headlines: 'Asteroid hurtling towards Earth? Meet the team tasked with protecting us' is out now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During last year’s election, Donald Trump joked about becoming a dictator, but “only on day one” of his second term as president. But over the past month, Trump has ignored laws passed by the US Congress, rejected the authority of US courts, forced the deletion of thousands of government websites and destroyed reams of scientific literature and public health data. It’s starting to look less and less like a joke. On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert dives deep into whether Trump is genuinely beginning to turn the US into a dictatorship, and as Trump’s politics gain traction in Australia – most recently through billionaire Clive Palmer’s new political party – we ask what it would mean for this country if the world’s most powerful democracy slid into autocracy. On the other hand, Trump is no Hitler or Stalin – so is calling him a dictator...just a bit over-the-top?  US investigative journalist Dave Levinthal and University of Melbourne lecturer in history Dr Sarah Walsh join Bension Siebert to help unpack these questions and more. Listen to The Briefing's episode on Trump's key cabinet picks here. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Trump calls Zelensky a ‘dictator without elections’, ASIO boss says multiple ‘hostile’ nations plotted to murder critics in Australia and Scott Morrison asks for photo album bought at south Sydney Salvos to be returned. Deep Dive: Skibidi Toilet, the wildly popular YouTube web series featuring animated singing human heads emerging from toilets, is making its debut in an art gallery at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) in Brisbane. Since it burst onto the scene in 2023, the quirky series by Russian content creator Alexey Gerasimov has captivated audiences worldwide, amassing 18 billion views and has gained the attention of film director Michael Bay. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Nick Aloisio-Shearer, the Assistant Director and curator of the exhibition at IMA, and Dr Nicholas Karah, the Director of the University of Queensland’s Centre for Digital Cultures and Societies, to explain the phenomenon that is Skibidi Toilet, and why we need to talk about it. You can check out the exhibition until the 30th of March at Brisbane’s Institute of Modern Art. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a plane carrying 80 people crash landed, burst into flames and flipped upside down on the tarmac of a Canadian airport yesterday, it was the third plane crash in North America in less than a month. 18 people were taken to hospital but, amazingly, no-one was killed. Although statistically, flying is a very safe way to travel – much safer than driving – these incidents make many of us increasingly nervous about the next time we get on a flight. On this episode of the Briefing, Helen Smith asks President of the Australian Association of Psychologists Sahra O'Doherty for her top tips for keeping calm, especially when your flight hits a patch of turbulence.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: The Reserve Bank finally cut interest rates, man charged with online harassment of Antoinette Lattouf and a TikTokker finds an album of unseen photos of Scott Morrison from 1996. Deep Dive: If you’re getting your pills tested at a music festival, who ends up with your data from the results – and what should they do with it?  Legal pill and drug testing in Australia has made significant legislative steps in recent years – from calls for it to be trialled by community organisations to being introduced into four jurisdictions across the country, with some being permanent sites.   But as we become more familiar with pill testing, are we doing enough with the data we get from it for it to be of major use to the community?In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by RMIT drug policy expert, Associate Professor Monica Barratt, who has some ideas for what our policymakers could be doing better. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gerald Ridsdale, known as Australia’s most notorious paedophile priest, has died in prison, aged 90. Ridsdale was convicted eight separate times over the sexual abuse of 70 known victim survivors – with the most recent sentencing being in 2023. The impact of his abuse – on victim survivors, on the reputation of the church, and on Australian society – cannot be understated. Lucie Morris Marr is a Walkley-awarding winner investigative journalist, author and broadcaster – who's book Fallen: The inside story of the secret trial and conviction of Cardinal George Pell went into great detail on the abuse surrounding Ridsdale and his relationship to Pell. She joins Helen Smith on this episode of The Briefing to outline what those impacted by his violence are feeling on the day of his death. You can find Lucie's newest book, Processed, here. If anything in this episode has caused you distress, you can get help. Some numbers you can call include:1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732 Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114 Victims of Crime Helpline: 1800 819 817 Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stem cell treatments are being offered around the globe as an almost ‘miracle’ intervention promising to help patients avoid major surgeries and treat untreatable conditions. While commercialised and able to be accessed internationally, the bulk of stem cell related therapies in Australia remain ‘experimental,’ with only a limited amount of uses approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the National Health and Medical Research Council. So what exactly are stem cells, why are Australians traveling overseas to get them and is it time for a regulatory rethink? In Part Two of this two-part deep dive of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Professor Megan Munsie, an expert in stem cell ethics and policy at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and Professor James St John, Head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, to break down the future of stem cell treatments in Australia. Listen to Part One here. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Big day for borrowers as the RBA meets to consider rate cut, new video emerges of Australian soldier Oscar Jenkins captured fighting for Ukraine, and Donald Trump has been personally invited to NRL Vegas round. Deep Dive: Imagine being told you needed to undergo major surgery to repair a torn ACL or dodgy hip? You know what you're likely in for – a few months of pain, some rehab and medical bill after medical bill.   But what if you could avoid all of that with just a few injections? The only catch: you have to travel overseas, and the treatment is considered experimental in Australia.  That’s the decision one of our listeners made when she opted against surgery—choosing instead to fly to Thailand for stem cell therapy. In part one of this two-part deep dive of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou chats with Marie Cassaniti about her experience, why she took the risk, and whether she believes it was worth it.  Part Two is in your feed now - or you can listen here. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highly anticipated third season of cult TV show The White Lotus has dropped today and as much as we’ll be picking apart the storylines and theme, we’ll also be obsessing over the location.  Koh Samui takes centre stage as arguably the main character, just like Maui and Taormina did in the seasons that came before. But what will locals think of its new-found fame among cashed-up tourists?  In today’s deep dive, Sacha Barbour Gatt and Australian Traveller’s Quentin Long talk about the “White Lotus effect”; what happens to a location when an insanely popular show makes it look so damn good.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Australia building half as many homes compared to 30 years ago, Ukraine not part of fresh peace talks between US and Russia, and millions to be impacted by Sydney train chaos. Deep Dive: Have the Greens lost their momentum right before a federal election? In 2022, the party had their best federal election result ever, picking up 12 Senate seats and four in the House of Representatives. The result three years ago was dubbed a “green slide” - with the party, along with the Teal independents, enjoying a surge in support from the Australian public tired of major parties. Fast forward to the recent by-election result in the Melbourne seat of Prahran, which saw the Greens lose it to the Liberals after holding the seat for over a decade, and things are not looking for certain. Recent polling has also given the party their worst result in nine months, suggesting leader Adam Bandt is failing to cut through with voters. Are we about to see a big Green loss as Australians head to the polls later this year? Or can the party recapture the attention of Australian voters? Leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt, joins Sacha Barbour Gatt this episode of The Briefing to explain what the party is selling to voters, and how he'll negotiate a possible minority government.   Further listening from the headlines: Are unions holding Australians to ransom with Wilhelmina Stracke is out now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kishwar Chowdhury never imagined she’d find herself on national TV, but MasterChef took her to new heights giving her the platform to showcase Bengali cuisine to the world. The proud Bangladeshi-Aussie went from cooking in her kitchen to becoming a celebrity chef traveling around South Asia and beyond. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Kishwar shares how cooking helped her navigate grief and reveals why her dream cookbook collaboration is with Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. Weekend list with Helen Smith TO WATCH: Bump season 5 on Stan TO MAYBE WATCH: Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix TO DO: Musical productions at your local school TO TRY: Pill box for your vitamins Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know there’s a body responsible for monitoring asteroids, and planning what to do should they set a collision course with Earth? The International Asteroid Warning Network is a UN-backed agency that has recently swung into action with the discovery of Asteroid 2024 YR4, which has 2.2% chance of hitting our planet in 2032. So, who are the people tasked with protecting us from city-destroying space rocks and what happens when the threat goes from unlikely, to likely? In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt takes you behind the scenes of the IAWN with former manager Dr Tim Spahr. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: NSW nurses banned from practising anywhere in Australia, Hamas says ceasefire deal back on track, Albo drops strongest hints of a March or April election, and have you woken up single this morning? Deep Dive: Donald Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours – and he’s well past his own deadline. The US President now says he’s spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone, and secured an agreement to start negotiating for peace.  But with neither side so far offering major concessions, almost three years after Russia illegally invaded Ukraine – is ending the war realistic? And are Ukrainians willing to accept peace at the expense of justice? On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by Chrestyna Kmetj from the Ukrainian Australian Federation for her reaction to the news.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking up with someone is never easy - and new research has found that the week leading up to Valentine's Day is a peak time for relationships break ups. So why does a holiday about love lead to more relationship ends? Communication styles within different generations and the way social media has warped our perception of what love should look has undoubtedly impacted how we approach break ups. In this special pre-Valentine's Day episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith speaks with Dr Lisa Portolan, a love, intimacy and online dating academic, to unpack the best ways to end a relationship and how our understanding of love has evolved. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Two NSW health nurses to be charged for antisemitic comments, Antoinette Lattouf’s unfair dismissal trial hears from final witnesses, Westpac becomes second big bank to slash fixed mortgage rates, and Beavers 🦫 finish Czech damn project hit by red tape. Deep Dive: Belle Gibson was one of Australia’s first major wellness influencers, claiming to have cured her terminal brain cancer through clean eating and alternative therapies. She built a massive following, launched a bestselling app and cookbook, and even secured a partnership with Apple. But there was just one problem—Belle never had cancer. A series of exposés were published in 2015, and by 2017 her wellness empire had collapsed and she was a convicted fraudster who owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. Now, her story is being told in a new Netflix series, Apple Cider Vinegar, billed as a “true-ish story, based on a lie.” In this episode of The Briefing, we hear from Chanelle McAuliffe - once Belle’s friend, who would go on to help expose her. Chanelle’s real-life experience is depicted in the series - she joins Chris Spyrou to share what Netflix got right, what it missed, and what it was like to watch the world discover the truth. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is in the grip of a growing medicine shortage, with pharmacists, doctors and patients all feeling the impact. There are currently more than 400 shortages listed on the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s website, with dozens more expected and hundreds of medications being discontinued. But what’s driving the shortages, and is there a fix? In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by President of the Australian Medical Association Dr. Danielle McMullin to break down how we can improve the shortages, and whether Australians should brace for long-term medicine delays. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Sam Kerr not guilty in racially aggravated harassment case, Trump tariffs on Australia still on the cards despite PM phone call, Banks to disregard HECS debt in loan test, and Liam Neeson is helping a Melbourne couple sell their house. Deep Dive: Most of us, at one point or another, have had a terrible boss. And while we might fantasise about quitting in a blaze of glory by destroying documents, changing passwords and stealing clients to exact our revenge - most of us stop short of doing just that. But thanks to Gen Z and changing office cultures, that’s starting to shift, with “revenge quitting” tipped as the leading workplace trend of 2025. But is quitting with a grudge a power move or a career killer? In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by recruitment expert Tammie Ballis from Realistic Careers to break down the risks, rewards, and realities of revenge quitting. Listen to Tammie's chat with The Briefing, on finding a new job in 2025, here.Further listening from the headlines: Trump's tariff war has come to Australia. Here's what it means for you is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever thought about going to therapy?   Official stats show mental illness now affects about double the Australians it affected in the early 2000s. But in a cost-of-living crisis, no one wants to waste hundreds of dollars on therapy they don’t really need or spend time with a therapist that's not the right fit.  It’s a crowded market – both with people seeking therapy, and the many types of therapy on offer in Australia. So how do you start, and decide on what’s right for you? In this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with psychotherapist and President of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Nigel Will Polak, and psychologists Jocelyn Brewer and Betty Chetcuti, to offer a no-bullshit explainer the steps you should take if you’re thinking therapy might be right for you. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Popular rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar are currently embroiled in a very public spat - which has come to a triumphant head with Kendrick's knockout performance at the Super Bowl yesterday. But why are they fighting again? Last year The Briefing brought you an explainer on why there is so much bad blood and the long history behind the feud. In case you missed it, listen in to catch up on all the context with hip hop journalist and author Simone Amelia Jordan.Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Jury in Sam Kerr trial retires, Hamas pauses release of Israeli hostages, Nationals walk back Dutton’s threat of axing public servant jobs and Super Bowl 59 will go down as one for the ages. Deep Dive: Australia has officially entered the tariff war.   After weeks of speculation, yesterday US President Donald Trump confirmed Australia will be among the latest targets of sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.  Australian PM Anthony Albanese says he’ll have an urgent phone call with the US President to convince Trump to tariff other countries but keep us the hell out of it. But will it work – and if it doesn’t, how will it impact not just Australian business, but everyday Aussies on the ground?   Scott Phillips, Chief Investment Officer at The Motley Fool Australia, joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to unpack what this means for us, and what he thinks will happen next.Further listening from the headlines: 'Drake v Kendrick Lamar isn't just a war of words' is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you been impacted by the recent egg shortages across Australia? The major supermarkets have been hit hard by limited supplies – and a new bird flu outbreak in Victoria this week has sparked a warning that those shortages could persist a while yet. This all comes as experts report a rise in the number of us choosing to own our own chickens – first reported during the pandemic, and more recently as people looked to take control of their food supply when supermarket shelves were often bare of a lot of essentials. Fresh research out of the University of Adelaide is shining a picture on how we view our backyard chickens, what it says about us and whether we need to step up our game when it comes to caring for them. Researcher Dr Emily Buddle joins Sacha Barbour Gatt on this episode of The Briefing to explain. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Labor’s major announcement for women’s health, Labor vote dives in Victorian by-elections, Sam Kerr’s lawyers to give final arguments in racial harassment trial, and more than 120 million people are expected to tune in to the Super Bowl today. Deep Dive: Content Warning - this deep dive discusses child sexual abuse. Australian Federal Police have issued a warning about a rise in the use of generative AI in creating child sexual abuse material.  Not only is it being used by predators online, it’s also being used by Aussie kids to bully and harass each other. In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt sits down with documentary and podcast maker Akhim Dev who has long worked alongside police in this space, to talk about the threat of AI to kids, and how the tech is being used to fight and track down perpetrators of child sexual abuse. If this episode has brought up any issues for you, help is available:Lifeline 13 11 14 1800Respect  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maddy MacRae has over 3.5 million followers across her social media accounts, but surprisingly has spent years facing rejection and chasing acting gigs. With $15k debt, multiple hospitality jobs, and a faltering passion for her acting career, she broke into the influencer space almost by accident. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Maddy explains how she turned her stomach into viral content, and what it was like when she finally landed a role in a TV series. Weekend list with Helen Smith TO DO: Send us your recommendations to try on insta @thebriefingpodcast TO DO: Running with a mate or joining a run club TO TRY: Countdown app for goal setting  TO TRY: Brown eyeliner to you waterline  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Australia’s biggest reality TV show unethical? Married at First Sight – one of Australia's most popular reality TV shows, currently in its 12th season – amasses millions of viewers each year. This season it has also garnered major controversy in its airing of toxic behaviour from various members of the show.  In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Alexandria Funnell, ex MAFS post producer and co-host of That’s Show Biz Baby, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes, if MAFS has crossed an ethical line this season, and if we should still be watching.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Peter Dutton holds rare press conference calling for inquiry into PM’s knowledge of explosives caravan, Trump restates plan for Gaza, ABC staff ‘disgusted’ by broadcaster’s handling of Antoinette Lattouf’s Federal Court case and 61% of you say you'll be voting for an independent candidate. Deep Dive: Mastercard will remove the 16-digit number from their credit and debit cards by 2030 and replace them with tokenisation and biometric authentication.   The move is designed to crack down on identity theft and the fraudulent use of cards, with card fraud in Australia being over $868 million in the last financial year.   In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Gary Mortimer, a professor of marketing and consumer behaviour at the QUT Business School, to unpack what it all means. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you satisfied with the Government right now? If polls are anything to go by, Australians are increasingly getting over being led by majority governments on the left or the right. Labor and the Coalition are unsurprisingly not keen on sharing power with independents and minor parties – and have responded by pushing legislation through parliament to reform our national elections. The Government says this new law would stop billionaires having too much influence on our elections – but independent MPs say it’s really aimed at making it harder for them, and new independents, to be elected in the future. It’s a battle over the future of the country. Who’s going to win, and what should you do about it? Allegra Spender is the Independent Member for Wentworth, and Kate Chaney the Independent Member for Curtin. On this episode of The Briefing, they join Bension Siebert from parliament house in Canberra.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Labor agrees to minimum jail sentences for terror crimes, the world reacts to Trump’s Gaza plan, Sam Kerr’s trial continues, and 50,000 people say life feels best in the morning. Deep Dive: Are Frequent Flyer programs, and supermarket loyalty programs, a scam? If these airlines and big supermarket chains are constantly pressuring us to join up can that really be in our best interests? On this episode of The Briefing, we dive deep into whether these programs are a genuine savings opportunity – and what mistakes you might be making if you’re trying to make your points convert to real life value. Bension Siebert chats to “points whisperer” and founder of I Fly Flat, Steven Hui, about the upsides and downsides of frequent flyer programs and the best strategies to save serious cash on an overseas trip.  Further listening from the headlines:  Yesterday's special breaking news edition following Trump's Gaza announcements is available on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts now. 'How to retrain your brain in 2025' is available on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it too. We'll own it.” US President Donald Trump has just announced his intention to expel all Palestinians from Gaza and claim ownership of the land for the United States. To forcefully and permanently exile more than 1.7 million people to neighbouring countries would have huge implications for global community – and potentially Australia, as a key ally to the USA. Has the world just witnessed the end of the two-state solution? In this special breaking news episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University Greg Barton to get his immediate reaction, and explain what this means for the Middle East, the world and Australia.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Australia to ban DeepSeek from government devices, China hits back with retaliatory tariffs on US goods, FBI enlisted in case against Melbourne’s Pam the Bird graffiti artist and Putin moves to revive Soviet-era Eurovision rival.You can catch last week's deep dive on DeepSeek on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts now. Deep Dive: How did Elon Musk become one of the most powerful men in the world? The tech billionaire is best known for being the CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX. But his involvement in politics - and new position within the Trump administration - is turning heads in the tech world. But who is Elon Musk, really? What drives him, and what do you need to know about his past to understand his future? In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Mike Isaac, a technology correspondent for The New York Times, to unpack who Elon Musk is behind closed doors. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learning a new language is famously very hard and usually takes years. Could all that be about to change?  While we now have apps like Duolingo to help, it’s still likely to take a long time and a lot of effort to be anything close to fluent. What usually helps is spending time in a country where everyone speaks the language you’re learning – but one group of Australian researchers says virtual reality and AI could step in for those who aren’t able to make the trip.  Brodie McGee from the University of Southern Queensland is one of them. In this episode of The Briefing Bension Siebert chats with the Australian teacher and researcher on how you could be supercharging the process of learning a new language. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Major parties rake in over $130 million in political donations last financial year, Sam Kerr faces UK trial over racially aggravated harassment, Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico amid possible “deal” with the country, and Beyonce finally takes home Grammy for Album of the Year. Deep Dive: Have you ever spat in a tube and sent it off for testing? In recent years it feels like everyone knows someone – friends, family, people all over the country and world, who have placed their precious DNA into a home testing kit to learn about their heritage, unknown history, or for just for a bit of home science fun. But what if it’s all a massive exercise in exploitation? What happens to your DNA data – and what happens if it falls into the wrong hands? On this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by award-winning investigative journalist Claire Aird, host of LiSTNR’s newest exclusive podcast Secrets We Keep: Should I Spit?, to expose what happens when the DNA leaves you and heads out into the world. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Politics is about to be back on for 2025. You'd be forgiven for thinking government has already been in session this year – there’s been a bit on – but this week marks the first sitting of parliament for the year, and a major moment for the Labor government to get some legislative runs on the board before everyone starts fighting for your vote in the upcoming federal election. What will be dominating the debate over the next fortnight – and is what is on the political agenda the same stuff that matters to you and your day-to-day? On this episode of The Briefing Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Nine’s National affairs editor, Andrew Probyn, to get his read on what will get the most (hot) airtime.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Labor imposes counter-terrorism sanctions on online neo-Nazi network for the first time, North Queensland floods update, trade war looming over Trump’s tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China, and The Grammys are on today. Deep Dive: In the 2010s ISIS became one of the world’s biggest terror groups, controlling almost one-third of Syria and around half of Iraq. Over the years the group has claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks across the globe, including those in Paris in 2015, Berlin in 2016, and Manchester at an Ariana Grande concert the year after. Since 2018 the group’s influence has felt quieter, claiming less responsibility for attacks but that has changed.  In 2024 we saw Russia’s deadliest terror attack in over two decades – which ISIS took responsibility for – and on New Year's Day, an ISIS-inspired attack killed 14 people and injured dozens more in New Orleans. So, is ISIS having a resurgence?  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Michael Ware, a man who witnessed the birth of ISIS firsthand and is the only western journalist to escape one of their beheading attempts, to explain how we got here, if he thinks ISIS is having a resurgence, and if Australia is ready for a possible terror attack from the group.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steph Claire Smith has always been a trailblazer - and the model turned business founder and podcast host with over 1.4million followers doesn’t stop. The O.G influencer started Kic with her best friend Laura Henshaw. Since then, the pair have sky rocketed to global success, releasing product lines and joining the LiSTNR family with the KICPOD Podcast. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Steph opens up on how she's feeling about being an (almost) second time mum, her views of the 'Oatzempic' craze, and her obsession with chicken wings. Listen to KIC POD here Weekend List with Helen Smith TO WATCH: Jubilee's surrounded series on YouTube TO LISTEN: Bad Hasbara - The World's Most Moral Podcast TO EAT: Congee rice porridge TO READ: Hot Pilates  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2024 was full of comments, complaints and promises from politicians and companies over the cost of living - and so far this year we're looking likely to see the same thing.  Lowering your weekly groceries shop, scoring a discount or filling up the tank for less is something we all want, so how can we do it? In this episode of The Briefing, we did the homework for you. Chris Spyrou is joined by The Briefing's Helen Smith to unpack which apps and tools can save you the most on fuel, food and fashion. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man diagnosed with sexsomnia has been found not guilty of having non-consensual sex with a woman in Sydney. With the disorder now appearing as a key argument in trials across the country and the world, The Briefing wanted to bring you a previous explainer the team published on sexsomnia - what it is, how it works, what behaviours it can lead to. In this bonus episode, Helen Smith is joined by Aleks Trkulja from the Pleasure Centre, and specialist sleep physician Dr David Cunnington, so you can catch up on just how common sexsomnia is, and what you need to know about it. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this morning’s deep dive, we spoke to consumer and money expert Joel Gibson about how Bunnings has monpolised the hardware industry. When we reached out to the hardware chain for comment, they were keen to dispute our assertion that it holds a leading stake in the market and insists big brands don’t equal bad brands. In part two of our look at Bunnings and how it’s managed to become cemented in Australia’s cultural zeitgeist, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by the chain’s Managing Director, Mike Schneider.Listen to part one on LiSTNR, Apple or Spotify now. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Greens to push for 50 cent public transport nationwide, no survivors after Washington plane and helicopter crash, Australians facing long-term homelessness surges 25% in five years and Donald Trump calls for Elon Musk’s Space X to “go get” stranded ISS astronauts.  Deep Dive: By all accounts, Bunnings is a true blue Aussie success story.  What started in 1907 as a sawmill in WA now boasts more than 300 locations across Australia and New Zealand and reported revenue in 2024 of $19 billion. On top of that, the hardware giant has managed to crack into the cultural zeitgeist. Who doesn’t talk fondly about a weekend snag and peruse of the paint aisle? But amidst its praise and popularity comes quiet criticism about its monopoly over the Australian hardware industry, its mega profits, its sometimes sneaky marketing tactics and its ability to effectively wipe out the competition. So, why do we seem to love Bunnings, despite these things?On today’s special two-part investigation, Sacha Barbour Gatt answers that question with money and consumer expert, Joel Gibson.In part two, in your feed now, we ask Bunnings Managing Director, Mike Schneider, what he thinks of the answer.  Listen to part two 'Bunnings Responds' on LiSTNR, Apple or Spotify now. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all got a butthole, but why are we so afraid to talk about it without making a joke of it? Professor Richard Hillman is one of the few specialists in Australia in anus cancer and he thinks it’s time we open up about the health of our rear ends.  In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with the professor about anal hygiene, the case for banning toilet paper and why we need to end the stigma and shame around out buttholes.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Caravan with explosives found in Sydney allegedly intended for antisemitic attack, lowered inflation rates open the door to April election date and Sweden charges man in first ever drink driving case involving a drone. Deep Dive: Elizabeth Struhs was an eight-year-old girl, living with incurable Type 1 diabetes in regional Queensland. Instead of receiving the insulin she needed to live, her parents and other members of their fringe religious group, The Saints, withdrew her injections, believing the healing power of God would save her. She died of diabetic ketoacidosis in January 2022. On Wednesday afternoon, in a bombshell Supreme Court ruling, 14 members of the congregation, including her parents, were found guilty of manslaughter. They included Elizabeth's father and the leader of the congregation, who had originally been charged with murder. In this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by investigative journalist Richard Baker on the ground in Queensland to explain who The Saints are, why what happened to Elizabeth is manslaughter, and whether this case will have any impact on other fringe religious groups that reject modern medicine around the country.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our major political parties each have plans they say will make renting better and home ownership easier for young people. We’ll believe it when we see it. But with a federal election coming up, are Labor, the Coalition and the Greens missing solutions that could save you serious money? On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with McKell Institute Chief Executive Edward Cavanough about four ways to make renting or buying a house easier, and why most politicians aren’t talking about them.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Australia Day neo-Nazis face court in Adelaide, how Dutton’s promise to cut 36,000 government jobs could affect you, Trump signs orders to halt government grants and Happy Lunar New Year!  Deep Dive: Has China just won the AI arms race? The United States has been the undisputed leader in the race for global AI domination – that was until this week, where everything changed. Meet DeepSeek - a little-known Chinese competitor to ChatGPT that has in one swift announcement wiped one trillion dollars off the stock market and smashed what we thought we knew about world’s most in-demand new technology. Is it all over for ChatGPT? How is DeepSeek different, and why has it made such a major splash in the global community? Mark Pesce is a partner in AI consultancy Wisely AI and honorary associate in Digital Cultures at the University of Sydney. He joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to explain what we know, and what it all means.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are artists making music just for the algorithm? Alex Burnett is the Australian songwriter behind music with 1.4 billion streams on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. He has worked on no less than 30 songs that have made it into Triple J’s Hottest 100, collaborating with artists like Thelma Plum, Hockey Dad, Alison Wonderland, Dan Sultan, Hayden James, Bliss n Eso and Flight Facilities. On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks to Alex about what it takes to make a song into a viral hit, and how streaming algorithms change the kind of music that gets made in the first place - and what that means for the “authenticity” of songs that make it onto the playlists on our phones. Listen to The Algorithm, Part 1: How to stop Spotify killing your music taste here. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Australia’s road toll hits 12-year high, Aussies pay more for dental care than most OECD countries, Donald Trump to sign order banning trans people from US Military and New York gets in on the stinky flower trend. Listen to our September 2024 deep dive 'The Case for putting dental in Medicare' with Jordan Steele-John on Apple or Spotify here. Deep Dive: Most of us have been listening to music for years through streaming apps – like the one you’re reading this on right now. But these platforms are not neutral. They are massive businesses with a vested interest in keeping you listening. In Part 1 of a two-part The Briefing special, Bension Siebert interviews the man who invented many of Spotify’s algorithms. Glenn McDonald reveals what these algorithms are doing to our taste in music, what we can do about it as individuals, and what happens behind closed doors to make songs viral. In Part 2, you’ll hear from an Australian songwriter who has reached 1.4 billion streams, on how the incentives of streaming are changing the kind of music that gets made in the first place. Listen to The Algorithm, Part 2: How Spotify changed music forever in the Briefing feed this afternoon from 3pm. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you have a dream last night? Do you remember it? Dreams hold a lot of significance throughout history – but how much should we be reading into them, and is there any science to back up the theories we have for what we experience in our dreams? Dr Manuela Kirberg is a researcher and a lecturer in philosophy at Monash University and part of the Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, which looks at our sleep wake cycle. She joins Helen Smith on this episode of The Briefing to unpack the complex question of why we dream.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Italian Jannik Sinner wins the Australian Open, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks on Holocaust Remembrance Day and high temperatures predicted across the country today. Deep Dive: As we mark the Australia Day public holiday, whether you’re working, spending it at the beach or at a BBQ, attending a rally or getting through some chores – we can’t ignore the contentious nature of our national day. So, while many argue about what today should be used for – celebration or mourning – many others will be granted their long-held wish of becoming an Australian citizen. How do they feel about the debate, given the difficult journey they’ve been on to attain citizenship? And what does it mean to them now they’ve achieved that goal, many years and tens of thousands of dollars later? On this Australia Day, we’re bringing you the story of what it takes to become an Aussie citizen. Sami Shah is a writer, comedian and educator who came to Australia from Pakistan, after his life was threatened while working as a journalist there. On this episode of The Briefing, he tells Sacha Barbour Gatt why he wanted to become an Australian citizen, and what citizenship means to him. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, is a proud Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman who’s a survivor of out-of-home care and now a practising lawyer fighting for the freedom of others. She’s the first ACT Commissioner for First Nations children, won Marie Claire’s change maker of the year and is author of Long Yarn Short Long Yarn Short: We are still here. Speaking to The Weekend Briefing for a second time, Vanessa joins Antoinette Lattouf to unpack Peter Dutton’s controversial comments about refusing to stand in front of the Aboriginal flag, the push by a prominent barrister to scrap Acknowledgements of Country, and the harm done in the policing of First Nations young people. Weekend List TO EAT: Fattoush Salad With Fried Pita Chips TO WATCH: Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action documentary on Netflix TO DO: TooGoodToGo App TO READ: Long Yarn Short: We are still here by Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes sorry is the hardest, and in this case, most expensive word. This week, Prince Harry achieved something many thought impossible – receiving a “full apology” from Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers. The apology was part of a settlement over intrusions into the Duke of Sussex's private life, the use of private investigators, and "phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information".  On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with veteran journalist and former host of the ABC’s Media Watch program, Paul Barry, to find out how the royal got a Murdoch paper to say sorry. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Albo to promise $10,000 cash bonus for apprentices, Southport attacker jailed for 52 years over murder of three girls, Splendour in the Grass cancelled for a second straight year and Aryna Sabalenka one step closer to AO three-peat. Deep Dive: What the hell is going on with petrol prices? Right now in Australia, you can pay $2.26 a litre at one servo, but then drive past another, selling the same unleaded for $1.64, on the same road. Why? On this episode of the Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Peter Khoury, a spokesperson for the National Roads and Motorists' Association, to unravel what’s behind the wildly different pricing, who exactly we should blame when petrol prices skyrocket, and how to find the best deal, easily.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.