The Briefing

You might be celebrating Brat Summer, or singing along to the light-sounding-but-heavy-meaning words of Chappell Roan – or maybe you’re just sipping that Espresso with Sabrina Carpenter.  Either way, the charts don’t lie - a new intense and complex female-made and focused pop sound is having a renaissance.   So what’s the key ingredient for being a female pop star in 2024 and why is it working for some but not for others?   As part of The Briefing’s Best of Summer Series, we’re revisiting Sacha Barbour Gatt’s chat with Nic Kelly, host of The Hot Hits on the Hit Network and LiSTNR to unpack it all.  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Christmas is on hold for Victorian firefighters ready to protect the state, Joe Biden pardons death row prisoners, NRMA issues Christmas road safety warning, and Australia's most famous crocodile has passed away at 90 years old. Best of Deep Dive: Is it possible that there’s a serial killer wreaking havoc along the NSW coast? That’s the question raised by Jeremy Buckingham, Legalise Cannabis Party MP and member of NSW legislative council earlier in the year. In an impassioned address to parliament at the end of October, the MP made the case for the state to take a serious look at 67 missing or murdered women along the NSW north coast between 1977 and 2009. As part of The Briefing’s Best of Summer Series, we’re revisiting Sacha Barbour Gatt’s chat with Jeremy earlier in the year where he unpacked his claims and laid out why he chose to raise the issue before Parliament. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Christmas tree light warnings, Victorian bushfire update, airfare charter of rights proposed, and Aussie researchers create injection to reverse blindness. Deep dive best of: Amid a cost of living crisis, who can resist the invitation to “shop like a billionaire” at bargain-basement prices? Online juggernaut Temu is Australia’s most popular free app, offering a vast vortex of low-cost merchandise from fashion and homeware to toys and electronics. But amid the thrilling rush of retail therapy lie some serious questions: Where does this stuff come from and what are conditions like for those at the bottom of the supply chain? As part of The Briefing’s Best of Summer Series, we’re revisiting Sacha Barbour Gatt’s chat with senior labour rights campaigner at Oxfam, Sarah Rogan to find out more. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Baker is one of Australia’s best investigative journalists, who has spent decades chasing stories. The Walkley award winning journo is the host of LiSTNR's Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder, which explores a secretive religious group in Geelong where every aspect of members’ lives are tightly controlled by their hardline pastor. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Richard explains why he doesn't have any social media, what life is like as an investigative journalist, and how dangerous it is for whistle blowers in Australia. Weekend List TO TRY: Vouchers with your private health insurance TO WATCH: Hair Theory by Emma Chamberlain on YouTube TO READ: BBC article 'Being a starlet was difficult': How Shirley Temple saved a Hollywood studio from bankruptcy TO WATCH: Bad Sisters on Netflix Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been captivated by the US election, horrified at wars overseas and have marvelled at the Olympics. There’s no doubt 2024 has been another massive year in news. In today’s deep dive, Sacha Barbour Gatt and Bension Siebert talk through the biggest stories of the year and what they’ve meant to us, before looking ahead to what we can expect in 2025. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Man in French mass rape case that shocked the world handed 20-year conviction, Albanese government condemned for approving four coalmine expansions, first-ever estimates of LGBTI+ Aussies released and Raygun The Musical will be going ahead!Deep Dive: 'The Briefing recaps 2024' in your feeds right now as a separate episode. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Penny Wong announces Australian embassy will re-open in Ukraine, Australian crews en route to Vanuatu, NSW Government approves pill testing trial and NASA's stranded astronauts to remain on the ISS until March. Deep Dive: Have you cut meat out of your diet for ethical reasons, only to eventually return to that late-night cheeseburger or pub chicken parma? There are plenty of good reasons for going vegan or vegetarian: the animals, the environment, the climate crisis, health, the cost of a steak – the list goes on. But one in ten Australians is eating more meat this year, or planning to, than in previous years. So why are some Australians turning back to meat and dairy? On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks to several former vegans and vegetarians on why they chose to go back to meat, as well as experts on how to get the nutrients you need for health, fitness and muscle growth goals if you plan to go vegan in 2025.  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Australia stands ready to help Vanuatu after powerful earthquake, Qantas and Meta to pay massive fines, reactions to Victoria’s new protest laws and Bluey is heading to the big screen. Deep Dive: As 2025 looms, are we watching major Western governments across the world collapse? A possible resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A vote of no confidence for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. French government almost-shutdown narrowly avoided. What the hell is going on, what are the ramifications be for global stability into the new year, and does this say anything about what is coming our way in Australia and our own upcoming federal election? In this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks to Dr. Scott Burchill, honorary fellow at Deakin University, to get his take on what’s causing the sudden wave of change.  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Bashar al-Assad releases first statement since fleeing Syria, new poll shows Albanese’s disapproval at 50%, Australian teenager and mother hospitalised in Fiji return home and Prince Andrew disinvited from royal Christmas as spy saga deepens Deep Dive: NRL club Melbourne Storm are scaling back Welcome to Country ceremonies and focusing on “action” rather than “words” to improve the lives of First Nations people.  Is it the right call for the club to make? Why do we bother to acknowledge country at all – and does doing it distract us from real action institutions can take to fix inequalities between First Nations and non-Indigenous people in this country?   Ian Hamm is a Yorta Yorta man and Chair of the First Nations Foundation. He joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to unpack if he thinks Melbourne Storm has made the right call, and what impact this might have on other sporting codes and businesses and their relationship to First Nations Australians going forward.   Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Remaining Bali Nine return home, four Australians hospitalised after suspected alcohol poisoning in Fiji, heat wave warnings issued across Australia and Adelaide Zoo welcomes its newest giant pandas.Panda diplomacy deep dive: https://play.listnr.com/podcast/the-briefing/episode/panda-propaganda-why-china-is-sending-us-diplomacy? Today's Deep Dive: For the first time in a long time, Saturday Night Live is having a bit of a cultural moment. Currently in its 50th season the live sketch comedy show, which over the years has been created by comedy superstars like Will Ferrel, Eddie Murphy, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fay, has hit a milestone many dream of. But it hasn't all been roses – in the last decade the show has fought off constant criticism about relevancy, lacklustre casting and jokes, and questions of possible cancellation. What's brought it back to leading the cultural comedy way? In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Jon Schneider, the creator and host of podcast Saturday Night Network to explain why SNL is more relevant than ever.   Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Narelda Jacobs is a trailblazer. She’s a Whadjuk Noongar woman, journalist and presenter who’s changing the face of Australian media. Over the past two decades Narelda has worked as a trusted news presenter and is a powerful advocate for First Nations rights, LGBTQIA+ inclusion and social justice. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Narelda opens up about some recent experiences that are both personal and painful tied to the colour of her skin and reveals a surprise of her own. Weekend List TO FOLLOW: Hassan Hassan @hxhassan and Kevork Almassian @KevorkAlmassian on X TO EAT: Christmas brunch ideas tray bakes, savoury croissant and french toast TO BUY: Personalised toiletry bags for Christmas TO WATCH: Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) is blowing up in Australia. The fantasy table-top roleplay game is nothing new – it was first published in in 1974 – but Google Search trends in Australia show searches for DnD have been steadily climbing since about 2016. What’s behind the hype? Should you be picking up DnD in 2025? And if you aren’t keen on the kind of effort involved in playing it, what board games should we instead try playing over the holidays?  Justin Halliday is Game Designer for Hero Forge Games. He joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to explain the growing hype.   Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Coalition to unveil cost of bold nuclear plan, ‘Adult time’ youth justice laws pass Queensland parliament and Donald Trump named Time’s Person of the Year ... again Deep Dive: It has been ten years since the Lindt Cafe siege, which took place on December 15, 2014. Man Haron Monis took 18 hostages and held them for 16 hours in Sydney’s Martin Place. The 16-hour siege ended in the deaths of two hostages – Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson – as well as the gunman himself. Multiple others involved were injured by gunfire during the raid. In this episode of The Briefing, we interview our very own Antoinette Lattouf, who was a television reporter at the time, and covered the harrowing developments from the scene that day. She joins Helen Smith to recount how the day unfolded, her thoughts on how our perception of terrorism has evolved over the past decade, and why the events of that day will never leave her.  Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple Intelligence has officially come to Australia. Apple’s AI was first announced back in June, and as of today can be used by hundreds of thousands of iPhone-owning Aussies. But what can it do, and how will it change us? Will it encourage Android loyalists to make the jump, and is it really a gamechanger?   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by tech expert and editor of EFTM magazine, Trevor Long to unpack if it's worth the hype. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Women launch class action against BHP and Rio Tinto over alleged decades of sexual harassment, Anthony Albanese supports exclusion zones near houses of worship, Saudi Arabia chosen to host FIFA world cup, and HECS balances will be slashed from today. Deep Dive: A viral on the street interview turned Hailey Welch from a normal girl to an internet celebrity overnight. Becoming Hawk Tuah Girl, she has since used her sudden fame and millions of followers to pivot into a podcast, brand deals and merch line. Last week, she started a new venture – creating her own cryptocurrency called $HAWK. The digital coin hit a $490 million market cap shortly after it was launched, but lost 95% of its value within hours.  Does this massive depreciation mean it was a scam? And who is to blame for those who lost out when buying into the currency? And how can any of this be legal?  In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Daniel Gozman, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, to explain the complex world of crypto and pump and dump schemes. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are public figures fair game when it comes to parody and satire? Personally, your answer might shift depending on who that public figure is, while legally, the answers are a little more clean cut. It’s a question being asked following reports the legal team of Rachael Gunn, Australian academic and competitive breakdancer also known as Raygun, had a parody musical on her journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics cancelled ahead of its trial show. Raygun: The Musical, a creation of Aussie comedian Steph Broadbridge, was set to debut in Sydney on Saturday. However, after the venue received a cease-and-desist notice from the break dancer’s legal team – that show was canned. Joining Chris Spyrou on this episode of The Briefing, solicitor Jahan Kalantar explains it all. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fire attack against a Jewish synagogue in Melbourne has intensified a battle between our politicians over the meaning of anti-Semitism, and who is responsible for encouraging it in Australia.  Meanwhile, many people are struggling to know how to talk about anti-Semitism, Israel or Gaza without fear of saying the wrong thing.  In part two of The Briefing’s two-part special episode on anti-Semitism in Australia, Bension Siebert speaks with writer and co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin.  Listen to part one here: https://play.listnr.com/podcast/the-briefing/episode/the-politics-of-a-jewish-synagogue-fire-attack-par?Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: PM’s pitch to families ahead of election announcement, Syria’s new PM meets old government officials to aid transition, Telstra fined $3 million for 000 network outage, and two new sounds have been added to Australia’s sound archive. Deep Dive: The fire attack against a Jewish synagogue in Melbourne has intensified a battle between our politicians over the meaning of anti-Semitism and who is responsible for encouraging it in Australia.  Meanwhile, many people are struggling to know how to talk about anti-Semitism, Israel or Gaza without fear of saying the wrong thing.  In part one of The Briefing’s two-part special episode on anti-Semitism in Australia, Bension Siebert speaks with human rights lawyer and Executive Officer at the Jewish Council of Australia, Sarah Schwartz.  Listen to part two here:  https://play.listnr.com/podcast/the-briefing/episode/the-politics-of-a-jewish-synagogue-fire-attack-p-1? Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A group of sexy Queensland concreters have created a the "Sexy Concreters" calendar, featuring 12 Gold Coast tradies posing shirtless in wheelbarrows, pouring iced coffee over themselves and eating meat pies. The calendar was created to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health, with the first print of the calendar selling out in just two hours. In this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by Jesse Stenroos, Mr April and director of the concreting business Conseq Group, and Anthony Savage, the creator behind the project. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Antisemitism taskforce announced as travel warning issued for Jews heading to Australia, Australia fires new Tomahawk missiles for the first time, person of interest interviewed in CEO shooting case and Starbucks Australia posts $5.8 million loss. Deep Dive: A major health insurance company CEO was shot dead on the street in New York City last week, and many are celebrating. A Facebook post by UnitedHealthcare to remember its assassinated CEO, 50-year-old Brian Thompson, received tens of thousands of laugh reacts over the weekend. In the US and in Australia, many cultural commentators have echoed this sense of glee. So who was Brian Thompson, why are so many people happy he’s dead, and what does it say about who we are in the current cultural moment? On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert unpacks the reaction with US-born activist and public speaker Azure Antoinette. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebel forces in Syria captured the capital over the weekend in a move that saw the nation’s president, Bashar al-Assad, flee the country. It comes after a 13-year civil war and over five decades of his family’s brutal autocratic rule. The news has been widely welcomed by those living in the country, who are celebrating liberation – a similar sentiment echoed on the streets back here in Australia. But how did we get here and who steps in now that a dictator has been toppled? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, Professor Greg Barton to discuss. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Syrian rebels bring down Assad regime, new poll spells more bad news for Albo and Donald Trump attends the reopening of Notre Dame. Deep dive: The price of a cup of coffee has always been debated, and now, global coffee prices have reached their highest in over 50 years. It boils down to many factors across the industry, including bad weather in Brazil and Vietnam where most of the world's coffee comes from and international trade. So how will this impact the price of our daily cup of coffee going into 2025? In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Kirk Pearson, the owner of Project Zero Coffee and the host of It’s Just Coffee the podcast, to explain how it will all impact us here in Australia. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noni Hazlehurst has been a beloved fixture in Australian homes for decades, from Play School to Better Homes and Gardens. In her new memoir Dropping the Mask Noni opens up about her journey to self-discovery and concealing her true self to fit the roles others expected of her. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Noni shares her MeToo moment for the first time when a senior entertainment executive locked her in a room, changing her perspective forever. You can grab a copy of Dropping the Mask from any good book store or online Weekend List TO EAT: Mango and avocado salsa TO WATCH: Nugget Is Dead: A Christmas Story on Stan TO WATCH: Saturday Night Live on Binge TO WATCH: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Settling in to watch a Christmas movie is one of the hallmarks of the festive season for a lot of us, with titles like Elf, Die Hard and Love Actually usually at the top of the most-streamed list. But does it feel like it’s been a while since we’ve seen a great Christmas movie? Time Out’s list of the ten best ever doesn’t feature a single title from after 2005, which has us asking – have we seen the last of the great Christmas movies? Ash London, radio queen and passionate Chrissy movie advocate joins Sacha Barbour Gatt on this episode of The Briefing to discuss. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: The Chaos in France, new poll shows Peter Dutton on track for major election win, former defence secretary to lead urgent AUKUS review, Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli charged over unlawful lottery and you tell us your favourite Christmas movies! Deep dive: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has become a record-breaking phenomenon – taking on 54 cities across 21 countries over a gruelling 21 months. Swift, considered one of the greatest artists of all time, has been on tour since March 2023, breaking multiple records including the highest-grossing tour ever and the first musician to surpass a billion US dollars in revenue. As the Eras tour wraps up for good in Vancouver this weekend, The Briefing has teamed up with Angel Zhong at RMIT to exclusively unpack every stat and figure from what will inevitably go down in history as one of the biggest music events of our generation. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who should decide what’s acceptable to wear to the office? In the last couple of years, we’ve seen a huge shift in office workwear with experts saying it’s partly because of the pandemic, working from home, social media trends and because of younger generations entering the workplace. In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Lauren Sams, fashion editor at the Australian Finical Review, and Employment Lawyer Roxanne Hart to find out who makes the rules around what’s corporate chic and what’s going to send you straight to HR. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Charges laid over Easey Street murders, Aussie primary school students score best ever result in global test, NSW Premier to be referred to corruption watchdog, South Korean lawmakers move to impeach President and the Matildas win 3-1 against Taiwan. Deep Dive: You might have heard the phrase “deep state” in the news about US President-elect Donald Trump recently. He’s promised to dismantle it. But what is the “deep state” and do we have one in Australia? The Briefing’s Bension Siebert speaks with ANU national security expert David Andrews about the shadowy world of the deep state conspiracy theory and what stops Australia’s government from being undermined from the inside. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man charged over one of Victoria’s longest cold cases, the 1977 Easey Street murders, touched down in Melbourne overnight, after a marathon extradition from Rome. He was arrested in Italy back in September in connection to the alleged murder of 28-year-old Suzzane Armstrong and 27-year-old Susan Bartlett in their Collingwood share house almost 50 years ago. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by host of the Life and Crimes podcast and author of Rule on Crime, Andrew Rule. Andrew's been closely following the case since the 70s. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Easey Street murder suspect lands in Melbourne after extradition, South Korean Parliament rejects president’s martial law declaration, concerns over ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Commonwealth Bank urged to rethink $3 cash withdrawal fee, and the most visited Wikipedia pages for 2024 have been revealed. Deep dive: A five-year legal battle is playing out between the NT government and residents of Laramba, an Aboriginal community 205km north-west of Alice Springs, over clean drinking water. The community's drinking water was found to have contained uranium at levels three times the maximum safe level set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. In this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by Daniel Kelly, a solicitor at Australian Lawyers for Remote Aboriginal Rights, to unpack the latest developments. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of hard jobs, does influencing or content creation top the list? After a video from the 2024 TikTok Awards went viral, that’s exactly the conversation happening online right now. Content creators were asked if their work is “hard,” with some answers sparking debate and backlash. One of those influencers seemingly in hot water is Veronica B. The TikTokker, who has over half a million followers on the app, joins Chris Spyrou in this episode of The Briefing to unpack whether she believes being an influencer is tough, what goes on behind the scenes, and how she’s handling the wave of hate. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: The fallout from Hunter Biden’s pardon, biggest cocaine bust in Australian history sees 13 charged and Australia just sweltered through its hottest spring ever. Deep dive: 2024 has become the deadliest year for aid workers with harrowing risks of humanitarian work laid bare over the weekend. Aid workers from Save the Children and World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli Defence Forces airstrike in Gaza, prompting World Central Kitchen to halt operations after it destroyed one of its vehicles and killed three staff members. With Israel’s new legislation banning the operation of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency in Israel and occupied territories by January 28, what happens to arguably the most oppressed and starving people in the world if aid workers can no longer help? Australia-born Roger Hearn is the UNRWA's Director of Relief and Social Services, and he joins Antoinette Lattouf in this episode of The Briefing. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been eight years since Pokémon Go took the world by storm. But was the global phenomenon just a big data mining scam? By the end of its launch year in 2016, over 200 million people had downloaded the game and today 90 million users are still trying to catch em’ all. But it's come to light that the game’s developers, Niantic, have been using its player’s data to train “the next frontier of AI”. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou chats with freelance games journalist Harry Kalogirou to find out how this happened, whether users are justified in feeling scammed and what this means for the future of AI. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: What’s going on Syria right now, Trump threatens 100% tariffs on China and Russia, house prices in Sydney and Melbourne tumble and a Melbourne woman has had a deadly tiger snake slither up her leg while driving. Deep dive: Young Australians pay more tax than older Australians on the same income. On this episode of The Briefing, we explain how the tax burden came to fall so heavily on younger people and why, for the first time, we might be in a position to do something about it. Bension Siebert speaks to Independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender who has spent more than a year creating a green paper, working with experts, business groups, academics, and trade unions to explain the problem and what we could do to solve it. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Grace AKA Gspot knows a lot about sex. She’s a pleasure activist, the co-founder of sexual wellness company Normal and an expert in somatic sexology, embodied counselling and trauma informed approaches. The Modern Guide to Sex is Georgia’s latest book where she breaks down taboos, myths and the sexual shame society holds. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Georgia explains the importance of pleasure and gives her take on Bonnie Blue. Weekend List TO EAT: Avo on toast roast with labneh and za'atar TO READ: I Am Pilgrim by former journalist and screenwriter Terry Hayes TO TRY: We listen and we don't judge trend on TikTok TO WATCH: Fisk season 3 on ABC iView Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’re a fan or not, you can’t deny the absolute juggernaut that has been the Wicked movie press tour. After kicking off in Australia earlier this month, the cast of the Broadway adaptation have been going viral while chatting with the media and public about the film. Headlined by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the press tour has copped some flak for being cringey and over the top, amid viral videos of reporters crying in interviews to ridiculous platitudes about “holding space” for the lyrics of the movie’s title track Defying Gravity. On today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Justin Hill, host of LiSTNR’s The Streaming Service, to break down the insanity of the Wicked press tour and explain why it’s got people so riled up. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alicia Schiller is a convicted murderer – and the Victorian Government has given her permission to start IVF treatment during her sentence. She stabbed her roommate to death in 2014 and she’s currently serving a 16-year-sentence in a maximum-security prison in Victoria. The decision has provoked outrage from the family of her victim, from politicians and members of the public. If she gets pregnant, it’s being reported that she plans to raise the child with her in prison for the first five years, then hand the child over to her parents while she serves what's left of her sentence. In part two of this special two-part episode of The Briefing, Victorian Liberal MP Brad Battin argues the Victorian Government should stop Schiller having a child. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Australia approves world first social media ban for kids, Israel fires on southern Lebanon after ceasefire deal, top trends for 2025 revealed. Deep Dive: Alicia Schiller is a convicted murderer – and the Victorian Government has given her permission to start IVF treatment during her sentence. She stabbed her roommate to death in 2014 and she’s currently serving a 16-year sentence in a maximum-security prison in Victoria. The decision has provoked outrage from the family of her victim, from politicians and members of the public. If she gets pregnant, it’s being reported that she plans to raise the child with her in prison for the first five years, then hand the child over to her parents while she serves what's left of her sentence. In part one of this special two-part episode of The Briefing, Australian barrister and criminal justice spokesman with the Australian Lawyers Alliance Greg Barnes joins Bension Siebert to argue why Schiller has every right to access IVF. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia, community water fluoridation programs have been underway since the 1950s. It’s a practice endorsed by the World Health Organisation as an effective and safe way of reducing tooth decay. But earlier this year Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., promised remove fluoride from water supplies, a move that Trump has endorsed. RFK Jr, often labeled a vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist, claims fluoride is linked to conditions like arthritis, cancer, and lowered IQ. It’s a case his supporters say is strengthened by a recent US-government report which found a tentative link between high fluoride levels and reduced neurodevelopment in children. So, is it really safe and is it time we give it a rethink? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Dr Brad McKay, GP and author of ‘Fake Medicine: Exposing the wellness crazes, cons and quacks costing us our health’ to unpack it all. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: 37 bills listed as “priority” on final scheduled sitting day, Lidia Thorpe suspended from the Senate, US to start work immediately on new Gaza ceasefire proposal and the TikTok Awards 2024 were held in Sydney overnight. Deep Dive: Next year’s election will be the first in Australia’s history where there’ll be more Millennials and Gen Z than boomers at the ballot box. Who will be influencing their vote? Celebrity endorsements seem to be losing their potency – despite support from Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, presidential hopeful Kamala Harris could not find the votes to give her the top job in the recent US election. Does that reflect a gap in the election market about to be filled by social media and influencers? And is that a good or bad thing? Konrad Benjamin doesn't love the term influencer – but he’s the host and creator behind Punters Politics, a YouTube channel that aims to help “navigate the divisive world of Australian politics on a quest to make it simple for the every day punter”. In this episode of The Briefing, he joins Bension Siebert to unpack the power of the influencer, and how much of a say he thinks they will have on the 2025 vote here in Aus. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s been a major development this week for the appeal hopes of one of the country’s most notorious criminals. Tony Mokbel, who became a household name during Melbourne’s gangland wars in the early noughties, could soon walk free, after a judge ruled his lawyer had perverted the course of justice by feeding information to the police in the lead up to his arrest. So how likely is it that his case, and a number of others, will be overturned? Veteran crime journalist Adam Shand joins Sacha Barbour Gatt on this episode of The Briefing to explain. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Eight Laos hostel staff detained over suspected methanol deaths, Benjamin Netanyahu urges Israeli ministers to approve Hezbollah ceasefire deal, an update on the bills Labor is trying to pass this week and Drake takes feud with Kendrick Lamar to court. Deep Dive: Are you gearing up to spend your hard-earned dollars this Black Friday? It's nearly impossible to miss the flood of aggressive marketing from retailers ahead of the Black Friday sales this week. But is it the sale of the year – or just the best marketing ploy ever? On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert unpacks why this longstanding American shopping event has become so big in Australia, and how you can you avoid getting sucked in by marketing and snatch a genuine bargain. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s top politicians spent much of last week fighting over what will be a major issue in the upcoming election: migration. Specifically, international students, and how many of them should be allowed to study here each year. Both Labor and the Coalition agree on one thing – they think we're bringing in too many, and it’s putting too much pressure on housing and infrastructure. But despite that agreement, government legislation to limit their numbers was rejected in the Senate last week. The uncertainty is putting universities across the country in a difficult position as they scramble to organise enrolments for the new year, and provide clarity for existing students. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt and Bension Siebert give you a no-bullshit explainer on international student caps, and unpack the arguments being made from both major parties as we approach the next federal election. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: The Greens back Labor’s housing bill, Israel to vote on Hezbollah ceasefire, Google, Meta and X react to social media ban, and Wicked enjoys a bumper weekend at the Aussie box office. Deep Dive: The Bali Nine were a group of nine Australians convicted for attempting to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin out of Indonesia in April 2005. It sounds like a deal with the Indonesian government might be underway – but what would repatriation look like, why would we want them in Australia, and why has this group been such a big deal for so long? Bishop Tim Harris is a long-time advocate for the release of the Bali Nine, having visited members of the group at Kerobokan prison and working with their families back home. He joins Sacha Barbour Gatt for this episode of The Briefing to explain why he thinks it’s time for the remaining members to return home. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

White water rafting has gone very wrong for a Lithuanian man in the fast-flowing Franklin River in Tasmania over the weekend. After accidentally wedging his leg between rocks, the man was trapped for over 20 hours, partially submerged in the river, while rescuers attempted to release him, staving off hypothermia with hot meals and warm drinks in thermoses. Eventually they concluded the only way to get him out was to amputate the man’s leg at the knee. How does something like this happen? If you’re thinking of doing any adventure sporting over the summer or on your next holiday, should you think twice if considering white-water rafting? On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Bruce Baxter, owner and founder of Paddle Sports Australia and author or The Ever Varying Flood: Franklin River Rafting Guide to unpack what he thinks went wrong. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Massive few days ahead in Canberra for final sitting week of 2024, 170 arrested in Newcastle port protest and Mary Fowler steps back from Matildas citing mental fatigue Deep Dive: It’s called 'Pink Cocaine', but it usually contains zero cocaine, and it’s been linked to a series of deaths – including that of One Direction star Liam Payne. So what is it, really? And if you come across it on a night out over the weekend, what do you need to know about it, and how to keep yourself safe? On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert speaks with Dr Amie Hayley from the International Council of Drugs, Alcohol and Traffic Safety (ICADTS) to find out. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osher Günsberg is a household name in television and entertainment across generations. But in recent years, his work advocating for mental health support, sharing his struggle with a raft of psychiatric conditions, alcoholism and more recently chronic pain has taken centre stage, culminating in a new hosting gig for a documentary about living with chronic pain. In this intimate chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Osher explains his obsessions with saunas, whether he Googles himself, and for the first time, shares his views on the heart-breaking humanitarian crisis in Gaza. You can watch Osher Gunsberg: A World Of Pain at SBS on Demand now Weekend List TO TRY: Finch: Self-care pet on any app store TO READ: The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club by Faith Hogan TO LISTEN: Spotify Ai DJ X TO LISTEN: Playboy by Fireboy DML Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom always thought he was autistic but was never diagnosed, until he sought out a definitive answer. Turns out he was right. How will his life change as a result? This is the final episode of The Briefing's five-part series on neurodiversity, Sacha Barbour Gatt sits down with Tom to discuss his diagnosis, what it means to him, how he thinks it will impact his future, and if he intends to change his life in any way. This series is aimed at informing and supporting people who believe they, or someone they know, is on the autism spectrum but never found out and made in partnership with Autism Awareness Australia and Sydney University's Brain and Mind Centre. Listen to Part One here, Part Two here, Part Three here, and Part Four here. You can find the Brain and Mind Centre here, and Autism Awareness Australia's resources in recognising autism here. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we all just a bunch of psychopaths? Jon Ronson has made a career talking to people living life on the extreme and unpacking what makes us normal – or not. As we begin the wrap-up for 2024, the global community is taking stock of where we sit as a society, and if we’re better or worse than before. What does someone like Ronson make of it all? Have we become more psychopathic as a global community, or have we become too comfortable about using the term? In this special bonus episode of The Briefing, he joins Sacha Barbour Gatt in the midst of his Australian tour to explain why he’s touring the country to explore if psychopaths rule the world in 2024. You can buy tickets to Jon’s tour here. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: Fifth person dies of methanol poisoning in Laos, ICC issues arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, 1500 Woolworths warehouse workers strike indefinitely, and an Aussie tv personality has helped wrangle a snake off a plane in WA! Deep Dive: A 19-year-old Australian teenager has died, and another remains in a critical condition in hospital after consuming drinks in Laos suspected of containing methanol. The family of Bianca Jones said in a statement released to media on Thursday that “it is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away”. Jones’ best friend, Holly Bowles, remains in a critical condition in Thailand, while four others are also suspected to have died from the mass poisoning – two women from Denmark, an English woman and a man from the US. The Australian Government has issued a warning following the incident, urging people to be alert to the risks when travelling, particularly with spirit-based drinks like cocktails. After such a tragic result, many are asking – how and why is methanol getting into people’s drinks? What does it do to the body? And what can you do to keep yourself safe next time you head overseas? In this episode of the Briefing Bension Siebert is joined by forensic pathologist David Ranson, to discuss why methanol poisoning is more common than you might think. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom has discovered in his late twenties he’s on the autism spectrum. While Tom had always suspected he was autistic, he’s now had his suspicions confirmed - a story echoed by individuals and families across the country. So how do people on the spectrum navigate the workplace – and what about relationships, both romantic and platonic? In this five-part special series of The Briefing, we team up with Autism Awareness Australia and Sydney University's Brain and Mind Centre to walk alongside Thomas as he discovers what the autism spectrum is, and if, and where, he might fit. In Part Four, we’re joined by Professor Adam Guastella from the centre and Nicole Rogerson, founding CEO and director of Autism Awareness Australia to discuss work, friendship and love on the spectrum. Listen to Part One here, Part Two here, and Part Three here. You can find the Brain and Mind Centre here, and Autism Awareness Australia's resources in recognising autism here. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.