The safety of kids in childcare has been a big topic this week after a Melbourne childcare worker was accused of committing acts of abuse. We’ll get you across the policy implications. We’ll take you through the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs verdict, the Qantas data breach, and a much-anticipated movie sequel with ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’. In what’s coming up - NAIDOC Week, the Dalai Lama turns 90, and it’s a big weekend for camel racing. LINKS Support for those impacted by the alleged abuse at a Victoria...
Jul 04, 2025•35 min
Last week, the US bombed 3 nuclear facilities in Iran. We get you across the details of those strikes, and what the major players are saying about the outcome. Plus, Sussan Ley's vision for an electable Liberal Party, a very extravagant Venice wedding, and Lake Eyre is back. Coming up next week - the jury in the trial of Erin Patterson start deliberations, the Fijian PM is in Canberra, and the NRLW season kicks off. LINKS Send your questions to us for Ask The Squiz Subscribe to the Financial Tim...
Jun 27, 2025•32 min
In a world where Netflix and Disney dominate, how does a platform like Stan hold its own? We put that to Dan Taylor - he’s the Managing Director of Stan and the guy leading Australia’s only locally owned streaming service. We chat about the strategy behind streaming, how the industry’s shifted (and where it's heading), and what it all means for local content. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the business end of what we watch. Want more News Club in your life? We’ve got you… Sign up to our Ne...
Jun 24, 2025•28 min
Global news was dominated by escalating tensions between Israel and Iran this week. We get you across what’s happened so far, and how the US plays into it. Plus, the mushroom murder trial is almost done, an update on Australia’s proposed social media ban, and the Choice/Ultraviollete sunscreen controversy. Looking ahead - the NATO summit, new EU-Australia deals, and a nostalgic Glastonbury lineup. LINKS Watch/listen to our interview with Trent Dalton on Spotify or YouTube The Be...
Jun 20, 2025•36 min
Not many Aussie authors have made a bigger impact on the book world over the past decade than Trent Dalton. In this chat, the Brisbane-born journo-turned-novelist reflects on surviving the '90s newsroom culture, why he’s drawn to darkness in storytelling, and the incredible success he has had. He opens up about process, ambition, failure - and why he’s only ever watched Boy Swallows Universe once.... Want more News Club in your life? We've got you... Sign up to our News Club newsletter ...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Trump has deployed the National Guard and Marines, we'll get you across what that means as the protests in LA continue. It was also a rough week for broadcast TV, with both The Project and Q+A cancelled. And there was another Monash IVF bungle. Coming up - the G7 kicks off in Canada, and State of Origin. LINKS Watch/listen to our interview with Stephanie Bendixsen on Spotify or YouTube Listen to The Beach Boys album Pet Sounds. The Survivors on Netflix. Want more News Club in your life? ...
Jun 13, 2025•35 min
Gaming is a global powerhouse, pulling in more revenue than film and music combined. In this episode, we chat with Stephanie Bendixsen - or Hex - a gaming critic, author and presenter who’s carved out her place in a male-dominated industry. We talk about the evolution of gaming, from TV to Twitch, and what it says about where entertainment and culture are heading. Yes, it’s about gaming, but it’s also about so much more... Games mentioned: Firewatch What remains of Edith Finch Gone Home Want mor...
Jun 10, 2025•41 min
Ukraine’s drone strike has defence watchers calling it a turning point in the war - we’ll unpack what it means for global security. Plus, the Trump/Musk bromance takes a hit, and we’ll get you across the latest from the mushroom murder trial, with Erin Patterson taking the stand. Also on the radar - Tassie could be heading to the polls early, and the French Open finals get underway tonight. LINKS Watch/listen to our interview with Aunty Donna on Spotify or YouTube Operation Spiderweb map The...
Jun 06, 2025•33 min
You might know Aunty Donna from their YouTube channel, their Netflix series Aunty Donna’s Big Ol' House of Fun, or their ABC show Aunty Donna's Coffee Cafe. But behind the scenes, they're doing something quite revolutionary. In this episode, we chat with Mark Bonanno and Sam Lingham - two of the brains behind the Melbourne comedy group - about taking the business side of comedy into their own hands. They reflect on their story, the best advice they've ever received, and why they want to change i...
Jun 03, 2025•42 min
A couple of developments in the Israel-Gaza war this week, we get you across what’s happening. Then we’re wrapping up three stories with a common thread: Trump’s legal battle over tariffs, the collapse of Healthscope, and a lovers’ scuffle featuring the Macrons. In the week ahead, a world-first election in Mexico, and the latest ABS data. LINKS Watch/listen to our interview with Daina Reid on Spotify or YouTube The viral video of The Macrons Swedish potato and anchovy casserole Four Years Later ...
May 30, 2025•33 min
Daina Reid has directed some of Australia’s most iconic TV - Offspring, Paper Giants, The Secret Life of Us - and made her mark globally with The Handmaid’s Tale. In this chat, she shares her journey from Perth sketch comedy to Hollywood... There are a few name drops, but also the meaty stuff: how streaming is reshaping the industry, what it means for Aussie stories, and how she’s navigated it all as a woman behind the camera. Want more News Club in your life? We've got you... Sign up to ou...
May 27, 2025•42 min
Our 2025 audience survey (please, and thank you!) In this episode: devastating floods in northern NSW, we’ll get you across why they say they’re a once-in-500-years event. Plus, a Coalition uncoupling, and Trump turns up the rhetoric on South Africa. In what's coming up, Beef Week and Kamala Harris is Gold Coast bound. Recs: Lonely Mouth by Jacqueline Maley Couples Therapy on Paramount+ Want more News Club in your life? We've got you... Sign up to our News Club newsletter Watch all ou...
May 23, 2025•36 min
Gogglebox, Travel Guides, Parental Guidance, The Assembly... if you're into TV, you've probably seen Mel Maclean's work. She’s the go-to producer for some of Australia's most-watched reality and factual shows. In this chat, Mel shares her journey from a cattle farm to the small screen, why she thinks this genre is having such a moment, how ordinary Australians become household names, and the deep sense of responsibility she feels when telling their stories. You can take part in our 2025 audience...
May 21, 2025•40 min
Sussan Ley took over as Liberal leader this week, while PM Anthony Albanese reshuffled his frontbench - we’ll take you through what it means and how it’s landed. US President Donald Trump made a visit to the Middle East, the Diddy trial is everywhere, and looking ahead, it’s RBA rate day on Tuesday and Qantas is back in court. LINKS Our News Club chat with Peter Greste The Flat Share on Paramount+ JSHealth Signature Green Soup Want more News Club in your life? We've got you... Sign up to our...
May 16, 2025•37 min
Welcome to The Call Sheet – the latest News Club series. This time, we’re turning the spotlight on the people behind what we watch, listen, and stream - the people shaping Aussie entertainment. Kicking things off is journalist Peter Greste, whose real-life story has just hit the big screen. The Correspondent is based on his book and follows his arrest and imprisonment in Egypt back in 2013. Peter talks about his harrowing story, seeing that chapter of his life brought to life on film, and what i...
May 13, 2025•39 min
First episode drops Wednesday on your News Club podcast feed.
May 12, 2025•1 min
The federal election's over, so we're doing a lap of the map to see how things shook out in each state. Also: the new Pope has been elected, an update on the mushroom murder trial, tensions flare between India and Pakistan, and Donald Trump’s is heading to the Middle East. LINKS Vogue's Met Gala gallery Australia's Eurovision entry The Four Seasons on Netflix Fashion Critical Want more News Club in your life? We've got you... Sign up to our News Club newsletter Watch all our interviews on...
May 09, 2025•39 min
It’s Election Day! We dive into our takeouts from what some are calling a 'dull' election campaign. Plus, the plagiarism allegations between Receipt Tin Eats and Brooki, the blackout in Spain, and the first week of the mushroom trial. And as always, what’s coming up next week as we move into post-election mode. Links Mushroom Case Daily podcast Snake on a globe game Your shortcut to what happens in a conclave Your shortcut to the election Want to work at The Squiz? Send us an email at hello@thes...
May 02, 2025•38 min
We're back with round 2 of our special election-themed Squiz Quiz - and tell us how you go at [email protected]... We'd love to know! Here's a quick scoring guide if you're playing along at home: The quiz has 10 questions. Each question is worth 1 point (for a total of 10).
Apr 25, 2025•23 min
This long weekend, we're bringing you our special election-themed Squiz Quiz. Here's a quick scoring guide if you're playing along at home: The quiz has 10 questions. Each question is worth 1 point (for a total of 10). The final round is worth a maximum of 5 points - Andrew will read 5 quotes about a news story - the faster you identify the story, the more points you get! The final score is out of a possible 15 points.
Apr 18, 2025•22 min
Mandi Wicks has been running the news division at SBS for nearly five years. She’s a former journo who’s also led SBS’s audio and language content. We wanted to chat to Mandi because SBS plays a unique role in our media landscape. It’s taxpayer-funded, and its job is to reflect Australia’s multicultural society. So in a time when trust in the media is under pressure and audiences are tuning out, we're curious...how’s SBS thinking about all that? Want more News Club in your life? We've got you......
Apr 15, 2025•39 min
Dire wolves are back from extinction (kinda), and after sending shockwaves through the stock market with his tariff announcement, Donald Trump has hit pause on new tariffs for most of the US’s trading partners. We dive into both those stories, plus look at what’s ahead for Meta as it faces fresh scrutiny and the heartbreaking news that an IVF error has led to a woman giving birth to a stranger’s baby. The Free Press' interview with Usha Vance Italian wedding soup recipe Send your election questi...
Apr 11, 2025•38 min
For many, the name Clare Stephens is synonymous with Mamamia. After all, she spent close to a decade working there, taking on roles such as Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor. But in February this year, she left. In this chat, we talk about all the things that made up that decision, how she’s handling it, and of course, what is on the cards for Clare Stephens - solo. Want more News Club in your life? We've got you... Sign up to our News Club newsletter Watch all our interviews on Youtube Follo...
Apr 08, 2025•50 min
President Trump imposed tariffs on nearly all US trading partners this week. We break down the formula and what it means for the global economy. Plus, Queensland is battling severe floods, the Sussexes are back in the spotlight, and ChatGPT had its biggest day since launch with a new feature mimicking Studio Ghibli's iconic style. LINKS How the US tariffs are calculated Meghan Markle's interview in the New York Times The Pitt on Binge The Yuka app Sign our petition for the fight against fake new...
Apr 04, 2025•38 min
John Anderson is a name many will recognize from the Howard Years (1996-2007), when he served as Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. But while his political career is well-known, what’s less familiar is his rise as a media powerhouse. With a YouTube channel that has hundreds of millions of views and 700,000 subscribers, John has managed to carve out a significant digital presence. On this chat, we dig into how John transitioned from politics to digital media, why his ...
Apr 01, 2025•54 min
The federal election for 2025 has officially been announced, and we cover what happened this week with the Budget. Plus, the story out of the US about a journalist being accidentally added to a top-secret chat group, and big news about the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. LINKS Sign our petition for the fight against fake news - but please don't make a donation (it does not go to Squiz Kids...) The Trump administration accidentally texted me war plans Lemon and ricotta cake The Studio on Apple TV+ Want m...
Mar 28, 2025•34 min
Bryce’s career spans many of Australia’s top media outlets, but these days, he is the Director of Squiz Kids, having started our daily news podcast for busy families back in 2020. Bryce just returned from a Churchill Fellowship trip, exploring how global efforts are tackling mis and disinformation. He talks about what he learnt and also shares his experience interviewing Belle Gibson in 2015, when she confessed to faking her cancer diagnosis. Sign our petition for the fight against fake news - b...
Mar 25, 2025•37 min
Two astronauts caused a splash this week. We chat about that, plus the latest on the ceasefires between Israel-Gaza and Ukraine-Russia. We also talk about ACCC's recent findings from their supermarket inquiry and why the new Netflix series Adolescence has started some big conversations. LINKS Sign our petition for the fight against fake news - but please don't make a donation (it does not go to Squiz Kids...) Adolescence The School of St Jude Gwyneth Paltrow's interview with Vanity Fair Newsmake...
Mar 21, 2025•32 min
For nearly 10 years, The Betoota Advocate has reigned as one of Australia’s most popular satirical news brands. In this chat, Charles Single (aka Errol Parker) and Zenon Kosmider (aka Wendell Hussey) share the backstory to The Betoota Advocate, their unique approach to news content, and how they’ve managed to engage us for almost a decade. Want more News Club in your life? We've got you... Sign up to our News Club newsletter Watch all our interviews on Youtube Follow us on Instagram: @The Squiz ...
Mar 18, 2025•45 min
In this Weekly Wrap we kick off with a look at the WA and Greenland election results before looking at the mop up from ex-TC Alfred and the drought in southern Oz. We also get across the latest on tariffs, why global share markets struggled this week, and former Aussie of the Year Richard Scolyer's update this week. LINKS Potato recipe (again...) Pics of the beach erosion from ex-TC Alfred The New York Times' visual story on former President Rodrigo Duterte's 'war on drugs' (warning: graphic ima...
Mar 14, 2025•34 min
