🔗 https://its-not-a-race.raisely.com/ 🎟️ https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/comedy-festival-2025/a-rational-fear In this episode of A Rational Fear, Dan Ilic and Lewis Hobba catch up and discuss their busy start to the year, including Lewis's move to Melbourne and preparations for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. They introduce new initiatives like the A Rational Fukt Check, aimed at fact-checking political promises and disinformation during the upcoming election. The con...
Jan 30, 2025•16 min•Ep 228•Transcript available on Metacast Tonightly and Media Watch wacky clips craftsman Dylan Behan is back with his annual News Fighters year in review episode taking an in depth look at 2024 in news and politics. From Dutton’s nuclear epiphany to Albo’s endless cash splashing (mostly on his own house) this year has marked an an ever increasing enshittifcation of Australian politics. Also Stefan Pazur does his annual wrap of sport and entertainment. News Fighters: where we fight the news, so you don’t have to! 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATRE...
Dec 22, 2024•25 min•Ep 227•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G’day Fearmongers! Merry Christmas to everyone (except Raygun). Join A Rational Fear as we break down some of the most memorable stories (to us). We gathered around table at the Tilbury Hotel — one of the earliest satirical venues in Australia, the birth place of Three Men and A Baby Grand, and the earliest incarnations of the Wharf Revue — how very fitting that we, A Rat...
Dec 13, 2024•38 min•Ep 226•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Hello Fearmongers, This is the Exit Interview for Kylea Tink , the current independant Member of Parliament for North Sydney. But not for long thanks to AEC the boundaries of North Sydney are being folded into the neighbouring electorates. Since there is no HR department at Parliament House I took it upon myself to sit down with Kylea Tink and ask her how her time was at ...
Dec 05, 2024•30 min•Ep 224•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G’day Fearmongers, We have a very different episode of the podcast this week — we’re throwing out the rule book to bring a conversation with Millie Holten ( Instagram ), the brilliant creator of a new web series that is doing huge numbers on TikTok called Long Head . Starring the incredible voices of incredible comedians Kate Dehnert, Tom Walker and Sam Campbell as the ti...
Nov 29, 2024•28 min•Ep 225•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G’day Fearmongers, The privilege of being a white guy with a podcast is that you get to talk to your heroes, record those conversations and then share them with your friends, acquaintances, and 10,000 of you — our fellow fearmongers. In this episode Jon Ronson joins us to talk about psychopathy, the evolution of public shaming in the late social media era, we try to tease...
Nov 21, 2024•51 min•Ep 223•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Salam Fearmongers, This week we’re connecting with two of our favourite friends of the pod who are wandering around the hall of COP29 in Baku, Azerbijan. Linh Do & Richie Merzian. We chat negotiations, financial commitments and how no one at COP is even talking nuclear. And how that dead whale on the shores of Baku (on the land-locked Caspian Sea), rattled everyone on Day...
Nov 15, 2024•23 min•Ep 222•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Howdy Fearmongers, Trying to make sense of the US Elections is a fools errand. Well, consider us your fools. I spent Wednesday afternoon not being able to do work, or anything really, the limit of my motor skills maxed out at flipping between live YouTube channels of US based news and refreshing the NYT app. This was the wrong choice. If I’ve learned anything from followi...
Nov 08, 2024•52 min•Ep 221•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Howdy Fearmongers, We’re in the home stretch — at the time of publishing, there’s only 6 days left until Americans everywhere skip work, neglect their families, and dodge bullets to line up in droves to spend a few good hours deciding who will be the comptroller, dog catcher, deputy sheriff, parking tsar, book stacker and President of the USA. Recorded in Texas, this epis...
Oct 30, 2024•40 min•Ep 220•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Welcome to the JokeTober episode. Throughout October I had the privilege to run some satirical comedy workshops for 2SER, a community radio station in Sydney Part of the “prize” of being selected as a JokeTober co-hort they got some actual jokes published on the A Rational Fear podcast — we set them a challenge to write a satirical come up with 3 satirical comedy sketches...
Oct 28, 2024•20 min•Ep 219•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G'day Fearmongers, This week we’re joined by Emerson Brophy and Hannah Ferguson . While the NACC is getting knackered, climate action is getting neutered, and action on cost of living is nixed. Albo is really getting into shrinkflation. albomp A post shared by @albomp Because some extra chips in a packet is going to solve how much that packet costs — thank goo...
Oct 10, 2024•27 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ 📋 LISTENER SURVEY: CLICK HERE G’day Fearmongers, UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer had one of the all time gaffes in politics this week — demanding at the Labour conference that Hamas “Free the sausages” immediately he spat out “Free the Hostages” — with a look on his face that screamed “no one heard the sausage thing…right?” — but alas it was too late. There is nothing muc...
Oct 04, 2024•35 min•Ep 217•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ 📋 FILL OUT OUR AUDIENCE SURVEY: https://z5xf13rh5z4.typeform.com/to/J0SFy05N Charlotte George, Zach Mander, Wayne Smith, Lewis Hobba, Dan Ilic G’day Fearmongers, This week Peter Dutton took his Nuclear dog for a walk in Sydney and it off the leash at the CEDA conference in Sydney — the Committee for Economic Development of Australia — a very pro industry think tank that ...
Sep 26, 2024•32 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G'day Fearmongers, Big thanks to Ampel and Myrtle & Pine Studio for lending us their podcast studio to record this week's A Rational Fear in person. We have in the studio Grace Tame , and Punter's Politics , as well as Lewis Hobba and me (Dan Ilic). This week we discuss the Murdoch family's legal battles, the controversy surrounding the Australian remake of The Office, an...
Sep 20, 2024•34 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ In this episode of A Rational Fear, the hosts discuss a range of topics including the impact of Russian funding on YouTube influencers, the effectiveness of political propaganda, and a detailed analysis of the recent US presidential debate. They also touch on the upcoming COP31 climate conference and its implications for Australia. The conversation is filled with humour a...
Sep 13, 2024•33 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast G’day Fearmongers — We’re back next week with all new A Rational Fear Podcast episodes. But before that please enjoy this brand new podcast series I worked on with the UNSW Centre For Ideas called Preppers. It’s about how we all need to get prepared for the end of the world together. We talk to so many great people for this podcast. On the A Rational Fear podcast feed I’ve just put up Episode 1 but search for Preppers wherever you find podcasts or go to www.arationa...
Sep 06, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Alex Apollonov and Aleksa Vulovic are the co-hosts of the youtube channel Boy_Boy who have built an epic following thanks to their adventures in democracy, civics and capitalism. They share how they snuck into the super secret spy base Pine Gap and the of ramifications of getting caught. 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear Here's all the fun st...
Mar 12, 2024•39 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Celebrating 1,000,000 downloads live in Melbourne at the Malthouse Theatre This is the show that rips into the news with the the best and brightest including Charlie Pickering. Sami Shah. Kirsty Webeck Richard Fidler DJ Andrew McClelland. 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon. 🎧 Get an...
Feb 04, 2024•22 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast 🎟️ BUY TICKETS TO OUR MELBOURNE 1,000,000th DOWNLOAD SHOW: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/what-s-on/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/ 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ John Delmenico, the editor of The Chaser, joins the podcast to discuss his role and the future of the publication. John shares his journey from dropping out of university to becoming a writer for The Chaser and eventually the e...
Jan 13, 2024•8 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ 🎟️ BUY A TICKET TO OUR 1,000,000th Download show: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/what-s-on/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/ G’day Fearmongers — Thrilled to drop our end of the year special 2023 — hosted by Peter Dutton. Sorry, we have to for balance or risk jail in 2024. It’s been a big year — We’ve performed in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Thursday Isla...
Jan 01, 2024•40 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast 🎟️ BUY A TICKET TO OUR 1,000,000th DOWNLOAD SHOW: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/what-s-on/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/ 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ If Patreon isn't your thing, and Apple Subscriptions are too Appley — chip in with A-Cast here: https://plus.acast.com/s/a-rational-fear-1 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 20, 2023•27 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast 🎟️ BUY TICKETS TO OUR 1,000,000th DOWNLOAD LIVE SHOW: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/tickets/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/ 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ It's tricky times to be a satirical comedian on the world stage right now. The world is full of sad things, but it's a comedians job to find the catharsis in the contemporary anxiety. One comedian who is doing that on the toughest of ...
Dec 14, 2023•49 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast 🎟️ BUY TICKETS TO OUR 1,000,000th DOWNLOAD LIVE SHOW: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/tickets/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/ 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ In this conversation, Dan and Lewis interview Wendy Harmer, a comedy legend and former radio host. They discuss the evolution of comedy and radio, the impact of commercial radio, memorable interactions with radio management, and uncon...
Dec 08, 2023•51 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ Lewis and Dan catch up after winning the Best Comedy Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards. Come see the 1,000,000th download show at the Malthouse Theatre February 1st TICKETS https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/tickets/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign...
Nov 23, 2023•17 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ A Rational Fear is LIVE at SXSW SYDNEY! 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon. 🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show. 🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows. 🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos. 👨🏼⚖️ Make show sugges...
Oct 21, 2023•49 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G’day Fearmongers, I’m sure many of you who are comedy fans would have already seen the news that our friend Cal Wilson passed away this week. Everything everyone says of Cal is right — she’s simply one of the kindest, just and joyful people who worked in comedy. We were all so lucky to be friends with her, we all thought we’d probably have her for quite a few more decade...
Oct 12, 2023•12 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G'day Fearmongers, Last Monday — A Rational Fear performed live on stage at the Thursday Island Bowls Club where we set the table to have a discussion about The Voice and Climate Change. The maestro of all things arts and culture on TI Diat Alferink produced and performed in the show as well as joined by other First Nations comedians Leon Filewood, Jay Wymarra and D...
Sep 22, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon. 🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show. 🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows. 🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos. 👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions. 💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear di...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ G’day Fearmongers, This week we’re explaining the Walkleys walkout by some of the most celebrated cartoonists in the country. Australia’s most prestigious Journalism Awards are sponsored by a fossil fuel company, and Megan Herbert is on the podcast to talk us through her decision. Also Matt Bray joins us to talk about his latest creation. Gas Tycoon The Board Game. Which ...
Sep 08, 2023•28 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear 📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/ 🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon. 🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show. 🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows. 🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos. 👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions. 💬 Get a link ...
Aug 31, 2023•31 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast