At 13 years old, a young Gina Rinehart read a book that would help shape her worldview – Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, which is having a moment around the world. The novel’s capitalist underpinnings promote the idea that people should strive to be their best industrial selves. In this episode, we explore how these values are playing out in Rinehart’s life today, including her proposal to build a coalmine in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. And we hear how author and environmental campaigner Tim Winton vie...
May 18, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 7
Gina Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock, is well known as a pioneer of the iron ore industry in Australia but few realise Hancock started his mining career on a smaller scale and digging for a different substance – blue asbestos. Hancock and his partner started the mining operation at Wittenoom in the 1940s before selling it to another company, CSR, which mined the area for 20 more years. Wittenoom has become synonymous with an immense tragedy that unfolded upon thousands of the people who lived an...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 6
In the last episode, we covered historical claims made over the years that Lang Hancock, Gina’s father, had two unacknowledged daughters with separate Indigenous women. Since then, the daughter of Sella Robinson, one of the Indigenous women who claimed to be Hancock’s daughter, has decided to speak publicly for the first time Listen to all the episodes of Gina at theguardian.com/gina
May 04, 2025•18 min
It’s the portrait of Gina Rinehart that launched 1,000 memes, went viral globally and became Australia’s Mona Lisa. But it’s also a symbol of how wealth intersects with other areas of life, including art and sport. How does Rinehart use her money to control her image – and what would she rather you don’t see? This episode of Gina is about power and control, and the colonial history of Australia. It contains references to outdated offensive language and events that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Is...
Apr 27, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 5
Twenty years ago, John Hancock had dinner with his mother, Gina Rinehart. He says it’s the last positive interaction he had with her. In an in-depth interview, he explains how his relationship with his mother fell apart and discusses a high-stakes legal case that could threaten the foundations of her empire Listen and subscribe to the Gina Podcast at theguardian.com/gina
Apr 20, 2025•45 min•Ep. 4
Gina Rinehart has been Australia’s richest person for the last six years in a row. But where does her money come from? In episode three we unpack the bitter rivalries, court battles and family conflicts behind the Hancock fortune – and consider a fundamental question: is Rinehart a mining heiress or is she a self-made mining magnate? We then look at her crowning achievement to date in her time at the helm of Hancock Prospecting – owning and operating her own iron mine at Roy Hill, something her ...
Apr 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 3
How does Gina Rinehart, like her father before her, use wealth and power to influence politics? Rinehart’s first major foray into the political spotlight was successfully lobbying against Labor’s mining super profit tax during the early 2010s. But what did she learn from Lang Hancock, who campaigned to overturn the iron ore export embargo in the 1950s, setting the foundation for their family fortune? Listen to all the episodes of Gina at theguardian.com/gina
Apr 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 2
Gina Rinehart is Australia’s richest person – and as her wealth continues to rise, so does her power and influence. But what does she want? In the first episode of Gina, senior correspondent Sarah Martin explores the impact Rinehart could have on Australian politics. Rinehart grew up in the vast expanse of the Pilbara. To understand her story, we delve into her past and how her unique childhood under the influence of Lang Hancock shaped her
Mar 30, 2025•48 min•Ep. 1
Gina Rinehart is Australia’s richest person – and as her wealth continues to rise, so does her power and influence. But what does she want? As the federal election approaches, Guardian Australia’s new series explores the impact she could have on Australian politics. Senior correspondent Sarah Martin investigates decades of family history and infighting to make sense of how she became a mining billionaire, legal warrior and Trump admirer – and what she might do next.
Mar 16, 2025•8 min
How does a hugely successful entrepreneur and parent find the energy, creativity and time to write a novel? Zoë Foster Blake tells Bridie Jabour how she makes the most of 90 minutes and where she starts You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Jan 09, 2025•23 min
It’s obvious there are many benefits to open water swimming, but knowing how to prepare and where to begin can feel overwhelming. Founder of the Coogee Bay Cuttlefish swim club Alice Marklew takes Matilda Boseley through practical tips to jumping (safely) into the big blue You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Jan 08, 2025•18 min
For more than 20 years Dr Melissa Kang helped Australian teenagers navigate puberty with her much-loved column Dolly Doctor. Kang speaks to Reged Ahmad about why it’s more important than ever to have that conversation You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Jan 07, 2025•26 min
Do you find yourself replaying an important conversation in your head and thinking - ‘why did I say that?’ Journalist and Pulitzer prize-winning author Charles Duhigg found himself at a similar impasse when he had to manage a project and struggled to connect with members of his team. So he learned everything he could about communication. Duhigg tells Reged Ahmad about the simple things anyone can do to improve their communication skills and why being a good listener is key You can support the Gu...
Jan 06, 2025•25 min
Whether we like it or not, some of us will have to host friends and family at home this holiday season. Karima Hazim, co-author of cookbook Sofra: Lebanese Recipes to Share, takes Reged Ahmad through her essential hacks for putting on a spread to impress – without the stress You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Jan 05, 2025•24 min
Whether you’ve been passed over for promotion or dumped by the love of your life, moving on from ‘no’ can be tough. Actor and writer Miranda Tapsell tells Reged Ahmad how she’s dealt with rejection throughout her career and how setbacks have made her stronger You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Jan 02, 2025•24 min
Fashion editor and consultant Zara Wong was attracted to the world of fashion from a young age. After successful stints at Harpers Bazaar, Vogue and Aje Collective she now works as a consultant and also produces her own fashion substack newsletter – Screenshot This. The fashion expert tells Matilda Boseley why you should ignore the rules and not try too hard You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Jan 01, 2025•23 min
Thinking of breaking up with the booze? Addiction specialist and psychiatrist Xavier Mulenga tells Bridie Jabour the common reasons people think they can’t quit and the steps you can take to reduce your alcohol intake You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Dec 31, 2024•23 min
The yes campaigner and author has had a hard year. After a heartbreaking voice to parliament referendum result and sustained attacks from the media, Thomas Mayo had to pick up the pieces and find a way forward. He tells Reged Ahmad how he found light in a dark time You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Dec 30, 2024•27 min
How do you tell a story that makes people laugh and what do you do when the joke lands flat? James Colley, a comedian and writer on ABC’s Gruen, tells Reged Ahmad why comics love a whinge and how he turns his life into laughs You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport
Dec 29, 2024•25 min
Amber Haigh was 19 years old when she disappeared in 2002, leaving behind an infant son. For months Robert and Anne Geeves sat in court accused of her murder but this week the verdict came down from the judge: not guilty. They are now free. Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the two ‘indispensable facts’ the judge says the prosecution failed to prove
Sep 17, 2024•32 min
All the evidence in the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh has now been heard. Reporter Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the final week in the NSW supreme court, each side’s closing submissions and what happens next
Aug 18, 2024•32 min
Last week the supreme court of NSW heard the voices of both accused of murdering Amber Haigh. This week you get to hear them too. Robert and Anne Geeves have both pleaded not guilty and have not testified in court but reporter Ben Doherty was there to hear their original police interviews. He tells Bridie Jabour about the interviews from June 2002. Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
Aug 11, 2024•31 min
In court so far we have heard much detail about the two accused of Amber Haighs murder. People have spoken about them and for them but we haven’t heard them speak for themselves, until now. This week reporter Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the recordings of Robert and Anne Geeves played to the court Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
Aug 04, 2024•32 min
The trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh has now heard 22 days of public hearings. Reporter Ben Doherty has previously heard evidence from those in Amber’s community: neighbours, friends, family and people who met her briefly. But this week, he tells Bridie Jabour, the court heard from those who were in charge of the investigation into her disappearance Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
Jul 28, 2024•25 min
There have now been 38 witnesses called in the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves, who are charged with the murder of Amber Haigh. Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour about the evidence presented. This week the court heard more about the weeks and months following Amber’s disappearance, as well as further testimony and allegations about Robert Geeves’ past. Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
Jul 21, 2024•24 min
As the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh continues, Bridie Jabour speaks to Ben Doherty, who has been watching it unfold. This week he reports on evidence the court heard that Haigh had made a will, events surrounding a late-night visit to a neighbour’s house and further details of what’s been called ‘the tying up evidence’ Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh here: theguardian.com/amberhaigh
Jul 14, 2024•21 min
In Wagga Wagga the trial of Robert and Anne Geeves for the murder of Amber Haigh is now in its third week. Ben Doherty tells Bridie Jabour what was heard in court last week. For the first time prosecution witness testimony about what has been referred to as ‘the tying up evidence’ was heard, but it was the subject of some arguments in court. Other witnesses told us more about Haigh’s five months as a mother, before she disappeared Listen to all episodes of Who Cared? The disappearance of Amber H...
Jul 07, 2024•21 min
More than 20 years after Amber Haigh’s disappearance, two people stand accused of her murder – one of them the father of her child. Both have pleaded not guilty. Bridie Jabour speaks to Ben Doherty, who’s reporting on the trial. They discuss what we learnt about Amber Haigh’s life, the prosecution’s case against a married couple, and the defence’s counterargument that the case against them is weak and based on degraded memories from disapproving members of the community. Listen to all episodes o...
Jun 28, 2024•19 min
In Guardian Australia’s new series Who screwed millennials, co-host Matilda Boseley spoke to Yanis Varoufakis about how the Australian housing market entrenches inequality. In this bonus episode, we hear more from Varoufakis on the state of the economy, how young people are coping with financial hardship and how capitalism has mutated into something he calls ‘technofeudalism’
Apr 16, 2024•16 min
There are no easy answers to undoing all the problems driving intergenerational inequality but hope is not lost. Young Australians are increasingly politically influential, making up 43% of voters at the last federal election. Jane Lee and Matilda Boseley call on Guardian Australia political reporter Amy Remeikis and the Australia Institute’s chief economist, Greg Jericho, to find out whether this is influencing policy debates on everything from housing to climate change, and how millennials can...
Apr 16, 2024•24 min
