Maria Thattil has always felt like an outsider looking in, despite being very much immersed in the world of modelling, television, writing and influencing. Maria is a queer, South-Asian woman, the daughter of migrant parents and a former Miss Universe Australia - who stands a petite five foot three in a world of 6 foot something beauty pageant contestants. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Maria explains what it was like to be told she wasn’t Australian enough to be Miss Universe, her experience o...
Jun 11, 2023•34 min•Season 4Ep. 140
Since the dawn of the space age in the 1950s, we have launched thousands of rockets and sent even more satellites into orbit, with many still circling our planet. This has created an ever-increasing risk of collision as we continue to launch more, leaving us wondering if space junk could crash on earth. Dr Matt Agnew, astrophysicist and author of Dr Matt’s guide to life in space, joins us to explain the dangers of space junk. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBrief...
Jun 11, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 141
Brad Guy fell 15,000 feet and somehow survived. As he navigated a brutal recovery, he initially shut his whole family out of his life, until he realised the hold PTSD was having on him. In this incredible interview he explains how trauma works and he overcame it to live a fulfilling life. For crisis support - Lifeline 13 11 14 Headlines: Scott White sentenced over 80s manslaughter Assange close to extradition after appeal loss Albanese government facing heat over Higgins texts ACT bans intersex ...
Jun 08, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 139
There’s been a worrying rise in police killing and injuring people in the line of duty. Including the recent tasering of 95-year-old great grandmother Clare Nowland. Hearing about such cases on the news is a nightmare for Leesa Topic, whose 22-year-old daughter was shot dead by NSW police outside a Hungry Jacks in 2015, in a response condemned as “entirely inappropriate” by a coroner. Leesa and Terry Goldsworthy, an Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, join us to explain what’s...
Jun 07, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 138
Porn addiction isn’t a clinical diagnosis, but psychologists are seeing more and more people whose lives are dictated by when they can get their next dopamine hit from porn. You’ll hear from man we called “Julian” and how porn addiction took over his life. He was so desperate to get help that he turned up to an alcoholics anonymous meeting for support. We also speak with Jane O’Keeffe, consulting psychologist for sex and porn addiction at South Pacific Private. In this episode of the Briefing, w...
Jun 06, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 137
Kathleen Folbigg has been released from prison after serving 20 years for murdering her four children. Yesterday, she received the pardon she’s been waiting for, for over two decades. We’re joined by Matthew Agius, science reporter at Cosmos Magazine and the Science Briefing, who explains how and why the decision has been made – and what it means for other court cases with similar findings In this episode of The Briefing, Kathleen Folbigg’s long journey to freedom. Headlines: Judge makes damning...
Jun 05, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 136
The number of male teachers in Australia has been steadily declining for decades. In Queensland for example, in the past two decades, the number of female teachers in the state’s schools increased by a staggering 230 times the number of males. Studies suggest if the decline continues male primary school teachers will extinct by 2050. We’re joined by Angelo Gavrielatos is the President of the NSW Teachers Federation; and Joel, a male teacher who is watching first-hand the decline in numbers of ma...
Jun 04, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 135
The drama of the Roy family has captured the worlds attention, been compared to Shakespeare and created it’s own fashion wave. Why has Succession created so much hype and is it deserved? In this bonus episode of the Briefing, we’re joined by Michael Lucas, screenwriter for Offspring and The Newsreader, to find out what makes Succession such a successful show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 03, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 134
Comedian Peter Helliar has done it all, from the jungle to co-hosting the Project, to even being declared dead. I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here was never a reality television experience that had tempted Helliar. But after his resignation from The Project - alongside Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson - the time was right to say yes to something totally different. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Helliar is circumspect. Not the usual laugh-a-minute guy you’re used to seeing on screen. See omnys...
Jun 02, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 133
Ben Roberts-Smith, former SAS soldier and Victoria Cross recipient lost his defamation case against Nine newspapers yesterday, with the judge finding Roberts-Smith committed war crimes. We sit down with LiSNTR Executive Producer Ellen Leabeater who was the Series producer for Guardian Australia’s podcast Ben Roberts-Smith v the media and followed the 100 day trial. Headlines: New revelation in the AFL Hawthorn racism scandal. BHP has admitted to underpaying nearly 30,000 workers Bali is trying t...
Jun 01, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 132
Today student debts will increase by 7.1% for more than three million Australians thanks to indexation. The average national student debt is $24,770.75 and will be increased by an extra $1758.72 . We speak to the creator of the HECS-HELP system Bruce Chapman about whether he thinks the current system should remain as is, and former student Hanna who’s furious at the increase. Headlines: RBA governor cops criticism for housing comments PwC to name and shame partners Government to crackdown on tob...
May 31, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 131
Elizabeth Holmes was "the world's youngest self-made female billionaire" with her company Theranos, which promised to detect conditions such as cancer and diabetes needing only a few drops of blood. In 2014 her company was valued at US $9bn, but by 2018 Theranos had collapsed. In 2022 convicted by a jury in California on four counts of fraud and was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison. Now in May 2023 Holmes is finally going to prison, we speak with retired biotech executive Anne Ko...
May 30, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 130
In senate estimates last week, the AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw mentioned how Gen Z needs more praise in the workplace. It turns out he’d misquoted some research; we find out from organisational psychologist Amanda Ferguson how generational praise has changed and what the research really says. Headlines: - WA Premier Mark McGowan resigns - PWC stands down nine partners over ATO scandal - Chris Dawson on trial for carnal knowledge as a teacher - Seven has already decided on Kochie’s replacement...
May 29, 2023•19 min•Season 4Ep. 129
40 year old South Australian man Jason Kennison was the 10th climber to die on Mount Everest this climbing season, one of the deadliest in recent history. An area of the mountain called the death zone is the deadliest part of the climb, the term is used for altitudes over eight thousand meters. So what happens to the body when we enter higher altitudes, Dr Deirdre McCormack explains the risks of climbing Everest. Headlines: - Earthquake in north-west of Melbourne - Biden strikes deal over debt c...
May 28, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 128
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, is a proud Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman who was taken away from her family and her country at age 11. Vanessa would live with more than a dozen different foster families, before she was old enough to return home to country at age eighteen. Since then she has completed her law and social work degrees, with first class honours and is embarking on a PHD. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi ,Vanessa explains the importance of telling the stories of First Nations children in t...
May 26, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 127
At the National Press Club on Monday Julian Assange’s wife said 'we're the closest we've ever been' to securing his release and earlier this year Anthony Albanese expressed his frustrated over the detention of Assange. Gabriel Shipton believes 2023 will be the year his brother Julian will be released, as a Free Julian Assange Rally in Sydney saw over 1000 people in attendance on Wednesday. Gabriel joins us to explain why. Headlines: PwC staff stood down over scandal Fire in Sydney still being mo...
May 25, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 126
If you pay tax, this story will make your blood boil. We explain how PwC, a firm that’s received hundreds of millions of tax payer funds, shared confidential information with corporations trying to pay less tax in Australia. Find out how this happened and why it took so long to hit the headlines with Carl Rhodes, Professor of Organization Studies at the University of Technology Sydney. Headlines: Tasered 95 yr old Clare Nowland dies Tina Turner dies at 83 WA student in custody after school shoot...
May 24, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 125
Last week Q&A presenter Stan Grant announced he was leaving the ABC after constant racial abuse, and a lack of institutional support. Torres Strait Islander Rhianna Patrick who is a Briefing host and also a former ABC journalist, speaks to The Briefing about her time and experience at the ABC and discovering what she calls ‘workplace trauma.’ Headlines: Convicted paedophile and entertainer Rolf Harris has died Victorian budget features a new Covid debt tax Netflix is cracking down on passwor...
May 23, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 124
China has been the world’s most populous country since 1950, but last month according to UN demographers India has now surpassed China. India is now home to nearly a fifth of humanity and is continuing to grow. How did this happen and what does it mean for geopolitics? Emeritus Professor in Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide Purnendra Jain joins us to explain the significance. Headlines: - India’s PM touches down in Australia - US signs security pact with Papua New Guinea - Stan Grant h...
May 22, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 123
Young men are the main victims of sextortion in Australia, according to new data to be presented by the eSafety Commissioner in parliament. Sextortion is when a person is extorted for money under threat of having nude images released to family, friends and beyond. Last year around 60% of reports received by the eSafety scheme were reports of sextortion, we go inside with an eSafety commissioner investigator. Headlines: Crackdown on Buy Now Pay Later services Tasered elderly woman now receiving e...
May 21, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 122
Kayla Itsines went from training clients in her parents’ backyard to touring around the world hosting sold out boot camps. But since then she’s become a mother of two and is tackling the idea of ‘bounce back’ culture. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Kayla explains how she is doing the high wire act of new-mum juggling and her approach to fitness since discovering her own vulnerabilities. THE WEEKEND LIST: Watch: The Diplomat on Netflix Eat: Chocolate Dipped Brown Butter Tahini Cookies from Ambit...
May 19, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 121
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially dropped restrictions that prohibit gay and bisexual men from donating blood. The ban was implemented in 1983 for men who have sex with men due to the AIDS epidemic. In today’s episode of the Briefing, we discover that since the early 80s, scientific advances and more testing has led to the ban on LGBT men and transwomen donating blood being lifted. We’re joined by Darian Aaron from GLAAD, a US LGBTQ advocacy organisations; and Thomas Buxereau ...
May 18, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 120
11,500 Hollywood television and screenwriters are on strike, they’re determined to get better pay and conditions and want safeguards in place against AI. The studios say they can’t hand out pay rises as investors are no longer gung-ho about streaming. We go inside the strike with writer Josh Gondelman who used to work on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver to find out exactly what’s going on. Headlines: Prince Harry and Meghan in “near catastrophic car chase” Melbourne truckdriver granted bail Qu...
May 17, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 119
Snapchat has introduced an AI chatbot that users can ask any question and receive an answer in extreme detail. Users can customise the chatbot’s name, design a Bitmoji avatar for it and it sits alongside conversations with real friends. Snapchat’s chatbot may feel less transactional but AI ethics expert Julian Koplin says the new technology can be misleading. Headlines: Search for bodies resumes at NZ hostel Biden could visit Australia next week 30 to 34-year-olds under worst cost of living pres...
May 16, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 118
Anti-crime groups have taken to the streets going door to door targeting suspected thieves in the Queensland town of Rockhampton. The vigilante groups formed on social media despite police warning them that vigilantism is not the answer to community crime. Indigenous leaders and police are worried, Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, an associate professor in criminal justice and criminology explains why. Headlines: PFAS class action settles A national anti-scam centre is set to open in July Thailand’s oppos...
May 15, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 117
New Netflix show Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story has hit the number one spot on the streaming service and gives the back story of the British Queen Charlotte. The show has been sparking conversation about whether or not she was the first black Queen. British historian Cindy McCreery joins Jan Fran to explain why. Headlines: Two charged over neo-Nazi rally Road death toll climbs despite national strategy Education fees have almost tripled since 2023 Turkiye could have a new president Will Aus...
May 14, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 116
Sarah Harris is the newest host of The Project, filling the shoes of Carrie Bickmore who has been with the agenda-setting news show since its inception. Harris is no stranger to television. She previously hosted Studio 10 for nearly a decade, and before that was a reporter for Channel 9 and Channel 7. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Sarah explains how nothing could have prepared her for the invasive attention and outdated criticism from some parts of the media and how she’s balancing her new wor...
May 12, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 115
Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne is expected to be sentenced today. The 35-year-old was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman on grand final night in 2018, following a third trial last month. Host of This Arvo in Sydney Sacha Barbour Gatt takes us through the backstory of Jarryd Hayne, his massive fall from grace and why it’s taken so long to get this conviction. Headlines: - Opposition leader Peter Dutton gives his budget reply - The trade minister is trying to repair relations with China -...
May 11, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 114
Eurovision is back again, this year being played out in the UK. It’s a change from the norm after Ukraine won last year’s contest, but couldn’t host themselves. We go behind the scenes with commentator Myf Warhurst to hear all the goss all the way from Liverpool. Headlines: - Inquiry into the handling of the Brittany Higgins rape trial continues - The Opposition to deliver its budget reply today - QLD Path to Treaty legislation passes parliament - AFL to find out if they can use Tasmanian Devils...
May 10, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 113
We’ve heard artificial intelligence could take our jobs, now a new investigation shows how it could make inequalities worse. We speak to Tracey Spicer about her new book Man Made: How the bias of the past is being built into the future. Headlines: Budget breakdown Donald Trump has been found liable for sexual abuse Jenny Craig Australia in voluntary administration Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAU Twitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener f...
May 09, 2023•24 min•Season 4Ep. 112
