Podcast
A Rational Fear
Hosted by Dan Ilic · EN
Laughing in the face of fear. Comedians and experts rip into the news. It's #QandA on crack.
🏆 Winner Best Comedy Podcast 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023. Sign up to the newsletter: http://www.arationalfear.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
In Conversation — Making Australia's energy transition cheaper for all.
1w ago00:40:33Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/REGISTER FOR THE BIG BBQ: https://bigbbq.com.au/lessonIn this episode, we explore Australia's energy transition, climate policy, and innovative initiatives like the world's largest veggie burger lesson powered by electric vehicles. Guest Thom Woodroofe shares insights on policy levers, sustainability, and Australia's future in the global green economy.Thom has a book — you can check it out here: https://publishing.monash.edu/product/power-prosperity-planet/🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261a Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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"Sing Us a Song, Timmy" — Ed Husic on Gas, Gaza & Getting Kicked Out
3w ago00:53:06Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/This week former Industry & Science Minister Ed Husic joined us in the A Rational Fear bunker to chat about the big fault lines where Labor's values meet Labor's actions — gas exports, the Iran strikes, Pauline's rise, and how you actually get things done when your own party doesn't always want to hear it.Ed was frank, funny, and refreshingly honest about the messiness of politics from the inside. Lewis came armed with the hard questions and didn't let up. And Dan tried to get Ed to endorse non-lethal Wedge-tail aircraft parts. It's that kind of show.April 16th: I’ll be hosting this very interesting keynote lunch about democracy, satire, and why Scott Dikkers from the Onion won’t be allowed back into the United States. Andrew Nash was the technical adviser on Silicon Valley, and John Delmenico (friend of the show) is one of the sharpest brains in comedy in Australia — you know him and laugh at his work everyday on The Chaser’s socials. https://businessofcomedy.com/schedule/lunch-keynote-why-we-need-satire-for-a-healthy-democracy/🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261a Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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BHP is taking Michael West to court! — feat. Michael West
3w ago00:26:33Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/This week Dan and Lewis Hobba are joined by independent journalist Michael West of Michael West Media — who's being sued by BHP, Australia's biggest company, over his reporting on coal miner Simon Turner's decade-long fight for compensation. Turner broke his back at BHP's Mount Arthur mine in 2015, was misclassified as a "clerical worker," and paid $400 a week for a job whose award rate is $137,000 a year. Sitting behind the lawsuit is a potentially $10 billion labour hire wage theft scandal involving Chandler Macleod and Coal LSL — and the awkward fact that BHP, a $300 billion company, is also the major sponsor of the Walkley Awards while using Minter Ellison to muzzle a four-person independent newsroom.🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261a Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The end of the Liberal Party and the new climate wars.
Mar 1501:02:06Tap to summarizeRecorded live at Climate Action Week Sydney, this episode of A Rational Fear dives deep into the rise of the far right, fossil-fuel-funded disinformation, and what it all means for Australia’s climate future and democracy.Host Dan Ilic is joined on stage by:Malcolm Turnbull – former Prime Minister, now “concerned private citizen”Ed Coper – communications strategist and author of AngertainmentKate Hook – farmer, regional community leader, and two-time community independent candidate (Climate 200 co-convener)Across this wide-ranging conversation, they unpack:Why the far right’s culture war is such a serious threat to climate actionHow “anger-tainment” media ecosystems (hello Sky News) and social platforms reward disinformationThe inside story on fossil-fuel-backed campaigns, from Clive Palmer to astroturf outfits like “Australians for Prosperity”The existential crisis inside the Liberal Party and the risks of preferencing One NationHow regional communities are actually embracing renewables when they control the process and share the benefitsThe rise of community independents and why ordinary people, not party machines, are now driving political changeIt’s funny, bleak, hopeful, and occasionally unhinged—classic Rational Fear.Key TopicsClimate politics & the far rightTurnbull on why opposition to climate action has become “religion” rather than economicsHow internal Liberal/National dynamics warped energy policy around coal and renewables“Angertainment” & the media ecosystemEd Coper explains how social media rewards outrage and emotional extremesHow a small 7–10% anti-climate minority ends up feeling like 50% of the countryThe dangers of amplifying fringe narratives until they look mainstreamDisinformation playbook & fossil fuel moneyCoordinated disinformation in the 2025 federal election, including:~$80m in fossil-fuel-aligned spendingFront groups like Australians for Prosperity attacking pro-climate independentsIntimidatory tactics, rotating party shirts, and creepy “Don’t get hooked” billboardsThe global network of think tanks and astroturf groups exporting the same anti-climate tactics to AustraliaLiberal Party’s existential crisisWhy Turnbull thinks there are “virtually no moderates” left federallyHow chasing One Nation on immigration and culture wars strengthens One Nation, not the LibsThe potential fallout if the Liberals preference One Nation in seats like FarrerCommunity independents & regional hopeKate Hook’s experience campaigning in Calare and working in Hay and other regional communitiesHow structured community engagement turns hostility toward renewables into enthusiasm when locals control the benefitsThe independent “ecosystem”: thousands of volunteers, trusted local messengers, and evidence-based policymakingThe big question: how do we eventually get these independents from the crossbench into government and cabinet?How to fight disinformationTurnbull on why “ignore it and don’t give it oxygen” no longer worksThe “whack-a-mole” and inoculation approach: pre-bunking lies and relentlessly correcting themThe importance of better stories, not just better factsPower, agency & what listeners can doWhy grievance parties like One Nation don’t have real solutions—only easy pills for complex problemsCommunity organizing, local campaigns, and supporting independents as the real counterweight to fossil fuel money“There’s no cavalry coming over the hill” – why we are the ones we’ve been waiting for Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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End of (fear) year wrap
Dec 1200:45:13Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/What a great episode to end the year on. It's magic when the guests are good old friends with time under their belts, joy in their hearts and stupidity in their mouths.Kirsten Drysdale's new YouTube show is crushing it, she reviews creators on the internet — The Internet ReviewedSami Shah you can find weekly on Patreon making podcasts and thoughtful posts — News WeaklyThis week we cover a deeply important threat to democracy as we know it; The US State Department calling the Calibri font woke, we cash in on politician entitlements, and we try to decipher who 36 Months are and what they really want. Cam Wilson at Crikey.com.au has done some great work over the last year on the teenage social media ban — and this 36 Months story is developing fast. It's worth a sub to Cam and Crikey to follow it as it unfolds.There's also and end of year quiz, and for some reason we talk about Jimmy Fallon and tech bros.There's a lot going on — but it's a fun 45minutes hanging with funny friends.Couldn't think of a better way to spend a road trip.Happy Christmas to you all — we'll be back after Australia Day with some more A Rational Fear episodes, and perhaps the odd secret gig. To find out more sign up to our Patreon!🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Satan Worshipers. Dental Chairs & Spotify Wrapped
Dec 500:36:29Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/G'day Fearmongers —We have two of Australia's great brains join us, the brilliant Grace Tame and the editor of The Chaser John Delmenico. This week we sling satirical barbs about Spotify, satanic worshipers with a even less desirable side hobby, the bad essay that tried to start a culture war, and do a quick drive by of the photos release from Epstein's Island.And for new Patreon supporters who sign up this week — you can win yourself a bottle of Evil Ray sunscreen. https://evilray.com/All you have to do is sign up to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearCheersDan🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The Burqas are better at Pauline Hansons?
Nov 2700:33:58Tap to summarize🤑 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/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Australia retreats from Türkiye AGAIN! (COP31 Update)
Nov 2000:23:28Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/We speak with Richie Merzian who was live on the ground in Belem for COP30, he is big climate nerd who is deep in the civil society movement to bring COP31 to Australia.Sadly — we found out this morning that Australia will not be hosting COP31 in Australia. Rather Türkiye will host with COP31 with Minister Chris Bowen as the President of COP with a leaders meeting pre-COP in a Pacific Island nation to be determined.I'm a little disappointed today — it was going to be such a great moment for Australia to promote South Australia's efforts to decarbonise, to put the Pacific front and centre, and have an international spotlight on Australia as a major exporter of emissions, and put pressure on the government to change that.Anyway — sorry Adelaide — we've cancelled our COP live show, but maybe we'll be down for festival season.Cheers,Dan🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why UK Labour so fugged?
Nov 1400:42:09Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/G’day Fearmongers,Athena Kugblenu joins us this week to help us answer the question of the year “What the hell is wrong with UK Labour?”They shouldn’t be failing, they should be thriving, but somehow, UK Labour is sh*tting the bed.Athena, a long-time connoisseur of cowardice, tells us as quickly and as poetically a she could why UK Labour is sinking faster than carbon fiber submersible.Enjoy this cathartic conversation.Cheers,Dan Ilic🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Don't Mess With The Zohran!
Nov 900:31:31Tap to summarize🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/G’day Fearmongers,So much fun this week to have Jenny Yang joins Lewis and I on A Rational Fear.Jenny is a Los Angeles based comedian, writer, director, podcaster and community organiser. She’s spent a huge amount of time in local politics. She painted us a picture of what it was like this week when Zohran Mamdani won City Hall in New York City.We discuss what it means for grassroots politics in the US moving forward.Even thought it’s only a mayoral seat, it felt like a seismic shift in American politics.AND if you’re an AACTA Member — our web series “Long Head” is up for an AACTA nomination, please consider making us your #1 choice.Cheers,Dan Ilic🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFearHere'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 discord.If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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