Podcast
Big Small Talk
Hosted by LiSTNR · EN
Big Small Talk: 5 PM Tuesdays So you want to know what’s happening in parliament, but you also want to know the latest in pop culture? Good, as you should. From the front page to your newsfeeds, no story is too serious, stale, funny or frivolous. Because, if you haven’t realised, loving pop culture doesn’t mean you don’t understand politics. Knowing all your shit? That’s hot. New Episodes 5pm Tuesday.
Small Talk: 6 AM Thursdays It might not be tangible news but each week there’s something in the cultural zeitgeist that gets us all talking. We want to unpack these frivolous conversations, from new trends to relationship theories to life advice. In an age of never-ending small talk, we want to examine how these collective thoughts affect the way we see the world. We may even reach out to a few friends and experts to weigh in.
Big Talk: Wednesday 6 AM - Last Two Weeks of Every Month Over the past few decades, there have been news headlines so shocking that we still hear and feel their impact, such as Roe V Wade, Monica Lewinsky, Epstein, Mabo and Hillsong. Don’t you think it’s about time you knew all the important and salacious details about the real stories that have happened that shaped our world today? Come on, I know you’re curious.
61episodes
Episodes
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Do We Need To Pop The AI Bubble? With Cory Doctorow
5d ago00:54:19Tap to summarizeEveryone has an opinion on AI. Some say it's the inevitable future. Others think it'll take our jobs, fuel misinformation, and hand even more power to Big Tech and billionaires. This week, Sarah sits down with bestselling author, technologist and journalist Cory Doctorow to unpack whether AI really is the future or just a wildly overhyped tech bubble. They also dive into Cory's theory of the "reverse centaur", why bosses and billionaires are so obsessed with AI, why he believes it's one of the dumbest financial investments of our time, and where Australia fits into the global AI race. Cory Doctorow appears at Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas from 22-23 August and Now or Never on 25 August at Melbourne's The Capitol, presented by The Wheeler Centre. Cory's books mentioned in this episode: Enshittifcation: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI: How to Think About Artificial Intelligence Before It's Too LateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Open AI Hosts Influencer Retreat, Sydney Towle & The Celebs Are In LOVE
1w ago00:52:54Tap to summarizeFirst up, Hannah unpacks the ABC’s apology to Gina Rinehart over comments made during its new Gen Z-coded show, Race Around the World. What’s really upsetting people here – the fact the public broadcaster said sorry OR who it is saying sorry to? Sarah talks about the OpenAI luxury influencer brand trip (yep you read that right). The theme? Eco-friendly summer camp. Think farm-to-table meals, beekeeping, and cognitive dissonance. The girls how TikToker Sydney Towle changed the way we see cancer, and why Abdul El-Sayed’s monumental Michigan Senate nom could shake-up the Democratic party. Plus, Role Model loves Dakota Johnson, Olivia Rodrigo’s normie finance boyfriend, and Gracie Abrams has Phoebe Bridges’ sheets!? Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram This ep was co-produced by Sarah-Jane Adams and Justine Landis-Hanley See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Do Men Find Party Girls Intimidating? With Lucy and Nikki
2w ago00:38:53Tap to summarizeWhen did women become expected to grow out of having fun? This week, Sarah is joined by Happy Hour hosts Lucy & Nikki to chat about dating as a party girl, whether men are intimidated by fun, successful women, being on the apps and why your friendships shouldn't disappear just because you're in a relationship. Sarah-Jane Instagram Big Small Talk Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Ariana Grande, AI goes rogue & Nara Smith is NOT a Trad Wife
2w ago01:09:12Tap to summarizeBSTies – it’s been a week! Sarah talks about Ariana Grande’s new album (which has sparked intense online debate around her appearance), as well as her decision to step away from public life. The girls chat about why we need to be careful in these conversations concerning Ariana’s body and health, but also about the dangers of collective silence. Hannah dives into how a rogue OpenAI escaped its container and hacked another company. And just a few days later, Anthropic (the company behind Claude) revealed that THEIR model had done the same thing three times. Yay. Plus, a Nantucket store goes viral for putting up a “No Influencers” sign, former NRL player and BookTok sweetheart Luke Bateman outs gambling companies at a Senate inquiry, and Nara Smith is actively walking back her #tradwife label. Oh, and everybody please welcome producer Justine! Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Why Is There Moral Panic Around Sex? With Dr Esme Louise James
3w ago00:42:16Tap to summarizeThis week, Sarah sits down with historian, author and educator Dr Esme Louise James, creator of Kinky History, to explore the fascinating history of sex, desire and shame. Esme explains how many of the things we consider "new" or "unnatural" have actually existed for millennia, and how our modern attitudes towards sex have been shaped by history, religion, medicine, law and power. They also discuss Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film The Odyssey, and why Esme believes it stripped away the complexity of its female characters and sanitised the role sex played in Homer's original epic. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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BIG TALK: The Last Romanovs: The Story of Anastasia PART ONE
3w ago01:28:57Tap to summarizeIf you grew up watching Anastasia, chances are you believed there was always a chance the youngest Romanov princess escaped. But the true story behind one of history's most enduring mysteries is even more extraordinary than the film. In this special two-part crossover with Ainslie Harvey's The Hot History Podcast, Sarah is joined by historian and host Ainslie to uncover the true story behind the world's most famous grand duchess. Together, they explore the rise and fall of the Romanov dynasty, Rasputin's influence, the Russian Revolution, the family's final days, and the mystery that captivated the world for decades: did Anastasia really survive? Part Two is out now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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BIG TALK: The Last Romanovs: The Story of Anastasia PART TWO
3w ago00:41:54Tap to summarizeThe mystery isn't over !!! In part two of our VERY special The Hot History Podcast crossover, we unravel the century-long question that captivated the world: did Princess Anastasia really survive? From the famous imposters and Soviet cover-ups to the discovery of the Romanovs' remains, DNA testing with Prince Philip, and the family's surprising legacy under Vladimir Putin, we separate fact from fiction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Hannah Ferguson Runs Against the PM, The Odyssey & Matty Healy's Wedding
3w ago01:03:25Tap to summarizeIt's good to be back!! Hannah has officially announced she's running against the Prime Minister at the next federal election. The girls chat about what she'll be campaigning for, why she's doing it, how she's feeling, and what it means for the podcast. Sarah dives into the film everyone can't stop talking about, The Odyssey, unpacking how it was made, why Christopher Nolan insisted on shooting it for IMAX and his refusal to use CGI or AI. Hannah then unpacks Pauline Hanson's comments on domestic violence, which sparked widespread backlash, before breaking down the bizarre moment Barnaby Joyce went viral for yelling at a dog on live TV. Plus, Charli XCX drops her long-awaited new album, Matty Healy gets married, Trump declares he'll run for president again after the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and we pay tribute to the legendary Sam Neill. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Pressure To Be Extraordinary In Your 20s. With Jemma Sbeg
4w ago00:47:43Tap to summarizeHave we accidentally created an impossible definition of success? This week, Sarah is joined by Jemma Sbeg, host of The Psychology of Your 20s, one of the world's biggest podcasts, now adapted for Netflix - to unpack the pressure so many of us feel to achieve something extraordinary before 30. Together they explore the psychology behind comparison, burnout, perfectionism, quarter-life crises, social media's impact on ambition, and why the finish line for success always seems to move. If you've ever felt behind despite loving your life, this conversation is for you. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane Adams Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What Does A Pop Stars Wellness Routine Look Like? With Kita Alexander
Jul 1500:38:39Tap to summarizeThis week, Sarah is joined by pop star Kita Alexander. ARIA-nominated, a collaborator of Fisher, started out with Dua Lipa (who she opened for on the Radical Optimism tour), Kita has just released her new album, Rage, which she will be touring this year! Together, they chat about her wellness routine, fitness habits, anxieties, and the role meditation plays in navigating both everyday life and major career moments. Then, inspired by her new album, they unpack the idea of rage: what happens when you stop worrying about being "the nice girl", why so many women struggle to express anger, and whether it's possible to be both soft and grounded while moving through difficult emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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