Podcast
The Briefing
Hosted by LiSTNR · EN
We’re your friends in news.
Sacha Barbour Gatt and Chris Spyrou wake up early to bring you all the important daily news headlines.
Then, we deep dive on an essential news story that'll make you feel smarter about the world.
Listen every weekday to know more in minutes.
233episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Big change in Aussie smoking habits + The verdict on Albo’s AI plan
4w ago00:24:34Tap to summarizeFriday Headlines: Bianca Jones’ father calls on Albanese to intervene over inadequate methanol poisoning charges Iran launches fresh attacks on Gulf states as US strikes ship attempting to breach blockade Second case of bird flu detected in NSW Smoking rates hit historic low across Australia Pauline Hanson and Gina Rinehart spotted at White Lotus hotel Deep Dive: Is Australia a world leader on AI? Anthony Albanese wants you to think so – he gave a speech last week in the Great Hall at The University of Sydney, where he implied that new Australian AI regulations could set a global benchmark – similar to superannuation and the social media ban. Today we’re looking at Labor’s AI plan, and whether it really is a world-leading attempt to curb the harms of AI and harness its potential. What’s right with the plan, and what’s missing? Joining The Briefing is AI expert Professor Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist of the Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of New South Wales. Further listening from the headlines: Why smoking is ‘cool’ again Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Unpacking Albo’s AI plan + Why Trump loves big stuff
Jul 1500:25:05Tap to summarizeThursday Headlines: Albanese’s plan to protect water, energy, and content from AI Brisbane teen granted bail after alleged school stabbing Trump threatens to expand strikes on Iran A network of Australian doctors’ clinics have been hit by a cyberattack Argentina v England World Cup semifinal is underway Deep Dive: From the demolition of the White House East Wing to his push for a towering, 250-foot Triumphal Arch, Donald Trump is physically rebuilding Washington D.C. to match his personal brand. But aside from an obsession with the grandiose, what is motivating the president to push for these ego-driven federal megaprojects? In this episode of The Briefing, former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to explore why he believes this obsession with monarchical grandeur is a direct threat to democratic ideals. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Trump's Hormuz backflip + Aussie theatre can be saved. Here’s how
Jul 1400:25:33Tap to summarizeWednesday Headlines: Donald Trump walks back threat to charge toll on the Strait of Hormuz Albanese to announce world-first AI office Brisbane teen critical after school stabbing Angus Taylor rules out a coalition with One Nation First FIFA World Cup semi-final underway Deep Dive: Beetlejuice has cancelled its national tour; Waitress is no longer coming to Sydney. The big musicals said that production costs were too high and sales were too low. The show could not go on. This week, the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance held an emergency meeting to discuss the future of Australia’s musical theatre industry and how to save it. In this episode of The Briefing, the Federal President of the MEAA, Michael Balk, joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to reveal the union's plan to save the industry, and how fans and the government can help. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Tributes flow for Sam Neill + Is free TAFE fixing our tradie crisis?
Jul 1300:25:38Tap to summarizeTuesday Headlines: Trump says US will collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz Sydney daycare worker accused of abusing 150 children Alleged DV murder victim’s family attend court vowing to fight for justice Albanese to unveil AI vision as Labor plots hands-on approach Tributes flow for actor Sam Neill, after his death at the age of 78 Deep Dive: Australia has been plagued by a chronic skills shortage in recent years, exacerbated by declining apprentice numbers, the pandemic and a cultural shift towards university as the preferred post-school pathway. Labor has this week claimed a couple of big wins in this space, talking up 814,000 TAFE enrolments in the last three years and more than 30,000 new apprentices in the past 12 months, off the back of two key policy roll outs. But do these numbers tell the full story? Is Australia’s tradie crisis really close to being solved? In this episode of The Briefing, Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to discuss. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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US-Iran strikes shut Aus embassy + Inside Thailand’s sex tourism trade
Jul 1200:25:44Tap to summarizeMonday Headlines: One Nation loses support to the Coalition Trump says strait of Hormuz open despite Iran closure Australian Universities forced to adopt new definitions on antisemitism and Islamophobia Aussie students flock to free TAFE courses, but apprentice figures dip Australia to wave goodbye to paper arrival cards for incoming travellers Deep Dive: Pattaya has long traded on two reputations: a tourist playground by day, and one of the world's busiest red-light hubs by night. That darker side made global headlines last month when the body of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla was discovered stuffed inside a suitcase beside a railway line on the edge of the city. A 45-year-old Australian man has been accused of her murder, which he denies. The case has reignited scrutiny of an industry that's technically against the law in Thailand, yet thrives in full view - raising questions about corruption, worker safety, and the surprising truth about who's actually driving demand. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with emeritus professor at George Washington University and author of Sex Tourism in Thailand: Inside Asia's Premier Erotic Playground, Ronald Weitzer to unpack it. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Trump's obsession with Greenland explained
Jul 1100:13:25Tap to summarizeAt this week's NATO summit in Turkey, Donald Trump was once again talking about wanting to take control of Greenland.So why does the US President keep talking about the country, could the US really try to take it, and what and what does it all mean for Australia? In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit Tara Cassidy's chat with defence and security expert, Jennifer Parker, who explains why Greenland has become such a fixation for the US president, and why this isn’t as unprecedented as it might sound. Jen explains the strategic value of the Arctic, the role of NATO and Denmark, and why Trump’s rhetoric is alarming key allies. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Meet Karl Stefanovic's 'replacement'
Jul 1000:41:10Tap to summarizeKarl Stefanovic launched an independent podcast at the beginning of the year and one Sunshine Coast radio host has been paying VERY close attention. Henry Bretz has posted dozens of videos parodying Nine's former breakfast king - earning a follow from Karl himself, then an unfollow, and now a full block. In this episode of The Weekend Briefing, Chris Spyrou sits down with the comedian behind the impressions to discuss his viral posts, what Lisa Wilkinson said when she slid into his DMs, and what he really thinks is going on with Karl's "lurch to the right.” Plus, Sportsbet has Henry at $34 to replace Karl on the Today Show… so is Channel Nine actually calling? The Weekend List: Henry's recco: Olivia Rodrigo’s new album - you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love Listener Brett’s recco: Madonna’s Confessions II album To eat: It’s winter which means ... soup! Check out RecipeTin Eats soup recipes here, and the recipe for the Greek lamb lettuce soup here (dill optional, but it’s fine if you’re a dill person). Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Telstra to lose millions + Why space balls are washing up on our beaches
Jul 900:26:53Tap to summarizeFriday Headlines: SA death possibly linked to Telstra outage Modi mania sweeps Melbourne US and Iran exchange fire as Supreme Leader buried Angus Taylor mounts strongest attack yet on Pauline Hanson Bonnie Tyler has died at the age of 75 Deep Dive: Ten years ago, in 2015, the world collectively launched 221 objects into space. Last year that number was 4,510, a record by a huge margin. There’s now a record number of satellites and other space objects zooming over our heads. Why are we shooting so many objects into space? Most launches are coming from the United States, where a commercial space race is well and truly underway. But what are the consequences for the rest of the world? As mysterious space debris washes up on our shores here in Australia, we speak with Dr Matt Agnew, the scientist (and former Bachelor star) to learn about why we’re launching thousands of satellites a year. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Trump says Iran ceasefire is ‘over’ + Why the AFL has ‘blood on its hands’
Jul 800:24:53Tap to summarizeThursday Headlines: Fresh Telstra outage hits customers Trump says Iran-US ceasefire is ‘over’ Australian rents hit record high Australians with cancer are living longer NSW wins 2026 State of Origin Deep Dive: The tragic death of 27-year-old Melbourne footy player Nathan Fitzgerald has sparked questions over the hidden hazards of shared suburban fields and whether enough is being done to protect local athletes. This tragedy coincides with an alarming new report from the Australian Sports Brain Bank and Four Corners revealing high rates of the brain disease CTE in deceased players, ramping up the pressure on the AFL to establish formal CTE protocols. In this episode of The Briefing, neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce joins us to break down the latest brain research and ask the difficult question: as the evidence stacks up, can footy ever truly be safe again? Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Prince Harry loses phone-tap case + What falling house prices mean for you
Jul 700:26:39Tap to summarizeWednesday Headlines: Aussies suffer sharpest decline in real wages in the developed world Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigns and vows to fight to win by-election Prince Harry and Elton John lose privacy lawsuit against Daily Mail’s publisher NATO summit underway as Trump revives Greenland bid Male testosterone levels have halved in 50 years Pam the Bird prankster to remain behind bars Deep Dive: You might have heard that house prices are falling – at least in Sydney and Melbourne, which tend to set the direction for the other capital cities. Auction clearance rates were below 50% for the third weekend in a row, and experts say the slump could continue. Is Australia on the brink of a Labor-created societal collapse? Or are we finally having the much-needed correction of an overstimulated property bubble? What direction do we want house prices to go, anyway? Joining Chris Spyrou in this episode of The Briefing to look beyond the headlines is My Bui, an economist with AMP. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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