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.
237episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Supreme Court rejects Trump order + How to hack your power bill
Jun 3000:24:14Tap to summarizeWednesday Headlines: Thai police investigating Australian man for possible links to suitcase murders Support for One Nation remains high despite rejection of key policies House prices drop by biggest amount since 2022 Donald Trump’s controversial birthright citizenship policy struck down by Supreme Court Grad sacked after allegedly accessing Albo’s bank account NT residents named the happiest in the country Deep Dive: July 1 marks the start of the new financial year and also when a raft of new laws, policies, regulations and pricing comes into effect. This year that includes cheaper electricity for most states, bucking recent trends which have seen prices for everything else go up. But it’s a little more complicated than just getting a cheaper bill, in fact, some people will be paying more. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Canstar’s Data Insights Director, Sally Tindall, to unpack the changes coming to our power bills and how to get the best deal. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Libs blame Scomo for poll pain + What a 'free' Karl Stefanovic really means
Jun 2900:24:36Tap to summarizeTuesday Headlines: Anthony Albanese backs multiculturalism as Coalition considers a rebrand US-Iran talks resume Bruce Lehrmann loses bid for Brittany Higgins footage Aussie fuel prices return to pre-Iran war levels Musical theatre industry calls for government help Deep Dive: Karl Stefanovic got tongues wagging last week when he had controversial UK figure Tommy Robinson on his independent podcast for a conversation that did little to challenge the far-right agitator on his problematic views about immigration and Islam. Within days of the podcast episode going live, it had sensationally been pulled from all platforms, and the Nine Network’s highest-paid star had been shown the door, in an exit that signals yet another shift in the media space. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Jacqueline Maley, columnist and senior writer at The Age to discuss Karl’s Nine exit, why he’s happy about it and what it means for free speech and the broader media landscape in Australia. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Hanson takes a hit in the polls + The world’s spies are worried about AI
Jun 2800:26:50Tap to summarizeMonday Headlines: Labor recovers in the polls, One Nation takes a hit Australian man denies murder charges after 17-year-old's body found in suitcase Thousands still missing from Venezuela earthquakes US and Iran recommence strikes NSW announces major shark mitigation strategy after Coogee attack World Cup moves to the knockouts Deep Dive: Your cybersecurity is at risk, according to the world’s spies. Five Eyes is the alliance of spies from the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia – and last week, they published a warning that cutting-edge AI “accelerates the speed, scale, and sophistication of cyber threats”. They also wrote that the timeline of the transformation is “not years, it is months.” How worried should we all be about these cyber threats? And what can we, individually and collectively, do about them? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by cybersecurity expert Alastair MacGibbon, the founding head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Further listening from headlines: The truth about shark culls Your guide to Aus v Paraguay Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
BONUS: Logie nominee Michael Theo on his checklist for Love on the Spectrum
Jun 2700:18:36Tap to summarizeMichael Theo first captured Australia's attention as one of the stars of Love on the Spectrum. Since then, he's gone on to lead the ABC comedy-drama Austin - a performance that has now earned him a Silver Logie nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy. To mark the nomination, we're revisiting one of our conversations with him from the archives. This bonus Sunday episode of The Briefing is Antoinette Lattouf's 2024 conversation with Michael Theo about finding fame through Love on the Spectrum, making the leap into acting, and the very specific checklist he has for his ideal partner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
John Pearce doesn't love being called the 'hot Wiggle' (but he gets it)
Jun 2600:45:59Tap to summarizeHe went from busking in Pitt Street Mall to winning Australia's Got Talent with Justice Crew, signing a record deal despite none of them being trained singers, and touring the world with the likes of Pitbull, Janet Jackson and One Direction. Now John Pearce - Big Strong John, the internet's "hot Wiggle" - sits down with Chris Spyrou in this episode of The Weekend Briefing to look back on the wild ride from western Sydney dancer to ARIA chart-topper, including what he actually did with his AGT prize money, whether twin telepathy with his brother Lenny is real, and the moment Justice Crew quietly wound down. They also get into how he came to join the Wiggle-verse, how his life has changed since becoming a dad and his honest feelings about being labelled a heartthrob while dressed as a children's entertainer.WEEKEND LIST: To watch: Widow's Bay on Apple TV (Listener Nial) To eat: GYG Breakfast Burrito To gift: Gourmet Basket To explore: Bunnings on Uber Eats?! Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
The PM’s plan to take on the algorithm + Your guide to Aus v Paraguay
Jun 2500:25:28Tap to summarizeFriday Headlines: World leaders commit aid after Venezuela hit by two earthquakes Albo to target social media companies and algorithms in strengthening of under-16 ban Sydney shark attack victim awake, reunited with daughter Nearly 1 in 20 fuel pumps short-changing Australians SBS braces for record viewing audience as Socceroos take on Paraguay Deep Dive: The Socceroos are back in action today, taking on Paraguay in their final World Cup group match. Australia heads into the clash knowing a win or draw would put it in a strong position to reach the knockout stage - but even a loss may not be enough to end our campaign. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by SBS's Santo & Ed's Cup Fever host Ed Kavalee to unpack Australia's chances, the big names to watch, and the World Cup facts that'll help you sound like you've been following the tournament all along. Further listening from headlines: Your anger is being sold, Ed Coper knows what to do about it Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Karl Stefanovic to leave Nine + What a super El Niño summer could mean
Jun 2400:24:38Tap to summarizeThursday Headlines: Bird flu found in second Aussie state Hanson says Socceroos are an example of monoculturalism ASIO defends resourcing ahead of Bondi attack, warns of ‘unprecedented’ number of threats Karl Stefanovic to leave after podcast interview with far-right activist Neil the seal is back 🦭 Deep Dive: The world is in El Niño again – the weather pattern caused by warmer sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean. For Australia, an El Niño usually means less rain and hotter days, but also more extreme temperatures, including a higher frost risk. The big question, though, is whether hotter and drier conditions are likely to lead to a dramatic bushfire season. Could we be in for another Black Summer? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Dr Kimberley Reid, a Research Fellow with the Centre of Excellence for Weather of the 21st Century at the University of Melbourne to unpack it all. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Who is Andy Burnham, the man who could lead the UK next?
Jun 2400:16:26Tap to summarizeCan someone please explain what’s going on in the United Kingdom? Within two years of a landslide election, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer became so unpopular that his own party wanted to throw him out. The man set to replace him, Andy Burnham, seems like he’s going to assume the top job unchallenged, after only recently being re-elected into parliament. Burnham will be the seventh UK Prime Minister in a decade. What went wrong with UK politics? And is the Labour leadership drama just a distraction before the right-wing Reform party sweeps the next election? Joining this episode of The Briefing is Katy Balls, an editor and columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Labor caves to the Greens + Is One Nation really for the battler?
Jun 2300:28:24Tap to summarizeWednesday Headlines: Labor to pass contentious tax reforms Angus Taylor grilled on multiculturalism Urgent testing underway but no new cases of bird flu yet 40 die in France amid record heat Legal win for Sydney nurses after viral video struck out Daryl Braithwaite announces retirement from live gigs Deep Dive: The Australian political narrative has been completely hijacked by the rise of Pauline Hanson and One Nation, as the party and its leader continue to surge ahead in the polls. But after the Prime Minister publicly challenged her claim that she is the ultimate champion of the "Aussie battler" this week, a critical question remains: who does her party actually stand for? In this episode of The Briefing, Big Small Talk host Hannah Ferguson joins Sacha Barbour Gatt to break down the reality behind the rhetoric. Further listening from headlines: Bird flu's hit Australia. What now? Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →
Keir Starmer resigns + Bird flu's hit Australia. What now?
Jun 2200:24:22Tap to summarizeTuesday Headlines: UK PM Sir Keir Starmer resigns Vance says Iran will allow nuclear inspectors Aussie support for multiculturalism plunges in historic survey shift Rare warning from Five Eyes urges leaders to ‘act now’ on powerful new AI models Messi breaks World Cup goal-scoring record Deep Dive:For years, Australia managed to avoid a strain of bird flu that has devastated wildlife populations and agricultural industries across much of the world. That changed over the weekend, after authorities confirmed an infected migratory bird was discovered with H5N1 in Western Australia. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Professor Paul Griffin, Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health, about what we know about the virus, the risks it poses to both humans and animals, and why authorities are urging us to roll up our sleeves for this year’s flu shot to help reduce its impact. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →