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Your alternative to talkback. Backchat is a weekly show of news, politics, interviews, discussion, satire, and feature reporting.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi. Executive produced by Rebecca Cushway, with producers Dani Zhang, Holly Payne, Tanita Razaghi, Libby Hopper, Sana Shaikh, Lilly Grainger, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Euan Kielly, Elisa Papaioannou, Grace Pittar, Jaspar McCahon-Boersma and Bridgette Donnellan.
Got an idea for a story? Email us: backchat@fbiradio.com We're also on Instagram @backchatfbiradio and X @BackchatFBi.
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Are numbers and statistical data as objective as people think they are? Producer Nyaboth Chuol and journalist Madi Chwasta get into why understanding how stats work could stop you (and your middle aged relos on Facebook) from falling down a conspiracy theory rabbit hole. Dani and Bec also chat with Estelle Grech, head of planning and policy at the Committee for Sydney, about whether Parramatta Road could be used for something other than traffic jams (what a concept!). Later, producer Ponyada Sootthipong looks into why Sydney’s infrastructure is so terrible at coping with wet weather. Sam Kernaghan, Sanaa Shah and Matthew Thompson tell us whether they think our city is ready to withstand the worsening impacts of climate change. Luna Choo from Pride in Protest came by the studio to chat about their thoughts on Mardi Gras - can an celebration that welcomes cops, corporations and pro-genocide voices truly celebrate queer lives? Producer Jess D’Souza welcomed the warm weather with a discussion about Asian-American representation on ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ - finally, a conversation about TSITP with minimal Conrad v Jeremiah talk! This episode of Backchat was produced by Nyaboth Chuol, Sana Shaikh, Pongyada Sootthipong, Bec Cushway and Jessica D’Souza. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Aired 20 September 2025 on Gadigal Land.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over ten thousand people have signed a legislative assembly petition calling for trauma-informed training to be mandated for NSW Police. Producer Pongyada Soothipong explains what trauma-informed training involves and what systemic reforms are needed to implement it. Cameron Francis, the CEO of not-for-profit drug testing service organisation The Loop joins us to discuss Queensland's recent ban on public and private pill testing operations. We unpack the impacts of keratoconus (a chronic eye condition) on young people with Dr Jingjing You, a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney's School of Medical Sciences. Have raves lost their meaning? Producer Bec Cushway investigates the history of raves and how Sydney's rave scene is being diluted. The National Association of Renters' Organisations and National Shelter have released their second report card on renting in Australia. Producer Sana Shaikh speaks to CEO of the Tenants' Union of NSW Leo Patterson Ross on how New South Wales fared and what the results mean for Sydney renters. This episode of Backchat was produced by Pongyada Soothipong, Nyaboth Chuol, Elise Papaioannou, Sana Shaikh and Bec Cushway. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Dani Zhang and Bec Cushway. Aired 27 September 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To break down the recent news that Melbourne University Press is closing Meanjin, Australia’s second-oldest literary journal, Holly explains why this is about much more than just finances or literary snobbery. A major conversation is unfolding in New South Wales following the state’s first drug summit in 25 years, with growing calls to reform driving laws for medical cannabis users. To unpack the issue, MP Alex Greenwich joined hosts Holly and Eva on the show. The theme of this year's National Child Protection Week, was “shifting conversation into action.” One conversation gaining momentum is the Albanese government’s social media ban for under-16s, aimed at protecting kids online. Discussing the proposal and its potential impact, senior lecturer in digital and social media at UTS, Paul Byron, joined the show. The long-running debate over shark nets has reignited after a fatal shark attack on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. In response, the NSW government has paused a planned trial to remove nets from certain beaches. To explore the controversy and whether shark nets really keep swimmers safe, our producer Olivia takes a closer look. This episode of Backchat was hosted by Holly Payne and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, and produced by Bec Cushway, Holly Payne, Elise Papaioannou, Jaspar McCahon-Boersma and Olivia Nunes-Malek. Executive Produced by Rebecca Cushway. Aired 13 September on Gadigal Land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five star review, and share an episode with a friend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To unpack the impacts of cancer rates skyrocketing in young people, Producer Jaspar McCahon-Boersma talks with hosts Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi, with audio from Rare Cancer Australia CEO Christine Cockburn. A major campaign is slowly gaining momentum across New South Wales, calling on the state’s criminal justice system to provide extra support for victim-survivors of sexual violence. To dive deeper into the topic, Jacinta Masters, the Campaign Manager at Fair Agenda, joins the show. For decades, sport’s been treated as a no-go zone for politics, a place to escape the world, not confront it. But that’s changing. Dr Kasey Symons, lecturer in Sports Media at Deakin University and co-founder of women in sport collective, Siren, breaks down the changes in sports and politics. As neo-nazis become increasingly visible on streets all around Australia, producer Emilios Kwasner-Catsivelakis takes a look at the psychology of radical political views. And Crystal Andrews, founder of publication Zee Feed and author of the essay ‘Let’s Not Give Conservative Politicians The Power of Becoming a Meme’ joins us to talk the memefication of right wing figures. This episode of Backchat was hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi, and produced by Holly Payne, Gabriella Accaria, Jaspar McCahon Borsema, Jordan Santander, Olivia Nunes-Malek and Emil Kwasner-Catsivelakis. Executive Produced by Holly Payne. Aired 6 September on Gadigal Land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five star review, and share an episode with a friend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We start off the start of spooky season strong with a harrowing tale of real estate developers, NIMBYs and former antique dealers. Producer Holly Payne breaks down Woollahra's ghost train station and the future of development in the city's east. Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance deputy CEO Adam Portelli also joins to discuss the death of journalists in Gaza. Next, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre CEO and cookbook author Kon Karapanagiotidis speaks about his welcome feast for Palestinian refugees and the importance of not letting our hearts be dimmed by fear. Read more about Kon and his work here: https://asrc.org.au/kon/. Producer Jaspar McCahon-Boersma spoke to researcher Dr Kaz Ross about the conspiratorial legal ideology of sovereign citizens and why it's been making headlines recently. Last Monday, the government officially committed to expanding the Frist Home Buyers Grant. For our final story, producer Elise Papaioannou spoke to two young people hoping to crack into the housing market. This episode of Backchat was produced by Holly Payne, Jess D'Souza, Gabriella Accaria, Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Elise Papaioannou and Harrie Hastings.Executive produced by Sana Shaikh.Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi. Aired 30 August 2025 on Gadigal land.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For the first time in 25 years, the NSW government has launched a regional plan to support Western Sydney arts, culture and creative industries. Producer Pongyada Sootthipong joins to discuss how the plan will impact historically underfunded arts communities. Have you or a loved one fallen in love with an AI companion? Producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis dives into the dark world of AI-induced psychosis with AI internet goth baddie girlfriend Aphrodisiac Jenkins. While the name stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS doesn’t necessarily manifest in the ovaries every time, nor does it necessarily involve cysts every single time. Women’s health researcher Professor Helena Teede makes the case for why we should rename PCOS. Producer Emil Kwasner-Catsivelakis speaks to designer and professor Timo Rissanen to unpack the blurry binding of politics and fashion and what we can do to stay ethical and sustainable. This episode of Backchat was produced by Pongyada Sootthipong, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne, Emilios Kwazner-Catsivelakis, and Harrie Hastings.Executive produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis.Hosted by Dani Zhang and Holly Payne. Aired 16th August 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend. For more behind-the-scenes content, we are also on Instagram: @backchatfbiradio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do young Australians still care about the Logies? Producer Jessica D'Souza dives into the lack of cultural representation of the Logies and the future of Aussie TV. We live in an era of constant surveillance, and online and every little bit of our info is being harvested by tech companies to more effectively sell you stuff. Researcher Lena Prosky unpacks these risks and explores how weakened privacy laws and opaque algorithms are increasingly shaping access to information, services, and digital rights. Backchat’s Pongyada Sootthipong visits Sydney’s Other Worlds Zine Fair to explore the political roots Featuring Simone Wong and Dr. Can Yanya, she dives into zines as art, activism, and community. Clinical psychologist Dr. Danielle Einstein joins us to unpack the government's decision to include YouTube in the under-16 social media ban, highlighting growing mental health concerns among young people. The Backchat team go on the ground at Sydney's historic March for Humanity to speak to protestors. Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees joins us in the studio to talk about the outcome of the March. This episode of Backchat was produced by Jess D'Souza, Gabriella Accaria, Nyaboth Chuol, Jordan Santander, Pongyada Soothpong and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Holly Payne and Dani Zhang. Aired 19th July 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Thursday the 31st July, producer Gabriella Accaria attended the Australian Communist Party's screening of 'To Kill A War Machine', a documentary about Palestine Action and their militant strategy of targeting weapons manufacturers, a group that has been designated a terrorist group by the UK. In response, documentary producers Rainbow Collective have authorised no further screenings of the film until further notice. Producer Gabriella Accaria spoke to ACP members Alice and Dan about why they chose to hold an unauthorised screening of the film, and how Australian pro-Palestine activism can take inspiration from Palestine Action’s militancy. Aired 2 August 2025 on Gadigal Land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last week, producer Jaspar McCahon-Boersma sat down with Eleanor Morley, the Secretary of the NSW Socialists party. Some of that interview made its way into his story on the launch of the party on our most recent Backchat episode below, but we wanted to bring you the full interview - and here it is. If you haven't heard the story covering the party's launch, who rocked up, and what they care about, check it out in our previous episode. Aired 2 August 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new trend is currently taking social media users by storm - leaving some feeling relieved… and others very confused. Producer Olivia dives into the phenomenon of bathroom camping with clinical psychologist Dr Anna Sidis. Writers are among Australia's lowest-paid creatives, earning an average of $18.5k per year. A new, permanent home for the Sydney Writer's Festival at the State Library of NSW might go some way toward addressing the issue. Festival CEO Brooke Webb came into the studio for a chat. After developing tinnitus herself following an ear infection, producer Charlotte knows firsthand how isolating it can be. Last week, she spoke to audiologist Myriam Westcott to unpack the condition and how to manage it. The NSW branch of the Australian Communist Party held an unauthorised screening of the documentary 'To Kill A War Machine', which features UK-based activist group Palestine Action. Backchat producer Gabriella attended the screening and spoke to party members Alice and Dan about the choice to screen the doco. Producer Jaspar was also on the road this week, attending the launch of NSW Socialists, the state's newest official political party. His full chat with party secretary Eleanor Morley will be featured in a standalone podcast episode coming this week. This episode of Backchat was produced by Charlotte Saker, Gabriella Accaria, Olivia Nunes-Malek, Holly Payne and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma. Executive produced by Bec Cushway.Hosted by Dani Zhang and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma. Aired 2 August 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last week, Australia signed onto a joint statement condemning some of Israel’s actions in Gaza. We discuss the Parliament’s position on Palestine - a symbolic statement or a hypocritical act? We speak to one of Aunties Fund’s founders, Indu Balachandran, about their new organisation funding culturally supportive domestic and family violence support for South Asian women in Sydney. Is Sydney really the 7th best city in the world for nightlife tourism? Amy Flanagan, head of bookings at King Street organiser Music and Booze Co, makes the case that Sydney’s nightlife is healthier than we think. But why are so many live music venues closing, and what needs to change to keep the culture alive? Producer Harrie Hastings chats to Jim Flanagan of Lazy Thinking and Julia Johnson of ROMAEO about alternative models for supporting the live music sector. This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Jess D’Souza, Holly Payne, and Harrie Hastings.Executive produced by Bec Cushway.Hosted by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis and Tanita Razaghi. Aired 26th July 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How are campus policies being used to silence university staff and students organising for Palestine? Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis takes us inside the People’s Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine hearing. Triple J’s first-ever Hottest Australian 100 drops next Saturday. We chat to musician Ben Lee about the future of Australian music and the countdown. The Federal Court dismissed a lawsuit brought by Torres Strait Islander elders to protect their lands from climate change. Lawyer Brett Spiegel joins us to discuss the ruling’s impact on local communities and climate justice. Is your local chicken shop next in line for a McDonald's takeover? We take a closer look at local council development applications and what they tell us about the future of your suburb. Producer Gabriella Accaria weighs in on the objectification of women in sexually violent video games and the success of Australian organisation Collective Shout’s campaign against them. Content warning: sexual violence. What’s behind Sydney’s obsession with mega infrastructure projects? Producer Emilios Kwasner-Catsivelakis and architect Gerard Reinmuth unpack how the city’s complex urban planning history impacts us. This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne, Jess D’Souza, Gabriella Accaria and Emilios Kwasner-Catsivelakis.Executive produced by Bec Cushway.Hosted by Holly Payne and Tanita Razaghi. Aired 19th July 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Australia dropped its 2026 Venice Biennale artists just days after announcing them. Jaspar McCahon-Boersma breaks down the backlash with Dr Ben Eltham. We speak to Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo about what Medicare changes could mean for trans healthcare ahead of the election. Dr Kean-Seng Lim joins us to unpack whether new bulk billing incentives will actually help communities in Western Sydney. Plus, Adriana Boisen from the NSW Council for Civil Liberties explains what new protest laws mean for your right to demonstrate. Produced by Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Holly Payne, Euan Kielly and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis.Executive produced by Bec Cushway.Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. Aired 1st March 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sydney’s train strikes have been dominating the news. Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis unpacks the union’s demands, the media’s spin, and what comes next. Parsley Bay locals are protesting construction by Sydney Water. But is this a fight for the environment or just classic Sydney NIMBYism? Conservationist Nicole McMahon from Save Parsley Bay joins us to discuss. With Mardi Gras around the corner, ACON has launched a new service for queer people in Greater Western Sydney. We speak with Director for HIV and Sexual Health Matthew Vaughan and community health promotion officer Duy Tran about why this service matters. Sam Kerr has been in the headlines, but not for football. We chat with Matthew Klugman about what’s happening in her legal battle. Plus, are Australian school results really declining, or is this just another media panic? Dr. Sally Larsen breaks down what the numbers actually say. This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne, Grace Pittar, Bec Cushway, and Sana Shaikh. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi. Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. Aired 22nd February 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Enmore’s Cairo Takeaway had a run-in with Daily Telegraph journos that left a particularly bad taste in our mouths. Founder of Everything is Fine, Alex McKinnon, tells us what went down. 1 in 7 Australian women are affected by endometriosis - so why is it still underfunded? We chat with QENDO CEO Jess Taylor to find out. Contraceptives just got cheaper! The government has added the pill to the PBS and increased Medicare rebates for IUDs. But do these changes actually make contraception more affordable for young people? Sana Shaikh speaks with Sue Shilbury, CEO of Family Planning Australia, to unpack the impact. Antoinette Latouff vs ABC - what does this legal battle mean for young journalists and the future of media in Australia? Former CEO of Democracy in Colour Neha Madhouk and Journalist Monica Attard weigh in. You might hear us mention the Sam Kerr trial in the intro, but the segment was cut due to time constraints. This episode of Backchat was produced by Sana Shaikh, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne and Bec Cushway. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi. Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. Aired 15th February 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have we witnessed the Coachella-fication of Laneway Festival? From fit checks on TikTok to performative crowds, producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis and Joe Hardy from SydneyMusic.net weigh in. Feeling the heat? UNSW Associate Professor Lan Ding breaks down why Western Sydney is up to 10 degrees hotter than the inner city. Jaspar McCahon-Boersma wraps up the international headlines that affect you. Neo-Nazis crashed an Invasion Day rally - is far-right extremism spreading? Dr Kaz Ross explains how these networks are growing across Australia and what it means for Sydney. Dutton wants to scrap diversity and equity programs - is this just election pandering or a deeper cultural shift? Founder and editor of Zee Feed, Crystal Andrews, joins us to discuss. Why are new suburbs missing key transport infrastructure? Jeremy Gill from the Committee for Sydney talks urban planning and transit gaps. This episode of Backchat was produced by Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne and Bec Cushway. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Sana Shaikh and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma. Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. Aired 8th February 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What’s happening in international news? Jaspar McCahon-Boersma brings an update on headlines that affect you. Local council dramaaaaaaa - because nothing gets Backchat going like local council tea. This story has it all - broken promises, finger pointing and a four-hour town hall. How would you feel if the government told you what medical care you were allowed to have? Necho Brocchi (she/her), service delivery manager at Open Doors Youth Service, discusses the pause on gender-affirming care for trans youth. What does the rise in anti-Semitism tell us about right-wing extremism here in Eora? Jordy Silverstein from the Loud Jews Collective breaks it down. And what on Earth is going on with the Hottest 100?! Musician, producer and broadcaster, Ian McCarthy weighs in. This episode of Backchat was produced by Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Holly Payne, Sana Shaikh and Bec Cushway. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Holly Payne & Dani Zhang. Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. This episode aired 1st February 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review and share an episode with a friend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you talk about Invasion Day with communities who don’t speak English as a first language? Phoebe McIlwraith breaks down the challenges of educating across languages. What makes Yabun Festival the most important First Nations cultural event of the year? Miah Wright has the answers. And Nooky is back to talk Blak Powerhouse - a night of music, storytelling, and Blak excellence. This episode of Backchat was executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Holly Payne & Dani Zhang. Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. This episode aired 25th January 2025 on Gadigal land. Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review or share an episode with a friend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Backchat, we spotlight powerful diaspora perspectives one year after the escalation of conflict in Palestine and Israel. Producer Sana Sheikh speaks with Palestinian-Australian activist Sara Shaweesh about the personal and political impact of the past 12 months. We also hear from Maggie of the anti-Zionist, anti-colonial Jewish group Tzedek Collective on solidarity and resistance within the Jewish diaspora. Later, producer Euan Kielly dives into Australia’s new anti-doxxing laws. With insights from Professor Rob Cover and Dr. Nicola Henry, we explore how these changes could reshape online privacy, cybersecurity, and the fight against digital harassment. This episode was produced by Sana Shaikh, Euan Kielly, and Bec Cushway. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Holly Payne and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis. Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. This episode aired on Gadigal land on October 5, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Backchat, producer Sumaiya Chowdhure and PhD student Lauren A. Miller unmask the mental health effects of constant self-viewing in the age of social media and augmented filters. Then, employment lawyer Seri Feldman-Gubbay from Redfern Legal Centre breaks down new reforms that make it easier for victim-survivors of workplace harassment to seek justice. Finally, we explore Green Music Australia’s new initiative to help musicians and artists use their work to fight climate change, featuring CEO Berish Bilander and musician Elana Stone. This episode of Backchat was produced by Bec Cushway, Sana Shaikh, and Sumaiya Chowdhure. Executive produced by Bec Cushway. Hosted by Holly Payne and Tanita Razaghi. Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan. This episode of Backchat aired on 28th September 2024 on Gadigal land.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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