Quick Smart

Quick Smart is the show that feeds you big ideas in bite-sized pieces. Get up to speed on some of the biggest issues from psychology, money, health, history, pop culture, in just 10 minutes. Siobhan Marin guides you through!

Is Trump using Charlie Kirk’s death to start a ‘spiritual war’ against the Left?

At a stadium in Arizona, 63,000 people gathered to remember Charlie Kirk. Among them was President Donald Trump, who called the controversial right-wing figure a “martyr”. Who exactly was Kirk? Are politicians weaponising his death to crack down on their opposition?

09-22
11:05

Nuns, crosses and exorcisms. Why horror films love religious imagery

While cinemas struggle to fill seats, horror films are bringing in billions. So, why do we enjoy being scared? And how come horror flicks are filled with nuns, crosses and other Christian imagery?-------- If you liked this chat, send it to the cinema buff in your life. You might also enjoy our eps on how cults are being targeted with coercive control laws and why certain female body parts are named after shady, white men.  Plus, check out Anna Levy’s article about religion in horror films.

09-15
10:47

How to deal with family or friends who hold extreme beliefs

From the sovereign citizen movement to vaccine conspiracy theories, extreme beliefs are on the rise, and they can make family gatherings super uncomfortable. Why do sensible people fall for irrational ideas? And can we challenge these ideas without alienating the people who hold them?

09-08
12:17

Too much stuff? How to get on top of your clutter

Love decluttering videos, but hate home organising in real life? Too much stuff can make us feel stressed, but parting with objects isn't always easy. This week, what your clutter says about you, and how you can get on top of it.

09-01
11:00

Who are the Israeli Settlers? And who's holding them accountable?

Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. And yet, the Israeli government just approved almost 3,500 more of these homes. Meanwhile, settler violence against Palestinians is rising. So, who are the settlers and why are they allowed to exist outside the law?

08-25
13:09

Why conspiracy theorists are targeting walkable cities

If you had to dash out for a bottle of milk, could you just stroll to the supermarket? If the answer's yes, you might be living in a 15-minute city. What are these neighbourhoods, exactly, and why do conspiracy theorists hate them?

08-18
11:02

What power does the UN hold if volatile leaders keep ignoring it?

Financial woes, global conflicts, and world leaders who act like the rules don’t apply. The United Nations is at crisis point. So, 80 years since its creation, is the UN still relevant? And how might we fix it?

08-11
12:07

Are we paying too much tax?

Like it or not, tax affects our incomes and grocery bills. It also helps pay for roads, hospitals and schools. But could the government be taking less from our salaries and more from big business, inheritance, or superannuation?

08-04
10:07

Why Stephen Colbert’s talk show was cancelled, and what it has to do with Trump

Late night TV legend Stephen Colbert is being taken off air, and suspicions are swirling. His US network CBS says it cancelled the talk show for financial reasons, but could President Donald Trump have something to do with it?

07-28
10:54

How big tech is pushing teens into the misogynistic ‘manosphere’

Teenage boys have always had a certain reputation for rowdiness, but there’s something different going on in our schools. Fuelled by toxic influencers, misogynistic behaviour is getting worse. So, how bad is it, and how do we stop it?

07-21
11:58

Is Stockholm syndrome a sexist myth?

'Stockholm Syndrome' is a phrase we use to describe people in toxic relationships. But have you ever considered the first case? This week, meet the woman behind this dubious diagnosis. 

07-14
12:35

Adulting is hard. Should schools be teaching essential life skills?

Oh, adulthood. Suddenly you're a Jack (or Jill) of all trades, negotiating tax returns and changing tires. Many of us feel wildly unprepared. Should our parents have passed down these skills? Or could schools or social media fill in the blanks?

07-07
12:42

The controversial and very male history of naming body parts

Fallopian tubes. The G-spot. Skene’s glands. Why are so many female body parts named after shady white men... and should that change?

06-30
10:25

The 'hard men' behind the Israel-Iran war, and why Trump's involved

Missiles are flying, nuclear sites have been bombed, and now Donald Trump has declared a ceasefire. Why do Israel and Iran hate each other? Who are the men in charge? And how much is ego fuelling this conflict? 

06-23
09:39

Why your childhood could be holding you back financially — and how to fix it

Why do some people save every spare dollar, while others blow through their pay the moment it lands? It might have less to do with discipline and more to do with the way you were raised.

06-16
10:51

How cults are using coercive control to manipulate followers

They tell you how to act, what to believe, and who to surround yourself with. It sounds like coercive control, right? But this type of manipulation doesn’t just exist in intimate relationships, it happens in spiritual ones, too.

06-09
09:41

Is productivity a scam? How to avoid burnout at work

Do you ever feel a sinking sensation that you’re not being "productive” enough? It doesn’t just hit at work either, it can tarnish weekends with a weird sense of guilt. Hyper-productivity isn't the answer, that leads to burnout. So, how do we find a happy medium?

06-02
11:01

One in seven of us take antidepressants. Getting off them can be a nightmare

Chances are you, or someone you know, took an antidepressant this morning. One in seven Australians are on the medication, and for many it's lifesaving. But are we staying on antidepressants for too long? Is there a right time to stop? And what should we know about withdrawal symptoms? 

05-26
10:44

When is it OK to cut off your parents and go 'no contact’?

Have you ever considered cutting a family member off? It's called going "no contact" and social media is filled with stories from people who’ve done just that. But how do you know you're making the right choice? And can fractured relationships be saved?

05-19
10:27

Polyamory is becoming more popular. What can it teach us about our love lives?

Call it romantically reckless or fiscally responsible, more Aussies are considering ENM (ethical non-monogamy). So, do these relationships work? And how can you stop jealousy taking hold?

05-12
10:22

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