The Briefing

It’s one of the oldest, pettiest, and most iconic sporting feuds on earth: Australia vs England, fighting over a tiny terracotta urn. From England’s full-blown 1882 meltdown at The Oval, to the chaos of Bodyline, Bradman’s god-tier dominance, ball-tampering scandals, this rivalry isn’t just cricket -  it’s the biggest beef in sporting history.In this episode of The Beefing, Alexandria Funnell breaks down the century-long beef that’s shaped cricket history: the legends, the collapses, the controversies, the sledging, and the moments that turned two nations into lifelong frenemies. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CSIRO, Australia's peak science agency, has cut 350 researchers in their latest round of redundancies.   But experts are warning this is just the tip of the iceberg, with various Federal Governments over the years not properly funding or supporting our world leading scientists and researchers.  In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by the CEO of Science & Technology Australia Ryan Winn to unpack why the Government isn’t choosing to invest in Australian science and the dangers of not keeping the research and development in our own backyard.     Afternoon headlines: Donald  signs off on releasing the remaining Epstein files, Australia hands over COP31 to Türkiye and real estate agents in Victoria required to reveal a property’s reserve price.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Australia accused of censoring US citizens, Tropical Cyclone Fina is heading toward the NT, calls for governments to step up action to fight chips and soft drinks, The Louvre announces 100 new security cameras, and Amyl and The Sniffers clean up at the ARIAs! Deep Dive: AI anxiety is fuelled by warnings that artificial intelligence could replace jobs, upend industries, and even surpass human control within decades. So how seriously should we take these risks, and which human skills will matter most in a future shaped by rapidly advancing AI?  In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith chats with UNSW AI Institute chief scientist Toby Walsh to break down how worried we should be and what we can do to stay future-proof in an AI-driven world.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ARIAs are on tonight... and we find out why the music industry’s night of nights is more important than ever. As local artists struggle to cut through in a content-overloaded world, we unpack why the ARIAs are a vital showcase for the superstars of the future.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by podcaster and music expert Alex Dyson.  Headlines: The legislation to release the Epstein files now needs to be signed by the US President, new laws banning Nazi slogans and symbols have been introduced by the New South Wales Government, and the Cambridge Dictionary has revealed its word of the year for 2025.  Matt & Alex All Day Breakfast Live.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Outage takes down popular apps and Aussie airport sites, US lawmakers to vote on Epstein files, skilled migrants and international students could be slashed under Libs, Roblox to roll out age-verification checks in Australia despite social media ban exemption, and Eminem sues Aussie swim company.  Deep Dive: A new claim for native title rights has been filed with the Federal Court, which, if successful, will cover Melbourne and its surrounds.  While corners of the community might react with concern and even anger at new native title claims, what exactly are they? And is the criticism justified?  In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Kieren Murray, a Wiradjuri man and lawyer at the First Nations Legal & Research Services to unpack it.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pauline Hanson and Mehreen Faruqi’s long-running feud has turned into a legal showdown, with Hanson's tweet telling Faruqi to ‘pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan’ at the centre of the battle.   The two senators' politics sit at complete opposite ends of the spectrum, Faruqi a senator for the Greens and Hanson the leader of One Nation.   In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks how these senators ended up in politics and why Hanson is refusing to accept the court’s ruling in Faruqi’s favour - launching an appeal that’s pushed the feud back into the headlines.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Coalition implosion continues... while the focus has been on the Federal infighting... now the state parties in both NSW and Victoria are falling apart. Victoria has a new Opposition leader, the NSW Nationals boss has resigned, and now speculation is rife that the NSW Liberal leader will also go. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Liberal Party strategist turned pollster Tony Barry to unpack the fallout and why he is warning the party is dead unless it returns to its core values.  Headlines: The family of Hannah McGuire has broken down in tears after her killer was sentenced to 28 years' jail for the young woman’s murder, the federal government has welcomed the UN Security Council passing Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and the finalists for the Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year have been released.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Visa revoked for Neo-nazi who attended Sydney rally, Sussan Ley says she will lead the Coalition to the next election, jail time for Aussie man who ambushed Ariana Grande on red carpet, more schools to close over asbestos contamination and Joey takes you inside another undercover investigation in the new episode of Secrets We Keep: Uncovered.   Deep Dive: The Church of Scientology has long been shrouded in controversy and secrecy, with allegations of mental, emotional, financial, sexual and physical abuse.  It was even banned in Australia following an inquiry in the 1960s, before being recognised as a religion by the High Court in 1983.  Now in 2025, Scientology Melbourne has started posting on TikTok in a bid to lure younger members, as an inquiry in Victoria examines the harms caused by high-control religious groups, including Scientology.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with investigative journalist Bryan Seymour about the church’s attempts to recruit on social media and why we should be worried about it. Further listening from headlines: Vote #1 neo-Nazis is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts BONUS: Inside the Wicked press tour insanity on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sussan Ley is under siege. Faced with selling the Coalition’s new energy policy, the Opposition Leader is fighting for survival with renewed leadership speculation and the party again recording plummeting polling numbers.  In this special edition of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Sussan Ley for a revealing conversation about net zero, values over votes and her late mother’s timely advice.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday Headlines: Coalition releases energy plan with immigration up next, almost 70 schools closed due to asbestos fears, ‘traitor’ congresswoman hits out at Trump ahead of Epstein file vote, phone use linked to skyrocketing rates of dementia in young people, and a Labubu movie is on the way!   Deep Dive: The first generation raised with AI woven into daily life and instant communication as the default is officially entering the workforce.  Gen Alpha’s arrival brings a fifth generation into Australian workplaces, and in this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by psychologist and HR specialist Natalie Petruzziello to unpack what they’ll be like as your co-workers and what their arrival means for the future of work. Further listening from headlines: Wtf is a Labubu? Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wicked: For Good is hitting screens this week, and whether you’re a fan or not, you can’t deny the absolute juggernaut that has been the Wicked movie press tour.  Headlined by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the press tour last year copped some flak for being cringey and over the top, amid viral videos of reporters crying in interviews to ridiculous platitudes about “holding space” for the lyrics of the movie’s title track Defying Gravity.  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit Sacha Barbour Gatt's chat with LiSTNR Entertainment's Justin Hill where they broke down the insanity of the Wicked press tour at the time and why it got people so riled up.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoe Terakes made history as Marvel’s first trans actor and you might also know them from Wentworth or the Netflix hit Nine Perfect Strangers, starring alongside Nicole Kidman. The trans masculine actor and newly minted author’s new book, Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers, explores reclaiming voice, desire and autonomy. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Zoe shares for the first time how they were groomed as a young actor and what sets American performers apart from Australians. Weekend list with Helen Smith TO EAT: Pesto lasagne TO TRY: Lush Glen Coco facemask TO LISTEN: Viva Betty the podcast TO WATCH: Fleabag on Prime Video Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As AC/DC and Oasis take over Australia... a whole new generation is falling in love with old school music. So, what’s behind this resurgence of rock gods from the 1980’s and 90’s?  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Aussie rock legend James Reyne, who’s about to head out of a new tour. He shares his love of live performance and why he couldn’t be happier about seeing a whole new generation of fans in the audience.  Headlines: The ex-boyfriend of 28-year-old Molly Ticehurst has pleaded guilty to her murder, Retail groups in Victoria have welcomed a new government crackdown on offenders who assault retail workers, and the former president of Spain’s National Football Federation, who made headlines in Sydney in 2023, has been egged during the launch of his new book.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Sussan Ley survives net zero week, people working with kids to be tracked on national register, Oasis and Jelly Roll concerts hit by measles cases, Kyle Sandilands is threatening to quit radio, and Apple has released an iPhone sock to widespread amusement.  Deep Dive: Ryan Murphy's new legal drama All’s Fair starring Kim Kardashian, has been hit with brutal reviews, including a rare zero-star rating, with some calling it the ultimate “second-screen show.”   As streamers churn out more content designed to be watched while scrolling, the debate is growing over whether this style of TV is diluting quality or simply reflecting how we actually watch.   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with LiSTNR Entertainment’s Amy Kimball about the rise of second-screen viewing and whether All’s Fair really deserves the no-stars treatment.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Prince Harry met Meghan Markle in 2016, it looked like a modern royal fairytale. Instead, it became one of the most explosive feuds in the crowns history.  This bitter clash between tradition and independence, has accusations of racism and tabloid wars from Kate-Meghan tensions, to claims Charles cut Harry off. It even spawned a Wikipedia page dedicated to 'Megxit' - a play on Brexit. In this episode of The Beefing, Alexandria Funnell unpacks how this feud led to Harry and Meghan leaving the UK, moving to the US, sitting down with Oprah, a Netflix docuseries and Harry’s memoir Spare - that fractured the monarchy. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Liberals have officially dumped their 2050 net zero target, joining the Nationals, and sparking fresh chaos inside the Coalition. So what does this mean for the party’s future… and for Sussan Ley’s leadership? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling speaks with Saturday Paper Special Correspondent Jason Koutsoukis to unpack the fallout.  Headlines: Neo Nazi leader Thomas Sewell has been released from prison, a 17-year-old has been sentenced for the murder Vyleen White, and Australia’s first Treaty between First Peoples in Victoria and the Victorian Government has been signed.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom  Image Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald/Alex EllinghausenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: New Epstein emails mentioning Trump released, Liberals poised to dump net zero after marathon meeting, AEC says it has no scope to block neo-Nazis from running in elections, Aussie fortune teller charged over $70 million fraud, and the Irwin's pay tribute to Steve on DWTS. Deep Dive: The Victorian Labor government has unveiled a hardline shift on youth crime - announcing that offenders as young as 14 could now face adult court and, in extreme cases, life behind bars.   The move comes alongside a machete ban and tougher bail laws, marking an unusual stance for Labor as experts continue to warn that tougher penalties rarely deter young offenders.   In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Premier Jacinta Allan about whether the crackdown is about cutting crime or chasing votes ahead of next year’s state election.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year Australians spend billions on Black Friday sales, but along with the bargains come hidden dangers. We reveal how to spot the scammers and the best way to bag a bargain.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by consumer law expert Jeannie Marie Paterson, on the best way to bag a bargain and your rights as a consumer if something goes wrong.   Headlines: Anthony Albanese has announced a new landmark security treaty with Indonesia, there are reports from sources inside the Liberal party room meeting that Andrew Hastie says the Coalition should consider forcing a double dissolution election, and former CFMEU boss John Setka has been charged.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Liberal party to hash out net zero plans, Victoria and NSW announce new protest laws, man survives shark attack in WA, we've spent $1.4m on our former PMs this year and the staggering amount Aussies are dropping on hens' parties revealed. Deep Dive: New research shows two key groups of Australians are losing faith in democracy - young people and those living outside major cities.   In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith chats with Australia’s new high commissioner to the UK and McKinnon’s executive director Jay Weatherill about what’s behind this growing distrust and what it would take to win it back.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates built one of the fiercest rivalries in tech history - the battle between Apple and Microsoft. Their competition changed the modern world as we know it, giving us the Macintosh computer, the iPhone and revolutionised the personal computer.   However, the pair share a lot of similarities. They were both college dropouts, both started their companies with a friend and both went on to become billionaires who defined the tech world.  In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks how Jobs and Gates went from working together in the early days to feuding the decades-long debate over who really borrowed ideas from whom.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.