Quick Smart

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.Guest: Emily Stewart, ABC business reporter and author of Sensible MoneyIf this episode has you feeling *triggered*, you can sign up to Emily’s handy money newsletter here (you're looking for Your Money Explained next to a picture of Emily). You might also like our previous chat about how to survive the cost of living crisis.  And if there are any topics you’d love us to cover, get in touch at quick.smart@abc.net.au--------You’re listening to Quick Smart's summer season. We’ll return with fresh episodes next year, but in the meantime please enjoy our special curation for the holidays. This episode originally aired on 17th June, 2025.

Virginia Trioli, a prominent journalist and host of ABC TV's Creative Types, dives into the fascinating reclamation of a once-taboo word. She unpacks its surprising transformation from an offensive term to a badge of empowerment, thanks to influencers like drag queens and K-pop stars. Trioli discusses the cultural significance, generational differences in swearing, and even its etymology linking powerful female symbolism. This conversation reveals how language and societal norms intertwine, challenging patriarchy one word at a time.

It feels like asbestos has been having more than it's fair share of limelight over the last few years. But it's manufacture, sale and import was banned in Australia in 2003. So, where is it coming from?Guest: Angelique Donnellan, reporter for ABC's 7:30 program.---------If you liked this chat, you might also like our episode about whether Australia has a problem with class.You can find Angelique's articles about her investigations here.Thanks to my producer Jessie Kay. Drop us a line at quick.smart@abc.net.au

The Victorian government has signed into law a historic Treaty with First Nations people. It’s supposed to help fix the effects of institutional harm. So, what will actually change?

Ray Johnston, a tech reporter and host of Download This Show, dives deep into the complexities of digital privacy. He explains how personal data can manipulate everything from prices to political opinions. Johnston highlights the threats of data brokers and warns against sharing sensitive details with AI. He shares personal anecdotes, revealing shocking insights from auditing his own digital footprint. Ray also offers practical tips to tighten data security, emphasizing the importance of withholding unnecessary information online.

From pub bands and street buskers to TikTok-ing teens, the world is full of music covers. Some are admirable, others are average. Yet every so often, an artist will release a cover that flips a song on its head. So, why are we drawn to making the old new again? 

David Rutledge, host of The Philosopher's Zone and a philosopher focused on democratic theory, delves into the precarious state of democracy today. He discusses how some leaders resemble monarchs and the dangers of disinformation. Rutledge explores Plato's skepticism about democracy and how societal fears can lead to voter apathy. He highlights the cultural shifts that made same-sex marriage possible and emphasizes the need for robust journalism to combat anti-democratic forces. Grassroots movements, he argues, are vital for preserving democratic values.

From a muddling Mr Darcy to Clueless diva Cher Horowitz, some of the most iconic characters in books, films and TV were conceived by Jane Austen — or based on her works. So, who was she, really? And what makes her classics... classic?

Google gets billions of searches every day. But now, the tech giant wants to be AI-fuelled “answer engine”, rather than a gateway to other sites. It poses a massive threat to journalism, but it’ll also affect the information we see and don’t see. 

If you needed a life-saving transplant, would you take a gene-edited organ from a pig? It sounds like science fiction, but this procedure has been researched for decades, and it could help solve the massive organ shortage. But is it ethical to use animals for their parts? And are there other risks?