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At its worst, long Covid can lead to complete debilitation. It can cause fatigue and an inability to complete basic tasks.But understanding the cause and the cure for the illness has been a challenge for scientists. This challenge becomes more urgent as case numbers rise. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Bianca Nogrady on the people living with long Covid.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Bianca NogradySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hillsong is in crisis. More and more people are leaving. But what happens after someone leaves the church? And what does it tell us about how the church operates?Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Tanya Levin on why former Hillsong members are increasingly reporting that they suffer PTSD and what’s known as religious trauma syndrome.Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper Tanya LevinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late last week, the attorney-general dropped charges against whistleblower Bernard Collaery. It was a sensational development in a case that has outraged many.But Collaery is not the only whistleblower on trial for revealing shocking misconduct by the government, the public service, or the army. What’s next for those cases?Today, lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender on the people still facing prison for telling the truth.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kieran PenderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boris Johnson has announced he will resign as Prime Minister of the UK.He once delivered his party historic victories, but now he is being called a risk to the United Kingdom and an existential threat to the existence of the Conservative party — by some of his own colleagues.So how did one man do so much political damage?Today, World Editor of The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman on Boris Johnson’s incredibly predictable downfall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese returned from Europe this week to several crises sweeping the country.Floods have devastated communities on the east coast, and now two new subvariants of Omicron have health authorities warning another wave of Covid-19 infections is only ramping up.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace on the end of Anthony Albanese’s honeymoon and the urgent work ahead for the new government.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA’s latest mission to Mars has the explicit aim of discovering whether or not there has been life on the red planet.It’s led by the first Australian and the first woman to lead such a major mission for NASA, astrobiologist Abigail Allwood. So what are scientists uncovering and are we closer than ever before to discovering evidence of life on Mars?Today, contributor to The Monthly Will Higginbotham on the Australian leading NASA’s search for life on Mars, and what she is discovering. Guest: Journalist Will Higginbotham.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday afternoon, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted rates for the third time in three months – raising the cash rate by a full 50 basis points to 1.35%.The rise will lift interest rates to their highest levels in years and put more pressure on household budgets, but it’s something the RBA says is necessary to bring down inflation.However, the RBA’s decision comes just as questions are being asked about how the institution is working, and whether it’s acted too slowly in the past.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why the Reserve Bank is so secretive, and the push to change it.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, environmental activists Blockade Australia shut down traffic in Sydney, causing hours of chaos in the city.But it was the police response to the blockade that could have the longest legacy, with Human Rights Watch calling the police crackdown and the use of new anti-protest laws “an alarming new trend”.So what did the police do to crackdown on these protestors and what do their actions tell us about the new era of anti-protest laws?Today, journalist Wendy Bacon on the ways police are targeting protestors before they’ve even begun to protest. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Journalist, Wendy Bacon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The decision of the US supreme court to overturn Roe v Wade, and the winding back of abortion rights in America has led to reflection on rights and access to reproductive healthcare.Here in Australia, the Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said it was a reminder to Australians to “remain vigilant because hard-fought-for wins before our parliaments can be taken away easily.”So are women treated equally in Australia’s healthcare system and what still needs to be fought for?Today, writer and professor of public health at UNSW Gemma Carey, on the gender gap in our healthcare system.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Writer and professor of public health at UNSW Gemma CareySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Europe and he’s there because of the war in Ukraine.Four Asia-Pacific nations, including Australia, have been given a seat at the table at the latest NATO summit because NATO is keen to engage partners around the world.But it’s also an opportunity for Albanese – to reset relationships with NATO members like the United States, France, Spain and the UK.So has he been successful?Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Chris Wallace on Albanese’s attempts at a reset.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Chris Wallace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.