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A major new study has found that the therapeutic use of the illicit drug MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy, could cure people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.The landmark findings could radically change the way PTSD is treated.Now an Australian psychologist is finally embarking on Australia’s first ever clinical trial using the drug. Today, James Bradley on the healing power of MDMA - and why Australia has been so slow to explore its possibilities. Guest: Writer for The Monthly, James BradleyBackground reading: The agony and ecstasy in The MonthlyEditor's Note: Since this episode was published, a complaint has been referred to Health Canada over MAPS's research, alleging inappropriate conduct towards patients, undocumented side effects and flaws in how data was used.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally Rooney’s third novel, ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’, was one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year. Now that it’s out, it’s smashing sales records.Her new book covers similar ground to her earlier work, but this time, more than ever, Rooney turns inward and grapples with what it means to be a successful writer in the current moment.So why has Rooney’s work struck such a chord with millions of readers? And does ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’ live up to the hype?Guest: Writer and book critic, Madeleine GrayFollow The Culture on InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode four of Everybody Knows Ruby Jones speaks to three women who have worked at Sony Music Australia, who all have something in common: they all experienced bullying and intimidation from the same man at the company.Two of those women have lodged complaints to Sony about this man as part of Sony's internal investigation into workplace culture. But the longer the investigation has gone on, the more they’ve wondered: is anyone listening?This is episode four of Everybody Knows: The complaints.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a slow and delayed start, vaccination rates across Australia are finally gaining momentum, with NSW and Victoria hitting 80 percent and 70 percent single dose targets this week.The targets were reached despite a confusing rollout, riddled with mixed messages from the federal government.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on whether the Morrison government has the trust and credibility to maintain the goodwill of the Australian public throughout the rest of the pandemic.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From this week residents in NSW, who have been locked down for nearly three months, will finally be able to leave their homes.But the new freedoms are contingent on one important factor: their vaccination status.It’s the first time the easing of restrictions has been linked to vaccine status, but it’s likely to become the new normal across Australia.Today, journalist with the AAP Hannah Ryan on the plan to provide freedoms only to fully vaccinated, and what that means for the next phase of the pandemic.Guest: Journalist with the Australian Associated Press and contributor to The Saturday Paper Hannah Ryan.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The anniversary of 9/11 this week, along with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, has seen politicians, military leaders and the public reflect on the past two decades.But what has really been learned from these events that shaped world history?Today, The Saturday Paper’s chief political correspondent Karen Middleton on the aftermath of 9/11 and its impact on foreign policy 20 years later.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.Background reading: After the war on terror in The Saturday PaperStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State and federal governments have promised billions in new spending to fix Australia’s mental health crisis, a crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.But despite the pledges, experts are identifying that young people in particular are still struggling to access urgent care and support.Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Santilla Chingaipe on why this could be our one chance to fix the ailing mental health care system. Guest: Journalist and filmmaker, Santilla Chingaipe.Background reading: The mental health crisis facing young Australians in The Saturday PaperStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pandemic has kept many people separated from their homes and their loved ones for over 18 months. Lockdowns and border closures have led to a specific kind of grief and yearning - homesickness.Homesickness isn’t an official medical condition but it was once, with soldiers fighting on foreign soil regularly diagnosed after suffering debilitating symptoms.Today, GP and health columnist for The Saturday Paper Dr Melanie Cheng on the origins of homesickness and whether there’s a cure.Guest: Health columnist for The Saturday Paper, Dr Melanie ChengSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was one of the most chaotic and controversial album rollouts in recent history but Kanye West’s 10th studio album, Donda, is finally here. It’s safe to say Kanye is now far from the peak of his nearly two-decade career – artistically and culturally – yet his latest album still went to No. 1.But when we’re talking about Kanye, it’s never really about the sales figures, or even just the music. There’s not that many artists who are as loved, and hated, as Kanye. This week on The Culture, we've got a special jumbo episode (not quite as long as Donda, but still) with two of the podcast's favourites. Filmmaker and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Santilla Chingaipe, talks to us about who Kanye is: where he comes from, why so many people fell in love with his music, and why it’s so hard to be a fan right now. And music critic for The Saturday Paper, Shaad D’Souza, takes us through a more in-depth discussion about Donda, and where Kanye sits musically today.Guests: Journalist and writer, Santilla Chingaipe and music critic for The Saturday Paper, Shaad D’Souza.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty years ago the terrorist group Al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, flying them into New York City’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3000 people.The September 11 attacks, and the war on terror that followed, changed the world.They ushered in a new era of global conflict, domestic terror threats, counter-terrorism laws and Islamophobia. Two decades on the legacy of the attacks still reverberates all over the world.Today, Osman Faruqi speaks to three people whose lives were changed forever by 9/11.Guests:Rana Hussain, diversity and inclusion manager at Cricket AustraliaBill Capstick, former soldier who served in AfghanistanZaki Haidari, Hazara refugee from AfghanistanStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.