The Briefing

A chaotic White House debut sparks questions about Katie Zachariah’s nerves, preparation and legal credentials. The conversation turns to Western Australia’s screen-free classroom pilot, listener reactions to cricket’s Sandpaper Gate and a quiz covering ceasefires, petrol prices, Michelin stars and GTA 6. Weekend recommendations and Wallabies doubts round out the banter.

Marc Fennell, an Australian journalist, broadcaster and documentary presenter, investigates how YouTube can lead young viewers from Minecraft to the manosphere. He discusses sitting down with influencers and men who escaped the movement, performative masculinity, backlash against feminist progress, and better pathways for young men. Plus, Trump’s cancelled execution livestream, new digital safety laws and Brisbane ferry bars.

Dr Petra Wale, president of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand, joins the conversation on Australia’s falling birth rate. They explore whether a new Baby Bonus could help, why cash incentives have limited impact, fertility education, egg freezing, donor access and the case for a nationally consistent fertility system.

Pietro Sasso, an Old Dominion University professor researching higher education, masculinity and campus culture, examines the Cornell 7 case and American Greek life. He explores fraternities’ origins, hypermasculine environments, alcohol and sexual violence, and why university reforms can become performative. The discussion also considers how young men can take responsibility for campus safety.

Kate Chaney, Independent MP for Curtin and a parliamentary AI committee member, discusses Australia’s response to rogue AI agents. They explore calls for $100 million in annual AI safety funding, mandatory incident reporting, job disruption, and rules for data centres. The conversation also touches on Australia’s opposition to livestreaming a US execution, rising petrol prices, and a school screen-use trial.

Chas Licciardello, Australian comedian, broadcaster and Planet America presenter, joins the conversation. He explores how cost-of-living pressures, non-MAGA Republicans and Trump’s influence could shape America’s midterms. They examine key races, the stakes for control of Congress and how a Democratic win could transform Washington, alongside Trump’s proposed Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire.

Roben Farzad, business and media journalist and host of NPR’s Full Disclosure, joins a sharp look at the Ellison family’s expanding empire. The conversation explores Oracle’s government ties, David Ellison’s Hollywood ascent, the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger, TikTok and Trump alliances, media consolidation, potential job cuts, and how ownership can translate into political influence.

A botched lethal injection leaves Christa Pike awake and walking, sparking a debate over appeals and a possible retrial. The discussion turns to publicly owned supermarkets, a controversial One Nation AI ad, and why bogong moths deserve protection. Plus, a news quiz, recycling for cash, weekend sport recommendations, and the mystery of Chris Wood.

Sam Ferris, an Australian sports journalist who has covered major cricket series, revisits Sandpapergate. He recounts the fiery Australia–South Africa rivalry, Cameron Bancroft’s on-camera ball tampering and the fallout for Steve Smith, David Warner and Australian cricket. Ferris weighs whether the outrage went too far and assesses Australia’s chances in its return to South Africa.

Anthony Albanese faces fresh questions over a multimillion-dollar golf club grant. Cafes hike coffee prices after the card surcharge ban, while Sam Wood seeks bail over domestic violence charges. Abortion pill access expands nationwide, and Pornhub returns to Australia under Apple’s age-verification rules, sparking privacy and VPN concerns.