The Briefing

Bonus episode: It’s one of our most popular and enduring TV reality shows, with a new line-up of celebrity judges and fame-chasing contestants returning to our screens next month for a fourteenth season.  Kate Miller-Heidke, Spice Girl Melanie C, Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, and 1980s hitmaker Richard Marx will take to the spinning chairs this year on the Channel Seven show.  But have you ever wondered what REALLY goes on behind the scenes on The Voice Australia? And what’s the true cost for those young hopefuls who take part?  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, you’ll hear the eye-opening truth from insiders including former winner Karise Eden and ex-contestant Matthew Hearne.  For more, including extraordinary revelations from former Australia Idol judges, you can listen to all episodes of The Moment It Changed: Touchdown for free on Apple, Spotify, LiSTNR or wherever you get your podcasts.  This episode contains descriptions of self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.  There's also references to family violence. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bec Judd first made headlines in ‘that’ red dress at the Brownlow Medals, a moment that catapulted her into the national spotlight and created a media frenzy. The Perth girl went from working in trauma wards as a speech pathologist to presenting on national TV, becoming a businesswoman and one of Australia’s most famous WAGs. In this chat with Helen Smith, Bec reveals why she’s why she’s choosing to be transparent about cosmetic work, the questions she's asked that her husband never is and and the beauty procedures she refuses to try - despite being shamelessly vain. Weekend list with Antoinette Lattouf: TO READ: Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara TO READ: Come Together by Eliza Hull TO Watch: Chef's Table on Netflix TO LISTEN: Secrets We Keep: Lone Actor Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fascinating new research has revealed why sport has become our new religion.  An Australian sports expert has delved into how being part of team as a player or passionate fan can literally change your brain and gives us powerful connections and a sense of community.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Professor Aaron Smith to unpack the latest research and the fascinate science behind why sport makes us tick.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom Picture credit: Carlo Allegri/Reuters See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Donald Trump demands answers after IDF strikes Gaza's only Catholic Church, Australia is in the midst of a vicious flu season with respiratory illnesses surging, Australian law firm launches action against Qantas over cyber attack, tributes flow for Australian killed in base jumping accident and it turns out y'all love a conspiracy theory!  Deep Dive: Can Kyle Sandilands end racism?Kyle Sandilands and Eddie McGuire are among the faces of a new national anti-racism campaign - but are they the right people for the job?  Backed by major media outlets including Channels 7, 9 and 10, KIIS owner ARN and News Corp, the #StandUpToHate campaign is being billed as an “unprecedented show of solidarity” against racial hatred. Yet some are questioning whether these ambassadors undermine the message.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with journalist and founder of Back Cover Media, Mibengé Nsenduluka about the campaign, its choice of spokespeople, and whether it can drive real change.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Afternoon Headlines: Bank exec charged with procuring under-age girls for sex found dead, Aussie dollar down as unemployment rate rises, Palestinian Ministry of Health reports over 58,000 killed in Gaza since October 7 and Tomorrowland mainstage engulfed by flames. Deep Dive: Credit and debit surcharges are costing Australians billions of dollars every year. But who’s making the profit? The RBA announced this week that it wants to crack down on a major loophole and abolish the surcharges.  In this episode, Natarsha Belling is joined by Brad Kelly, co-founder of Independent Payments Forum, who explains how the surcharges work and why the planned overhaul may actually be bad news for small businesses and consumers.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A little tracking tag in your bin might seem harmless - but what happens when that data is combined with all the other tech tracking your life?  From profiling your household habits to being used in ways you’d never expect, the risk goes far beyond waste collection.  In part two of this deep dive, Chris Spyrou speaks with former FBI and US intelligence officer turned cybersecurity expert Dr Dennis Desmond on how your everyday data can be harvested, weaponised – and how to protect yourself.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Donald Trump turns on his own supporters labelling them weaklings over the Epstein Files saga, Israel has struck the capital of Syria killing at least three, birthrate's in Aussie cap cities declined further this year, Australians are losing $110 million a week in unpaid super, and two footy legends have gone head to head, not on the field but in the ring!  Deep Dive: Your bin is spying on youEver noticed a little green chip under your council bin? It's an RFID tag used by waste management services across Australia to boost efficiency, but could the data it collects be used for more than tracking collections?   In part one of this two-part deep dive, Chris Spyrou speaks with the CEO of Veolia Australia and New Zealand to find out why our bins are being fitted with this tech and whether fears of “Bin Brother” are justified.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Afternoon Headlines: Two Sydney childcare workers charged with alleged assault, 10 million vapes seized as new data finds fewer young Aussies vaping and a global Matcha shortage.  Deep Dive: Bradley John Murdoch, the man convicted of murdering British backpacker Peter Falconio, has died at 67, without ever revealing where Falconio’s body is. His death comes just weeks after police increased the reward for information relating to the murder to $500,000, reigniting hope Peter’s remains may finally be found.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling speaks with criminologist and associate professor Xanthé Mallett, who explains why Murdoch always maintained his innocence and refused to reveal what happened to Peter’s body.   Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Anthony Albanese signs six new deals with China, police warn list of childcare centres accused child abuser Joshua Brown worked at will likely grow, State schools reporting violent incidents in classrooms every four minutes, First nations peoples and climate activists share their disappointment in a Federal Court ruling over the Torres Strait islands, and the Emmy nominations are out! Deep Dive: A handful of decisions made by a young German backpacker were the difference between life and death, after she went missing in the remote WA wilderness for 11 days  Authorities and experts have dubbed Carolina Wilga's survival a miracle, with the 26-year-old being found alive and well after braving subzero temperatures, rain, wind and rocky terrain with limited food and water.  In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy is joined by survival expert and bushcraft teacher Jake Cassar on what likely saved the backpackers' life, and his non-negotiables for braving the bush, whether you're a tourist, seasoned camper or find yourself lost too.Further listening from the headlines: Red flags of a child predatorWhy Netflix is so not chill Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bitcoin is booming, reaching an all-time high this week with some experts saying it could be the next liquid gold.  The United States is now debating rules and regulations around crypto currencies with a push to shakeup the framework.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Investment Analyst Justin Lin to unpack why Bitcoin is surging and is it the new way to make a fortune?  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.