

The Briefing
LiSTNR
A daily news podcast, The Briefing gives you the latest headlines, discussion and explainer interviews to keep you informed and entertained.
Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.
Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou, Natarsha Belling, Helen Smith and Antoinette Lattouf.
Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.
Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou, Natarsha Belling, Helen Smith and Antoinette Lattouf.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 1, 2023 • 20min
BONUS: The science behind the Kathleen Folbigg inquiry
Kathleen Folbigg has been in prison for nearly 20 years, charged with murdering 3 of her children and one charge of manslaughter. While she’s been behind bars, genetics research has made exponential leaps. New evidence uncovered by two Danish researchers could prove critical to her case. In this bonus episode courtesy of the Science Briefing, Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about this game-changing science that could rewrite the Folbigg story. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 28, 2023 • 19min
Could a new inquiry finally prove Kathleen Folbigg’s innocence?
Kathleen Folbigg is serving a minimum 25-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2003 of the murder of her three children, Patrick, Sarah, and Laura, and the manslaughter of her first child, Caleb. Each died suddenly between 1989 and 1999, aged between 19 days and 18 months. Her supporters say there's no pathological or medical basis to conclude homicide in any of the Folbigg children's deaths. In this episode, we speak to Kathleen’s childhood friend, Tracy Chapman, who talks to her every day from the phone in prison. Tracey’s letters with Kathleen were also key evidence in the inquiry. Headlines: - Toyah Cordingley’s alleged killer extradited- More taxes for rich super balances- Robodebt: Inquiry hears minister ignored legal advice Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 27, 2023 • 20min
Gay Conversion Therapy Part 2: Where are we now?
Conversion therapy is banned in Qld, Victoria and the ACT, but it’s still legal in NSW. It's in the process of being banned in WA, but still looks to be legal in the NT and SA too. In NSW, Independent MP Alex Greenwich plans to introduce an omnibus Equality Bill including a ban on conversion practices. In this two-part special we find out the impact conversions therapy can have on individuals and why legislation is so patchy across the country. Headlines: - AFL players in multi-million dollar class action - Covid lab leak theory gains traction- New stats show corporate profits behind inflation- Splendour in the Grass organisers apologise Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 26, 2023 • 20min
Gay Conversion Therapy Part 1: “I convinced myself I could ignore it.”
Conversion therapy is banned in Qld, Victoria and the ACT, but it’s still legal in NSW. It's in the process of being banned in WA, but still looks to be legal in the NT and SA too. In NSW, Independent MP Alex Greenwich plans to introduce an omnibus Equality Bill including a ban on conversion practices. In this two-part special we find out the impact conversions therapy can have on individuals and why legislation is so patchy across the country. In this episode, we hear from Kim Kemmis - a man who trained to be a Christian minister before going through conversion therapy. Headlines: - Australian professor released in Papua New Guinea- PM marches in Mardi Gras for first time- Queensland to roll out pill testing- Roald Dahl original books to be kept in print after backlash- Aussie women win T20 World Cup in South Africa Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 24, 2023 • 26min
Claire Tonti is a teacher turned podcaster turned musician.
Why are all the good songs written for people in their twenties? Why is it, as we get older and have partners, and children, pets and parents-in-law, mortgages and muscle aches, that music stops being written about our experiences?Claire Tonti is trying to change that. She’s a teacher turned podcaster turned musician and she’s just released her debut album Matrescence. Eleven original tracks, stripped back acoustic folk, Claire sings about everything from birth trauma to what it means to be a woman, loss of identity and independence and the transition to motherhood. In this chat with Jamila Rizvi, Claire Tonti talks about taking risks, changing careers in mid-life and making music for the person you once were. THE WEEKEND LIST: See: Rocky Horror the Musical at Theatre Royal Watch: Not Dead Yet on Disney+ Visit: Feared and Revered at the National Museum of Australia Eat: Pialligo Estate Winery: Farm To Table DiningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 24, 2023 • 15min
The Voice BONUS: What is the Uluru Statement?
Later this year we'll be voting in a referendum on the Voice, but how did it come about? In this bonus episode we go into the history of the Voice: the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Uluru Statement originally called for an Aboriginal voice to parliament. It came from a convention bringing together over 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders at the foot of Uluru. We speak with Thomas Mayor who was one of the 250 signatories. He’s written a book, Finding the Heart of the Nation, on his 18-month journey taking the statement all across Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 23, 2023 • 20min
The Voice Part 2: The case for voting 'yes'
Footage from last month’s Invasion Day rallies around Australia featured speakers urging those gathered to vote ‘No’ in the promised Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum expected later this year. Most Australians would think the vast majority of First Nations people would support a ‘Yes’ vote – but that’s not necessarily the case. In this two-part special, we speak to advocates from both sides of the debate so we can better understand what’s at stake when we eventually get our chance to vote in the referendum. In this episode, we hear from Bridget Cama, who is Co-Chair of the Uluru Youth Dialogue, a law graduate and Wiradjuri and Pasifika Fijian woman. She tells us why she’s supporting the voice. Headlines:- One year on: Ukraine war- Sydney cold case finally closed- Russians behind Medibank hack- The Voice ‘Yes’ campaign launches Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 22, 2023 • 21min
The Voice Part 1: Understanding Indigenous opposition
Footage from last month’s Invasion Day rallies around Australia featured speakers urging those gathered to vote ‘No’ in the promised Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum expected later this year. Most Australians would think the vast majority of First Nations people would support a ‘Yes’ vote – but that’s not necessarily the case. In this two-part special, we speak to advocates from both sides of the debate so we can better understand what’s at stake when we eventually get our chance to vote in the referendum. In this episode, we hear from a proud Bundjalung woman and human rights advocate, Vanessa Turnbull Roberts, about why she’s opposing the voice. Headlines: - Biggest fall in real wages on record- Tech companies issued please explain over child abuse- Sampa The Great pulls out of Bluesfest- ‘Yes’ campaign for the Voice kicks off Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 21, 2023 • 22min
Pokies: how did they get such a hold on us?
Pokies are responsible for more than half of Australia’s serious gambling harm, with NSW alone holding 35% of the world's pokie machines. Now, the NSW LNP government is pledging major reform ahead of the state’s May election. In this episode, we speak to Drew Rooke - author of One Last Spin and ask how pokies took hold of Australia and why now is the time for reform. Headlines: - Putin pulls out of nuclear treaty- Baby pulled from rubble in Turkiye adopted- Albo dips in latest opinion poll- Australia joins pushback against Russian athletes- Bluesfest defends controversial line up Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 20, 2023 • 17min
Click or Clash Part 2: Why we're drawn to toxic relationships
Have you ever wondered why some people instantly click and others don’t? Dr Ali Walker is an Australian human connection scientist who's just written a book called Click or Clash. It covers why you bond easily with some people but have friction with others. It also looks at how we make friends and fall in love; the four types of belonging (and how to achieve them); the three types of loneliness (and how to avoid them); and how to communicate in true alignment with who you are. In this episode, we explore why some of us click and some of us don’t with Dr Ali Walker. Headlines: - Biden visits Ukraine- New quake in Turkey- Unions push to ban stone with silica- Professor kidnapped in Papua New Guinea- Meta to roll out paid blue ticks Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.