The Briefing

We know gym memberships go up at the start of the year with people keen to get their bodies in shape, but what about our minds? In this episode of the Briefing we find out why we feel like our attention spans are getting shorter and strategies we can use to stay on task and be happier.  We speak with Susan Pearse who is part of the Mind Gardener, an organisation that focuses on building attention to increase mindfulness, fulfillment and happiness. She has worked in this area for 25 years and authored four books that use mindfulness strategies backed by neurological science to rewire and retrain the brain. Headlines: - Investigations into helicopter crash underway- Covid restrictions: China warns of retaliation- Kimberley suffers record-breaking floods- Pele: Brazilian football legend farewelled Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The bushranger holds a special place in the Australian psyche. Celebrated for their bravery and their ability to go against the grain, against authority and deified through time as heroes. But not all were seen at the time in such a positive way, and not all were white men. We speak with Boundary Crossers author Meg Foster, who reveals the stories of bushrangers that didn’t fit the mold, like African American man Black Douglas, Chinese bushranger Sam Poo, Aboriginal man Jimmy Governor and Aboriginal woman, Mary Ann Bugg. Headlines: - Four dead following helicopter collision- China: Government goes against health advice- Population is back on track- De Minaur beats Nadal- Jeremy Renner in critical condition Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year, the Sydney New Year’s fireworks were watched by millions of people around the world, but have you ever wondered how it’s put together? We speak to the man behind the fireworks, Fortunato Forti, a seventh generation pyrotechnician who has put on displays all over the world including in Hong Kong, Turkey, Canada, the US and the UK. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A look back on The Year That Was with Tom Tilley, Katrina Blowers, Antoinette Lattouf and Rhianna Patrick. We talk about the biggest stories of the year, including the Queen’s death, the federal election and the chaos of Elon Musk.   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the BookTok phenomenon? Is it making reading cool? And how is it affecting book sales? There’s been a big surge in book sales, and publishers are putting it down to a new phenomenon called BookTok. BookTok is where young people on TikTok, typically in their teens or early twenties post about their favourite books in emotional videos racking up millions of views. BookTok has been responsible for the resurgence of several books on the New York Times’ bestseller list, including E. Lockhart’s "We Were Liars." We speak with E. Lockhart about BookTok and how it’s encouraged her to write its prequel "Family of Liars."   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s Briefing we look at a perverse twist of 'Me Too'. The wave of abuse stories has come with a wave of defamation lawsuits. London-based barristers Jen Robinson and Keina Yoshida have written a book called How Many More Women detailing the way the law and the media has held back justice for sexual assault victims. The book is about how and why laws must change to protect women who are brave enough to speak out against their attackers. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year the USA has been rocked by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade - the case that has protected the right to abortion in the US for almost 50 years.  Already, states are banning the procedure and it may be just weeks before half of the states across the US ban abortion. In today’s episode of The Briefing, Nick Sweeney, an Australian born director of a documentary called AKA Jane Roe tells us the unbelievable story of a young Texan woman called Norma McCorvey – who was to become Jane Roe. You won’t believe what Nick learned in the making of the documentary.  It left Americans reeling, and turned the entire saga on its head.  In today’s Briefing: the story behind the abortion case dividing America. Follow The Briefing:Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With rising interest rates, escalating inflation, a war underway in Ukraine and coming out of the pandemic, it’s understandable we’re all a bit more worried. In today’s episode of the Briefing, we talk with Brigid Delaney about her book: Reasons Not To Worry - How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times. Brigid explains what we can learn from stoics, philosophers who lived by a set of rules that helped them find solace and comfort in difficult times. Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAU   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know Santa Claus as a jolly old white man with a grey beard and red suit, but is this version of Mr Claus about to change? Australian director Nick Sweeney, has produced a documentary about the Saint Nicks and Mrs Clauses who come from all walks of life at a Santa training camp in the US. In this episode of the Briefing we speak with Nick about the changing face of Santa Claus. Headlines: - AFP makes one of its most significant arrests ever- Neighbour killed in QLD siege farewelled- Liberals need to woo back women, Chinese voters- Aussies evacuated from Machu Picchu- Cyclone Ellie becomes first to cross the coast   Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you teach kids about money? That's the question The Barefoot Investor has set out to answer in his new book Barefoot Kids. He covers pocket money, saving, spending and everything else to get kids financially literate. We speak with The Barefoot Investor himself, Scott Pape about how to prepare our children, so they can become confident money-savvy adults. Headlines: - ACT announces inquiry into Lehrmann case- Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits USA- Penny Wong back from China- QLD officers posthumously awarded- Deliveroo creditors to receive due Follow The Briefing: Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast Facebook: TheBriefingNewsAUTwitter: @TheBriefingAUSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.