

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

May 26, 2025 • 11min
Why you need to care about new super tax + Aussie drug arrest in Bali
Afternoon headlines: Australian man arrested in Bali over allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine into Indonesia, Australia’s second largest private health hospital group has fallen into receivership and machete ban rolling out across Victoria with thousands in fines on the table. Deep Dive: It’s being called the “rich tax” on $3 million super balances, but some experts are arguing young Australians could be hit the hardest. The super tax would also apply to so-called “unrealised gains” which is the growth in the value of an asset or investment that hasn’t been cashed in yet. In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by finance expert Scott Philips who says the new tax sets a dangerous precedent that could affect all of us. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 25, 2025 • 20min
Teens charged over machete attack + Porn in the classroom
Monday Headlines: Over 30,000 residents across 14 towns still isolated by NSW floods, Hannah’s law comes into effect in Queensland, two teens charged over Northland Shopping Centre incident, some GPs in NSW can now diagnose and medicate for ADHD and Lorde surprises fans in Sydney. Deep Dive: There’s a growing push to expand the way in which porn literacy is taught in Australian schools, with Teach Us Consent founder- Chanel Contos at the forefront. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith chats with Chanel about why porn education is key to tackling harmful attitudes, the challenges of AI in the space and what more can be done to further prevent further harm when it comes to young Australians. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 23, 2025 • 45min
Sarah Wilson on 'I Quit Sugar', Belle Gibson and leaving Australia
Sarah Wilson, founder of the I Quit Sugar empire, ex-editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and New York Times best-selling author, is prolific. Ditching Sydney for Paris, the now 51-year-old wellness queen credits her bipolar disorder with fuelling her insatiable curiosity and appetite for intense research. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Sarah talks everything from money, fame and body image to Belle Gibson, feminism and the collapse of our society. Weekend list with Helen Smith TO DO: Check out a writers week near you! TO LISTEN AND DO: Check out Labubu's and the deep dive TO READ: Deepcut News TO WATCH: Lab Muffin Beauty Science YouTube and Insta Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 23, 2025 • 2min
Day 18: Two-minute mushroom trial recap
Erin Patterson has been charged with the murders of three relatives and the attempted murder of another; after allegedly serving up a beef Wellington dish laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms at a lunch at her home in 2023. She’s pled not guilty to all charges. In this special series of The Briefing Helen Smith unpacks day eighteen of the trial in under two minutes. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 23, 2025 • 14min
Financial help for flood victims + Juiced up Enhanced Games
Afternoon Headlines: Anthony Albanese promises finical help for flood disaster victims, the Liberals and Nationals inch closer to reuniting and Donald Trump’s administration bans Harvard University from enrolling international students Deep Dive: Fair game or a disgrace to sport? The controversial Enhanced Games were officially launched this week with its first event set to take place next year in Las Vegas. Aussie world champion James Magnussen is among those to sign up and take performance enhancing drugs to compete in the major event next year in Vegas with million dollar prizes up for grabs. In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by sports journalists Tracy Holmes who argues the Enhanced Games aren’t about the athletes, they’re about the multi-billion-dollar bio tech industry. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 22, 2025 • 21min
The Aussie sport in doubt for Brisbane 2032 + Wtf is a Labubu?
Friday Headlines: Third body pulled from NSW flood waters, Benjamin Netanyahu accuses world leaders of being ‘on the wrong side of humanity’, Rapper Kid Cudi calls Diddy a ‘Marvel supervillain’ in court, Australia is already recording a record-breaking flu season, Aussie teens are turning away from booze, and Brisbane 2032 Olympics chief says sport selection needs to be 'realistic.' Deep Dive: They’ve got maniacal eyes, razor teeth and an army of die-hard fans lining up for hours or paying thousands of dollars just to get one. Labubus are the latest global obsession, popping up on backpacks and luxury handbags from Asia to Australia. But what’s behind the hype? And who’s fuelling the frenzy? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou unpacks the cultural chaos surrounding the plush toy with Helen Smith - talking all things fan madness to fashion symbols and why this creepy monster is having a very cute moment. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 22, 2025 • 2min
Day 17: Two-minute mushroom trial recap
Erin Patterson has been charged with the murders of three relatives and the attempted murder of another; after allegedly serving up a beef Wellington dish laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms at a lunch at her home in 2023. She’s pled not guilty to all charges. In this special series of The Briefing Helen Smith unpacks day seventeen of the trial in under two minutes. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 22, 2025 • 8min
Two shot dead outside Jewish Museum + Flood disaster worsens
Afternoon Headlines: Couple shot dead outside a Jewish Museum in Washington DC with ties to the Israeli Embassy and the Liberals and Nationals split has been put on hold Deep Dive: At least two people have died, three others are missing and over 50,000 are being told to evacuate in Northern NSW, in what's being called one of the worst flood disasters in Australian history. Up to 600 millimetres have fallen in some areas, with thousands of rescue workers and SES crew on the ground, as the deadly weather system heads south. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by 7News journalist Sam Payne who’s on the ground for the latest on this unfolding crisis. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 2025 • 20min
Record floods isolate nearly 50,000 + Fire, fear & politics at the CFMEU
Thursday Headlines: Almost 50,000 people isolated by one in 500 year flood, Donald Trump ambushes the President of South Africa, AFL great Joel Selwood has made his first public comments following the death of his brother Adam, groundbreaking new Alzheimer's treatment now available, and EV sales drop to lowest level in two years. Deep Dive: Victoria’s construction industry has been rocked by a recent spate of violent attacks, from fire-bombed family homes to torched government-backed sites. Allegations are now mounting that the CFMEU is trying to claw back control, just nine months after its construction arm was placed into administration. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie, who broke the story for The Age and 60 Minutes, to unpack what’s really going on inside one of Australia's most powerful and influential unions. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 21, 2025 • 2min
Day 16: Two-minute mushroom trial recap
Erin Patterson has been charged with the murders of three relatives and the attempted murder of another; after allegedly serving up a beef Wellington dish laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms at a lunch at her home in 2023. She’s pled not guilty to all charges. In this special series of The Briefing Helen Smith unpacks day sixteen of the trial in under two minutes. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.