

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 4, 2025 • 22min
Labor’s landslide win + The anti-vaxxers reviving a deadly disease
David Tscharke, an infectious disease expert and virologist at the Australian National University, dives into the alarming resurgence of measles globally. He highlights how vaccine hesitancy and misinformation are spreading faster than the disease itself, leading to numerous outbreaks. Tscharke discusses the critical need for high vaccination rates to protect vulnerable populations and debunks myths surrounding vaccine safety. His insights shed light on the consequences of declining vaccination rates and emphasize the urgency of addressing this public health crisis.

May 3, 2025 • 4min
What Albo's win means for you: Labor's key promises
Anthony Albanese's historic election victory marks the first time since John Howard that a Prime Minister has won back-to-back elections. The podcast dives into how Labor secured this success, while reflecting on the Liberal Party's defeat. Key topics include the election's focus on Medicare and cost-of-living initiatives, highlighting the challenges and priorities facing Australians. With growing economic concerns, the discussion suggests a stable future for the Prime Minister and the implications for his government.

May 2, 2025 • 43min
Peter Greste on his prison nightmare, threats to journalism & new movie
Peter Greste was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of falsifying news and damaging Egypt’s international image. The Australian foreign correspondent spent over two years in an Egyptian prison before the Australian government intervened. The Correspondent, is the new movie based on his ordeal fighting for press freedom. It comes at a time when attacks on journalists are reaching record highs and nowhere has the toll been deadlier than Gaza, with more Palestinian media workers being killed than in any other conflict. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf on World Press Freedom Day, Peter opens up about his healing process from solitary confinement and the escalating dangers facing journalists. Find out more about Peter's story and new movie here Weekend list with Helen Smith TO READ: You Are Here by David Nicholls TO WATCH: Real Housewives of New York season 12 TO TRY: Paddle boarding TO WATCH: The Accountant 2 Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 2, 2025 • 12min
ELECTION DAY: How your vote is counted
In case you missed it, here's your one-stop guide to voting in this federal election. We’re breaking down the most common voting questions and busting a few myths, like what’s the difference between voting above or below the line, do preference deals still exist and what really happens to your vote after you cast it? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou and Tara Cassidy break it all down for you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 2, 2025 • 12min
Psychic crocodile predicts new PM + Mushroom trial update
Afternoon headlines: On election eve nearly 40% of Australians have already voted, chopper crash south west of Melbourne leaves three in serious condition and a psychic crocodile predicts election winner Deep Dive: It’s the murder trial that has gripped the world - a mother accused of murdering three relatives in a poisonous mushroom lunch. Erin Patterson’s trial started this week with explosive allegations, involving inheritances, mushroom dehydrators and text messages. In this episode of The Briefing Natarsha Belling is joined by 7NEWS reporter Estelle Greipink on the twists and turns unfolding inside the regional court room. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 1, 2025 • 22min
Celeb cook calls off trolls in Brooki saga + How to maximise your vote
Discover the whirlwind of final-day campaigning before the federal election, including shocking incidents of election-related violence. Unpack the gripping details of the Mushroom poisoning trial and its implications. Delve into political drama as a national security advisor gets ousted over leaked chat controversies. Plus, get the ultimate guide on navigating the voting process, busting myths about preferential voting while emphasizing the importance of understanding candidate choices. It's a blend of politics, courtroom drama, and civic engagement!

May 1, 2025 • 15min
Trump’s secret link to Australia + Coalition set for election bloodbath
In this discussion, Tom McIlroy, Chief Political Correspondent for Guardian Australia, dives into the dire situation facing the Coalition ahead of a critical election. He highlights how Peter Dutton's campaign, influenced by Trump-like strategies, has backfired, leading to a predicted historic defeat. The political dynamics are further complicated by rising living costs and Labor's polling advantage. McIlroy also unpacks the ramifications of international political strategies on local elections and the challenges Dutton faces in connecting with disillusioned voters.

Apr 30, 2025 • 21min
Trumpet of Patriots spam texts + Ketamine 'changed my life'
Thursday Headlines: Greens officially launch their campaign, Coalition costings to be released, MKR contestants facing abuse claims named, Kylie Minogue honoured for her contribution to the Australian music industry and Albo responds to Joe Exotic endorsement. Deep Dive: For the first time in 30 years a new form of depression treatment will be added to the PBS, making it astronomically cheaper to buy for those suffering with the mental illness. The nasal spray form of esketamine has been approved for patients with treatment resistant depression and is expected to help up to 30,000 Australians. In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy is joined by Garth Camac, a veteran whose life’s been changed for the better thanks to the new drug, as well as Professor in Psychiatry Malcolm Hopwood on why it's taken so long. Further listening from the headlines: Joe Exotic on The Jimmy & Nath Show with Emma Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 30, 2025 • 13min
Cancer claim in mushroom trial + Sex time bomb
Afternoon Headlines: Shock twist in Erin Patterson mushroom murder trial; good news for interest rates after latest inflation data; Peter Dutton's no-show on election trail Deep Dive: Australia's new STI epidemic - why we're seeing a concern in sexually transmissible infections and the urgent need for a new education campaign. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by epidemiologist Dr Skye McGregor from UNSW’s Kirby Institute, who explains who is most at risk and why STIs can be incredibly dangerous. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 29, 2025 • 22min
Albo's six-state blitz + Inside the mushroom murder trial
Wednesday Headlines: Albo still ahead as preferred PM, newly-elected Canadian PM sends strong message to Trump, rental affordability has never been worse in Australia, ultra-processed foods could be causing more deaths than fentanyl, and Harry Potter actor says he’s surprised at the amount of backlash.Deep Dive: Inside the mushroom murder trialA regional Victorian town is in the global spotlight this week as the murder trial of Erin Patterson gets underway. Patterson first made headlines in 2023 when three people died and another person was hospitalised after eating a Beef Wellington at her Leongatha home. In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks to ABC journalist Stephen Stockwell, who’s covering the trial, about why this case has captivated the world and what we can expect from the weeks ahead. Further Listening from the headlines: EXCLUSIVE: Peter Dutton responds to fake Nazi image, backflips and being underdog The ugly truth about your delicious bacon sandwich Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @listnrnewsroom Instagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.