The Briefing

Azure Antoinette, a dynamic US-born activist and poet, delves into the controversial public reaction to the murder of CEO Brian Thompson. She uncovers the dark humor and glee surrounding his death, highlighting societal desensitization towards violence. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of economic inequality and the healthcare crisis, raising ethical questions about the normalization of violence as a form of protest. Antoinette calls for a critical examination of our cultural attitudes and the urgent need for societal unity.

In this discussion, Professor Greg Barton, Chair in Global Islamic Politics at Deakin University, sheds light on Syria's recent political upheaval after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. He explores the mix of celebration and fear among citizens, highlighting the role of rebel groups like Hayat Tahir al-Sham in shaping future governance. Barton also addresses the complex landscape of oppression under the Assad regime, the influence of key allies like Russia and Iran, and the significant challenges and opportunities ahead for rebuilding Syria.

Kirk Pearson, the owner of Project Zero Coffee and host of "It's Just Coffee," dives into the brewing crisis of rising coffee prices. He discusses how extreme weather in major coffee-producing countries is inflating costs, creating challenges for cafés in Australia. Kirk highlights how consumers might shift to affordable options, potentially jeopardizing local coffee shops. He emphasizes the importance of quality despite rising production costs and speculates on the future of café culture in an economically strained environment.

Noni Hazlehurst has been a beloved fixture in Australian homes for decades, from Play School to Better Homes and Gardens. In her new memoir Dropping the Mask Noni opens up about her journey to self-discovery and concealing her true self to fit the roles others expected of her. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Noni shares her MeToo moment for the first time when a senior entertainment executive locked her in a room, changing her perspective forever. You can grab a copy of Dropping the Mask from any good book store or online   Weekend List TO EAT: Mango and avocado salsa TO WATCH: Nugget Is Dead: A Christmas Story on Stan TO WATCH: Saturday Night Live on Binge TO WATCH: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Settling in to watch a Christmas movie is one of the hallmarks of the festive season for a lot of us, with titles like Elf, Die Hard and Love Actually usually at the top of the most-streamed list. But does it feel like it’s been a while since we’ve seen a great Christmas movie? Time Out’s list of the ten best ever doesn’t feature a single title from after 2005, which has us asking – have we seen the last of the great Christmas movies? Ash London, radio queen and passionate Chrissy movie advocate joins Sacha Barbour Gatt on this episode of The Briefing to discuss. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines: The Chaos in France, new poll shows Peter Dutton on track for major election win, former defence secretary to lead urgent AUKUS review, Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli charged over unlawful lottery and you tell us your favourite Christmas movies! Deep dive: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has become a record-breaking phenomenon – taking on 54 cities across 21 countries over a gruelling 21 months. Swift, considered one of the greatest artists of all time, has been on tour since March 2023, breaking multiple records including the highest-grossing tour ever and the first musician to surpass a billion US dollars in revenue. As the Eras tour wraps up for good in Vancouver this weekend, The Briefing has teamed up with Angel Zhong at RMIT to exclusively unpack every stat and figure from what will inevitably go down in history as one of the biggest music events of our generation. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who should decide what’s acceptable to wear to the office? In the last couple of years, we’ve seen a huge shift in office workwear with experts saying it’s partly because of the pandemic, working from home, social media trends and because of younger generations entering the workplace. In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Lauren Sams, fashion editor at the Australian Finical Review, and Employment Lawyer Roxanne Hart to find out who makes the rules around what’s corporate chic and what’s going to send you straight to HR. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Andrews, a senior policy advisor at the National Security College of ANU, dives into the controversial concept of the 'deep state' in Australia. He discusses its definition and implications for government transparency. The conversation unravels how conspiracy theories shape perceptions of power dynamics within politics. Andrews explains the safeguards in place to prevent internal government sabotage, contrasting Australia’s political landscape with that of the U.S. and exploring accountability mechanisms that uphold democratic integrity.

In this intriguing discussion, Andrew Rule, a seasoned true crime expert and author of Rule on Crime, delves into the notorious Easey Street murders of 1977. He sheds light on recent developments in the case, including the extradition of a key suspect from Italy. Rule discusses the complex legal challenges surrounding this long-cold case and reflects on the limitations of forensic technology at the time, illustrating how modern techniques could now offer new insights into the brutal killings of two young women.

Headlines: Easey Street murder suspect lands in Melbourne after extradition, South Korean Parliament rejects president’s martial law declaration, concerns over ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Commonwealth Bank urged to rethink $3 cash withdrawal fee, and the most visited Wikipedia pages for 2024 have been revealed. Deep dive: A five-year legal battle is playing out between the NT government and residents of Laramba, an Aboriginal community 205km north-west of Alice Springs, over clean drinking water. The community's drinking water was found to have contained uranium at levels three times the maximum safe level set out in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. In this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by Daniel Kelly, a solicitor at Australian Lawyers for Remote Aboriginal Rights, to unpack the latest developments. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.