
The Briefing
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.
Latest episodes

Nov 17, 2024 • 17min
Crypto is surging again. Can it make you money?
Discover the latest surge in Bitcoin's value and the factors driving this volatile market. With insights from cryptocurrency experts, uncover the risks and rewards of investing in digital currency. Learn how geopolitical events and regulatory changes impact crypto dynamics. Explore strategies to navigate the unpredictable nature of cryptocurrencies, and understand the importance of personal risk tolerance when diving into this financial frontier. It's a wild ride through the ups and downs of the crypto world!

Nov 16, 2024 • 10min
BONUS: This Australian family's Trump exit strategy becomes a reality
Chris Mead, an Australian citizen living in the US, shares her family's emotional journey as they navigate life under Trump's presidency. She discusses the anxiety surrounding their potential exit from the country amid political turmoil. Chris explores the ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in law enforcement and real estate, as well as the educational challenges of relocating. The conversation reveals a broader unease among the Australian community in the U.S. about safety, economic stability, and future opportunities.

Nov 15, 2024 • 36min
Top chef Ben Shewry on misogyny, critics and hot chips
Ben Shewry is one of Australia’s top chefs who’s behind the world renowned restaurant Attica. He started working at a local restaurant in New Zealand at just 10 years old after sending out letters pleading his case to become a chef. In his new memoir, Uses For Obsession, Shewry exposes the misogyny, harassment, and toxic culture ingrained in hospitality. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Ben reveals why he wrote a whole chapter on hot chips and how one of the most telling things about a person is the way they treat waitstaff. Weekend List TO TRY: Airyday Skinscreens Mineral SPF50+ TO WATCH: Rivals on Disney+ TO WATCH: Yellowstone season 5 on Stan TO LISTEN: Off Menu podcast ep with Sebastian Stan Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 15, 2024 • 13min
Inside Netflix's massive gamble on Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson
This weekend legendary boxer Mike Tyson is stepping into the ring with Youtuber-turned-influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The fight is being held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – but for those who can’t make it in person, the event is set to be broadcast live on Netflix – a first for the streaming service. It's been postponed, hyped, and hated – and will be making a massive amount of money for those involved. Is this about to be the event of the century? Or is an almost 60-year-old former boxing champion fighting an influencer a sad state of affairs for the once-glorious sport of boxing? In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Combat Sports Journalist at The Daily Telegraph and Code Sports Brendan Bradford to unpack what he thinks of the whole affair. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 14, 2024 • 22min
How banning kids from social media will affect you
Headlines: Labor looks to crack down on billionaires in Aussie elections, fears of a trade war overshadow APEC summit and Aussie scientists invent possible solution for fatbergs. Deep Dive: The federal government has introduced a world-first plan to ban kids younger than 16 from accessing social media. Depending on who you ask, it's either an election-winning policy that addresses the anxieties of mums and dads across the country - or a poorly thought out, privacy-stealing power grab. The ban has received bipartisan support from the government - so what's the big deal if it comes into law? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou unpacks what the ban will mean with 17-year-old Leo Puglisi, founder of 6News, tech and political commentator Stilgherrian, and Libertarian MP David Limbrick. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 14, 2024 • 16min
You’re hired! Trump’s team for the next four years
Over the past 48 hours, Elon Musk and more than a dozen high-profile loyalists have been picked for key jobs in incoming president Donald Trump's administration. Every new name has made international headlines, and offers a valuable insight into how Trump plans to shape America and the world when he returns to the White House in January. On this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt and Bension Siebert break down the key names announced so far, and what you need to know about them. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 13, 2024 • 22min
Corporate Social Responsibility is bullshit
Headlines: Trump and Biden meet at the White House, new duty of care laws for social media companies, High Court rules a Catholic diocese not liable for abuse and two Aussie cities rank in the top ten in the world for the cleanest air. Deep Dive: Corporations shape our world and while they can drive economies, they also have considerable influence over our environment and society. One way some businesses try to leave a positive mark is through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The United Nations and the Australian Human Rights Commission champion CSR’s potential, but not everyone is buying in. Employment lawyer Josh Bornstein argues that it might be nothing more than a façade. Josh joins Chris Spyrou on this episode of The Briefing to share why he believes CSR is nothing more than a marketing tool that distracts from real accountability. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 13, 2024 • 12min
How rats are exposing organised crime
We’ve all heard of sniffer dogs, but what about sniffer rats? Did you know there’s a program that is training and using the critters to hunt down materials being used in the illegal wildlife trade in Africa? In this episode of The Briefing Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Kate Webb, who helped launch the project, to learn more about this amazing initiative and plans for the future of detection rats. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 12, 2024 • 26min
Trump, COP29, climate: Here's why we're not doomed
Headlines: Decision on Trump’s hush money case delayed again, Anglican church’s global leader resigns over child sexual abuse scandal, Parents and principals urged to help with social media ban, and CHOICE names the worst Australian products and services of the year. Deep Dive: As delegates from more than 200 countries meet to negotiate the future of global climate action this week at COP29, US president-elect and climate change denier Donald Trump is casting a long shadow. The world’s scientists say the window to avert the worst of the climate crisis is closing fast. So does four more years of Trump mean we’re basically doomed? Dr. Wesley Morgan is a research associate with the Institute for Climate Risk and Response at the University of New South Wales and a fellow with the Climate Council of Australia. He tells Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing that, in his view, there’s lots to feel hopeful about. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 12, 2024 • 12min
Inside a crisis call: How Lifeline saved Michael's life
New statistics out from Lifeline this week have revealed a surge in contacts made to the crisis line in 2024. More than 110 thousand calls for help have been made to the helpline since January with money worries dominating conversations, with October 7th was the busiest day of the year. We’re told all the time to reach out to Lifeline if we need help, but what is it actually like to call a mental health crisis line? What do you talk about? What sort of help can they offer? And will it actually make a difference? On today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with Michael, someone who has been there, to find out. We’ve withheld Michael’s full name for privacy reasons. Lifeline 13 11 14Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.