
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

Jul 9, 2024 • 13min
Has the world heard the last of France's far-right movement?
French voters have stunned the world by turning their back on the country’s far-right in an election result few saw coming. France's left-wing parties formed a coalition and is projected to win the second round of a parliamentary election - beating the far-right. President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc appears to have held up quite well. However, no group looks set for a majority. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Dr Romain Fathi from ANU to talk through the global implications of France’s stunning election result, and what it means for the future of President Macron and his far-right nemesis, Marine Le Pen. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 8, 2024 • 20min
The missing children of Gaza
The war in the Middle East continues to impact hundreds of thousands of innocent people, with Save The Children now estimating more than 21,000 children are missing in the wake of the conflict. Many are trapped beneath rubble, detained, buried in unmarked graves, or lost from their families. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Save The Children’s Head of Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy, Alexandra Saieh, to find out what needs to happen to protect children in Gaza, and why the world is seemingly oblivious to the worsening crisis. Headlines: Children's hospital in Ukraine bombed Three-day curfew underway in Alice Springs Joe Biden challenges other Democratic candidates to step up Alex De Minaur makes Wimbledon quarterfinals Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 8, 2024 • 11min
Fake it till you make it - the rise and rise of dupes
Dupes are the new copycat trend. From cosmetics to accessories, electronics, homeware and even motor cars, for every high quality product with a big price tag on the market, there seems to be a cheap alternative ready to go. But how are these companies making dupes get away with it? And what can the owners of the original product do to protect their intellectual property? Thomson Geer Lawyers Marlia Saunders, who specialises in intellectual property law joined Helen Smith on The Briefing to explain. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 7, 2024 • 21min
Apps that strip you naked are already here. How can we stop them?
Artificial intelligence is seeping into every aspect of our lives, so it was only a matter of time before it coupled with the porn industry – and the result is a growing number of AI porn image generators. Sites like Clothoff and Dessi produce fake porn imagers using pictures supplied by users. Victims find themselves powerless to combat the sites, often hosted by servers in far off countries. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Professor Nicola Henry from the Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University to find out who is behind the sites and why governments are powerless to do anything about them. Headlines: Sydney house fire allegedly linked to DV France's far-right party looks failed in bid to form government Biden continues attempts to convince Americans ahead of election John Cena announces retirement in WWE Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 6, 2024 • 13min
Inside Tucker Carlson's far-right Australian 'Freedom' Conference
Far-right political commentator, Tucker Carlson, is known for pushing extreme views on social and political issues, conspiracy theories and a strong stance against immigration. Recently, Clive Palmer’s mining company Mineralogy brought Carlson over to Australia as part of The Australian Freedom Conferences, visiting several major cities on a speaking tour. While in Sydney, two LiSTNR journalists attended, to find out what would be up for discussion, and to learn more about the Australians who identify with Tucker Carlson’s ultra-conservative beliefs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 5, 2024 • 32min
Poh Ling Yeow reveals who actually chooses the MasterChef winner
Poh Ling Yeow is proof that second place doesn’t always have to suck. Joining MasterChef as a contestant in 2009 now 15 years later she’s gracing the screens as a judge, with the new panel of faces joining in the wake of the tragic death of former judge Jock Zonfrillo. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Poh shares the challenges of being a woman in the public eye and her hidden phobia of eating in front of other people. WEEKEND LIST TO WATCH - American’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders on Netflix TO DO - Aussie Bro Squad call out on TikTok TO EAT - Plunger coffee and Honest to Goodness coffee TO WATCH - I Am: Celine Dion on Amazon Prime Send us your Weekend Briefing suggestions on Instagram at @thebriefingpodcast! Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 5, 2024 • 14min
What will Britain look like under a Starmer government?
The Conservative Party have ruled the UK for the past 14 years – but it hasn’t been smooth sailing with 5 different Prime Ministers occupying 10 Downing Street in just the last 8 years. At the end of May, the current leader of the Tory party, Rishi Sunak called an election. The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer had been picked to take the biggest win in nearly 200 years. So has that happened? And what will this new government mean for the UK’s future? Joining us to unpack what we know of the results, is The Briefing’s former Senior Producer, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, who is currently on the ground in the UK. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 4, 2024 • 21min
Your no-bullshit explainer on nuclear power in Australia
Since Peter Dutton’s announcement on the Liberal party’s intention to go nuclear, there has been fierce debate on if it will work and if the Australian public should commit to it. But what are the plain and simple facts on nuclear? On this episode, we help you out with Sacha Barbour Gatt and Bension Siebert providing a quick explainer about nuclear energy - using fact-checked info without the political spin. Sources: US Energy Information Administration <here> CSIRO GenCost report <here>International Energy Forum <here> Headlines: UK election underway, Labour poised for a “supermajority” Labor reacts to Fatima Payman’s resignation Joe Biden admits he “screwed up” debate Nine-year-old chess prodigy is the youngest person to represent England internationally in any sport Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 4, 2024 • 14min
Senator Fatima Payman has quit Labor over Palestine. Now what?
“With a heavy heart but a clear conscience, I announce my resignation from the Australian Labor Party. I have informed the Prime Minister that, effective immediately, I will sit on the crossbench to represent Western Australia”. That’s the statement from Western Australian Senator Fatima Payman, announcing today at a press conference at Parliament House that she has made the decision to leave the Labor Party. In this episode of The Briefing we’re joined by Kos Samaris, Director of polling group Redbridge Australia, and Australian Financial Review federal politics reporter Tom McIllroy to discuss what it means for the future of the ALP - and the future of Senator Payman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 3, 2024 • 22min
SpaceX's billion-dollar deal to destroy the International Space Station
NASA have announced that the International Space Station is doomed to de-orbit by 2031, and SpaceX are going to help take it down with a contract worth $1.26 billion (AUD). It’s the end of an era – the ISS was for many years a beacon of international cooperation in the final frontier of space. So why is the ISS being decommissioned, will a new station be replacing it, and what does this mean for international space relations in the future? Dr Rebecca Allen, Co-Director of the Space Technology and Industry Institute at Swinburne University of Technology, joined The Briefing to explain. Headlines: White House denies Biden is considering his future Damning ASIC inquiry New research has found what Australian’s are spending their money on Canberra’s night of nights – the Midwinter Ball. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @listnrnewsroomInstagram: @listnrnewsroom @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroomFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.