Big Small Talk
MIK MADE
Big Small Talk: 5 PM Tuesdays So you want to know what’s happening in parliament, but you also want to know the latest in pop culture? Good, as you should.From the front page to your newsfeeds, no story is too serious, stale, funny or frivolous. Because, if you haven’t realised, loving pop culture doesn’t mean you don’t understand politics.Knowing all your shit? That’s hot. New Episodes 5pm Tuesday. Small Talk: 6 AM Thursdays It might not be tangible news but each week there’s something in the cultural zeitgeist that gets us all talking. We want to unpack these frivolous conversations, from new trends to relationship theories to life advice.In an age of never-ending small talk, we want to examine how these collective thoughts affect the way we see the world. We may even reach out to a few friends and experts to weigh in. Big Talk: Wednesday 6 AM - Last Two Weeks of Every Month Over the past few decades, there have been news headlines so shocking that we still hear and feel their impact, such as Roe V Wade, Monica Lewinsky, Epstein, Mabo and Hillsong. Don’t you think it’s about time you knew all the important and salacious details about the real stories that have happened that shaped our world today? Come on, I know you’re curious.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 20, 2025 • 29min
SMALL TALK: How Do We Know If It's Appropriation (& Can I Not Wear It?) With Kriti Gupta
Inspired by an article Kriti Gupta wrote for Elle, Fast Fashion Has A Problem With Co-Opting South Asian Design, this weeks small talk will be an open conversation around how TikTok trends and major fashion houses co-opt different cultures.
We discuss the trickle down effect of that on everyday consumers and how so many of these trends might be taken from other cultures without so many even realising.
Aug 19, 2025 • 43min
BIG TALK: The Epstein Files PART ONE
Epstein is a name that has dominated the headlines for years. To convince you of how pivotal this story is - let me use a recent direct quote from Trump himself.
“Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years … are people still talking about this guy, this creep? … I can’t believe you’re asking a question about Epstein.”
Or perhaps, this ABC headline, “The ghost of Jeffrey Epstein is haunting the world's most powerful men” Or Politico, “Conspiracies and political theatre around Epstein files keep the legacy alive.”
So, who was this man? Who is Ghislaine Maxwell? What did they actually do? Who was involved? What was the Sweet Hearts deal? This is what we hope to begin to answer in the part one of this months Big Talk.
Aug 19, 2025 • 60min
New Heights Podcast, Putin's Meeting & TV Reboots
Sourdough, internet hate, being in love, the new album, countless easter eggs - we go through everything of note from the New Heights and Taylor Swift 2 Hour Podcast Episode. Also, a conversation about if we should expect Taylor Swift to be political.
Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week and failed to negotiate a ceasefire for Ukraine, in news that surprises no one.
Sex and City Reboot, And Just Like That, has come to an end. Reigniting the age-old Hollywood question: can reboots ever truly recapture the magic?
Multiple charges were dropped against convicted mushroom killer, Erin Patterson. Here’s what we didn’t know during the trial.
Qantas illegally fired more than 1800 staff in 2020, and has received a $90 million record breaking fine.
Aug 13, 2025 • 29min
SMALL TALK: Is Feminism About Choice? With Kriti Gupta
This week we tackle a big, very current conversation - the complexities of choice feminism.
Kriti Gupta, a writer and multi hyphenate creative chats to me today about the difference waves of feminism, what choice feminism is, acceptance that no one can embody the 'perfect' feminist and how to be better aware of positions of privilege.
It's a complicated conversation and this is still only scratching the surface, so keen to hear your thoughts and ideas for further conversations!
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Aug 12, 2025 • 57min
The Life of a Showgirl, Las Culturistas Award Show & Palestine Recognition
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TS12 is coming!! The Kelce brothers podcast secure the big new album announcement.
NSW MP for Kiama and convicted criminal, Gareth Ward, tried to keep his job from prison.
The Las Culturalista's podcast has made headlines with their new Awards Show.
Kathleen Folbigg, who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of her children, is offered only $2 million in compensation from the NSW government.
Sex toys were thrown on court during multiple WNBA games, claimed as a marketing tool by a new cryptocurrency, sparking conversation about the disrespect to women's sport.
Australia will recognise a Palestinian state, Anthony Albanese announced yesterday.
Aug 7, 2025 • 48min
SMALL TALK: Are Weddings For You, Your Guests or Instagram? With ZigsMom
Let's talk about Weddings. There are endless discussions we could have about traditions, proposals, wedding parties, expenses and events.
Thankfully, Carmen (ZigsMom) is not only a friend and incredibly funny, she is somewhat of a wedding expert having attended so many now.
We ask, do you want a wedding? A proposal? How should you ask your wedding party? Are Hen's tacky now? Do you want to be walked down the aisle? What about kids at weddings? Would you be thinking about social content? Do influencers owe us their wedding content? Are weddings for you or your guests or instagram?
Aug 5, 2025 • 57min
Sydney Sweeney Ad, Ghislaine Maxwell Requests Pardon & Palestine Protests
Why was the Sydney Sweeney American Eagle Ad such a hot topic this week? We discuss eugenics, Sydney being Republican, if the discourse is justified and Trumps recent Tweet (naming both Sydney and Taylor Swift).
The protest in Sydney for Palestine across the Harbour Bridge had a huge turnout, prompting more of a response from the Labor government.
Ghislaine Maxwell asks for Pardon and Immunity to speak to the Supreme Court about Epstein. She is shockingly transferred to a more comfortable prison and had meetings with the Deputy Attorney General for two days.
Second week of Parliament leads to approval of the HELP debt 20%, climate misinformation probe and changes to the social media ban.
Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson are dating! Oh, and apparently maybe Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau.
Jul 30, 2025 • 56min
SMALL TALK: Should I Still Be On 'The Pill'? With Dr Jen Gunter
I am lucky enough to be joined today by OBGYN, NYT best selling author and content creator Dr Jen Gunter.
Following recent discussions on the podcast about Lorde saying coming off the pill was the 'best drug' and an influx of anti-pill content online, I was feeling a little unsure if this was something I should still be taking.
Dr Gunter answered all my questions - does it impact who we're attracted to? Do we need to be tracking period cycles? Can the pill alter our brains? Can it make us infertile if we're on it too long or bad at taking it? Do some pills make us 'crazier' than others? Is cycle tracking effective as contraception? Is anti-pill content right wing programming?
Dr Jen Gunter Socials
Big Small Talk Socials
Dr Jen Gunter BOOKS
Jul 29, 2025 • 57min
Triple J Aussie Countdown, Parliament Returns & South Park
The top 10 voted best Australian songs of all time thanks to special Triple J countdown.
Parliament returns, cost of living and HECS tops the agenda. Penny Wong introduced a motion to condemn the actions of Hamas, the coalition tried to amend it to remove references to Palestinian suffering, Greens senator Faruqi protested by holding a sign that read "Gaza is starving".
South Park kicks off new season following their new billion dollar deal with Paramount by taking aim at both Paramount and the Trump administration.
South Australia is currently responding to an Agal bloom.
Astronomer (company behind the infamous Coldplay concert cam scandal) hires Gwyneth Paltrow.
Jul 23, 2025 • 35min
SMALL TALK: Do You Also Have Mid-Year Burn Out?
Hannah is back for this mid-year check-in episode! We open up about how we're feeling in our current work - Hannah post-election and Sarah as a freelancer.
We chat about what we can do to help burn out and the best lessons we've learned in 2025 so far.
