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
Sep 9, 2025 • 52min
Mr Fantasy, Nauru & The AFL
This week, Labor signed a secretive deal with the Nauruan Government. We discuss the details.
Actor KJ Apa posting online as his alter ego, a British man with a bob and a dream of being a famous musician called Mr Fantasy, is proof Hannah Montana was absolutely a believable, realistic plot line.
The Beijing Military Parade marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in WWII. Why was former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews there?
Last week, the AFL had it’s first openly bisexual player come out. This week, a crowd booed a player who had been subjected to homophobic slurs.
A rundown on the winners at this years VMA's.
In the Q+A, we discuss how Erin Patterson is sentenced to life in prison.
Sep 2, 2025 • 59min
'March For Australia', Mans Best Friend & Serena Williams
In today's episode we want to start by addressing the response creator Chloe Baradinsky (Chloe Barry Hang) had to our latest episode where we discussed broadly the recent influx of content creators in Afghanistan, following her posting her recent travels there.ABC Podcast ABC article NBC article
We then discuss the tens of thousands who attended ‘March for Australia’ rallies on Sunday, they were violent, led by nazis and met by counterprotestors in most cities.
Everyone’s close and dearest friends, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, have announced their engagement!
The Prime Minister announced the end of diplomatic relations with Iran last week, proving they can take action to cut ties with some countries.
Sabrina Carpenter has released her seventh studio album, Mans Best Friend, directly addressing album cover controversy.
23 time grand slam champion Serena Williams has candidly spoken about her GLP-1 weight loss, dropping more than 14 kilos with Zepbound, which is part of the same family as the better-known name of Ozempic.
Aug 27, 2025 • 26min
Ovaries. Let's Talk About Them: With Camilla Freeman-Topper
Today is a very special episode of Small Talk, chatting to the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Camilla and Marc, Camilla Freeman Topper, about the impact of their 'Ovaries: Let's Talk About Them" campaign.
Camilla speaks to her career, how fashion and advocacy can work hand-in-hand, research into women's health and how important this campaign is after losing her Mum to Ovarian cancer as a child.
#OvariesTalkAboutThem is now a movement that exists for all women and people with ovaries worldwide. It’s 2025 and there is still no early detection test for ovarian cancer, and millions of women are diagnosed when it is too late. The time to make a change is now. One step left. One year left – to get the world’s first DNA based early detection test for ovarian cancer to clinical trials. Join the conversation, buy a t-shirt or make a donation and help make this test a reality.
LINK TO PURCHASE MERCHANDISE:
www.camillaandmarc.com
LINK TO DONATE TO THE RESEARCH DIRECTLY:
https://www.camillaandmarc.com/products/donation
Aug 26, 2025 • 38min
BIG TALK: The Epstein Files PART TWO
We pick up where we left in Part One, Epstein in jail awaiting trial.
We examine the conspiracy about if he was in fact killed and why so many people believe that. We assess his friendship to President Donald Trump and Prince Andrew, as well as his infamous BBC interview.
We then look to Ghislaine Maxwell's trial and what she is demanding from the President now, in the present day.
Aug 26, 2025 • 51min
Catcalling, Lehrmann Appeal & Influencers In Afghanistan
Bruce Lehrmann went back into the lion’s den, entering the federal court to appeal his defamation case. It hasn’t gone well for him. Four years after the Taliban took power following a chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led forces in 2021, influencers are traveling to Afghanistan in droves. Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked Anthony Albanese, calling him ‘weak’ for recognising Palestinian Statehood. Actress Aubrey Plaza, while on Amy Poehler's podcast, has spoken about the recent death of her husband, Jeff Baena. Sexual harassment is about to end for good, police in England have started sending female officers jogging undercover to stop catcalling. Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bon Jovi have welcomed their first child - a baby girl!
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 • 45min
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.
