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
Nov 11, 2025 • 53min
Sydney Sweeney GQ, Zohran Win & Shay Mitchell Skincare for Kids
Sydney Sweeney Has Spoken Out About Her Controversial American Eagle Jeans Ad. Zohran Mamdani has won the race to be mayor of NYC. Actress Shay Mitchell Launches ‘Rini’, A Skincare Company for Small Children. Victoria’s Inquiry into women’s pain has confirmed what we already know, the health system was built around men. The 2026 Grammy Nominations are in, here are the best surprises and shocking snubs. Tasmania compensates those convicted under homophobic laws.
Nov 5, 2025 • 50min
SMALL TALK: Should We Want Celebrities Political Opinions? With Shit You Should Care About
Lucy Blakiston, founder of the popular Instagram account Shit You Should Care About, dives into the impact of social media on news consumption and activism. They discuss the responsibilities of celebrities regarding political commentary, questioning if fans should expect them to speak out. Lucy shares her experiences with audience growth and the challenges of navigating misinformation while maintaining integrity. The conversation tackles the delicate balance of activism, celebrity influence, and the complexities of silence in public figures.
Nov 4, 2025 • 48min
Julia Fox, Zohran Mamdani & Dean Lewis
Julia Fox has found herself in the middle of a heated online debate over her Halloween costume choice.
It’s time for some hope, the election for NYC Mayor is upon us - and let’s hold hands in a circle for Zohran.
Australian singer Dean Lewis has issued an apology following multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
Victoria has become the first Australian jurisdiction to pass a formal treaty with Indigenous Traditional Owners.
On a hill that seems bizarre to die on, Podcaster and Creator Hallie Batchelor is standing by her thesis that using condoms are cringey.
It's being reported that Millie Bobby Brown has reported David Harbour for bullying on the set of Stranger Things.
Oct 29, 2025 • 46min
SMALL TALK: What Are The Rules For Dating This Summer? With Chantelle Otten
We are joined today by the incredible sexologist, content creator and Bumble's very own dating expert, Chantelle Otten!
In this episode we chat through a few tips and tricks for those keen on dipping their toes back in the dating scene this summer. From being silly, setting up profiles to picking your pre-date playlist.
Oct 28, 2025 • 29min
BIG TALK: The Petrov Affair PART TWO
In part two of our deep dive into the Petrov Affair, we unpack the political chaos that followed one of Australia’s biggest Cold War scandals.
The defection of a Soviet spy didn’t just make headlines, it reshaped an election, launched a Royal Commission, and sent the Labor Party spiralling into accusations of communism.
We look at how the opposition leader’s desperate attempt to clear his name became a full-blown witch hunt, how fear shaped the nation’s politics, and what life looked like for the Petrov's after the dust settled, trying to then live quietly in Australia.
Oct 28, 2025 • 50min
Lily Allen New Album, Louvre Heist & ADF Class Action
Lily Allen obliterates her ex husband, actor David Harbour, in her new album called West End Girl.
Two suspects have been arrested over the Louvre Heist, spoiling the limited fun we have available in these dark times.
Ex Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and pop star Katy Perry are confirmed to be dating.
A Melbourne based content creator has died after having a home birth.
Women are launching a class action lawsuit against the Commonwealth for sexual harassment, assault and discrimination experienced in the Australian Defence Force.
Oct 22, 2025 • 47min
SMALL TALK: Why Aren't We Talking About Menopause? With Myf Warhurst
You might know Myf Warhurst from Spicks and Specks, her years of Radio or as the voice of Aunt Trixie and Indy’s mum on Bluey - but today, we’re diving into a topic that’s rarely talked about, even though it affects half the population: menopause.
It’s something every woman will go through, yet most of us know next to nothing about it until it’s already happening. People write into our Q Box saying they have to do so much research just to know what to even ask their GP - and that’s wild.
In this episode, we chat with Myf about what she learned making her documentary 'The Truth About Menopause', how the conversation is finally shifting, and why bringing menopause out of the shadows isn’t just important for women but is something everyone should be part of. Whether you’re going through it, about to, or know someone who will, this is a must-listen.
Listen to Myf's podcast
Watch 'The Truth About MenoPause' on ABC i-View
Oct 21, 2025 • 33min
BIG TALK: The Petrov Affair PART ONE
In this Big Talk, we are very excited to be unpacking the world of spies during the Cold War.
The Cold War was one nerve-wracking periods in modern history. So in part one, we explore how its paranoia, politics, and power struggles impacted the whole world, but specifically, Australia.
We’ll look at how this global rivalry between the Western and Eastern nations sparked the creation of ASIO and how everyday fears of communist infiltration seeped into our politics, our media, and the public’s imagination.
But at the centre of this Cold War storm was a truly wild Australian story: the Petrovs.
In this episode we begin to tell the story of Vladimir and Evdokia Petrov, Soviet diplomats living a quiet life in Canberra - until it was revealed they were actually Soviet spies leaking information back to the USSR.
Oct 21, 2025 • 53min
Kim Kardashian, Prince Andrew & Trump Hates Rudd
Albanese finally gets his meeting with Donald Trump. Trump insults Kevin Rudd while he sat across from him at the table. Also in Aus Pol this week, Barnaby Joyce defecting to One Nation?
Kim Kardashian Is One Of The Latest Celebs On The Call Her Daddy Podcast, Streamed Well Over A Million Times.
Prince Andrew has given up his royal titles, and is now being investigated bt the London Metropolitan Police.
Victoria Secret Fashion Show is back for 2025.
Candace Owens Australian visa case has gone to the High Court, and she lost.
Oct 15, 2025 • 54min
SMALL TALK: Why Do We Yearn So Much For Girlhood? With Sophie Gilbert
This week we’re joined by Sophie Gilbert — writer, critic for The Atlantic, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and author of Girl on Girl.
We dive into the rise of “girlhood” as an online identity — why it resonated so deeply, how it became a brand, and what it says about how women are seen (and see themselves). From the internet’s obsession with returning to girlhood to our protectiveness around Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter’s star power, and the lasting imprint of 90s and 2000s pop culture, we unpack how nostalgia, femininity, hyper sexualisation and marketing collided to shape a generation.
Sophie Gilbert appears in Sydney on 16 October presented by Sydney Writers Festival, in Canberra on 17 October presented by Canberra Writers Festival and in Melbourne at The Wheeler Centre on Tuesday 21 October.
