Squiz Today
Squiz Media
A daily news podcast, getting you across the latest Australian and international news in under 10 minutes. Agenda-free, independent, and delivered by hosts that'll come to feel like mates. It's the news without the noise, cutting through with a touch of analysis and an eye on what's coming next. And there's always a quirky news story or two to give a touch of balance to the news of the day. News for busy people, out 6am weekday, perfect for your morning routine.The Squiz is your shortcut to being informed.Top tip - check out The Squiz Today newsletter. It's the daily news stories, in your inbox each weekday at 6am, with links and more info to all the stories covered in The Squiz Today podcast. Sign up at www.thesquiz.com.au - it's free.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 8, 2025 • 11min
Trump dusts off an old law, and gossip is good for you
Thursday, 9 October: Trump dusts off an old law; Waiting for a decision on Sydney's pro-Palestine protest; Qantas faces a dire deadline; And gossip is good for you...
SPONSORED: Search for ‘The Business Of’ in your podcast app, have a listen and hit follow.
If you're concerned about the Qantas data leak, here's the help hotline.
You can get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.
Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball, Kate Watson and Jodie Speers - including the interview series, Newsmakers.
Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style.
Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.
Oct 7, 2025 • 12min
Negotiating a Gaza deal, and an inland oasis springs up
Wednesday, 8 October: Negotiating a Gaza deal; Chaos in French politics; An inland oasis springs up; And some Ramsay Street mementos...
SPONSORED: Check out CDU’s Summer Semester courses here.
You can read about and take a look at some of the Neighbours props that have been donated to Melbourne op shops here.
You can get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.
Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball, Kate Watson and Jodie Speers - including the interview series, Newsmakers.
Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style.
Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.
Oct 7, 2025 • 14min
Squiz Shortcuts: Unpacking the peace plan for Gaza
It’s been 2 years since the terror group Hamas launched the October 7 attacks on Israel, triggering the war in Gaza that has taken a devastating toll on both Israelis and Palestinians. There have been many attempts to bring the conflict to an end, and there’s another one on the table, put forward by the US and Israel last week. So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll unpack what’s in that plan, where the war is up to, and what’s next…
Check out CDU’s Summer Semester courses here
Squiz Recommends:
Perusing: This article published in The Guardian gives a good overview of Trump’s 20-point plan and its likelihood of succeeding…
Reading: This analysis piece in The Conversation looks at how the war in Gaza has transformed the Middle East.
Email us: Got a topic you want us to tackle? Send us your Shortcut suggestions to hello@thesquiz.com.au.
Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories…
Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here
Prefer to watch this episode? Check it out on YouTube here
Oct 6, 2025 • 11min
Closing in on a Gaza deal, and Taylor Swift breaks new records
Tuesday, 7 October: Closing in on a Gaza deal; Another headache for the Coalition; The Broncos bring it home; And Taylor Swift breaks new records...
SPONSORED: Check out CDU’s Summer Semester courses here.
You can get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.
Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball, Kate Watson and Jodie Speers - including the interview series, Newsmakers.
Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style.
Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.
Oct 3, 2025 • 14min
Weekly Wrap Preview: What Taylor Swift did next
Each Saturday, we wrap up the news of the week with the (imaginatively named) Weekly Wrap podcast on our News Club show. We’re putting the main story here because we want to ensure Squizers are across what we’re talking about. Taylor Swift's new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is out, and, like everything she does, it's smashing records. It’s a big talking point, so we’ll get you across the scale of it.
The BBC’s obituary for Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall talks about how she became interested in animals
Listen to our Shortcuts series on the business of Taylor Swift, Part 1 and Part 2
Listen to the full episode on the News Club show feed.
Watch all our episodes on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram: @TheSquiz
PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about Squiz Today and News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Larissa Moore
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Nicoletta Hay
Oct 3, 2025 • 12min
A defence treaty gets over the line, and a big weekend for Swifties
Friday, 3 October: A defence treaty gets over the line; Erin Patterson plans an appeal; Rugby league grand finals are incoming; And a big weekend for Swifties...
SPONSORED: Check out CDU’s Summer Semester courses here.
Here's a guide to the NRL and NRLW grand finals this weekend.
If you want to take a look at who walked alongside Mary Fowler for L'Oreal at Paris Fashion Week, we'll point you here. And here's a wrap of some of the best shows to date.
And here's Claire's favourite recipe for crispy, fluffy oven-baked skillet pancakes. Mmm...
You can get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.
Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball, Kate Watson and Jodie Speers - including the interview series, Newsmakers.
Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style.
Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.
Oct 2, 2025 • 20min
Ask the Squiz: How GDP works, and what's changed in the fertility industry
Hello and welcome to Ask the Squiz, where we answer your questions about what’s been in the news. In this edition, we’ll look at what GDP is and why it keeps cropping up, how IVF regulation works in Australia, what Donald Trump means when he talks about the radical left, and we’ll check-in on what’s happening with the algal bloom in South Australia.
Quick correction: We say in the episode mining makes up about 8% of Australian GDP - it's actually closer to 12. Apologies!
SPONSORED: Tune in to Mumbition’s Start Your Business Boot Camp series—your go-to guide for turning ideas into action and ambition into impact.
mumsandco.com.au/podcasts
Squiz Recommends:
Reading: This article in The Conversation gives a good insight into the business of IVF in Oz.
Reading: This (paywalled) article in The Economist about political violence in the US and this (free) BBC explainer on the same issue.
Reading: The ABC has published this really detailed piece looking into the impact the algal bloom is having on South Oz now we’re around the 6-month mark.
Listening: And if you’re keen for a deeper dive into our GDP and why it matters, this episode of The Economy, Stupid gives a good take on that.
Email us: Got a topic you want us to tackle? Send us your Shortcut suggestions to hello@thesquiz.com.au.
Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories…
Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here
Prefer to watch this episode? Check it out on YouTube here
Oct 1, 2025 • 11min
A standoff between BHP and China, and a Fat Bear Week winner
Thursday, 2 October: A standoff between BHP and China; The US government shuts down; Deja vu at the Dally Ms; And a Fat Bear Week winner...
SPONSORED: Tune in to Mumbition’s Start Your Business Boot Camp series - your go-to guide for turning ideas into action and ambition into impact - or find out more here.
Here's a guide to the US government shutdown and the battle over healthcare.
Here's an obituary for Jane Goodall.
Some Dally M results and some red carpet looks.
And (drum roll, please...) your Fat Bear week winner.
Here's where you can find out more about this year's Abbey Road Music Photography Awards (and check out the nominees) ahead of the ceremony in London.
You can get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.
Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball, Kate Watson and Jodie Speers - including the interview series, Newsmakers.
Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style.
Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.
Sep 30, 2025 • 11min
Change is in the air at Seven West, and an Aussie power couple calls it quits
Wednesday, 1 October: Change is in the air at Seven West; Albanese backs the Gaza plan; Interest rates are held steady; And an Aussie power couple calls it quits...
SPONSORED: Head online and search for 'Bankwest Virtual Card' to find out their T&Cs.
You can read more about Trump's plan for Gaza here.
Here's a timeline of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's relationship, if you want to wander down memory lane...
And if you need some light relief, we'll point you in the direction of this timeless raccoon video.
You can get The Squiz Today newsletter in your inbox each weekday morning (links to all today’s stories, plus a dose of quirky news).
Other things we do:
Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!
Newshounds, by Squiz Kids - a free media literacy program designed to teach primary-school students how to recognise misinformation and disinformation when they come across it.
Check out News Club - the place for conversations about the news hosted by Claire Kimball, Kate Watson and Jodie Speers - including the interview series, Newsmakers.
Sign up for the Saturday Squiz newsletter here - it's the news, weekend style.
Sign up for The Squiz Shortcuts newsletter here - a weekly explainer on big news topics
Support The Squiz by sharing our newsletters and podcasts with your friends.
Sep 30, 2025 • 17min
Squiz Shortcuts: Tylenol, RFK Jr and Make America Healthy Again
Last week, US President Donald Trump issued some health advice to pregnant women to avoid paracetamol, an ingredient in certain pain relief drugs, that had medical experts rushing to clarify the science… The advice came from a report ordered by US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr - he’s the one behind the Make America Healthy Again movement, and he’s driving some big changes in the US health industry… So in this Squiz Shortcut we’ll look at why last week caused such a stir, who RFK Jr is and what his agenda means for the rest of the world - and us here in Oz…
SPONSORED: Check out CDU’s Summer Semester courses here
Squiz Recommends:
Listening: to this episode of The New Yorker’s podcast The Political Scene titled How MAHA is sowing vaccine confusion if you’d like to know a bit more about what’s been going on at the CDC and the politicisation of health in the US.
this article from CNN which fact checks the claims Trump made in his statement about Tylenol last week, as well as information about autism.
Watching: here's the link to Trump's full announcement, for balance.
Email us: Got a topic you want us to tackle? Send us your Shortcut suggestions to hello@thesquiz.com.au.
Squiz Shortcuts is your back story to the big news stories…
Want the email version? Sign up for the Shortcuts newsletter here
Prefer to watch this episode? Check it out on YouTube here
