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 9, 2025 • 12min
A breakthrough in Gaza, and the ultimate taste test
Friday, 10 October: A breakthrough in Gaza; An arrest over the LA fires; Counting down to the social media ban; And the ultimate taste test...
SPONSORED: You can support the work of the Red Cross at http://uber.com/redcross
Here's the alternative route for the Sydney Palestine protest after the Opera House was blocked
Here’s more info on Aussie Nobel Prize winner Richard Robson
Here’s a link to the vanilla ice cream taste test
Here’s that delicious-sounding chocolate dipped orange shortbread biscuit recipe
Here’s a link for more info on Hades and Hades II
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 9, 2025 • 15min
Squiz Shortcuts: The phenomenon of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre in flood
The spectacularly rare sight of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre full of water and teeming with fish and birdlife is on full display for anyone who can get to northern South Australia in the next few weeks. It’s the largest salt lake in the country, and it’s only reached capacity 3 times in the past 160 years - but locals have warned the show won’t last long… So in this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll take a look at why the lake is unique, what’s caused the temporary oasis to spring up, and the impacts climate change might have on it in the future…
SPONSORED: Search for ‘The Business Of’ in your podcast app, have a listen and hit follow.
Squiz Recommends:
Reading: This piece published in The Guardian about the effects of climate change on the lake and how it stands to impact the Arabana people.
Watching: An ABC documentary called Lake Eyre… It’s all about the lake and its ecology when it floods, and it’s billed as one of the most extensive coverages of the cycle of life in the desert. Tragically, ABC journalist Paul Lockyer, cinematographer John Bean, and pilot Gary Ticehurst died in a helicopter crash while filming the documentary back in 2011… The ABC has put out a commemorative edition in tribute to the crew, and it’s available on iView.
Perusing: And here are some of the latest images of the full lake taken by local pilot Trevor Wright.
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
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.
