
The Morning Edition
The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.
Latest episodes

Jan 27, 2025 • 19min
I was at the centre of an Elon storm – and survived
The likes of Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, the new “broligarchy” as they’ve been dubbed, have coalesced around the newly appointed president of the United States. So what’s going on here? And what does buddying up to the president mean for what we see on social media? Today, David Swan on power, business and its effect on democracy and yes, what happens when Elon Musk Tweets your story. You can read David's feature here: https://www.theage.com.au/national/i-was-at-the-centre-of-an-elon-storm-and-survived-20250113-p5l3rt.htmlSubscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 26, 2025 • 21min
What 1000 hours of dialogue between Palestinians and Jews has taught this journalist about peace
Ittay Flescher has spent the past 15 months reporting from Jerusalem, which has given him a rare insight into the Israel-Hamas war, after facilitating thousands of hours of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. The former Melbourne high school teacher says dehumanising the other may be the greatest barrier to peace in the region. Today, Ittay Flescher on the pathway to a permanent ceasefire and remaining optimistic, despite all odds. Ittay will be in Australia for his book launch, from February 2. You can find more details at https://www.ittay.au/Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 23, 2025 • 17min
Are 'criminals for hire' really behind Australia's antisemitic attacks?
This week, in the wake of a frightening antisemitic arson attack at a childcare centre in Sydney, Australia’s chief of federal police, Reece Kershaw, made a surprising statement. The commissioner said detectives were looking into the possibility that foreign actors had paid criminals for hire to carry out a number of similar attacks in Australia. This sparked a political stoush - with the opposition demanding an explanation from the government, in the latest rift on this hotbed issue as we approach a federal election. Today, federal political correspondent Paul Sakkal on how this unfolded and what police are now focusing on. For more, read 'Police investigating "criminals for hire" links to antisemitic attacks' on The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 23, 2025 • 20min
Best of 2024: Will Dutton be tempted by Trump’s ‘war on woke’?
Hi there, I’m Jacqueline Maley, the host of Inside Politics, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald’s weekly politics podcast. We’re bringing you the best episodes of 2024, before we return in early February for the election year. This episode aired just after Donald J Trump was elected as America’s president - for a second time. In it, Chief political correspondent David Crowe and Nine’s national affairs editor Andrew Probyn delve into what another Trump presidency means for Australia’s trade, climate, security and politics. We’re bringing this to you today, on January 24. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 22, 2025 • 16min
Secret men's business: The private clubs of Melbourne and why they still exist
You could walk past it on the street and not even know it’s there. But enter its doors, and you’ll discover an exclusive, members only club, almost as if you’ve stepped back in time. But what really goes on behind closed doors? And should clubs like this - rooted in privilege, where the members are often white men - exist? Today, step inside the granddaddy of all of Melbourne’s private clubs, the Melbourne Club, with senior writer Michael Bachelard. CORRECTION: Oscar Wilde died in a hotel in Paris, not a gentleman’s club in London like we say in this episode. Our apologies for the mistake and thank you to a listener for the correction.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 21, 2025 • 17min
The unexpected opportunities under a second Trump presidency
He’s back. Donald J Trump has been sworn in as US president for a second term, and if you’ve been reading the news, the prospect may well fill you with dread.He’s been likened to a fascist and a dictator by those who used to work for him. He plans to abandon world climate targets, target transgender women in sport, impose vast tariffs and carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants.But what about the things Trump might do… well?Today, North America correspondent Farrah Tomazin on why we may not only survive Trump 2.0, but the parts of his presidency and policy agenda that could be an objective success.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 20, 2025 • 15min
Why Novak Djokovic is feuding with a Channel Nine presenter
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time tennis grand slam champion from Serbia, is embroiled in yet another off-court stoush. This time, it’s with a TV broadcaster over an apparent on-air joke with Serbian fans during the Australian Open, which is currently on in Melbourne. An offended Djokovic boycotted a post-match interview in response, and the debacle has - surprisingly - drawn in the likes of billionaire Elon Musk, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. So what is the big deal? And who is in the right? Today, city editor Cara Waters on Australia’s complicated relationship with a once beloved Novak Djokovic. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 19, 2025 • 18min
Albanese’s popularity has plummeted. Will it cost him the election?
Just how powerful are you feeling right now? I ask, as it just might be less than you have the right to feel. Because recent movements by both the government and the Coalition suggest that they have a heightened sense of the importance of each and every vote.Prime minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton have started pushing their campaign pitches onto us- unusually early, according to experts. Even before an election has been called.Today, federal politics reporter Natassia Chrysanthos, on which party’s slogan has the better chance of winning us over. And the political catchphrases that have made - and broken - candidates’ bids for office in the past.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 16, 2025 • 21min
What we know about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire - and why Trump is claiming credit
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage deal, in an announcement that has been met with jubilation, and also grief and anxiety over the immense consequences of the war and what the future holds. Because now the questions tumble out. How vulnerable is this deal? When will the hostages be released? And what kind of world will Palestinians be returning to in Gaza? Today, foreign affairs and national security correspondent Matthew Knott on what part American president Joe Biden and president-elect Donald Trump played in brokering this deal. And what still stands in the way between a temporary cessation of fighting and a permanent end to this war. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 16, 2025 • 25min
Best of 2024: What is doxxing, plus Barnaby's spill and a PM's wedding
Hi there, I’m Jacqueline Maley, the host of Inside Politics, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald’s weekly politics podcast. We’re bringing you the best episodes of 2024, before we return in early February for the election year. In February last year, the identities of hundreds of Jewish academics and creatives who were members of a Whatsapp group were leaked by pro-Palestinian activists in the wake of the October 7 attack and war in Gaza. In this episode, Australian National University’s Dr Simon Copland and chief political correspondent David Crowe discuss whether this leak can be classified as “doxxing” and whether such a practice should be outlawed. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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