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Gabrielle Jackson, Deputy Editor at Guardian Australia with a focus on environment and culture, joins Sean Dooley, a leading figure at BirdLife Australia, for a lively discussion around the Bird of the Year poll. They explore past election scandals, including vote-rigging attempts, and debate which Australian birds might represent political slogans. With a mix of humor and serious conservation messages, they highlight the importance of supporting threatened species, like the regent honeyeater, while encouraging listeners to engage with local bird life.

In this discussion, political insiders Tom McIlroy and Krishani Dhanji dissect rising tensions within the Liberal Party, sparked by Andrew Hastie’s resignation from the shadow cabinet. They explore the potential for a leadership spill, the pressure on Sussan Ley, and the fractures within the centre-right faction. Key issues include a shift in immigration policy, internal frustrations among MPs, and the looming climate debate. The conversation reveals a party at a crossroads, pondering its future amidst ongoing civil strife.

Join Amy Young, a Kent-based career coach, and Ian Sample, science editor at The Guardian, as they dive into the emotional and clinical impacts of stopping GLP-1 weight-loss injections. Amy shares her journey of significant weight loss through Manjaro and the shock of sudden price hikes that forced her to stop. Ian explains the mechanisms of GLP-1 drugs, the challenges of weight regain, and the wider implications for over a million users in the UK, highlighting the urgent need for support as many navigate raising costs and mental health concerns.

Shadi Khan Saif, a journalist and producer with a focus on Afghanistan, discusses the recent 48-hour internet blackout imposed by the Taliban. He reveals the chaos and fear experienced by the Afghan diaspora during this sudden shutdown. Shadi explores the Taliban's motivations, from internal power struggles to their attempts at censorship and control over digital spaces. Notably, he highlights the disproportionate impact on women, who lost vital social connections and educational opportunities. The conversation reflects on the broader implications for Afghanistan's future and global reverberations.

Leah Litman, a law professor at the University of Michigan and former Supreme Court clerk, joins the discussion on the politicization of the US Supreme Court. She explores how the Court has shifted toward partisanship and its implications for American democracy. Litman delves into the role of Supreme Court clerks, the ideological selection process, and the mechanisms for holding justices accountable. They also examine the potential impact of upcoming cases on voting rights and LGBTQ issues, and whether the Court can regain its legitimacy.

Tech companies are asking the government to allow them to effectively steal the work of creatives and journalists to train their AI large language models, hyping the potential value of AI to the economy and urging lawmakers to give them an exemption from copyright laws to realise it. Now creatives are fighting back.Bridie Jabour speaks with editor Lenore Taylor and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about the need to regulate AI and the threat it poses to journalism

In this discussion, David Smith, The Guardian’s Washington DC bureau chief and expert on US foreign policy, analyzes the recently announced Trump-Netanyahu Gaza plan. He argues that the proposal, lacking Palestinian input, primarily benefits Israel and may be a political maneuver. Key points include the implications of excluding Hamas, the potential for international oversight, and mixed reactions on the ground. Smith also delves into Trump's personal motivations, suggesting a blend of legacy ambition and genuine concern.

Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter at Guardian Australia and former foreign correspondent, provides deep insights into the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case. He explains the High Court's dismissal of Roberts-Smith's appeal after ruling he likely committed war crimes. Doherty discusses the implications for journalism and defamation law, emphasizing the victory for investigative reporting despite the challenges. He highlights the bravery of SAS soldiers testifying against a culture of silence and shares the ongoing struggles faced by Afghan victims and their families.

Liberal MP Andrew Hastie’s hardline rhetoric on migration and manufacturing have led many to question whether the opposition frontbencher plans to pull his party to the right and go for the leadership. Guardian Australia political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy speaks to Nour Haydar about the rise of the SAS soldier turned politician and if he could be successful in importing US-style politics to Australian shores

In this episode, science correspondent Hannah Devlin tackles the alarming claims made by Donald Trump linking paracetamol to autism. With her expertise, she explains the dangers of misinformation, highlighting how such narratives can erode public trust in medical advice. Hannah discusses the limited evidence surrounding paracetamol's effects during pregnancy and emphasizes the need for factual communication. She also reflects on the broader implications of medical misinformation and the challenges journalists face in countering emotional narratives.