Big Small Talk

Scientology is often called the ‘celebrity religion’, popularised by names like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Nancy Cartwright. Recognised by its long list of scandals and out-of-this-world belief system, Scientology sits in contrast to what many would class as a religion in modern society. So, what lies beneath the surface of the embattled billion-dollar organisation? Who is it’...

In Part Two of this series, we uncover the building blocks of Scientology and get introduced to Hubbard's E-meter. Explain what Thetans are and how they enter your body. Plus we break down the framework that makes Scientology a religion and the celebs, like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, who have been among the Church’s most visible advocates.  Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Insta...

we unpack the terrifying shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Then, closer to home, the legal drama surrounding Kyle and Jackie O continues to heat up, alongside a growing criminal investigation into ChatGPT. We also dive into fresh allegations against Alex Cooper’s Unwell network. We also break down what the gas tax is.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Outrage culture, cancel culture, and the rise of the “mean girl” accusation - this week, Hannah is back on Small Talk to help me unpack what’s really going on in comment sections right now, and why it feels like other women are increasingly the target. From the algorithm rewarding the angriest opinions, to comments being used to shape our own views, we get honest about our though...

Alex Cooper vs Alix Earle is heating up - and yes, somehow Brianna Chickenfry is now involved. We unpack the “mean girl” narrative and whether this is really just a business fallout. Meanwhile, the Liberals have proposed a new immigration policy that feels like a copy-paste out of the Pauline Hanson playbook. Over at Coachella weekend two, we dissect Brandchella, Billie Eilish lives ou...

This week I'm joined by comedy duo with over a million Instagram followers, Isaac and Jack from Swag On The Beat. Once again taking advantage of having two guys on the podcast, I ask for their take on the most viral dating and relationship advice circulating TikTok. Including:  The taxi cab theory  If he wanted to, he would  black cat/golden retriever energy  Would you still lo...

We kick off this news week with an update on Trump's Truth Social Post threats and the broken ceasefire agreement after Israel bombed Lebanon. We then compare the biggest Coachella performances - namely, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber. Hannah then talks us through the arrest of decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, charged with multiple war crimes. Sarah then explains the breaking dram...

Michelle Battersby is back, and a lot has changed! Since we last spoke, she’s sold her startup Sunroom, stepped into a new role as President of Peanut, and welcomed her second child.  We get into her experience of being a mum and that transition, before unpacking why the “girl boss” conversation is suddenly back in the headlines and why it needs a serious rethink when mother...

We kick off with the latest out of the US, unpacking the posts from Trump about threatening to 'take out' the whole country of Iran and that tomorrow will be "plant day and bridge day", alongside updates of the firing of Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem. Then, the $180 million legal war surrounding Kyle and Jackie O Show. We break down what’s actually going on, who seems to have the stronger case,...

This Small Talk episode features Claudia Giblin, a 26-year-old Australian living in New York, whose ex-boyfriend got “red-pilled” while they were living together and completely changed how she dates.  Claudia gets into what it’s actually like being an international in the US right now, where politics don’t just shape the culture, but your relationships too. From the re...

This week, we discuss Hannah Montana's return for a 20th anniversary special, which drew millions of viewers in just days (and pitch what we would have done differently if we were made exec producers!) We then look into the US-Israeli war in Iran entering its fifth week and Donald Trump extending his deadline on proposed strikes while pushing for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. Back home, the Alba...

This week on Small Talk, we’re joined by writer, editor and Culture Club co-host Maggie Zhou to unpack fashion, trends and identity in the digital age. From growing up on Tumblr to navigating TikTok’s endless trend cycles, Maggie breaks down the difference between slow and fast fashion, the psychology behind overconsumption, and whether influencer and celebrity brands still hold power...

The contraceptive pill has been called many things ... controversial, life changing, revolutionary. But one of the most impressive achievements is being universally known as "the pill". Over 150 million women use it worldwide.  But what is the history of contraception? Where did the pill come from? What was the pushback? How did it get approved? When did it come to Australia?  Big Small...

In Part Two of this series, we deep dive into the backlash the pill faced, including the impacts on mental health, as well as the introduction of other contraceptive methods and its popularity today. We then deep dive into the trials for the Male contraception pill.  Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram  Hannah's Instagram  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

We give an update on the escalation of the war in Iran - new strikes, global shipping chaos, conspiracy theories and the impact on our fuel prices. Then, we give a timeline on this bizarre feud between Chappell Roan and an eleven year old, who is also the daughter of a Brazilian football star. Hannah and Sarah discuss how One Nation have had their strongest result in more than 25 years at the Sout...

This week on Small Talk , we’re joined by the host of Do You Fucking Mind, Alexis Fernandez , to unpack the neuroscience of manifesting. From what affirmations are actually doing in your brain to how visualisation can quite literally rewire your thinking. We get into the real difference between a vision board and a mood board, how to actually manifest without just hoping for the best, and wh...

We kick off todays episode with the Oscars - the major winners to the most political moments of the night, the best dressed, and yes… the ballet and opera jokes. Then, we unpack how major porn sites have become completely inaccessible in Australia amid a stand off over new age-verification requirements. Next, we dive into the latest Louis Theroux documentary exploring the manosphere —...

Toni Lodge is a comedian, podcaster and now author, who has built a huge following for her chaotic, hilarious and painfully relatable takes on everyday life (and she's one half of the Toni and Ryan Podcast ). I was lucky enough to sit down with Toni and chat about everything from losing her mum and the strange ways we talk about grief (and why she doesn't like people say sorry). Plus she unpa...

Kyle and Jackie-o have called it quits, ending their 200 million dollar ten year contract (or have they??) Hannah and I discuss the show, the controversies, what it means for the industry and levels of sympathy for Jackie O.  We discuss Iran's new supreme leader, Spain's PM calling out Trump and the US submarine that had Australian navy personnel on board that took down an Iranian ship. Oh, a...

Singer, songwriter  Maisie Peters joins us in the studio! At just 25, Maisie has already opened for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, supported Coldplay, sung Stick Season with Noah Kahan, and performed at Wembley Stadium eight times! Not to mentioned just released a music video directed byt Amelia Dimz and starring BennyDrama. Oh! She also teased her new album with creating a very iconic rom-co...

This episode is a big one. We unpack everything going on in Iran and Australia's response. Hannah breaks down Anthony Albanese's "difficult" week - from the bomb scare to commenting on David Pocock on Karl Stefanovic podcast to calling Grace Tame 'difficult'. Sarah takes us into the world of the Kennedy Family and if Ryan Murphy's new show on JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette is ethical. Plus, everythin...

This week on Small Talk we’re joined by Josh Van Cuylenburg from The Imperfects !! Josh is a producer-turned-host and the architect of the Vulnerabilitea House. To test the theory on the 'hangover', Josh has kindly let me host a special Small Talk edition of the Vulnerabitea house with him.  If you're wondering what the Vulnerability Hangover is - it's that wave of shame, regret and &ld...

Picking up where we left off in Part One, we now deep dive into the sectarian violence that unfolded in Iraq and layout a timeline on how they attempted to implement democratic processes as well as Saddam Hussein's trial. We also look at the collapse of the America's central justification for the war: no weapons of mass destruction found. We then jump into Bush's re-election and changing public op...

Big Talk is back for 2026! The Iraq War was one of the most consequential political decisions of the 21st century. In this episode of Big Talk, we trace the road from 9/11 to the invasion of Iraq, unpacking how the trauma of that moment reshaped American and Australian foreign policy overnight and how George W. Bush framed the world in binaries of “good versus evil”. This episode takes...

In this episode we explain the grounds of Andrew Mountbatten Windsors arrest. We then reminisce our Disney Channel days in the wake of Hillary Duff's crazy ticket sales for her Australian shows and the announcement that Hannah Montana will return. Hannah explains the abhorrent comments by Pauline Hanson and the discussion around 'ISIS Brides'. Sarah talks us through the explosive America's Next To...