The Briefing

Professor Peter Doherty is a Nobel laureate …a world-famous immunologist.  He’s been called the David Attenborough of the Covid-19 pandemic.   He’s patron of the Doherty Institute, which publishes predictions on what’s on the horizon in terms of the pandemic.  The Institute operates under his name.   The 80-year-old has not been content to rest on...

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian stunned the country in suddenly resigning last Friday.  The state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating grants awarded to applicants in the rural seat held by Ms Berejiklian’s former boyfriend, Darrel Maguire.   We’re joined by the ABC’s NSW state political reporter, Ashleigh Raper to try to understand why Glad...

A microbiologist is sounding the alarm on the germs living on our smartphones, warning the devices we use every day are carrying deadly bacteria that could wreak havoc in our hospitals and with our biosecurity.    The pandemic has made us all hyper conscious about hand sanitising and cleaning surfaces… but one Aussie microbiologist Dr Lotti Tajouri, from Bond University, is soundi...

Journalist and producer Chris Walker learns about today’s world with provocative, inspiring, meaningful, and funny discussions with a ‘Brains Trust’ of notable Australians (and one very captivating American). Featuring Samantha Armytage, Tommy Little, Abbie Chatfield, Tony Armstrong, Jamila Rizvi, Charlie Pickering, and tech entrepreneur Rob Reid, the conversations are woven toge...

Christian Hull has become one of Australia’s most prolific content creators over the past 18 months.     From beginning his expansive career in radio to becoming an online comedy sensation and building a merchandise empire from capitalising on the pandemic sentiment of staying away from people, Christian is a social media chameleon.     Jamila Rizvi discovers the series o...

The northern Rivers area of New South Wales is often described as a hive of anti-vaxxers.   Is it true?  And what’s it like to be PRO-vax in places like Byron Bay?   We’re joined by Marylouise McLaws, an epidemiologist from the University of NSW who is urging us all to get the vaccine….to save lives; Michael Lyon, Byron Bay Mayor who has been criticised for s...

We’re all being encouraged to roll up our sleeves to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.  Some industries have introduced mandates.  Companies like Qantas, SPC and others say all staff MUST get the vaccine.   So, do vaccine mandates create more problems than they solve?  What if you don’t want to get the jab?  Can you be forced to get it?   We’re joined by...

The disappearance of Paddy Moriarty from the outback town of Larrimah in 2017 has puzzled police and amateur sleuths alike.   Investigative reporters Caroline Graham and Kylie Stevenson have spent years on the case and are telling the story so far in their new book, Larrimah.   Caroline and Kylie join us on The Briefing to share the mysterious story of Paddy’s case and to shed ligh...

During the Black Summer bushfires, Former NSW fire chief and long-time volunteer firefighter Greg Mullins emerged as a critical voice in the debate about how Australia should respond.   Now, in a new book, Greg is sharing his experiences from a career spent fighting fires and a warning of what’s to come.   On today’s episode, he breaks down what it’s like to face a mega...

Australia hit the milestone 50 percent double-dose vaccine rate last Friday.  It means we're just around the corner from getting our freedoms back.   We can finally start to wonder what life will be like once the pandemic is over. Dr Elizabeth Yuko is a bioethicist and writer specialising in health and the intersection of bioethics and popular culture.  Dr Elizabeth wrote recen...

Across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, AJ Clementine has almost 2 million followers, educating her audience on her transgender experience. AJ began her transition at the age of sixteen and at eighteen was formally diagnosed with gender dysphoria. At 22 she underwent gender reassignment surgery after spending 18 months on a waitlist.   Her new book Girl, Transcending is the story of a woman fin...

The divorce rate has been in decline in Australia for the last twenty years, but Covid has changed all that.   In this Briefing, we’re joined by Jack Whelan, cofounder of The Seperation Guide who tells an astonishing story about the increase in people trying to find out how to break free from their relationships.    Laura Smith, a mother who recently split with her husban...

Gabby Petito and her fiancé Brian Laundrie headed off on the trip of a lifetime, a van adventure across the US, last month.  They’re social media influencers with more than a million followers between them.   Laundrie arrived home without Gabby earlier this month, while her reported her missing on September 11.  Her body was found at a national park in Wyoming last week...

Tom sits down with his co-host Annika Smethurst to take a deep dive into what motivates Scott Morrison, the man Annika has dubbed ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’.   In this episode we hear about Morrison’s ability to make and sell difficult decisions, and his journey through the ranks of big business.   This is a fascinating discussion about the Scott Morrison’s r...

Annika Smethurst’s new book on Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been released.   Annika is a Briefing co-host and Walkley-award winning journalist.   Tom sits down with Annika to take a deep dive into what motivates Scott Morrison, the man Annika has dubbed ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’.   This is a fascinating discussion about the Scott Morrison’s ri...

Deepfakes have been called the modern version of photoshopping… and they use a form of artificial intelligence called ‘Deep Learning’ to make fake images that look so real.   Dr Mushhuda Glencross from the University of Queensland joins us to explain what they are, how they work, how to spot one… and why it can happen to anyone. But there’s a more sinister side...

Jamila Rizvi sat down with Australian journalist, TV presenter, author, and now podcast host, Jessica Rowe to talk about how she finds little moments of joy through lockdowns, her personal experiences and incredible work in the mental health space, and her new LiSTNR show, The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show!  Content Warning: Jess and Jamila go deep on several mental health topics, if this brings up...

We all love our pets, and they’re loving having us around all the time.  What’s going to happen when lockdown ends, and we’re no at home all the time?    The Today Show’s resident vet Dr Katrina Warren is one of Australia’s most-loved veterinarians.    Dr Katrina explains what our pets are thinking; how best to manage their anxiety; and steps...

The farming sector has been through one of the worst droughts in living memory.  It is now preparing to reap a record harvest, while struggling to find workers amid state-by-state border closures.   Farming impacts our lives on so many levels, from the food we eat to the environment we will leave behind for our children and grandchildren.   Gabrielle Chan is a journalist and author...

Australians want our government to do more to fight climate change.  Australians also love their sport.   Former Wallaby captain David Pocock has established the Cool Down; over 400 athletes who have lent their name to a campaign to pressure our politicians to do something about climate change.   We’re joined by Liz Ellis, the former Australian netball skipper, who has lent he...

The U.S. state of Texas has introduced strict new abortion laws banning terminations after just six weeks of pregnancy.   Dr David Smith is associate professor in American Politics at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.   Professor Smith takes us through why the laws were implemented and the incredible way they have been legislated, encouraging a form of anti-ab...

We spoke with Curtis McGrath on the morning of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics.  His story is incredible.  He was a soldier in Afghanistan and lost both legs when an improvised explosive device detonated.  Curtis told his mates not to worry, he’d be competing at the Paralympics in no time.    He won two gold medals at the Paralympics in Tokyo   Cur...

Last week we published back-to-back episodes featuring Dr Nick Coatsworth.   Tom, Jan, Annika, Katrina and Antoinette have spoken to Dr Nick many times….and we just felt it was time to get him back on the Briefing, to dispel a series of vaccine conspiracies...once and for all.   So as a special one-off feature ….we’ve put those two briefings back to back for you &nbsp...

Rebel Wilson is best known on our screens as Pitch Perfect ’s Fat Amy bringing our unique Australian humour to a global stage.    But prior to breaking into the big time, she was law student studying acting in night classes at Sydney’s Australian Theatre For Young People – a training ground she’s giving back to with a $1 million donation.     Jamila...

We all remember where we were on September 11, 2001.  To mark the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks, we’re joined by an Australian man who lost his mother on that fateful day.   Simon Kennedy’s mum Yvonne was a passenger on Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon.    This is not only a story about what happened on September 11, it’s an amazing story abo...