The Quicky

Changing your name after marriage has been common practice for women for hundreds of years, but have you ever stopped to consider why, and whether you can still be a feminist if you follow this patriarchal tradition? And what about if you want to change your name for other reasons, like you've fallen out with your family, or you are transgender, what are the practical and social implications then?...

With an ongoing series of disturbing allegations of sexual harassment and bullying in Parliament House, many people are questioning whether quotas aiming for 50% female representation might help to burst Canberra's misogynistic bubble. It's not a new idea but it remains deeply divisive as many men and women insist people should be hired and promoted based solely on merit, but if that is supposedly...

If there's one thing that is inevitable in life, it's death, so why do many of us find it so hard to talk about? Many ancient and modern cultures around the world, including Australia's First Nations have elaborate ceremonies, festivals and rituals that help people to let go of their loved ones, but in Western societies death and grief are often hidden away and suppressed. The Quicky speaks to a g...

In regional NSW an alleged cult leader has been charged with slavery offences after being accused of subjecting a woman to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. The 40-year-old former Australian Defence Force member had been boasting about his activities with several women whom he referred to as his 'slaves' on social media for years, and allegedly encouraged others to follow in his footsteps....

Over the past few weeks you have probably seen images on the news and social media showing a plague of mice that has become the latest burden on our farmers and regional communities. While it's easy for those of us in big cities to perceive this as a cute quirk of our unique landscape, it is no laughing matter for the millions of people living through this nightmare. The Quicky speaks to an expert...

Australia is facing a watershed moment as millions of women and girls are standing up and demanding to be heard, because we are tired of hiding the truth of what is done to us on a daily basis, and tired of protecting the perpetrators.  For the first time, this episode of The Quicky is for the men in your life to let them know just how common women and girls are being harassed and assaulted n...

When we think about eating disorders we often imagine a teenage girl heavily influenced by social media, but new evidence proves that these conditions can and do affect everyone, and are becoming increasingly common among older women. The Quicky speaks to an expert and a mature woman who spent decades living with an eating disorder before getting help, to examine why so many of us are suffering in...

Last week eight innocent people were shot dead in Atlanta, six of whom were women from Asian backgrounds, allegedly killed by a young white man.  Local police were keen to shut down any suggestions that the attack was racially motivated, but many Asian people say this is just another example of systemic racism that has accelerated during the pandemic. The Quicky investigates whether hideous s...

Your wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, but for many of us the joy is tainted by a pushy relative or friend who thinks they have a right to make demands on how you tie the knot. The Quicky speaks to an expert wedding planner and a couples and family psychologist to find out why what is supposed to be a celebration of love so often brings out the worst in our nearest and deare...

There hasn't been a period in history where women's bodies haven't been under scrutiny, but with our advanced scientific and medical knowledge you would think fad diets would be a thing of the past. The Quicky investigates why we are still willing to put our health and money on the line to try the latest craze, and whether a balanced diet and regular exercise really is the best option. Subscribe t...

We've been hearing the term 'boys club' bandied around a fair bit surrounding the culture in Canberra... but what does it actually look like? Is it all leather couches and cigar smoking, or is it more about a culture that leaves mostly middle age white men making all the decisions with little input from others? The Quicky speaks to two female politicians and a female publisher who have experienced...

After what feels like a never-ending stream of sexual assault and harassment allegations coming out of Canberra, the women of Australia are angry and don't want this moment of reckoning to pass without any real change. The Quicky speaks to three women about how these horrific stories have resonated with people across the country, and what we can all do to join the fight for justice to ensure no mo...

While many of us love a cheating scandal on our favourite reality TV show, it is much more difficult to talk about when it is happening to us, even though Australians are ranked fourth-highest in the world when it comes to doing the dirty on a partner. The Quicky showcases some of your true stories to investigate why it's so much easier to cheat than it is to talk about it, and whether it is ever...

The case of one of Australia's most notorious serial killers Kathleen Folbigg has fascinated people across the world since she was accused and convicted of murdering her four young children. But new evidence has led to 90 prominent scientists, including Nobel laureates and other leading Australian and international researchers to call for her to be pardoned and released from jail. The Quicky speak...

When we heard that Harry and Meghan were going to sit down for a no-holds-barred chat with talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, we knew it wouldn't paint a pretty picture of life as a princess.  But the shocking revelations about racism, constant harassment by the press, and an unwillingness to offer Meghan any support for her mental health were even worse than we imagined.  The Quicky investi...

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and despite nearly one million Aussie women suffering from this chronic condition, many of us still know very little about it. That includes doctors, who continue to investigate the causes and potential cures for the illness more than 3,000 years after it was first identified in Ancient Egypt. The Quicky speaks to several women and experts who suffer from En...

Happy International Women's Day! The term feminism has been around since the early 1800's, but despite multiple waves of feminism over the decades, it remains a somewhat controversial term. The Quicky speaks to an expert and several women around the office to find out what feminism means to them in 2021, and whether we still need it? Subscribe to The Quicky at... https://mamamia.com.au/the-quicky/...

Just over one week ago, a letter was sent to the offices of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Labor Senator Penny Wong and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young detailing horrific allegations of an historical rape against a senior Cabinet Minister. On Wednesday, Attorney General Christian Porter revealed he was the accused perpetrator but categorically denied the allegation and has so far refused calls t...

As we remain on home turf for the foreseeable future, the idea of owning a pet has never been more attractive, but the theft of two of Lady Gaga's French Bulldogs has made many of us afraid for the safety of our beloved fur babies. Sadly this is a global problem that is on the rise in Australia, as more unscrupulous people try to sell stolen dogs online in a bid to make a quick buck. The Quicky sp...

The Covid-19 vaccination program is finally rolling out in Australia, but after just one week we are already well behind schedule. The Quicky investigates what is causing the delay, why some people still feel hesitation, and what it actually feels like by speaking with some of the first people in the country to receive the jab. Subscribe to The Quicky at... https://mamamia.com.au/the-quicky/ CREDI...

A gruesome discovery of a decomposed foot on a NSW beach has answered the question of what happened to missing alleged fraudster Melissa Caddick. But the circumstances surrounding her death, and where tens of millions of dollars that she took from her own friends and family ended up remain a mystery. The Quicky speaks to an expert in the case to find out what Melissa's death means for her husband,...

For many young people becoming a world-famous sports star is the ultimate dream, but for those lucky few who do achieve great success the fame and fortune is often short-lived. Even the very best athletes usually retire by the time they hit their mid-30's, and figuring out what to do with the rest of their lives can be very challenging, which is why we see so many spectacularly fall from grace. Th...

Going to see your doctor should never be a bad experience, but for many women the reality is that instead of getting the medical treatment they need, everything is blamed on their weight. Weight bias or weight stigma - aka fat shaming - should not be part of any medical professional's mindset, but hundreds of women got in touch to tell us their own scarring experience inside the examination room....

Former Sydney private school girl Chanel Contos has helped thousands of people share their horrific experiences of sexual assault by fellow pupils, which has prompted a petition calling for sex and consent education to be taught at a younger age. The Quicky  examines why at even some of the most elite schools this continues to be a devastating problem for young people, and what we can do to b...

Millions of people in Texas have had their lives devastated over the past week by a horrific storm, which has brought deadly snow, ice and power cuts. But while some charities and politicians are doing everything they can to help with the recovery effort, Senator Ted Cruz and the power companies are coming under fire for their cold-hearted attitudes towards the suffering. The Quicky  investig...