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The Briefing

LiSTNR

We’re your friends in news.

Sacha Barbour Gatt and Chris Spyrou wake up early to bring you all the important daily news headlines.

Then, we deep dive on an essential news story that'll make you feel smarter about the world.

Listen every weekday to know more in minutes.

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S7 · E364
Yesterday · 32 min
BONUS - Exposing the dark side of facial recognition technology
Would you be happy having your face not just surveilled, but scanned every time you walked into the supermarket? It's no longer a hypothetical. Coles and Woolworths have both now admitted to trialling facial recognition technology, while Bunnings has won the right to scan customers' faces in limited circumstances - a shift privacy experts warn could creep from spotting known troublemakers to tracking every shopper who walks through the door. So what do we know about facial recognition technology and just how invasive can it really be? To make sense of it, we're rewinding a few years to one of the most alarming case studies involving facial recognition tech company – CLEARVIEW AI. In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we're revisiting an episode of Secrets We Keep: Uncovered by investigative journalist Joey Watson. When it became known that the shadowy facial recognition company had created a massive database, capable of identifying almost anyone, anywhere, reporters around the globe picked up the trail - working to uncover how this start-up could reshape privacy and policing internationally. Here in Australia, tech reporter Cam Wilson spent years digging through the Australian Federal Police's own files - and what he found in them was deeply disturbing. Read Cam Wilson's investigations here: ‘World's most controversial company’ Clearview AI still being used to solve Australian police cases Clearview AI is still collecting photos of Australians for its facial recognition database Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E363
Friday · 39 min
Our Take: Jackie O's PTSD, our haters & why Sach can't get on Survivor
Welcome back to The Briefing: Our Take, the time each week that we kick off our shoes, loosen our (non-existent) ties and chat the week that was. This weekend we debrief the latest in the Jackie O vs ARN court battle, with court documents revealing the former KIIS host claims she is suffering from PTSD after working with Kyle Sandilands. Then we crack open our inbox, getting across your thoughts, feelings, concerns and praise from the week’s stories, featuring superannuation and whether Chris and Sach are too childish to host a news show. We also have 2DayFM’s Yaz Haddad in studio for the Weekend Quiz before finishing off with your recommendations, including a rather cheeky one for Coles shoppers. As always, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us on Instagram @thebriefingpodcast and feel free to leave a comment if you’re listening on Spotify. The Weekend Quiz: Which social media company settled a major lawsuit this week for $23 billion? There was a sad development in bird flu in Australia this week. What was it? What did the Swans AFLW team celebrate this week? Harry and Meghan arrived back in the UK this week. What are they doing there? Finish off this legendary Dolly Parton quote: “It takes a lot of money to look ...” The Weekend List: To Watch: The Menu on Disney+ (listener Chris) To Watch: We are Jeni on SBS on Demand (Sacha) To Do: Flip off Coles cameras (listener Clair) Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E362
Thursday · 25 min
The latest out of Nepal's flash floods + How to stop your TV spying on you
Friday Headlines: Death toll rises in Nepal amid fears of a second flood Albanese steps in to guarantee refugee intake won't go backwards One Nation tipped to win WA by-election NT passes VAD laws, Queensland introduces ‘breach bail, go to jail’ legislation UEFA plans criminal complaint against FIFA President Greens move to ban the import of smart glasses Deep Dive: That cheap smart TV in your lounge room might be paying for itself by spying on you. In this episode of The Briefing, we unpack ACR - Automated Content Recognition - the little-known tech that quietly logs everything on your screen and feeds it to advertisers. Swinburne digital media professor Ramon Lobato explains how your viewing habits are being used, how it got switched on without you noticing and the settings that let you shut it down. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E361
Wednesday · 23 min
Meta drops $23bn to settle lawsuit + Are Zelensky’s days numbered?
Thursday Headlines: Meta agrees to settle for $23bn in teen social media addiction lawsuit More than 150 dead in devastating flash floods in Nepal and China Albanese caves on data centre renewables as Queensland wins coal-and-gas carve-out Antisemitism royal commission wraps up with powerful message from Sydney Rabbi Legendary actor Tim Curry dead at 80 Miley Cyrus pays tribute to Dolly Parton Deep Dive: Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, the country hasn't held an election due to martial law, which bans a vote while the war is on. Volodymyr Zelensky's term expired back in 2024, and now, for the first time, a senior figure inside his own camp is demanding a vote, with former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov breaking ranks to call for a wartime election. So is this a genuine democratic reckoning, or an opening for Russia to destabilise Ukraine from within? In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Politico journalist Ryan Heath to unpack the turmoil and corruption in Kyiv, whether Ukrainians support the idea of a wartime election and what it could mean for the country and its fight against Russia. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E360
Tuesday · 26 min
Dolly Parton dies aged 80 + Inside ARIA's war with AI music
Wednesday Headlines: Dolly Parton has died at 80 Three Scots College students face court over aggravated sexual assault charges Man arrested after Melbourne mum repeatedly stabbed and her son punched in 'random' CBD attack Home ownership levels among young Aussies hits 80-year low Jai Arrow to make 100 game mileston after MND diagnosis Deep Dive: One of the biggest songs on Australian radio last month was a cover of Madonna's Like a Prayer. It’s racked up tens of millions of streams and even cracked into the top five on the ARIA charts. But what a lot of listeners didn't know was that the vocals and drums were made with artificial intelligence. From Friday, ARIA's new code shuts songs like it out of the charts, and the industry's peak body is now urging radio and music promoters to fall in behind. But if listeners can't tell the difference - and the streams keep climbing regardless - will a ban on the chart actually change anything? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by the boss of ARIA, Annabelle Herd to discuss the move, whether it goes fare enough and what the AI wave means for the young Australian artists trying to break through. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E359
Monday · 25 min
Iran's $10m bounty on Barron Trump + Should we raid our super?
Tuesday Headlines: PM to announce block on data centres near homes and schools Family of murdered Thai teen respond to alleged Australian killer’s comments from behind bars Trump Administration announces economic 'D-day' on Iran as Tehran announces $10m bounty for Barron Trump World’s oceans record hottest temperature on record Specialist cargo ship arrives to remove SpaceX rocket from Christmas Island Deep Dive: Pauline Hanson says Australia's superannuation system is broken. Senior Liberal Andrew Bragg has branded compulsory super a "loss of liberty." Suddenly, the four trillion dollars of retirement savings sitting in Australians' names is the subject of a political brawl - with the Treasurer vowing to defend the system all the way to the next election. So is super actually failing us - or quietly doing more than its critics admit? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Mary Delahunty, CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia to unpack where your 12% really comes from and why it's locked away for decades. Mary also makes the case against raiding super for a house deposit - and reveals the lessons COVID taught us about who gets hurt when the rules loosen. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E358
August 23 · 29 min
Record crowd for Swans AFLW clash + Australia’s gun buyback explained
Monday Headlines: Record crowd turns out for Swans AFLW clash after tumultuous week for the club Australia records first case of bird flu in a mammal Pauline Hanson steps in after One Nation MP says party's targets 'not too different' from Labor's Sydney shark attack victim speaks publicly for the first time Major blunder found on Sydney Marathon medal Deep Dive: The federal government is attempting to roll out its largest gun buyback in a generation in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. New South Wales is the first state to sign on - paying licensed owners from November to surrender their firearms, pulling a huge slice of the state's registered guns from circulation. But other states are dragging their feet, shooters say they're being unfairly singled out, and critics argue the very people we should fear won't hand anything over. So will it actually work - or is it a costly show of action? In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by public health expert and senior advocacy advisor at the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Stephen Bendle to unpack what this landmark scheme can really achieve, and where its loudest criticisms land. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E357
August 22 · 9 min
In conversation with Zomi Frankcom's brother
The Israeli military drew international criticism this week after finding it had no criminal case to answer to in the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza in 2024, including Australian woman Zomi Frankcom. April 2026 marked two years since the drone strikes which killed the staff from World Central Kitchen, and at the time, The Briefing sat down with Zomi’s brother Mal to discuss her family’s fight for justice. In this episode we’re revisiting Sacha Barbour Gatt’s chat with Mal Frankcom. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E356
August 21 · 37 min
Our Take: Spilling Logies tea, the Lindsay Clancy trial & Sach’s big news
Heyo, welcome back to The Briefing: Our Take, our weekend hang-out where we loosen our ties and kick off our shoes to take you behind the scenes of the week that was, and what you (and we) made of it. This weekend Chris and Sach sit down for a heavier debrief than usual: the Lindsay Clancy trial, the case of the Massachusetts mother whose insanity defence has turned an unthinkable tragedy into a wider reckoning about postpartum psychosis. From there the mood lifts as they crack open the inbox – to get your reactions on arming guards in hospitals, Logies tea, and one listener’s oddly specific request for Dan's voice that we may or may not be honouring in the near future. Then, LiSTNR sport and Triple M producer, Curtis Figon joins us for The Weekend Quiz to see if he can answer: The government was accused of making a dog's breakfast of some big reforms this week. What were those reforms? Who won the Gold Logie on Sunday? AI deepfakes of one person have scammed Australians out of $7.4 million in the past year. Who is that person? Jacqui Lambie made an emotional plea to the Prime Minister in the Senate this week - what was she asking for? Ten YouTubers were added to the National Sound Archive this week. Name one of them. Then we cap it all of with The Weekend List: To Do: Digitise your old footage and pics (listener Krissy) Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E355
August 20 · 28 min
Breaking down the Lily Hooper tragedy + Why the Lindsay Clancy case matters
Friday Headlines: Police commissioner apologises for miscommunication after family told missing bushwalker was alive Alleged Swans victim speaks out Zomi Frankcom's family slams IDF for clearing soldiers over her death Erin Patterson appeal wraps Harry and Meghan's UK return Deep Dive: A murder trial in the US is making global headlines and has sparked a passionate conversation about the mental health of mums. Lindsay Clancy is accused of murdering her three children, and while she’s admitted to the killings, her lawyers say she can’t be held responsible because she was suffering at the time from postpartum psychosis. In this episode of The Briefing, we speak with psychologist, author and someone who has experienced the condition, Ariarne Beeston from COPE, to unpack the case and how a lack of support for mothers can lead to the most tragic consequences. This episode discusses crimes against children as well as serious mental health conditions including suicide. PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline: 1300 726 306 Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE): https://www.cope.org.au/ Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E354
August 19 · 26 min
IDF clears itself over Zomi Frankcom’s death + Pocock on Labor’s ‘tragic’ gambling laws
Thursday Headlines: Swans players issue apology as investigators travel to Sydney IDF clears soldiers over Gaza strike that killed aid worker Zomi Frankcom Jacqui Lambie’s emotional plea to the PM over plan to cap veterans’ health spending Nick Kyrgios suspended from tennis after positive cocaine test Karl Stefanovic responds to Robert Irwin’s Logies jab Deep Dive: Today, the Senate is expected to pass the government's long-awaited gambling reform package, with tougher rules on advertising and inducements. Labor is calling the legislation the toughest gambling reforms the country's ever seen, but critics say they don't even scratch the surface of harm that is caused by betting platforms. In today's episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by independent senator David Pocock to discuss where the legislation falls short and why he thinks the Australian public has been betrayed by the government. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E353
August 18 · 27 min
Gov's gambling reforms a ‘betrayal’ + Unpacking the 'disastrous' Swans coverage
Wednesday Headlines: Swans board meets to decide on player sanctions over incident that lead to a sexual assault allegation NDIS reforms pass senate as Labor strikes deal with Coalition over gambling regulations Landmark trial against Meta begins Erin Patterson’s appeal begins SpaceX rocket splashes down off Christmas Island, Musk called in to remove it Deep Dive: Several Sydney Swans players are at the centre of a police investigation in Melbourne, over an alleged sexual assault at the team's hotel in the early hours of Monday morning. The club has confirmed its players were involved, notified the AFL, and says it's cooperating fully. No charges have been laid. But alongside the allegations sits a second question - how a story like this gets reported, and why the focus turns so quickly to a finals campaign 'in jeopardy.' In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by journalist and sports creator Lavender Baj to unpack it all - what she made of the Swans' statement, and how a trial by social media can wreck the chance of a fair one in court. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E352
August 17 · 27 min
Sydney Swans under investigation + Trump’s mouthpiece has quit. What now?
Tuesday Headlines: Sydney Swans footballers involved in 'alleged incident' in Melbourne hotel Pauline Hanson’s plan for $21 cigarette packets American actress Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36 Coles and Woolworths test facial recognition technology to combat crime Ten Aussie YouTubers added to the National Film and Sound Archive Deep Dive: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is on her way out, marking the fifth high-profile woman gone from Donald Trump's second administration, though how they went varies. Her announcement landed days after news broke that Trump had been secretly moved off Air Force One leaving a NATO summit, fuelling an online theory that Leavitt walked after being stranded on a decoy plane. She wasn't even on the plane, or the trip - she was on maternity leave. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by David Smith, Associate Professor at the United States Studies Centre at USYD to unpack why the theory took off - what it says about how Trump really runs the place, and whether any of this churn at the top actually reaches the voters who'll decide the midterms. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E351
August 16 · 29 min
Sam Pang wins Gold Logie + Can guns keep our nurses safe?
Monday Headlines: NSW to begin Australia’s biggest gun buyback in decades Gov confirms it’s slowing the processing of backpacker visas Anthony Albanese deepfakes featured in celebrity scams to con Australians out of $7.4 million DRC Ebola outbreak set to become the deadliest ever Sam Pang takes out the Gold Logie Further reading from the headlines: Andrew Thorpe's Ebola piece in the ABC Deep Dive: The Victorian Opposition has announced a two-year trial of 70 PSOs across seven major hospitals, including emergency departments, high-risk areas and staff car parks. The proposal comes amid almost 24,000 violent incidents in Victorian hospitals in 2024–25, including 680 “code black” incidents. It’s a similar story across the country. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Maddy Harradence, Secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. Rather than asking “Are guns in hospitals a good idea?” We focus on what actually makes nurses and midwives safer, whether PSOs address the problem, and what should happen instead. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E350
August 15 · 12 min
BONUS: No more ‘good blokes’: Inside the fight to scrap character references
Australia’s courts have long allowed judges to consider “good character” references during sentencing, even in child sexual abuse cases. For many survivors, hearing offenders described in court as “good people” or “champions of young people” can be deeply retraumatising and after years of campaigning, the laws are being changed right around the country. NSW changed its laws earlier this year, and this week Victoria announced it intends to do the same. In this episode of The Briefing, we're revisiting Chris Spyrou's powerful conversation with survivor advocate and Your Reference Ain't Relevant co-founder Harrison James - on why these laws had to change, and why he won't stop until the reform goes national. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E349
August 14 · 23 min
Our take: Bension’s spicy new chapter, melon-gate and we 💛 Ted Lasso
We're back with The Briefing: Our Take, our weekend hang-out where we loosen our ties and kick off our shoes to take you behind the scenes of the week that was, and what you (and we) made of it. This weekend Chris is joined by Dan Mullins - LiSTNR's Acting Head of Factual, and a voice you'll already know from The Briefing - to debrief the story we couldn't stop talking about: Bension Siebert turning to sex work to fund his investigative journalism. From there Chris and Dan crack open the inbox and read your comments on Bension's story, the fuss over the PM and those Japanese melons, and whether anyone outside a newsroom actually cares about the Census. We’re also joined by Karli from marketing who takes on this weekend’s quiz and then we of course cap it all off with The Weekend List! The Weekend Quiz: One of Donald Trump's key allies resigned this week. Who was it? Did the RBA increase, decrease or leave unchanged the official interest rate this week? What occurred across Australia on Tuesday night? Two planes almost collided at an airport this week. Where was it? What were school students protesting when they walked out of school? The Weekend List: To Watch: Ted Lasso Season 3 (Listener Georgie) To Watch: Dark Matter with Joel Edgerton (Listener Jane) To Read: Realms of Gold by A.J. Mackinnon Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E348
August 13 · 20 min
Third near miss at Sydney airport + Tupac's "thug life" on trial
Friday Headlines: Third near miss at Sydney airport Meta, TikTok, Youtube and Snapchat to face Social Media ban enquiry today Penny Wong to speak on the dangers of Monoculturalism Popular weight loss drugs suspected links to more than 60 deaths in Australia Deep Dive: It's been 30 years since rapper Tupac Shakur was shot dead in the streets of Las Vegas, his death sparking three decades of conspiracies, mysteries and an enduring question: who killed him? Amid disappearing witnesses and a street code that made talking to police punishable by death, the case went cold. But in 2023 former gang boss Duane 'Keffe D' Davis was charged with Tupac's murder ... only he's not believed to have been the one to pull the trigger. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by hip hop historian Michael Namikas to discuss the upcoming trial of Keffe D, but also Tupac's life, career and legacy. Michael’s book: The Tupac Encyclopedia - Volume 1 Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E347
August 12 · 26 min
Mass school walkout over Hanson + How sex work saved Bension’s career
Thursday Headlines: Students to stage school walkout over Pauline Hanson One dead and more than 200 rescued after Bali ferry fire News bargaining incentive hits parliament today Victorian authorities prepare for mass vaccine event of little penguins Tooth decay cases soar across Australia as people put off expensive dentist work Deep Dive: When Bension Siebert's role was made redundant, the award-winning journalist found himself staring down a shrinking media industry that no longer seemed willing to invest in the investigations he'd spent his career chasing. A week later, he was walking out of a stranger's apartment with $600 in his pocket, having just taken his first paid in-person sex work booking. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou and Sacha Barbour Gatt welcome their former colleague and co-host back to the mic to unpack an unlikely career move - and the essay about it that's turned his life upside down in a matter of days. Bension explains how five hours of sex work can out-earn a week of journalism, why he sees it less as a last resort than a kind of liberation, and how a media landscape squeezed by redundancies and legal risk pushed him toward telling the stories he says newsrooms won't. Bension’s essay on Cheek Media: How sex work saved my investigative journalism career Bension’s Instagram: bensionfindsout Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E346
August 11 · 28 min
Coalition backs One Nation bill + Harry Potter and the undersea cables
Wednesday Headlines: Coalition to back One Nation’s foreign fighters bill PM refuses to apologise over melons comment Colombia quake death toll climbs above 200 RBA leaves door open to hikes after leaving rates on hold Donald Trump signs executive order to reduce the number of childhood vaccines New canine study reveals they're skilled in responding to human emotion Deep Dive: Harry Potter fans this week had a major win. They managed to have critical infrastructure worth almost a billion dollars moved to protect a memorial for Dobby the house elf. That critical infrastructure was a single undersea cable. These cables rest in the ocean and are responsible for 95% of all internet and data traffic. Cat videos, financial transactions, email – all of it would disappear if these thin cables were cut. In this episode of The Briefing, we’re joined by Dean Veverka, the Chair of the International Cable Protection Committee, to learn who built this critical infrastructure, and who’s protecting the world’s undersea cables from threats and sabotage. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 · E345
August 10 · 26 min
Aus-first AI royal commission + The survivor taking on Australia's cults
Tuesday Headlines: Hanson to introduce foreign fighters bill as PM and Taylor hammer out gambling, NDIS and widow tax deal More than 80 people dead after Colombia earthquake South Australia announce royal commission into AI Aussies being urged to challenge their car insurers over price hikes It's Census night Deep Dive: How do you escape from a cult? That was one of the questions a Victorian parliamentary inquiry has been trying to answer, ever since a LiSTNR podcast exposed an abusive cult in Geelong and sparked a firestorm of advocacy from cult survivors. Last month, that inquiry handed down its report, “Coercion and harm in high control groups”. There are 39 recommendations in the report, with a focus on protecting children and better support for those exiting a coercive group. One of the advocates behind that inquiry was Laura McConnell, a survivor of the Two By Twos fundamentalist cult who speaks to Sacha Barbour Gatt in this episode of The Briefing. You can listen to Pray Harder – Episode 1 – Noel's War here. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpod Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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