Karishma Luthria

The podcast examines why no woman appears to be a leading contender to succeed Anthony Albanese as Labor leader, despite women achieving gender parity in the party’s caucus. It focuses on Tanya Plibersek, a long-serving senior minister and former deputy leader, whose experience and prominence have not translated into serious succession speculation, and considers the broader factors behind women’s continued absence from Labor’s leadership.

Ben Carroll has replaced Jacinta Allan as Victoria’s premier after a chaotic Labor caucus meeting. Allan stepped down following months of internal and political turmoil, declining poll support and difficulty countering One Nation ahead of the November state election. The episode examines how the leadership change unfolded and whether Carroll can improve Labor’s electoral prospects.

The podcast examines whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese exercises excessive control over the Australian Labor Party. Reged Ahmad and political editor Tom McIlroy discuss how Labor’s national conference differed from the open debates traditionally associated with such events, and consider what Albanese’s tight grip could mean for internal policy debate and the party’s ability to challenge One Nation.

Tony Barry and George Megalogenis discuss One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce’s viral confrontation with his dog and why the incident may have resonated with the party’s supporters. They compare the moment with past elections in which One Nation performed better than expected, cautioning against confident political predictions, and consider whether rising polling for the party could damage democracy.

Tony Barry and George Megalogenis examine One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce’s viral media moment and why it resonated with the party’s supporters. They place the episode in the context of previous Australian elections in which One Nation performed well, cautioning that political predictions frequently prove unreliable. The discussion concludes by considering whether One Nation’s rising poll numbers could damage democracy.

The podcast examines Australia’s approaching El Niño summer and the prospect of record heat amid worsening climate impacts. Jo Tovey speaks with Mike Ticher and climate editor Donna Lu about whether Australia is becoming complacent, while political attention remains focused on One Nation and Pauline Hanson. The discussion also considers deadly European heat and wildfires, and a CSIRO finding that the Coalition and One Nation’s proposal to abandon net zero would not reduce power prices.

Political adviser and communications consultant Ed Coper discusses how social media outrage drives engagement, shapes political strategy and has become especially influential on the right. He describes this phenomenon as “angertainment” and argues that constructive conversation could provide an antidote to the cycle of online anger.

Australia’s aged care regulator is investigating dozens of complaints that providers charged older residents for services they could not use or understand, including Foxtel, wine and newspapers. A class action against a major for-profit aged care provider also alleges residents were billed for high teas, classes and other services that providers were legally required to supply. Nour Haydar discusses the allegations and their implications for vulnerable Australians with Guardian medical editor Melissa Davey.

The podcast examines whether Australia’s Labor government can manage the risks of artificial intelligence as automation threatens jobs and creates broader social disruption. It focuses on the government’s slow-moving approach to regulation, the competing promise of AI investment, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s expected landmark speech on the issue. Dan Jervis-Bardy and Reged Ahmad discuss the political challenge of promoting technological development while protecting workers.

A major Telstra network outage disrupted trains, traffic lights, retail EFTPOS systems and some calls to Australia’s triple-zero emergency service. Telstra chief financial officer Michael Ackland apologized and faced questions about the failure, while technology reporter Josh Taylor and Reged Ahmad examine what happened, who may be held responsible and how critical connectivity could be protected from similar outages.

Donald Trump’s threat to “take” Cuba, combined with escalating U.S. sanctions and an oil blockade, has intensified fears across the island. The resulting fuel shortages and blackouts have severely disrupted essential services and daily life for Cuba’s 10 million people. Reporting from Havana examines conditions on the ground and considers whether U.S. military intervention could follow.

The podcast examines questioning of major social media platforms at Australia’s Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Reged Ahmad speaks with Guardian senior reporter Tory Shepherd about allegations that platforms have amplified or enabled antisemitic content, what the companies say in response, and what further measures may be needed to combat online hate.

The podcast examines whether Zohran Mamdani’s rise from Democratic Socialist nominee to New York City mayor could signal a broader leftward shift in U.S. politics ahead of the 2028 presidential election. Candidates endorsed by Mamdani have defeated established Democrats in primary contests in New York and Colorado, raising questions about whether his political approach can attract voters nationwide and whether the Democratic Party is equipped to challenge Donald Trump.

The podcast examines the death of Melbourne wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke after she attempted a medically unassisted home birth in September 2025. It explores the growing popularity of “freebirths,” the role of untrained birth supporters such as Emily Lal, and the influence of the Free Birth Society, which offers online training to unregulated birth workers. The circumstances are being considered in a coronial inquest led by Therese McCarthy, raising questions about the risks of non-medical births and the oversight of alternative childbirth practices.

Australian man Simon Peter Carman, 45, has been charged with the alleged murder of teenager Thunchanok Donhomla in Thailand. Her body was found in a suitcase near railway tracks in Pattaya, and Carman denies the charges. Guardian reporters discuss his arrest, the unresolved questions surrounding the case and the wider context of Thailand’s sex tourism industry.

Melbourne wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke died in hospital after attempting a completely unassisted home birth in September 2025. The podcast examines the growing freebirth movement, the role of Emily Lal, an untrained birth supporter who had completed a Free Birth Society course, and questions being explored by a coroner about medical oversight and accountability. It also investigates the Free Birth Society’s influence and whether Warnecke may be the first maternal death linked to the movement.

Karl Stefanovic’s independent podcast featured guests including Anthony Albanese, Pauline Hanson and far-right activist Tommy Robinson. An episode recorded with Robinson in the UK was removed after being available for several hours, raising questions about Stefanovic’s decision to engage with the far right and whether the controversy could end his future at Nine.

Australians are experiencing growing economic pessimism as prices continue to rise and interest rates remain a potential source of further pressure. Greg Jericho discusses how economic disaffection, the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy stance and disruption to global supply chains are contributing to increased support for Pauline Hanson's right-wing One Nation party. An initial US-Iran agreement to end their prolonged war offers the prospect of easing some international economic disruption.

Multimedia journalist Bertin Huynh celebrates Nestory Irankunda and a new generation of Socceroos players, arguing that their diversity and renewed World Cup prospects deserve recognition. The podcast contrasts this inclusive national representation with One Nation’s rise in the polls, while Awer Mabil says the team’s diversity resonates with Australians.

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry examine whether Pauline Hanson and One Nation receive more favorable media treatment than other political leaders following her National Press Club appearance. They discuss Hanson's attacks on minorities, her pledge to dismantle public broadcasting, and whether politics based on prejudice could backfire. The episode also considers whether the Australian government's tax-policy backdown will quiet criticism of Anthony Albanese.

Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry examine whether the media gives One Nation leader Pauline Hanson preferential treatment compared with other political leaders, following her National Press Club appearance. They discuss her attacks on minorities, her views on immigration and the Aboriginal flag, and her pledge to dismantle public broadcasting, while considering whether appeals to prejudice could ultimately undermine her political support.