Reged Ahmad

Australia’s housing crisis has become central to political debates over immigration, inflation and affordability, but major parties have struggled to articulate coherent solutions. Liberal senator and shadow housing minister Andrew Bragg has proposed cutting immigration, although the details remain unclear, while the government appears hesitant to take credit for falling house prices. Economist Saul Eslake discusses which policies can work and why politicians have been unable to resolve the crisis.

The podcast revisits the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, who disappeared after Bradley John Murdoch stopped Falconio and Joanne Lees on a remote stretch of Australian highway. Although Murdoch was convicted, Falconio’s body has never been found. Northern Territory police continue searching for answers, while a former British government expert claims to have identified the most likely burial location.

Ben Carroll has become Victoria’s premier after Jacinta Allan stepped down during a chaotic Labor caucus meeting. Allan’s departure followed months of polling declines and difficulty containing One Nation’s rise ahead of the November state election. The episode examines how the leadership change unfolded and whether Carroll can restore Labor’s electoral prospects.

The podcast examines whether Prime Minister Anthony Albanese exercises excessive control over the Australian Labor Party. Reged Ahmad speaks with political editor Tom McIlroy about the lack of open debate at the party’s national conference, the implications of Albanese’s tight leadership style, and whether that approach could weaken Labor’s ability to compete with One Nation.

Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine Donald Trump’s prime-time address on the US electoral system, including whether it was intended to undermine confidence ahead of the midterm elections. They also discuss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order for annual testosterone-deficiency screening of military personnel aged 30 and older.

Guardian Australia political reporter Josh Butler discusses with Reged Ahmad the controversy surrounding Pauline Hanson’s overseas trip and comments, the resulting negative coverage, and the pressure on One Nation members including Barnaby Joyce to defend her actions. The podcast considers how the episode, alongside Hanson’s support for mass deportations and rejection of an alleged return to the White Australia policy, may affect One Nation’s supporters in Australia.

Political adviser and communications consultant Ed Coper discusses how social media outrage—what he calls “angertainment”—captures attention, drives compulsive scrolling and increasingly shapes political strategy, especially on the right. He argues that constructive conversation could provide an antidote to the political effects of online anger and speaks with Reged Ahmad about his book, Angertainment: How Social Media Outrage Ruined Everything.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has opened in Australia amid intense interest, with fans travelling long distances to see it in its original 70mm IMAX format. The podcast examines whether the film’s scale and event status can draw audiences away from streaming platforms and help an ailing cinema industry recover.

The death of Senator Lindsey Graham, described as a key Republican deal-maker and bridge to Democrats, creates uncertainty in US politics and within the Republican Party. His absence may affect the party’s relationship with Donald Trump and the direction of US foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and Israel. The podcast also considers Graham’s legacy as one of the last Reagan-style Republicans and what his death could mean for congressional compromise and the party’s future.

Australia’s AI revolution is raising fears that automation could replace large numbers of workers. The Labor government is considering how to regulate the technology while preserving investment opportunities, but reforms have progressed slowly. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to outline the government’s approach in a landmark speech, facing a political balancing act between embracing innovation and protecting workers.

Telstra’s chief financial officer Michael Ackland apologized after a major network outage disrupted trains, traffic lights, shops and some triple-zero emergency calls across Australia. Technology reporter Josh Taylor and Reged Ahmad examine what caused the failure, who may be held responsible, and how critical connectivity can be protected from future outages.

Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine reported details of Donald Trump’s intervention with FIFA over Folarin Balogun’s suspension ahead of a World Cup match against Belgium, and consider whether the episode could affect football. They also discuss growing calls for Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to withdraw from the race following a sexual assault allegation.

Social media companies are being questioned by Australia’s Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion about whether their policies and business models have helped fuel antisemitic content online. The discussion examines accusations against major platforms, including Meta’s changes to content moderation, and concerns from the eSafety regulator that platforms monetise gore and fringe material. The commission is considering what additional measures are needed to combat online hate.

The podcast examines the death of Melbourne wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke after she attempted a home birth without medical assistance in September 2025. Warnecke was attended only by her husband and Emily Lal, a self-described “birth keeper” with no formal medical training, and later died in hospital. The episode explores the growing practice of medically unassisted “freebirths,” the role of unregulated birth supporters, and the multimillion-dollar Free Birth Society, while considering the issues raised by the coronial inquest led by coroner Therese McCarthy.

Melbourne wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke died in hospital after attempting a medically unassisted home birth in September 2025. She was accompanied only by her husband and Emily Lal, a self-described “birth keeper” with no formal medical training who had completed an online course from the Free Birth Society. The podcast examines the growing freebirth movement, the role of unregulated birth supporters, and the questions being investigated by coroner Therese McCarthy, including whether Warnecke was the first maternal death linked to the movement.

Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine the uncertain talks aimed at ending the Iran war and Donald Trump’s claim that JD Vance must now deliver a resolution, raising the possibility that Vance is being positioned as a scapegoat. The episode also considers the latest Kennedy family candidacy and public fatigue with political dynasties, alongside whether repairs to Washington’s reflecting pool will be completed before 4 July celebrations.

Australia has recorded H5N1 bird flu in wild birds in Western Australia, making it the last continent affected by the strain. The episode examines the potential consequences for wildlife, poultry and public health as governments and scientists assess whether the detections signal a broader outbreak.

Keir Starmer has announced that he will step down as prime minister less than two years after Labour’s election victory, triggering a contest for the party leadership. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is being tipped as a leading candidate after a decisive local byelection victory. The podcast examines Burnham’s political appeal, the pressure Labour faces from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, and why the coming week could shape British politics for years.

Allegations of rape and sexual assault during filming of the UK version of Married at First Sight have renewed scrutiny of the Australian show. Former contestants and political figures including Tanya Plibersek are calling for greater accountability, while concerns focus on contestant safety and producers’ responses to incidents on set.

Australia’s decision to buy only secondhand nuclear submarines from the United States signals a major shift in the AUKUS defense agreement. Emma Shortis of the Australia Institute examines what the change says about Australia’s relationship with the US and whether Canberra should accept how Washington treats its allies.

Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine criticism surrounding Donald Trump-affiliated events planned for the United States’ 250th anniversary, including artists withdrawing from a scheduled concert series. They also discuss the California governor primary and the significance of its candidates, including the appearance of a character based on one candidate in Armando Iannucci’s The Thick of It Musical.

Co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine problems surrounding the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations, including artists withdrawing from a Trump-affiliated concert series. The episode also covers the California governor primary and its significance, along with the connection between one candidate and a character in Armando Iannucci’s The Thick of It.