Since the beginning of the pandemic, healthcare workers have faced wave after wave of outbreaks, working around the clock in tough conditions.

Eighteen months in, Australia has more case numbers than ever, and our doctors, nurses and other health professionals are reporting alarmingly high rates of exhaustion, burnout and mental health issues.

Today, Doctor Natasha Smallwood on the stress that healthcare workers on the frontline are facing and what that means for the health system after the pandemic.

Guest: Natasha Smallwood, Associate professor and respiratory physician at The Alfred Hospital and Monash University.

Background reading: Healthcare workers suffering exhaustion and burnout in The Saturday Paper

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Can you believe it’s been almost three years since Lil Nas X dropped ‘Old Town Road’?

With that one track, produced for less than $100, the rapper made history. ‘Old Town Road’ became the longest running single to sit at number one on the charts, and kicked off a debate about the definition of country music.

Lil Nas X himself became the first openly queer Black artist to win a Country Music Association Award. He’s won two Grammys, 5 MTV Video Music Awards, and continues to break chart records. He was also named one of the 25 most influential people on the internet by Time.

His first full-length album ‘Montero’ is here, and it’s both a commercial and critical success - cementing X’s status as one of the biggest pop stars of his generation.

So why does everyone love rooting for him? And does the ‘Montero’ live up to the hype? To unpack it all, presenter Osman Faruqi is joined by music critic for The Saturday Paper, Shaad D’Souza.

Guest: Music critic for The Saturday Paper, Shaad D’Souza

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This year Rupert Murdoch turned 90, and that milestone has focused discussion on who will take over the world’s largest media empire.

Now, Murdoch’s son Lachlan is making major strategic moves in his role as News Corp’s co-chair.

He’s also changing the way the company is structured - signalling that power is finally shifting in the media dynasty. 

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Paddy Manning on Rupert Murdoch’s succession plan, and what the media empire will look like under Lachlan’s control.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paddy Manning.

Background reading: Lachlanland: the power shifts in the Murdoch dynasty in The Saturday Paper

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The Prime Minister Scott Morrison has so far refused growing international pressure to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.

Now he’s facing a concerted push from MPs in his own party to embrace the policy. But on the other side of the Coalition, right-wing Nationals are refusing to budge - including senior figures in the government.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how climate politics has wedged Scott Morrison, and why he’s running out of time.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

Background reading: Biden adviser: ‘I don’t know whether Angus Taylor is an ideologue or an idiot’ in The Saturday Paper.

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On Tuesday, Dominic Perrottet won the support of his Liberal Party colleagues to become the party’s leader, and the 46th Premier of NSW. 

He’s taking over the Premiership at a crucial time for the state, as it prepares to end a long lockdown and enter a new phase of living with Covid-19.

But he’s already facing criticism for his socially conservative views on issues ranging from abortion to voluntary euthanasia.

Today, journalist with the Australian Associated Press Hannah Ryan on Dominic Perrottet’s life and career so far, and what it tells us about the kind of leader he will be. 

Guest: Journalist for the Australian Associated Press, Hannah Ryan.

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Australia’s two largest states are getting ready to end their long lockdowns and reopen when 80 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated.  

But what does reopening with that target mean for the 20 percent who are yet to receive their vaccines? 

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how some of our most at risk communities fell through the cracks of the national vaccine rollout.

Guest: Senior Reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

Background reading: Exclusive: Australia’s most vulnerable ignored in plan to open up in The Saturday Paper

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On Friday, after serving for a decade on the front line of New South Wales politics, nearly half of that as Premier, Gladys Berejiklian suddenly resigned.

Her shocking departure from the top job has left the state in political turmoil in the midst of a pandemic.

It's also raised important questions about political accountability and transparency. 

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why Gladys Berejiklian resigned and what happens next in New South Wales. 

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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Today, Hugh White, emeritus professor of strategic studies at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University, reads his cover essay from the latest issue of The Monthly.

It’s called ‘War of Error’. It explores the failures of the United States in Afghanistan, and the folly of Australia’s unquestioning support.

Guest: Hugh White, emeritus professor of strategic studies at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University.

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When NITRAM, a newly released film about the perpetrator of the Port Arthur massacre, was announced there was swift backlash from politicians and film critics who argued that the story was too painful and traumatic to tell. 

On today’s episode of The Culture we dissect the film, and explore the bigger questions it raises about how to tell stories about trauma and violence.

Plus, we speak to the director of the film, Justin Kurzel and the film’s writer, Shaun Grant.

Guest: Justin Kurzel, director of Nitram; Shaun Grant, writer of Nitram; Mahmood Fazal, writer, journalist and contributor The Saturday Paper and The Monthly

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The Prime Minister Scott Morrison has returned from his trip to Washington, and is spending the next couple of weeks in quarantine at The Lodge in Canberra.

But he’s already facing pressure over another international summit - the UN climate change conference in Glasgow next month.

Scott Morrison is under criticism from the UK government, the hosts of the summit, over his unwillingness to confirm his attendance. 

But what’s really driving the Prime Minister’s reluctance to participate in the most important international climate event in years?

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the climate policy paralysis plaguing the Morrison government, and what it means for Australia’s international reputation.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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