Backchat

On Thursday the 31st July, producer Gabriella Accaria attended the Australian Communist Party's screening of 'To Kill A War Machine', a documentary about Palestine Action and their militant strategy of targeting weapons manufacturers, a group that has been designated a terrorist group by the UK. In response, documentary producers Rainbow Collective have authorised no further screenings of the film until further notice. 

Producer Gabriella Accaria spoke to ACP members Alice and Dan about why they chose to hold an unauthorised screening of the film, and how Australian pro-Palestine activism can take inspiration from Palestine Action’s militancy.

Aired 2 August 2025 on Gadigal Land. 

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Last week, producer Jaspar McCahon-Boersma sat down with Eleanor Morley, the Secretary of the NSW Socialists party. Some of that interview made its way into his story on the launch of the party on our most recent Backchat episode below, but we wanted to bring you the full interview - and here it is. 

If you haven't heard the story covering the party's launch, who rocked up, and what they care about, check it out in our previous episode. 

Aired 2 August 2025 on Gadigal land.

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A new trend is currently taking social media users by storm - leaving some feeling relieved… and others very confused. Producer Olivia dives into the phenomenon of bathroom camping with clinical psychologist Dr Anna Sidis. 

Writers are among Australia's lowest-paid creatives, earning an average of $18.5k per year. A new, permanent home for the Sydney Writer's Festival at the State Library of NSW might go some way toward addressing the issue. Festival CEO Brooke Webb came into the studio for a chat.

After developing tinnitus herself following an ear infection, producer Charlotte knows firsthand how isolating it can be. Last week, she spoke to audiologist Myriam Westcott to unpack the condition and how to manage it.

The NSW branch of the Australian Communist Party held an unauthorised screening of the documentary 'To Kill A War Machine', which features UK-based activist group Palestine Action. Backchat producer Gabriella attended the screening and spoke to party members Alice and Dan about the choice to screen the doco. 

Producer Jaspar was also on the road this week, attending the launch of NSW Socialists, the state's newest official political party. His full chat with party secretary Eleanor Morley will be featured in a standalone podcast episode coming this week.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Charlotte Saker, Gabriella Accaria, Olivia Nunes-Malek, Holly Payne and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma. 
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma.

Aired 2 August 2025 on Gadigal land.

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Last week, Australia signed onto a joint statement condemning some of Israel’s actions in Gaza. We discuss the Parliament’s position on Palestine - a symbolic statement or a hypocritical act?

We speak to one of Aunties Fund’s founders, Indu Balachandran, about their new organisation funding culturally supportive domestic and family violence support for South Asian women in Sydney.

Is Sydney really the 7th best city in the world for nightlife tourism? Amy Flanagan, head of bookings at King Street organiser Music and Booze Co, makes the case that Sydney’s nightlife is healthier than we think.

But why are so many live music venues closing, and what needs to change to keep the culture alive? Producer Harrie Hastings chats to Jim Flanagan of Lazy Thinking and Julia Johnson of ROMAEO about alternative models for supporting the live music sector.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Jess D’Souza, Holly Payne, and Harrie Hastings.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis and Tanita Razaghi.

Aired 26th July 2025 on Gadigal land.

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How are campus policies being used to silence university staff and students organising for Palestine? Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis takes us inside the People’s Inquiry into Campus Free Speech on Palestine hearing.

Triple J’s first-ever Hottest Australian 100 drops next Saturday. We chat to musician Ben Lee about the future of Australian music and the countdown.

The Federal Court dismissed a lawsuit brought by Torres Strait Islander elders to protect their lands from climate change. Lawyer Brett Spiegel joins us to discuss the ruling’s impact on local communities and climate justice.

Is your local chicken shop next in line for a McDonald's takeover? We take a closer look at local council development applications and what they tell us about the future of your suburb.

Producer Gabriella Accaria weighs in on the objectification of women in sexually violent video games and the success of Australian organisation Collective Shout’s campaign against them. Content warning: sexual violence.

What’s behind Sydney’s obsession with mega infrastructure projects? Producer Emilios Kwasner-Catsivelakis and architect Gerard Reinmuth unpack how the city’s complex urban planning history impacts us.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne, Jess D’Souza, Gabriella Accaria and Emilios Kwasner-Catsivelakis.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Holly Payne and Tanita Razaghi.

Aired 19th July 2025 on Gadigal land.

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Australia dropped its 2026 Venice Biennale artists just days after announcing them. Jaspar McCahon-Boersma breaks down the backlash with Dr Ben Eltham.

We speak to Dr Clara Tuck Meng Soo about what Medicare changes could mean for trans healthcare ahead of the election.

Dr Kean-Seng Lim joins us to unpack whether new bulk billing incentives will actually help communities in Western Sydney.

Plus, Adriana Boisen from the NSW Council for Civil Liberties explains what new protest laws mean for your right to demonstrate.

Produced by Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Holly Payne, Euan Kielly and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.
Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

Aired 1st March 2025 on Gadigal land.

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Sydney’s train strikes have been dominating the news. Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis unpacks the union’s demands, the media’s spin, and what comes next.

Parsley Bay locals are protesting construction by Sydney Water. But is this a fight for the environment or just classic Sydney NIMBYism? Conservationist Nicole McMahon from Save Parsley Bay joins us to discuss.

With Mardi Gras around the corner, ACON has launched a new service for queer people in Greater Western Sydney. We speak with Director for HIV and Sexual Health Matthew Vaughan and community health promotion officer Duy Tran about why this service matters.

Sam Kerr has been in the headlines, but not for football. We chat with Matthew Klugman about what’s happening in her legal battle. 

Plus, are Australian school results really declining, or is this just another media panic? Dr. Sally Larsen breaks down what the numbers actually say.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne, Grace Pittar, Bec Cushway, and Sana Shaikh.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.

Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

Aired 22nd February 2025 on Gadigal land.

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Enmore’s Cairo Takeaway had a run-in with Daily Telegraph journos that left a particularly bad taste in our mouths. Founder of Everything is Fine, Alex McKinnon, tells us what went down.

1 in 7 Australian women are affected by endometriosis - so why is it still underfunded? We chat with QENDO CEO Jess Taylor to find out.

Contraceptives just got cheaper! The government has added the pill to the PBS and increased Medicare rebates for IUDs. But do these changes actually make contraception more affordable for young people? Sana Shaikh speaks with Sue Shilbury, CEO of Family Planning Australia, to unpack the impact.

Antoinette Latouff vs ABC - what does this legal battle mean for young journalists and the future of media in Australia? Former CEO of Democracy in Colour Neha Madhouk and Journalist Monica Attard weigh in.

You might hear us mention the Sam Kerr trial in the intro, but the segment was cut due to time constraints.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Sana Shaikh, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne and Bec Cushway.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi. 

Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

Aired 15th February 2025 on Gadigal land.

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Have we witnessed the Coachella-fication of Laneway Festival? From fit checks on TikTok to performative crowds, producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis and Joe Hardy from SydneyMusic.net weigh in.

Feeling the heat? UNSW Associate Professor Lan Ding breaks down why Western Sydney is up to 10 degrees hotter than the inner city. 

Jaspar McCahon-Boersma wraps up the international headlines that affect you.

Neo-Nazis crashed an Invasion Day rally - is far-right extremism spreading? Dr Kaz Ross explains how these networks are growing across Australia and what it means for Sydney.

Dutton wants to scrap diversity and equity programs - is this just election pandering or a deeper cultural shift? Founder and editor of Zee Feed, Crystal Andrews, joins us to discuss. 

Why are new suburbs missing key transport infrastructure? Jeremy Gill from the Committee for Sydney talks urban planning and transit gaps.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne and Bec Cushway.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Sana Shaikh and Jaspar McCahon-Boersma. 

Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

Aired 8th February 2025 on Gadigal land.

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What’s happening in international news? Jaspar McCahon-Boersma brings an update on headlines that affect you.

Local council dramaaaaaaa - because nothing gets Backchat going like local council tea. This story has it all - broken promises, finger pointing and a four-hour town hall. 

How would you feel if the government told you what medical care you were allowed to have? Necho Brocchi (she/her), service delivery manager at Open Doors Youth Service, discusses the pause on gender-affirming care for trans youth.

What does the rise in anti-Semitism tell us about right-wing extremism here in Eora? Jordy Silverstein from the Loud Jews Collective breaks it down.

And what on Earth is going on with the Hottest 100?! Musician, producer and broadcaster, Ian McCarthy weighs in.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Jaspar McCahon-Boersma, Holly Payne, Sana Shaikh and Bec Cushway.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Holly Payne & Dani Zhang. 

Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

This episode aired 1st February 2025 on Gadigal land.

Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review and share an episode with a friend.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.