Been at a festival lately? You might have spotted more people using walking sticks. 

But it's not a traditional accessibility aid.

So is it Australia's growing ketamine obsession that's fuelling the trend?

In the hack deep dive this week, we're unpacking the "ket stick" thing.

We speak with young Aussies who are on the walking stick bandwagon, and chat with a disability advocate who's worried the prop could de-legitimise the needs of the community. 

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• Subscribe to the hack podcast
• Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

It's our last show on the radio for the year.

So from Labubus and a heist at the Louvre to a court trial in a small Victorian town that captivated the world, we're unpacking the biggest moments of 2025. 

From the fun moments to the intense, we hear your Ins and Outs from this year, and what you're looking forward to next year.

Host Dave Marchese is joined by comedian Anthony Locascio and Gemma Donahoe from Mamamia. 

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Albo stayed but Dutton and Bandt were booted, as Aussie voters handed Labor more control than ever: 2025 was a big year in politics. 

And it's been fiery: from cost-of-living rage to heated fights over immigration, government spending and political stunts, punters have been questioning whether politicians are actually acting in their best interest. 

And in the US, the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the election of Zohran Mamdani added fuel to the political divides that are reshaping the world. 

So which of the big changes in politics in 2025 will stick?

Host Dave Marchese is joined by former Labor staffer Alisha Aitken-Radburn and former WA Liberal leader Zak Kirkup. 

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When Big Brother contestant Abiola introduced herself on the show as a "fat black lesbian", she instantly gained fans around Australia for her disarming honesty. 

And with cameras, microphones and even a 24/7 TikTok live stream capturing the contestants' every move, Abiola found herself at the centre of some big conversations inside the house. 

From discussing the meaning of "pretty privilege" to the loss of her mum and the real impacts of the cost of living crisis, Abiola wasn't afraid to be vulnerable.

And then, there's how she wrapped up on the show, deciding to take $15,000 from the prize pool with her. 

So how's she feeling now?

In this week's extended interview, Abiola opens up to Dave about what she's doing with the money, what she really thinks of the housemates, and what it means to be a "fat black lesbian" who blew up online.

Guest:

• Abiola, Big Brother contestant

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From Gout Gout's meteoric rise to Sam Kerr's big return to the Matildas and Oscar Piastri's F1 saga, it's been a massive year in sport.

But it wasn't just huge achievements: 2025 was also the year a lot of sporting codes were forced to grapple with tough questions on everything from gambling and misogyny, to homophobia and racism.

For this special episode of The Shakeup, we upack the highlights and controversies that dominated the sporting world this year. 

Host Dave Marchese is joined by sports podcasters Elle Baillieu and Josh Garlepp. 

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Australia's world first social media ban for teens under 16 is kicking in tomorrow. So how are teenagers prepping, and what will they turn to instead? 

Plus, do Anika Wells' travel expenses pass the pub test? 

And spotted a walking stick prop at a festival this summer? We get into why disability advocates are concerned about risks to accessibility. 

Also, with revamped Big Brother wrapping up, we speak to one contestant about why they signed up and what the experience was like.

Listen now: 

00:59 - Social media ban comes in

05:58 - David Pocock on how much politicians should spend

14:45  - Walking sticks at doofs

19:28 - Abiola from Big Brother opens up

Guests:

• David Pocock, independent senator
• Abiola, Big Brother contestant 

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The first week of summer has already seen deadly bushfires raging from WA to Tassie and NSW. So what's it going to take to get more young volunteers to sign up to spending their summer fighting fires?

And a WA coroner examining the death of Cleveland Dodd in a notorious youth detention facility has handed down his findings, recommending Perth's Unit 18 be closed 'as a matter of urgency'.

Plus, it happened: former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has officially joined One Nation. How will he get on with Pauline Hanson? 

We're also talking about the health risks of vaping after Fraser Olender says it brought on a heart attack. 

Listen now: 

01:20 - Cleveland Dodd inquest findings

08:18 - Would you fight fires for free?

18:34  - Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson team up

22:49  - What we know about vaping and heart attacks

Guests: 

• Cason Ho, reporter, ABC Perth
• Hamish Clark, Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
• Alexander Larcombe, Associate Professor, Curtin School of Population Health

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In most of Australia, people using medicinal cannabis can't legally drive - even if they're unimpaired. 

But now the NSW government is thinking about bringing in a medical exemption to change that.

So, how does cannabis affect your ability to drive? And do you think the laws need an update? 

On this week's hack deep dive, we hear from young people trying to navigate medicinal cannabis use and driving. They're worried about what could happen if they get pulled over.Also, you'll hear from an expert who breaks down exactly how THC impacts your ability to drive and whether or not a medical exemption is safe.

Guests: 

• Dr Danielle McCartney, Associate Lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Sydney

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It's Spotify Wrapped time. But with all the controversy surrounding the music streaming giant this year, are attitudes towards this cultural tradition changing? 

And TikTok has apologised after several Black creators reported racism at its awards event. What does this all say about how the media treat people of colour? 

Also, we're asking if arguing is a healthy part of a relationship after Travis Kelce revealed he and Taylor Swift never do it. 

Plus, is it easier to make friends in the city or the country? 

Host Dave Marchese is joined by 7NEWS Sydney's Daniel Healion and culture writer Maggie Zhou. 

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The live music scene is in trouble, with Park Waves this week becoming the latest festival to announce its Australian cancellation. So why does this keep happening? And is the federal government's main plan to fix it working?

And if you're getting served up stuff in your social feeds that you never asked for, this one's for you: Chanel Contos from Teach Us Consent has a plan, and she wants Australia to get onboard.

Listen now: 

01:17 - The gigs Revive Live is helping make happen

07:37 - Can Australia save its live music scene?

16:04  - How to opt out of your algorithm

Guests: 

• Dr Sam Whiting, senior research fellow, RMIT University
• Chanel Contos, founder and CEO, Teach Us Consent 

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