Hack

Streaming services used to be ad-free, but now you can barely avoid them.

Australia's consumer watchdog is taking Amazon to court over unfair terms that allowed the company to introduce ads.

We take a look at what this case is all about, and why Amazon could be fined $50 million.

And we speak to Bek Condello. Bek grew up in a strict Pentecostal doomsday church, thinking the world could end at any moment. She tells Dave what it was like to leave the church at 27.

Listen now: 

1:03 - Why the ACCC is taking Amazon to court

6:20 - Leaving a doomsday church

Guests:

• Bek Condello, author

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Growing up, Bek Condello never imagined getting old.

The strict doomsday church she was born into constantly warned that the world could end at any time.

But even though she admits she was terrified, Bek says she never really believed it.

So how did she escape this world?

And what's it like coming to terms with never seeing your family and loved ones again?

In this chat, Bek opens up about her life before and the person she's now become. 

Bek's book Can You Handle A Girl Like Me? is available from July 14.

Guests:

• Bek Condello, author 

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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

A 17-year-old Thai girl nicknamed 'Cake' was found dead in a suitcase. Now, four charges have been laid against a 45-year-old Australian man, including murder and taking a minor for sexual purposes. He has denied the charges. But the case has raised broader concerns by some about South-East Asia's sex tourism industry, and the involvement of Australian men.

Also, the housing market is starting to cool, with the biggest monthly drop in home values in more than three years. So, is that good news, or bad news? We unpack it.

Plus, we speak to a creator who saw her account banned, while a copycat account with AI images of her was allowed to stay up — and it amassed half a million followers.

Listen now: 

01:10 - The latest in the Thailand murder case

06:18  - Dip in the housing market

24:21 - Impersonated by AI

Guests:

• Gareth Hutchens, ABC business and economics reporter

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

When Liberal MP Simon Kennedy was a teenager, one of his high school teachers asked to borrow money for his gambling addiction. He says he ended up accompanying the teacher to Gamblers Anonymous meetings. So, how did these experiences shape his views on gambling reform?

Plus, when was the last time you went to a musical? A growing number of stage shows are being cancelled midway through their tours. We find out what's behind the decline.

Listen now:

01:26 - Gambling reform

21:30 - Theatre shows axed

Guests: 

• Simon Kennedy, Liberal MP for Cook
• Jack Ward, Host of Encore Podcast

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

The number of Australian Rules Footballers who've died of a degenerative brain disease called CTE is far higher than previously thought, Four Corners has revealed.

And tens of thousands of people are still missing in Venezuela after two earthquakes. We hear what it's like for rescuers searching for survivors.

Plus, do men do enough planning when it comes to getting married? Young grooms tell us why they want to change the culture of wedding planning. 

Listen now:

01:52 - Calls for the AFL to make play safer

06:23 - Earthquake aftermath

20:21 - Grooms stepping up

Guests: 

• Jess Halloran, reporter, Four Corners
• Aiden O'Driscoll, Ex-AFL player
• Candice Bydder, marriage celebrant

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

The pill is the most common form of contraception in Australia, and while the potential physical side effects are widely known, some experts say we're only just starting to talk about how it can affect mood.

Because while for many people the pill can be a safe and effective form of contraception, others say it's had a significant impact on their mental health.

In this week's Deep Dive, you'll hear from an expert about their research on mood changes and the pill, including who may be more susceptible.

Guest:

• Jayashri Kulkarni, Professor of Psychiatry at Monash University

Get the whole story from hack:

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

Do you think you could break a Guinness World Record? Because this week Canberra's official town crier was crowned the world's loudest person. He's as loud as a rock concert and can match the noise levels of a military jet taking off.

Plus, Today show host Karl Stefanovic is leaving Channel Nine after a controversial podcast interview with a far-right extremist.

And, two Teal independents have launched a political party called Community Strong. They say there's no leader, but is that really possible?

Host Dave Marchese is joined by journalists Perry Duffin and Charlotte Mortlock.

A new political party has been launched with the aim of shaking up Australia's political landscape. But with only two members, no leader or candidates, will it actually get off the ground? 

And, the head of Australia's spy agency says it's foiled 31 major terrorism plots since 2014. 

Plus, we speak with sisters Pam and Latisha Francis about how climate change is impacting their Country. They're part of a group who've lodged a complaint to the United Nations over Australia's coal and gas exports. 

Listen now: 

01.00 - New political party

12:34 - Terror threats

16:45  - UN complaint

Guests:  

• Allegra Spender, independent MP for Wentworth
• Zali Steggall, independent MP for Warringah
• Pam and Latisha Francis, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna women

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

Ten Australians have lodged a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee over Australia's coal and gas exports.

The group say the government is failing its human rights obligations by continuing to export coal and gas, while failing to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The case is the first of its kind to go to the UN since the world's highest court ruled that countries have a legal obligation to protect and prevent harm to the climate.

So will it have any impact? And who's bringing the case?

In this week's long listen, 25-year-old sisters Pam and Latisha Francis tell Dave how climate change is impacting their Country and what they want the government to do about it.

Guests:

• Pam and Latisha Francis, Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna women

Get the whole story from hack:

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

The contraceptive pill has a long list of potential side effects, but experts say we've only just started talking about how it can impact mood. So, how do these synthetic hormones interact with the chemicals in our brain?

And, a new report by the United Nations has accused Israel of deliberately targeting and killing Palestinian children. 

Plus, we hear about a massive scandal that meant more than two million students had to re-sit an exam. 

Listen now: 

01:15 - United Nations Inquiry 

07:36 - Exam scandal

12:13 - Contraceptive pill 

Guests:  

• Matt Doran, ABC's Middle East Correspondent
• Jayashri Kulkarni, Professor of Psychiatry at Monash University

Get the whole story from hack:

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