Hack

It's something drummed into Australians before they can even walk or talk. 

To beat our strong Aussie sun, you've gotta put on sunscreen. 

We all know the jingles and slogans: Slip Slop Slap, There's Nothing Healthy About A Tan. 

But is the sunscreen we've been told is so vital... actually working? 

Consumer group CHOICE tested 20 popular sunscreens this year, and found most of them weren't providing the protection they claimed. 

So is your favourite sunscreen brand among them?

And what should you actually be looking for in SPF protection? 

We chatted to a bunch of you about your sunscreen habits for this summer pod episode, as well as an assistant professor of medicine to get the lowdown on the study and how to protect yourself from UV. 

A version of this episode was first published in June 2025. 

Guests: 

• Dr Jessica Stokes-Parish, educator, registered nurse, assistant professor in medicine at Bond University. 

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

When she was just 14 years old, Molly Burke lost her vision, and with it the way she understood the world. 

But Molly refused to let losing her sight mean giving up what she loved: beauty. 

For Molly, makeup isn't just an interest, it's a passion, and today she's a hugely influential beauty creator with millions of followers. 

So how does someone who can't see choose an outfit, apply makeup, and build a huge following online? 

In this extended interview, Molly joins host Dave Marchese to talk about why the blind community "deserves to be seen" just as much as anyone else. 

Also if you want to learn more about Molly's journey, her memoir 'Unseen: How I Lost My Vision But Found My Voice' is out now. 

A version of this episode was first published in May 2025.

Guest: 

• Molly Burke, content creator

Get the whole story from Hack:

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There are certain things in life that we don't question too much.

Like kissing, for example. 

Snogging, making out, even just a peck... but why? Why is swapping saliva something all human societies have normalised?

So where did it originate? 

Well, it turns out kissing isn't just a human thing: all sorts of species appear to kiss, and new research now suggests Neanderthals did it too, possibly even with modern humans.

In this special episode of the hack summer podcast, Dave Marchese unpacks the potential origins and purpose of kissing with University of Oxford evolutionary biologist Dr Matilda Brindle, as well as why we masturbate.

Guest: 

• Dr Matilda Brindle, University of Oxford, evolutionary biologist

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

Horror, anger and intense grief have gripped Australia in the days since two gunmen opened fire on Bondi Beach targeting those gathered to mark the start of Hanukkah.

But many young Jewish Australians are telling us while they were shocked, they weren't surprised.

In this chat, Sam and Jas sit down with hack to explain why they've felt like a target for a long time.

We hear what it's like experiencing a rise in antisemitism first-hand and what Jewish Australians hope to see from the wider community at this time.

Guests:

• Jas and Sam, members of Sydney's Jewish community

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Australia has changed in the past 24 hours, after a shocking act of terrorism targeted at the Jewish community left 15 people dead on Sydney's Bondi Beach.

The attack happened during a community event to mark the first day of Hanukkah on Sunday, with a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis and a holocaust survivor among those who were killed.

Amid the devastating pain there have also been stories of heroism, with blood banks inundated with volunteers and that incredible video of Ahmed al Ahmed wrestling the gun from one of the shooters.

In this special episode of hack, we head to Bondi Beach.

We speak with witnesses, members of Sydney's Jewish community and politicians, and ask how this unspeakable crime happened and how the nation can come to terms with its pain.

Listen now: 

02:42  - What we know so far

08:18 - How Jewish Australians are processing yesterday

17:48 - Allegra Spender and Sussan Ley on Australia's antisemitism problem

24:21 - Australia's terror threat level

Guests: 

• Sussan Ley, Opposition Leader
• Allegra Spender, Independent Member for Wentworth
• Associate Professor Josh Roose, religious violence expert, Deakin University

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

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

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

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. 

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