Aisha* was just 13 when she got engaged to an older distant relative against her will. 

Within three years she'd taken her parents to court to fight the forced marriage.

Forced marriage is the most common form of human trafficking in Australia.

On this episode of the summer hack podcast, we hear the extraordinary story of a young woman's escape, and the ongoing impact it has on her life.

Guest:

• Stephen Jay, Detective Superintendent, AFP

With single-sex schools around the country making the switch to co-ed, the debate over what's best for students continues.

While some maintain boys and girls learn better separately, many argue the separation doesn't make sense in modern Australia.

On this episode of the summer hack podcast, we speak with students who've experienced both and dive into the research on school culture and learning outcomes.

Guest:

• Dr Claire Charles, senior lecturer, Deakin University

In just a few years it's become one of the world's most in-demand drugs but is Ozempic all it's cracked up to be? 

Could this new generation of weight-loss medication end 'globesity' and save the world billions of dollars?

What are the risks?

We speak with bestselling author Johann Hari about his personal journey with Ozempic and what he's learned about its spread around the globe.

Guest:

• Johann Hari, author of Magic Pill 

Donald Trump is promising a "golden age" for America.

The former leader has been sworn in as the 47th US president and has spent his first day in the job making sweeping changes.

From TikTok to immigration, we explain how this new Trump presidency is shaping up and what we can expect in the months ahead.

Guest:

• Dr Emma Shortis, US politics expert, The Australia Institute

Constant upheaval. Financial stress. Living lease-to-lease with little control over repairs or rent hikes. 

There's a lot renters often just learn to live with.

But how bad is all this for your health? 

On this episode of the summer hack podcast we find out how strong the link is between stable housing and wellbeing. 

Guest:

• Dr Erika Martino, healthy housing research fellow, University of Melbourne

Queenslander Jessica Lane has become the first Australian to take out a major pageant in two decades.

The last Aussie to do it was Jennifer Hawkins, who became a household name when she won Miss Universe in 2004.

Today on the summer hack podcast, you'll hear Jessica's journey to the Miss Earth title, her passion for the environment and why she thinks pageants are still relevant.

Guest:

• Jessica Lane, Miss Earth 2024

Australia's space sector is estimated to be worth $6.4 billion to the economy.

The sector is experiencing a boom with Australia's landscape key to helping track satellites, launch rockets and observe the deepest reaches of outer space.

So what role can young Australians play in the coming space age? On this episode of the summer hack podcast we find out.

Dr Mohammed Mustafa was told to write a will before he travelled to Gaza last year.

The Perth-based doctor risked his life to volunteer in the war zone but felt compelled to help.

In this episode of the summer hack podcast, he shares the horrors he saw and how it feels to adjust back to life in Australia. 

Guest:

• Dr Mohammed Mustafa, emergency physician

Should prisons be more about rehabilitation or punishment? 

On this episode of the summer hack podcast, we look at a program getting inmates involved in helping injured wildlife and why experts say it could be a game-changer. 

Guest:

• Dr Julie Toohey, criminology lecturer, University of Adelaide

How much time do you spend thinking about death?

Because according to some experts, death anxiety peaks in your early 20s.

Today on the summer hack podcast, you'll hear from someone actually working in the death industry.

And we find out why some of us don't like thinking or talking about dying... and what you can do about it.

Guest:

• Dr Rachel Menzies, clinical psychologist and research fellow, University of Sydney