Hack

Sobriety. Addiction. Harm reduction. 

In this episode, we're unpacking one of Australia's most deep-rooted issues: our drinking and drug culture. 

You'll hear Alex's story of addiction, as well as other Australians from across the country experimenting with sobriety.

Plus, we get into the importance of carrying Naloxone this summer festival season.

Guests: 

• Alex Milovanov, sober advocate

The NDIS has cut back funding for music therapy. We speak to those who use the treatment and the people who provide it.

And, how much longer will it be until the Bali 9 are back on Australian soil? 

Plus, what's behind the huge spike in demand for private health insurance from young people?

Guests:

• Michael Bachelard, reporter and former Indonesia correspondent, The Age
• Jen Hankin, musician and NDIS recipient

The government reckons Australia needs to do more to support veterans and people serving in the ADF. So what’s changing, and do young vets reckon it’s enough?

Also, a huge moment in Syria's 13+ year old civil war, with rebel forces overrunning the government in the city of Aleppo.  

And Joe Biden has pardoned his own son Hunter, who was facing possible prison time for gun and tax crimes. 

Plus, what's the deal with Australia's new free mental health support centres?

Guests: 

• Brodie Moore, former soldier and CEO of Medilinks Access
• Kermit Roosevelt III, legal expert, University of Pennsylvania Law School

Dozens of bills were passed in parliament this week; one will ban kids from socials.    

Also, does demonising Joe Rogan just insult millions of people, particularly men? 

Plus, there's a spy shortage in some countries. 

And if it's not Defying Gravity, what else are we holding space for? 

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

How will parliament's new housing bills actually help a generation of "forever renters"? We ask the Housing Minister Clare O'Neil. 

Also, 8 hostel employees arrested and backpacker Google reviews deleted: we have the latest on the mass methanol poisoning in Laos. 

Plus, medicinal cannabis sales in Australia are soaring, with about a billion dollars spent on products this year alone. 

Guests: 

• Clare O'Neil, federal housing minister
• Melissa Mackay, reporter, ABC 

Drive your recycling 400km, or see it go into general waste: this is the reality in a bunch of regional cities around the country. 

Plus, a ceasefire has begun between Israel and Hezbollah. 

And what would no social media access until 16 have meant for you?

Guests:

• Javed Ali, national security law expert, University of Michigan 
• Dr Ben Madden, waste expert, Institute of Sustainable Futures at UTS

Can we end racism? The Human Rights Commission thinks yes, and it's released a 10 year plan that it wants the government to adopt.

Plus, after years of investigations, grand juries and court appearances, why have federal prosecutors in the US decided to drop two of the criminal cases against Donald Trump... and what about the other ones?

Also: line dancing is back in a big way.

Guests:

• Giridharan Sivaraman, Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner
• Dr Emma Shortis, US politics expert, The Australia Institute
• Claire Cherry, line dancing organiser

As the government delays bringing in new limits to betting ads, saying it needs more time, we hear from someone whose brother took his own life because of his gambling addiction.

Plus, some young First Nations people are rejecting Australian of the Year nominations. 

And what was (and wasn't) achieved at COP29? 

Guests:

• Kate, whose name we've changed
• Matt McDonald, associate professor, University of Queensland

The latest Schoolies essentials are... parents? Helicopter parents are taking over school leavers' celebrations here, and overseas. 

And ever needed a day off work to deal with heartbreak? In the Philippines, they're considering giving you one.

Also, what annoying job do you actually wish AI could take over for you?

Plus, a tv personality saved the day this week when he wrangled a snake on a plane.

Host Dave Marchese is joined by Channel 9 journalist Iza Staskowski and comedian Billy D'Arcy. 

The Australian government has a policy to never pay ransoms... so who does? 

And grave cleaning videos are taking over TikTok. 

Plus, spiders. 

Guests:

• Dr John Coyne, director of National Security Programs, Australian Strategic Policy Institute
• Emma Teni, spider expert, Australian Reptile Park