Hack

The AFL has been rocked by scandal this week. Five Sydney Swans players have been banned for breaching club standards on drinking and staying out late. And separately, police are investigating a report of sexual assault. Police have not made any arrests or laid charges.  

And, a British collector has stumbled upon the ‘holy grail’ after he noticed a taxidermy 'fox' for sale was the skull of a now-extinct Tasmanian tiger worth thousands. Have you made some valuable discoveries?

Plus, a new app has been dubbed the spiritual successor to Vine (if you can even remember what that is!) The new short-form video app has one distinct feature that it hopes sets it apart from other platforms. No AI.

Finally, a new 'maxxing' just dropped - voice maxxing. Some guys are trying it to… sound hotter?

Host Dave Marchese is joined by ABC sports journalist, Marnie Vinall, and comedian and podcaster, Fergus Neal.

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The Israel Defense Forces has cleared its personnel of any criminal wrongdoing in the 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, where Australian Zomi Frankcom was killed. 

And Brisbane band Bugs is coming to terms with the news that bassist Jordan Brunoli has just months left to live, after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. 

They open up about what scares them, how music has been healing, and what their friendship has meant over the years. 

Listen now: 

00:48  - Outrage at IDF investigation

04:19 - Jordan Brunoli on living life to the fullest

Guests:

• Jordan Brunoli
• Connor Brooker
• Brock Weston

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Almost a year since Jordan Brunoli sat down with hack to talk through his stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis, the Bugs bassist returns with an updated prognosis.

Jordan was told in June he has just months to live.

In this extended chat with Dave, Jordan unpacks what it felt like being handed the bad news and the reality of living life like there's no tomorrow.

He's also joined by Bugs band mates Connor and Brock to talk about their friendship, why they won't stop laughing, and the new music and shows they've been working on.

Guests:

• Jordan Brunoli
• Connor Brooker
• Brock Weston

Get the whole story from hack:

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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

What happens when the gym becomes a place of worship? We meet the young guys in Melbourne who're coming together to lift weights and pray. 

Plus, legislation aimed at stopping gambling harm is set to pass Parliament this week. But is it strong enough?

If this episode raised issues for you or anyone you know help is available. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.

Listen now:

01:00 - Labor strikes a deal to pass gambling reform

23:10 - The young men finding God in the gym

Guests:

• Kai Cantwell, CEO of Responsible Wagering Australia
• Mark Kempster, Gambling Reform Advocate

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

Police are continuing to investigate an alleged sexual assault linked to Sydney Swans players. We unpack the club's response and what happens now. 

And controversial cuts to the NDIS are set to pass parliament after the government struck a deal with the Coalition. 

Plus, we head inside an art gallery that's collecting your deepest, darkest secrets. Why?

Listen:

01:16 - Sydney Swans investigation

11:36  - How will NDIS cuts affect the disability community?  

24:27 - Would you share your secrets like this?

Guests:

• Angela Pippos, sports journalist and author of 'Breaking The Mould'
• Hannah Diviney, actor and disability advocate

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New South Wales' decision to become the first state to sign up to the federal government's gun buyback scheme, announced after last year's Bondi Beach terror attack, has divided the community. We hear why some groups are relieved, and why some are calling it a "joke".

And sexual violence can be a common experience for women on public transport, but experts are worried it is largely going unreported. 

Plus, does Spotify's latest move to improve transparency around AI music go far enough?

Listen now: 

01:11 - Gun buyback division

19:21 - Sexual assault on public transport

24:36 - Is Spotify doing enough about AI?

Guests: 

• Bridget McKenzie, Nationals Senator
• Terry Slevin, CEO, The Public Health Association of Australia
• Dr Andrew Cullen, AI lecturer, University of Melbourne 

Get the whole story from hack:

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Are men attracted to or intimidated by ambitious women? 

Some women feel like they're being penalised when it comes to dating because of their career success, study accomplishments, or property goals.

Dee Salmin asked the Hook Up audience and heaps of listeners said they feel like a lot of men are attracted to the idea of ambition, but in reality, are put off by it. So, what’s going on? 

In this week's Deep Dive, we hear from a sexologist who thinks the swing back to traditional values may be one explanation, and a sociologist who's been looking into dating in the age of the manosphere. 

Guests:

• Lauren French, sexologist
• Joshua Thorburn, sociologist, Monash University 

Get the whole story from hack:

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Anthony Albanese's "joke" about receiving crown melons from Japan's Prime Minister has landed him in hot water. Was it problematic, or overblown? 

And, from leading the federal opposition to being "invisible" on a bus tour through the US, we unpack Sussan Ley's post-politics holiday. 

Plus, how much housework do you do? Are you ready to elevate your situationship to 'partner' status? The Census has been and gone, leaving tough questions in its wake. 

We also ask if looks matter in your industry. 

Host Dave Marchese is joined by Features Editor at The Daily Aus, Emma Gillespie, and creator Lachy McIntyre.

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Students around the country have walked out of school and university to protest the rise of One Nation and its leader Pauline Hanson. 

We hear from the protesters and what Pauline thought about the nationwide events. 

Plus, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death among young people. One mum opens up about her search for answers after the death of her son.

Listen now: 

01:56 - Nationwide student protests against One Nation

06:28 - Life, grief and pleas for research after sudden cardiac arrest

Guests: 

• Alison Grove O'Grady, Australian Sudden Cardiac Arrest Alliance

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

Xavier was a happy, popular 20-year-old when he took a trip to Melbourne for a half marathon.

It ended in heartbreak.

In front of his family, Xavier suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died.

About three young Australians die every week in Australia from sudden cardiac arrest but sometimes there's no warning.

In this chat, Dave speaks with Xavier's mum Alison, who is pleading with politicians to put more money into research. 

She opens up about what it's like to lose a child and why she's passionate about sharing Xavier's story with other young Australians.

Guests:

• Alison Grove O'Grady, Australian Sudden Cardiac Arrest Alliance

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