More than 68% of Gen Z are romanticising eras that existed long before they were born, while Millennials and Gen X are increasingly drawn to historical nostalgia. 

Once classified as a medical condition and later a psychological disorder, nostalgia is now being re-evaluated as potentially beneficial for mental health. 

In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith, is joined by Dr Clay Routledge, from the Human Flourishing Lab, whose PHD investigates the psychology of nostalgia and why we are drawn to historical nostalgia.  

Afternoon headlines: Donald Trump imposes 100 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals, Qantas flight mayday call triggering over potential fire in the cargo hold and the cheapest supermarkets in Australians  

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Friday Headlines: Trump administration says fatal shooting of ICE office was politically motivated, Andrew Hastie pours cold water on claims he's gunning for Sussan Ley's job, Diddy's appeal to be decided by the end of next week, foreign students earn less than half of some domestic graduates, and Albo shouts New York pub a beer! 

Deep Dive: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cynthia Erivo and Sydney Sweeney are all in the Oscar conversation six months before the red carpet’s even rolled out.  

So why the early buzz? Who decides what’s Oscar-worthy and what press tours, deals and power plays shape the race?  

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by LiSTNR’s resident cinephile Amy Kimball to unpack the politics, PR and strategy behind Hollywood’s night of nights. 

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The AFL remains Australia’s most attended sport, drawing 8.4 million fans in 2024 alone, but the games history with homophobia has been back in the national spotlight.  

Over the past year and a half there have been six publicised incidences of homophobia within the league. And in the games 130-year history only one player has come out as openly bisexual or gay, Former West Coast Eagles defender Mitch Brown, making him the first current or former openly bisexual male AFL player.  

In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks the tension between AFL and it’s history of homophobia. Putting in question whether the code is enough to drive meaningful cultural change and implement targeted anti-discrimination programs. 

Audio of Mitch Brown thanks to the Daily Aus

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Public confidence in Australian universities is continuing to erode, as institutions face funding issues, widespread job cuts and allegations of failures to report gender-based violence across campuses.

The University of Technology and the Australian National University have both faced various controversies over the past couple of years, prompting renewed scrutiny of university governance and priorities. Experts fear universities are prioritising profit over education, losing sight of their purpose as educational institutions and acting as businesses first.

In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith, is joined by Senator David Pocock to explain what needs to change in the governance of Australian universities and how the sector can rebuild public trust. 

Afternoon headlines: Prime minister Anthony Albanese gives his first speech to the UN, Bali hospital denies allegations of organ theft after body of Australian repatriated without heart and Snoop Dog still set to perform at the AFL grand final

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Thursday Headlines: Albo and Trump have become Insta official, Trump slammed by London Mayor over 'Islamophobic' sharia law comments, WHO issues statement on paracetamol causing autism claims, fresh warnings for online machete sellers, A-League footballers sentenced over their involvement in a gambling scam and would you pay over $2K for kindy artwork?

Deep Dive: Former UFC champion Conor McGregor’s bid for Ireland’s presidency had all the hallmarks of a modern populist campaign - from promises to make his country great again, to anti-immigration rhetoric and ties to one of America’s most powerful families.   

While he withdrew from the race last week, what lessons can we learn from his run and could something similar happen in Australia?   

In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by political strategist turn pollster and director of RedBridge group, Kos Samaras to unpack the celebrity-to-politician pipeline, and whether someone like McGregor could ever make it in Australian politics. 

Further listening from the headlines: 

• Fact-checking Trump’s UN speech
• How to stop teen machete murders
• Trump’s autism misinformation

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US president Donald Trump made a fiery 56-minute speech at the UN General Assembly - well over the customary 15-minute time limit - telling world leaders their ‘countries are going to hell’ over migration and that climate change was a ‘con job’.

The speech was delivered to a room of visibly unsettled world leaders and drew immediate global attention, triggering a flurry of fact-checking efforts.

In this episode of The Briefing Helen Smith is joined by Cory Alpert, from Melbourne University and a former Biden White House staffer, to explain if Trump’s speech was an attack on the United Nations.  

Afternoon headlines: ABC ordered to pay $150,000 fine for unlawfully sacking Antoinette Lattouf, calls for Optus CEO to resign as the telco is ordered to pay $100m fine for ‘predatory’ sales practices and Jimmy Kimmel returns to screens. 

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Over four years after Brittany Higgins first went public with allegations she was sexually assaulted in Parliament House; the political and legal fallout is still playing out today. 
 
It's included a criminal trial, corruption probes, multiple defamation cases, and fresh allegations aimed at her rapist. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy and Chris Spyrou unpack everything that’s happened since the explosive defamation trial between Bruce Lehrmann and Lisa Wilkinson, up to the latest courtroom sagas, payouts and “James Bond-esque" investigation.

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Wednesday Headlines: White House confirms Albo meeting after Trump sprays UN, Australian childcare bosses grilled over mistreatment and abuse at inquiry, Elon Musk’s father accused of child sexual abuse, new changes for millions with student debt, and the country’s most culturally powerful people have been named.

Deep Dive: Higgins v Lehrmann: Part 1
Brittany Higgins and Bruce Lehrmann are names that continue to dominate headlines over four years after Brittany first went public with allegations she was sexually assaulted in Parliament House. 

Since then, a legal, political and media domino effect ensued, including a criminal trial, corruption probes and multiple defamation cases that are still playing out today. 

In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy and Chris Spyrou unpack the case at the heart of it all, the media frenzy and the Lehrman v Network Ten defamation suit. 

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr - now Donald Trump’s Health Secretary - has made dubious claims about vaccines, with his latest suggesting common painkillers like Panadol could cause autism in unborn children. His statements, widely rejected by doctors and health experts, have reignited controversy not just in public health but within one of America’s most famous dynasties: the Kennedys.

In our first episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks the feud between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his family. From being called a 'threat to the health and wellbeing of every American' to facing condemnation from relatives including the former US Ambassador to Australia, RFK Jr.’s crusade has sparked a family stoush with political and cultural consequences far beyond the dinner table. 

So how did he stray so far from his family’s legacy? We’re breaking it down in... The Beefing! 

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In a bombshell statement sending shockwaves around the world, the US President has claimed paracetamol use in pregnant women is linked to autism. Although admitting he’s not a doctor, Donald Trump also made concerning allegations about vaccines.

In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by leading autism researcher, Professor David Trembath, to unpack today’s statements from the US President and shares important advice for concerned women and expecting parents. 

Headlines: A senior police officer has been charged with the assault of Hannah Thomas, a man known as the “Moore Park Rapist" has plead guilty to a number of sexual assaults, and Matilda’s Captain, Steph Catley, has won a prestigious international award. 

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