Hack

According to Uber drivers, it's the "oldest trick in the book": gaming the system to charge you more. In some cases, it could mean you end up paying 2 or 3 times the normal cost of a trip. So how does the trick work? Well, triple j hack has been speaking to drivers about how they create artificial surge prices, leaving passengers out of pocket. And even more remarkably, the union representing them reckons the consequences for passengers are entirely on Uber itself, because drivers aren't being paid enough for their work.So is any of this fair? We chatted to a few drivers to get an inside look at the industry, as well as a CHOICE spokesperson to find out what this could mean for your next Uber ride. A version of this episode was first published in August 2025. Guest: Jarni Blakkarly, investigative journalist, CHOICE Get the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live at 5:30pm

It's the social season in Australia — barbecues, festivals, long nights out.And with it often comes alcohol and drugs, which are woven into how we celebrate and connect.But what about the costs to your health, your bank account, and your headspace? And while more people are cutting back, others are realising they can't have a healthy relationship with booze, opting for sobriety instead.So how do you stop?Dave Marchese sits down with Julia Rangiheuea from the Soberly Speaking podcast to unpack Australia's drinking culture, the real costs of partying, and her journey from self-described "party girl" to being 3 years sober this month.And if this chat brought up anything for you, there is help available: the National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is on 1800 250 015.A version of this episode was first published in October 2025. Guest: Julia Rangiheuea, host of Soberly SpeakingGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

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. Get the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen 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 creatorGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

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 biologistGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm