Saturday Extra - Full program podcast

What shaped the world in 2025?We revisit the heartbreaking conflicts and the peacemaking.From the powerful influence of the Trump presidency to the Australia federal election, the big beautiful bill to Beijing's rising power, we take stock of pivotal developments with the world's best analysts. Highlights from our most insightful conversations with some of the world's biggest thinkers: Thomas Friedman of The New York Times, Anne Applebaum from The Atlantic, David Rennie from The Economist, among other greats.

Welcome to Summer on Saturday Extra where you'll hear some of our best conversations of 2025. This week - Australian arts and culture. A conversation with the playwright Suzie Miller about her blockbuster play, Inter Alia; David Wenham brings back the much loved character Jonny Spitteri for the sequel to the 2003 cult film Gettin' Square. Music from the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra; and nature photographer Leila Jeffreys reveals how she captures intimate portraits of birds.

One of Australia’s most celebrated authors, Geraldine Brooks on how she came to write a book with the Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris; the deep schism between Europe and the US over the National Security Strategy and how to end the war in Ukraine; the BBC Chief North America Correspondent -Gary O’Donoghue, or BlindGazza as he calls himself on social media, takes us behind the scenes of his exclusive interview with President Trump and his coverage of Trump's attempted assassination; and after 20 years as Chancellor of UNSW, David Gonski reflects on the challenges, criticism and brilliance of the university sector.

An updated US National Security Strategy pledges “lethal force” against drug cartels as the US continues a massive military presence off Venezuela - Phil Gunson from the International Crisis Group analyses the situation from Caracas; a candid conversation with Governor-General Sam Mostyn about her role and the "goodness" in Australia that can be masked by media and polarising voices; a guide to the under 16 social media ban with Professor Susan Sawyer, an expert in adolescent health and medicine, and Bryce Corbett, the creator of a media literacy program for primary school kids; Sean Turnell on Myanmar's mass release of prisoners ahead of the military junta's so called elections later this month; and 18-year Tommy Lamb's global overland odyssey to reach Australia for the Ashes.

A chat with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook from chart-topping The Rest is History podcast;  the year of Donald Trump with the author and journalist David Frum from The Atlantic magazine; a deep dive into the 2025 Australian Election study, and after European leaders were blindsided by President Trump’s 28-point-plan to end the Ukraine war - where do peace talks now stand?