The Briefing

John Safran is a cult Australian documentarian and professional bear-poker whose career has included everything from trying to join the Ku Klux Klan to getting crucified in the Philippines - and he says he’d probably still do it all again.
The filmmaker first gained fame in Race Around the World in 1997 and since then has always inserted himself into the centre of uncomfortable stories, including squatting inside Kanye West’s abandoned mansion while trying to understand the psychology behind Ye’s antisemitic spiral.
In this chat with Sacha Barbour Gatt, John shares his take on free speech in 2026, why censorship means something completely different in the internet age and how Australians are smarter than we give them credit for.
Weekend list with Helen Smith
Listener Daniel TO READ: Griefdogg by Michael Winkler

TO WATCH: Prime Minister (Jacinda Ardern) on Netflix
TO TRY: Uber pool

TO DO: Check out Broadsheet
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Headlines:
Aussie Rents could increase
Opposition Leader withdraws his comments
Amazon Backpack in trouble with ACCC
Tribute show to John Farnham announced
Deep Dive:
Sports journalist Emma Lawrence made history this year as the first woman to call an NRL game, with her achievement being hailed as a win for all women in broadcasting and the industry.
In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Emma who reveals why she wanted to smash the glass ceiling and how her young daughter inspired her to take on one of the toughest jobs in a male dominated industry.
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Friday Headlines:
90% of young Aussies will be better off under tax overhaul
US and Iran agree on 60-day ceasefire extension
Australian joins rescue mission for Laos villagers trapped in a cave
AFP commissioner defends Ben Roberts Smith airport arrest
Blues women win clean sweep of Origin
Deep Dive: The way Australians think about their money has shifted amid years of uncertainty and global impacts outside their control, according to a new report.
One of the big ways we’re seeing this is in Aussies focusing on the things they can control, from joining loyalty programs and rentvesting, to splurging on things that bring them joy and prioritising travel.
In this episode of The Briefing, ING’s CEO Melanie Evans sits down with Sacha Barbour Gatt to reveal why we’re seeing this, and whether the great ‘Australian dream’ has permanently shifted from full time work and houses to side hustles and investing.
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Headlines:
Govt. launches $2bn lawsuits against 3M over “forever chemicals”
Fourth ‘ISIS bride’ arrested and charged with terrorism offences
Trump rape accuser targeted by criminal investigation
More US strikes in Iran, alongside peace negotiations
Germany’s “most wanted” woman, 67, found guilty of armed robbery
Deep Dive:
Teenagers are having worse sex and getting more STIs. New research shows that one in five teenagers (aged 14-18) have experienced unwanted sex, and that condom use is falling. What’s happening to Australia’s teenagers?
In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Professor Jennifer Power, Deputy Director of the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, and the lead researcher of the new study into teenage sexual health.
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YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines:
Appeal date set for Erin Patterson
Five people found alive after week trapped in Laos cave
240,000 people to be cut from NDIS over four years
Labor’s controversial tax changes to be introduced to parliament today
Blues win Origin 1 in stunning comeback
Deep Dive: Australia’s courts have long allowed judges to consider “good character” references during sentencing, even in child sexual abuse cases.
For many survivors, hearing offenders described in court as “good people” or “champions of young people” can be deeply retraumatising and after years of campaigning, one Australian state has now changed its laws.
In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with survivor advocate and co founder of Your Reference Ain’t Relevant, Harrison James, about the new laws and why advocates believe this should become a national standard.
Follow The Briefing:
TikTok: @thebriefingpod
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YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.