The Briefing

Take your ties off and put your wigs on, we're back with The Briefing Our Take.
It's the weekend hangout where we take you behind the scenes of the week that was, and what we (and you) thought of it.
Sacha and Chris dive into a story we didn't get a chance to cover this week – the new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia and her first briefing that REALLY made an impression.
We crack open the inbox to get your thoughts on some of the biggest stories this week, including plans to get rid of screens for some kids in WA and Aussie cricket.
We're also joined by LiSTNR audio producer and sound designer, Nial, who takes on the weekend quiz, before topping it all off with recommendations on the weekend list!
As always, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us on Instagram @thebriefingpodcast and feel free to leave a comment if you’re listening on Spotify.
The Weekend Quiz:
Donald Trump announced a ceasefire this week between two countries which ones? And, for a bonus point – what type of ceasefire did he claim it was?
WA is banning screens in the classroom for some students in a pilot program; what grades will be included?
Petrol prices are back at levels seen at the start of the Iran war. What’s the national average? A) 2 dollars 70 a litre
B) 2 dollars 16 a litre
C) 2 dollars 41 a litre
The first restaurants in Australia were given Michelin stars this week and they were all in one state – which one was it?
The Fair Work Ombudsman gave advice on how to take leave for the release of what game this week? For an extra point – what date is it being released?
The Weekend List:
To watch: The State of Man on ABC iView (Chris)
To (not) watch: The Bledisloe Cup

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Friday Headlines:
Donald Trump calls off execution live stream
Greens senator on leave after allegations of inappropriate comments to women
Labor's digital duty of care bill introduced to Parliament
Zelenskyy says he is 'done' with US ceasefire on energy targets
Debate erupts over public bars on Brisbane ferries
Deep Dive: It took about 15 minutes for YouTube to take Marc Fennell’s kids from Minecraft videos to manosphere content. Nobody touched the remote. So he set up a phone as a young bloke, and within five weeks the algorithm had moved from gym tips and crypto to racist AI slop.
So why is it finding such a receptive audience in Australian men, and is the algorithm really to blame?
In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Marc to talk about his new ABC docuseries The State of Man, what he learnt sitting down with manosphere influencers and the men who’ve left it, and what could work to change course.
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TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines:
Greens and Coalition team up to block Labor's private health bill
Russel Brand a ‘ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator’ court hears
Netflix to lay off 1000 staff
Vatican says Pope Leo recovering as expected
First Australian restaurants score Michelin stars – and they’re all in South Australia
Deep Dive: Australia’s falling fertility rate was recently laid bare in the government’s 2026 Intergenerational Report, which revealed just 1.34 babies per woman will be born by 2065.
It’s sparked a conversation around what could move the dial when it comes to encouraging Australians to have more kids.
One suggestion has been a national fertility plan.
In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by Dr Petra Wale from the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand to discuss the plan and whether we it’s time to bring back sweeteners like the Baby Bonus.
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TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines:
Anthony Albanese working to stop execution livestream being shown in Australia
Small business minister says she’s received 19 death threats in a week over surcharge changes
Convicted pedophile Ashley Paul Griffith to be extradited to NSW
Sharp rise in family and sexual violence rates against Australian children
Cybersecurity experts warn French supermarket fridge hack could happen in Australia
Australia win's first test in South Africa
Deep Dive: The Cornell 7 case has sparked global headlines, condemnation and outrage; seven men accused of gang raping a woman inside a frat house at one of America’s most prestigious universities.
As police reopen the investigation into the 2024 incident, the spotlight has turned back on Greek life and whether fraternities and sororities still have a place on modern campuses.
In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by higher education expert Dr. Pietro Sasso to unpack the culture of American Greek life and examine its connection to cases like the Cornell 7.
This story discusses confronting details about sexual violence. If you need support, you can contact 1800 RESPECT or Full Stop Australia.
Follow The Briefing:
TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines:
Australian government urged to ban livestream of US public execution
Simon Carman pleads guilty to one charge in Thai teen murder trial
Molly Ticehurst’s killer to appeal murder conviction
Petrol prices now back at levels seen at the start of the Iran war
WA to limit screen use for K-2 students in pilot program
Deep Dive: One AI went rogue and breached a Medicare portal. Another fired off a bogus murder tip to US police. And the tech giants behind them took months to notice.
Meanwhile in Canberra, federal MPs are questioning the people building systems that could one day cure cancer... but could also, by their own admission, wipe us out.
So can a country our size actually keep big tech in line? Or are we just along for the ride?
In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Independent MP for Curtin Kate Chaney, who sits on parliament’s AI committee. They unpack what she’s heard in the hearings, why she wants $100 million a year spent on AI safety, and what rules data centres should have to follow.
Follow The Briefing:
TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.