The Briefing

Katherine Bennell-Pegg is the 2026 Australian of the Year and the first person to qualify as an astronaut under Australia’s own space program.
She’s an engineer, a space leader, and one of just a handful of people on the planet to complete astronaut training with the European Space Agency selected from more than 22,000 applicants.
In this chat with Helen Smith, Katherine unpacks what it really takes to become an astronaut, the invisible ways space technology shapes our everyday lives, and whether we’ve truly made progress for women in STEM.
Find Katherine on Insta @aussieastrokatherine
Weekend list with Dan Mullins
Listener X TO WATCH:
TO WATCH: Project Hail Mary
TO DO: Walk 🚶🏼‍♂️
TO WATCH: The Magic Faraway Tree
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There’s a new TikTok wellness trend doing the rounds: so-called 'Trimester Zero'.
But experts warn online fertility advice can be exploitative and is creating unnecessary pressure and anxiety among people trying to conceive.
In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Dr Rachel Rodgers, fertility specialist at IVF Australia, to discuss the growing focus on health before pregnancy - and sort fact from fiction.
Headlines:
PM responds to Trump condemning Australia's lack of support for US in war
Calls to cut fuel excise amid skyrocketing costs

Cyclone Narelle smashes WA coast
Kyle Sandilands has his day in court over $100 million contract
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Friday Headlines:
Trump says it’s up to Iran to make ceasefire deal
Fuel crisis continues with more than 650 stations running dry
Tropical Cyclone Narelle heads to north west WA
IOC bans trans athletes from women's Olympic events
Former Venezuelan president appears in court in New York
Deep Dive: The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton is one of those stories that’s been loved across generations and now, it’s getting a fresh life on the big screen.
The new film tackles our addiction to technology and follows a modern family who swap screens for the outdoors, only to discover a magical world that helps them reconnect with each other and themselves.
In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith speaks with Jessica Gunning, who plays Dame Washalot and who you might also recognise from Baby Reindeer. She joined us while in Australia ahead of the film’s premiere to unpack why nostalgia continues to resonate, and whether the Faraway Tree series reminds us of the wonder we lose when we’re always looking down at our devices.
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Deep Dive: Meta and YouTube have been found liable in a landmark social media addiction trial – that's being called the ‘Big Tobacco’ moment for Big Tech.
A Los Angeles jury has delivered the victory for a young woman who filed a lawsuit against the big tech giants, claiming their platforms contributed to her childhood social media addiction with negligence being a substantial factor .
In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Seven’s Sarah Greenhalgh, who’s reported extensively on social media, to talk about the decision expected to have wide-reaching implications, potentially shaping the outcome of hundreds of similar cases currently moving through US courts.
Headlines:
Qantas to swap larger planes with smaller one to save on fuel
National Cabinet to meet next week to discuss fuel crisis
Trump prepares to ‘unleash hell’ on 'uncooperative' Iran
Israel making further advances into Lebanon
NAB slashes almost 500 jobs

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Thursday Headlines:
Iran rejects US peace plan
Meta and YouTube found liable in social media addiction trial
National cabinet is set to convene next week to discuss Australia’s fuel supply
Super El Nino on the way later this year
Ahmed al Ahmed keys to the city
Deep Dive: The Installation of the 106th, and first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, took place at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday March 25 (UK time), the Feast of the Annunciation.
Historically known as an enthronement, the Installation marks the symbolic start of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s public ministry in the Church of England and across the Anglican Communion.
The Canterbury Cathedral released a statement saying: “Rooted in centuries of tradition, the service will look forward with the hope of Jesus Christ - and celebrate the diversity of the Church of England, the nation and the Anglican Communion today”.
In this episode of the Briefing, Natarsha Belling talks to cultural historian Associate Professor Cindy McCreery about this historic moment for the Church.
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