The Murdoch Family succession war ends + Greta Thunberg’s boat struck
A new deal has been reached, which cements Lachlan Murdoch’s power to run his father’s multi-billion-dollar media empire. After bitter family and court battles over the family trust, a new settlement has now been reached with Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son taking the reins and his siblings Prudence, Elisabeth and James cutting ties with the family business. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by journalist Calum Jaspan to discuss the latest twist in this Succession-like drama and what it means for the future of the Murdoch empire. Headlines: A boat carrying Greta Thunberg heading to Gaza has allegedly been hit by a drone, ANZ to slash thousands of jobs, and another twist in the Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump saga. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Sep 16min
Australia’s world-first AI crackdown + Fugitive father's fatal mistake
Tuesday Headlines: Aussie kids will be banned from having violent, harmful and sexual conversations with AI chatbots, Victorian Premier’s orders crisis talks with a South Sudanese community after double stabbing, man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump faces trial, search for Dezi Freeman enters third week as officer laid to rest, and Mary Fowler hits the catwalk. Deep Dive: After nearly four years on the run, New Zealand fugitive Tom Phillips was shot dead following an armed standoff with police on Monday. Phillips had been in hiding with his three children since 2021, prompting one of the country’s most high-profile missing persons investigations. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling speaks with private investigator Chris Budge about the final moments of Tom Phillips’ life, the years he spent in hiding, and what the future holds for the children at the centre of it all. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Sep 17min
Erin Patterson a 'narcissistic psychopath' + VMA winners revealed
Triple murderer Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life for the murders of three relatives and the attempted murder of another after serving them her deadly beef wellington dish. Some experts say Erin is a narcissistic psychopath, with no empathy or remorse. So why did she murder her in-laws, and will she appeal her conviction? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Criminologist Xanthe Mallett to unpack today’s history development and why she believes Erin thought she was going to get away with the murders. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Sep 15min
THE SENTENCE: Two-minute mushroom trial recap
Erin Patterson has been charged with the murders of three relatives and the attempted murder of another; after allegedly serving up a beef Wellington dish laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms at a lunch at her home in 2023. In this special series of The Briefing, Helen Smith unpacks the sentence in under two minutes. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Sep 2min
Protestors clash on Bondi beach + Return of Australian ‘ISIS Brides’
Monday Headlines: Bondi brawl being investigated by police, families call for justice after two teens stabbed to death in Melbourne, NSW government pauses shark net removal trails after fatal attack, triple-murderer Erin Patterson to be sentenced today, and the US Open wraps up. Deep Dive: Plans are reportedly underway to bring home more Australian women and children linked to Islamic State from Syria, though the government denies involvement. Their potential return has sparked strong reactions from across the political spectrum, from support by humanitarian groups to fierce opposition by politicians and commentators. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with expert in global Islamic politics, Professor Greg Barton, about what repatriation actually involves and whether public fears about their return are justified. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7 Sep 20min
BONUS: Grace Fitzgibbon on grief, heartbreak and hope
Journalist Grace Fitzgibbon went through in the space of a year what most people experience in a lifetime. In the throes of a public break-up, she lost her beloved brother Jack in a tragic military training accident. While grieving, she found unexpected love with Jack’s best friend. Now the couple are expecting a baby together. In this raw and moving conversation, Natarsha Belling and Grace discuss loss, love, and the clarity that comes from tragedy. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
6 Sep 29min
How Tim Elliott got a fugitive to talk after 30 years in hiding
Tim Elliott has done what few could - persuading one of Australia’s most elusive prison escapees to break his silence. The journalist and author has always been drawn to the hidden corners of people’s lives, shaped in part by his own story of privilege and pain, shadowed by hardship and the loss of his father. In his latest true crime series, Secrets We Keep: Jailbreak, Tim enters the mind of Darko (aka ‘Dougie’) Desic, a wildly successful weed grower who staged a bold prison escape and remained on the run for decades. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Tim reveals why eccentric and sometimes ‘dodgy’ characters confide in him and reflects on how his family dealt with his father's mental illness. This episode discusses suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service - 24 hours -1300 659 467 Weekend list with Helen Smith TO WATCH: The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix TO TRY: Air-fryer (Antoinette is late to the game) TO EAT: Smashed potato gem chips TO DO: Fathers day message to someone you love Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5 Sep 34min
The eating disorder you haven’t heard of + Neo-Nazi denied bail
Experts are warning about a serious eating disorder that affects thousands of Australians but often goes undetected. Avoidant/Restrictive Intake Disorder, or ARFID, can be debilitating, but if diagnosed can be successfully managed. In the Episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by clinical psychologist and Eating Disorders Expert Dr Sarah Trobe, who explains how ARFID is diagnosed and how it can be effectively treated. If you want more information or support relating to disordered eating, contact the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673. Headlines: Neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell has been denied bail, former Qantas Boss Alan Joyce has pocketed $3.8 million worth of shares and more than a thousand people have gathered to farewell one of the two police officers killed in last week’s Porepunkah shooting. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
5 Sep 11min
