
PART 2: French president sues podcaster over claims first lady is a man
Deep Dive: French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are suing right-wing podcaster Candace Owens over bizarre allegations that the First Lady is a man who has stolen an identity and committed crimes including fraud and forgery. The legal action comes after the conspiracy exploded on social media worldwide. So where did these claims come from and why are they getting traction? And why is Candace, who was refused entry to Australia last year, staking her entire career on this case? In this two-part special, Tara Cassidy and Helen Smith break down the complex saga, assess the claims and explain the back story you need to know before you make up your mind who to believe. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Aug 13min

PART 1: The Macrons vs Candace Owens + Israeli PM calls Aus ‘shameful’ over Gaza
Monday Headlines: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has labelled Australia “shameful” over Gaza, the Reserve Bank is set to hand down their latest cash rate decision tomorrow, greyhound racing is set to finish up in Tasmania by 2029, we’re in for a soggy rest of winter and spring according to the weather bureau, and Instagram has a controversial new map feature that allows users to share their location with followers. Deep Dive: French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are suing right-wing podcaster Candace Owens over bizarre allegations that the First Lady is a man who has stolen an identity and committed crimes including fraud and forgery. The legal action comes after the conspiracy exploded on social media worldwide. So where did these claims come from and why are they getting traction? And why is Candace, who was refused entry to Australia last year, staking her entire career on this case? In this two-part special, Tara Cassidy and Helen Smith break down the complex saga, assess the claims and explain the back story you need to know before you make up your mind who to believe. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Aug 24min

BONUS: Judges reveal secret formula to music reality TV
Music reality TV promises to turn ordinary singers into national icons — but what’s the secret formula behind these shows? In this bonus episode of The Briefing, former judges Ian “Dicko” Dickson and Mark Holden reveal the controversies, iconic moments, and impact that reality TV had on Australia’s music industry. Plus former contestants reveal the hidden side of overnight fame. You can listen to all episodes of The Moment It Changed: Touchdown for free on Apple, Spotify, LiSTNR or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode contains a mention of suicide. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Aug 44min

Alex Lee on mum-fluencers, cracking TV and taking on Alan Jones
Alex Lee is a face you'll recognise from TV, whether it's from The Feed, Saturday Night Rove, Celebrity Mastermind, Spicks and Specks, The Checkout, Win the Week or What the FAQ.And as the journalist-turned-comedian points out, not ALL of those shows got axed. Alex recounts how shock jock and alleged sexual predator Alan Jones once tried to sue her over a comedy skit she made making fun of him. That would have been pretty darn stressful but she says that pales into comparison to the stresses of becoming a mum and feeling like the internet is constantly trying to guilt you into buying junk for your small human. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Alex also unpacks how mum-fluencers inspired her podcast Baby Shoes, part comedy, part therapy, and all-too-relatable for exhausted parents trying not to lose the plot. Weekend list with Helen Smith TO COOK: Homemade Dubai chocolate (dates + dark chocolate + pistachio spread) TO TRY: Holme Beauty TO TRY: Stardust period tracker app TO WATCH: The Australian Wars Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Aug 38min

Netanyahu's plan to takeover Gaza city approved + The Cult Bride
Lured from a Canberra supermarket into the grip of a dangerous cult, Liz Cameron’s life spiralled into captivity, starvation, and a desperate fight to survive. In this episode, Liz reveals to Natarsha Belling how she was brainwashed, how her family staged a daring intervention, and why she’s speaking out to warn others about the hidden dangers of coercive control. Headlines: Israel’s security cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for a full military occupation of Gaza City, convicted rapist Gareth Ward has resigned from NSW Parliament, and previously inadmissible evidence in the Erin Patterson triple murder trial has now been revealed. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Aug 17min

BREAKING: New poisoning claims vs mushroom murderer Erin Patterson
Here's the evidence the jury in the mushroom triple murder trial wasn't allowed to hear. In this special update to The Briefing's coverage of this case, Tara Cassidy reveals allegations that murderer Erin Patterson had tried to poison and kill her estranged ex-husband Simon multiple times before. Until today, this information was under a strict non-publication order by the Victorian Supreme Court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
8 Aug 3min

Kathleen Folbigg’s $2m payout backlash + Are you an otrovert?
Friday Headlines: Kathleen Folbigg calls for inquiry into ‘insulting’ $2m wrongful conviction payout, Netenyahu plans full occupation of Gaza, 6yo girl discharged from Sydney hospital twice before dying of influenza, men outearn women in 98% of jobs, and a millionaire donates $100m to Aus vet school! Deep Dive: When you’re socializing in a group, are you the life of the party, a participant but exhausted from the effort – or are you the outsider looking in? Until now, our personality traits have broadly been divided into two groups: extroverts and introverts. But there’s a third, neglected group with hidden talents: the otroverts. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by psychiatrist Dr Rami Kaminski, author of The Gift of Not Belonging – and himself an otrovert. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7 Aug 22min

The $4b system punishing the vulnerable + New Prince Andrew allegations
It’s the government rort ripping off millions of Australians that could be the next Robodebt disaster. We explain how a broken government payment system is seeing job and support payments cut off or cancelled, in many cases unlawfully. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by anti-poverty campaigner Kristin O’Connell, who explains how some of our most vulnerable are being unfairly targeted by a broken system that is allegedly being exploited by some operators, costing taxpayers billions of dollars. Headlines: ANZ has shocked customers with a surprise rate hike, Anita Cobby's killer claims he was wrongfully convicted, and more bombshell allegations from a new tell all book about Prince Andrew. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @LiSTNRnewsroom Facebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7 Aug 14min