Is Australia to blame for the unhinged Wicked press tour?

At least ten people are dead in one of the worst mass shootings in Australia's modern history. Two men are in custody after gunmen opened fire on beachgoers at Bondi Beach with high-powered weapons on Sunday evening. Multiple people were injured, including children. Police are investigating reports of an improvised bomb at the scene. NSW Police are urging the public to avoid the area. More to come. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Dec 1min

20 years ago this week was one of the most volatile moments in modern Australian history - the 2005 Cronulla riots. A week of rising racial tensions exploded into violence, fuelled by talkback radio, misinformation, and hatred. And when the chaos spread, intelligence warned of a possible attack on Lakemba Mosque. Caught in the middle was young police officer Danny Mikati, who was suddenly facing an angry crowd, with no backup. It was a moment where years of community trust became the only thing standing between him and tragedy. In this bonus episode, Danny sat down with Crime Insiders host Brent Sanders to share his extraordinary life-or-death experience. Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Dec 8min

Michael Klim is one of Australia’s most celebrated swimmers, known for breaking world records, the 2000 Olympics and for his strength in the pool. But his life took a turn when a sudden decline in his health left him unable to walk. In his 40s he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, CDIP forcing him to confront a new reality. Since then, he has redirected the course of his life, becoming a vocal advocate for awareness and others living with the condition. In this chat with Antoinette Lattouf, Michael opens up about how he's committed to living a life of wellness beyond just the hashtags and promos. If you want to donate blood search Lifeblood Weekend list with Helen Smith TO LISTEN: Uncovered – How undercover police radicalised an autistic child TO READ: The Conversation TO EAT: Fancy pantry Mi Goreng Noodles TO READ: Nature's Last Dance by Natalie Kyriacou Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Dec 36min

Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn, who was accused of killing campers Carol Clay and Russell Hill, has had his murder conviction overturned. He was found guilty last year of murdering Clay and acquitted of Hill’s death. But now, in a bombshell development, the Court of Appeal has ruled there were serious irregularities in his trial - so serious they may have caused a miscarriage of justice... In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Criminologist Xanthe Mallett, who explains what these latest developments mean and what’s next for Greg Lynn, who has always maintained his innocence. Headlines: The Prime Minister has asked Australia’s independent expenses watchdog for advice on taxpayer-funded travel entitlements, the woman who was raped by Tom Silvagni has made an emotional victim impact statement in court, and Australians are in for one last celestial show of 2025, with the Geminid meteor shower set to peak this weekend. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcast Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Dec 14min

Headlines: Son of Carlton footballer unmasked in rape case, one in two cigarettes in Australia now illegal, Bonnie Blue to be deported and blacklisted from Bali, Trump introduces million-dollar 'gold card' visa and architects of AI named Time’s Person of the Year. Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. Deep Dive: Women make up 87% of male-on-male romance readers and are also the ones behind a lot of gay ‘smut’ content. The hit TV show Heated Rivalry has been dubbed ‘Gay Hockey Smut’ and has entered the mainstream, opening up the conversation around who consumes queer romance. In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Darcy Green, an author and writer of Queer romance, who explains why straight women commonly request male-on-male erotic stories. Further listening from headlines: BONUS: Bonnie Blue's schoolies returnUS Border security is getting personal Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Dec 23min

The long-running tension between Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber has become one of the internet’s most contested celebrity feuds - with Justin Bieber at the centre if it all. Selena and Hailey both grew up in the limelight, finding fame at an early age and both went on to date teen pop royalty Justin Bieber which undoubtedly magnified them further into spotlight. In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks how much of this feud is fuelled by the internet or whether the rivalry is genuinely rooted within Selena and Hailey’s inner circles. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Dec 8min

The US government has proposed tough new laws that will affect millions of travellers, including Australians heading to the US. While they are only proposals at this stage, travellers could be forced to hand over private information, including social media details, family information and numbers and emails from a decade ago. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by immigration lawyer Melissa Vincenty, who unpacks these changes and explains why handing over our private information, especially when AI is used, is incredibly concerning. Headlines: Former pilot Greg Lynn will face a new trial over the death of Victorian camper Carol Clay, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has fired back as pressure grows over parliamentary travel entitlements, and a “zombie-proof” electric car ad has topped Australia’s most-complained-about advertisements for 2025. Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Dec 16min

Thursday Headlines: Teens skirting social media ban told it won’t last forever, Australia records highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody in four decades, US considers forcing tourists to disclose their social media history before entry, Italian cuisine becomes world’s first to win UNESCO status, and the best AU/NZ song of the 21st century revealed. Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. Deep Dive: The 2025 bushfire season has already turned deadly, with a firefighter killed and homes destroyed across multiple states. Authorities are warning the early conditions look “ominous,” raising fears Australia could be heading toward another Black Summer. In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with former Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins about what this early fire activity tells us and how prepared we really are for the season ahead. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Dec 24min