Bonnie Blue banned from Bali + How gay hockey smut’s gone mainstream
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 BEEFING: Hailey Bieber vs Selena Gomez
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
US Border security is getting personal + Greg Lynn's conviction overturned
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
The teens trolling Albo + Are we in for another Black Summer?
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
Concerns grow of imminent conflict on our doorstep + New immigration plan
This week, our top defence bosses joined their US counterparts in Washington for AUSMIN. Some experts say the latest meeting was an important win for Australia after a rollercoaster year in our fragile security alliance with America. As the presence of US troops and defence personnel grows in Australia, are we preparing for an imminent conflict on our doorstep? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Defence and Security expert Jennifer Parker to unpack this week’s developments at AUSMIN and why Australia needs to prepare for greater uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific. Headlines: A 36-year-old man has been arrested after a woman was allegedly assaulted and then ran over, the federal Coalition is preparing a hardline immigration policy, and a 68-million-year-old dinosaur fossil is going under the hammer. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Dec 15min
BONUS: Why this teacher is in favour of the social media ban
Australia’s world leading social media ban has officially come into force, with hundreds of thousands of kids getting kicked off platforms today. We’ve heard a lot about how teens are feeling, but what about teachers and parents? On this bonus episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt speaks with teacher and dad, Dr Ryan Stewart about how he’s navigating the ban with his own kids and students. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Dec 12min
Wells’ spending sent to watchdog + The teen fighting our socials ban
Wednesday Headlines: Anika Wells refers her own expenses to the independent watchdog, Toyah Cordingley’s killer sentenced to life in prison, another death linked to a 000 failure, Donald Trump launches attack on European leaders and threatens to ditch Ukraine, and thousands of fans miss the start of Lady Gaga’s Brisbane show due to a technical glitch. Take part in The Briefing survey HERE. Deep Dive: A world-first social-media ban cutting off Australians under sixteen has now taken effect, with the government framing it as a necessary pushback against harm and addiction. Critics argue it’s a blunt overreach built on shaky evidence that unfairly limits young people’s rights - including fifteen-year-old Noah Jones, who’s taking the fight to the High Court. In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Noah about why he’s opposing the ban and what he believes a smarter response would look like.BONUS: Why this teacher is in favour of the social media ban is out now. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @thebriefingpodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Dec 25min
THE BEEFING: Sydney vs Melbourne
The rivalry between Australia’s two biggest cities runs so deep it literally forced the country to build a brand-new capital. Canberra wasn’t chosen for political symbolism; it was created a bid to simmer the fighting between Sydney and Melbourne. This beef covers everything from weather to nightlife, tourist attractions, footy, house prices and coffee – creating one of our longest rivalries between cities. In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks if Sydney has the looks and Melbourne has the personality - or whether it's more complicated than that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Dec 8min
