Episodes

  • Is Trump waging a war on his own people?

    Is Trump waging a war on his own people?
    Jan 29 2026
    The scenes on the streets of Minneapolis have been confronting and terrifying to watch: ICE agents rounding people up and shooting two US citizens at near point-blank range, as in the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. That’s all while a counter-narrative from the White House paints the victims as perpetrators. Washington DC bureau chief David Smith speaks to Reged Ahmad about why many are asking if fascism has come to US streets and whether the country is at a crossroads
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    19 mins
  • Guardian Essential report: One Nation surges against Coalition drop

    Guardian Essential report: One Nation surges against Coalition drop
    Jan 29 2026
    In the first Guardian Essential poll after the Bondi terror attack, both Anthony Albanese and Sussan Ley have fallen in their approval ratings. Meanwhile, One Nation’s support continues to rise and now disrupts the traditional two-horse race in Australian politics. Guardian Australia political reporter Josh Butler speaks to Essential Media director Peter Lewis about why both major parties need to pay attention to One Nation’s popularity – despite the minor party currently having little policy offerings
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    25 mins
  • How can humans and dingoes coexist on K’gari?

    How can humans and dingoes coexist on K’gari?
    Jan 28 2026
    A preliminary assessment has found that 19-year-old Piper James was bitten by dingoes before and after she died on the island K’gari, and that there was ‘evidence consistent with drowning’. In response to James’ death, the Queensland government has announced it will euthanise the 10 dingoes linked to her death. Environment and climate correspondent Graham Readfearn speaks to Nour Haydar about why the culling has sparked outrage and what killing the animals means for the survival of the protected species
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    20 mins
  • 'The opposition is in La-La land': Malcolm Turnbull on the Coalition split

    'The opposition is in La-La land': Malcolm Turnbull on the Coalition split
    Jan 27 2026
    The Coalition has collapsed for the second time in eight months and Sussan Ley’s leadership could follow at any moment. So who should lead the opposition through this tumultuous time? While former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has been there, he himself is not sure who is best placed to take on the challenge, adding ‘the pool of talent is not enormous at the moment’. Turnbull speaks to Nour Haydar about what went wrong between the Liberals and Nationals and what he thinks it will take to resuscitate his party
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    32 mins
  • A civil liberties expert on what Labor’s hate speech laws get so wrong

    A civil liberties expert on what Labor’s hate speech laws get so wrong
    Jan 26 2026
    Crafted in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, Labor’s hate speech laws are designed to give the government a raft of new powers to combat racial hatred, but have faced strong criticism from across the political spectrum. NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Timothy Roberts speaks to Reged Ahmad about whether the new laws go too far, and why he says they risk undermining democracy in Australia
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    21 mins
  • A nation of rich cowards? Ben Quilty on why we need our artists

    A nation of rich cowards? Ben Quilty on why we need our artists
    Jan 25 2026
    After the cancellation of Adelaide writers’ week in a furore over free speech, conversations are being had about how much Australia value its writers and artists. The renowned painter Ben Quilty is asking that question in a new essay exploring how to be a more courageous country when it comes to the arts. He speaks to Reged Ahmad about the Adelaide festival, Donald Trump and why we need a society that encourages visionaries
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    25 mins
  • Finding the remedy to ‘Trump exhaustion syndrome’

    Finding the remedy to ‘Trump exhaustion syndrome’
    Jan 23 2026
    At the beginning of Donald Trump’s trip to Davos, the US president’s plans for Greenland were vague, and a worry to European leaders. By the end of the day, military force was off the table and threats of tariffs dropped. This is just one example of what it has been like to follow Trump 2.0 in the last year. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Ashley Parker of the Atlantic about why she thinks Americans are suffering from a new politically induced condition and why the midterms in November might be the perfect remedy
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    30 mins
  • Allegra Spender on fear and rushed laws after the Bondi attack

    Allegra Spender on fear and rushed laws after the Bondi attack
    Jan 23 2026
    In an eventful start to parliament for 2026, MPs came together with condolences for the victims of the Bondi terror attack and passed hurried reforms on guns and hate speech. And then, on the national day of mourning on Thursday, the Coalition split for the second time and Sussan Ley’s leadership is now all but over. Guardian Australia political editor, Tom McIlroy, speaks to the independent MP for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, whose electorate includes Bondi, about why she thinks politics can often stand in the way of community safety. She also discusses her concerns that migrants could become a political target during this time of fear and grief
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    25 mins