Sam Taunton on being axed from The Project & his unexpected daily habit

When Sam Taunton was a kid, he dreamed of becoming a professional golfer. Instead, he found himself in a blazer, behind the desk of The Project, working live on national television alongside who he calls “the smartest guy in the country." He didn’t grow up with a lot of money and his dad would often get creative to keep the family home standing. But long before he invited the whole of Australia to his New Year’s Eve party on live TV, Sam was just a sport-obsessed kid chasing a very different future. In this chat with Chris Spyrou, Sam reveals what it's actually like working on live TV, the moment he found out the show was no more, his gratitude journal and how losing one dream can sometimes lead to finding the right one. Tickets to Sam's tour here Weekend list with Helen Smith Listener Krissy TO WATCH: Upper Middle Bogan on ABC iView TO LISTEN: BBC World of Secrets: The Child Cancer Scam TO DO: Dance Party TO DO: Share the Dignity Drive Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is driving Australia’s first work from home laws, arguing they will boost productivity and help families.  But there's backlash from small businesses, who warn the extra pressure of remote working and lack of exemptions will force some to move operations interstate or overseas. In this interview with Natarsha Belling, the Premier addresses the new WFH controversy - and the mystery of how 90,000 fake followers appeared on her Instagram account. Headlines:  Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirms Australian sailors were on board the US submarine that sank an Iranian frigate ACCC has written to the top fuel companies as concerns grow over price gouging Coroner reveals cause of death of 19-year-old Canadian backpacker Piper James Australian billionaire James Packer announces engagement Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: More Aussies return from Middle East as thousands flee Beirut Hizb ut-Tahrir officially banned 'From the river to the sea' and 'globalise the intifada' outlawed in Queensland Number of kids enrolled in public school drops to record low Matildas beat Iran 4-0 in Asian Cup clash Britney Spears arrested in California Deep Dive: Millions of young men’s algorithms are being taken over by looksmaxxing.  What starts as self-improvement - gym sessions, grooming routines and ‘mewing’ -can spiral into extreme dieting, steroids, cosmetic surgery and even ‘bone-smashing,’ where men attempt to break and reshape their own facial bones to appear more masculine. Critics warn the trend is fuelling a pipeline toward incel culture, wrapped up in the language of optimisation and status.  In this episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith is joined by Sam Cornell a public health researcher who unpacks how the rise of looksmaxxing has racked up millions of views online and is more than vanity – turning into something darker.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East is now sending shockwaves through global aviation, with major airspace closures and key international travel hubs suddenly out of action. So what does it mean for Australians planning to travel overseas?  In this episode, Natarsha Belling is joined by aviation expert Professor Ron Bartsch, who explains why this disruption could be the most significant to hit global travel since COVID. With major Middle Eastern airline hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi affected, airlines are scrambling to reroute flights through Asia -- triggering delays, reduced capacity and the likelihood of soaring airfares. Headlines:  Qatar has evacuated residents near the US embassy in Doha Canadian PM Mark Carney hasn’t ruled out the Canadian military joining the Middle East conflict Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn has had his application for bail denied while he awaits a retrial for the alleged murder of 73-year-old Carol Clay The US House Oversight Committee has voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi A man has been airlifted to hospital after being attacked by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: First war-trapped Aussies arrive back home Attorney General pays back $8000 for family flights Inquiry launched into racism, hate and violence directed at Indigenous people Scorching temps and hot nights plagued summer 2025/26 Beckhams post birthday messages for estranged son Brooklyn Your thoughts on our high-speed rail deep dive Deep Dive: While they were controversial and certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, there was no denying the power and influence of the Kyle and Jackie O show.   So, what happens now that the pair has been dumped from their lucrative $200 million Sydney and Melbourne breakfast radio show on KIIS FM?   Industry insider Craig Bruce joins Sacha Barbour Gatt in this episode of The Briefing to discuss the astronomical rise and sensational fall of Kyle and Jackie O.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women’s bodies are back in the headlines with Kelly Osbourne this week slamming online trolls for their cruel and dehumanising comments about her appearance at the BRIT Awards. So, is it ever ok to comment on someone’s body? And when you are concerned someone could be unwell, what do you do?  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Body Image expert Professor Gemma Sharp from The University of Adelaide to unpack it all.  This episode contains descriptions of disordered eating and body image that may be triggering or distressing for some listeners. For support, call the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEDT).  Headlines: The federal government has announced it will deploy six Australian crisis consular teams to the Middle East, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned inflationary pressure from the Middle East Conflict will affect the upcoming Budget, and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young has called for radio host Kyle Sandilands to be sacked effective immediately.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: Oil and gas prices surge as the US and Israel’s war on Iran continues Australian girl dies in Japan after snowmobile accident Secret Liberal election loss review labels Dutton ‘grim’ and ‘unattractive to women’ Jackie O sensationally quits breakfast radio show with Kyle Sandilands Oscar Piastri mobbed by fans in Melbourne Deep Dive: Australia has long been promised high speed rail is on the way, and last week, the federal government announced a further $230 million for detailed design work on an east coast bullet train.  While we’re dazzled by the promise of connectivity, greener travel and a boom of jobs and opportunities, the idea of super-fast rail in this country is being described by one expert as a “beautiful waste of time”.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt chats with financial journalist Alan Kohler about why the Aussie dream of a bullet train is unlikely to ever be a reality.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest Gender Pay Gap report has been released with a major wake-up call for some of our leading companies and organizations. While the gap is closing, there is still a need for massive improvement, especially in male-dominated industries like finance and mining.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by PwC Diversity and Inclusion consultant, Elizabeth Shaw. Elizabeth unpacks the biggest takeaways and reveals what needs to happen next to help close the gender pay gap.   Headlines: An Australian military base near Dubai was hit by a drone over the weekend Police have shot a man dead in inner Sydney The US Department of Justice has released video of the closed-door depositions of Bill and Hillary Clinton You have the chance to catch a rare total lunar eclipse, known as a blood moon, tonight  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday Headlines: Trump says war with Iran could run for five or more weeks Little progress made in closing Australia’s gender pay gap Pauline Hanson censured, questioned over taxpayer-funded travel High-profile lobbyists could be exposed under new parliament rules Jim Carrey responds to viral internet theory that he’s been cloned Deep Dive: The death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has triggered celebrations across Tehran and in diaspora communities worldwide - including here in Australia.  But it's also brought mourning processions, portraits carried through the streets, and mosques announcing days of grief.   For many Australians, that contrast is hard to make sense of.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by peace and conflict researcher Shadi Rouhshahbaz to unpack the difference in reactions, what the celebrations actually mean, and why calls for Iranians to "rise up" are anything but straightforward.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top international law experts are warning that the latest strikes by the US and Israel on Iran set a very dangerous precedent, especially for countries like Australia.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by international law expert Dr Tamer Morris, who explains why these latest attacks contravene international law and how it now opens the floodgates to further attacks from other nations.   Headlines: US President Donald Trump has warned there will be more casualties in Operation Epic Fury, The Israeli Military say senior members of Hezbollah have been struck in Beirut, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK will allow the US to use it's military bases, a top-secret report that investigated what went wrong with the Liberal party during last year’s federal election defeat has been leaked, and Delta Goodrem will represent Australia at Eurovision.  Further listening from the headlines: Iran’s deadly protests explained Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.