Luke Hemsworth on leaving the US, fist fights & his surprising Thor role

The far right is becoming more visible globally, including in Australia, through online activity and public protests involving extremist nationalist groups and neo-Nazi figures. But experts say understanding this rise requires looking at its deeper history.  One key moment often pointed to is the 2017 Charlottesville rally in the US, where white supremacists, neo-Nazis and counter-protesters clashed violently, leaving one woman dead and many injured.  In her book Charlottesville: An American Story, historian Deborah Baker examines not just the event, but the long history of racism and political tension that led to it.  In this bonus episode of The Briefing, Helen Smith speaks with Baker about why Charlottesville is seen as a turning point for the modern far right. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Hemsworth may be part of one of Australia’s most famous acting families, but his path to Hollywood was anything but conventional. Before the spotlight, he was pearl farming in remote Western Australia, sanding floors, and taking on odd jobs while never fully expecting acting to become his career.  As the eldest Hemsworth brother, Luke was actually the first to step in front of the camera, building his early career in Australian TV before breaking through internationally with Westworld and beyond - all while carving out his own identity alongside brothers Chris and Liam.  In this chat with Helen Smith, Luke reflects on the unexpected journey into acting, leaving the US to return home to Australia and his latest action film Beast – sharing why he believes Australian stories still deserve a bigger place on the world stage.  Weekend list with Sacha Barbour Gatt Listener Billy TO DO: Watch the ANZAC day sport matches  TO WATCH: Twister 2024 sequel on Netflix TO DO: Sell your old electronics TO DO: Update you rewards app Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Trump announces 3-week Lebanon-Israel ceasefire Charges for soldier who gambled on Maduro capture Ben Roberts-Smith to attend ANZAC Day event More tech layoffs: Microsoft and Meta Spotify turns 20, releases top artists of all time  Deep Dive:  The nation’s biggest radio drama went to court today. Both Kyle and Jackie O are suing their former boss, ARN, and ARN is suing them right back. Kyle appeared in court, while Jackie O has said she never wants to be in the same room as Kyle again.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by workplace relations lawyer Michael Byrnes to explain the strengths and weaknesses of each legal suit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Trump claims the US is in control of the Strait of Hormuz even as Iran seizes ships Court documents have revealed Ben Roberts-Smith was allegedly attempting to move overseas before his arrest Albanese unlikely to increase tax on gas exports British actor Russell Brand has admitted to having sex with a 16-year-old when he was 30 Tomorrow is ANZAC Day, with commemorations happening right across the country Deep Dive: Burnout is often framed as a personal failure, but neuroscience tells a different story, one where chronic stress and cognitive overload are predictable biological responses to modern work and life.  Basically, our brains aren’t equipped to deal with how we’re forced to work and live in 2026.  In this episode of The Briefing, Neuro‑performance scientist Dr Kristy Goodwin explains how chronic stress rewires our heads, why the brain prioritises short‑term survival over long‑term health, and why “powering through” often leads to physical breakdown, not resilience.  Further listening: Your guide to the budget’s tax reforms Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  US turns back more Iranian ships National Cabinet: PM says fuel secure Royal Commission interim report coming next week Microsoft to invest $25 billion in Aussie data centres Vale to James Valentine Deep Dive:  The British Prime Minister is on the ropes as the scandal around Peter Mandelson continues. Mandelson was the UK’s ambassador to the United States, but was forced out due to his links to Jeffrey Epstein. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by journalist Juliet Rieden to talk about “the dark prince” of British politics. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines:  Iran says reopening of the Strait of Hormoz is impossible if ceasefire continues to be breached NDIS cuts set to impact autistic Aussies the most  First home buyer scheme driving up house prices KIIS sues Kylie and Jackie O Netflix has revealed more details about Kylie Minogue’s long awaited doco Deep Dive: The 2026 Federal Budget is shaping up to be one of the biggest in recent years when it comes to tax reform.  Treasurer Jim Chalmers is promising sweeping changes, but how will they balance the needs of struggling Aussies with that of the budget bottom line?  In today’s episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by economist Matt Grudnoff to break down the five areas we could see reform on May 12 and how the changes could impact you.  Further listening:  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Further cutbacks to the NDIS Australia to get more fuel shipments Iran reacts to Trump’s extended ceasefire Britain will ban selling tobacco to next generation ChatGPT under criminal investigation in Florida shooting Scientists study salmon on cocaine  Deep Dive:  Uh oh – AI is now really, really good at hacking. Earlier this month, the leading AI company Anthropic declared it would hold back from releasing its latest model, named “Mythos”, because the model could find novel ways to hack computer systems. In one instance, Mythos found a bug that's been undetected for 27 years in a fundamental piece of software.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Dr. Suelette Dreyfus, Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has announced the ceasefire between the US and Iran will be extended via Truth Social.  This comes after peace talks between the two nations were put on hold earlier today.  In this breaking episode of The Briefing, we unpack the US Presidents announcement as the blockage on the Strait of Hormuz continues.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: The hopes of ceasefire talks between the US and Iran are fading Major changes to NDIS to be announced today The Australian government has been urged to protect Chinese international students Rebel Wilson called “f****ing nuts” by crisis PR team, court hears Victorian Premier slams YouTuber who filmed Dezi Freeman’s hideout Deep Dive: The mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s sporting professionals has been thrust into the spotlight this week, after AFL player Elijah Hollands played during what the club has now called a “mental health episode”.  While the AFL and Carlton launch separate reviews into last Thursday’s incident, serious questions are being asked about whose responsibility it was to pull Elijah from the field.  In this episode of The Briefing, Sacha Barbour Gatt is joined by sport media and branding expert Associate Professor Robert Gill to discuss what should happen next and whether anyone is to blame.  A reminder, if you or someone you know needs help, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headlines:  Uncertainty over Iran peace talks, ceasefire extension “unlikely” New Zealand’s PM survives his own leadership spill Keir Starmer, UK PM, under pressure Apple gets a new CEO  Deep Dive: Woolworths is in court, accused of misleading practices around its pricing of “discounted” goods. The case, brought by the ACCC, began in Sydney today. It follows a similar case against Coles. What are the supermarket giants accused of? In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by behavioural economist Dr. Meg Elkins of RMIT, to discuss what, if anything, can be done about alleged dodgy pricing.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.