BONUS: Our Walkley-nominated investigation into the secret baby trade

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to go undercover and expose a booming, yet highly secretive global market?   In this bonus episode of The Briefing, we revisit LiSTNR investigative journalist Claudianna Blanco’s story, now nominated for a Walkley Award, as she travels to Colombia to uncover the dark side of international surrogacy.  Listen to Claudianna on Secrets We Keep: By Any Means.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cam Wilson has spent years deep in the corners of the internet most of us would rather avoid. As an investigative reporter covering technology and extremism, he’s seen firsthand how conspiracy theories spread and the real-world damage they can cause. In his new book, Conspiracy Nation, Cam unpacks how these ideas take hold, drawing on insights from psychologists, church leaders, journalists and the families of those pulled down the rabbit hole. Speaking with Antoinette Lattouf, Cam reveals what it’s like to step inside a world where reality has fundamentally shifted, and shares whether investigating conspiracy culture has changed the way he thinks. Weekend list with Chris Spyrou TO READ: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi TO WATCH: Gloria Estefan’s Tiny Desk Concert TO MAKE: Lebanese spicy potato recipe TO WATCH: Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She is one of Australia’s most loved and successful TV stars, but MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin was keeping a dark secret. This Mental Health Month, Julie is sharing her own personal struggles with depression, how two strangers saved her life and how she turned her life around.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by Julie Goodwin with her important advice about mental health and the warning signs we all need to look out for.   This episode contains descriptions of suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR NewsroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday Headlines: Trump says he had ‘good and productive’ call with Putin, alleged offender of Melbourne daylight stabbing out on bail at the time, Indigenous leaders meet with King Charles to mark 40th anniversary of Uluru handover, Containers for Change has been accused of corruption, and the Aussie brands going viral overseas have been revealed.  Deep Dive: Gold fever is back and it’s not just investors cashing in.  With prices up more than 50% in the past year and hitting $6,400 an ounce, Australians are lining up at dealers and heading to old mining towns with pans in hand – hoping to strike it rich.  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou speaks with Jhob Drinkwater from Jhob’s Gold Panning Tours about what’s fuelling this modern-day rush, who’s showing up and whether there’s still gold in the ground.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex and the City defined a generation - its fashion, friendships, and frank talk about love, sex, and ambition changed pop culture forever. But while Carrie and Samantha were inseparable on-screen, behind the scenes the dynamic between their real-life counterparts was anything but friendly. For years, rumours swirled about tension between the show's stars, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. Then in 2017, Kim publicly broke her silence - confirming what fans had long suspected. There was officially beef between the pair. But what was it really about? And who was to blame? In this episode of The Beefing, Alexandria Funnell unpacks how a show built on friendship became one of television’s most infamous fallouts - and whether peace between Carrie and Samantha will ever truly be possible. Follow The Briefing:TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast   YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast  Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest concerning escalation of the attack on freedom of speech in the US, a number of top journalists have been kicked out of the Pentagon. The correspondents from the major networks walked, after refusing to sign a new policy that restricted their reporting on information without government approval.   In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by International and Security Affairs expert Allan Behm, who explains why we all should be concerned about the growing lack of government accountability and the escalating attacks on democracy and freedom of speech.  Headlines: A member of the Australian Defence Force has died, new unemployment data has been released today, and new excerpts from Virginia Guiffre's tell-all memoir have been published.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday Headlines: Israel says one of four bodies handed over by Hamas is not a hostage, three Australian men accused of Bali villa shooting could face the death penalty, the world’s carbon dioxide levels have reached record highs, NRL players now face 10-year ban for joining rival competition, and Virgin Australia’s pets on flights trial is underway!  Deep Dive: New research has revealed the worst offenders for image-based sexual abuse in Australia, including those who create deepfakes and revenge porn, or take photos and videos without consent.   The Australian Institute of Criminology says such crimes are disproportionately carried out by young men, while the type of offending differs across age groups and genders.   In this episode of The Briefing, Tara Cassidy speaks with AIC research manager Tom Sullivan about what's needed to address the growing problem, and how tech advancements are making it harder to stop.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW has now recorded its highest-ever yearly rate of Indigenous deaths in custody. The shocking statistic has sparked the State Coroner to call out the “profoundly distressing milestone”, saying these deaths demand respect and accountability.  In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is joined by CEO of the Redfern Legal Centre, Camilla Pandolfini, who says these horrific statistics are a national shame, and after decades of neglect, we need urgent action from governments.  Headlines: A house fire has killed three people in Central Queensland, Israel will restrict aid to Gaza, and Candace Owens has lost her appeal in the High Court over the decision to deny her entry into Australia.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday Headlines: AFP formally requests the PM’s number be taken down from US website, search for missing Gus expanded after advice from survival specialists, US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has Sandy Hook hoax appeal rejected, Instagram introduces PG-13 restrictions for teen accounts, and how the government’s about to make $70 million from unused public transport cards.  Deep Dive: While Australians are spending more time and money at the GP, new research shows our health system is struggling to keep up - with rising costs, growing patient complexity, and doctors warning that Medicare hasn’t moved with the times.  So what exactly is driving the pressure and are the government’s promises enough?  In this episode of The Briefing, Chris Spyrou is joined by Dr Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioner’s to discuss.  Follow The Briefing: TikTok: @thebriefingpodInstagram: @thebriefingpodcast YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcastFacebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell's feud is one of his earliest public beefs. Starting all the way back in 2006 when O'Donnell went after Trump on The View, their beef has been simmering for decades since. What followed was a relentless back-and-forth of brutal - and sometimes hilarious - personal attacks in interviews, on social media, and even during presidential debates. Now, with Rosie on Australian soil for her comedy tour, all eyes have returned to a beef that appears to stand the test of time.  In this episode of The Beefing, Helen Smith unpacks why this outrageous clash has endured for nearly two decades, exploring the explosive mismatch of personalities, the media's role in amplifying the conflict, and what it revealed about Trump's combative style long before he entered politics. Follow The Briefing:   TikTok: @thebriefingpod  Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast   YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast  Facebook: @LiSTNR Newsroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.