The Signal

ABC Radio

The Signal is the ABC's daily news podcast that helps cut through the noise to cover the biggest stories, explaining not only what is happening but why. It's an entertaining 15-minute show, perfect for the daily commute.

  • 15 minutes 31 seconds
    What happens next with airfares and flights

    More than seven weeks since the start of the war in Iran, flight schedules through the Middle East are still disrupted, but slowly recovering. 

    Travellers are now more likely to get to their destinations on time, but the cost to airlines from the surging price of jet fuel is starting to bite. 

    Today, aviation industry expert Ian Douglas on where things currently stand and why airfares aren’t coming down in price anytime soon. 

    Featured: 

    Ian Douglas, honorary senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales School of Aviation

    23 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 6 seconds
    Is 'drill baby drill' the answer to our fuel crisis?

    US President Donald Trump is all in on it, but could Australia 'drill baby drill' its way to fuel security and avoid oil shocks in the future? 

    Australia used to have a network of refineries and we were mostly self-sufficient in fuel production. Who let so many close and why? 

    Today, Alison Reeve, energy expert from the Grattan Institute on whether we really could build new refineries and successfully exploit new oil fields. 

    Featured: 

    Alison Reeve, Energy and Climate Change Program Director at the Grattan Institute

    22 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 3 seconds
    Will Trump 'blink first' and end the war?

    Donald Trump went into the war with Iran thinking it would be over quickly.

    More than seven weeks later there’s still no obvious off ramp, with uncertainty surrounding a second round of peace talks in Pakistan. 

    Today, Nate Swanson, a former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration, on what the US president needs to do to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz 

    Featured: 

    Nate Swanson, former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration and former director for Iran at the National Security Council during the Biden presidency. Resident senior fellow and director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council. 

    21 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 19 seconds
    When will the Iran war hit your grocery bill?

    Shoppers have been dismayed by grocery price rises for years, now there are warnings that food will cost even more as the effects of the Iran war reach consumers. 

    Transporting produce around the country will cost more due to high diesel prices, but farmers don’t necessarily get to recoup the surging costs on the farm itself.

    So how are our farmers faring and when will another round of price hikes reach us at the supermarket check-out? 

    Today, we speak with agricultural business expert Stefan Vogel and to South Australian grain grower Louise Flohr. 

    Featured: 

    Louise Flohr, South Australian grain farmer

    Stefan Vogel, general manager of RaboResearch Australia & New Zealand

    20 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 4 seconds
    What’s driving soaring rates of adult ADHD?

    Over the past eight years ADHD diagnoses among Australian adults have surged, especially among women.

    You might be surprised to hear where the ADHD capitals are.

    Today, Dr Norman Swan on his Four Corners investigation into the exclusive prescribing data and whether it shows ADHD is being over-diagnosed. 

    Featured: 

    Dr Norman Swan, Four Corners reporter and co-host of ABC Radio National’s Health Report and What's That Rash

    19 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 22 seconds
    What Putin gains from the Iran war

    What does Russia’s Vladimir Putin make of the Iran war? 

    He’s one of the few beneficiaries, making vast sums of money as the oil price spiked and Donald Trump temporarily eased sanctions. 

    The world’s attention has been diverted from his war in Ukraine and the thorn in his side, the NATO alliance, is under more pressure than ever. 

    Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on Trump’s growing anger about NATO’s refusal to help the US in the Strait of Hormuz and whether Europe will soon be ready to ward off its hostile neighbour on its own. 

    Featured: 

    Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York and a senior research fellow at the Saltzman Institute at Columbia University

    16 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 4 seconds
    The President vs the Pope

    What’s behind US President Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo?

    After the leader of the Catholic Church criticised Trump’s threats to destroy Iranian civilisation, the president unleashed. 

    Trump dismissed the Pope as ‘weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy’.

    Debate over the US leader's mental health has reignited since the fuel erupted and he posted an AI image depicting himself as Jesus.  

    Today, David A. Graham from The Atlantic magazine on what Trump’s behaviour says about his ability to govern. 

    Featured: 

    David A. Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic

    15 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 7 seconds
    The 'doomsday' scenario for fuel supply

    The US blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz could make the fuel crunch in Australia even worse. 

    The government’s urging Australians to do what they can to use less fuel, but when will more severe restrictions kick in?

    Today, Saul Kavonic, energy analyst at MST Financial on why we’re facing a ‘doomsday’ scenario that’s been war gamed for decades. 

    He’s warning that fuel prices will not return to pre-war levels for at least a year. 

    Featured: 

    Saul Kavonic, energy analyst at MST Financial

    14 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 16 minutes
    How Iran is becoming Trump’s forever war

    The peace talks failed, so now US President Donald Trump wants to further disrupt the vital oil shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz. 

    A US blockade will stop ships entering or departing Iranian ports, but will it really work to bring an end to the conflict?

    Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on what happens next and why the Iran conflict is starting to look like a ‘forever war’ for Trump. 

    Featured: 

    Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute

    13 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 20 seconds
    Alan Kohler’s case to nationalise childcare

    The ABC’s Alan Kohler thinks the treasurer should nationalise the childcare system and take centres out of the hands of for-profit businesses.

    With lingering concerns about the quality and safety of some centres and families struggling to afford the bills, is now the time for such a radical shake up?

    Today, Alan Kohler on the case for change and childcare policy expert Elizabeth Hill on whether it could really work.

    Featured: 

    Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert and host of “That's Business with Alan Kohler” podcast

    Elizabeth Hill, Professor in the Department of Political Economy and Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion at Work at the University of Sydney

    12 April 2026, 4:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 30 seconds
    What the shaky Iran ceasefire means for fuel prices

    A fragile two week ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel has raised hopes ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz will soon be on the move. 

    Disruptions to the oil and gas supply have raised fears of a global economic slowdown as surging fuel prices punish households and businesses. 

    Today, Susan Stone, the Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, on whether a ceasefire changes expectations about the economic fallout and whether petrol and diesel prices are set to fall.

    Featured: 

    Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics at Adelaide University

    9 April 2026, 4:00 pm
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