- 43 minutes 19 secondsThe push to switch off the algorithm, and the Lindsay Clancy trial
We're starting with the algorithm. Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, used a National Press Club address this week to go after the way social media platforms funnel boys toward misogynistic content. She asked the government for something specific: the right to switch off the algorithm. We'll explain what she's proposing, and what the response has been from members of government.
Then to the Lindsay Clancy trial in the US. It's a difficult one, involving the deaths of three young children. So we've flagged it in the episode if you'd rather skip ahead.
The Coalition has put its tobacco policy on the table - an 80% cut to the excise, aimed at the black market rather than at smokers. We'll take you through the argument, the numbers, and why the health lobby is not on board.
And we remember Gloria Steinem, who died this week at 92.
Links
The Moms of TikTok Have Gone Insane - The Free Press
Oprah’s podcast interview with Gloria Steinem
Claire’s recommendation: Untold: Raygun on Netflix
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Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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4 September 2026, 7:00 pm - 39 minutes 35 secondsThe Nepal disaster, Meta’s big settlement, and Dolly Parton’s legacy
This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.
We're starting in Nepal, where an avalanche near the border with Tibet triggered a catastrophic flood down a valley popular with trekkers and pilgrims. Hundreds are dead and many more are missing, including Australians. We'll take you through how it happened, and why the early warning systems didn't do their job.
Then to Meta, which has settled a multi-billion dollar lawsuit over claims its platforms harmed young people.
Claire's retail corner returns - she’ll explain how Ooshies and Sumo mandarins factored into Woolworths’ massive profits.
And Dolly Parton died this week, aged 80. We look at her musical legacy, her sharp business instincts, and how she managed to stay beloved on both sides of American politics.
Links
The BBC’s Nepal flood explainer
Kate’s recommendation: Yogi Peace Club Yoga Mats
Claire’s recommendation: Bill Gates AI essay
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Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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28 August 2026, 7:00 pm - 43 minutes 42 secondsThe Sydney Swans allegations, and a cancer vaccine breakthrough
This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.
We're starting with the Sydney Swans and sexual assault allegations. We’ll walk you through the chain of events, and the responses to that. Then, the week in Aussie politics, including the Israeli ambassador being summoned to parliament over the decision not to criminally investigate the death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankom. We’ll cover Harry and Meghan moving back to the UK. And we’ve also got a genuinely hopeful story for you - an exciting medical breakthrough in cancer research.
Links
Kate’s recommendation: The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
Claire’s recommendation: Jersey Barrel Leg Pants from UNIQLO
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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21 August 2026, 7:00 pm - 38 minutesThe housing downturn, Trump’s plane switch, melons and smelters
This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Eliza Harvey.
We’re starting this week with the housing market, which, after all, is our national pastime. This week saw some heavyweights give us their take on where things are at and where it might be going.
Donald Trump has delivered an executive order on vaccinations, linking vaccines to rates of autism. He also confirmed a ruse to ensure he was removed from the risk of being shot down in Air Force One.
And, we’ll explain why melons and smelters have been the focus in Aussie politics this week.
Links
Eliza’s recommendation: Patience on ABC iview
Claire’s recommendation: Politico Canberra Playbook
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Eliza Harvey
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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14 August 2026, 7:00 pm - 43 minutes 17 secondsUnderstanding the Russia-Ukraine drone strikes
This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.
We thought it was time to get you caught up on what’s going on with the Russia-Ukraine war, including the drone strikes making headlines this week. Bird flu (the bad strain) has unfortunately reached our shores, Jet Star has a new baggage policy that’s got chins wagging, and there’s some interesting threads to pull out of the latest NAPLAN results.
Links
Ukrainian vegetable seller targeted in 'human safari' drone attack - BBC
Ukraine drone strikes on Russian holiday spot and Crimea kill 11 - ABC
Kate’s recommendations:
‘I’m Begging You: Never Write with AI’ - New York Times
‘Miracle baby’ undergoes pioneering surgery in the womb - ABC
Squiz Kids Shortcut to Understanding Racism
Claire’s recommendations:
Kitchen Cabinet Season 8 - ABC iview
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Watch all our episodes on YouTube
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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7 August 2026, 7:00 pm - 29 minutes 1 secondExplaining the construction corruption scandal in Victoria
This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Kate Watson and Eliza Harvey.
Victoria has a new Premier, and will hold a royal commission into the construction industry, so we’ll bring you up to date on all the political changes there. We’ll also get you across the bushfires in southern France and Spain. Plus, why you might want to check your offset account.
Links
A huge thank you to everyone who has filled out our survey - we really appreciate you! It’s here and still open until Sunday night, if you’d like to get involved.
‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts - The Conversation
Devastating European wildfires in maps - and how they're being tackled - BBC
Kate’s recommendation: Strangers by Belle Burden
Eliza’s recommendation: Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Kate Watson & Eliza Harvey
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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31 July 2026, 7:00 pm - 35 minutes 5 secondsWho is Andy Burnham? The 'King of the North' now UK Prime Minister
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This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Andrew Williams and Kate Watson.
The UK has a new Prime Minister this week, we’ll help you get across who Andy Burnham is. There’s lots going around about the nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia that’s helpful to understand. Plus, an increase in the tariffs on exports from Australia to the US. And then we're gonna get into the debate about how to combat the problem of illegal tobacco, which has been going on for a long time. We’ll get into what’s on at the Commonwealth Games. And make sure you stick around to hear us talk about AusAlert, especially if you don’t know what that’s about, because it is worth knowing that your phone will get very loud at 2pm Eastern Time on Monday.
Links
Kate’s recommendation: Voicemails for Isabelle on Netflix
Andrew’s recommendation: The Odyssey
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Andrew Williams & Kate Watson
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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24 July 2026, 7:00 pm - 45 minutes 27 secondsMessi's World Cup reunion 19 years in the making, and Albanese's new AI rules for data centres
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This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.
This week, we’re talking about the World Cup final, and the stories around the edges of it. We’ll spend a bit of time talking through the PM’s speech on AI this week, plus a brief look at what is happening in the Middle East. In what’s coming up, a new PM for the UK and the Commonwealth Games begin.
Links
Kate’s recommendation(s):
New York’s Ban on the Future - The Free Press
Why Anthony Albanese must call Anthropic’s bluff over copyright law - The Australian
Claire’s recommendation: Chris & Martina: The Final Set on Netflix
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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17 July 2026, 10:58 pm - 45 minutes 7 secondsChina’s missile test, what caused the Telstra outage, and Binface vs Farage
This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Andrew Williams and Eliza Harvey.
This week, we’re talking about China’s ballistic missile test that was widely condemned by Pacific nation leaders, what caused the Telstra outage, the latest in the FIFA World Cup, and the surprising bin-faced candidate facing off against Nigel Farage in a UK by-election.
Links
Kate’s interview with Richard Scolyer
Eliza’s recommendation: The Times’ Posh George podcast - Spotify | Apple
Andrew’s recommendation: 007 First Light
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Andrew Williams & Eliza Harvey
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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10 July 2026, 7:00 pm - 46 minutes 9 secondsWhat's up with home prices? An Empire climb, and a celebration of independence
This is the week in news and what’s coming up with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson.
This week, we’re talking house prices and what’s happening with them, new gambling advertising laws, a romantic climb up the Empire State building, The Super Netball grand final, 250 years of an independent United States, and Claire’s moment at the National Press Club
Links
Bill Shorten and Christopher Pyne dissect the monoculture debate - ABC’s 7.30
Tim Duggan (and Claire Kimball) at the National Press Club
Kate’s recommendation: Simply Wholesome Pantry - Recipe Bases
Claire’s recommendation: Funday Gummy Snakes
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Kate Watson
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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3 July 2026, 7:00 pm - 41 minutes 7 secondsWho is Tommy Robinson? 'Act swiftly' warning on AI, and Taylor Swift’s alleged wedding
This week, the big meaty, chunky story we’ll get our teeth into is that of Karl Stefanovic’s departure from Nine, and his podcast with a guy called Tommy Robinson. If you haven't heard of Tommy Robinson, we’ll get you across that. We’ll also talk about the public national security threat assessment delivered by the boss of ASIO Mike Burgess, and the alleged wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Links
Eliza’s recommendation: Famesick by Lena Dunham
Claire’s recommendation: NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
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PS: If you love what we do, the best way to support us is by clicking ‘follow’ on Apple or Spotify. A huge thanks to those who drop us a 5-star review, or even better - spread the word about News Club with your friends, family, colleagues... even your barista.
Hosts: Claire Kimball & Eliza Harvey
Producer & Editor: Ryan Pemberton
Researcher: Sophie Felice
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26 June 2026, 7:00 pm - More Episodes? Get the App