Hack

The US Department of Justice has released millions of files related to the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. So what's new? And the leaders of both the National and Liberal parties are fighting to hold their positions after the Coalition's break-up. David Littleproud held on today — can Sussan Ley do the same?Plus: one state is cracking down on underquoting to stop real estate agents tricking first home buyers into attending auctions they don't stand a chance at. Listen now:01: 18 - The latest Epstein dump07:00 - The Nationals spill that wasn't16:00 - Is this real estate trick costing first home buyers money?Guests:Evelyn Manfield, political reporter, triple j hackMatthew Bowes, housing expert, Grattan InstituteGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Often when you hear people talk about screen time, the focus is on young people. The Australian government has even banned kids from being on social media before they turn 16.But is Gen Z really the problem? Or are older generations spending more time staring at their phones (and tablets and TVs)?On the deep dive today, we ask young Aussies about screen time, disconnecting and talking to their parents about tech.Also, you'll hear from an expert who outlines which generation spends the most time on their phones, and what it's doing to their brains.Guest:Dr Michoel Moshel, clinical neuropsychologistGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Pauline Hanson is launching a music and film career, all while her One Nation party keeps surging in opinion polls. What's going on?And a private moment, or fair game for the cameras? Coco Gauff wasn't happy when her racquet smash backstage at the Australian Open this week went viral. Plus, a new twist in the Beckham family drama. Now brothers Cruz and Romeo have entered the feud. How long can it go on? Host Dave Marchese is joined by The Daily Aus's Em Gillespie and creator Lachy McIntyre for the first Shakeup of 2026.Get the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Police in Perth say they're investigating a "potential terrorist act" at an Invasion Day rally on Monday, as Indigenous communities say they've felt ignored and scared all week.So could the media, politicians and police have done better?And ever dreamed of being the ruler of your own domain?We speak to the young Aussie who's claimed a piece of land in eastern Europe and declared it his own country. Listen now: 01:17 - First Nations leaders welcome terrorism investigation11:05  - Running the Free Republic of VerdisGuests: Professor Braden Hill, Edith Cowan UniversityDaniel Jackson, President of VerdisDr Harry Hobbs, Associate Professor in Law, University of New South WalesGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Daniel Jackson says he's the youngest head of state in the world.There's just one problem: no other nation recognises his country.What started out as joke when he was 14 has developed into the Free Republic of Verdis.The micronation which Daniel is working to set up is between Croatia and Serbia, on a marshy piece of land in the Danube river.It has a flag, a government, and hundreds of "citizens" with IDs that some are even using to get into bars.But does it have a legal right to exist?In this chat, Daniel puts forward his case for Verdis, why he believes so many gen z are getting behind his idea, and talks through life as a world leader.Plus, you'll hear from an expert who breaks down whether or not you can actually just start your own country.Guests: Daniel Jackson, President of VerdisDr Harry Hobbs, Associate Professor in Law, University of New South WalesGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

From recreational shooters to contract hunters, gun-owners are still working out how Australia's new firearms laws will impact them. So what's changing?And does Australia need to do more to monitor radical preachers? Former prime minister Scott Morrison thinks so. Plus boomers love to slam young people for the amount of time they spend on their phones. But is it boomers that actually have the bigger screen time problem? Listen now: 01:08 - What's in the new gun laws13:36 - Tracking radical preachers18:01 - Boomers and screensGuests:Stephen Bendle, senior advocacy advisor, Alannah & Madeline FoundationDr Michoel Moshel, clinical neuropsychologistGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

ICE officers in the US city of Minneapolis have killed a second protester, as locals fight against the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. We get the latest from the ground with journalist Laura Jedeed. Plus as part of her reporting, Laura was researching what it takes to sign up for ICE. So why did the agency end up hiring her?And back home: there were 4 shark attacks in 48 hours last week, including one which claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy in NSW. Is it time for a cull? Guests: Laura Jedeed, freelance journalistDr Vanessa Pirotta, wildlife scientistGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

It's Hottest 100 day today, and all over Australia people are getting around their favourite music discoveries.But one of the main platforms that helps people find new tracks is having a bumpy ride, with users boycotting Spotify because of AI, algorithms and the investments of the company's CEO.So what is the boycott Spotify movement about?And what does it tell us about the state of music in general?In the deep dive today, we look at the global music streaming sector's big whale, and ask why some artists and fans are seeking out alternatives.Guests: Dr Sophie Freeman, researcher of music streaming and algorithmic recommendation, the University of MelbourneGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Is parliament's response to the Bondi terrorist attack about to destroy the coalition?It's the question everyone in Canberra is asking, after politicians returned for the year for an emergency sitting.The to-do list this week was short: tougher gun restrictions and new laws governing hate speech.So what did the parliament achieve, and how are laws about to change?In this ep of the hack summer podcast, hack political reporter Shalailah Medhora gets you up to speed.Guest: Shalailah Medhora, hack political reporterGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

When Luke Bateman was at the peak of his NRL career, his seemed to be living the dream of many young Aussie men. At 24, he was earning hundreds of thousands of dollars to play the sport he loved. But the reality of what was happening in Luke's life was much darker. He was struggling with a gambling addiction and depression. In this extended interview Luke opens up, revealing details of how he rebuilt his life and overcame addiction. We also get into the backlash he faced after announcing a book deal, and why he wants more guys to read. Remember, the National Gambling Helpline is available on 1800 858 858.Guest: Luke Bateman, former NRL player and #BookTok creatorGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Have you heard of Grok? It’s an AI bot that lives inside X, which you might still know as Twitter.Grok has come under fire in the last few days for 'undressing' women against their consent in response to prompts from X users. On Friday Grok started to limit the ability of users to generate AI images, due to concerns about non consensual sexual imagery.So, why was the bot able to make those images to begin with?And what's being done to prevent future harm? On the deep dive today, we speak to one of the young Aussies caught up in the Grok 'nudify' controversy, and we hear from an expert about the lack of safeguards in Grok allowing this to happen. Get the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live at 5:30pm

It's been a crazy few days in Venezuela.On Saturday, the US dropped bombs on the country's capital Caracas while US special forces descended on a compound where the president Nicolás Maduro was staying, capturing him and his wife and flying them both to the US.Then a few days later, Maduro appeared in court in New York, charged with drug trafficking and terrorism crimes.The reaction has been a mixed bag: from widespread concern the US is breaking international law, to many labelling president Donald Trump a hero.But many Venezuelans feel their voices have not been getting enough attention.In this ep, Dave catches up with two Venezuelans living in Australia.They talk about why they left Venezuela, what it feels like to see Maduro stand trial, and what they hope happens next.Guests: Lamira, Venezuelan musician living in AustraliaSamantha Oviedo, Venezuelan living in AustraliaGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

According to Uber drivers, it's the "oldest trick in the book": gaming the system to charge you more. In some cases, it could mean you end up paying 2 or 3 times the normal cost of a trip. So how does the trick work? Well, triple j hack has been speaking to drivers about how they create artificial surge prices, leaving passengers out of pocket. And even more remarkably, the union representing them reckons the consequences for passengers are entirely on Uber itself, because drivers aren't being paid enough for their work.So is any of this fair? We chatted to a few drivers to get an inside look at the industry, as well as a CHOICE spokesperson to find out what this could mean for your next Uber ride. A version of this episode was first published in August 2025. Guest: Jarni Blakkarly, investigative journalist, CHOICE Get the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live at 5:30pm

It's the social season in Australia — barbecues, festivals, long nights out.And with it often comes alcohol and drugs, which are woven into how we celebrate and connect.But what about the costs to your health, your bank account, and your headspace? And while more people are cutting back, others are realising they can't have a healthy relationship with booze, opting for sobriety instead.So how do you stop?Dave Marchese sits down with Julia Rangiheuea from the Soberly Speaking podcast to unpack Australia's drinking culture, the real costs of partying, and her journey from self-described "party girl" to being 3 years sober this month.And if this chat brought up anything for you, there is help available: the National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is on 1800 250 015.A version of this episode was first published in October 2025. Guest: Julia Rangiheuea, host of Soberly SpeakingGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

It's something drummed into Australians before they can even walk or talk. To beat our strong Aussie sun, you've gotta put on sunscreen. We all know the jingles and slogans: Slip Slop Slap, There's Nothing Healthy About A Tan. But is the sunscreen we've been told is so vital... actually working? Consumer group CHOICE tested 20 popular sunscreens this year, and found most of them weren't providing the protection they claimed. So is your favourite sunscreen brand among them?And what should you actually be looking for in SPF protection? We chatted to a bunch of you about your sunscreen habits for this summer pod episode, as well as an assistant professor of medicine to get the lowdown on the study and how to protect yourself from UV. A version of this episode was first published in June 2025. Guests: Dr Jessica Stokes-Parish, educator, registered nurse, assistant professor in medicine at Bond University. Get the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live at 5:30pm

When she was just 14 years old, Molly Burke lost her vision, and with it the way she understood the world. But Molly refused to let losing her sight mean giving up what she loved: beauty. For Molly, makeup isn't just an interest, it's a passion, and today she's a hugely influential beauty creator with millions of followers. So how does someone who can't see choose an outfit, apply makeup, and build a huge following online? In this extended interview, Molly joins host Dave Marchese to talk about why the blind community "deserves to be seen" just as much as anyone else. Also if you want to learn more about Molly's journey, her memoir 'Unseen: How I Lost My Vision But Found My Voice' is out now. A version of this episode was first published in May 2025.Guest: Molly Burke, content creatorGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

There are certain things in life that we don't question too much.Like kissing, for example. Snogging, making out, even just a peck... but why? Why is swapping saliva something all human societies have normalised?So where did it originate? Well, it turns out kissing isn't just a human thing: all sorts of species appear to kiss, and new research now suggests Neanderthals did it too, possibly even with modern humans.In this special episode of the hack summer podcast, Dave Marchese unpacks the potential origins and purpose of kissing with University of Oxford evolutionary biologist Dr Matilda Brindle, as well as why we masturbate.Guest: Dr Matilda Brindle, University of Oxford, evolutionary biologistGet the whole story from Hack:Follow us on InstagramSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Horror, anger and intense grief have gripped Australia in the days since two gunmen opened fire on Bondi Beach targeting those gathered to mark the start of Hanukkah.But many young Jewish Australians are telling us while they were shocked, they weren't surprised.In this chat, Sam and Jas sit down with hack to explain why they've felt like a target for a long time.We hear what it's like experiencing a rise in antisemitism first-hand and what Jewish Australians hope to see from the wider community at this time.Guests:Jas and Sam, members of Sydney's Jewish communityGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcast

Australia has changed in the past 24 hours, after a shocking act of terrorism targeted at the Jewish community left 15 people dead on Sydney's Bondi Beach.The attack happened during a community event to mark the first day of Hanukkah on Sunday, with a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis and a holocaust survivor among those who were killed.Amid the devastating pain there have also been stories of heroism, with blood banks inundated with volunteers and that incredible video of Ahmed al Ahmed wrestling the gun from one of the shooters.In this special episode of hack, we head to Bondi Beach.We speak with witnesses, members of Sydney's Jewish community and politicians, and ask how this unspeakable crime happened and how the nation can come to terms with its pain.Listen now: 02:42  - What we know so far08:18 - How Jewish Australians are processing yesterday17:48 - Allegra Spender and Sussan Ley on Australia's antisemitism problem24:21 - Australia's terror threat levelGuests: Sussan Ley, Opposition LeaderAllegra Spender, Independent Member for WentworthAssociate Professor Josh Roose, religious violence expert, Deakin UniversityGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcast

Been at a festival lately? You might have spotted more people using walking sticks. But it's not a traditional accessibility aid.So is it Australia's growing ketamine obsession that's fuelling the trend?In the hack deep dive this week, we're unpacking the "ket stick" thing.We speak with young Aussies who are on the walking stick bandwagon, and chat with a disability advocate who's worried the prop could de-legitimise the needs of the community. Get the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm