Long before she was hosting 7:30 on the ABC, Leigh Sales dreamed of becoming a novelist. In this episode of our sister podcast, Read This, she joins Michael to discuss her secret desire to write fiction, the art of crafting a good story, and how being a journalist allowed her to become a professional stickybeak.

Long before she was hosting 7:30 on the ABC, Leigh Sales dreamed of becoming a novelist. In this episode of our sister podcast, Read This, she joins Michael to discuss her secret desire to write fiction, the art of crafting a good story, and how being a journalist allowed her to become a professional stickybeak.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Read This: Leigh Sales Is a Professional Stickybeak

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/9672f793-190d-48f8-807d-b25f0008627e/transcript

For generations, Australian elections have largely turned on which of the two major parties voters trusted to govern. In 2026, Victoria is revealing how much that arrangement has changed. 

Labor’s troubles aren’t delivering the Coalition the support it might have once expected, and in a state long regarded as Australia’s progressive stronghold, One Nation is competing for voters who’ve lost faith in both. 

Now, polls suggest One Nation’s surge may be levelling off – but the major parties still face the challenge of winning disillusioned voters back. 

Today, political pollster at Redbridge Group Kos Samaras, on what Victoria reveals about Australia’s changing politics, and whether One Nation’s rise is running out of steam. 

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Political pollster at Redbridge Group, Kos Samaras

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

For generations, Australian elections have largely turned on which of the two major parties voters trusted to govern. In 2026, Victoria is revealing how much that arrangement has changed.&nbsp;
Labor&rsquo;s troubles aren&rsquo;t delivering the Coalition the support it might have once expected, and in a state long regarded as Australia&rsquo;s progressive stronghold, One Nation is competing for voters who&rsquo;ve lost faith in both.&nbsp;
Now, polls suggest One Nation&rsquo;s surge may be levelling off &ndash; but the major parties still face the challenge of winning disillusioned voters back.&nbsp;
Today, political pollster at Redbridge Group Kos Samaras, on what Victoria reveals about Australia&rsquo;s changing politics, and whether One Nation&rsquo;s rise is running out of steam.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Political pollster at Redbridge Group, Kos Samaras
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Is One Nation losing steam ahead of the Victorian election?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/5560cca9-022c-43ad-8b90-b50100485df9/transcript

Stephen Miller is the architect of Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign – a sweeping immigration crackdown that’s sparked protests across America and become a growing political liability for the president.

Now, in the wake of the Republicans' devastating midterm defeat, Trump has promoted Miller to White House chief of staff – one of the most powerful positions in the administration, giving him even greater influence over the president's agenda.

Today, journalist and author of Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump and the White Nationalist Agenda Jean Guerrero – on Stephen Miller's rise to power, and what his promotion signals for the final two years of Trump's presidency.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Journalist and author Jean Guerrero

Photo: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Stephen Miller is the architect of Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign &ndash; a sweeping immigration crackdown that&rsquo;s sparked protests across America and become a growing political liability for the president.
Now, in the wake of the Republicans' devastating midterm defeat, Trump has promoted Miller to White House chief of staff &ndash; one of the most powerful positions in the administration, giving him even greater influence over the president's agenda.
Today, journalist and author of&nbsp;Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump and the White Nationalist Agenda Jean Guerrero &ndash; on Stephen Miller's rise to power, and what his promotion signals for the final two years of Trump's presidency.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Journalist and author Jean Guerrero
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Trump’s new ‘shadow president’: The rise of Stephen Miller

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/9ab32531-2c95-4041-956f-b5000056ea47/transcript

It’s the spy scandal that’s captivated the world.

One of the most powerful players in big tech, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, is being investigated over an affair with a woman believed to be a Chinese intelligence operative.

US intelligence believes Huang, who has close ties to Donald Trump, may have been honeytrapped – and potentially used to China’s advantage in an operation that could have global implications.

Today, ABC business reporter Steph Chalmers steps us through the sexpionage saga that could determine who wins the global AI race.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: ABC business reporter Steph Chalmers

Photo: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

It&rsquo;s the spy scandal that&rsquo;s captivated the world.
One of the most powerful players in big tech, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, is being investigated over an affair with a woman believed to be a Chinese intelligence operative.
US intelligence believes Huang, who has close ties to Donald Trump, may have been honeytrapped &ndash; and potentially used to China&rsquo;s advantage in an operation that could have global implications.
Today, ABC business reporter Steph Chalmers steps us through the sexpionage saga that could determine who wins the global AI race.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: ABC business reporter Steph Chalmers
Photo:&nbsp;EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

Did China honeytrap a US tech titan to win the AI race?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/3bf80a01-41f3-4f58-9f46-b4ff005dad56/transcript

Read This: Leigh Sales Is a Professional Stickybeak

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