One of the most distressing aspects of the alleged sexual assault incident involving Sydney Swans players earlier this month is that we’ve heard it all before. What does that tell us about the culture of elite mens sport in Australia? Producer Ella Hosty-Snelgrove spoke to Professor Catharine Lumby about the overlap between patriotism, sport and misogyny.

In the last few weeks, incidences of the H5 bird flu strain have more than tripled across the country. Ecologist and author Darryl Jones joins to talk about about bird flu, bird feeding and preventing the spread of the virus from our own backyards.

Last month, a small pole dancing business in the Gold Coast went viral for denying a transgender woman from entering a woman-only space. Anti-trans rhetoric circulating our algorithms is just the start of the severe online hate and violence against trans people, with the Queensland government now calling for legislation reform on biological and gender definitions. Drag queen and pop sensation, BEKS, discusses her latest track hitting back at the anti-trans talk, TERF WERK.

If you’ve hopped off at Central Station and spotted an odd bit of graffiti reading “CASTLE LAW, FOR BABY ALEX” with a QR code leading you to Elaine Tan’s petition, you wouldn't be the only one. Castle Law is garnering support again after years of conservative campaigning. Why now? Varsha Yajman, journalist at Cheek Media and lawyer, joins to discuss Castle Law's comeback.

Producer Maya Sathi breaks down the AI music ban on the ARIA charts - how will it affect Aussie music and streaming platforms?

This episode of Backchat was hosted by Pongyada Sootthipong and Euan Kielly.

Produced by Ella Hosty-Snelgrove, Tarni Cruickshank, Shaya Hayworth, Jasper Brady, and Maya Sathi.

Aired 29 August 2026 on Gadigal land.