Palantir Technology is in the news, and not in a good way. Tech reporter at Crikey Cam Wilson dives into the controversial tech company's growing influence on global politics, including how it's become entangled with Australian surveillance and international conflict. 

Is conservatism making a comeback among young people? A new report from IPSOS and the King’s College London suggests Generation Z may be embracing more traditional gender views. We speak with University of Melbourne PhD candidate Claudia Young about what’s driving this shift, from economic anxiety to the influence of the manosphere. 

Later, we look at yet another collapse of a major Australian music event - Bluesfest. After decades as a staple of the Easter long weekend, the long anticipated festival has been cancelled, raising fresh concerns about the future of live music. Olly Arkins from the Australian Festivals Association explains why festival costs keep rising and what it means for artists, workers and regional communities.

We also break down the members of the Iran women's national football team being granted humanitarian visas after a protest during the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Analyst Neha Madhok helps explain the political context behind the decision and tensions between Iran, Australia, Israel, and the United States. 

This episode was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Bec Cushway, Holly Payne and Olivia Nunes-Malek.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway. 

Hosted by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis and Pongyada Soothipong. 

Aired 14 March 2026 on Gadigal land. 

 

Palantir Technology is in the news, and not in a good way. Tech reporter at Crikey Cam Wilson dives into the controversial tech company's growing influence on global politics, including how it's become entangled with Australian surveillance and international conflict.&nbsp;
Is conservatism making a comeback among young people? A new report from IPSOS and the King&rsquo;s College London suggests Generation Z may be embracing more traditional gender views. We speak with University of Melbourne PhD candidate Claudia Young about what&rsquo;s driving this shift, from economic anxiety to the influence of the manosphere.&nbsp;
Later, we look at yet another collapse of a major Australian music event - Bluesfest. After decades as a staple of the Easter long weekend,&nbsp;the long anticipated festival&nbsp;has been cancelled, raising fresh concerns about the future of live music. Olly Arkins from the Australian Festivals Association explains why festival costs keep rising and what it means for artists, workers and regional communities.
We also break down the members of the&nbsp;Iran women's national football team being granted humanitarian visas after a protest during the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Analyst Neha Madhok helps explain the political context behind the decision and tensions between Iran, Australia, Israel, and the United States.&nbsp;
This episode was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Bec Cushway, Holly Payne and Olivia Nunes-Malek.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.&nbsp;
Hosted by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis and Pongyada Soothipong.&nbsp;
Aired 14 March 2026 on Gadigal land.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Your alternative to talkback. Backchat is a weekly show of news, politics, interviews, discussion, satire, and feature reporting.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi. Executive produced by Rebecca Cushway, with producers Dani Zhang, Holly Payne, Tanita Razaghi, Libby Hopper, Sana Shaikh, Lilly Grainger, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Euan Kielly, Elisa Papaioannou, Grace Pittar, Jaspar McCahon-Boersma and Bridgette Donnellan. 

Got an idea for a story? Email us: backchat@fbiradio.com We're also on Instagram @backchatfbiradio and X @BackchatFBi.

Your alternative to talkback.&nbsp;Backchat is a weekly show of news, politics, interviews, discussion, satire, and feature reporting.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi. Executive produced by Rebecca Cushway, with producers Dani Zhang, Holly Payne, Tanita Razaghi, Libby Hopper, Sana Shaikh, Lilly Grainger, Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Euan Kielly, Elisa Papaioannou, Grace Pittar, Jaspar McCahon-Boersma and Bridgette Donnellan.&nbsp;
Got an idea for a story? Email us: backchat@fbiradio.com We're also on Instagram @backchatfbiradio and X @BackchatFBi.

Backchat

Your alternative to talkback. Backchat is a weekly show of news, politics, interviews, discussion, satire, and feature reporting from Sydney's best young news journalists.

Hosted by Holly Payne and Tanita Razaghi. Executive produced by Rebecca Cushway, with producers Sana Shaikh, Libby Hopper, and Nic Huntington. 

Got an idea for a story? - backchat@fbiradio.com. We're also on X (Twitter) and Instagram - @BackchatFBi

Your alternative to talkback. Backchat is a weekly show of news, politics, interviews, discussion, satire, and feature reporting from Sydney's best young news journalists.
Hosted by Holly Payne and Tanita Razaghi. Executive produced by Rebecca Cushway, with producers Sana Shaikh, Libby Hopper, and Nic Huntington. 
Got an idea for a story? - <a href="mailto:eamonn@fbiradio.com">backchat@fbiradio.com</a>. We're also on X (Twitter) and Instagram - @BackchatFBi

Palantir's involvement in Australian surveillance | The rise of traditional gender roles amongst young men | Bluesfest cancelled | Iranian women's soccer team  granted asylum in Australia