Saving NSW’s Festivals | Med Students Tackle Placement Poverty | AI in Classrooms

This week on Backchat, producer Libby Hopper unpacks the NSW Government’s new funding for music festivals. Will it revive the local festival scene or is the industry still on life support? Next, Western Sydney University med students Jessica Mitchell and Aleisha Watson share how 2000 hours of unpa…

The Greens’ Plans for South West Sydney | The Future of the Inner West | Why Are Eating Disorders Rising?

This week on Backchat, we break down the issues that matter most to young people for the local government elections. Producer Sana Sheikh speaks to Greens candidate Abrar Ahmad about their proposals for South West Sydney. After that, we talk with Liz Atkins from the Greens about the future of the …

Who is falling behind when it comes to gendered pay? | Sydney icon Danny Lim on protest and power | School students across Sydney strike for Palestine

This week on Backchat, producer Libby Hopper breaks down the recently released WGEA data on the gender pay gap of Australian companies. How does your workplace stack up? After that, in honour of remembering another year since the Stonewall riots, we’ve got Danny Lim in the studio to give us his ta…

Why is Country Music Having a Moment? | Fitness Influencer Scams | Steps Toward Closing the Gap in NSW |

This week on Backchat we’re chatting all things country music. Have you suddenly got friends who are sending you country songs? Seeing it around social media? We dive into why country music is having its moment right now with producer Dani Zhang.  We're also joined by the Coalition of Aboriginal P…

Changes to Doxxing Laws | Asbestos, Asbestos Everywhere! | Syphilis in Australia: A brand new story?

This week on Backchat we’re discussing the trending issue of doxxing and the new proposal for laws to combat this digital issue.  Producer Holly Payne is chatting about Sydney’s asbestos crisis with Shane McArdle from the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute.  And Nick Newington takes a …

Dragging the Hills Shire Council | Breaking Down the ICJ Ruling | The Power of Diverse Storytelling: Sweatshop Literacy Movement's Latest Anthology

This week on Backchat, producer Sana Shaikh delved into the Hills Shire Council's recent move to halt sponsorship for drag story time events, citing concerns about content aimed at kids. The council, situated in Sydney's vibrant Bible Belt, voted 10-2 to put the brakes on such events. The segment p…

Shark Stigma // Medicare Turns 40 // Stage 3 Tax Cuts For Dummies

In the wake of another shark related incident in Sydney, Libby Hopper gets into the stigma around shark attacks and the do’s and don’ts for staying safe, not scared, in the water.  Medicare just turned 40 - is it in the midst of a midlife crisis? Hear from GP Dr Nicole Higgins on why health provid…

Invasion Day and Growing Right-Wing Sentiment in Sydney // ANTaR, Reconciliation, and the Referendum // Parallels Between Indigenous and Palestinian Struggles for Sovereignty

Holly and Tanita talk to Phoebe McIlwraith (@northbutsouthhh), Bundjalung and Worimi Saltwater woman on Invasion Day and the growing far-right sentiment in Sydney. Further reading: First Nations Futures | Pay The Rent Dr Peter Lewis, president of national advocacy association ANTaR, joins to discu…

Rozelle Interchange Chaos // Rip it, Rip It Good: Staying Safe This Summer

This week on Backchat, we listen to locals and producer Sana Shaikh on the chaos of the Rozelle Interchange’s first two weeks of operation. Then, hear from coastal geomorphologist Professor Rob Brander AKA Dr. Rip on staying safe in the surf this summer.  This episode of Backchat aired Saturday 9…

The holes in pothole funding // Arrests at protests - your rights with police // 2023 Nurse of the year - HIV care in Sydney

This week on Backchat, producer Nic Huntington examines the hole in pothole funding. Nic chatted to Natasha Bradshaw, Senior Associate of Transport and Cities Program at the Grattan Institute, about how the increase in holes isn't resulting in an increase in funding.  Next, we take a look at some …