Intro

Sydney’s Train Strikes

Parsley Bay Protests

The World Wrap

Queer Services in Greater Western Sydney

Are Australian Schools Really Declining?

Sam Kerr’s Trial

Sydney’s train strikes have been dominating the news. Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis unpacks the union’s demands, the media’s spin, and what comes next.

Parsley Bay locals are protesting construction by Sydney Water. But is this a fight for the environment or just classic Sydney NIMBYism? Conservationist Nicole McMahon from Save Parsley Bay joins us to discuss.

With Mardi Gras around the corner, ACON has launched a new service for queer people in Greater Western Sydney. We speak with Director for HIV and Sexual Health Matthew Vaughan and community health promotion officer Duy Tran about why this service matters.

Sam Kerr has been in the headlines, but not for football. We chat with Matthew Klugman about what’s happening in her legal battle. 

Plus, are Australian school results really declining, or is this just another media panic? Dr. Sally Larsen breaks down what the numbers actually say.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne, Grace Pittar, Bec Cushway, and Sana Shaikh.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.

Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

Aired 22nd February 2025 on Gadigal land.

Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.

Sydney&rsquo;s train strikes have been dominating the news. Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis unpacks the union&rsquo;s demands, the media&rsquo;s spin, and what comes next.
Parsley Bay locals are protesting construction by Sydney Water. But is this a fight for the environment or just classic Sydney NIMBYism? Conservationist Nicole McMahon from Save Parsley Bay joins us to discuss.
With Mardi Gras around the corner, ACON has launched a new service for queer people in Greater Western Sydney. We speak with Director for HIV and Sexual Health Matthew Vaughan and community health promotion officer Duy Tran about why this service matters.
Sam Kerr has been in the headlines, but not for football. We chat with Matthew Klugman about what&rsquo;s happening in her legal battle.&nbsp;
Plus, are Australian school results really declining, or is this just another media panic? Dr. Sally Larsen breaks down what the numbers actually say.
This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Holly Payne, Grace Pittar, Bec Cushway, and Sana Shaikh.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.
Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.
Aired 22nd February 2025 on Gadigal land.
Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.

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

Sam Kerr’s Trial | Sydney’s Train Strikes | Parsley Bay Protests | Queer Services in Greater Western Sydney

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;

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

Diversity in F1

Operation Shelter

Improving Ayesha Kazan's quality of life

Thai Airways boycott campaign

Yanis Varoufakis

Were you one of the hundreds of thousands gathered at Melbourne’s Albert Park to bring in the 2026 Formula One season last week? Producer Nyaboth Chuol breaks down F1's newfound popularity and diversity in the sport.

NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson joins to discuss the risks associated with Operation Shelter, a controversial new police operation initially designed to combat anti-semitism and islamophobia, which has since shifted to become a permanent command unit.

Backchat speaks to Lillian, one of the volunteers fighting to restore trans advocate Ayesha Kazan's quality of life. Best known as one of the original members of Les Girls, Ayesha is one of the pioneers of Sydney's drag scene.

Producer Pongyada Sootthipong speaks to protest organisers Zelda and Heike Weber about last week's protests to boycott Thai Airways in Sydney and Melbourne, after an investigation revealed the airline was transporting Australian-made weapons parts on passenger flights to Israel. 

Greek economist, politician and author Yanis Varoufakis chats to producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis at the Greek Festival of Sydney about his recent memoir Raise Your Soul, and the “little fascist” within all of us.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Nyaboth Chuol, Jess D’Souza, Olivia Nunes-Malek, Pongyada Sootthipong and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis. 

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Jess D’Souza and Bec Cushway.

Aired 7 March 2026 on Gadigal land.

Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend. 

Were you one of the hundreds of thousands gathered at Melbourne&rsquo;s Albert Park to bring in the 2026 Formula One season last week? Producer Nyaboth Chuol breaks down F1's newfound popularity and diversity in the sport.
NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson joins to discuss the risks associated with Operation Shelter, a controversial new police operation initially designed to combat anti-semitism and islamophobia, which&nbsp;has since shifted to become a permanent command unit.
Backchat speaks to Lillian, one of the volunteers fighting to restore trans advocate Ayesha Kazan's quality of life. Best known as one of the original members of Les Girls, Ayesha is one of the pioneers of Sydney's drag scene.
Producer Pongyada Sootthipong speaks to protest organisers Zelda and Heike Weber about last week's protests to boycott Thai Airways in Sydney and Melbourne, after an investigation revealed the airline was transporting Australian-made weapons parts on passenger flights to Israel.&nbsp;
Greek economist, politician and author Yanis Varoufakis chats to producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis at the Greek Festival of Sydney about his recent memoir&nbsp;Raise Your Soul, and the &ldquo;little fascist&rdquo; within all of us.
This episode of Backchat was produced by Nyaboth Chuol, Jess D&rsquo;Souza, Olivia Nunes-Malek, Pongyada Sootthipong and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis.&nbsp;
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Jess D&rsquo;Souza and Bec Cushway.
Aired 7 March 2026 on Gadigal land.
Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.&nbsp;

Diversity in F1 | NSW's controversial new police taskforce, Operation Shelter | Improving queer rights pioneer Ayesha Kazan's quality of life | Thai Airways boycott campaign | Yanis Varoufakis at the Greek Festival of Sydney

Why are we so invested in Heated Rivalry?

Queer representation at Harbour Lights

ADHD diagnosis training roll out by NSW GPs

Pride in Protest removed from Mardi Gras

Have you been keeping up with the Heated Rivalry craze? Producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis breaks down why women in particular are loving the show, and our obsession with the gay romance genre.

NSW’S first queer ice hockey club, Harbour Lights Hockey Club, celebrated Mardi Gras with the Pride on Ice Tournament. Producer Jess D’Souza speaks to Harbour Lights’ president Brigitta Slinn about the club’s pushes for queer representation in sport.

Producer Gabriella Accaria spoke to Dr Kenneth McCroary from the ACM and Dr Christopher Timms from the RACGP to find out more about the roll out of training for NSW GPs to diagnose and prescribe patients for ADHD.

Queer advocacy group Pride in Protest were banned from the Mardi Gras parade overnight. Evan Gray from PiP joins to talk about the decision to remove their float.

 

This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Jess D’Souza, Gabriella Accaria, and Bec Cushway. 

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis.

Aired 28 February 2026 on Gadigal land.

Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend. 

Have you been keeping up with the Heated Rivalry craze? Producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis breaks down why women in particular are loving the show, and our obsession with the gay romance genre.
NSW&rsquo;S first queer ice hockey club, Harbour Lights Hockey Club, celebrated Mardi Gras with the Pride on Ice Tournament. Producer Jess D&rsquo;Souza speaks to Harbour Lights&rsquo; president Brigitta Slinn about the club&rsquo;s pushes for queer representation in sport.
Producer Gabriella Accaria spoke to Dr Kenneth McCroary from the ACM and Dr Christopher Timms from the RACGP to find out more about the roll out of training for NSW GPs to diagnose and prescribe patients for ADHD.
Queer advocacy group Pride in Protest were banned from the Mardi Gras parade overnight. Evan Gray from PiP joins to talk about the decision to remove their float.
&nbsp;
This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Jess D&rsquo;Souza, Gabriella Accaria, and Bec Cushway.&nbsp;
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis.
Aired 28 February 2026 on Gadigal land.
Want to support our show? Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, leave us a five-star review, and share an episode with a friend.&nbsp;

Pride in Protest removed from Mardi Gras parade | Why are we so invested in Heated Rivalry? | Queer representation at Harbour Lights Hockey Club | ADHD diagnosis training roll out by NSW GPs

Sam Kerr’s Trial | Sydney’s Train Strikes | Parsley Bay Protests | Queer Services in Greater Western Sydney

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