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 unpaid placements impact their studies and why the government’s support scheme should include med students.

Later, producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis explores the impact of a new AI chatbot in NSW public schools, talking to teachers about what this will mean for students and education.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Libby Hopper, and Bec Cushway.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Holly Payne and Tanita Razaghi.

Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.

This episode of Backchat aired 21st September 2024 on Gadigal land.

This week on Backchat, producer Libby Hopper unpacks the NSW Government&rsquo;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 unpaid placements impact their studies and why the government&rsquo;s support scheme should include med students.
Later, producer Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis explores the impact of a new AI chatbot in NSW public schools, talking to teachers about what this will mean for students and education.
This episode of Backchat was produced by Eva Sikes-Gerogiannis, Libby Hopper, and Bec Cushway.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Holly Payne and Tanita Razaghi.
Audio produced by Bridgette Donnellan.
This episode of Backchat aired 21st September 2024 on Gadigal land.

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

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

Intro

Racism at the Tiktok Awards

Would you swim in the Cooks River?

Ozempic in Australian healthcare

Viral food penalty data map

Why can't we let go of Spotify?

Producer Pongyada Sootthipong breaks down the drama at last week’s TikTok Awards in Sydney following allegations of racism against its Black creators. Zee Feed founder Crystal Andrews unpacks the discussions kicked up around Australia’s media diversity.

Would you swim in the Cooks River again? Backchat speaks to Brooke about her ventures diving in the river, amidst council plans to clean up the previously gorgeous swimming spot.

Ozempic-style medications are now poised to lead obesity treatment with support from the WHO. Dr Terri-Lynne South joins to discuss the future of Ozempic in Australian healthcare.

Producer Imogen Brosnan talks to Aussie Data Girl about her viral data map tracking which popular restaurants are getting away with food penalties right under our noses.

With Spotify Wrapped stories flooding our feeds last week, producer Dani Zhang investigates why we continue to use Spotify despite its ethical failings in recent years.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Pongyada Sootthipong, Gabriella Accaria, Euan Kielly, Imogen Brosnan and Dani Zhang.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Bec Cushway and Pongyada Sootthipong.

Aired 6 December 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. 

Producer Pongyada Sootthipong breaks down the drama at last week&rsquo;s TikTok Awards in Sydney following allegations of racism against its Black creators. Zee Feed founder Crystal Andrews unpacks the discussions kicked up around Australia&rsquo;s media diversity.
Would you swim in the Cooks River again? Backchat speaks to Brooke about her ventures diving in the river, amidst council plans to clean up the previously gorgeous swimming spot.
Ozempic-style medications are now poised to lead obesity treatment with support from the WHO. Dr Terri-Lynne South joins to discuss the future of Ozempic in Australian healthcare.
Producer Imogen Brosnan talks to Aussie Data Girl about her viral data map tracking which popular restaurants are getting away with food penalties right under our noses.
With Spotify Wrapped stories flooding our feeds last week, producer Dani Zhang investigates why we continue to use Spotify despite its ethical failings in recent years.
This episode of Backchat was produced by Pongyada Sootthipong, Gabriella Accaria, Euan Kielly, Imogen Brosnan and Dani Zhang.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Bec Cushway and Pongyada Sootthipong.
Aired 6 December 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.&nbsp;

TikTok Awards controversy | Would you swim in the Cooks River? | Ozempic in Australian healthcare | Sydney's viral food penalty map | Why can't we let go of Spotify?

Parramatta Council development updates

1800 RESPECT funding w/ Sherele Moody

Health & environment w/ Dr John Van Der Kallen

Sydney busking updates

The City of Parramatta Council believes it has done its "fair share" in building housing, and will write to the state government to ask to be exempt from the Housing Development Authority. Backchat producer and local council head Holly explains what this means for development in Western Sydney. 

The Albanese government increased funding for 1800 RESPECT by 40% in light of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Sherele Moody, founder of the RED HEART Campaign and Australian Femicide Watch joins us to discuss what more needs to be done to eliminate gender-based violence. 

How does climate change intersect with health? Dr John Van Der Kallen from Doctors for the Environment Australia breaks it down for us and speaks about how climate policy can better address the national health impact of climate change. 

Last month, the City of Sydney updated Sydney's busking code that relegated buskers to specific spots in the city. Producer Nyaboth Chuol unpacks the changes and the impact it will have on Sydney's busking scene. 

This episode of Backchat was produced by Holly Payne, Euan Kielly, Nyaboth Chuol, Jess D’Souza and Bec Cushway.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.

Aired 29 November 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. 

 

 

The City of Parramatta Council believes it has done its "fair share" in building housing, and will write to the state government to ask to be exempt from the Housing Development Authority. Backchat producer and local council head Holly explains what this means for development in Western Sydney.&nbsp;
The Albanese government increased funding for 1800 RESPECT by 40% in light of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Sherele Moody, founder of the RED HEART Campaign and Australian Femicide Watch joins us to discuss what more needs to be done to eliminate gender-based violence.&nbsp;
How does climate change intersect with health? Dr John Van Der Kallen from Doctors for the Environment Australia breaks it down for us and speaks about how climate policy can better address the national health impact of climate change.&nbsp;
Last month, the City of Sydney updated Sydney's busking code that relegated buskers to specific spots in the city. Producer Nyaboth Chuol unpacks the changes and the impact it will have on Sydney's busking scene.&nbsp;
This episode of Backchat was produced by Holly Payne, Euan Kielly, Nyaboth Chuol, Jess D&rsquo;Souza and Bec Cushway.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.
Aired 29 November 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.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Parramatta Council housing goss | 1800 RESPECT funding increase | How climate change is affecting your health | New busking reforms in Sydney 

Pharmacists v GPs debate over prescriptions

Fight to protect Glebe's public housing

Pride in Protest on Mardi Gras over-policing

Has our skincare obsession gone too far?

Teen Vogue merger

Producer Euan Kielly breaks down the beef between pharmacists and GPs after a proposal to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include medicine prescriptions.

 

Demolition work has begun on a 35-year-old public housing estate in Glebe. Producer Gabriella Accaria unpacks the fight to defend public housing against privatisation with ACP member Dan Miller and Socialist Alliance seat for Sydney Rachel Evans.

 

Backchat speaks to Pride in Protest candidate for the Mardi Gras board, Luna Choo, about the new petition to stop over-policing at Mardi Gras parades, board elections, and what this means for Sydney’s queer community.

 

Has social media’s obsession with skincare gone too far? Producer Nyaboth Chuol breaks down the controversy around ‘Rini’, the new skincare brand made for children, and the exploitation of self-care with Dr Michelle Wong.

 

Producer Jess D’Souza discusses the implications of Teen Vogue’s merger with Vogue.com on youth media diversity and takeaways for the Australian media landscape. Founder of news initiative In My Head Kriti Gupta and Zee Feed co-founder Crystal Andrews pitch in.

 

This episode of Backchat was produced by Gabriella Accaria, Nyaboth Chuol, Jess D’Souza, Euan Kielly and Bec Cushway.

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.

Aired 15 November 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. 

Producer Euan Kielly breaks down the beef between pharmacists and GPs after a proposal to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include medicine prescriptions.
&nbsp;
Demolition work has begun on a 35-year-old public housing estate in Glebe. Producer Gabriella Accaria unpacks the fight to defend public housing against privatisation with ACP member Dan Miller and Socialist Alliance seat for Sydney Rachel Evans.
&nbsp;
Backchat speaks to Pride in Protest candidate for the Mardi Gras board, Luna Choo, about the new petition to stop over-policing at Mardi Gras parades, board elections, and what this means for Sydney&rsquo;s queer community.
&nbsp;
Has social media&rsquo;s obsession with skincare gone too far? Producer Nyaboth Chuol breaks down the controversy around &lsquo;Rini&rsquo;, the new skincare brand made for children, and the exploitation of self-care with Dr Michelle Wong.
&nbsp;
Producer Jess D&rsquo;Souza discusses the implications of Teen Vogue&rsquo;s merger with Vogue.com on youth media diversity and takeaways for the Australian media landscape. Founder of news initiative In My Head Kriti Gupta and Zee Feed co-founder Crystal Andrews pitch in.
&nbsp;
This episode of Backchat was produced by Gabriella Accaria, Nyaboth Chuol, Jess D&rsquo;Souza, Euan Kielly and Bec Cushway.
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Tanita Razaghi.
Aired 15 November 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.&nbsp;

Pharmacists and GPs debate over prescription power | Fight to protect public housing | Pride in Protest on over-policing at Mardi Gras | Do we need skincare for children? | Teen Vogue merger

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

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