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 Peak Organisations to hear about their new partnership agreement with the state government, focused on closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage.

And earlier this week our producer Euan spoke to Phillipe Jacquot from the University of Sydney about how trending buzzwords from fitness influencers are conning consumers. 

This episode of Backchat aired 17th Feb 2024. This episode was hosted by Holly Payne and Bec Cushway, produced by Dani Zhang, Nic Huntington, and Euan Kielly. 

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 Peak Organisations to hear about their new partnership agreement with the state government, focused on closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage.
And earlier this week our producer Euan spoke to Phillipe Jacquot from the University of Sydney about how trending buzzwords from fitness influencers are conning consumers. 
This episode of Backchat aired 17th Feb 2024. This episode was hosted by Holly Payne and Bec Cushway, produced by Dani Zhang, Nic Huntington, and Euan Kielly.

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

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

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

Terror attack at Boorloo Invasion Day rally

Police tactics at the Sydney Herzog protest

Valentine’s Day special!

A terrorism charge has been laid over an attempted bombing at the Invasion Day rally in Perth, nine days after the attack. Producer Pongyada Sootthipong speaks to Roxy Moore, Noongar organiser of the Boorloo Invasion Day rally, about the aftermath of violence on a day of mourning and solidarity for the First Nations community.

Anti Cop founder Tom Raue joins to break down the heavily criticised police tactics used on peaceful protesters in Sydney who were rallying against Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia last Monday.

Jaded with the sight of roses and chocolates on Valentine's Day? Producer Gabriella Accaria spoke to couples about the consumerism and heteronormativity that come with the holiday.

This episode of Backchat was produced by Pongyada Sootthipong, Sana Shaikh, and Gabriella Accaria. 

Executive produced by Bec Cushway.

Hosted by Dani Zhang and Bec Cushway.

Aired 14 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. 

A terrorism charge has been laid over an attempted bombing at the Invasion Day rally in Perth, nine days after the attack. Producer Pongyada Sootthipong speaks to Roxy Moore, Noongar organiser of the Boorloo Invasion Day rally, about the aftermath of violence on a day of mourning and solidarity for the First Nations community.
Anti Cop founder Tom Raue joins to break down the heavily criticised police tactics used on peaceful protesters in Sydney who were rallying against Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia last Monday.
Jaded with the sight of roses and chocolates on Valentine's Day? Producer Gabriella Accaria spoke to couples about the consumerism and heteronormativity that come with the holiday.
This episode of Backchat was produced by Pongyada Sootthipong, Sana Shaikh, and Gabriella Accaria.&nbsp;
Executive produced by Bec Cushway.
Hosted by Dani Zhang and Bec Cushway.
Aired 14 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;

Terror charge added over Boorloo Invasion Day rally bombing | Police tactics at the Sydney Herzog protest | Is Valentine’s Day consumerist and/or heteronormative?

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

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