Overnights with Mike Jeffreys

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Mike speaks with Terry Barnes, former Howard government adviser, about Beijing deliberately using energy supply and control of key sea routes as strategic leverage - acting less like a normal trading partner and more like a gatekeeper that can pressure countries like Australia.

Mike speaks with Amanda Lambros, relationship counsellor and bestselling author, about whether coming off the contraceptive pill can affect a woman’s emotions.

Australians going through separation are increasingly turning to ChatGPT before they ever speak to a lawyer asking about custody, property and what they’re ‘entitled to’. The problem is, they’re making real decisions based on advice that’s often wrong. Family lawyers are now having to step in and undo that advice after the fact. Mike speaks with Gabriella Pomare, a Sydney-based family lawyer, who is seeing this every week. She says clients arrive confident in what they’ve been told but family law is highly specific to each situation, and generic AI ‘advice’ can lead people down the wrong path very quickly. In some cases, early decisions are difficult and sometimes impossible to unwind.

Mike speaks with Gabe Enslin, SME expert and Adapt co-founder, about five key actions small and medium businesses should take now. It comes as the Prime Minister warns the government can’t fully protect businesses during the fuel crisis—one worsened by Australia’s heavy reliance on imports, reduced refining capacity, and low reserves. With the Strait of Hormuz closed and fuel prices surging - diesel above $3 a litre and petrol spiking - businesses face ongoing volatility and urgent pressure to adapt.  

Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 20th April.

Mike Jeffreys talks movies and entertainment with Alex First, editor of itellyouwhatithink.com This week Alex takes a look at Fuze & Bette & Joan by Anton Burge at the Ensemble Theatre

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Mike is joined by Nelson Scott, Nine Radio’s Federal Reporter, to recap the key moments of the week in federal politics.

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Mike is joined by Sall Grover, founder of Giggle and women’s rights advocate, to discuss her article on a recent Federal Court ruling. Grover argues the decision is a significant shift, saying the court has clarified that gender identity does not automatically override sex-based rights. The case involved the Lesbian Action Group, which sought to hold events exclusively for biological women, after being denied exemptions by the Australian Human Rights Commission. She believes the ruling forces the commission to reconsider its approach, which she claims has prioritised gender identity over biological sex. Grover also links this to her own legal battle involving Giggle, arguing that women and lesbians should be able to form spaces based on sex without needing exemptions. Grover says the decision reflects a broader global trend of reaffirming sex-based rights and calls on Australian institutions to follow suit, describing the ruling as a necessary step toward protecting women’s and same-sex attracted people’s freedoms.

Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 17th April.

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Mike's weekly talk with Leith Van Onselen, Chief Economist at the MB Fund &  Co-founder of Macrobusiness, to dissect the politics behind Australia’s economy.

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Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 16th April.

Mike’s weekly political chat with Terry Barnes – Columnist, political and policy consultant & former Howard government adviser.

Mike is joined by Nicole Senior, Radio host & commentator, to discuss the Australian visit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Duke and Duchess have kicked off their tour with a visit to Royal Children’s Hospital, with plans to support a range of charities and attend select commercial events. Their itinerary also includes stops in Canberra and Sydney in the coming days.

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Mike speaks with Jordana Borensztajn, Communications & Body Language Expert, about why a good handshake matters - and how many people get it wrong. Avoid crushing grips, limp “lettuce” shakes, or holding on too long. The ideal handshake is firm, lasts a few seconds, uses a vertical hand position, and includes eye contact (and a smile if appropriate). Always keep your hands dry. A handshake leaves a lasting first impression—make it a good one.

Is sitting with your legs crossed bad for you?  Perhaps you’ve been told it causes varicose veins? Mike speaks to Self-Care and Ergo Behaviours Expert, Dr Liz Kirk, who says her only caution is that sitting cross-legged can shift the spine slightly out of alignment, similar to sitting on the phone or having a wallet in your back pocket, which over time may contribute to discomfort or back pain. “’Movement is Medicine’ really is the golden rule,” Liz says. “No single posture is perfect, and what works beautifully for one person may not suit another. For example, I often sit on a dining chair with both legs crossed, and that works well for me. The key is variety and listening to your body to notice which habits might be driving different points of tension or fatigue. Ultimately, the best posture is your next posture. Keep moving, keep noticing!”

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Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 15th April.

Mike is joined by Sarah Boorer, Communications professional & CWA award-winning cook, to look at the world of baked goods, delicious treats and & easy recipes. This week Sarah whips up Almond Pound Cake With Roasted Apricots (recipe courtesy Good Reading Magazine) Ingredients Makes a 20 cm (8 inch) cake 190g (6 3/4 oz) almond meal 140g (5oz) plain (all purpose) flour 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 225g (8oz) soften unsalted butter, cubed 225g (8oz) caster (superfine) sugar 4 large eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 180 ml (6 fl oz) full-cream milk or buttermilk Crème fraîche, or thick (double) cream, to serve Maple roasted apricots 6–8 ripe apricots, halved and pitted 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey) 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted Method ● Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F) fan-forced. Line the base of a 20 cm (8 inch) round tin with baking paper. ● In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the almond meal, plain flour, baking powder and salt and mix briefly to combine. Add the softened, cubed butter to the dry ingredients, then mix on medium speed until there are no large pieces of butter left and the mixture resembles sand. ● Add the sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk (or buttermilk) and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix at this stage – now that we’ve incorporated liquid ingredients, the gluten can be overworked. ● Transfer the batter into the tin and bake for 45–50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. ● To prepare the apricots, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl (or, if you are a lazy baker like myself, put them directly into your baking dish) and mix together to thoroughly combine. Transfer to a baking dish (if they’re not already in there) and roast alongside the cake for 20–25 minutes or until the apricots have collapsed slightly and caramelised. ● Remove the cake and apricots from the oven and allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes in the tin before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. ● Serve a generous slice of the warm cake with 2–3 pieces of the roasted apricots and a big dollop of crème fraîche or thick cream.

Professor David Flint chats to Mike on the week’s important issues & political news.

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Mike speaks with Barry Urquhart, Consumer Behaviour Analyst & Managing Director of Marketing Focus, about backlash to the Albanese government’s $20 million fuel-saving ad campaign. The “Every Little Bit Helps” campaign urges Australians to cut petrol and diesel use amid concerns over a prolonged Middle East fuel crisis. But Urquhart questions its impact, arguing it’s unlikely to create lasting behaviour change once the crisis passes. The campaign rollout comes as Anthony Albanese secures ongoing fuel supply in talks with Singapore’s leader Lawrence Wong.

A new dating trend known as the “6–7 rule” is encouraging people to look beyond the most attractive person in the room and focus on someone emotionally available and ready for a real relationship. Mike speaks with dating coach Karina Chapman, founder of Aligned Connections, who says the trend reflects a growing shift in priorities. She explains that instant chemistry and physical attraction aren’t reliable signs of long-term compatibility, while qualities like emotional maturity, consistency and kindness matter far more over time. According to Karina, many singles miss out on great partners by chasing the “spark,” which is often just attraction rather than true compatibility. She adds this isn’t about lowering standards, but raising the ones that truly count - a mindset that’s resonating with people fatigued by dating apps, who are now valuing substance over superficial appeal.

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Mike speaks with Michael Sleiman from First National Daystar about how rising living costs and tight housing supply are pushing buyers to think outside the box. More Australians are turning unusual spaces - like churches, warehouses, old police stations and even trains - into homes, driven by affordability and the appeal of character. While these properties can be unique, they’re not always cheaper, often requiring costly renovations and posing financing challenges. Still, with limited options, many buyers are willing to trade convenience for something distinctive to call home.

Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 14th April.

Mike chats with Russell Setright, Australia’s best known Naturopath & author of ‘Get Well in the Golden Years, to get the latest in health and well-being news.

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Listen to the Full Show Podcast

Mike speaks with Terry Barnes, former Howard government adviser, about Chris Bowen cutting ties with Channel 7’s Spotlight programme & how far should the media push to keep politicians accountable?

Mike speaks with Mark Roeder, author and tech impact consultant with a Chicago-based geopolitical advisory firm, about Queensland’s move to criminalise the creation of deepfake nudes. Under proposed laws, creating AI-generated or digitally altered explicit images of someone without their consent will become a criminal offence, punishable by up to three years in jail. The legislation aims to better protect both adults and children from online sexual abuse and exploitation. The changes follow a series of deepfake scandals in Queensland schools and close a loophole that previously made it difficult to charge offenders for creating the material.

Mike is joined by Amanda Lambros, Relationship counsellor & bestselling author, to find out about emotional intelligence - and what does it mean to have it?

At some point in life, many of us quietly question where we are and how we got there.  Thoughts like “I’m not happy,” “Is this really my life?” or “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” are more common than we realise. Mike speaks to Irene McGrath, Wellness Specialist & Founder of Free Your Spirit, who says these moments can signal that we’re living out of alignment with who we truly are. “Living in alignment means your thoughts, actions, and values are working together, rather than against each other,” Irene explains. “You’re no longer trying to fit into roles that don’t feel right, instead you’re returning to a more authentic version of yourself.” She shares five key signs of alignment: trusting your intuition, feeling energised by what you do, experiencing excitement in your body.noticing life flowing with more ease, and feeling deeply connected to yourself “Alignment isn’t about becoming someone new,” she says. “It’s about remembering who you already are.”

Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 13th April.

Mike Jeffreys talks movies and entertainment with Alex First, editor of itellyouwhatithink.com This week Alex takes a look at the Sydney Theatre Company’s new production of Jez Butterworth’s The River & The Drama.

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Listen to the full show podcast

Tim Blair, Columnist with the Daily Telegraph joins Mike to speak on his latest columns. 

Alcohol free drinks for teens anything but safe With the school formal season in full swing, Year 11 and 12 parents might be focused on making sure the limo is booked, or the suit has been hired, or perhaps they're toying with the idea of buying their teens alcohol. Many parents think about buying their kids alcohol free wine or beer as a harmless alternative. Is this the way to go about it or will it drive your kids want to drink alcohol beverages? Dr Nicole Lee, the CEO of Hello Sunday Morning and Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research institute joins Mike to tell us the effects.    

Trent Nikolic, editor at Wheels magazine joins Mike to speak on what drives cars 

We’re laying all the blame on smartphones The idea that smartphones are driving a teen mental health crisis is overly simplistic. Evidence shows they’re not inherently harmful but function as information systems and displacement machines. Their effects depend on what they deliver and what they replace. We’re blaming the device, when the real story lies in what it replaces and the culture it reflects. Dr Tanveer Ahmed a Psychiatrist & Social Commentator joins Mike to tell us the real story behind this. 

With visa approvals at an time low the government is losing the income from student visa and this is costing the economy. This is the view of Melanie Macfarlane an Immigration Expert who joins Mike to speak on this

Professor David Flint speaks to Mike Jeffreys on the week’s important issues & political news.

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