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Mike is joined by Terry Barnes — columnist, political and policy consultant, and former adviser in the Howard government — to discuss Sussan Ley’s comments that migrants should “fit in with our way of life.” Ley says the Coalition is considering tougher values and language tests as part of its new migration policy. She argues current social tensions are the result of government failures, not migrants themselves. The Coalition plans to finalise its migration policy before the end of the year.

Mike speaks with relationship counsellor and bestselling author Amanda Lambros about why more women than ever are choosing to remain child-free.  Australia’s falling birthrate is well known, but the reasons are wide-ranging — from cost-of-living pressures and climate concerns to fertility issues. Amanda explains that many women in the “child-free by choice” community point to the unequal load of parenthood and a lack of systemic support. And while this is different from being childless by circumstance, many still feel nervous admitting their choice because they fear being judged.

Chris Foster-Ramsay, Finance and Money Expert and founder of Foster Ramsay Finance, joins Mike to discuss the latest telco outage that crippled Melbourne’s south-east. With calls failing and tap-and-go payments on the Optus network down, families couldn’t buy basics and small businesses couldn’t trade — a sharp reminder that when networks crash, so does daily life. Chris says Australians shouldn’t have to cross their fingers and hope the signal holds. “Digital payments are great until they’re not,” he says. “Keeping $20 to $100 in your wallet isn’t old-school, it’s smart. Regulators need to protect cash as legal tender because when the tech drops out, cash keeps households and businesses moving.”

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Mike is joined by Barry Urquhart, Consumer Behaviour Analyst and Managing Director of Marketing Focus, to unpack what this Christmas period really holds for shoppers — and whether consumers are heading into it a little psychologically bruised. Barry says Black Friday was largely overhyped, and many people are now focused almost entirely on discounts and bargains as they navigate holiday spending.

Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 1st December.

Mike Jeffreys talks movies and entertainment with Alex First, editor of itellyouwhatithink.com

Mike speaks with Michelle Moriarty, Grief Expert and founder of Grief Connect, about the outpouring of grief from Sir Richard Branson following the death of his wife and partner of nearly 50 years, Joan Templeman. Branson has paid tribute to Joan’s influence on his life, and Michelle says he’s likely to feel an even deeper wave of heartbreak over Christmas, when grief often intensifies. Michelle explains that the festive season can be especially tough for anyone mourning a loved one. She says the best way to support someone grieving is to acknowledge their loss, ask “Where is your grief at today?”, check what they need instead of assuming, and offer steady, consistent support throughout the season.

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Mike speaks with A.G. Gancarski, veteran political journalist, about newly elected New York mayor Zohran Mamdani meeting President Donald Trump at the White House. Despite months of fiery exchanges — with Mamdani calling Trump a “bad landlord” and Trump labelling Mamdani a “communist” — the meeting was unexpectedly warm. The 34-year-old mayor-elect and the president set aside their feud, with Trump praising Mamdani’s historic win and expressing confidence that he’ll “do a great job” for New York.

Mike is joined by Amanda Lambros, relationship counsellor and bestselling author, to discuss the rise of the “silver splitter” — couples choosing to divorce later in life. These so-called grey divorces are becoming more common. Between 2005 and 2015, divorces among people aged 65 and over rose sharply: up 23% for men and 38% for women, according to the Office for National Statistics

Mike chats with Tim Blair, Daily Telegraph columnist, about his humorous new “test” for Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). Blair credits left-leaning media for accidentally creating a way to spot the condition, which he calls a modern mental affliction dating back to 2015.  The test is simple: if you can watch the BBC’s heavily edited version of Donald Trump’s Washington speech from five years ago and notice nothing wrong, Blair says that’s a sure sign of TDS.

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Mike speaks with Dr Marny Lishman, Health & Community Psychologist, about whether parents are becoming the new landlords as the cost-of-living crisis pushes more families to ask adult children to pay rent. With financial pressures soaring, many households feel it’s reasonable for everyone to contribute — but charging your own kids can bring emotional complications. Will they feel unsupported, or is it a healthy step toward financial responsibility? Dr Lishman explores how this shift affects family dynamics and how parents can navigate the conversation.

Mike speaks with Terry Barnes, columnist and former Howard government adviser, about the feminisation of Australian politics. With women now holding 50% of seats in the 48th federal parliament — up from 26% in 2004 — many celebrate the achievement. But the real question is what this shift has meant for how politics is conducted: has gender parity improved integrity, transparency and accountability, and are women more respected in parliament now that representation is equal?

Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 24th November.

Mike Jeffreys talks movies and entertainment with Alex First, editor of itellyouwhatithink.com

Mike speaks with Mark Roeder, author and tech analyst, about whether the future of AI is looking shaky despite Nvidia’s huge earnings. Nvidia posted sales and profits up more than 60% and forecasts even bigger revenue ahead, arguing this proves fears of an AI bubble are exaggerated. Some analysts agree — but the market isn’t convinced, with Nvidia’s share price dipping after the announcement. Roeder discusses why strong numbers may not be enough to change the broader AI narrative.

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Mike speaks with Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud to discuss how emissions reduction would no longer be an objective of Australia's energy operator under a Coalition plan that prioritises affordability and reliability over climate.

Mike speaks with Nicole Senior about the habits of men shopping and their tendencies around buying clothes.

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Mike speaks with David Flint about the legacy of Sir John Kerr. 

Mike speaks to Amanda Slinger about how the real luxury and necessity is a slow, unhurried start to the day.

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Mike speaks with body langauge expert Jordana Borinstein who explains how your cringest moments can be the most defining. 

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Mike speaks with Jonathon Woolfey about how recently we’ve seen an acceleration in the number of jobs lost to AI, with sectors like banking and finance shedding roles, as AI tech continues to make exponential advances.

Mike chats to dating coach Karina Chapman to find out if modern dating trends are going out of fashion.

Mike speaks with Finance and Money Expert, Chris Foster-Ramsay, who says Menulog’s decision to cease Australian operations at the end of this month, is much more than a corporate story, it’s a household budget story.

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Mike speaks with Kelly Crossley, International Supply Chain Expert and Director of Transitainer WA, about the surge in black-market tobacco entering Australia. Criminal gangs are using the identities of legitimate small businesses to smuggle illegal cigarettes, costing the government an estimated $3.3 billion in lost tax revenue each year. Kelly has reported multiple suspicious “piggyback” shipments to Border Force and says spotting them requires strong fraud-detection skills.  She warns that the freight industry must take greater responsibility and report suspicious activity to help stop the illegal trade.

Mike speaks with Dr Marny Lishman, Health & Community Psychologist, about Australia’s road rage epidemic. From tailgating to window-smashing and even manslaughter, road rage affects drivers nationwide. They discuss what triggers such intense anger, why normally calm people can explode behind the wheel, and how these emotions escalate so quickly. With stress levels rising as the year ends, Dr Lishman shares tips to prevent dangerous, emotion-driven driving.

Mike speaks with Terry Barnes, columnist, political and policy consultant, and former adviser to the Howard government, about why some politicians seem more focused on international grandstanding than on everyday Australians, and why past Prime Ministers keep weighing in when they should just take a step back — or simply stay quiet?

With Christmas party season approaching, workplace celebrations can be fun — but they also come with risks like harassment complaints, unsafe behaviour, and even compensation claims. Mike speaks with Dr Nicole Lee, CEO of Hello Sunday Morning, who shares tips for planning a safer, more positive event: choose activities that don’t revolve around alcohol, offer appealing non-alcoholic drinks, provide plenty of food throughout the night, and ensure senior staff lead by example.

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

Mike Jeffreys talks movies and entertainment with Alex First, editor of itellyouwhatithink.com

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Mike speaks with April Long, CEO of SMART Recovery Australia, about gambling addiction hiding in plain sight on Cup Day. While the Melbourne Cup’s glitz and glamour promise fun and fashion, April says it also masks a serious issue — gambling harm. Australians lose over $31.5 billion a year to gambling, with devastating effects on families, finances, and mental health. Even more worrying, young people aged 12–19 are now spending an estimated $231 million annually. “Gambling is a hidden addiction,” April warns. “Its toll on our communities is enormous — and perhaps the real cost of the Melbourne Cup.”

Mike speaks with Dr Jennifer Matthews, Deputy Team Leader of the Future Reefs Program at UTS, about groundbreaking work to protect and restore coral reefs. The team studies reef-forming corals — vital to marine biodiversity — and pioneers new ways to boost reef resilience, including tailored nutritional supplements to help corals withstand heat stress. Their collaborative restoration methods aim to create the “reefs of tomorrow,” with global applications for conservation. Dr Matthews’ contributions are internationally recognised through her roles in key research networks and as founder of the not-for-profit Big Blue Conservation in Thailand. A rising STEM entrepreneur, she’s developed an innovative microplastics removal tool, secured $300,000 in research funding, and actively promotes science communication and women in STEM.

Mike speaks with relationship counsellor and bestselling author Amanda Lambros about whether men seek revenge when their partners stray — sparked by talk of Nicole Kidman’s “red carpet revenge” after her split from Keith Urban. Since the breakup, Kidman has dominated headlines and social media, showing how to turn heartbreak into a confident comeback.

Mike is joined by veteran political journalist A.G. Gancarski (NY Post, Washington Post, Washington Times) to discuss New York City’s newly elected mayor and what his victory means for voters. At just 34, the self-described Democratic socialist made global headlines after winning by a landslide. His progressive platform — including higher taxes on the wealthy and city-run grocery stores — drew ridicule from critics, including Donald Trump. But Mayor Mamdani had the last laugh, with evidence suggesting young women and first-time voters were key to his sweeping victory, marking a major shift in New York’s political landscape.

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Mike speaks with Terry Barnes, columnist, policy consultant, and former Howard government adviser, about a new survey revealing Australians’ declining trust in democracy and the University of Canberra’s new push for free speech. The McKinnon Index shows fewer than 55% of Australians are satisfied with democracy, and nearly one in ten believe violence can be justified for political causes. Meanwhile, the University of Canberra is launching a Centre for Public Ideas — led by vice-chancellor Bill Shorten — to combat “cancel culture,” encourage open debate, and bring historical insight back into policymaking.

Mike Jeffreys chats with Dale Sinden for the story behind today’s National Days for 10th November.

Mike Jeffreys talks movies and entertainment with Alex First, editor of itellyouwhatithink.com

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Wesfarmers, owner of Bunnings, K-Mart, Target, and Officeworks, reports 13,500 staff were threatened by customers last year — including over 1,000 physical assaults. Threats at K-Mart and Target rose 29%, while serious incidents at Bunnings jumped 66%. The company is urging governments to change privacy laws to allow facial recognition for identifying repeat offenders and to introduce tougher, nationally consistent penalties for assaults on retail workers. Mike speaks with security expert Gina Field, who says shoplifting, abuse, and attacks on staff have reached crisis levels. She argues courts must hand down far tougher sentences, especially for repeat offenders, as retail violence becomes a nationwide epidemic.