Lyse Doucet is a proud Acadian woman who was born in a small town in Canada and went on to become the BBC’s chief international correspondent - having just the other week returned from reporting in Iran. 
 
She's spent her career on the ground in some of the most dangerous and infamous war zones - ranging from Damascus to Tehran and the Ivory Coast to Gaza, but she’ll be the first to tell you that there’s a lot more to these places than the conflicts they become known for. 
 
In this chat with Sacha Barbour Gatt, Lyse unpacks her new book which takes place inside the walls of Afghanistan’s first luxury hotel, the importance of truth in journalism and how to make a home even in the midst of bombs and wars. 

You can see Lyse at Sydney Writers Festival on May 24

Weekend list with Helen Smith
Listener Roxy TO WATCH: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Disney+

TO WATCH:Nakba video by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani 
TO DO: Skin check!

TO WATCH: At home with the Fury's on Netflix

Follow The Briefing: 
TikTok: @thebriefingpod
Instagram: @thebriefingpodcast 
YouTube: @TheBriefingPodcast

Lyse Doucet is a proud Acadian woman who was born in a small town in Canada and went on to become the BBC&rsquo;s chief international correspondent - having just the other week returned from reporting in Iran.&nbsp; &nbsp; She's spent her career on the ground in some of the most dangerous and infamous war zones - ranging from Damascus to Tehran and the Ivory Coast to Gaza, but she&rsquo;ll be the first to tell you that there&rsquo;s a lot more to these places than the conflicts they become known for.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this chat with Sacha Barbour Gatt, Lyse unpacks her new book which takes place inside the walls of Afghanistan&rsquo;s first luxury hotel, the importance of truth in journalism and how to make a home even in the midst of bombs and wars.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.swf.org.au/program/festival-2026/lyse-doucet-the-finest-hotel-in-kabul">You&nbsp;can see Lyse at Sydney Writers Festival on May 24</a>
Weekend list with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/helenchristinesmith/?hl=en">Helen Smith</a>
<ul>
<li>Listener Roxy TO WATCH: <a href="https://www.disneyplus.com/en-au/browse/entity-58cd73be-408d-4eed-8e3d-82339f3f93e2">The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives</a> on Disney+ </li>
<li>TO WATCH: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYX_HGcR_am/?igsh=ZzU2NzNram94b3E3">Nakba video by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>TO DO: Skin check! </li>
<li>TO WATCH: <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81615144">At home with the Fury's</a> on Netflix</li>
</ul>
Follow The Briefing:&nbsp; TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thebriefingpod">@thebriefingpod</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebriefingpodcast/" aria-label="Link @thebriefingpodcast&nbsp;">@thebriefingpodcast&nbsp;</a> YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheBriefingPodcast">@TheBriefingPodcast</a>

A national daily news podcast, The Briefing gives you the latest headlines, discussion and explainer interviews to keep you informed and entertained.

Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.

Know more in minutes.

Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou and Natarsha Belling.

A national daily news podcast, The Briefing gives you the latest headlines, discussion and explainer interviews to keep you informed and entertained.
Bringing you the news you need to know at 6am and 4pm Monday to Friday, and profile features across the weekend, The Briefing is Australia's go-to news podcast for your commute, coffee or exercise.
Know more in minutes.
Hosted by journalists Sacha Barbour Gatt, Chris Spyrou and Natarsha Belling.