Hack

How far would you go to win? Australian athlete Joanna Wietryzk kept competing despite soiling herself during a HYROX event ... and she went on to win. Some respect the hustle, some are furious.

And, all of Ed Sheeran's support acts (including his backing band) have ditched his tour in solidarity with Macklemore, who was dropped for voicing his support of Palestine on stage. Is music inherently political, or should the two be separate?

Plus, was Sydney Sweeney's sexualised gambling ad damaging to women's sport?

Host Luke Siddham Dundon is joined by Amy Kimball...

The government has announced its long-awaited shake-up of Australia's immigration policy. So what is Labor proposing? 

And watching a loved one with dementia slowly lose their sense of self can be devastating and lonely. We hear from sisters Adelaide and Lucinda, who have a message for other young people in caring roles.

Listen now:

01:21 - Explaining Labor's immigration plan

13:40 - Caring for someone with dementia

Guests:

What’s it like to watch someone you love slip away? Sisters Adelaide and Lucinda Miller found themselves caring for the woman who looked after them growing up - their nana -  as she slowly faded away to dementia.

Over 10 years, they watched dementia steal her memories, identity and sense of self.

They've made a documentary about their experience, called Nansie, which was released last year and premiered on SBS this month.

In this week's long listen Adelaide and Lucinda open up about their relationship with their nana, and what they've learnt about the...

Leaked documents reveal Labor is considering a proposal to make artists' work available for use by AI companies to train their models by default.

So is the government selling artists out to big tech? 

Plus, we ask Environment Minister Murray Watt why he's abandoning a major recycling scheme.

And we hear from a first-home buyer with an unusual entry into the property market: a heartfelt letter to the seller. 

Listen now: 

01:20 - AI copyright controversy explained

12:24 - Interview with Minister Murray Watt

22:39 - Can a let...

Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's US tour after making pro-Palestinian statements on stage. We get into who controls the stadiums.

And, One Nation have unveiled their immigration plan which includes significant cuts to international student numbers. Critics have said this plan could cripple the economy and shut down university campuses. 

Plus, Coles is ditching local bananas in the home of the Big Banana, Coffs Harbour. So how complex is Australia's food supply chain and how does it impact local suppliers?

Listen now:

01:09 - One Nation immigration plan

12:47...

Employees and CEOs of some of the world's biggest tech companies are sounding the alarm about AI. Could it really wipe out the human race, as some have warned? 

And we talk about ways you can support a friend experiencing domestic violence, as we hear the story of Molly Ticehurst, who was murdered by her ex-partner in 2024. 

Plus, dozens of athletes are speaking out about Sydney Sweeney's ad for a sports betting company. 

Listen now:

01:10 - Calls for AI to slow down

11:29 - The story of Molly Ticehurst

2...

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a plan to force tech companies to give users the option to opt out of algorithms.

The Prime Minister says this will protect people from harm and give users more control over what they see online, but critics argue the ultimate goal is censorship.

So would you opt out if you had the choice? And how will this all work?

In this week's deep dive we unpack the government's plan for a digital duty of care, and what it could mean for your social media feed.<...

It's been 25 years since 2997 people died as a result of the 9/11 terror attacks.

For lots of young people, it's a moment in time we know happened, but can't remember. So how did this tragedy change the world you grew up in?

And, in a week where the Albanese government has been accused of pork-barrelling, US President Donald Trump has also been grabbing headlines after promising to give every American adult $5,000 if the Republicans win the US mid-terms.

Plus, if there was a national archive for Australian youth culture, what would you put in...

The South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas joined hack to discuss his warning to Labor and the Coalition of being in a 'race to the bottom' on immigration policy.

And, the One Nation cartoon that called Australian war veteran and politician, Andrew Hastie, a 'traitor'.

Plus, is time going to run out for humans to solve the climate crisis? Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick joins hack to discuss. 

Listen now:

01:09 - Malinauskas' criticism of major parties

09:49 - One Nation's cartoon controversy

13:53 - Is it time up on climate?

G...

Should we be freaking out? Last week the United Nations warned the world is on the path to climate catastrophe, and the chance to stop global warming exceeding 1.5 degrees had passed.

The news comes after a year of headlines about climate related disasters - from deadly heatwaves in Europe, to calls for climate compensation in Nepal.

So why didn't the UN's warning cut through? And what would a warmer world look like for you?

In today's long listen climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick unpacks what exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming will mean for the world...

Has Labor misused public money to win seats? From scrutiny over a $560 million grants program to a golf club controversy, we unpack the pork-barrelling accusations being levelled at the Albanese government. 

And a trial has begun for three men accused of murdering Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend in Mexico.

Plus, Britain, France and Canada will ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank - a move that has prompted swift retaliation and could spark a broader geopolitical storm.

And Australia is gearing up to host its f...

Would you choose to escape social media algorithms and instead just see content from accounts you follow? 

Labor has unveiled draft legislation that would force tech giants to let you opt out of algorithms. 

Plus, the government has quietly broken its promise to reform packaging standards aimed at curbing plastic waste. 

Listen now: 

01:44 - Digital Duty of Care bill explained

22:35 - Labor quietly scraps recycling plan

Guests:

Get the whol...

One Nation has a new pitch for superannuation: that Aussies should be able to access their super payments to help pay for the mortgage or rent. But what do experts think?

And almost two years since the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide produced 122 recommendations, the government has introduced a $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans. 

Plus, why has the UN just endorsed a new world map?

Listen now: 

00:55 - One Nation's super plan

12:31 - Veteran allied health cap

24:38 - New world map

Gu...

Some tradies are anticipating a 'blue collar gold rush'. Big infrastructure projects to build data centres and underground tunnels mean that tradies, particularly electricians, are about to be in high demand.

But, what if there aren't enough tradies to build everything we need?

In this week's deep dive, we hear about the tradie shortage expected over the next few years and whether Australia can get its apprentice numbers up.

Guest:

Get the whole story from hack:

Prisoners would be put to work fixing Victoria's roads if Labor is re-elected. A good idea, or exploitation?

And we unpack why young Australians are turning away from ambition and instead embracing 'career minimalism'.

Plus, people are speaking less each year according to a new study. Are we losing the art of conversation? 

Host Dave Marchese is joined by performer Etcetera Etcetera and podcaster Charli Anderson.

Get the whole story from hack:

Some corners of social media are flooded with viral conspiracy theories and support for a US woman accused of murdering her three children. 

With Lindsay Clancy saying postpartum psychosis led to her actions, we unpack why this case has flamed so much hype and such deep public divisions.

And we speak with Awer Mabil, the Socceroos star who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp and now has a message for those trying to 'divide' Australia.

Listen now: 

00:55 - The Lindsay Clancy case

10:15 - How football saved Awer Mabil's li...

Awer Mabil is one of Australia's most recognisable footballers, representing Australia at two World Cups.

It's a long way from his childhood in a refugee camp, where he was forced to make footballs out of balloons and plastic bags.

Now back in Australia after years living overseas, Awer opens up about his past, what he's looking forward to, and how it feels to live his dreams.

In this chat with Dave, he also talks about the work he's doing to improve the lives of refugees, and why he called out Pauline Hanson's plans...

Australia needs 72,000 more tradies by 2030 to keep up with demand for data centres, renewables and new homes. But with apprentice dropout rates remaining an issue, how will the tradie shortage be solved? 

And Sydney's gangland wars are leaving innocent people dead, after a string of what police believe to be mistaken identities. 

Plus, with triple j's One Night Stand just days away we hear from regional music-lovers about the lengths they go to for live music access — and how it's changed them.

Listen now:

00:59 - Why Australia doesn't have enough tradies

Former gang boss Duane "Keffe D" Davis has been found guilty of orchestrating the murder of Tupac Shakur.

And should depictions of strangulation in porn be banned? The government says it's seriously considering the idea, as calls intensify following the death of a 16-year-old Sydney girl.

Plus, Teach Us Consent has spent all year pushing for the government to 'fix our feeds' to limit young men's exposure to misogynistic and violent content. Is the government listening? 

We also head along to a school reunion to ask if they're still worth it in an a...

As rescuers desperately search for survivors after catastrophic floods hit the Nepal-Tibet border region, we speak to an Australian man working to free hundreds of people trapped in tunnels. 

And One Nation has won the Secret Harbour state by-election in WA. What does this say about the party's chance of success in future elections?

Plus, should rich collectors be able to keep dinosaur bones? We unpack the fossil trade debate igniting between scientists and wealthy people after the record $72 million sale of a T-Rex. 

Listen now:

01:02 - Searching for survivors in Ne...

Does there need to be more transparency around lobbying? 

A Four Corners investigation has revealed dozens of former defence officials, including ministers, high-ranking officers and senior staffers, have jumped from government roles into lucrative lobbying firms or the defence sector.

So, do we need to see tougher rules around lobbying? 

In this week's Deep Dive, we hear from someone who has been researching exactly how corporations influence politics. 

Guests: 

Get the whole story from hack:

Meta has agreed to pay $23.6 billion to settle social media addiction lawsuits accusing it of contributing to the youth mental health crisis in America. We hear what keeps you addicted and what might help. 

And would you want to live forever? After our interview with Bryan Johnson, the world's most famous 'biohacker', we're unpacking your thoughts on immortality. 

Plus, we hear about your unofficial pets after Japan's Prime Minister confessed her attachment to a cockroach in her home.

Host Dave Marchese is joined by author and comedian Lucinda "Froomes" Price and The Slop co...

More than a thousand people are missing after deadly flash floods on the Tibet-Nepal border. 

With dozens of Australians among those unaccounted-for, we bring you the latest on the rescue effort. 

Plus, controversial millionaire Bryan Johnson and his Australian partner Kate Tolo are intent on living forever. 

They open up about biohacking their bodies, what they think of their critics, and their true motivations. 

Listen now: 

01:03 - Flash flooding on the Nepal-Tibet border

04:55 - Why this couple wants to live forever

Guests: 

He's either a freak or a pioneer, depending on who you ask.

Millionaire "biohacker" Bryan Johnson — the man who wants to live forever.

For years he's been making headlines for swapping blood with his teenage son, tracking his erection data, or more recently claiming to have cloned himself.

Now his partner Kate, a 30-year-old Australian has kickstarted her own mission to become "the most measured woman in the world."

In this chat, Bryan and Kate explain to Dave why they're confident in achieving immortality, answer their critics' questions, and predict what's ac...

American country music legend Dolly Parton has died, aged 80. We hear about her unique journey in show business and how she has influenced Australians.

Plus, it has been predicted that AI data centres could use almost as much power as all the homes in New South Wales and Victoria by 2036. But could renewables be the answer? And will the states and territories sign up to the government's national plan? We dig into it.

Listen now: 

01:16 - Remembering Dolly Parton

17:12 - AI data centres

Guests: 

There are growing calls for a crackdown on lobbyists after a Four Corners investigation revealed dozens of political staffers have jumped from government jobs into lucrative lobbying firms.

So how does lobbying work and what does this all mean for our democracy?

Also, Ukraine now has access to new missile technology after the UK's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv to mark 35 years of Ukrainian independence.

Plus are third places disappearing? 

Listen now: 

01:13 - Lobbyists and democracy

16:37 - Ukraine gets new missile tech

21:33 - Ar...

Renters earning an average wage are now spending more than half their income on housing in every capital city, according to a new report.

So why is rent still going up while house prices cool, and is anything going to change soon?

Also, authorities have confirmed a seal in South Australia has died as a result of the H5 bird flu.

Plus, is artificial intelligence a bubble? We speak to the man who coined the term enshittification, he has some big thoughts about the future of AI.

Listen now: 

00:56...

Gambling reform has been on the political agenda for years. Now, after days of negotiations, the government has finally pushed the laws through Parliament.

But not everyone's celebrating. Gambling harm advocates say the reforms don't go far enough, while the betting industry reckons it should be trusted to manage risk with its own punters.

So, will the new laws actually protect people from gambling harm? And how much power should the gambling industry have?

In this week's deep dive, we hear from both sides of the fight over Australia's new gambling laws.

The AFL has been rocked by scandal this week. Five Sydney Swans players have been banned for breaching club standards on drinking and staying out late. And separately, police are investigating a report of sexual assault. Police have not made any arrests or laid charges.  

And, a British collector has stumbled upon the ‘holy grail’ after he noticed a taxidermy 'fox' for sale was the skull of a now-extinct Tasmanian tiger worth thousands. Have you made some valuable discoveries?

Plus, a new app has been dubbed the spiritual successor to Vine (if you can even rememb...

The Israel Defense Forces has cleared its personnel of any criminal wrongdoing in the 2024 strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, where Australian Zomi Frankcom was killed. 

And Brisbane band Bugs is coming to terms with the news that bassist Jordan Brunoli has just months left to live, after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. 

They open up about what scares them, how music has been healing, and what their friendship has meant over the years. 

Listen now: 

00:48  - Outrage at IDF investigation

04:19 - Jordan Brunoli on livin...

Almost a year since Jordan Brunoli sat down with hack to talk through his stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis, the Bugs bassist returns with an updated prognosis.

Jordan was told in June he has just months to live.

In this extended chat with Dave, Jordan unpacks what it felt like being handed the bad news and the reality of living life like there's no tomorrow.

He's also joined by Bugs band mates Connor and Brock to talk about their friendship, why they won't stop laughing, and the new music and shows they've been working...

What happens when the gym becomes a place of worship? We meet the young guys in Melbourne who're coming together to lift weights and pray. 

Plus, legislation aimed at stopping gambling harm is set to pass Parliament this week. But is it strong enough?

If this episode raised issues for you or anyone you know help is available. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.

Listen now:

01:00 - Labor strikes a deal to pass gambling reform

23:10 - The young men finding God in the gym

Guests:

Police are continuing to investigate an alleged sexual assault linked to Sydney Swans players. We unpack the club's response and what happens now. 

And controversial cuts to the NDIS are set to pass parliament after the government struck a deal with the Coalition. 

Plus, we head inside an art gallery that's collecting your deepest, darkest secrets. Why?

Listen:

01:16 - Sydney Swans investigation

11:36  - How will NDIS cuts affect the disability community?  

24:27 - Would you share your secrets like this?

Guests:

New South Wales' decision to become the first state to sign up to the federal government's gun buyback scheme, announced after last year's Bondi Beach terror attack, has divided the community. We hear why some groups are relieved, and why some are calling it a "joke".

And sexual violence can be a common experience for women on public transport, but experts are worried it is largely going unreported. 

Plus, does Spotify's latest move to improve transparency around AI music go far enough?

Listen now: 

01:11 - Gun buyback division

19:21 - Se...

Are men attracted to or intimidated by ambitious women? 

Some women feel like they're being penalised when it comes to dating because of their career success, study accomplishments, or property goals.

Dee Salmin asked the Hook Up audience and heaps of listeners said they feel like a lot of men are attracted to the idea of ambition, but in reality, are put off by it. So, what’s going on? 

In this week's Deep Dive, we hear from a sexologist who thinks the swing back to traditional values may be one explanation, and a soci...

Anthony Albanese's "joke" about receiving crown melons from Japan's Prime Minister has landed him in hot water. Was it problematic, or overblown? 

And, from leading the federal opposition to being "invisible" on a bus tour through the US, we unpack Sussan Ley's post-politics holiday. 

Plus, how much housework do you do? Are you ready to elevate your situationship to 'partner' status? The Census has been and gone, leaving tough questions in its wake. 

We also ask if looks matter in your industry. 

Host Dave Marchese is joined by Features Editor at The...

Students around the country have walked out of school and university to protest the rise of One Nation and its leader Pauline Hanson. 

We hear from the protesters and what Pauline thought about the nationwide events. 

Plus, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death among young people. One mum opens up about her search for answers after the death of her son.

Listen now: 

01:56 - Nationwide student protests against One Nation

06:28 - Life, grief and pleas for research after sudden cardiac arrest

Guests: 

Xavier was a happy, popular 20-year-old when he took a trip to Melbourne for a half marathon.

It ended in heartbreak.

In front of his family, Xavier suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died.

About three young Australians die every week in Australia from sudden cardiac arrest but sometimes there's no warning.

In this chat, Dave speaks with Xavier's mum Alison, who is pleading with politicians to put more money into research. 

She opens up about what it's like to lose a child and why she's passionate about sharing X...

Is red tape what's holding Australia back from building the houses it needs? The Coalition thinks so, pledging to demolish the country's building code, squeezing more than 2,000 pages into just 80. Will it get more people into homes? Dave questions Andrew Bragg on the Coalition's pitch, and we hear from construction workers.

Plus, Victoria has announced plans to ban suppression orders hiding the identities of convicted rapists.

And, the spread of bird flu in Australia is getting worse. So what's being done about it? 

Listen now: 

01:02 - Should suppression orders be scrapped in...

Whether it’s career goals, study accomplishments, or property ownership - some women say big aspirations are a challenge when dating. We find out why.

Plus, a new report shows some parts of the Great Barrier Reef are showing signs of recovery. 

And, we bring you the latest from Colombia where an earthquake has killed over a hundred people. 

Listen now:

01:10 - Colombia's earthquake

05:14 - Reef recovery

14:05 - Is this why you're single? 

Guests: