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The Radio National Hour

The Radio National Hour

ABC Australia 218 Episodes Aug 10, 2026

A daily current affairs program from ABC Australia, hosted by one of the country's leading interviewers. The show takes a thoughtful approach to important and challenging issues, with in-depth conversations spanning politics, culture, arts, and sport. It features big names from these fields and offers a deep dive into the topics shaping the national conversation.

Episodes

Across Australia signs of ecological collapse are piling up
Across Australia signs of ecological collapse are piling up Aug 10, 2026 0:55:15 Every year thousands of giant cuttlefish put on a dazzling show in the freezing waters of South Australia’s Spencer Gulf. But this year the cuttlefish are missing in action and scientists and divers like Manny Katz say it will be very hard for the population to recover. Giant cuttlefish numbers collapsing in South Australia’s algal soaked waters, fur seals with alopecia on a remo
Introducing 'The Diplomats' — telling stories of the people power behind the scenes
Introducing 'The Diplomats' — telling stories of the people power behind the scenes Aug 7, 2026 0:54:59 We have a brand new segment called 'The Diplomats', turning the spotlight on the peacemakers in our world: the people working, mostly out of sight and under real pressure, to ease the globe's sharpest tensions. Our first guest is Lachlan Strahan, who’s 30 year career in the foreign service took him to North Korea at the height of its nuclear enrichment stand-off. The mea culpa an
How do conspiracy theories like the '15-minute city' take hold?
How do conspiracy theories like the '15-minute city' take hold? Aug 6, 2026 0:57:41 The Iran war is now in its sixth month ‌and yet again, the US President is doing his best to suggest everything is hunky-dory and the two sides are getting along. But Iran has labelled reports of negotiations with the US as ‘false’ and is instead trumpeting an imminent agreement with its neighbour Oman. Nada Al Taher a senior foreign reporter with The National, an English languag
'I'm definitely more cautious' — Coogee shark hero Charlie Verco on returning to the water
'I'm definitely more cautious' — Coogee shark hero Charlie Verco on returning to the water Aug 5, 2026 0:55:08 When a shark viciously attacked Coogee mum Leah Stewart back in June, Charlie Verco didn’t flinch, he paddled straight towards danger. He joined Fran in the studio fresh from his victory in the Paddleboard World Championships in Hawaii.It’s been a record breaking summer across Europe with deadly heat waves, raging bushfires, droughts and major rivers at all time lows, so low that
Howzat? Merv Hughes biography among books suspected to have been fed to AI
Howzat? Merv Hughes biography among books suspected to have been fed to AI Aug 4, 2026 0:55:08 A folksy Congresswoman is taking on a progressive Muslim dubbed the Mamdani of the Midwest in the high stakes Democratic primary in the US state of Michigan — which is being seen as a referendum on the future direction of the party still licking its wounds from the brutal 2024 presidential election defeat. Emily Lawler, the State Government and Politics Editor for the Detroit Fre
Why is AstraZeneca giving away a life saving cancer drug for free?
Why is AstraZeneca giving away a life saving cancer drug for free? Jul 30, 2026 0:55:08 Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has provided access to affordable medicines for nearly 80 years, but recently our tough talking government has met with some fierce resistance. That's partly because US President Donald Trump is insisting that American's pay the same for their drugs as other countries, like Australia which subsidises medicines. Dr Elizabeth Deveny, CEO o
The growing power of psychedelics in mental health
The growing power of psychedelics in mental health Jul 29, 2026 0:55:08 Psychedelics were used to treat mental health disorders like depression long before peace, love and rock n roll. Now decades on, scientists are reclaiming them as therapies to treat  conditions like PTSD with remarkable results. Dr Paul Liknaitzky is head of Monash University's Clinical Psychedelic Lab and 'Andrea' is one of his patients. For 14 years Louise Herron has been in ch
'A love story to Qantas' — Alan Joyce makes his defence in a new memoir
'A love story to Qantas' — Alan Joyce makes his defence in a new memoir Jul 28, 2026 0:55:09 Alan Joyce is the man Australia came to hate; notorious for firing baggage handlers and and, in the eyes of many, trashing a beloved national icon. When he quit as CEO of Qantas, much of the country cheered. Three years on he’s back with a memoir to sell and a reputation to restore.They’re the happy snaps that parents love to see but now the e-Safety commissioner warning teachers
Edmund Rice Education Australia does 'the right thing' by abuse survivors
Edmund Rice Education Australia does 'the right thing' by abuse survivors Jul 27, 2026 0:54:39 With pressure mounting over their billion dollar property holdings, Edmund Rice Education Australia has caved to public pressure, announcing it will pay all outstanding financial claims for victims of sexual abuse by Christian Brothers and sparing survivors another legal battle. Dean Paatsch, director of Ownership Matters says its a stunning victory for abuse survivors. Another s
Is AI forcing women into early retirement?
Is AI forcing women into early retirement? Jul 23, 2026 0:54:59 Stacey Duguid spent two decades building a career as a fashion editor which took her to the couture houses of Prada and Paul Smith, but 16 months ago that career stalled. Since then the 52-year old has submitted hundreds of job applications, and almost all were met with silence. After posting online about here suspicions that her resume is being screened by and AI and filtered ou
The Tate brothers' manosphere could be about to shrink dramatically
The Tate brothers' manosphere could be about to shrink dramatically Jul 22, 2026 0:54:05 The Tate brothers are blamed for promoting and monetising a culture of often violent misogyny and now Britain is seeking their extradition from the US to face multiple charges of rape and human trafficking. The New Yorker’s Heidi Blake has interviewed them both - her account of their exploits will shock you. The countdown is on to Australia’s national Census and this year there’s
Helen Clark says 'Palestine will disappear before our eyes' if Israeli settlements continue
Helen Clark says 'Palestine will disappear before our eyes' if Israeli settlements continue Jul 21, 2026 0:55:08 Britain's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham wants to bring back hope to Britain. He arrived at Number 10 Downing Street promising to end rough sleeping and offering immediate cost of living relief. Anne McElvoy, host of Politics at Sam & Anne’s podcast says his cabinet appointments show he's determined to tread a middle path.  Former UN head of the UN Development Program and m

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