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Saturday Extra - Separate stories podcast

Saturday Extra - Separate stories podcast

ABC Australia 250 Episodes Sep 12, 2026

Saturday Extra is an Australian current affairs program that offers smart analysis and lively conversations. Hosted by Nick Bryant, it helps listeners understand Australia and the world. The separate stories podcast presents individual segments from the show, covering a range of topics in depth.

Episodes

How a musical became 'the most enduring piece of 9/11 art'
How a musical became 'the most enduring piece of 9/11 art' Sep 12, 2026 0:22:58 Come from Away is a musical which tells the story of nearly 7,000 airline passengers who were stranded in the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, after the September 11 attacks.This week The New York Times dubbed it "the most enduring piece of 9/11 art."As part of our coverage of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we spoke with the Canadian husband and wife who co-wrote the m
Waleed Aly on the crisis of liberalism
Waleed Aly on the crisis of liberalism Sep 12, 2026 0:18:51 In the latest Quarterly Essay, one of Australia's leading public intellectuals tries to make sense of what's happening through a philosophical prism.In particular, he looks at the crisis of liberalism, a collection of ideas which has shaped politics and society since the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century.
Will AI kill us all within a decade?
Will AI kill us all within a decade? Sep 12, 2026 0:09:32 This week, an Anthropic researcher resigned over concerns that the technology could kill us all by the end of the decade. As AI developers weighed in supporting his prediction, many are asking if AI power is rapidly slipping out of human hands.Meanwhile in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced a draft digital duty of care bill that would allow social media users t
The Looming Tower: What the lead-up to 9/11 can teach us today
The Looming Tower: What the lead-up to 9/11 can teach us today Sep 12, 2026 0:19:41 Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, their impact continues to be felt in New York, across America and around the world.To mark the anniversary, we spoke with Lawrence Wright, whose acclaimed book The Looming Tower traces the rise of al-Qaeda and the events that culminated in the attacks.
Why thousands of Australians are watching 'nest-flix'
Why thousands of Australians are watching 'nest-flix' Sep 5, 2026 0:06:56 Get ready, another season of 'nest-flix' is beginning.Melbourne's peregrine falcon camera is back, meaning people can watch a live feed of a peregrine falcon nest, high up in the city's CBD. 
Australia looks to return to the United Nations Security Council
Australia looks to return to the United Nations Security Council Sep 5, 2026 0:17:07 There are seats up for grabs at one of the world's most important tables, and Australia is putting up its hand to join.At the United Nations later this month, Anthony Albanese will be spearheading an attempt to join the Security Council for a two-year term that would begin in 2029.The last time Australia was on the council was between 2013 and 2014.
George Megalogenis has some advice for our politicians
George Megalogenis has some advice for our politicians Sep 5, 2026 0:25:49 When politicians make announcements wearing hi-vis and hard hats they are making a terrible miscalculation about who Australian voters really are, says one of Australia's great journalists George Megalogenis.Three major shocks have redefined the Australian electorate, and yet for decades politics has failed to keep up, with both major parties operating on outdated assumptions.
Can Australia help stop the Pacific drug trade?
Can Australia help stop the Pacific drug trade? Sep 5, 2026 0:08:03 At the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Palau this week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced $600 million to combat drug trafficking.The deal promises increased aerial surveillance across the Pacific, improved maritime capability, and additional training and support for police.As crime and HIV spirals out of control in countries like Fiji, will the investment be enou
Alarm in Europe as the Kremlin escalates its campaign
Alarm in Europe as the Kremlin escalates its campaign Sep 5, 2026 0:15:03 Germany has blamed the Kremlin for attempting a drone attack at Leipzig airport last month targeting a Ukrainian plane.The heads of NATO and the European Commission have warned Russia is growing increasingly reckless and vowed to respond to a dangerous "new normal."
The Last Thing: Jennifer Wong
The Last Thing: Jennifer Wong Aug 29, 2026 0:07:59 What's the first sweet thing you remember eating? Comedian Jennifer Wong is a keen observer of Australia's changing tastes, and she's found that starting a conversation with food quickly leads it to surprising and profound places. She joins Nick to share her best last things. 
Why are One Nation supporters so unhappy?
Why are One Nation supporters so unhappy? Aug 29, 2026 0:16:25 The rise of One Nation has been one of the biggest political stories in Australia this year. But who exactly are the people behind the surging polling numbers?This week, a survey of 1,014 One Nation supporters shed some light on the kind of people getting on board with the party.One finding was 91 per cent believed the country is heading in the wrong direction. For all voters, th
Dolly Parton - the best of us
Dolly Parton - the best of us Aug 29, 2026 0:05:58 There was sad news this week from Nashville, Tennessee, the home of the undisputed Queen of Country, Dolly Parton. Regular listeners will know that we were big Dolly fans, in fact we tried to get her to come on the show on July 4th, to mark America’s 250th birthday. We did that partly because in the disunited states of America, she was a unifying figure. We’ve been looking back o

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