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Saturday Extra - Separate stories podcast

Saturday Extra - Separate stories podcast

ABC Australia 250 Episodes Aug 15, 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

Is there a 'social epidemic' of self-censorship?
Is there a 'social epidemic' of self-censorship? Aug 15, 2026 0:24:15 Growing up in a lower middle class family on the south side of Chicago fundamentally shaped the thinking of Glenn Loury, but his politics cut against the grain of many black Americans."Here I was in the era of Reagan telling black people to pull their socks up," the leading US black conservative intellectual says. He discusses the impact of Obama's presidency, self-censorship, an
Why do we only like politicians when they quit?
Why do we only like politicians when they quit? Aug 15, 2026 0:16:57 This week, former Liberal leader Sussan Ley joined a cast of former politicians who have found a new voice in a life after politics.She's been in the media after spending 6 weeks on a solo trip catching Greyhound buses across the US.It got us thinking here at Saturday Extra, how do we reassess politicians after they say goodbye to politics? And in some cases, do we only find ours
A look inside the world's biggest green bank
A look inside the world's biggest green bank Aug 15, 2026 0:10:25 Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation is the world's biggest green bank.After a decade in the role, CEO Ian Learmonth reflects on Australia's progress to decarbonise the economy and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. 
Afghanistan marks five years since the return of the Taliban
Afghanistan marks five years since the return of the Taliban Aug 15, 2026 0:21:13 This week marks five years since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.Since its return, the Taliban has imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, as it did when it first came to power in the 1990s.For women and girls, whose worlds have become smaller and heavily policed, the anniversary is a grim one.
Test cricket returns to Darwin after 22 years
Test cricket returns to Darwin after 22 years Aug 8, 2026 0:06:17 Next week, Darwin is hosting its first international test cricket match in 22 years.In a city known for cane toad races and a million-dollar barramundi fishing competition, the mood and the event itself are likely to be a little different than other Australian cities.
Richard Pryor's daughter on her father and a 'notorious word'
Richard Pryor's daughter on her father and a 'notorious word' Aug 8, 2026 0:22:15 Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor is the daughter of legendary comedian Richard Pryor, whose stand-up transformed American comedy in the 1970s.In her new memoir, Elizabeth weaves together family memories with historical research to explore the legacy of her father, the history of one of America's most contested words and what it reveals about race, identity and belonging.
Who's winning the battle to reshape the Democratic Party?
Who's winning the battle to reshape the Democratic Party? Aug 8, 2026 0:09:00 In what was billed as a battle over the future of the Democratic Party, progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary this week.He defeated Haley Stevens, a more moderate candidate who had the backing of much of the party establishment.What does this say about the direction of the Democrats and its chances of winning back the White House?
Behind the leadership crisis engulfing FIFA
Behind the leadership crisis engulfing FIFA Aug 8, 2026 0:11:12 In recent weeks, FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed to sell a stake in future World Cup profits to private investors.He's since abandoned the highly controversial idea, but not before triggering a civil war in the footballing world, which may lead to his downfall.Being a FIFA story, it's all about power, influence and of course, money.
Richard Flanagan sees 'goodness in the midst of our apocalypse'
Richard Flanagan sees 'goodness in the midst of our apocalypse' Aug 8, 2026 0:24:13 Richard Flanagan has brought out a collection of essays, speeches and columns entitled Heresies.Its topics range from Manus Island to the Black Summer bushfires to the growing corrosion of democracy.Flanagan, the only writer on the planet who has won both the Booker Prize for fiction and the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for non-fiction, joins us for an extended discussion.
Noni Hazlehurst on her one-woman play The Lark
Noni Hazlehurst on her one-woman play The Lark Aug 1, 2026 0:07:58 Aussie kids is touring the country with a one-woman theatre production.Noni Hazlehurst plays publican Rose Grey in The Lark, a show about an inner city Melbourne pub facing demolition as gentrification marches on without her.
How will AI affect the Australian political landscape?
How will AI affect the Australian political landscape? Aug 1, 2026 0:16:15 While there is a lot of attention being paid to the economic and technological change that AI is bringing, a new report argues that AI may also become a major force in reshaping Australian politics. If the effect of AI falls most heavily on educated professionals in "digitally intensive" neighbourhoods, what will be the political fallout? 
Breakthough in Gaza peace deal
Breakthough in Gaza peace deal Aug 1, 2026 0:09:10 A key step in President Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan appears to have been reached.Hamas has agreed to a plan with international mediators to lay down its heavy weapons on condition that Israeli forces fully withdraw from the Gaza territory.Can this complicated agreement work and offer a new path forward?

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