Big Small Talk
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Big Small Talk: 5 PM Tuesdays So you want to know what’s happening in parliament, but you also want to know the latest in pop culture? Good, as you should. From the front page to your newsfeeds, no story is too serious, stale, funny or frivolous. Because, if you haven’t realised, loving pop culture doesn’t mean you don’t understand politics. Knowing all your shit? That’s hot. New Episodes 5pm Tuesday. Small Talk: 6 AM Thursdays It might not be tangible news but each week there’s something in the cultural zeitgeist that gets us all talking. We want to unpack these frivolous conversations, from new trends to relationship theories to life advice. In an age of never-ending small talk, we want to examine how these collective thoughts affect the way we see the world. We may even reach out to a few friends and experts to weigh in. Big Talk: Wednesday 6 AM - Last Two Weeks of Every Month Over the past few decades, there have been news headlines so shocking that we still hear and feel their impact, such as Roe V Wade, Monica Lewinsky, Epstein, Mabo and Hillsong. Don’t you think it’s about time you knew all the important and salacious details about the real stories that have happened that shaped our world today? Come on, I know you’re curious.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 4, 2026 • 42min
Lyrics & Love Lessons With Maisie Peters
Singer, songwriter Maisie Peters joins us in the studio! At just 25, Maisie has already opened for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, supported Coldplay, sung Stick Season with Noah Kahan, and performed at Wembley Stadium eight times! Not to mentioned just released a music video directed byt Amelia Dimz and starring BennyDrama. Oh! She also teased her new album with creating a very iconic rom-com scene. So, as a longtime fan of Maisie’s beautifully gut-wrenching lyrics, I was lucky enough to do every fans dream and read out to her my favourite lyrics and get her to unpack the stories and lessons behind them. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 3, 2026 • 1h 6min
Iran, Carolyn Bessette & Albo Calls Grace Tame 'Difficult'
This episode is a big one. We unpack everything going on in Iran and Australia's response. Hannah breaks down Anthony Albanese's "difficult" week - from the bomb scare to commenting on David Pocock on Karl Stefanovic podcast to calling Grace Tame 'difficult'. Sarah takes us into the world of the Kennedy Family and if Ryan Murphy's new show on JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette is ethical. Plus, everything we need to know about the Paramount Warner merger and the biggest moments from The BRIT Awards. For the Q+A Hannah explains the recent Four Corners damning investigation into the handling of Endometriosis. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 25, 2026 • 57min
Did I Overshare… Or Is This a Vulnerability Hangover? With Josh Van Cylenburg
This week on Small Talk we’re joined by Josh Van Cuylenburg from The Imperfects!! Josh is a producer-turned-host and the architect of the Vulnerabilitea House. To test the theory on the 'hangover', Josh has kindly let me host a special Small Talk edition of the Vulnerabitea house with him. If you're wondering what the Vulnerability Hangover is - it's that wave of shame, regret and “why did I say that?” that hits after you take an emotional risk. We unpack why being vulnerable feels so much worse from the inside than it looks from the outside, why men in particular are often taught to shut it down, and whether in the age of TikTok tell-alls and authenticity, vulnerability has become expected content. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 24, 2026 • 37min
BIG TALK: The Iraq War PART TWO
Picking up where we left off in Part One, we now deep dive into the sectarian violence that unfolded in Iraq and layout a timeline on how they attempted to implement democratic processes as well as Saddam Hussein's trial. We also look at the collapse of the America's central justification for the war: no weapons of mass destruction found. We then jump into Bush's re-election and changing public opinion internationally. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 24, 2026 • 44min
BIG TALK: The Iraq War PART ONE
Big Talk is back for 2026! The Iraq War was one of the most consequential political decisions of the 21st century. In this episode of Big Talk, we trace the road from 9/11 to the invasion of Iraq, unpacking how the trauma of that moment reshaped American and Australian foreign policy overnight and how George W. Bush framed the world in binaries of “good versus evil”. This episode takes us from Bush's election all the way through to the fateful, pre-emptive 'mission accomplished' speech delivered after the initial invasion. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram Video Grab Sources: The Age & SBS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 24, 2026 • 1h 2min
Ex-Prince Andrew Arrest, Tyra Banks & 'ISIS Brides'
In this episode we explain the grounds of Andrew Mountbatten Windsors arrest. We then reminisce our Disney Channel days in the wake of Hillary Duff's crazy ticket sales for her Australian shows and the announcement that Hannah Montana will return. Hannah explains the abhorrent comments by Pauline Hanson and the discussion around 'ISIS Brides'. Sarah talks us through the explosive America's Next Top Models docu-series and why Winter Olympic star Eileen Gu went viral this week. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 18, 2026 • 41min
Can You Keep A Secret (& Should You)? With Annabelle Lee
Senior Producer and professional on-mic giggler from Shameless Media and host of Everybody Has a Secret, Annabelle Lee, is in the studio with us. We dive into the ethics of secrets — why we’re so drawn to them, what makes them powerful, and what really goes on behind the scenes of Everybody Has a Secret. Then, with the help of some very juicy listener submissions, we put our moral compasses to the test: which secrets should you keep… and which ones absolutely need to be told? Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 17, 2026 • 1h 9min
Zayn Malik, Lib Spill & The Unfaithful Olympian
We unpack the fallout from Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia and why police are now being investigated over their handling of the protests. Then how Zayn Malik claims he was never in love with Gigi Hadid (partner of six yers and mother to his child??). A Norwegian Winter Olympian publicly begs for his ex back, all while the Olympic Village somehow runs out of condoms. Back home, the Liberals spill, Angus Taylor steps up and Sussan Ley leaves politics entirely. We get an update on the Epstein Files, including Pam Bondi’s very tense responses under questioning. Then, Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes split again. GET DOME TICKETS HERE :)))) Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 11, 2026 • 45min
Do You Need A Personal Rebrand? With Mitch Churi
This week on Small Talk, we’re joined by comeback king Mitch Churi. From starting in commercial radio at 19 to hosting national shows - and then being unexpectedly let go - Mitch knows what it means to publicly rebuild and rebrand. We giggle over it being the year of the horse and the insane amount of content encouraging our 2026 personal rebrands. Thankfully Mitch is also well up to date with pop culture, so we also get to evaluate a few of our favourite celeb comebacks - from Zara Larsson to Addison Rae. We ask, what separates a reinvention that sticks from one that feels forced? Sarah-Jane's Instagram Big Small Talk Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 18min
The Super Bowl, The Protests & Wuthering Heights
This week we’re unpacking the Super Bowl and Bad Bunny's joyful and perfect performance. Then to the major protests around the Israeli president’s visit to Australia and the police response. We dive into why the internet absolutely melting down over "Wuthering Heights" discourse (yes, justice to the English lit majors). We also break down the latest developments in the Epstein files and why Elon Musk’s Grok AI is under fresh scrutiny. In the Q+A we squeeze in a chat about Taylor Swifts new Opalite music video. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
