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
Feb 4, 2026 • 49min
If Pretty Privilege Exists, Is it Wrong To Use it? With Elouise Eftos
This week on Small Talk, we’re joined by comedian Elouise Eftos, aka “Australia’s first attractive comedian.” Fresh off five-star reviews, major comedy festival wins and an upcoming New York debut, Eloise joins us to unpack the very online, very uncomfortable concept of pretty privilege. Is it real? Is it choice feminism? Is it survival? And why are women punished less for being pretty than for knowing they’re pretty? We talk beauty standards, comedy, confidence, sexual empowerment, online hate, and why leveraging attractiveness gets framed as smart for men but suspect for women. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Elouise Show InformationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 3, 2026 • 1h 21min
Grammys, Epstein Files & MAGA Barbie
We dive into the Grammy Awards - the big winners, the performances, the political moments, and the red carpet. We then unpack the bomb attack at Perth on Invasion Day and how reporting was minimised. We explain the updates to the Jeffrey Epstein files - what new evidence has surfaced and the DOJs response. Plus, Sydney Sweeney's Cosmopolitan cover story, which she talks about her 'MAGA Barbie' label and her new lingerie line. We use that to segue into talking about Nicki Minaj becoming Trumps #1 fan and Melania's new documentary. We break down the increasingly messy Nationals–Liberals situationship, and finally, actress Katherine O'Hara's death. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 28, 2026 • 45min
Is It Time To Break Up? With Comedian Daniel Sloss
Today I’m joined by one of my all-time favourite comedians, Daniel Sloss. Daniel is a laddish Scottish stand-up whose Netflix specials didn’t just make people laugh, but famously ended relationships. In fact, over 250,000 breakups have been attributed to his 2018 special Jigsaw. We also dive into the more serious turns in his work, from his groundbreaking material on consent and accountability (watch viral clip here), to being the only comedian to speak out against Russell Brand in the channel 4 investigation. I also asked what he thinks about the male loneliness epidemic, Andrew Tate and issues he has with left side of politics (as someone very much on the left side of politics). Warning - plenty of swear words in this episode! But if you love Daniel you can see him in his Australian tour here! Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 14min
Harry Styles, ICE & Zach Bryan's Wedding
We unpack the new hate speech laws finally passing parliament and why the Coalition then split. Sarah finally gets to discuss Zach Bryan marrying someone who looks uncannily like his ex Brianna Chickenfry, as well as Harry Styles dropping a new single hinting at a pivot into house music. Donald Trump backs down from his Greenland ambitions. We dive into what’s happening with ICE in the US - including the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the detention of a five-year-old. We also explain what we know about the Sydney shark attacks. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 21, 2026 • 55min
So… What’s Going to Happen in 2026? With Jan Fran
For our first Small Talk of the year, we’re joined by award winning journalist Jan Fran, now also the co-founder of Ette Media alongside Antoinette Latouff - for a big, messy, start-of-year powwow about where things are headed in 2026. To kick off I’ve pulled together a few predictions from Vogue Business, Australian Financial Review, The New York Times and Reuters, and put them all on the table. From lifestyle shifts (are dumb phones about to make a comeback?) to how we’ll consume media, escapism, changes in journalism to Chat GPT boyfriends. It’s not science or a crystal ball. It is a much needed powwow before a year that already feels… a lot (and it’s only January). ETTE MEDIA LIVE SHOW LINK Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 20, 2026 • 1h 17min
Beckham Family Feud, Iran Protests & Toxic Mum Group
We’re kicking off the year with a stacked first episode - breaking down the extraction of Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro (with expert insight from Venezuelan senior journalist Claudianna Blanco), unpacking Ashley Tisdale’s viral op-ed about toxic celebrity mum groups, and explaining what Australia’s Royal Commission into Antisemitism and new hate speech laws could actually change. The full Beckham family feud timeline as Brooklyn finally breaks his silence and claims his family "hijacked" his wedding. An explainer on the importance of the protests in Iran. Plus, the pop culture sensation that is Heated Rivalry. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 12, 2026 • 45min
REPLAY: Is The Girlboss Dead? With Michelle Battersby
We're back next week (so excited!!) but in the meantime, have a listen to this chat with the incredible Michelle Battersby, otherwise known as one of the OG girl bosses. Enjoy!! Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Michelle BattersbySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 5, 2026 • 43min
REPLAY: Have You heard About Instagram Face? With Froomes
In this episode, Lucinda Price, a comedian and author of the bestseller 'All I Ever Wanted Was To Be Hot', dives into the alluring yet troubling world of internet beauty trends. She sheds light on how the male gaze has shaped our beauty ideals since childhood and discusses the impact of social media filters on cosmetic surgery demand. Lucinda also tackles the ethics of beauty choices, the rise of 'Instagram face', and how aesthetic pressures affect body image. Join them for an engaging conversation about beauty, privilege, and the quest for societal acceptance.
Dec 29, 2025 • 41min
REPLAY: Is Gossiping A Form Of Intelligence? With Good Noticing's Podcast
Hope you're having a gorgeous holiday!! We thought we would replay a few of our favourite Small Talk episodes this year. This one was recorded in NYC last year with Claire and Ashley from Good Noticing's Podcast (previously known as Celebrity Memoir Bookclub!). Sarah-Jane's Instagram Big Small Talk Instagram Good Noticing's Podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 4min
Bondi Update, Timothee Chalamet & Rob Reiner
Last episode for the year! Thank you so much for all your support this year, excited to see you in 2026! In this episode we give an update on what's unfolded in the news since the devastating terrorist attack in Bondi. We deep dive into the Sean Combs documentary produced by 50 Cent and Sean's alleged involvement in both Tupac and Biggie's death. We discuss TIME's decision to make their person of the year the 'architects of AI'. For comic relief, we replay a few of Timothee Chalamet's funny interviews and why rumours are swirling he's secretly a rapper. Finally, the tragedy of Rob and Michelle Reiners death. Big Small Talk Instagram Sarah-Jane's Instagram Hannah's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
