Big Small Talk

This week we’re joined by Sophie Gilbert — writer, critic for The Atlantic, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and author of Girl on Girl. We dive into the rise of “girlhood” as an online identity — why it resonated so deeply, how it became a brand, and what it says about how women are seen (and see themselves). From the internet’s obsession with returning to girlhood to our protectiveness around Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter’s star power, and the lasting imprint of 90s and 2000s pop culture, we unpack how nostalgia, femininity, hyper sexualisation and marketing collided to shape a generation. Sophie Gilbert appears in Sydney on 16 October presented by Sydney Writers Festival, in Canberra on 17 October presented by Canberra Writers Festival and in Melbourne at The Wheeler Centre on Tuesday 21 October.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to Trump’s “peace plan”, with a ceasefire taking effect and the release of hostages. Move Over, Humans !!  AI Actress Tilly Norwood Can Cry on Cue, Upload Her Own Headshots, Never Age Out of a Role or Never Needs An Intimacy Co-ordinator! David Pocock is kicked out of the Parliamentary Sports club. Oscar Award Winning Actress Diane Keaton has died, aged 79. An online “wellness” blogger has been found to have influenced her daughter’s death Lorde, Clairo, and Hayley Williams Join ‘No Music for Genocide’ Campaign, Geo-Blocking Their Music in IsraelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anisa is champion slam poet turned successful stand up comedian who has opened for likes of Chelsea Handler. In this Small Talk we chat about what it is like making a name for yourself in the comedy space, navigating Australian culture and humour after moving to Queensland from Uganda at eight years old, handling the love and making light of the awful comments on TikTok. Oh, and considering Anisa is the Gen Z caption on the show 'Talkin About Your Gen', I also ask if she thinks Gen Z is being 'too much' or not. Safe to say we cover a lot of ground!! Follow Anisa on Instagram HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greta Thunberg and other members of the Global Sumud Flotilla have been deported, after being abducted and physically abused by Israeli soldiers. Taylor Swift has released her new album, Life Of A Showgirl - we dissect her love with Travis Kelce, her diss track about Charli XCX, her being a 'father figure' in the industry and cultivating loyalty from her 'protege's' and her take on cancel culture. Bad Bunny has been announced as this year's Super Bowl halftime show, and has used his latest gig as the host of SNL to share his excitement. New low reached: the US Government is in shut down. Trump is blaming the 'radical democrats' + an explainer on what this really means for the US. The Murdoch’s are trying to buy Tik Tok, in yet another episode of Succession.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small Talk is back! It couldn't feel like a more perfect moment in these crazy times for such an important topic, gratitude. In this episode I am lucky enough to sit down with Dominique Elissa - a model, founder of Self Dom, host of the Self Dom podcast, a pilates instructor and now a gratitude coach. We hear not only about tools to implement gratitude and the science to back it, but Dom's personal story of finding this practice at her rock bottom. Also, the heartwarming and heartbreaking story of her mum keeping her gratitude journal while in palliative care and making it to her daughters wedding. ⁠Dom's instagram⁠ ⁠Selfdom website⁠ 20% OFF DISCOUNT CODE: smalltalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to part two of our Roe v Wade deep dive. In this episode we focus on the international ripple effects of the decision, Australia's own history of legalising and decriminalising abortion state by state, and the devastating fallout after the overturning of Roe v Wade and how that was legally made possible. We also look at how it has continued to be a debate in Australian culture and politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Watson did her first ever podcast interview with Jay Shetty, talking about her childhood, activism, Hollywood and of course, JK Rowling. This year marked the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, we discuss Albanese, Trump and Netanyahu's speeches. Benny Blanco and Selena Gomez tie the not in Santa Barbara, California. Freya Leaches show, 'Freya Fires Up', on Sky News has been cancelled. Leonardo DiCaprio has also made his podcasting debut, choosing to give the exclusive to none other than Travis Kelce’s New Heights Podcast. Former FBI director James Comey has been indicted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we dive into the true story behind Roe v. Wade, exploring not just the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case itself, but the real people at the heart of it and the decades-long fight over reproductive rights that followed. We introduce Norma McCorvey, who was Jane Roe, as well as Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington, the 26 and 28 year old lawyers who stood before the Supreme Court. We also look at the legal explanations of the case, criticisms of it, the following cases that altered it and what the laws were prior to the landmark decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, the ABC announced it was suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show “indefinitely” following backlash from conservatives who accused him of not being respectful enough of far-right activist Charlie Kirk’s death and Trump’s recent reactions - raising questions over free speech. Charlie Kirks memorial was attended by over 200,000 and watched by over a million online - speakers included Trump, RFK Jr, Donald Trump Jr, Erika Kirk and Tucker Carlson. Trump also used the memorial to discuss how they have now found the 'cause of autism', later announcing it was Tylenol being used during pregnancy. A new UN report states that genocide is happening in Gaza and Australia has formally recognised a Palestinian State. Hit TV series that has dominated pop culture, The Summer I Turned Pretty, had its season finale! It was then announced the show is not over yet, there will now be a movie. Trump visits the UK to reaffirm diplomatic relationships - greeted with protest art at Windsor Castle. Alix Earle and Robert Irwin debuted on Dancing With the Stars US. Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment has been released, and the Government has put forward it’s 2035 emissions reduction target. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lachlan Murdoch now fully controls the Murdoch Media empire, shaking up media dynamics. The 2025 Emmys made headlines with impactful speeches, like Hannah Einbinder’s on Palestine and Owen Cooper becoming the youngest winner. The tragic death of political figure Charlie Kirk raised concerns over violence and hate speech online. In celebrity news, Liam Hemsworth's engagement and Nina Dobrev's departure over pay disparities reveal underlying issues in Hollywood. Meanwhile, Victoria leads with a treaty framework for First Nations rights, and Nepal's youth spark a 'Gen Z Revolution'.