If You're Listening
ABC Australia
The world is on fire. There's a coup. Inflation is through the roof, and AI is taking our jobs. What does it all mean? Each week, Matt Bevan explains the biggest story in world news while hiding in his basement from assassins and authoritarian regimes.
Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.
The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change.
There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday.
Recent episodes include an exploration of the relationship between India and China, a closer look at the Saudi Arabian city of NEOM, the conflict in the Middle East, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, and Ukraine's incursions into Vladimir Putin's Russia. Matt Bevan draws connections between stories from the past and the events of the present to help listeners understand world news and international affairs.
The podcast also features series about big moments in world news; previous series have focused on the United States presidential election, the United Kingdom's 14 years of Conservative Party leadership, Donald Trump's relationship with Russia, Donald Trump's presidency and promise to Make America Great Again, the Mueller Report, Vladimir Putin's scheme to destroy western democracies, how the relationship between Australia and China came to the verge of collapse, and Australia's turbulent history with climate change.
There's a new episode of If You're Listening every Thursday.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 25, 2024 • 28min
Looking for Modi 03 | Modi and the Swami
When Narendra Modi left home, it wasn't to begin a career in politics. He wanted to be a monk. Modi's teenaged pilgrimage would take him across India, following the trail of his country's most influential religious leader. It was a journey that would ultimately steer him towards politics, and lay the foundation for some of his most popular and controversial philosophies.
Mar 20, 2024 • 16min
Kate Middleton and the 100-year history of fake photos
The Princess of Wales has barely been seen since Christmas and everyone is asking, where is Kate?The Royal Family released a photo meant to squash the rumours, but when it became obvious it had been photoshopped, the speculation just got worse.Fake photos are everywhere, and there's a long history of people doctoring them, from photocopying to photoshopping, to straight up AI.But is there a time coming where we won't be able to tell the difference between what's real and what's fake?Subscribe to If You're Listening on the ABC Listen app.Check out our series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihzt5GNfnig
Mar 18, 2024 • 28min
Looking for Modi 02 | The abandoned wife
For most politicians, the image of a stable marriage and a happy family is a crucial part of their pitch to voters. But in India, being single is a selling point: leaders want to show that they are dedicated only to their country. Narendra Modi's carefully crafted image of a bachelor was up-ended when it emerged that he had a wife who had been kept secret for decades.Since this scandal broke, Modi's estranged wife has barely been seen or spoken to the media. In this episode, we're going to find her.
Mar 13, 2024 • 20min
Why does Putin bother holding elections?
Russia is in the midst of an election, but we already know Vladimir Putin will win. He always wins.So why does Russia bother holding elections? What’s the point?Putin learned a lesson many years ago about the illusion of democracy, and it’s one he has never forgotten.
Mar 11, 2024 • 36min
Looking For Modi 01 | Humble beginnings
Every Tuesday for the next seven weeks, we'll be dropping an extra episode from a new ABC podcast into the If You're Listening feed. Looking for Modi, hosted by the ABC's South Asia correspondent Avani Dias, examines the life and political career of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. It's a fascinating show that we think you might enjoy. Matt will be back with another episode on Thursday.Narendra Modi's rise from poverty-stricken childhood has been a major appeal throughout his political career. He tells ordinary Indians that he is just like them, and that his life is proof of India's egalitarian democracy. But in truth, some of the central elements of his own biography are disputed. What do we really know about his origin story, and how did his time spent with a volunteer right wing organisation many view as a paramilitary group influence his politics?
Mar 6, 2024 • 14min
How China hires hackers
A healthcare professional is arrested by Chinese armed police, suspected of being set up by hackers. A data leak exposes Chinese cyber espionage operations, revealing the use of deception and psychological manipulation. The podcast explores the industrialization of hacking in China, including surveillance practices and data extraction for government purposes.
Feb 28, 2024 • 15min
Is Donald Trump running out of money?
The podcast explores Donald Trump's financial troubles, including a $463.9 million fine for lying to banks. It delves into his legal battles, fundraising challenges for his presidential campaign, and his ambitious golf empire despite mounting financial woes.
Feb 21, 2024 • 17min
The Ayatollah who dreamed of an Iranian caliphate
Explore how Ayatollah Khomeini changed Middle Eastern history with his radical ideas, leading Iran to isolation but leaving a lasting impact. Learn about the chaotic funeral frenzy and the clash of tradition with modernization in 1960s Iran. Discover Khomeini's rise, exile, and establishment of a theocracy, blending religion with politics. Uncover the unforeseen effects of the Iran-Iraq War and Khomeini's complex legacy on the region.
Feb 14, 2024 • 17min
How the Shah's cancer led to Iran's rift with the US
Exploring how the Shah's cancer led to Iran's rift with the US, the podcast delves into the Shah's autocratic rule and modernization efforts, the repressive regime, the impact on Iran-US relations, the revolution and hostage crisis that strained relations further. It all started with a tiny lump in the spleen of one man.
Feb 7, 2024 • 17min
How Houthi rebels are embarrassing the world's biggest navy
Houthi rebels are attacking Israeli ships in the Red Sea, prompting the US Navy to intervene. The podcast explores the consequences for global trade and the historical significance of the Red Sea. It also discusses the measures taken by the US and UK to defend trade routes, as well as the complexities of the Houthi movement in Yemen.
