Louis Theroux has spent years making television out of the people polite society prefers not to think about.

In his new documentary on the Manosphere, he turns that gaze on a world of male grievance, online swagger and old misogyny dressed up in the language of self-help.

In Australia, researchers and educators say that boys, women and girls are bearing the consequences of actions and attitudes turning up far beyond the screen – into classrooms, into harassment and intimidation, and in the growing sense among girls that school is becoming less and less safe.

Today, misogyny researcher at Monash University, Dr. Stephanie Westcott, on why Louis Theroux's documentary misses the real story, and what happens when we treat misogyny as fascinating instead of dangerous.

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Guest: Dr Stephanie Wescott, misogyny researcher at Monash University

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In late 2023, Australia signed a landmark treaty with Tuvalu – a low-lying Pacific nation threatened by climate change – promising a special visa pathway, disaster support and closer security ties.

The deal is now in force. The first climate refugees have begun arriving in Australia, and this year, Tuvalu will help host key Pacific climate talks ahead of COP.

But the questions at the heart of this agreement have not gone away.

As rising seas threaten the future of one of our smallest neighbours, is Australia offering a genuine lifeline – or using the climate crisis to deepen its own influence in the Pacific?

Today, Mike Seccombe, on the agreement between Australia and Tuvalu – and whether Australia is helping them, or themselves.

This episode first aired in November 2023.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe

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Last weekend’s South Australian election wasn’t just a wipeout for the Liberals and triumph for Labor, it was a sign that political discontent is beginning to find a new home in an old brand: One Nation.

Pauline Hanson’s party showed just how much room there is for anger on the right in a traditionally progressive state. But the rise in One Nation’s popularity isn’t just contained to SA. Nationally and in states like Victoria discontent is growing and the far right is capitalising. And with the war in Iran exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis, that frustration may only deepen.

Today, Waleed Aly, on what the South Australian result says about the mood of the electorate, and where that mood could go next.

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Guest: Waleed Aly, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald columnist

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When Pete Hegseth faced the Senate to become Donald Trump’s defense secretary, he was grilled on everything from his lack of experience and his drinking to past controversial remarks – including that women should not serve in combat roles.

But the hearing also made something else clear: Hegseth wasn’t just being chosen to run the Pentagon in the ordinary sense. He was being chosen to wage a cultural and ideological battle inside it – to bring what he called “warrior culture” back to an institution he and Trump believed had gone “woke”.

Today, former chief national correspondent for Voice of America, Steve Herman, on the face of America’s new militarism and the role of Christian nationalism in the Trump administration.

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Guest: Former chief national correspondent for Voice of America, Steve Herman

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It’s been a rollercoaster ride on the global oil market, with wild swings in petrol prices at the bowser.

The war against Iran has caused panic buying in Australia and around the world.

Meanwhile, our government has been criticised for not having greater reserves of petrol, diesel and jet fuel.

And for not imposing higher taxes on giant gas companies, which are now raking in

a fortune thanks to the war.

Today, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen on how prepared Australia is for the worst energy crisis in more than 50 years – and the war: should we even be backing it?

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Guest: Energy Minister Chris Bowen

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Australia’s tobacco wars are fuelling violence, with fire bombings and arson attacks spanning across the east coast.

Now the federal government wants to treat these organised crime syndicates like ‘drug lords’ by going after them with wire tapping and seizing their assets.

And the tobacconists are in trouble too, with calls to ban tobacco stores and only sell cigarettes in supermarkets.

Today, Criminologist Dr James Martin, from Deakin University on how to reign in the multi billion dollar black market that’s created a gangsters paradise

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Guest: Criminologist Dr James Martin, Deakin University

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John Blackburn spent four decades in the Air Force, rising to Deputy Chief.

For more than decade he’s been warning that Australia is too reliant on imported fuel, too light on reserves, and too exposed if a global crisis – just like this one – disrupts supply.

Now, as more than hundred servos around the country run dry and a Trump ultimatum looms, threatening to make the fuel crisis worse, Australia is paying the price for our lack of preparedness.

Today, Chair of the Institute of Economic Research Australia, John Blackburn on how Australia botched our emergency fuel plan, what we should do next, and why the Iran war is shaping up to be a covid-level crisis.

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Guest: John Blackburn, Chair of the Institute of Economic Research Australia

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Like so many stories about misinformation, this one starts with a social media post.

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM.”

Not long after that, Donald Trump backtracked and set the record straight.

“He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.”

But in those few short hours before clarification, misinformation had already taken hold.

Social media posts accusing Australia of inaction on the soccer team, and falsely claiming Albanese lied to Trump about granting the women asylum gained millions of views on X.

Meanwhile, news commentary which wrongly portrayed Trump as triggering Albanese’s decision hit the mainstream media.

It’s just one recent example of the wave of misinformation making it increasingly difficult for all of us to work out what is and isn't factual in this ‘post truth’ world.

Today ABC journalist and host of new doco ‘The Matter of Facts’ Hamish Macdonald on the misinformation and disinformation taking over our online world.

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Guest: Hamish Macdonald, ABC journalist

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