Outrage culture, cancel culture, and the rise of the “mean girl” accusation - this week, Hannah is back on Small Talk to help me unpack what’s really going on in comment sections right now, and why it feels like other women are increasingly the target. From the algorithm rewarding the angriest opinions, to comments being used to shape our own views, we get honest about our thoughts on the pile-on.

We dive into the evolution of “girls girl” culture, and how a once lighthearted label has been weaponised into something far more cutting.

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Alex Cooper vs Alix Earle is heating up - and yes, somehow Brianna Chickenfry is now involved. We unpack the “mean girl” narrative and whether this is really just a business fallout. Meanwhile, the Liberals have proposed a new immigration policy that feels like a copy-paste out of the Pauline Hanson playbook. Over at Coachella weekend two, we dissect Brandchella, Billie Eilish lives out everyone’s dream as the “One Less Lonely Girl,” and Sabrina brings Madonna on stage. Hannah breaks down the latest developments in Iran and where negotiations currently stand, and Sarah gets into the news that Charli XCX’s next album is going full rock.

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This week I'm joined by comedy duo with over a million Instagram followers, Isaac and Jack from Swag On The Beat. Once again taking advantage of having two guys on the podcast, I ask for their take on the most viral dating and relationship advice circulating TikTok. Including:

• The taxi cab theory
• If he wanted to, he would
• black cat/golden retriever energy
• Would you still love me if I was a worm? What about if I had a clone?
• Orange peel theory
• Beige flags

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We kick off this news week with an update on Trump's Truth Social Post threats and the broken ceasefire agreement after Israel bombed Lebanon. We then compare the biggest Coachella performances - namely, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber. Hannah then talks us through the arrest of decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, charged with multiple war crimes. Sarah then explains the breaking drama between Alex Cooper and Alix Earle. Also, Australian actress Ruby Rose claims Katy Perry sexually assaulted her at a Melbourne nightclub decades ago.

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Michelle Battersby is back, and a lot has changed! Since we last spoke, she’s sold her startup Sunroom, stepped into a new role as President of Peanut, and welcomed her second child.

We get into her experience of being a mum and that transition, before unpacking why the “girl boss” conversation is suddenly back in the headlines and why it needs a serious rethink when motherhood enters the equation. Michelle opens up about the tension so many women feel between wanting a career and wanting to be present as a parent, and how financial pressure (especially Australia’s obsession with home ownership) shapes the risks we feel able to take.

Plus, she shares why she’s campaigning to get 'matrescence' recognised in the dictionary. Matresence is the profound psychological and neurological shift that happens during and after pregnancy, and how its insane we haven't all known the word for it.

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We kick off with the latest out of the US, unpacking the posts from Trump about threatening to 'take out' the whole country of Iran and that tomorrow will be "plant day and bridge day", alongside updates of the firing of Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem.

Then, the $180 million legal war surrounding Kyle and Jackie O Show. We break down what’s actually going on, who seems to have the stronger case, and whether traditional broadcasters can still “own” personalities in a world where podcasts exist.

Next, Anthony Albanese delivers a national address that had many people saying “this could have been an email". It was then followed with a National Press Club speech announcing major gambling ad reforms.

And finally, beware, a spoiler (maybe?) !! The new film starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson has sparked a full-blown debate about what audiences are owed when it comes to plot twists. Hannah and Sarah debate the ethics of this movies marketing.

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This Small Talk episode features Claudia Giblin, a 26-year-old Australian living in New York, whose ex-boyfriend got “red-pilled” while they were living together and completely changed how she dates.

Claudia gets into what it’s actually like being an international in the US right now, where politics don’t just shape the culture, but your relationships too. From the real fear of visas being at risk when speaking out, to how political views are now creeping into dating, it’s a side of life in America we don’t often hear.

She’s also come up with her own solution: a multiple-choice quiz men have to take before she gives them her number, covering everything from who they voted for, the podcasts they listen to and if body count matters to them.

It’s a very timely chat with manosphere content trending off the back of the Louis Theroux doco and gives a firsthand look at what life in the US feels like right now as an Aussie.

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This week, we discuss Hannah Montana's return for a 20th anniversary special, which drew millions of viewers in just days (and pitch what we would have done differently if we were made exec producers!)

We then look into the US-Israeli war in Iran entering its fifth week and Donald Trump extending his deadline on proposed strikes while pushing for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. Back home, the Albanese Government begins rolling out measures to address fuel shortages.

Then, the security guard who confronted a child on behalf of Chappell Roan has spoken out, revealing he wasn’t actually working for her - as reports emerge of a coordinated bot attack fuelling the drama online.

Plus, for the first time in 20 years, workers at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have gone on strike, citing cost of living pressures, job security and workplace protections.

Finally, in a landmark case out of Los Angeles, a jury has found Meta and YouTube liable in a social media addiction lawsuit a decision that could have major implications for the future of big tech.

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