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Here’s a tighter, no‑fluff version you can drop straight into podcast apps:

A Rational Fear – 18 September 2026

Dan Ilic is joined by Lewis Hobba, Grace Vegesana (AYCC) and journalist Laura Banks to tear into Australia’s media, politics, and AI hype.

In this episode:

• Karl Stefanovic’s podcast implosion, his blame‑shifting over the Tommy Robinson interview, and whether progressives should just buy his show and reprogram him.
• AI “we might end humanity” doom talk from Anthropic, OpenAI and Musk, and how it smells more like cartel-building and excuse-making than conscience.
• Grace on the Beetaloo Compute Zone and how AI data centres are being hard‑wired to fracked gas projects to keep fossil fuels alive.
• Laura’s investigation into Samsung (and others) auto‑surfacing Sky News/News 24 on smart TVs, the commercial deals behind it, and what that means for regional voters and media diversity.
• The panel’s on-the-ground view of AI in creative, legal and health work: hallucinations, bad posters, fake court cases, and very few genuine wins.

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It was a real thrill for Lewis and me to chat with a new voice in Australian satire: Henry Bretz.

For the past four months, Henry has been making the internet laugh with his uncanny, permanently furious impression of Karl Stefanovic's Right Wing Nut Job era. He's a fellow Queenslander, which only makes it sweeter.

By day he's on Mix FM on the Sunshine Coast. The rest of the time he's on TikTok and Instagram, taking apart the Australian political and media landscape. We can't wait to work with him again.

Henry's performing September 3rd at Good Chat Comedy Club in Brisbane.

And we're on October 24th at the Cheerful Earful podcast festival in Melbourne. Line-up TBA — we haven't booked anyone yet, so tell us who you want to see.

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REGISTER FOR THE BIG BBQ: https://bigbbq.com.au/lesson

In this episode, we explore Australia's energy transition, climate policy, and innovative initiatives like the world's largest veggie burger lesson powered by electric vehicles. Guest Thom Woodroofe shares insights on policy levers, sustainability, and Australia's future in the global green economy.

Thom has a book — you can check it out here: https://publishing.monash.edu/product/power-prosperity-planet/

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.

🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.

🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.

🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.

👨🏼‍⚖️ Make show suggestions.

💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.

If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261a

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.