Online medical companies offering sick certificates and prescriptions are everywhere. They're cheap and easy. But are they risky too? Plus, the government is planning to divert kids with mild to moderate developmental delay or autism away from the NDIS. And South Australia's algal bloom has killed marine life from hundreds of species. Will an extra $6 million in funding for support and research be enough to put out the 'underwater bushfire'? Also, ever eaten something to appear more healthy, cool, or morally superior? 'Performative eating' is on the rise.   Listen now:  01.10 - Are online medical certificates legit?  07.29 - NDIS changes 15.07 - What's the government doing about the algal bloom?  20.31- Matcha lattes for likes Guests: Nas Campanella, national disability affairs reporter, ABC Laren Bell, professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, UQ Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Despite the physical dangers of the job, the leading cause of death among construction workers isn't job site accidents.  It's suicide.  So what's fuelling it? And what can you do if you or someone you know is struggling?  We've been unpacking the industry's hidden hazards with someone who's lived through them: Dr Simon Tyler, who now works as a psychologist helping to address the high rates of suicide within construction.  When we ran a shorter cut of this interview on the radio show, it had a huge response from people wanting to talk about it. In this extended interview, Dr Tyler shares more of his insights and experiences, and also offers some advice. And remember, Lifeline is there on 13 11 14.  Guest: Dr Simon Tyler, psychologist and men's mental health researcher Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reckons Anthony Albanese is a "weak politician" who has "abandoned" Jewish Australians. Some Australian government ministers are hitting back. So can Australia repair the relationship with Israel?  And another AFL player is facing a ban after using a homophobic slur against an opponent. Are things getting better for queer people in the AFL, or worse?  Plus, getting your driver's licence is hard enough when you don't have someone to teach you, let alone a car to practice in. That's where Bear comes in.  Listen now:  01.19- The deepening argument between Israel and Australia 05.20 - Our interview with the assistant defence minister Peter Khalil 14.21 - How the AFL could tackle its slur problem 25.23 - How Bear changes lives, one driving lesson at a time Guests: Peter Khalil, Assistant Minister for Defence Caitlin Bunker, Falcons VFLW captain and engagement director at Pride Cup Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Days after meeting Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump has emerged from peace talks with Volodymyr Zlenskyy and seven other European leaders. Next, the US president wants to set up a meeting between Ukraine and Russia. So can Ukraine trust Trump? And young tradies are two times more likely to die by suicide than other men their age. We chat to them about the pressures and culture of working in construction, and hear what they reckon needs to change. Listen now:  01:00 - The friends Ukraine brought along to the Trump meeting 05:49 - What people in Kyiv think about Trump's peace plan 10:30 - Looking after your mental health in construction Guests: Inna Sovsun, People's Deputy of Ukraine  Dr Simon Tyler, psychologist and men's mental health researcher Saxon, apprentice and Mates In Construction Connector Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Some women with low iron reckon they're being 'gaslit' by health care providers, and going years without proper care. Do guidelines need to change? And from home-made courts to armed stand-offs, Australia's anti-government movement is growing. So what's the deal with sovereign citizens? Also, meet the young First Nations woman who created an online dictionary to honour her grandmother. Listen now:  01:27 - The sovereign citizens trying to arrest the Prime Minister 09:09 - Are doctors treating women with low iron differently to men? 20:54 - Young people bringing back Indigenous languages Guests:  Mahmood Fazal, Four Corners reporter, ABC Professor Nada Hamad, haematologist and clinician researcher AnnaLee Little, Programs Manager, First Languages Australia Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Using a chatbot for companionship is super popular, but what happens when the AI starts dishing out the wrong kind of advice?  In a big investigation this week, we uncovered allegations of bots encouraging suicide, facilitating delusions and even perpetrating sexual harassment.  In this deep dive, we get into what can go wrong when turning to AI, and hear from an expert who's predicting it's only a matter of time before AI enables terrorism.  Guest: April McLennan, reporter, triple j hack Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

How much is your life worth? Kathleen Folbigg was wrongly convicted and spent 20 years in jail. The NSW government is offering compo - but is it enough?  And do we treat people who fit male stereotypes differently when they show their vulnerable side? Plus a campaign in the Northern Territory wants ringers to wrap their dingers.  Host Dave Marchese is joined by PEDESTRIAN.TV's Issy Phillips and Olympian Harry Garside.  Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are about to meet face-to-face in Alaska. They're talking about Ukraine, but Ukraine's not there. So what will this mean for peace?  And we hear from LGBTQ+ migrants seeking asylum in Australia, fearing persecution for their sexuality back home. Also, scientists have discovered sex reversal in some Aussie birds, but they're not really sure why. Plus, as the AFLW kicks off its 10th season we reflect on its impact so far and the challenges it still faces.  Listen now:  01.06 - How Ukraine feels about Trump-Putin meeting 09.06 - Fleeing persecution over your sexuality 14.22 - Surprising sex-switching discovery 24.07 - AFLW season begins Guests:  Dr Oleksandr Merezhko, head, Ukrainian Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Dominique Potvin, senior lecturer, University of the Sunshine Coast  Marnie Vinall, sports reporter, ABC Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Better working conditions, shorter work weeks, bold housing policy: that's what experts want on the table at the government's big productivity summit in Canberra next week.  Ahead of the meeting, the government's been saying it doesn't want to rule anything in or out yet, although clearly some ideas are going to be politically impossible. But if we could dream big about what would make the Australian economy work better... what would we change first? Economist Trent Wiltshire tells Hack what productivity is, and why it doesn't just mean us working more and more.  Guest: Trent Wiltshire, economist, The Grattan Institute Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

150,000 people dead, 12 million displaced, 30 million without enough to eat: a terrible tragedy is unfolding in Sudan. So how did it get to this? Hack speaks to the Head of UNICEF in Sudan about the world's worst humanitarian crisis.  And back home: why is everyone talking about productivity right now (and does it mean we all need to work harder)?  Plus 6% of Aussie truckies are women, and most of the workforce is getting old. So we speak to young women about why they're now driving big rigs.  Listen now: 01.08 - Explaining Sudan's hunger crisis 05.36- Our interview with the Head of UNICEF in Sudan 11.05 - Can Aussies work smarter? 24.00 - Why young women are looking at trucking Guest: Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Sudan Trent Wiltshire, economist, The Grattan Institute Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Researchers are sounding the alarm about AI chatbots in Australia. Today, hack investigates chatbots bullying and sexually harassing young Australians, and even one encouraging someone to take their own life. And Tasmania is phasing out greyhound racing. Will other parts of Australia follow?  Plus, we hear about the art of the courtroom sketcher tasked with capturing the mushroom murder trial for the world's media.  Listen now:  01:10 - The harmful impacts of chatbots 11:55 - Is greyhound racing on the outs?  21:45 - What goes into courtroom sketches? Guests: April McLennan, reporter, hack Amy McMahon, president, Coalition to Protect Greyhounds Anita Lester, courtroom sketch artist Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Australia will formally recognise Palestine next month, following similar commitments by Canada, the UK and France.  The Israeli prime minister says that's rewarding Hamas. We speak to the correspondent whose question prompted Benjamin Netanyahu to single out Australia.  Plus, the southern hemisphere's largest rodeo almost collapsed last year. Here's how a group of locals bought it back from the brink.  And do you know your ripper from your cuppa? Linguists are worried Aussie slang is under threat. Listen now:  01:25 - Anthony Albanese's commitment to recognise Palestine 06:15 - Covering Gaza when you can't go there 15:30 - How to save a rodeo 21:00 - Is Aussie slang in trouble? Guests:  Matthew Doran, Middle East correspondent, ABC Howard Manns, senior lecturer in linguistics, Monash University Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Do you really need travel insurance?  Short answer: Yes.  Long answer: Yes, but you should be reading the fine print.  From small things like the airline losing your baggage to big things like a spinal injury while skiing overseas, travel insurance claims to cover you... but does it really?  In this deep dive, hack speaks to travellers who've had to make insurance claims and an insurance expert about what you need to look out for if you're planning a big holiday.  Guest:  Tim Bennett, insurance expert Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Australia's birth rate is down. Could the return of the baby bonus convince you to start a family?  Plus, Tourism Australia's new campaign is here, full of iconic landscapes, celebrity appearances and some cliches (yes, shrimp on the BBQ). Is it the best way to sell Australia?  And we're asking if AI should be used to reanimate dead people, after Rod Stewart's tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Host Dave Marchese is joined by writer and presenter Elfy Scott and journalist Marty Smiley.  Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

A new report found a bunch of phone companies have been denying customer requests when they're experiencing financial hardship. So, what can you do when you're struggling to pay your phone bill?  And Tassie had an election, a hung Parliament, a no-confidence motion, an election, a hung Parliament, and now... a no-confidence motion. What?  Plus, Dave's chat with Jacinda Ardern: on being optimistic, leaving the Mormon church, taking mat leave as PM, and what she regrets.  Listen:  01:10 - What to do if you can't pay your phone bill 06:05  - Explaining the mess that was the Tasmanian election 10:10 - Jacinda Ardern on knowing when to quit Guest:  Carol Bennett, CEO, Australian Communications Consumer Action Network Jacinda Ardern, former NZ prime minister Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Jacinda Ardern has become an iconic figure. And at 45, her political career is already behind her.  She became the leader of her party just weeks before she was elected Prime Minister of New Zealand, and a few months after that she gave birth. In office, she got noticed way beyond New Zealand, from her response to the terrorist attack in Christchurch to her decision to lock down and seal the country off from the world during COVID.  After stepping down as PM, she's turned her focus from New Zealand to the world.  In this interview, Jacinda speaks to Dave Marchese about burnout, growing up Mormon, the state of politics right now, and knowing when to call time. Guest:  Jacinda Ardern, former NZ prime minister Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

Nearly 1,000 jobseekers had their payments cancelled over a 2 year period, even with laws in place to stop it happening. Here's what went wrong, and why the federal watchdog is calling it a "catastrophe".   And is Donald Trump's war on DEI coming here? We ask Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner.  Plus: lost luggage, ski injuries, scooter accidents. Ever thought you were covered by your travel insurance... when you really weren't? We're breaking down what's actually in the fine print. Listen now: 01:20 - Why jobseekers were cut off out of the blue 05:55  - How the government should tackle racism in Australia  15:15 - The nightmare of not being covered properly by travel insurance 22:00 - What you need to know about the fine print Guests:  Giridharan Sivaraman, Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Bennett, insurance expert Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

"Not just a bad headache": new research has revealed Australia has a big migraine problem, and women have it way worse than men.  And what should Parliament do about an MP convicted of rape? We explain the court fight in NSW to expel a former government minister who's refusing to go. Plus, an activist group's campaign has ended in thousands of adult games being taken offline. So why are payment companies like Visa and Mastercard involved? And where's the line with free speech in gaming? Listen now:  01:15 - How migraines disproportionately affect women  14:10 - Explaining the push to expel a rapist from NSW parliament  19:30 - Censorship v free speech in gaming Guests: Dr Katherine Spira, neurologist and headache specialist Nick Dole, NSW political reporter, ABC Gianfranco Di Giovanni, gaming journalist, ABC  Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Listen to our deep dive wherever you get your podcasts  Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live at 5:30pm

Dr Mohammed Mustafa has gone from being a junior doctor in Perth to saving lives and meeting world leaders, urging them to do more to end the war in Gaza.  As tens of thousands of people rally in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, Dr Mo joins us in the studio to talk about what he's witnessed, and what the world needs to do. Also, is a TikTok campaign the reason why sign-ups to the Australian Defence Force are at a 15-year high? Listen now:  01:15 - The Sydney Harbour Bridge protest fallout 05:35 - What Dr Mo wants the world to know about Gaza 19:05 - The huge boost to ADF sign-ups Guests: Dr Mohammed Mustafa, emergency physician  Peter Dean, strategic studies professor, ANU Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Listen to our deep dive wherever you get your podcasts  Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live at 5:30pm

Most of the world recognises Palestine as a state, but Australia and some of its closest allies have refused to. Until this week. A growing list of Western countries — including Canada and the UK — have announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood.  And pressure is mounting for Australia to do the same. But what does statehood recognition mean? And will it lead to peace in Gaza?  In this extended episode, leading international law expert Ben Saul shares his time with us for the third time since the war began.  We ask him all about Palestinian statehood, the allegations of genocide against Israel, and how much power countries like Australia have in helping to end the war. Guest:  Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism Get the whole story from Hack: Follow us on Instagram Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm