Written by Sofia Pizzinato

What we’re watching and listening to this week

Podcasts were a popular topic this week, particularly those covering female-led advice on money and careers to, media and marketing trends.

One gaining traction with Gen Z audiences is The Broke Chicks Podcast, which blends shopping tips, money hacks and everyday life advice. Their weekly segment “Monday Teatime” unpacks major headlines and what’s breaking the internet in a relatable way. A recent episode on “Things you should buy in 2026 to save thousands” suggested items like air fryers and matcha kits can help you cut back costs, which sparked a quick team poll. Around 80 per cent of our team own an air fryer and swear by it, even if not everyone loves the look of them on the kitchen bench.

Another podcast doing the rounds is AdMission, which explores advertising, influencers and PR. A recent episode discussed how trust could be returning to advertising as AI generated content becomes more common. With the advertising industry operating under strict codes and regulations, brands cannot simply make misleading claims, something that may strengthen credibility in the long run.

The conversation also touched on how creative direction is shifting, with brands bringing humour back into campaigns to connect with audiences.

Media campaigns driving awareness

Two recent campaigns have caught our attention, both focused on trust and public education.

News.com.au launched Fire Up with Priceline Pharmacy to highlight perimenopause and menopause, sharing personal stories and expert advice. Research shows 37 per cent of Australians know little about menopause, rising to 62 per cent under 40, while nearly 1.2 million women say they know more about changing a car tyre than menopause.

At the same time, the ABC rolled out Keep Asking, a campaign promoting trust in journalism through rigorous questioning and investigation. The launch comes amid increased audience scrutiny, reinforcing the role of transparency and accuracy in news.

Both campaigns are a good reminder of what media brands can do at their best: use their platforms to inform, spark conversation and keep people engaged on topics that matter.

The Iranian football players who chose freedom  

Everyone’s talking about the Iranian women’s national football players who have been granted asylum in Australia during the Women’s Asian Cup.

The athletes had reportedly been labelled “traitors” on Iranian state television after refusing to sing the national anthem before a match earlier in the tournament. With fears they could face persecution if they returned home, the players chose to seek protection while in Australia.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the women had been told they were welcome to stay, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would provide assistance to other members of the team if they wanted it.

Around our office, the footballers were praised for their courage and resilience, with discussion centred on the unimaginably difficult position the athletes were in.