Category: Podcast
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Donald Trump and the power of demagoguery
For most people around the world, the initials that come to mind when conversation turns to Donald Trump are not MAGA, but WTF? To try and understand how this blustering bankrupt became the leader of the free world and how he continues to hold sway over so many people, Ray speaks to the woman who […]
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Amateur sportspeople take it all off, corporate life imitates art, and feeling sorry for Mark Zuckerberg and weather forecasters
In which we discuss the relationship between college athletics and OnlyFans, how TikTok is changing the entire social media landscape and over-reactions to wrong weather forecasts. Meanwhile, Ray digs up a long-forgotten comedy routine that pre-dates the carbon footprint debate. The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links Gorgeous gymnast who became millionaire aged 18 […]
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TikTok envy, nation brands at war, random not-so-kind acts and partying PMs
In which we decry Big Tech’s most viral activity – copying each other – as well as examining Ukraine’s nation branding efforts, a kind/not kind viral trend and ageism and sexism on the international stage. The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links Thousands of users, including Kylie Jenner, say they are sick of the […]
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16. Who’s to blame when the public rejects the facts?
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clear-as-mud/id1614555804 Ray casts aspersions on the 18th century structure of the scientific publishing industry, while Springer Nature global VP Stephen Pincock points out how researchers have embraced story-telling as part of their ambit in the 21st century, and suggests Ray is suffering PTSD from his journalistic-inspired efforts at research. He just might have a point! […]
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Crikey! It’s Murdoch vs Streisand, news for the un-newsed, Go Ask Beatrice and going viral on LinkedIn
In which we explore what Lachlan Murdoch has in common with Barbara Streisand, why Channel 5 is both the past and the future of news and how a middle-aged Mormon housewife channelled her inner drug-addicted teenager to become a publishing sensation. Served with a chaser of LinkedIn self-congratulation! The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious […]
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‘Psychological antibodies’ and clear as mud messages on COVID vaccinations
We talk to Professor Julie Leask, the person who coined the term ‘vaccine hesitancy’ about what governments got right – and wrong – about COVID messaging. Spoiler alert: Humour often works best, even when talking about a global pandemic! Links from the interview Julie Leask Should we do battle with anti-vaccination activists? (Leask 2015) How […]
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That ’70s episode: Elvis, Watergate, ice cream metaphors and nyet to Macca’s
In which we unpack the ongoing obsession with Elvis, the power of the -gate, did-he-or-didn’t he make a Tiananmen Square reference, and McDonalds’ exit from Russia, in our all Good, Bad and Hilarious episode. The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-14/elvis-presley-tribute-cooly-rocks-on-festival-tribute-artists/101145630 https://www.dw.com/en/watergate-how-a-scandal-produced-a-suffix/a-62141531 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-18/china-livestreamer-austin-li-censored-over-tiananmen-massacre/101160890 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/12/whats-in-a-name-russia-rebrands-mcdonalds-restaurant-chain https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-61774950
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12 – Don’t want a personal brand? Too bad, it’s the 21st century
In which we speak with culture whisperer Susie Khamis about why personal branding has become an inescapable part of contemporary life. Plus, influencers in the raw, Trump on trial, real estate wankers on screen and the power of stranger music. The Good, The Bad and The Hilarious links ‘How utterly brilliant!’ Kate Bush reacts to […]
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11 – The slow death of journalism, virtual singers, shrinking chocolate and shrinking politicians’ brains
In which we discuss the decline and fall of ‘real news’ and journalism as we finish our interview with award-winning writer Mike Sager. Before that, two boomers dissect Jimi Hendrix’s lyrics, bemoan the fact that old rockers need to turn themselves into living holograms, debate the health benefits of shrinkflation and explore the relationship between […]
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Episode 9 – Virtual influencers, murder and the mystery of the missing bite
In which we update listeners about the ‘How to Murder Your Husband’ case, finish our interview with influencer expert Nataly Levesque, ask why Kim Kardashian airbrushes her burgers, look at America’s ‘clear as mud’ gun culture and bemoan the fact that even virtual influencers are making more money than we are! The Good, The Bad […]