Quick Smart

Quick Smart

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Quick Smart is the show that feeds you big ideas in bite-sized pieces. Get up to speed on some of the biggest issues from psychology, money, health, history, pop culture, in just 10 minutes. Tegan Taylor guides you through!

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    • Jun 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 10m AVG DURATION
    • 109 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Quick Smart

    Coercive control isn't just in relationships. Cults use these tactics, too

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 9:41


    They tell you how to act, what to believe, and who to surround yourself with. It sounds like coercive control, right? But this type of manipulation doesn't just exist in intimate relationships, it happens in spiritual ones, too.

    Is productivity a scam? How to avoid burnout at work

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 11:01


    Do you ever feel a sinking sensation that you're not being "productive” enough? It doesn't just hit at work either, it can tarnish weekends with a weird sense of guilt. Hyper-productivity isn't the answer, that leads to burnout. So, how do we find a happy medium?

    One in seven of us take antidepressants. Getting off them can be a nightmare

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 10:44


    Chances are you, or someone you know, took an antidepressant this morning. One in seven Australians are on the medication, and for many it's lifesaving. But are we staying on antidepressants for too long? Is there a right time to stop? And what should we know about withdrawal symptoms? 

    When is it OK to cut off your parents and go 'no contact'?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 10:27


    Have you ever considered cutting a family member off? It's called going "no contact" and social media is filled with stories from people who've done just that. But how do you know you're making the right choice? And can fractured relationships be saved?

    Polyamory is becoming more popular. What can it teach us about our love lives?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 10:22


    Call it romantically reckless or fiscally responsible, more Aussies are considering ENM (ethical non-monogamy). So, do these relationships work? And how can you stop jealousy taking hold?

    Why the real conclave could be just as spicy as the movie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 10:58


    More than a hundred red-cloaked figures will enter in the Sistine Chapel, but only one can walk away with the top role. This isn't a new reality TV show, it's the real-life drama of the papal conclave. Who could be the next Pope, how much will his voice matter in the modern world, and was the movie accurate?

    Why politicians are allowed to lie in election ads

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 12:32


    Politicians love to overwhelm us during election campaigns. But often, we're left wondering what they actually stand for. Who has the best policies on issues you care about, and how are young people changing the tide of this election?

    How long can President Trump ignore the law?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 10:25


    Donald Trump is wreaking havoc on America's legal system. He's disobeying court rulings, calling judges "crooked", and pressuring law firms to donate to hand-picked causes. We've never seen this behaviour from a US president. So, how far is he willing to go?  

    See You Next Tuesday? How the ‘worst word' became a compliment

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 11:24


    When many of us were growing up, the c-word was the worst thing you could say. Now, it's having a renaissance. How has the most "offensive and hateful” term transformed into a compliment? And why are drag queens, actors and K-pop girlies at the forefront of reclaiming "See You Next Tuesday”?

    How marketing 'shamed' us into using deodorant, and where BO comes from

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 11:52


    Body odour. It's one of those things we all experience, but rarely talk about. This week, how BO became a social taboo, why you shouldn't fear aluminium in anti-perspirants, and whether natural deodorants are as effective as the conventional kind.

    Feeling stuck? How to make big life decisions, minus the regret

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 11:26


    Do you struggle with making big life decisions? Maybe it's moving overseas, quitting your job or deciding to have a baby. This week, how to ditch analysis paralysis and make a life-changing choice. 

    The 'incestuous' publishing trick that's making you buy books

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 10:38


    When you're looking for a new book, are you ever swayed by the little quotes on the front cover? They might say “Unputdownable!” or "Obsessed!” and they can help books become bestsellers. But one US publisher thinks this “incestuous” practice needs a rethink. Author and radio host David Marr drops by to explain.

    Why your hormones probably don't need 'balancing'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 10:36


    Scour social media as a Millennial or Gen Z woman, and you're bound to come across wellness influencers claiming your hormones are out of whack. Is there any science behind so-called 'hormone balancing'?

    Artworks hidden, a creator dumped. Is this censorship?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 11:24


    There's something going on in the art world. Works are being covered up, a creator was controversially dropped, and an Oscar-winning documentary can't get an American distributor. Why is this happening? And what does it have to do with the war in Gaza?

    ‘Party like it's 1939'. Why Germany's far-right is back

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 10:00


    Elon Musk did that questionable “hand salute” at a Trump rally. Now, Germany's far-right party has doubled its share of votes. How did we get here, and what could happen next?

    Non-alcoholic drinks are wildly popular. What's in them and are they healthy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 12:07


    Australians love to crack open a ‘cold one', but increasingly we're turning to non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits. Why have NoLo drinks become popular? What goes into them – and are they healthier?  

    Why award ceremonies have always been provocative — and political

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 11:18


    Award ceremonies, like the Oscars and GRAMMYs, used to be the height of glamour and success. But are these events increasingly irrelevant? Or are we just seeing them in a different light?

    Have award ceremonies become irrelevant?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 11:18


    Award ceremonies, like the Oscars and GRAMMYs, used to be the height of glamour and success. But are these events increasingly irrelevant? Or are we just seeing them in a different light?

    Will 'arrogance' be the downfall of our major parties?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 10:35


    If you've tuned out of Aussie politics, you're not alone. Apathy is high, especially among young people, and there's a genuine concern that elected representatives don't actually represent us. But are things about to change?

    Would you start your family with sperm you got via Facebook?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 10:43


    Getting pregnant through a fertility clinic can be difficult and wildly expensive. That's why thousands of Australians are using Facebook groups to solicit sperm from strangers. But not all donors have pure intentions.

    When did all our clothes become plastic?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2025 10:07


    Australia buys more clothes per person than any other country, and most is made of plastic. So, when did synthetic fibres take over fashion? And why does it matter?

    Would you fall in love with an AI chatbot?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2025 10:30


    Millions of people are turning to AI chatbots for friendship, fun banter and even romance. But these digital companions come with a dangerous catch.

    Why the zeitgeist is Mormon obsessed + a Quick announcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025


    Mormons seem to be everywhere right now—on our TVs and social media feeds. So, why is the zeitgeist currently obsessing over The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its followers?And if you're Quick Smart obsessed, make sure to listen until the end for an announcement about the show.

    How to boost your creativity while you sleep

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025


    When you fall asleep do you dream of falling Tetris pieces? There's a name for this – the Tetris Effect. Scientists have been investigating its use in boosting creativity and productivity and brands are trying to figure out how to monetise it. So just how malleable does playing video games make our minds? And is it possible for companies to use this research to hijack our dreams? Guest: Shelby Traynor for All In The Mind

    Demure, skibidi, brat: why teenage girls are behind your future vocabulary

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024


    Linguists have discovered that teenage girls play a significant role in shaping our future vocabulary.But how do 16-year-old girls end up being the arbiters of what we will and won't say? 

    Is our love for pets killing the planet?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024


    Our relationship with pets has dramatically shifted over the decades. Historically, we domesticated and bred pets for utility, such as catching rats and protection. Now, we breed them to be as cute as possible and consider them part of the family unit. 

    Does Australia have a problem with class?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 15:30


    Australians generally like to think we're a classless society and that if you have a go, you get a go. This could be one of the reasons why most Australians think they're middle class, but the figures say otherwise. So, how did we get here, and is our perception of class shifting?

    What not to do on jury duty

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024


    You often hear about "mistrials" or cases being "thrown out of court," but how do these situations actually occur? In an age of constant information overload, how can a juror keep their mind clear and unbiased? And what are the consequences when jurors can't resist the temptation to engage with outside sources?

    How the DNA of 15 million people ended up for sale

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024


    23andMe launched in 2016 to widespread excitement from Silicon Valley evangelists. It promised a simple and fun way to explore our genetic makeup.Eight years on, 15 million people are now left wishing they had dug deeper into the T&Cs and understood what they were actually signing up for.

    How overtourism became a problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024


    This year's European summer saw an unprecedented influx of tourists flocking to idyllic holiday destinations. Tourists faced longer lines, fully booked accommodations, and soaring prices. But what is the cost for the locals who call these places home, and how did these once peaceful spots become overrun with visitors? 

    Why your job decides who you'll marry

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024


    If you're in a relationship with someone in the same profession as you, you're not alone. Most people are, and there are stats to prove it. So why do we end up with people just like us, and what does this say about us as a society?

    How Mormons could decide the US election

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024


    The US election is around the corner, and the polls are neck and neck. Both candidates are zeroing in on key voter groups that could win them the election.

    How mindfulness was commodified

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024


    How much should inner peace cost? For the people selling the idea of mindfulness and inner peace the price tag can be limitless. Apps, retreats, balms and oils, mindfulness is now something you can buy. So how did a practice with ties to an ancient religion turn into a mindfulness industrial complex?

    Are dictators taking over the world?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024


    Around the globe, governments have been shifting across the political spectrum. Have some leaders exploited the public's desire for change, and are we seeing an increase in dictators and demagogues?

    Why we're breaking up with dating apps

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024


    The advent of dating apps gave a whole new meaning to the phrase 'plenty of fish in the sea.' Suddenly, you could cast your search for 'the one' into the limitless depths of the internet. So why are people ghosting the apps and instead looking for love IRL? 

    Why the prince of Saudi Arabia wants you to move to NEOM

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 14:00


    The prince of Saudi Arabia has a vision for a sci-fi like city in the middle of the desert called NEOM and he wants you to move in. The futuristic sci-fi city is being spruiked online by influencers and if you've seen the marketing you might think it's too good to be true. So will the prince's sci-fi dreams turn into reality and why does he want to get people to move to the middle of the desert in Saudia Arabia? Guest: Matt Bevan for If You're Listening If you liked this episode you might like this one Your cheat sheet for the US Presidential election or this one on why we don't have driverless cars yet. 

    Is our love for pets killing the planet?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024


    How much is that doggy in the window impacting climate change? And do we need to take paws for thought before buying a pet? 

    Will Kamala Harris become the first female US President?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024


    Amidst the culture wars and identity politics stirred up during the election campaign, can Kamala Harris secure the presidency and make history? And if history is made do her policies align with the progressive youth base that have memed her into a lime green oval office, or are these voters not seeing the forest for the coconut trees?

    What happens when the world goes cashless?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024


    The whole world is moving towards a cashless future. So what does our digital money future look like and is it for the best? Guest: Richard Aedy for The Money 

    Why is sex tech still so taboo?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 10:00


    Sex tech conjures up images of hot robots sent from the future and while that might be where this multi million dollar industry is headed - for now a big slice of the demand is from people hoping to enjoy their own body so why do we make that so hard for people living with disabilities? And who are the inventors and engineers breaking down the taboos to create the products that suit their needs?Guest - Rebecca McLaren for the Health Report If you liked this episode of Quick Smart you might enjoy our chat with Lucy Sweeney about the neuroscience of singing in a choir or our episode with James Purtill on why we still don't have driverless cars.

    Demure, skibidi, brat: why teenage girls are behind your future vocabulary

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024


    Linguists have discovered that teenage girls play a significant role in shaping our future vocabulary.But how do 16-year-old girls end up being the arbiters of what we will and won't say? Guest: Fiona Pepper for Future Tense 

    One year on from a fatal mushroom lunch, the saga continues

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 19:00


    Where is the case now and when will mushroom murder-accused Erin Patterson face trial? We find out and get into the weeds about the legality and ethics of making a true crime podcast happening in real time. If you liked this episode of Quick Smart you might like this other episode we did about The truth behind reality TV villains or this one about The mysterious disappearance of Agatha Christie

    How to boost your creativity while you sleep

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 10:50


    When you fall asleep do you dream of falling Tetris pieces? There's a name for this – the Tetris Effect. Scientists have been investigating its use in boosting creativity and productivity and brands are trying to figure out how to monetise it. So just how malleable does playing video games make our minds? And is it possible for companies to use this research to hijack our dreams? Guest: Shelby Traynor for All In The MindIf you liked this episode of Quick Smart you might like this other episode we did about whether we're all too addicted to our phones or this one about how to find out whether you're in introvert or an extrovert

    Why are criminals using video games to launder money?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 10:00


    Cryptocurrency and block chain technology has dramatically shifted the way criminals launder money - so what are the techniques some criminals are using to clean dirty money and what does it have to do with a video game about salamanders? Guest: Nick Baker for The Money and ABC Digital And if you liked this episode check out some of the other episodes we've made with The Money like this one about how the RBA wants you to lose your job, or this one about how the Australian housing crisis got so bad. 

    Why are so many women freezing their eggs?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 10:50


    If you're a woman between 25 and 45 on Instagram there's a good chance you've seen ads for egg freezing. And in recent years, the popularity of IVF clinics has sky rocketed - so much so that the clinics are are actually starting to run out of storage space. So what has led to the huge uptick in people wanting to freeze their eggs and is it actually the insurance policy that people think it is?Guest: Sophie Kesteven for ABC NewsAnd if you liked this episode check out our episodes about office romances with Zoe Ferguson or the woman who got a Pap smear everyday for 21 years with Belinda Smith.

    How the Olympics were almost cancelled

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 11:40


    The Olympic Games are about to kick off and athletes from all over the world will make their way to France to compete. The event is watched by billions, there's a massive increase to local tourism and of course an eye watering amount of advertising dollars at stake so it's wild to think that at one stage - the Olympics was almost cancelled for good. Guest: Jack Schmidt for God Forbid

    The truth behind reality TV villains

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 11:40


    In the back of our minds we all know that there's very little that's real about reality TV… but you might be shocked to discover just how deceptive – and ethically questionable – some of the television tactics really are. So are the humans behind these characters we love to hate really so awful? And how does being cast as a TV villain impact a person's mental health and life outside the show?And a content note: this episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health. Guest: Annika Blau for Background Briefing

    Should we ban teens from social media?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 11:00


    Social media is a huge part of our lives. We use it to talk to friends, to read about what's happening in the world, and to find out whether or not something is cake. But recently there's been talk of banning people under the age 16 from using social media because of the negative impact on their mental health and to protect them from harm. So is the government's plan for age restriction really the best way to tackle this crisis? And will it actually improve the wellbeing of kids or will it just push their social media use underground? Guest: Ange Lavoipierre Technology Reporter for ABC News

    The rise of AI in the movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 10:00


    AI is impacting every creative industry - and movies are no exception. If a young Harrison Ford can be churned out of a computer, what does the future of film look like? And would you feel differently about your favourite TV show if you knew the characters in it were created by a computer?Guest: Bev Wang for Stop Everything!This episode was originally published in January 2024

    The science behind singing in a choir

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 10:00


    Whether you're singing in a karaoke room at 2am, or at a more reasonable time with a local choir, there's something about singing without inhibiton that feels great. Our brains get this warm fuzzy feeling when we come together and sing as a group - and it turns out there's neuroscience that backs that up. So what are the health benefits for our brain and mental health? Should we all be joining a community choir?Guest: Lucy Sweeney for ABC Online

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