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Download This Show

ABC Australia
Artificial Intelligence
Australia
Tiktok
Meta
Social Media
Openai
Chatgpt
Generative AI
Cybersecurity
Elon Musk
Google
Privacy
Facebook
Apple Vision Pro
Apple
Virtual Reality
Instagram
Misinformation
Social Media Ban
Data Privacy

Download This Show is your weekly guide to the world of media, culture, and technology. From social media to gadgets, streaming services to privacy issues. Each week Rae Johnston and guests take a fun, deep dive into how technology is reshaping our lives.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes358Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Download This Show

Latest Episodes

With the US midterm elections looming and our own state elections on the horizon, how is technology shaping the way we vote? And how might it impact democracy?

We hear from fact-checkers, internet researchers and cybersecurity experts about AI-gener... more

AI is making it easier than ever to take software apart and build a copy. We look at what reverse engineering involves, and whether it is a good idea to use reverse engineered software?

Ukraine's drone are striking Russian data centres. What role do... more

We expect to be tracked online, but increasingly we're being watched in real life too. Strangers in the street are wearing "pervert" glasses, cameras can follow us through shopping centres, and WA Police have rolled out live facial recognition camera... more

AI agents are popping up everywhere: Facebook, OpenAI, Google. Meanwhile, tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman are warning these agents could end humanity. So, how much of this is a marketing tool, and what threat do AI agents actually po... more

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Recent Guests

Seamus Byrne
PhD research candidate at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Automated Decision Making & Society
ARC Centre of Excellence in Automated Decision Making & Society
Episode: Is this the end of software?
Erica Mealy
Technology Discipline Lead at UniSC's School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC
Episode: Is this the end of software?
Josh Taylor
Technology reporter for The Guardian Australia
The Guardian Australia
Episode: The surveillance technology watching Australians
Tom Sulston
Head of Policy at Digital Rights Watch
Digital Rights Watch
Episode: The surveillance technology watching Australians
Tama Leaver
Professor of Internet Studies, Curtin University; Chief Investigator at ARC Centre for the Digital Child
Curtin University
Episode: Could your AI agent end humanity?
Lorenn Ruster
Researcher, advisor and consultant in Responsible AI and Human Dignity
ANU Leadership & Complexity Lab
Episode: Could your AI agent end humanity?
Richard King
Author of Here Be Monsters and Brave New Wild
Author
Episode: Can technology save us from climate change?
Matt McGowan
Chief Product Officer at Reapit
Reapit
Episode: The Renter Algorithm: 2Apply responds to privacy concerns
Anna Burkey
CEO of Australia Reads
Australia Reads
Episode: Can books survive the age of algorithms?

Host

Rae Johnston
Host of Download This Show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Love this show! Quite informative!

    Three things I love about this show:

    1. Hosted by women;

    2. It's intelligent;

    3. It's is very good in selecting its subject matter.

    This is a highly informative, well-hosted, (practically educational) show, regarding all things A.I., or cyber security, etc. it is also well-balanced, with various guests, and the hosts sound very knowledgeable (or at least make excellent use of their critical thinking abilities) on how they address each topic.

    I like that it's not fear-mongering, nor inflammatory,... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Music_Lv'r
    United States9 months ago
  • Opt Out podcast

    This is an excellent podcast to listen to if you're interested in your security and privacy online. I've had my personal information released in numerous data breeches in the past few years and this podcast gives you step by step instructions about how to take back control of your personal information. The podcast is also very interesting - it's better to be informed rather than ignorant!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Victoria Dawson99
    Australia10 months ago
  • Stick to tech

    I’m a little disappointed with the turn the show has taken away from tech. It seems that since Marc left, it’s really lost something.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Nicko24842
    Australiaa year ago
  • So Glad I Started Tuning in

    I’ve only recently started getting into podcasts and listed in after a friend recommended this one… so glad I did and will be looking forward to this each week!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J-Dawg#23
    Australia2 years ago
  • For the low key techheads like me that love learning!

    I’ll be honest — I haven’t always been a regular listener of Download This Show. I’d catch an episode here and there, but it wasn’t something I was following closely. Since Rae has taken over full-time though, I have to say I’m making much more of an effort to listen to the podcast.

    I already follow Rae on a few of her other platforms, and I love her perspective on tech. She brings such a wealth of knowledge to the show, especially when it comes to science and the way First Nations perspective... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mssabrinagxxxxxxx
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise balanced, informative tech coverage and diverse guests.
Listeners appreciate Rae Johnston's perspective as a First Nations woman and the accessibility of tough topics.
Guests are seen as knowledgeable and able to explain complex topics clearly.
The show is considered well-produced with high-quality guests and thoughtful discussion.
Some critique a shift away from strictly tech topics toward social issues, viewed by some as misalignment with expectations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#19
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#11
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#118
Japan/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#131
China/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#185
New Zealand/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#188
Hong Kong/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is this the end of software?
Q: What happens to online propaganda when the servers hosting it are damaged or destroyed? Does taking down the technology stop disinformation, or does it just move somewhere else?
Erica Mealy says replicated infrastructure can move content elsewhere, so attacks may slow disinformation but are unlikely to eliminate it entirely.
Is this the end of software?
Q: At its most basic, top line kind of level, what does reverse engineering software actually involve?
Seamus Byrne explains that AI can decompile software, translating low-level code into readable code that can be changed or rebuilt.
The Renter Algorithm: 2Apply responds to privacy concerns
Q: How are you able to keep the data secure when it's going to this many other companies?
McGowan says information sent to third parties is limited to what is needed for verification, such as confirming whether an applicant meets affordability requirements. He says 2Apply does not sell the data and deletes inactive application data after 14 days.
The Renter Algorithm: 2Apply responds to privacy concerns
Q: What changes would you say have been made as a result of the Privacy Commissioners' decision and investigation?
McGowan says Reapit is still discussing points of clarification with the OAIC and aligning with state-based rental legislation. Johnston later lists fields removed from applications and changes to language identified as biased framing.
The surveillance technology watching Australians
Q: What do we do about it?
Sulston argues that privacy protection should come from stronger laws and regulators rather than placing the burden on individuals to scrutinize every product and privacy policy.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Download This Show

What is Download This Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A tech-leaning show with a steady rotation of guests that explore how media, culture, and technology intersect—covering privacy, AI, surveillance, policy, and the business side of platforms. Episodes often pair industry voices with researchers and journalists to unpack complex topics in an accessible way, offering practical takeaways for consumers and a clear view of how tech shapes everyday life. Notable traits include a strong emphasis on ethics and governance in tech, a focus on Australian regulatory context, and a propensity to feature voices from academia, journalism, and industry advocacy. This mix tends to attract listeners who want thoughtful analysis without fear-mongering, and who appreciate nuanced discussions around data, privac... more

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How many listeners does Download This Show get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Download This Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Download This Show:

1. No One Saw It Coming
2. The Economy, Stupid
3. If You're Listening
4. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today
5. The Science Show

How many episodes of Download This Show are there?

Download This Show launched 15 years ago and published 358 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Download This Show?

Recent guests on Download This Show include:

1. Seamus Byrne
2. Erica Mealy
3. Josh Taylor
4. Tom Sulston
5. Tama Leaver
6. Lorenn Ruster
7. Richard King
8. Matt McGowan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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