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Spin Cycle

RRR - Triple R
Gaza
Domestic Violence
ABC
Donald Trump
Artificial Intelligence
Melbourne
Journalism
Climate Change
Gaza City, Palestine
The Descendants
Bacchus Marsh, Australia
Jillian Segal
Merivale
Frontier Massacres
BBC
Copyright Law
Liberal Party
Guardian Australia
Productivity Commission
Australian Media / Journalism

Spin Cycle covers all things media, unravelling the tangled threads of politics, the 24 hour news cycle, the spin and the story behind the stories. With Jess Lilley, Rachel Withers and Charlie Lewis.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes152Founded4 years ago
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News CommentaryNews

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Artwork for Spin Cycle

Latest Episodes

ABC journalist Emily Baker talk to Jess, Charlie and Rachel about her investigation into sexual violence in Byron Bay in the 2000s. Plus, the team unpacks why Charlie Pickering's decision to call Grace Tame "problematic" was itself pretty problematic... more

Charlie and Rachel are joined by writer and author Patrick Marlborough to dissect the Abbott vs Downer battle for the Liberal Party presidency, unpack what Michael Gawenda's factually-challenged essay reveals about the declining standards of The Aust... more

Jess and Charlie speak with RMIT journalism lecturer and Triple R broadcaster (host of Future Perfect on Monday mornings) Dylan Bird about World Press Freedom Day, before dissecting the chaos of the White House Correspondents' Dinner and unpacking th... more

Guardian Australia's chief investigations correspondent, Christopher Knaus, joins Spin Cycle to discuss his recent investigation into the death of Bikram Lama, a young Nepali man who died homeless in Sydney's Hyde Park.

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Recent Guests

Patrick Marlborough
Author of Knock Loose; co-host of The Battler
Independent journalist/author
Episode: The Liberal Party's Identity Crisis, the Decline of The Australian and the Antisemitism Royal Commission
Dylan Bird
Guest; journalist and commentator on Triple R
Triple R
Episode: Press freedom, the White House Correspondents' Dinner and the quest for social cohesion
Christopher Knaus
Guardian Australia Chief Investigative Correspondent
The Guardian
Episode: Christopher Knaus on what Bikram Lama's death reveals about homelessness in Australia
Ben Smee
Guardian Australia Queensland correspondent
Guardian Australia
Episode: Ben Smee on the judicial handling of domestic violence cases
Alexandra Wake
Professor of Journalism, RMIT University
RMIT University
Episode: RMIT journalism professor Alexandra Wake on allegations of bias at the BBC
Preeshita Shah
Aspirant foreign correspondent, Melbourne University journalism graduate
Melbourne University (Masters in International Journalism)
Episode: Recent grad Preeshita Shah on starting a media career in 2025
Chris Hedges
Pulitzer Prize–winning American journalist and author
The Nation (occasional), author of A Genocide Foretold; former New York Times reporter
Episode: Chris Hedges on Israel-Palestine and his clash with Western media
Omar El Akkad
Author of American War and One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
Author, Writer
Episode: A call to action with journalist Omar El Akkad
Royce Kurmelovs
Freelance reporter and author covering the intersection of class, finance and climate change
Freelance; author of Slick
Episode: Royce Kurmelovs on the dismal coverage of climate and targets

Hosts

Charlie Lewis
Host of Spin Cycle
Rachel Withers
Host of Spin Cycle
Jess Lilley
Host of Spin Cycle

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 12 ratings
  • Sleepy

    apparently it's updated regularly ... last ep. was September and it's almost 2026.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    amcqu
    Australia7 months ago
  • Essential listening

    Jess, Najma and Charlie are ideal guides through the ever shifting landscape of the media cycle and current affairs. Listening to this podcast weekly keeps me up-to-date, inspired and entertained - Spin Cycle is full of insights, wisdom, humour and humanity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Qwells101
    Australia4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show often bridges Australian media and global affairs with topical, issue-driven conversations.
Listener expectations include clarity on how media narratives are shaped and what accountability looks like in journalism.
The hosts balance sharp critique with wit and accessibility, making media analysis engaging and actionable.
Guests are well-chosen and bring deep expertise across journalism, policy, and culture.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Alistair Kitchen on being deported from the US
Q: What had you prepared for in that process and what happened?
Kitchen explains being prepared for border trouble but not for an armed back-room interrogation; he details the coercive, global-scale nature of the questioning about Israel-Palestine and Columbia, culminating in a forced phone search and a deportation decision based on perceived 'evidence'.
Plestia Alaqad on reporting in Gaza
Q: What was it like leaving Gaza and starting anew in Australia?
She describes survivor's guilt, the shock of cultural and temporal distance, and the challenge of continuing to tell Gaza's stories from abroad without losing connection to those on the ground.
Plestia Alaqad on reporting in Gaza
Q: Can you talk us through the conflict between reporting and helping during the genocide?
Plestia explains that as a Palestinian reporter, she faced a dilemma between journalistic responsibility and immediate humanitarian impulse, often choosing to balance documenting events with helping others when possible, while still trying to maintain professional coverage.
Joey Watson on the myth of Christchurch's 'Lone Actor'
Q: How did you approach naming the attacker in the podcast?
The host explains it was a deliberate editorial decision to balance responsible reporting with the need to study the influence of naming on public discourse and potential copycat dynamics.
Joey Watson on the myth of Christchurch's 'Lone Actor'
Q: What was the North Star of the investigation in Lone Actor?
The aim was to understand what radicalized the Christchurch shooter by examining the broader ecosystems around him, rather than presenting a simple biography or singling him out as an isolated threat.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Spin Cycle

What is Spin Cycle about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, media-savvy show that dissects the mechanics behind headlines, focusing on how stories are shaped by editors, owners, PR, and political pressures. Across episodes, hosts scrutinize press coverage, media ethics, and the 24-hour news cycle, often debating bias, accountability, and the power of institutions in shaping public discourse. Notably, guests range from investigative journalists and authors to media critics and policy experts, providing a mix of on-the-ground reporting and high-level analysis. The tone tends to be combative yet insightful, with a penchant for explaining complex media dynamics in a way that's useful for practitioners looking to pitch guests or sponsor episodes. A standout strength is the blend of international... more

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How many subscribers and views does Spin Cycle have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Spin Cycle?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Spin Cycle:

1. We Used to be Journos
2. Truth, Lies and Media
3. 7am
4. After America
5. Full Story

How many episodes of Spin Cycle are there?

Spin Cycle launched 4 years ago and published 152 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Spin Cycle?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Spin Cycle?

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What guests have appeared on Spin Cycle?

Recent guests on Spin Cycle include:

1. Patrick Marlborough
2. Dylan Bird
3. Christopher Knaus
4. Ben Smee
5. Alexandra Wake
6. Preeshita Shah
7. Chris Hedges
8. Omar El Akkad

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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