Quick Smart

ABC Australia
  • 4.6 (175)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

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. Siobhan Marin guides you through!

  1. 12 Jan

    When did all our clothes become plastic? (SUMMER SERIES)

    Australia buys more clothes per person than any other country and most of it is made up of plastic. Thanks to fast fashion, even our op shops are becoming flooded with these polyester products. So, when did we start wearing plastic? And why did it take over the fashion industry? Guest: Anna Levy, ABC journo. Anna Levy’s article on the rise of not-so-fantastic plastic fashion can be found here.  And if you’re into environmental issues and solving them in small but meaningful ways, check out our episode on overtourism.  -------- You’re listening to Quick Smart's summer season. We’ll return with fresh episodes next year, but in the meantime please enjoy our special curation for the holidays. This episode originally aired on 28th Jan, 2025.

  2. 5 Jan

    Non-alcoholic drinks are wildly popular. What’s in them and are they healthy? (SUMMER SERIES)

    Australians love to crack open a ‘cold one’, but increasingly we’re turning to non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits. How did NoLo drinks become so popular? What’s actually in them? And are they healthier than their boozy counterparts? Guest: Jacinta Bowler, ABC science reporter  If you’re into the science of what we eat and drink, check out our episode on the influx of random chip flavours or why the alt right is obsessed with eating meat.  Read Jacinta’s article on no and low-alcohol drinks here. If you have something you'd like to see covered on Quick Smart, let us know at quick.smart@abc.net.au -------- You’re listening to Quick Smart's summer season. We’ll return with fresh episodes next year, but in the meantime please enjoy our special curation for the holidays. This episode originally aired on 25th Feb, 2025.

  3. 29/12/2025

    Feeling stuck? How to make big life decisions, minus the regret (SUMMER SERIES)

    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. Guest: Sana Qadar, host of All in the Mind. If you liked this chat, check out our episode on what makes someone an introvert or an extrovert. Sana also has a longer All in the Mind episode about how to decide when you can’t decide. Drop us a line at quick.smart@abc.net.au if there's a story or topic you'd like us to cover. ------- You’re listening to Quick Smart's summer season. We’ll return with fresh episodes next year, but in the meantime please enjoy our special curation for the holidays. This episode originally aired on 1st April, 2025.

  4. 22/12/2025

    Why your childhood could be holding you back financially — and how to fix it (SUMMER SERIES)

    Why do some people save every spare dollar, while others blow through their pay the moment it lands? It might have less to do with discipline and more to do with the way you were raised. Guest: Emily Stewart, ABC business reporter and author of Sensible Money If this episode has you feeling *triggered*, you can sign up to Emily’s handy money newsletter here (you're looking for Your Money Explained next to a picture of Emily). You might also like our previous chat about how to survive the cost of living crisis.   And if there are any topics you’d love us to cover, get in touch at quick.smart@abc.net.au -------- You’re listening to Quick Smart's summer season. We’ll return with fresh episodes next year, but in the meantime please enjoy our special curation for the holidays. This episode originally aired on 17th June, 2025.

  5. 15/12/2025

    See You Next Tuesday? How the ‘worst word’ became a compliment (SUMMER SERIES)

    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 an "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”? Guest: Virginia Trioli, host of Creative Types on ABC TV and iview. Check out Virginia’s article on how the the c-word is being reclaimed by women in pop culture here. If you liked this chat, you might also enjoy our episodes on how teenage girls are shaping our vocabulary or whether Stockholm Syndrome a sexist myth. If there's a story or topic you'd like us to cover, drop us a line at quick.smart@abc.net.au ------ You’re listening to Quick Smart's summer season. We’ll return with fresh episodes next year, but in the meantime please enjoy our special curation for the holidays. This episode originally aired on 15th April, 2025.

  6. 08/12/2025

    Where is all this asbestos coming from?

    It feels like asbestos has been having more than it's fair share of limelight over the last few years. But it's manufacture, sale and import was banned in Australia in 2003. So, where is it coming from? Guest: Angelique Donnellan, reporter for ABC's 7:30 program.--------- If you liked this chat, you might also like our episode about whether Australia has a problem with class. You can find Angelique's articles about her investigations here. Thanks to my producer Jessie Kay. Drop us a line at quick.smart@abc.net.au

  7. 01/12/2025

    Victoria is the first state to have a Treaty. What now?

    The Victorian government has signed into law a historic Treaty with First Nations people. It’s supposed to help fix the effects of institutional harm. So, what will actually change?

  8. 24/11/2025

    How to stop companies knowing everything about you

    Our personal data can be used to manipulate the prices we see, the disinformation we believe, and sometimes even who we vote for. So, how much does the internet know about you?

See All (130)

Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
175 Ratings

About

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. Siobhan Marin guides you through!

Information

  • Creator
    ABC Australia
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Quick Smart