The Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove

The Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Politics

A small independent Australian podcast about news, politics, sex and religion. An easy and entertaining way to keep up to date with the weekly news.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 502: Reading The Courier Mail as LNP Propaganda and Checking the ABC

    In episode 502 of The Iron Fist and The Velvet Glove, the hosts screen-share and work through the day’s Courier-Mail to show how they see it as a Liberal National Party-aligned propaganda outlet, highlighting front-page stories on Matt Canavan’s lower-house bid, cost-of-living polls, interest-rate fears, house-price falls framed as “brutal,” and favorable mining coverage citing Hancock Prospecting’s reported $24.5b tax payments. They discuss a story about a pedophile extradition by road framed as political posturing, coverage pressuring Indigenous players to sing the anthem, and repeated themes of Labor “big spending,” plus opinion pieces including Joe Hildebrand defending antisemitism envoy Gillian Segal. They then compare the ABC’s homepage focus, including US politics and an inflation explainer, criticizing simplistic supply-and-demand framing. They end by deferring other planned topics. 00:00 Show Intro Setup 00:43 Why News Feels Harder 01:46 Courier Mail Propaganda Tour 04:01 Front Page Spin 09:05 Politics Beat Page Two 10:13 Tough On Crime Posturing 13:33 Manufactured Albo Rift 15:34 Anthem Culture War 18:21 Mining Tax Puff Piece 22:14 One Nation Poll Shock 24:25 Cost Of Living Spread 30:40 House Prices Panic 33:49 Childcare Lobby Ad 34:58 Childcare Oversight Gaps 35:31 Iran Tensions And Politics 36:28 Commonwealth Games Cost Blowout 37:27 Festival Stand Collapse Scare 38:52 Trust Tax Loophole Closed 41:06 World News Trump And Ukraine 43:16 Israel Election And Gaza 44:22 Opinion Pages Labor Bashing 52:15 Antisemitism Envoy Debate 59:17 ABC News And Inflation Explainer 01:06:58 Wrapping Up And Next Time To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

  2. Oct 26

    Episode 501 - Back from a break

    Topics: Thoughts Previously on IFVG One Nation Merger with the Nationals? House Prices ABC Bias Thoughts on AI Trump Mid-Terms and Democracy Summary Chris Hedges Explains How Don’t Downplay the Christian Element Meanwhile – we watch a clown car – just like Hunger Games Unless The Greens Are In Power Patreon Update Helen Haines Public Executions French Riots Crikey European Spring Parcoursup Arnaud Bertrand Generational Problem To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

  3. Apr 27

    Episode 500 - We Made It

    Topics: Episode 500: 11 Years of Iron Fist and Velvet Glove Reflections Trevor (“Iron Fist”), Scott (“Velvet Glove”), and Joe (“the tech guy”) mark episode 500 after 11 years, reflect on how their views have changed, and thank Patreon supporters who have covered production costs. They discuss growing skepticism about governments and media, arguing mainstream outlets filter narratives and that Gaza especially has exposed media failures, pushing them toward Twitter and independent blogs. They describe increased polarization, tribal thinking, and how COVID accelerated denial of expertise and conspiracy thinking in Australia. They revisit recurring themes from past episodes—religion in politics, Liberal Party branch-stacking by religious fundamentalists, free trade agreements, submarines/AUKUS, and stalled economic reforms like negative gearing and capital gains—contrasting these with “soft issue” wins such as marriage equality, voluntary assisted dying, and abortion law reform. Trevor plans a break for months, possibly shifting to writing and using Discord/community forums. 00:00 Episode 500 Kickoff 00:58 Hosts Introductions 01:52 Patreon Thanks Rollcall 06:23 Break Plans Ahead 07:06 Iran US Reality Flip 12:16 Views Changed Over Years 14:42 Changing Minds And Tribes 16:45 Media Trust And Propaganda 20:12 Religion Politics Flashbacks 25:11 Trade Deals And Submarines 29:18 Tax Reform Stuck Again 31:04 COVID And Conspiracy Spiral 33:46 COVID and Expert Trust 35:20 Radicalization and Simple Answers 36:01 Learning to Debate Ideas 37:32 Gaza as Societal Proof 40:36 War Crimes and Tribal Loyalty 43:00 Assange and Media Failures 44:54 Wins and Soft Issues 47:13 Lobbying Captures Politics 51:17 Old Topics and Culture Wars 01:00:13 Captured Media and Finding Sources 01:03:50 Taking a Break and Next Steps To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

  4. Apr 14

    Episode 499 - BRS and Hypocritical Reasoning

    Here is what AI thinks this episode is about: This podcast episode meticulously examines the ongoing discourse surrounding pivotal global events, with a particular focus on the recent arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith, a highly decorated Australian serviceman accused of heinous acts during military operations. We delve into the intricacies of public perception regarding military conduct, interrogating the moral obligations of civilians to critique actions undertaken in the theatre of war. Furthermore, we analyse the tumultuous geopolitical landscape, spotlighting the escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the immediate repercussions of Israel's military actions in Lebanon. This episode aspires to provide a candid, intelligent analysis of these pressing issues, while also reflecting on the broader implications they hold for international relations and domestic narratives. As we approach our milestone episode 500, we invite listeners to engage with these complex themes as we endeavour to uncover the realities of our world. To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

  5. Mar 30

    Episode 498 - Making Money From Trump Announcements

    Topics: Iron Fist, Velvet Glove Episode 498: One Nation Surge, Resource Taxes, and Trading on Trump’s War Talk Trevor and Scott mark episode 498 and discuss the South Australia election where One Nation won 22.5% of the vote but about 8.5% of seats, prompting debate over electoral systems and proportional representation, while noting Liberals fell to about 19% and Labor won 72% of seats from 37% of votes; they cite backing and amplification for One Nation from Gina Rinehart, News Corp/Sky, Barnaby Joyce networks, and coordinated social media. They critique a Reserve Bank rate rise amid fuel-driven inflation and argue for higher resource taxes, referencing a proposed 25% gas export levy and Norway’s 78% tax. On Iran/Israel, they debate Australia’s involvement (UAE defensive assets and Pine Gap), play clips alleging a US Tomahawk strike hit an Iranian school killing 165 girls, criticize Israeli actions in Gaza/Lebanon/West Bank, and question media coverage. They then discuss claims Trump’s announcements move markets, citing a large pre-announcement futures trade and suspicions of profiting. They close noting episode 500 may bring a break and mention Japan’s PM laying flowers for the Nagasaki bomber pilot. 00:00 Show Intro 01:29 Trump And Project 2025 02:27 Would You Visit America 04:21 South Australia Election Shock 06:17 Vote Share Vs Seats 07:16 Proportional Representation Debate 14:14 One Nation Backers And Media 21:23 Global Populism And Protests 22:11 Rate Rise And Fuel Inflation 25:43 Taxing Gas And Mining Giants 28:34 Climate Costs And Sea Levels 29:32 Pivot To Iran And Israel 31:32 Australia in the War 32:17 Pine Gap Target Debate 33:51 Troops on Ground Red Line 35:16 School Bombing Breakdown 39:39 Intentional or Mistake 43:10 Media Silence in Australia 45:54 Israel Society and Lebanon 51:41 Gaza Doctor Testimony 55:56 Trump Peace Talk Claims 59:00 Trading on Announcements 01:03:07 Missile False Flag Story 01:05:44 Wrap Up and Next Topics To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

  6. Mar 16

    Episode 497 - The American Regime

    Topics: A discussion about the war against Iran and Australia's involvement. To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

  7. Mar 3

    Episode 496 - Our Society is Captured

    Topics: Our Society Is Captured: Australia Backs US–Israel Attacks on Iran In a solo “Iron Fist” rant, the host reviews what he calls an unprovoked US–Israel bombing campaign on Iran (“Operation Epic Fury”), describing hundreds of Tomahawk missiles, US aircraft and drones, and about 200 Israeli jets striking 500 sites, killing Iranian leaders including the Supreme Leader and at least 165 schoolgirls; Iran retaliates by striking Tel Aviv and targeting US bases in Gulf states. He argues Western leaders, especially Five Eyes governments and Australia’s Anthony Albanese, condemn Iran’s response while supporting the attacks, despite Iran being in negotiations at the time. He critiques media and political statements (Laura Tingle, Penny Wong, EU leaders), highlights an MSNBC exchange with Iran’s foreign minister, and mocks a UN Security Council session chaired by Melania Trump. He frames the war as driven by the military-industrial complex, Zionists, capitalists, and propaganda, and portrays Albanese as captured by lobbying and abandoning his 2003 anti-Iraq-war stance, including repeating unproven claims about Iran-linked attacks in Australia. 00:00 Solo Rant Setup 01:13 Why People Accept It 02:50 What Happened In Iran 05:15 Negotiations And Pretexts 07:42 Five Eyes Backing War 14:06 Regime Change Playbook 17:42 What Iranians Actually Want 21:29 Media Clips And Hypocrisy 28:58 Orwellian Interviews 30:31 UN Security Council Farce 30:44 Melania Chairs UN 32:40 Melania Doc Roast 34:02 Greenland And Denmark 34:44 Why Attack Iran Now 35:12 Four Forces Behind War 38:07 Albanese In Focus 38:53 World Reactions Clip 41:08 Albanese Then Vs Now 44:11 Claims Of Iran Attacks 47:36 Greens And Critics 50:34 Lobby Power And Capture 54:47 Leadership And Wrap Up To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

  8. Feb 23

    Episode 495 - In Summary ... We're F#%ked

    Topics: Isis BridesTrumpIran To financially support the Podcast you can make: a per-episode donation via Patreon or one-off donation via credit card; orone-off or regular donations via Paypal orif you are into Cryptocurrency you can send Satoshis. We Livestream every Monday night at 7:30 pm Brisbane time. Follow us on Facebook or YouTube. Watch us live and join the discussion in the chat room. We have a website. www.ironfistvelvetglove.com.au You can email us. The address is trevor@ironfistvelvetglove.com.au

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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A small independent Australian podcast about news, politics, sex and religion. An easy and entertaining way to keep up to date with the weekly news.

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