G’day Fearmongers,

This week we have one of my favourite comedians and tv producers walk us through the CBS’ decision to axe the Stephen Colbert Late Show.

Was it financial or something more sinister?

W.Kamau Bell is one of the smartest TV creators and stand ups and he’s got the silverware to prove it. Kamau has even hosted his own tonight show. He’s one of the most prolific brains in media, comedy and justice.

📝 You can read his very thoughtful analysis of the Colbert moment on his Substack Who’s With Me.

🎟️ And you can book to see him live on tour around the US later this year.

If you enjoy A Rational Fear, chip in to the Patreon.

ALSO In two weeks we have a Federal Minister on the show and on Patreon, you will be able to pitch your questions directly to them - but I’ll only take them for Patreon.

Cheers,

Dan

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G’day Fearmongers,

We have two special guests this week!

Firstly, from the International Intrigue newsletter this week, co-founder and editor, Jeremy Dicker. It's a great daily read. I highly recommend subscribing. Kind of like Morning Brew for #Geopol.

International Intrigue website.

We cover a couple of big internationally intriguing headlines from Albo's trip to China and why the US Department of Defense is buying a mining company in Nevada.

AND Guest #2. James Blackwell gives the Federal Court a spray about this week's decision that the Australian Government doesn't have a duty of care to Torres Strait islanders… and thereby... all Australians.

We’re also launching A Rational Fear Corporate. We will come to your conference to hold a panel show about your industry—that is guaranteed not to be boring.

Imagine: Your company paying for comedians to make fun of your industry.

To book A Rational Fear corporate shows hit me up on the email: dan@arationalfear.com

Cheers

Dan

Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | YouTube

If you enjoy our podcast, emails and important climate change conversations, chip in here like a good sovereign citizen: www.patreon.com/arationalfear

Big thanks to our Patreon Supporters, RØDE Mics, and Jacob Round.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.

🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.

🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.

🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.

👨🏼‍⚖️ Make show suggestions.

💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.

If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.

🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.

🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.

🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.

👨🏼‍⚖️ Make show suggestions.

💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.

If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/

G’day Fearmongers,

There’s only 48 hours left of this election — soon our national nightmare will be over.

On the podcast we’re joined by the hosts of the new media and cultural podcast, Lamestream. Scott Mitchell and Osman Faruqui are a couple of smart media operators who have been inside big corporate media, and politics, and know lots about how the sausage is made.

In this episode we chat about how the fourth estate has covered this election. Right wing vs progressive ecosystems, and how the major parties are trying to reach younger audiences.

ALSO for lovers of wacky news clips — Dylan Behan has given us his Australian election edition of News Fighters.

Cheers,

Dan

LAMESTREAM ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qVXiJ3EVcWavliV6eh4j3?si=874b15abc7cd41f1

LAMETREAM ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lamestream/id1810214465

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.

🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.

🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.

🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.

👨🏼‍⚖️ Make show suggestions.

💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.

If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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G’day Fearmongers,

Thanks to everyone who made it out to our huge A Rational Fear live show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival — it was a great vibe.

Our panel dives into the election campaign, what the minor parties are really up to, we explain how the US trade tariffs work, celebrate the role of traditional media in Australia, we chat with Belinda Gread and how nerds have ruined the world.

Big thanks to all of our guests:

• Alice Fraser
• Tom Ballard
• John Delmenico
• Vidya Rajan
• Mel McGlensey
• Belinda Gread
• DJ Andy McClelland
• also thanks to me and Lewis — we were also very good.

We couldn’t have put this show on without the help of Nathan and Yvonne from Token, Laura Milke at the Malthouse — and thanks to Tom Noble Creative for the great photos.

And thanks to our Patreon supporters — it meant we could subsidise some of the cost of the show and make sure our interstate guests could make to the show.

In this episode of Rational Fear, Dan Ilic hosts a comedy panel show that satirizes the Australian political landscape, focusing on the upcoming election. The show features comedians like Tom Ballard, Alice Fraser, and Lewis Hobba, who humorously dissect current political events, including Peter Dutton's leadership, the coalition's struggles, and the media's coverage of the election. The podcast includes comedic segments about American tariffs, a mock interview with a fictional Liberal candidate, and a sponsorship bit from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Throughout the show, the panelists use sharp wit and comedic commentary to critique political figures, media practices, and societal trends, offering a humorous take on serious contemporary issues.

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.

🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.

🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.

🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.

👨🏼‍⚖️ Make show suggestions.

💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.

If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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🎟️ MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL TICKETS: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/comedy-festival-2025/a-rational-fear

I know I am full of hyperbole for this podcast — but believe me when I say THIS is a great episode.

We talk about Alex Dyson’s longest job interview ever. Both Allegra and Alex chat about dirty tactics, having a sense of humour while campaigning, how the cut and thrust of politics can make two candidates who want the same thing be at each others throats. Allegra Spender also has some great advice for Alex Dyson should he get into parliament.

You’ll finish this episode thinking that these two individuals could indeed make Australia a better place.

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.

🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.

🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.

🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.

👨🏼‍⚖️ Make show suggestions.

💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.

If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

📨 SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST: http://www.arationalfear.com/

🎟️ MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL TICKETS: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/comedy-festival-2025/a-rational-fear

In this episode, we discuss the upcoming election on May 3rd with Alex Fein from RedBridge and Populares’ Ed Coper.

These two people have their fingers (and toes) on the pulse more than most politicians — and the word that sums up the electorate in 2025 is “abandonment”.

And we make some ropey jokes from 2005, and get some predictions where this election will end up in 5 weeks time.

🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear

Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.

🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.

🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.

🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.

👨🏼‍⚖️ Make show suggestions.

💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.

If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.