Best Local Energy Rules Podcasts (2026)

1
DIY Plug-In Solar Is On The Way — Episode 261 of Local Energy Rules 36:04

Play Pause

21m ago36:04

36:04

These plug-in devices bypass utility hassles to offer cheap, convenient power for everyone.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/plug-in-solar-ler261/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your frie…

1
SA’s 2025 economic outlook, family finance, imposter syndrome, Gen Z travel trends and the business of sport 1:35:13

1d ago1:35:13

1:35:13

Nokukhanya Mntambo speaks to Dr Dale McKinley, Political Economist, about South Africa’s economic performance in 2025 and the outlook for 2026, unpacking key finance, business and policy considerations. In other interviews, Siba Njoba, Director and Wealth Manager, discusses financial planning for new families, while clinical psychologist Charity Mk…

1
Breakfast Wrap: Australian injured in Swiss bar fire 23:29

3h ago23:29

23:29

Agenda-setting news coverage, breaking news and stories impacting the lives of all Australians.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Cricketer Usman Khawaja to retire after Sydney Ashes Test

3h ago

—

The little urn containing those famous cricketing ashes might already be secured for Australia, but there is still plenty to play for in the final Test in Sydney starting this weekend. In the last half hour we've learned Aussie batsman Usman Khawaja will retire from Test cricket, making the SCG match his final appearance in the baggy green. Guest: …

1
Australian house prices on the rise 4:50

3h ago4:50

4:50

New housing figures show the value of Australia's median dwelling rose by $71,400 in 2025. The figures — from property research firm Cotality — show home prices have risen by 25 per cent over the past year. First-home buyers are unlikely to get much relief in 2026. Guest: Tim Lawless, Research Director at Cotality Producer: Kate Uebergang…

1
Summer reading Catherine Liddle 8:54

4h ago8:54

8:54

Catherine Liddle, First Nations rights advocate and CEO of the peak body for Aboriginal children SNAICC, shares her summer reading list with Barbara Miller. Summer list: Ghost Story, Elisa Lodato Where He Can't Find You, Darcy Coates Just the Nicest Family, Alison JamesBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Privacy regulator to begin business compliance sweep

6h ago

—

Australia's privacy regulator will begin its first-ever compliance sweep this week, checking whether selected businesses' privacy policies adhere to the law. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's will review the privacy policies of about 60 businesses that collect information in person — like real estate agents asking for phone nu…

1
2026 to bring key state elections in South Australia and Victoria 6:15

23h ago6:15

6:15

2026 will see two key state elections, with broader ramifications for the Liberal Party nationally. In March, South Australians will go to the polls as newly installed Liberal leader Ashton Hurn takes on popular Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas. Victorians will vote in November — with Jess Wilson looking to prevent Jacinta Allan and Labor winning a …

1
At least 40 killed in Swiss ski resort fire 8:20

4h ago8:20

8:20

Around 40 people have been killed in a fire at a crowded bar during a New Year's eve party in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana. Around 115 are reported to be injured, including at least one Australian. The fire started at around 1.30am local time at Le Constellation bar in the canton of Valais in south-western Switzerland. Officials say t…

1
Chris Bowen on Swiss bar fire, COP31 and energy prices 10:19

3h ago10:19

10:19

The federal government says the energy transition has "gathered pace" with a record number of renewable energy projects approved last year. But 2026 presents a much bigger challenge, with interim emissions reduction targets off track — and many Australians still struggling with record-high power bills. Guest: Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Chang…

1
Queensland’s first public child sex offender register goes live 7:50

3h ago7:50

7:50

Queensland's first public child sex offender register is now live. The system has been introduced under Daniel's Law, named in honour of Daniel Morcombe, who at 13 was abducted and murdered on the Sunshine Coast in 2003. The scheme allows members of the public to access limited information about certain child sex offenders through a tiered system —…

1
Beef industry reacts to new China tariffs 6:45

2h ago6:45

6:45

Australian beef producers say they are "extremely disappointed" after China announced a 55 per cent tariff on beef imports that exceed new quota limits. Beijing says the move is designed to protect its domestic cattle industry, which is emerging from oversupply, but industry groups here warn it could have significant consequences for Australian far…

1
Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor 7:07

1h ago7:07

7:07

The social media savvy populist Zohran Mamdani chose an abandoned subway station for his midnight swearing in as the mayor of New York. The ceremony was the culmination of his meteoric rise from state lawmaker to global stardom. 34 year-old Mamdani — the city's first Muslim mayor — took his oath on the Koran. The midnight event has been followed by…

1
Gyms push back against proposed subscription changes 6:00

2h ago6:00

6:00

The peak body for gyms is pushing back against proposed changes to consumer law that would make it easier to cancel subscriptions. AUS-active argues the reforms the government is considering are designed with streaming services in mind and don't reflect how bricks-and-mortar gyms operate. Guest: Ken Griffin, Chief Executive of AUS-active Producer: …

1
Iran faces widening protests over cost-of-living crisis

2h ago

—

Several people have been killed overnight during ongoing clashes between protesters and security forces in Iran. This week has seen the biggest protests in years, with shopkeepers, traders and students taking to the streets against soaring prices and a collapsing currency. The unrest has spread from Tehran to several provinces after the Rial hit re…

1
PART 4: People To Watch In 2026! Janet Z 45:40

7h ago45:40

45:40

Empowerment and Transformation: Janet Zitting’s Journey from Polygamy to Manifestation In this episode of the Samantha Parker Show, Samantha introduces Janet Zitting as part of the 'People to Watch in 2026' series. Janet shares about her upbringing in a polygamous family within a high-demand religion. With 44 siblings and four mothers, Janet discus…

1
PART 3: People To Watch In 2026! Kailey Graziano 43:50

1h ago43:50

43:50

Empowered Growth and Bold Moves: The Journey of Kailey Graziano In this episode of the Samantha Parker Show, Samantha Parker engages in a captivating conversation with Kailey Graziano, owner of KEYA Salon and a real estate agent with Be At Home Utah. They discuss a myriad of topics ranging from their experiences with AI like ChatGPT, to Kailey's bo…

1
PART 2: People To Watch In 2026! Sharon Rosenbaum 47:32

2h ago47:32

47:32

Empowering Conversations and Entrepreneurial Journeys with Sharon Rosenbaum In this episode of The Samantha Parker Show, Samantha talks live from her co-working space, the Bryce Room at Kiln in St. George, Utah. She welcomes her longtime business associate, Sharon Rosenbaum. They reminisce about their past experiences, including the first event the…

1
PART 1: People To Watch In 2026, WE WIN INJURY LAW! 48:25

3d ago48:25

48:25

Overcoming Self-Doubt, Setting Goals, and Achieving Success with We Win Injury Law In this episode of the Samantha Parker Show, Sam sits down with Tyler Todd and Jaren Sandberg from We Win Injury Law. Through candid conversation, they discuss the initial nerves of appearing on camera, the early challenges they faced, and their ten-year journey toge…

1
Breakfast Wrap: Australia welcomes 2026 25:30

37m ago25:30

25:30

Coverage and analysis of national and international events.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
What to watch at the movies on New Year's Day 5:56

5h ago5:56

5:56

If you're feeling a little worse for wear this holiday morning, a lounge at the local cinema may be the best approach. Here's a guide to what's on the big screen. Guest: Stephen A Russell, freelance film criticBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
China is bringing in new export restrictions on silver, which had a meteoric rise on the markets in 2025 7:23

7h ago7:23

7:23

The precious metal silver's price rose by more than 140 per cent over the course of the year in 2025. Now China is bringing in new restrictions, meaning companies need a government-approved license to export the commodity. Guest: John Mavrogenes, Professor of Economic Geology at the Australian National University Producer: Joe Sullivan…

1
Summer Reading David Speers 6:31

2h ago6:31

6:31

Journalist and Insiders host David Speers shares his summer reading list with Barbara Miller. Currently Reading Still Life by Sarah Winman Listening to audiobook Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin Summer List James by Percival Everett Childhood Favourite The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain…

1
North Queensland communities dealing with flooding after heavy rainfall 6:58

3h ago6:58

6:58

The new year has been ushered in with monsoonal rainfall and peaking floodwaters across North Queensland. As the heaviest rainfall starts to ease, graziers have taken to choppers to assess the damage. Guests: Robert and Jacqueline Curley, owners of Gipsy Plains Brahman Stud Producer: Kate UebergangBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Previously secret cabinet documents from 2005 released 11:32

2h ago11:32

11:32

Today we learn a little more about what John Howard's government faced in 2005 ... with the annual release of hundreds of cabinet documents by the National Archives. They show a government spooked by terrorism in Bali and London ... and troubled by racial disharmony that boiled over on Cronulla Beach in Sydney. Guest: Philip Ruddock, Attorney-Gener…

1
Sydney celebrates New Year's Eve with an increased police presence following the Bondi terror attack 6:23

3h ago6:23

6:23

The crowds packed the best vantage points on the Harbour foreshore, the fireworks were spectacular, the images were beamed around the world - but this was a New Year celebration with a difference. Two weeks after the Bondi terror attack Sydney welcomed in 2026 with a minute of silence for the victims and amid a heightened police presence. Guest: Ya…

1
Medication covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be cheaper for many Australians from today 5:52

2h ago5:52

5:52

A new year brings cheaper medicine for many Australians. The cost of medication covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme drops from $31.60 to $25 today ... that's a 20 per cent discount which the federal government says will collectively save Australians more than $200 million a year. Guest: Professor Trent Twomey, Pharmacy Guild of Australia …

1
Why the government is forcing some businesses to accept cash 6:22

2h ago6:22

6:22

From today, fuel and grocery retailers selling essential items are required to accept cash- under new federal laws aimed at protecting Australians who still rely on it. The government says you "should be able to pay with cash if you need to"... even as its use continues to decline across the economy. Guest: Danny Price, Co-founder and Managing Dire…

1
Finnish reindeer farmers link threat from wolves to Russia's war in Ukraine 7:33

1h ago7:33

7:33

Lapland in northern Finland is revered as the home of Santa Claus- and of course Rudolph and the other reindeer that underpin the Christmas myth. But one reindeer herder says his animals are being killed in record numbers by wolves... and farmers and scientists in Finland say the surge in deaths could be linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. Guest: Ju…

1
Water safety warning for Australians this summer 7:36

2h ago7:36

7:36

Holidays and warmer weather see Australians flock to beaches and waterways. But the revelry comes with a traditional warning - the Christmas to New Year period is the deadliest for drownings. Guest: Dr Jaz Lawes, National Research Manager at Surf Life Saving Australia Producer: Isadora BogleBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Nepal scraps Everest rubbish scheme as waste crisis worsens 5:18

1h ago5:18

5:18

On paper it made sense- charge those climbing Mount Everest a deposit- which they get back if they don't pick up on their descent some of the rubbish littering the world's highest mountain. But Nepal has now abandoned the scheme, admitting it hasn't worked... and the deposit will be replaced with a non-refundable "clean-up" fee. Guest: Andrew Lock,…

1
Dozens of aid groups face ban from Gaza, under new Israeli rules 8:37

6h ago8:37

8:37

Dozens of aid agencies face being permanently banned from working in Gaza, after failing to comply with new Israeli registration rules. Israel says the measures are needed to stop militant groups- such as Hamas or Islamic Jihad- from infiltrating these aid groups... but organisations such as Medicins Sans Frontieres- or Doctors Without Borders- war…

1
Stella Thurbon describes hiking long distances with nine goats in Victoria 4:25

3h ago4:25

4:25

As we prepare to welcome the new year... some Australians might be considering starting a new hobby or planning an adventure in 2026. One woman who's already done something rather unusual in pursuit of adventure is Stella Thurbon ... who earlier this year completed a 270-kilometre leg of the Bicentennial National Trail with nine goats trotting behi…

1
Summer sunscreen concerns after some products were recalled or paused from sale in Australia this year 4:12

4h ago4:12

4:12

A number of sunscreens were either recalled or paused from sale in Australia this year, after concerns were raised about their SPF claims. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world... ... so as we look to lather up in the coming months, how confident can we be that what we're applying is keeping us safe? Guest: Dr Deshan Se…

1
Australia's capacity to recycle soft plastics given a boost by opening of new facility in New South Wales 6:30

4h ago6:30

6:30

The average household churns through soft plastics, yet recycling this material has been a long-running challenge in Australia. Now, a new large-scale soft plastics recycling facility is up and running on the New South Wales mid-north coast... with the facility set to process most of Australia's soft plastics waste. Guest: Suzanne Toumbourou, Austr…

1
Local mayor says flood-hit communities in north Queensland "not out of the woods yet" 6:12

1d ago6:12

6:12

Flooding in north Queensland has turned deadly.... after authorities confirmed a man in his 70s was found in floodwaters in Normanton, in the State's remote north-west. Flooded rivers, creeks and road closures have left some outback communities cut off and isolated from the rest of the state. Guest: Janene Fegan, Mayor of McKinlay Shire Council Pro…

1
Andrew Wilkie says Sportsbet's behaviour towards the communications regulator ACMA shows the online gambling company thinks it is "a law unto" itself 6:12

2h ago6:12

6:12

Gambling giant Sportsbet pressured the Australian Communications and Media Authority into watering down an enforcement announcement, according to new documents released to the ABC. In 2022, the watchdog fined Sportsbet two-point-five million dollars after it found the company continued to text and email tens of thousands of customers even though th…

1
Breakfast Wrap: Muslim Australians report abuse spike after Bondi attack 25:00

5h ago25:00

25:00

Coverage and analysis of national and international events.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Bondi attack sparks big rise in reports of Islamophobia 17:10

3h ago17:10

17:10

Hateful graffiti at an Islamic College in Melbourne... dismembered pigs thrown onto graves in a Muslim cemetery in regional New South Wales ... Muslim women spat on, abused and threatened in Perth... they're just some of the incidents reported in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. The Australian National Imams Council says incidents of Isla…

1
What are your rights if something goes wrong on a cruise? 6:47

11h ago6:47

6:47

Renewed questions about cruise safety and accountability have been raised after a cruise ship-- the Coral Adventurer-- ran aground on a coral reef off PNG at the weekend. It's the same liner that made headlines in October when an 80 year-old woman was found dead after being left behind on an excursion to Queensland's Lizard Island. Guest: Dr Tim St…

1
Russia positions nuclear-capable missiles in Belarus 7:53

2h ago7:53

7:53

US President Donald Trump says there are 'one or two very thorny, very tough issues' remaining as he attempts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Now he can add a nuclear-capable missile system to the list... with Russia announcing that it's mobilised its Oreshnik missiles in neighbouring Belarus, a system that Russian President Vlad…

1
From seas sponges to snake bites: The strangest science stories of the year 6:52

1d ago6:52

6:52

Sometimes the world of science is stranger than fiction... The Australian Science Media Centre has compiled the best of the year - a top 10 of the weirdest science stories to come out of 2025. Guest: Dr Joseph Milton, Senior News Lead at The Australian Science Media Centre Producer: Clare O'HalloranBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Israel faces UN backlash over recognition of Somaliland 5:44

4h ago5:44

5:44

Last week Israel became the first and only country to recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. The move has raised concerns at the United Nations- and the Arab League is warning it could be linked to new military bases or to a plan for the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza... allegations Is…

1
China launches live-fire drills around Taiwan 8:49

2h ago8:49

8:49

In what's been dubbed Justice Mission 2025, China has launched two days of live-fire military drills around Taiwan... deploying warships, bombers and new amphibious assault ships, aimed at simulating a blockade of the island. The US President appeared to shrug off the war games- saying it was more of the same. Guest: Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow…

1
SMME realities, access to opportunity and emerging risks facing South African businesses 1:33:08

4d ago1:33:08

1:33:08

Nokukhanya Mntambo speaks to Arthur Goldstuck, Author & Journalist, about what the latest SMME data reveals on where small businesses across South Africa are growing, where they are failing, and why the sector remains both a national priority and a persistent struggle. In other interviews, Jordan Hertz, Chief Commercial Officer of Sourcefin, discus…

1
2025: Built on Dinks, Delusion & an Unexpected Crew | Pickleball Nikki - Influencer 28:27

4h ago28:27

28:27

Share Your Thoughts! We started 2025 with no mics, no plan, and no clue— and somehow ended with 47 episodes, a sound guy, and a crew we never saw coming. 🎙️ This one’s for the day-ones, the paddle punks, and everyone who said “sure” when we had nothing but a dumb name and a dream. Feat. the one and only @pickleballnikki—talking NYC dinks, starting …

1
More than 20% of recommended Youtube videos are 'AI slop" 4:06

2h ago4:06

4:06

Content generated by AI tools has become known as AI Slop - and it's flooding social media platforms. Now a new study has found more than 20% of the videos that YouTube's algorithm shows to new users are "AI slop." Guest: Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at UNSW's AI Institute Producer: Kate UebergangBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Vorroa mite threatens to wipe out half of ACT's beehives in next 2 years 5:47

3h ago5:47

5:47

Varroa mite is a tiny parasitic pest that attacks honey bees, weakens entire colonies, and can cause hives to collapse if it's left unmanaged. The spread of Varroa is forcing beekeepers to rethink how they manage hives and raising broader concerns about food production, pollination, and biosecurity. Guest: Kim Prendergast, bee scientist and ecologi…

1
Professor Emma Johnston, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, dies aged 52 7:54

2h ago7:54

7:54

A giant of STEM, and a visionary who leaves behind a unfathomable loss that's how Professor Emma Johnston is being remembered, after her death at the age of 52. Emma Johnston had a distinguished career in marine ecology, which saw her made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018. She later became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.…

1
Summer Reading Thomas Mayo 6:49

2h ago6:49

6:49

Award winning author and Human Rights advocate Thomas Mayo shares his summer reading list with Barbara Miller. Currently Reading The Hiding Place by Kate Mildenhall Summer List Seeker and the Sage by Brigid Delaney The Eagle and the Crow by JM Field A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern Limberlost by Robbie Arnott Childhood Favourite Choose y…