The John Batchelor Show podcast | Listen online for free

8196 episodes

S8 Ep788: 4. Dallas and the Currawong Dallas, an 11.5-year-old "spood" (dog) in Sydney, has a new addition to his local "fan club": the Currawong (referred to as a "carajong"). These black birds with white-tipped wings are larger than magpies and are described as d
04/26/2026 | 5 mins.
4. Dallas and the Currawong

Dallas, an 11.5-year-old "spood" (dog) in Sydney, has a new addition to his local "fan club": the Currawong (referred to as a "carajong"). These black birds with white-tipped wings are larger than magpies and are described as docile but very smart "spies". Recently, a Currawong was caught on camera attempting to steal Dallas's favorite tennis ball from the back porch. The ball, which had lost its felt skin from years of use, was grabbed by the bird's beak. The Currawongmanaged to fly about three feet into the air before realizing the ball was too heavy, forcing it to drop the toy and flee.
Dallas appears to be friendly toward these birds, as they have been seen in the backyard together. Unlike the Magpies, who enjoy ham and cheese, the Currawongs seem to prefer Dallas's biscuits. Because of the attempted theft, the family now keeps Dallas's tennis ball under "lock and key" indoors when the birds are circling. Jeremy observes that the local bird population seems fascinated by Dallas, often watching him play and attempting to take his toys home. 4
1877
S8 Ep789: 3. Cricket Corruption and Pitch Injuries Investigations are ongoing into a T20 cricket match held on February 17th between Canada and New Zealand. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Canadian Cricket Board are looking into allegations of match
04/26/2026 | 7 mins.
3. Cricket Corruption and Pitch Injuries

Investigations are ongoing into a T20 cricket match held on February 17th between Canada and New Zealand. The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Canadian Cricket Board are looking into allegations of match-fixing after New Zealand won by eight wickets despite not being significantly stronger than the Canadian team. Suspicion arose due to Canada's "weird" batting and bowling styles, and while no one has been cleared, a police investigation is expected because match-fixing is typically tied to financial gain in betting rings.
In a separate incident in the Caribbean, the West Indies Championship between Trinidad and Tobago and the Leeward Islands was completely abandoned due to a "misbehaving pitch". During the match, a fast ball from Hayden Seals gained unexpected speed and height, striking batter Jeremiah Louie in the helmet. The impact rendered Louieunconscious and required his hospitalization. Because the pitch was in such disrepair—described as having parts as hard as concrete—it was deemed too dangerous to continue. Jeremy emphasizes that cricket is a violent sport; balls moving at 80–90 mph have killed at least three players in the last 40 years despite the use of helmets. 3
1940
S8 Ep788: 2. Monitor Lizards in the Home In Noosa, Queensland—an area described as "snake central"—a resident discovered a two-to-three-foot monitor lizard hiding under their bed. These reptiles are often mistaken for brown snakes because of their long, brownish-gr
04/26/2026 | 6 mins.
2. Monitor Lizards in the Home

In Noosa, Queensland—an area described as "snake central"—a resident discovered a two-to-three-foot monitor lizard hiding under their bed. These reptiles are often mistaken for brown snakes because of their long, brownish-gray tails, but they are scaly, "dragon-like" creatures with very sharp teeth used for ripping apart small animals. Monitor lizards are highly intelligent and can slip into homes undetected while seeking warmth and shelter.
A younger monitor lizard, like the one found in the bedroom, can weigh between 20 and 40 pounds, while a full-grown six-foot adult can reach 60 pounds of pure muscle. Jeremy notes that these creatures give off a distinctive scent that serves as a defensive mechanism, which should normally alert domestic guard dogs. He suggests that the lack of a dog like Dallas, Sailor, or Charlie allowed the lizard to enter the home unnoticed, warning that if a lizard can enter so easily, venomous snakes like red-belly blacks or pythons could follow. 2
S8 Ep788: 1. Climate and Fuel Security Australia's El Niño forecast has been upgraded to a "Super El Niño," characterized by catastrophically dry conditions and record-high temperatures. This shift is driven by the Pacific Ocean exceeding normal temperatures by an
04/26/2026 | 10 mins.
1. Climate and Fuel Security

Australia's El Niño forecast has been upgraded to a "Super El Niño," characterized by catastrophically dry conditions and record-high temperatures. This shift is driven by the Pacific Ocean exceeding normal temperatures by an average of 6°C near the equator, with a "warm slab" of water 250 meters below the surface preventing the ocean from cooling. These conditions have already led to an early autumn that feels like winter, with plants turning brown and widespread drought predicted. Consequently, New South Wales fire departments have begun back-burning operations six months earlier than usual to mitigate a potentially catastrophic bushfire season.
Amidst these climate concerns, Australia has managed to stabilize its fuel supply, maintaining roughly 35 days of stock through imports from Asia. While Europe faces "dry pumps" and exorbitant prices, Australia's diesel costs roughly $2.80 per liter, with gasoline between $2.40 and $2.50. Although aviation fuel is refined locally, the industry remains vulnerable as it relies on the raw product imported from Asia. The government has launched an educational campaign to explain these supply lines to the public, which has successfully reduced panic-buying. 1
1700
S8 Ep787: 4 HEADLINE: The Ecological Role and Bioethics of the Independent Dog GUESTS: Jessica Pierce and Mark Bekoff SUMMARY: This segment defines the "universal dog" as a creature that adapts its style and behavior to its specific environmental niche, from desert
04/26/2026 | 7 mins.
4 HEADLINE: The Ecological Role and Bioethics of the Independent Dog GUESTS: Jessica Pierce and Mark Bekoff SUMMARY: This segment defines the "universal dog" as a creature that adapts its style and behavior to its specific environmental niche, from deserts to high latitudes. The guests emphasize that dogs retain a "DNA memory" and latent potential for wild behaviors, such as the killing bite, which were largely suppressed by human selection. From a bioethical perspective, this thought experiment reveals that viewing dogs solely as pets is a limited way to understand their true nature. Instead, dogs should be recognized as independent individuals with lives and interests that exist apart from humans. This shift in perspective encourages owners to see their dogs as wild animals with autonomous needs for richness and meaning. 4
1861

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About The John Batchelor Show

The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia.

Podcast website

Arts Books News Society & Culture

Listen to The John Batchelor Show, 99% Invisible and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

Stations and podcasts to bookmark
Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Supports Carplay & Android Auto
Many other app features

Open app

Get the free radio.net app

Stations and podcasts to bookmark
Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Supports Carplay & Android Auto
Many other app features

The John Batchelor Show

Scan code,
download the app,
start listening.