Best of The Quarter Hour with Radio's Liam Renton

Turning her personal story into compelling radio

About the Guest(s): Sami Muirhead: Sami Muirhead is a celebrated media personality based in Australia with an extensive career spanning journalism, radio, and television. Formerly a TV news journalist, Sami has become a household name thanks to her successful radio career, having co-hosted the Todd and Sami radio show for two decades. Currently hosting "Sami and Friends" on Mix FM, she recently gained recognition by winning the Australian Audio Award for Best Specialist Program. Sami is known for turning personal challenges into compelling radio storytelling, particularly with initiatives like the Autism Awareness Week. Episode Summary: In this episode of the Quarter Hour Podcast, guest host Liam Renton welcomes Sami Muirhead to discuss her impactful journey in broadcasting. Sami, known for her dedication and unique storytelling, shares how she transitioned from TV journalism to becoming one of Australia's beloved radio voices. This conversation dives deep into her evolution in the industry, her partnership with Todd Widdicombe, winning awards, and the emotional peak of her career: bringing Autism Awareness into the limelight. Expanding on her recent success at the Australian Audio Awards, Sami recounts the heartfelt experience of creating the Autism Awareness Week programming. She openly discusses her personal connection to autism through her son Nixon, offering genuine insights into the complexities and beauties of life impacted by autism. As she narrates the journey, Sami and Liam reveal the powerful response from audiences, highlighting the radio show's role in sparking widespread empathy and educational awareness. Listeners are invited to delve into this riveting chat that blends the mastery of radio with profound personal revelation. Key Takeaways: * Sami Muirhead transitioned from TV journalism to radio, bringing a unique perspective to her broadcasting career. * Her innovative Autism Awareness Week radio programming not only won an award but made a significant impact by connecting with and educating the audience about autism. * Authentic storytelling, as exemplified by Sami, demonstrates the power of radio to create genuine connections with listeners. * Sami emphasises the importance of being vulnerable and authentic on air to engage with and captivate audiences. * Through her work, Sami has created a lasting legacy of empathy and awareness in the radio industry. Notable Quotes: 1. "Todd and I had a rule for 20 years, we did fun on radio. We only did fun, light jokes, upbeat. We don't do sad, we don't do scary, we don't do hard news." - Sami 2. "I've never in my wildest dreams would have imagined the response of people who are affected by autism." - Sami 3. "If someone hasn't told you today, you are a radio superstar…one of the most entertaining, engaging, real, and authentic broadcasters I've ever heard." - Liam Listen to our next episode on Monday for some big news!

"Everything's at stake": ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd on AI and copyright

About the Guest(s): Annabelle Herd: Annabelle Herd is the CEO of the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA), representing the interests of the Australian music industry and its creators. With extensive experience in the field of copyright law and music industry advocacy, Annabelle plays a pivotal role in driving discussions around the protection and licensure of Australian creative works in the age of artificial intelligence. Her leadership in ARIA focuses on upholding the economic and cultural value of musical works amidst global technological changes. Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of "The Quarter Hour," host Wade Kingsley returns to delve into issues around copyright laws, data centres, and the impact of artificial intelligence on Australia's creative industries. Annabelle Herd, CEO of ARIA, joins the conversation to untangle claims made by tech mogul Scott Farquhar regarding the Australian copyright system and its implications on global data centre competitiveness. Highlighting the necessity for structured licensing mechanisms, they discuss the challenges creatives and industry bodies encounter as AI technologies expand. In this segment, the conversation centres on Scott Farquhar's assertion that Australia's copyright laws are hindering AI development and training. Wade and Annabelle dissect this notion, emphasising that current laws mandate proper licensing and permissions from copyright holders, contrary to the Tech Council's drive to change these legislations. This episode sheds light on the practicalities of licensing, the foundational role of copyright in the modern economy, particularly in recorded music, and the potential ramifications if legislative alterations favour large tech corporations over creative rights. The discussion presents a clarion call for creatives and industry players to actively participate in ongoing policy dialogues to safeguard their interests. Key Takeaways: * Protection Under Copyright Law: Annabelle Herd explains the importance of current copyright laws in protecting the rights of creatives, ensuring they are adequately compensated and their work is not misappropriated by AI. * Scott Farquhar's Position: The episode analyses Scott Farquhar's push for legislative changes that he argues would enhance Australia's AI training capabilities by relaxing copyright restrictions. * Potential Consequences: The hosts discuss the potential negative implications of altering copyright protections, emphasising the broader economic and cultural stakes for Australia's creative industries. * Licensing Feasibility: Offering practical insights, Herd describes how major global licensing deals are efficiently managed and could provide a structured way to facilitate AI training under existing laws. * Call to Action: Listeners are urged to recognise the significance of this debate and engage with policy discussions to protect creative rights and interests. Notable Quotes: 1. "Suddenly everybody is a copyright expert. It's definitely not something that I would have predicted." - Annabelle Herd 2. "I could give you five phone numbers and you would have 80% of the world's sound recordings licensed." - Annabelle Herd 3. "The whole digital economy is founded on intellectual property law." - Annabelle Herd 4. "They are asking to get rid of copyright protection not just for Australian rights holders, but all rights holders." - Annabelle Herd 5. "If AI is the smartest tech we've ever seen, surely they don't need special privileges that no other tech is needed." - Annabelle Herd

Generation Fresh: Sean Craig Murphy on the future talent for radio

Liam Renton catches up with Sean Craig Murphy, Content Director at Fresh FM Adelaide. They've just unveiled the winner in the 2026 'Generation Fresh' talent search. Have a listen to the Top 5 and hear the winner announced.

The Radio Survivor: Luisa Pelizzari

Filling in for Wade Kingsley, Liam Renton interviews his former co-host Luisa Pelizzari. Luisa is about to celebrate 30 years on-air on Breakfast radio in Albury-Wodonga.

Local Radio Ratings: The Scoreboard from Geelong

Liam Renton catches up with Guy Mylecharane from Bay FM Geelong to discuss the strength of local radio based on the recent ratings.