Insight (1995)
Season 2014
TV-G
Talk show with real everyday people with a story to tell. Hosted by Jenny Brockie. Variety of topics across a broad spectrum. Very thought provoking
Where to Watch Insight (1995) • Season 2014
42 Episodes
- Fight ClubE1
Fight Club"I can get real mad. The demons come out of me." – Joe Joe "Butterbean" Sweeney says he’s had "about 2000" street fights. He had a rough upbringing, but says his dirty street fighting days are behind him. Marcelo "Machine" Altieri is a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. He says MMA has taught him discipline. Paul Diacogiorgis is a senior business manager who recently had his very first fight. He competed in Melbourne’s "Executive Fight Club" alongside other like-minded white collar professionals. This week, Insight asks why some men fight. Following Daniel Christie’s death from a 'coward punch’ in King’s Cross on New Year’s Eve, and the introduction of the 'one punch’ law in NSW, Jenny Brockie explores what’s behind the urge to land a blow. Are there any rules when fights take place outside the ring? - Inside Violent FamiliesE2
Inside Violent Families"I didn't want my partner to talk back to me, and when she did, I would get more angry." – "Harry" Growing up with a violent father, "Harry" had always thought being aggressive towards women was the "normal way of life". Tui says men in his culture were taught not to cry, to "suck it up" and be tough. Rod grew up in a rural country town and believed that real men never shared their feelings. All of them have abused their partners. Following a recent spate of high profile domestic violence cases resulting in death, Insight brings together families with firsthand experiences to talk about violence in their homes. Perpetrators of domestic violence speak candidly about why they were abusive, exploring the impact of cultural expectations, gender roles and childhood trauma on their relationships. Guests discuss their struggle to break the cycle of abuse, revealing the challenges of leaving behind ingrained behaviours. We also hear deeply personal stories from victims of physical and verbal abuse, and ask how people cope with life inside a violent home. - Making Adoption EasierE3
Making Adoption Easier"I'd been through so many placements and so if anyone came to the door, I would go hide in my room." – Brendan, 15. Brothers Brendan, 15, and Shannon, 13, were born to a drug-addicted mother. They never felt safe living with foster carers and would hide whenever a stranger came to the door, worried they would be taken away again. Brendan says his fear subsided when he was adopted and had a permanent home. At age 12, Khaled pushed for his own adoption, even though he still has a good relationship with his biological mum. Over the past few decades, local adoptions have substantially declined. But the NSW Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward is pushing for more kids in care to be adopted – a move that could transform the adoption landscape across the country. She tells Insight that parents whose kids have been removed should be given a limited time frame "to turn their life around", and that adoption should be prioritised above foster care. Some parents like "Katelin" think this process is unrealistic and unfair to biological parents. Katelin was drug-addicted when her child was removed. It took her three years to get clean and win her child back. This week, Insight hears directly from children who have been in care, biological mothers, and adoptive parents about the challenges they have faced. We ask: should it be easier to adopt Australian children in care? And how will it affect the child in the long term? - Kids and ConcussionE4
Kids and ConcussionIs your child’s brain at risk by playing footy? Professional sporting codes including AFL, NRL and Rugby have put a lot of effort into improving how they deal with concussions on the field. But this isn't necessarily filtering down to the amateur and junior levels. And when it comes to kids, experts argue there’s even more to worry about. Neuroscientist Dave Ellemberg says his research dispels the myth that children’s brains recover more quickly than adults. "The developing brain is actually more fragile to the impact of a concussion," Dr Ellemberg says. Insight finds out what’s happening on footy fields across the country and what you should do if your child sustains a knock. - Young GamblersE5
Young Gamblers"I probably play, you know, 40 or 50 tournaments a day." - Michael, 19 Poker, roulette, sports, pokies, young Australians are gambling every day. Nearly 80 per cent of those under 24 say they gambled during the course of a year. Is it possible for them to keep their gambling under control? This week on Insight, we talk to young gamblers of every hue: from those who are confident that they can come out on top, to those who have lost nearly everything. Michael says he sometimes plays for twelve hours a day: "You can ..read your opponent and it becomes kind of a mathematic game. I’ve got a mathematic mind so I like that kind of challenge." Sami: "I dreamt of being independent from my mum and dad and having something of my own, buying cars, buying a house." Vince: 'If you sort of feel lucky and you’re around the vicinity of a casino "it kind of pulls me there." Matt: "I could have five dollars in my pocket and I’d still venture down with that feeling of chance that I could turn it into something". - Pushing for SuccessE6
Pushing for Success"My mum said 'do you want to be mediocre or do you want to be great?' I was seven." - Wenee Yap Is success worth it? What’s the payoff and the price? Host Jenny Brockie speaks to high-achievers - and those who haven’t reached their goals - about the merits of a "winning at all costs" approach. They talk about what it takes to come out on top, whether children need to be pushed, and how to strike the right balance. - Love BaitE7
Love Bait"If you're on a dating website you WILL be approached by a fraudster. There's no 'if', 'maybe', 'but'. It will happen." - Det. Supt. Brian Hay, Queensland Police. Jenny met "Gary" on a dating website when she was going through a divorce. He looked "professional and attractive". He told her they were meant for each other and he soon started asking her for money to cover some of his business costs. Jenny sent six figures in six weeks before realising she had been duped. Aussies following their hearts are sending thousands of dollars to partners they've never met in person. If it sounds ludicrous, think again. The frauds are elaborate and sophisticated. Scammers spend months building relationships, sending photos, calling and emailing. When family or the police intervene, many victims refuse to believe it's all a lie. This week, Insight brings together victims, police, dating sites and an international money transfer organisation to find out about the dangers and how not to get caught out. - Changing a MindsetE8
Changing a MindsetTheir beliefs were extreme and sometimes downright dangerous. Yeonmi Park, 20, grew up in North Korea believing Kim Jong Il was a god who could work miracles and read her thoughts. But after eventually escaping and settling in South Korea, Yeonmi came to realise just how deluded she had been about North Korea. Tom Olsen, 39, is a former neo-Nazi from Norway who used to dress in clothes plastered with the swastika. But his hard-core, violent views were shaken to the core by a chance event in South Africa. Now he works with police to try to de-radicalise others. Lebana Ilich, 15, was born into a commune. She says she wasn’t allowed to have any toys and was disciplined harshly several times a day with a rod. She thought the outside world was the "work of Satan". But now she’s out. This week Jenny Brockie hears from people whose beliefs were extreme and sometimes downright dangerous. She finds out how their ideologies came unstuck and what the lessons are for de-radicalisation programs. - Two of a KindE9
Two of a Kind"I think we're just like one person." - Bridgette and Paula Powers. This year, Insight celebrates its 10th anniversary as a discussion forum. Over that time, more than 17,000 people have come to SBS, and shared their stories on the program. So, we're celebrating by re-visiting some of our most memorable shows. This week, we're going back to 2006, when a group of 22 identical pairs of twins let Insight in on the secrets of being a twin. What's it like to share not only your face, but maybe also your thoughts and dreams? That's a question only identical twins can answer. Studies of identical twins, with their identical DNA, have led to some startling findings about nature and nurture. They are the perfect genetic design for studying what makes us the way we are. Twin studies reveal that our behaviour, our health and most things about us, have a lot more to do with our genes than we used to believe. Even our personality is around 50% inherited. - Free SpeechE11
Free Speech"We should be able to have any conversation, no matter how distasteful it is." – Sergio Redegalli Artist Sergio Redegalli says he's received violent threats in response to his anti-burqa and anti-Islam murals painted on his Sydney home. The murals are visible from a nearby train line. Sergio says he's exercising his right to freedom of speech and artistic expression, but others say he's vilifying a particular group. Kieran Butler says he's received violent threats too. He and fellow amateur comedian Angelo D'Costa organised a comedy debate called "There's Nothing Funny About Rape" a few years ago. It didn't go to plan. Several people took offence and demanded the Melbourne venue cancel the event. With the Federal Government proposing to remove provisions which "unreasonably limit freedom of speech" in the Racial Discrimination Act, Insight asks just how free our speech is – and how free should it be. - Cancer BreakthroughsE12
Cancer Breakthroughs"The field has changed dramatically." - John Zalcberg, oncologist Navzad is the human face of a new scientific frontier in the fight against cancer. When Navzad's brain tumours continued to grow despite treatment, his doctor and family decided to send a tissue sample overseas for genetic testing. It was discovered that his tumours had a mutation common to some melanoma, so Navzad's doctors started treating the cancer with a melanoma drug. What happened next was amazing – Navzad's tumour shrunk from the size of a 50 cent coin to five cent coin in a matter of weeks and he was able to return to school and finish his HSC exams. From gene sequencing technology to immunotherapy, Insight explores the big game changers in understanding and treating cancer. And we ask there has been significant progress in treating some cancers but little to none with others, and whether the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is keeping up with the latest medical advancements. - Dating RaceE13
Dating Race"We live in a society full of choice, why does somebody like dark chocolate instead of white chocolate? It's my preference." - Rudo Rudo is a black woman who has never been attracted to black men. She's always dated white men and eventually married one. She says she enjoys the physical contrasts between herself and her husband. The world around us is full of choice, but do you find yourself only dating a particular type? This week, Jenny Brockie hears from people who have particular racial preferences on who they are attracted to and why. We find out what science and sociology have to say about our sexual desires and look at whether racial stereotypes are at play – and whether that matters. - ShameE14
ShameCan shame ever be good? Kerry Tucker stole almost two million dollars from her employers over a seven year period. She says she only started feeling shame when the police turned up to her house to arrest her. "When it comes to shame you've got to feel ashamed by somebody telling you about your consequences or being confronted by it," she says. "While it's still a secret there's nothing to be shameful about." This week on Insight, we look at shame: Feeling it. Causing it. And getting past it. We hear from a newspaper editor who names and shames drink drivers, a gelato store owner who shamed thieves into returning a stolen birthday cake, and a transgender Jewish woman who was told she could only come to the synagogue if she sat in the men's section. Jenny Brockie asks when is shame necessary and when can it be destructive. - Grand FinaleE15
Grand FinaleWhat makes a good funeral? Neil wants a DJ booth and footy souvenirs at his funeral. Craig wants his ashes sent up in fireworks. Rabbi Wolff wants a simple, traditional Jewish burial. This week Insight explores one of the surest events in our lives - death - and how we mark it. We look at the religious and cultural practices, discuss whether viewing the body is a good idea, and debate whether a "life celebration" still allows people to grieve. - What Makes A Psychopath?E16
What Makes A Psychopath?"I bully them intellectually, or I manipulate them." - Jim Fallon This week, Insight meets a self-proclaimed psychopath. Jim Fallon is a US-based neuroscientist. In a weird coincidence at work several years ago, Jim says he accidentally discovered that his own brain scans showed identical activity to that of a psychopath. His wife’s reaction? "It doesn't surprise me," she said. Jim says he has many psychopathic traits: he’s a risk taker, charming, narcissistic, manipulative and feels no remorse. But Jim says he’s a "pro-social" psychopath, so he’s rarely acted violently. He says his happy childhood is probably what prevented him from becoming violent. This week, Jim faces questions from world experts in psychopathy, host Jenny Brockie and Insight’s studio audience to discuss his self-diagnosis and to broadly discuss empathy (or lack of it). - Beer GogglesE17
Beer GogglesAre we in denial about alcohol? Hannah drinks up to six bourbons a night. She says drinking is her choice and it's under control. "I work full time, I'm actually studying part time as well, had a baby in December, managing to hold all the plates in the air," she says. "Naomi" drinks a bottle of wine each night to help her fall asleep. It's her secret shame. As someone who's about to graduate from Nursing, she knows it's "unhealthy behaviour" but she hasn't quite managed to stop. Labor politician Doug Cameron, 63, hasn't had a drop in 35 years - he calls himself a functional alcoholic. He credits his wife with helping him turn his life around. This week, guest host Stan Grant asks everyday drinkers why they drink – and how much is too much. Are the guidelines for no more than two standard drinks per day realistic? - EntitledE18
EntitledDo we have a culture of entitlement? Beau is unemployed and on Newstart. He has spent six months looking for an IT job. He says he’s worked hard to set up his career and wouldn’t want to go "degrade" himself to do a job unrelated to his field. "If I was to go and work in a café or something, I'd just see that as an absolute waste of time," he says. Rosina has five children and receives about $20,000 in family tax benefits a year. "I think I'm entitled," she says. "Children are a good thing and we should encourage things that are socially good. We're working towards stable families." In the lead up to this year’s Federal budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey said "the age of entitlement is over." This week, Jenny Brockie asks – do we have a culture of entitlement? - Survival (Part 1)E19
Survival (Part 1)"I’d come to the conclusion that no one had done it. No one had survived out at sea at night-time floating in the water" - Rob Hewitt Rob survived three nights adrift at sea after becoming separated from his dive boat. Fiona was travelling down the Amazon River in Ecuador when she was kidnapped. James was on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower on September 11. Over the next two weeks, Insight asks, what does it take to survive? Survivors tell host Jenny Brockie what goes through their minds in those critical, life-changing moments. She asks what drives people to fight for life – and whether the battle to survive is worth it. This special two-part program explores the stark and unpredictable human responses to immediate danger, and the ways in which we keep ourselves going in the face of extreme adversity. - Survival (Part 2)E20
Survival (Part 2)"I could very easily have died 100 times over" – Bernie Ex-cop Bernie Schulte was caught in a bushfire on his property in 2009. He suffered third-degree burns and spent over six months in hospital. "It [the fire] was all over in a minute; then you go into some sort of survival mode. I said I don’t want to die, I really don't want to die," Bernie says. British man Peter Moore was working in Iraq as an IT worker when he was kidnapped. "I thought this whole thing, dead or alive, would be over within six months," he says. He was wrong. He was held captive for 2 years and 7 months. In the conclusion of our special two-part series, Insight hears about what people did to get through extraordinarily tough times, and how they 'survived survival'. - Tough LoveE21
Tough Love"If children aren't disciplined, they will never learn," - Mireille Is smacking children ever ok? This week we revisit that question as part of Insight’s 10th anniversary replay of favourite episodes from our archives. Corporal punishment is legal in Australia. But it seems every parent has different boundaries. We’re joined by parents who believe in a firm hand and hear from parents who use other methods of keeping kids in line – everything from 'time out’, removal of privileges, withholding food, or, as one of our guests puts it simply, "The Look". - Stem CellsE22
Stem Cells"This is an unproven theory." – Prof John Rasko'If you were the one sitting in a wheelchair, what would you do?" - Matt Battista If an experimental treatment existed for your illness – would you try it? Thousands of desperate Australians are turning to controversial, unproven stem cell treatments in the hope it cure a whole range of illnesses. They say they’re tired of waiting for the long process of clinical trials to conclude, while they get sicker and sicker. An exemption in Therapeutic Goods Administration regulation allows Australian doctors to treat patients with their own stem cells. Stem Cells Australia believes over 40 local doctors now offer treatments that haven’t been rigorously tested. Other patients are heading overseas for risky treatments that are strictly limited here in Australia. Some of them are returning back to Australia with startlingly successful results. Others have no improvement. This week, Insight asks whether current stem cell treatments are cause for hope – or just misleading hype. - Beauty RaceE25
Beauty RaceChanging your face? Or changing your race? This year, Insight celebrates its 10th anniversary as a forum and we’re looking back at some of our most memorable shows. This week we revisit the phenomenon of people changing their physical ethnic traits – using everything from skin whitening creams to double eye-lid surgery. Twenty-year-old Heidi Liow told Insight that although she values inner beauty, she has gone under the knife several times. "I do like Caucasian features. I also wanted to look like a manga character, like in all those Japanese cartoons, like Sailor Moon," she said. What are the pressures or influences spurring people to get cosmetic surgery and what is considered 'beautiful’ today? Subsequent to this recording, Insight discovered Dr Andrew Kim gave Heidi Liow and Glenda Bui an 80% discount to publicise his practice. SBS had no prior knowledge of this agreement. - ObsessedE28
Obsessed"I’m never free" – Sandra Pritchard Some days it can take Sandra Pritchard more than 10 minutes to make a cup of tea. The cup isn’t quite right. The tea bag doesn’t go in properly. Sometimes, after more than a dozen attempts, she simply gives up. Sandra has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The mum of two is consumed by her illness. She compulsively rearranges, sorts, washes, rinses, checks, touches, wipes. Around three per cent of Australians experience OCD in their lifetime, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. And you can’t be "a little bit OCD". The real thing is debilitating. So when does an obsession cross the line? What distinguishes a passionate, driving obsession from something more serious? - SurrogacyE29
Surrogacy"It is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do." - "Lisa" "Lisa" was 12 weeks pregnant with her friends’ baby. She had offered to be their surrogate. But the scan showed a possible chromosomal disorder with the fetus. The intended parents wanted to terminate the pregnancy. "Lisa", who was carrying the baby, didn’t. In the end, "Lisa" went ahead with the parents’ wishes. "It is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do," she says. "I believe that when you go into the surrogacy situation that you can write an agreement. But once hypothetical turns into reality, I think everything really changes." This week, Insight asks, who calls the shots in surrogacy arrangements? And what pitfalls and hurdles are people navigating? - My Fault?E30
My Fault?"You can’t expect the world to just come in and swoop in and save you and make it all better again" - Tara Tara and her brother Gavin grew up surrounded by drugs and violence. Today, their lives have gone in quite different directions. Tara struggles with addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs and is trying to get it under control. She’s put her university studies into sociology on hold to care for her sick father. She credits her fiancé Ben with helping turn her life around. "You can’t be a victim anymore of your circumstance, you are the only person that can change your life," she says. Gavin is a recovering ice addict who struggles with anxiety. He recently found out he probably has drug-induced brain damage, which he says gives him a reason for missing appointments and commitments. "My memory is really bad from smoking too much," he says. "I can sort of have a bit of leeway." Gavin says he’s doing his best to fix his problems. But Tara says he doesn’t take responsibility and worries he will use his cognitive impairment as a crutch. This week, Insight asks, where does personal responsibility begin and end? - MemoriesE31
MemoriesHow do you deal with memories you don’t want? Casey is still haunted by the time she hit and killed a pedestrian whilst driving her car. It wasn’t her fault. She remembers vivid details like the woman’s knee high stockings. Paul still regularly thinks about how his carriage crumbled in the Granville train disaster, although it happened almost 40 years ago. Esther still struggles to look at a plate of rare meat after years of service as a police officer and forensic investigator. This week, Insight looks at how our brains process painful memories, and whether talking about them makes them better or worse. Are some memories so bad they’re better to forget? - PandemicE32
PandemicAustralia – and the world - is at risk of a deadly pandemic. But it’s not Ebola. Australia – and the world - is at risk of a deadly pandemic taking hold. But it’s not Ebola. The real threat is influenza. A new, severe strain has the potential to bring our society to its knees. You would transmit it before you realised you were sick. You wouldn’t have any immunity. It would spread like wildfire. And that’s why it’s deadly. In a special episode, Insight explores just how Australia would cope in a hypothetical influenza pandemic situation. How do hospitals decide who to treat? If the people producing our food are sick, where do we get it from? If you couldn’t work for a fortnight, could you still pay the bills? If mass gatherings are banned, does that mean you can’t attend a family member’s funeral? Who gets access to a vaccine first? Why? Can washing your hands really help? The next influenza pandemic is not a matter of "if", but "when". Are we ready? - Like A VirginE33
Like A Virgin"I know that my hymens have passed inspection in Australia and overseas and not been detected." – Les Blackstock, cosmetic surgeon Les Blackstock is proud of his reconstructed hymens. He says women request them for all sorts of reasons: because they have had pre-marital sex, they are victims of rape, or they "want to achieve a sense of a clean slate". He’s not the only Australian medical professional involved in virginity matters. Dr Wafa Samen, a Sydney-based gynaecologist, issues doctor’s certificates in English and in Arabic certifying that a hymen is intact. As part of Insight’s celebration of ten years as a forum, this week we revisit our program from 2013 on virginity: who wants to keep it, who wants to get rid of it, and who’s trying to fake it? - MarijuanaE34
MarijuanaIs medicinal marijuana doing good or harm? It has been called a miracle, lifesaving medicine. But is it as safe as it’s cracked up to be? Politicians from across the aisle in Canberra and in the states are moving to trial medical marijuana. But many aren’t waiting for clinical tests. A growing movement of parents are using it to control kids’ epilepsy and adults are using it to manage chronic pain. This week, Insight cracks the lid on where medical cannabis comes from, what’s in it, and what it’s doing to patients. Host Jenny Brockie speaks to the suppliers – who come from areas as far afield as Nimbin and suburban Sydney – about the 'science' behind their 'miracle drugs', and the legal risks they face by providing it. Parents and patients speak about their success in using marijuana for a range of illnesses, and their desperation to have it legalised. But Brockie also hears from medical experts who believe there's no proven medical benefit to using marijuana, and that those using it are at risk of mental health issues. As the prospect of legalisation and clinical trials looms in several states, Insight also asks whether legal marijuana will lead to an increase of recreational use – and just what will happen to the black market. - Conscious or notE35
Conscious or notHow do we know for sure if someone is unconscious? After suffering a stroke, Kate woke up from a coma able to see, hear and feel, but unable to move a muscle. For two weeks doctors and her family and friends thought she was in a vegetative state. Andrew frequently sleepwalks around his house and argues convincingly with his partner that he is awake. When he wakes up he has no memory of their conversations. Following an operation, Rosie’s 2-year-old son came out of anaesthesia like “devil spawn”, thrashing about and unable to recognise her. Anaesthetists call this “emergence delirium” and don’t fully understand how it happens. There have been significant gains in our scientific understanding of consciousness, but exactly how it works – and what it is – remains a mystery. This week, Insight looks at what we do know about consciousness and asks whether we can know for certain if someone is conscious or not. - Violent FemmesE36
Violent Femmes"I stop once my opponent starts bleeding, that's when I stop." - 'Lea', 14. Because they're bored. Because someone said something nasty on Facebook. Because someone was "being a smart arse" to them. Australian girls are getting into some bad fights. Although males are responsible for most violent assaults in Australia, there has been an increase in violent offences committed by females, many of them aged 14-25. More females than ever before are being imprisoned for physical assaults and stories of young girls fighting are becoming more common. In one of Insight's most confronting episodes last year, girls as young as 14 own up to "putting the boot in", hair pulling and slamming heads into walls. And victims tell of the impact on them. - CyborgsE37
CyborgsWhat will the human body look like in the future? Most of us carry computers in our pockets or wear them on our wrists, but some of us are already embedding them in our flesh and brains. This week, Insight meets people who are integrating technology into their bodies. Some are modifying themselves with implantable and attachable devices to overcome disability, others are choosing to enhance themselves to test their bodies limits. We ask: when does a human stop being a human and to what extent should we adapt the human body with technology? What ethical and scientific questions does it raise? - Fixing AllergiesE38
Fixing AllergiesAre we any closer to finding a cure? Australia has one of the highest food allergy rates in the world. Despite this, experts still don’t understand why people develop allergies, making it very hard for sufferers to manage or prevent them. This week we ask: why are more people being diagnosed with food allergies and is a cure a realistic possibility? - Stopping ISE39
Stopping ISCan Islamic State be stopped militarily? In this special discussion, guest hosted by Anton Enus, Insight looks at whether IS can be stopped militarily, and what is the future for Iraq? Australia's armed forces are waging a bombing campaign against the Islamic State targets. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has ruled out troops fighting on the ground however the government is now sending Special Forces into Iraq, but only they say to advise the local army. This week Insight looks at the expansion of IS and the solutions being suggested for the region. - First ContactE40
First ContactSix Australians. 28 Days. One Epic journey. How have their lives changed? Join guest host Stan Grant for a special live show featuring all the participants from the First Contact series. After a journey of conflict and discovery, Sandy, Trent, Alice, Jasmine, Marcus and Bo-dene will be reunited and joined by Indigenous people they met and a studio audience. First Contact is a landmark documentary series that took a group of six non-Indigenous people, from different walks of life and with strong and varied opinions, and immersed them into Aboriginal Australia for the first time. Insight asks: How have their lives changed?