Insight (1995)
Season 2015
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 Season 2015
40 Episodes
- Thirteen (Repeat)E1
Thirteen (Repeat)Insight has decided to give adults the flick and instead ask 13-year-olds to tell us what matters to them. This week Insight gives adults the flick. Instead, an audience of 13 year olds tell us what matters to them. Why 13? Well, it's the start of a lot of things, including being a teenager. Insight visited schools in the cities and the bush to talk to young teenagers and we've given some of our 13-year-olds cameras to show us what's really important in their world. We've found that multi-tasking is their middle name. They do homework, download songs from the web for their iPod and fit the occasional text message in between. They're self described 'couch potatoes', but feel they can navigate the world from their bedroom. We live in an era where adolescents in their early teens have never known a world without iTunes. “You wouldn't be socially accepted if you walked around with a discman instead of an iPod” says Ashley, 13. “My mobile phone is the boyfriend I never had,” says Rosie, 13. But it goes beyond fashion, many feel unsafe without them. “I can't go out after five at night, my mum gets worried someone will drag me into a car,” Bronte, 13. They were glued to TV during the London bombings and believe a terrorist attack could happen in Australia. “If you are a teenager and you watch action movies, you might not think that violence is bad and you might join Al Qaeda” says Subhodh, 13. Insight visited schools in the cities and the bush to find out what teenagers were talking about at recess. Some of them were given cameras to make their own short films about things they really care about. The results will surprise you. - Ouch!E2
Ouch!How much pain can you handle? Some of Australia's top sportspeople regularly play with and beat pain, including Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris. Ryan joins Insight for its first new episode of 2015 to explore how we deal with pain. Guests who feel no pain, phantom limb pain and chronic pain join the sportspeople and share their secrets for getting on top of niggling injuries, discussing the relationship between body and mind. We ask: why can some people endure intense pain, while others can't? - Saving HealthE3
Saving HealthIt’s the conversation that doctors and patients want to have, but many politicians are avoiding – how do we create a patient-focused healthcare system? Carly Stewart's seven-year-old son Lachlan has cerebral palsy, requiring treatment from up to eight different hospital departments. She says the biggest hurdle for her family is poor communication between doctors across these departments. Two-year-old James Robins has cystic fibrosis, and requires consistent medical care. His mother, Katherine, prefers to use Hospital in the Home (HITH) wherever possible, because it gives James a sense of normality in his daily routine, and reduces his chances of contracting further infections. Dr Charlotte Hespe has been in general practice for over 20 years. She says a doctor's primary focus is the patient, but feels their efforts are supremely hampered by an unnecessary amount of red tape. Terry Barnes, the man who floated the idea of a GP co-payment in recent times, and a former advisor to the Howard government, is frustrated by the current debate. He feels that whilst the co-payment remains on the table, any chance at greater health reform is stymied by both professional and political forces. The Federal Government's spending on health care was around $30.2 billion in 2012-2013, according to the Productivity Commission's Report, and this is set to rise from 4 per cent of GDP to 7 per cent by 2059. As the government warns of unsustainable spending, we ask: how efficient could our health system be? This week, Insight brings together patients, carers, nurses, health professionals, and economists, to discuss the challenges in reforming healthcare. Saving money and helping patients: can the health system do both? - LeadershipE4
LeadershipWhat makes a good leader? Tony Abbott is the latest in a line of Australian Prime Ministers who have struggled to maintain leadership of their party. Abbott may have survived a leadership spill but as the public continues to scrutinise each "captain's call", and politicians from both sides express a lack of confidence in Abbott's leadership, Insight asks – what makes a great leader? A panel of leaders from different fields sits down with host Jenny Brockie to discuss what it takes to be successful in the top job. They explore how much ambition matters, the value of personal loyalty, when to listen to or ignore advice, and whether leading is innate or can be learned. The leaders will also challenge the wisdom of Australia's "tall poppy syndrome" and reveal just how lonely it can be at the top. - Puppy LoveE5
Puppy LoveDoes your dog love you? Animal psychologists say dogs have the emotional and cognitive intelligence of a two year old. Though if you ask any pet owner, they will instinctively say that their four-legged companion "loves" them. More than that, people report their dogs show "empathy" when they're upset, and can suffer from anxiety, compulsive behaviour, and depression. But could this just be humans projecting their own feelings onto their pets? This week we look what science has to say about dogs' emotions and delve into what our treatment of them says about the human psyche. Where should we draw the line with humanising our furry friends? - ChildcareE6
ChildcareHow to get better childcare - New ideas for kids and parents. Over a million children are in childcare in Australia. As parents weigh up the benefits of returning to work, they are also turning to creative ways to deal with common issues such as long waiting lists, exorbitant costs, and inflexible hours. The Abbott government may have abandoned the paid parental leave scheme, but fixing childcare remains on the agenda. Insight asks: What other innovative ideas are worth exploring? What reform should the government be looking at? - Inside Violent FamiliesE7
Inside Violent Families"As far as I remember, there was always ... some sort of violence in the house. It's just something we grew up with." - Atena Since the beginning of the year, eight women have died as a result of domestic violence. Over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence, according to a government report. This week, Insight takes you inside violent families again and revisits one of the most confronting episodes of 2014. In this show, victims, perpetrators and experts come together to tell their very personal tales of violence and abuse in the home and share their thoughts on how to put an end to it. Victims reveal the detail of what it's like to live in a violent home; perpetrators speak candidly about why they were abusive and how breaking away from ingrained behaviours, cultural expectations and gender roles remains constant struggle. - Holroyd HighE8
Holroyd High"He came on a boat, he's had all this terrible stuff happen to him. How did I not know this?" – Chantelle Six out of 10 students at Holroyd High are from a refugee background. Around a third of pupils have been in Australia for less than three years. Some have never been to school before arriving at Holroyd. Some arrive at school with a traumatic history. Most speak little or no English. The hurdles to academic achievement are significant. Yet last year 54 per cent of year 12 students at Holroyd High received first round university offers. The national average is 30 per cent. For many students this modest high school in Western Sydney provides a fresh start in a new country. For others, who've come from the local area, Holroyd High offers them a second chance and with a surprising new direction. In this episode of Insight the students and teachers from Holroyd High share their stories of resilience, their aspirations and their triumphs. How does a school like Holroyd prepare these kids for a new life in Australia? - Siblings ShowdownE9
Siblings ShowdownHow strong is the sibling bond? The relationship with your brother or sister is probably the longest bond you will have in your lifetime. Research shows sibling interactions have a vital role in teaching kids valuable social and life skills, and in shaping personality and behaviour. But siblings also sometimes get stuck into each other. Parents may see this rivalry as part and parcel of growing pains, however there is a growing body of research showing early sibling aggression is linked with serious ongoing learning and mental health problems. Are such disputes unavoidable, and do tensions always persist into adulthood? This week Insight asks: When is competition and conflict between siblings a good thing, and how can favouritism affect this. We also look at how this plays out in families from cultures with a hierarchical or gender preference. Have you ever experienced sibling rivalry? - AngerE10
Anger"I liked what I was doing, I liked being the intimidator … It was kind of a badge of honour." – Mark Geyer Bus drivers and bouncers face it with some frequency; so do counsellors and psychologists; but call centre employees are on the frontline. Do you ever get angry at them? Anger has been viewed as a negative emotion, unproductive and destructive – but what if this emotion is actually really good for you? This program will get honest about anger – its limitations and its potential. Join guest host Anton Enus as we look at how anger works in the brain and in society. Insight asks: can we use it for positive gain? - Trusting RobotsE11
Trusting RobotsHow much should we hand over to robots? Stephen Hawking recently warned that the development of full artificial intelligence (AI) systems could spell the end of the human race. From agriculture and manufacturing to education and medicine, some experts are predicting a future where blue and white collar workers will soon be replaced. Technological progress has seen robots become more sophisticated, so what will be the economic impact of AI? Could we actually be entering an age of abundance for humans catered to by robot slaves? Insight asks: Is humanity really being threatened by thinking robots, and where will robotic advances take us into the future? What are the ethical and moral questions to consider? - Dancing with DementiaE12
Dancing with Dementia"I find with dementia, anything you can enjoy helps you with the condition." – Ray Morgan The number of Australians living with dementia is set to soar in the coming years. As the group gets larger many people with dementia are finding their own way through memory loss, determined to let their own personalities shine through. They are fighting what is now Australia’s second biggest killer, ahead of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases, recent ABS data shows. How can humour help balance out the despair living with this irreversible and debilitating brain disorder? This week, Insight hears stories of sacrifice and success of people living with dementia and their loved one’s experience with this condition. What's the best way to live with dementia? - Keeping SecretsE13
Keeping Secrets"I knew there was going to be a murder and I couldn't do anything about it." - Marisa Merico Everyone has secrets. They can be small and trivial and cause no harm. But some traumatic or deep revelations can have a life-changing effect. From the personal to the communal, this week Insight guests tell us why and how they ended up revealing their deepest secrets. We explore the burden of keeping secrets and ask if it's ever a good idea to let skeletons out of the vault. Have you found out something that was completely unexpected? - Sexual HarassmentE14
Sexual HarassmentWhere do women draw the line on sexual harassment in the workplace? Compliments about what people are wearing, jokes, and even flirting are a normal part of most workplaces. When does behaviour cross the line and become sexual harassment? How much does it matter who the person is? Sydney surgeon Dr Gabrielle McMullin caused an outroar recently when she said sexual harassment in hospitals is so rife that young trainees would be better off giving in to requests for sex than risk their careers by making a complaint. Two inquiries are currently underway in the medical profession to investigate. This week Insight hears from women across a broad range of professional sectors about their experiences of being harassed at work and from a man who’s been fired for harassing women. The majority of people who experience sexual harassment do not report it, according to a national phone survey. Hear the lengths people are going to in order to avoid making an official complaint. What would you do if the person harassing you was in a more senior position, or your boss? If inappropriate behaviour is common in your workplace, how do you change an entire culture? - WindfallE15
WindfallWhat happens when you come into a windfall? Ever imagined what life would be like if you suddenly hit the jackpot? From winning a game show or the lotto, receiving an inheritance to finding and flipping a valuable antique, Insight hears from people who have found instant wealth. Did they squander their riches or set themselves up for life? Guests will talk about how their life-changing windfall impacted on their identity and relationships. How does an increased fortune change the winners and the behaviour of those around them. Is it taboo to talk or complain about being well-off and any problems it creates? What would you do if you came into a large amount of money? - Shepparton 3630E16
Shepparton 3630How do you beat the odds in a place where too many kids drop out of school, and not enough of them find jobs? This week, Insight explores an area of disadvantage in Australia that's often ignored – regional Australia. Shepparton, in rural Victoria, is one of many Australian communities at a crossroads. Since the second World War, waves of immigrants and refugees have arrived in the Goulburn Valley region to seize upon the opportunities and build a new life. But recent events have brought both challenges and new prospects for residents. High youth unemployment, drug use, school retention rates, teen pregnancies, and poverty are just some of the issues concerning Shepparton locals. With a move away from unskilled to skilled jobs, what's the future of agriculture and industry in Shepparton? In this episode, filmed at the Goulburn Valley Hotel, Insight meets the people who are beating the statistics. Young people, employers, industry leaders, federal and local members come together in a town hall style discussion to tackle the big issues head on. - MatchmakersE17
Matchmakers"I just love the idea of people being in love … it's something that I want for other people as well. So I'm kind of keeping an eye out for them." - Wendy Does true love need a helping hand or should we leave it to serendipity? This week, Insight speaks to Australian matchmakers ready to share their trade secrets. We found out how matchmaking works – online and face-to-face, what makes a good match and whether there is hope for those feeling "undate-able". - Survival Part 1E18
Survival Part 1"Ten floors … right in front of my very eyes exploded and I had no idea what had happened." - James Dorney Fiona Wilde was on a guided tour in an Amazon nature reserve in Ecuador when she was abducted at gunpoint. On September 11, 2001, James Dorney was on the 92nd floor when he saw a plane go into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre. He walked the entire perimeter of the South Tower before escaping in the stairwell. Rob Hewitt was separated from his dive boat off the coast of New Zealand in 2006. He survived at sea by treading water for four days and three nights. Over the next two weeks, Insight asks, what does it take to survive? We look at the ways in which humans keep going in the face of extreme adversity. - Survival Part 2E19
Survival Part 2"I thought this whole thing, dead or alive, would be over within six months." – Peter Moore IT worker Peter Moore was on a three month posting in Baghdad when he was kidnapped. The British man spent the first year shackled and blindfolded. He was held hostage for nearly 2-and-a-half years before being released. In 2009, Bernie Schulte said he made a “horrendous decision” he decided to fight a bushfire and became surrounded by flames, suffering burns to 81% to his body. 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'. How do people overcome a life or death situation, and what goes through their minds in those critical moments? - Home Sweet HomeE20
Home Sweet HomeWho are the hidden homeless? What do a war vet, a single woman in her fifties and a man nearing retirement age have in common? They're all at risk of homelessness. A growing number of Australians are now a couple of pay packets away from sleeping rough or living in a refuge. In 2014, 1.6 million Australians struggled to pay rent and on any night, approximately 100,000 Australians are homeless. In this Insight, we will hear the astounding stories of those who are living on the edge. Why is the face of homelessness changing and what needs to be done to tackle this issue? - IndonesiaE21
IndonesiaWhere is Indonesia headed? Indonesia is one of Australia's closest neighbours, but how well do we, as people, understand each other? Political tussles over boats carrying asylum seekers and the recent execution of Bali 9 drug smugglers, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, have strained the bilateral relationship both politically and on an interpersonal level. In this special episode, Insight brings you the view from Indonesia. Filmed at Metro TV in Jakarta, the program brings together a diverse group of Indonesians to share their views on the death penalty, asylum seekers and the broader Indo-Australia relationship. The discussion also explores the leadership of President Joko Widodo, popularly known as 'Jokowi'. July marks one year since he won office with 53 per cent of the vote - how do Indonesians rate his performance? And what vision is Jokowi building for his country? - Edge Of LifeE22
Edge Of LifeHow far should we go to save extremely premature babies? "Hardest decision you’ll ever make in your life" – Hollie Reynolds Doctors call it the grey zone – the period of time when babies born prematurely are right on the cusp of viability. Babies born between 23 weeks and 25 weeks and six days are often not breathing when they're born. Decisions need to be made whether or not to resuscitate, and also whether to continue life support while they develop outside of the womb. The chances of survival or survival without disability can change rapidly, day-to-day, hour-to- hour. Insight hears from parents, doctors, nurses and ethicists about how these life and death decisions have to be made in the face of great uncertainty and in some cases, a matter of minutes. - Euro DivisionE23
Euro DivisionGreek MPs say 'Yes' to the latest Euro bailout deal, but can Greece really make the changes demanded by its creditors? As the country grapples with an uncertain future, we ask Greeks about the trust they place in their politicians - and themselves - to find a way out of the unfolding debt crisis. What needs to change in order for the people to recover, and the nation to rebuild? How can Greeks be ‘good Europeans’? Watch the full Insight program above, and also see Dateline's report from Athens on the impact the crisis is having on families there. - ObsessedE24
ObsessedWhen do someone’s quirks or patterns cross the line into OCD? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is not something you can suffer from “a little bit” The real thing is debilitating. Sandra Pritchard is among three per cent of Australian consumed by her illness. The mum of two compulsively rearranges, sorts, washes, rinses, checks, touches, wipes. Some days it can take Sandra 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. (Program original aired in 2014) - Bloodlines Part 1E25
Bloodlines Part 1Living with the legacy of World War II In this special Insight forum, we bring you the descendants of the decision makers of the Second World War. Seventy years after the end of the war, we ask: what is it like to live in the shadow of Stalin, the Nazis or the imperial Japanese military? In 1939, Hitler appointed Hans Frank as Governor General of Occupied Poland. Frank forced millions of Jews into ghettos and used civilians for forced labour. Six extermination camps were also under his direct jurisdiction. His son Niklas violently rejects his father’s legacy. He even carries a picture of dead Hans Frank as a reminder that his father’s crimes - and life - have ended. Jacob Jugashvili is the great-grandson of Joseph Stalin. The former leader of the Soviet Union was responsible for the deaths of millions but Jacob admires his values and what he stood for. George Grojnowski was 12 when the Nazis invaded his hometown in Poland. He was a prisoner in Hans Frank’s jurisdiction but managed to survive the concentration camps. He has been living in Australia since he was 21 but never spoke to his children about the Holocaust as he didn’t want them growing up with a chip on their shoulder. Deborah Ziegler's grandfather Adek Stein escaped the Nazi extermination camp in Treblinka, Poland. Deborah says she thinks about the Holocaust almost every day and it has helped shape who she is today. - Bloodlines Part 2E26
Bloodlines Part 2Descendants of the key decision makers - how has the legacy of war shaped their lives? "I want my son to have that name and think about his name too" - Hidetoshi Tojo "My grandfather said presidents shouldn't have descendants. Yeah, thanks Grandpa!" - Clifton Truman Daniel In Part 2 of Insight's Bloodlines special, we take you to the Asia Pacific region and talk to relatives of Harry Truman, Hideki Tojo, and Weary Dunlop on the legacy and influence their ancestors have on the present day. Hidetoshi Tojo is the great grandson of Japanese war time Prime Minister Hideki Tojo. Hideki Tojo was directly responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbour, which initiated war between Japan and the United States. After the war he was convicted of war crimes and hanged. John Dunlop is the son of revered Australian wartime surgeon and prison camp hero, Sir Edward "Weary" Dunlop. Weary was renowned for his leadership and courage while being held hostage by the Japanese and working on the Thai Burma railroad. Clifton Truman Daniel found out in school that his grandfather had been the president of the USA. Harry Truman was the man who decided to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Clifton only became interested in the legacy bequeathed to him after connecting with some Hiroshima survivors and becoming the first Truman to visit atomic bomb memorial sites in Japan. Clifton now campaigns to end the threat of nuclear weapons. - Child FreeE27
Child FreeWhy are more men and women choosing a life without kids? Selfish. Career-driven. Don’t understand love. Missing out. These are some of the comments people who choose not to have children hear. It’s one of the last taboos, and the decision can be met with disbelief, a chorus of, ‘you’ll change your mind’, or outright animosity - with women taking the brunt of the judgement. Around one in four females won’t have a child, the number is thought to be higher amongst men. But despite the growing trend, there is little research into the reasons why, or separating the experiences of people who are childless from those who are childfree. This week’s Insight hears from men and women who made the choice not to have kids - what led to the decision, how family and friends reacted, and how they feel about the future. - When Mining Comes to TownE28
When Mining Comes to TownWhat happens to a farming community when mining comes to town? The rural towns of Acland and Oakey in regional Queensland are facing a new battle between miners and farmers. The New Acland open cut coal mine, owned and operated by New Hope Group, has been in operation since 2002. But a long-running push for expansion has faced opposition and delays. This week, Insight brings together stakeholders and townsfolk to discuss the economic, environmental and health impact of the mine and what expansion may mean for generations to come. Tanya Plant’s family lives about two kilometres from the mine. Since the mine opened she has experienced both dust and noise problems. “One of my daughter’s just coughed and coughed and coughed like every night for about eight or nine months,” she said. Tanya says there is a lot of mistrust and feels the mine’s owners haven’t done the right thing by the community. Matt Tonscheck used to be a dairy farmer before be switched to mining when business went bust. “There was no future for me on our farm when deregulation came in.” The father-of-two said the transition has been easy and is happy with the mine’s management. Noel Wieck is worried about the future. He invested millions in his dairy farm following the LNP’s promise not to expand and now fears the Darling Downs soil could be ruined. “It’s been cropped for 130 years and would be forever more, but once it’s mined its second-rate grazing country.” As the State Government reviews the approval process, we ask our guests: how can the land be maximised for both agricultural and resource use? - Twenty TwoE29
Twenty TwoWe first met them 9 years ago, what are they up to now? For the last nine years, Insight has tracked the lives of a diverse and candid group of teenagers. They're now young adults, reuniting again at 22. We first met them at age Thirteen. They were a raucous bunch who wanted to tell Australia about what mattered to them: peer pressure, terrorism and the role of technology in their lives. At Sixteen, we brought them back and they shared the changes that were starting to develop in their lives, from the difficulties of fitting in to navigating sex and handling loss. Nineteen saw the onset of financial pressures and personal responsibility and having to deal with depression and finding love. How different are they now and how have the dreams they’ve shared over 9 years changed? - Where There's A WillE30
Where There's A WillIs your will really your last word? Most people don’t realise that unless your will is carefully crafted, it might not be your last word. The legal document is meant to ensure your wishes are carried out when you die – from how assets are distributed, who would look after the children and what kind of funeral you want. But when a will is revealed and someone’s been left out, or they didn’t get as much as they thought they would, huge quarrels can ensue. A recent study has found that around three quarters of contested wills are successfully changed. In this Insight, we will bring people together to talk about how wills can be changed after they die and if it’s possible to make yours watertight. - Fight ClubE31
Fight ClubWhy do some men fight? Queenslander Joe "Butterbean" Sweeney says he started fighting at the age of 10 and has had “about 2000” street fights. "I can get real mad. The demons come out of me," he said." Melbourne man Paul Diacogiorgis has never fought in a schoolyard before but joined a fight club for white-collared workers because he wanted to do something out of his comfort zone. From organised sparring bouts in the ring to provoking someone on the streets, we find out what's it like to get punched and be punched. In this program first broadcast in 2014, host Jenny Brockie explores what’s behind the urge to land a blow. - HeartbreakE32
HeartbreakAlmost everyone has experienced it... some of us are culpable in causing it... so how do you better move on from it? Romantic rejection is one of the most common and painful human experiences that we go through. The brain system for romantic love is one of the most powerful processes that has ever evolved. But scientists are just now getting an understanding of how this brain chemistry works but many think heartbreak is similar to the withdrawal experienced when quitting a powerful cocaine addiction. In this Insight we take a look at the messy, joyful, sad and funny stories of how heartbreak affects your thoughts and behaviours – and the various ways we heal a broken heart.