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A Rational Fear
Dan Ilic
Laughing in the face of fear. Comedians and experts rip into the news. It's #QandA on crack.
🏆 Winner Best Comedy Podcast 2020 / 2021 / 2022 / 2023. Sign up to the newsletter: http://www.arationalfear.com
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Top 10 A Rational Fear Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best A Rational Fear episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to A Rational Fear for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite A Rational Fear episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
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KFC Shortage & Cannabis COVID solutions — Peppa Smith, Travis De Vries, Lewis Hobba, Dan Ilic
A Rational Fear
01/14/22 • 31 min
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We're back for 2021 with a short sharp A Rational Fear. We're joined by Peppa Smith (Yamma Mamma), Travis De Vries (Awesome Black), as well as Dan Ilic and Lewis Hobba.
- KFC Chicken Shortage.
- COVID and Cannabis.
- Australian Republican Movement's new platform for voting for a head of state.
LISTEN TO:
Trash Tiddas:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4UR66yGDW5oETWf5Fy1RB5
FOLLOW:
Travis De Vries: https://www.instagram.com/travishdevries/
Awesome Black:
Awesome Black Podcast Network
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Heading into the election your support is going to be more crucial than ever!
Thank you FEARMONGERS!
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
A Rational Fear on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear
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
Sneaking into Pine Gap - behind the scenes with Boy_Boy
A Rational Fear
03/12/24 • 38 min
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Alex Apollonov and Aleksa Vulovic are the co-hosts of the youtube channel Boy_Boy who have built an epic following thanks to their adventures in democracy, civics and capitalism. They share how they snuck into the super secret spy base Pine Gap and the of ramifications of getting caught.
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
1,000,000th download LIVE SHOW
A Rational Fear
02/04/24 • 22 min
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Celebrating 1,000,000 downloads live in Melbourne at the Malthouse Theatre
This is the show that rips into the news with the the best and brightest including
Charlie Pickering.
Sami Shah.
Kirsty Webeck
Richard Fidler
DJ Andrew McClelland.
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🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.
🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.
🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.
👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions.
💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
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
Direct from COP29: The juicy gossip and a beached whale
A Rational Fear
11/15/24 • 22 min
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Salam Fearmongers,
This week we’re connecting with two of our favourite friends of the pod who are wandering around the hall of COP29 in Baku, Azerbijan.
Linh Do & Richie Merzian.
We chat negotiations, financial commitments and how no one at COP is even talking nuclear. And how that dead whale on the shores of Baku (on the land-locked Caspian Sea), rattled everyone on Day 1 of the climate talks.
Richie and Linh also chat about Australia's bid for COP31, the quality of the meals in the football stadium where COP is being held this year, and, of course, climate celebrity sightings. Yeah, we’re TMZ now!
Cheers
Dan
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Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.
🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.
🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.
🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.
👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions.
💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
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Scrotum lookalike wants the world to burn
A Rational Fear
09/20/24 • 33 min
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G'day Fearmongers,
Big thanks to Ampel and Myrtle & Pine Studio for lending us their podcast studio to record this week's A Rational Fear in person.
We have in the studio Grace Tame, and Punter's Politics, as well as Lewis Hobba and me (Dan Ilic).
This week we discuss the Murdoch family's legal battles, the controversy surrounding the Australian remake of The Office, and environmental concerns related to the Betaloo Basin.
And here’s a quick plug — Grace Tame is touring around the country this month in conversation with various people including me in Sydney and Melbourne — she’s also going to Canberra and Brisbane. 🎟️ Get tickets here.
Thanks always for listening to A Rational Fear — if you can chip into the Patreon, or a the very least leave a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll read them out on air.
Cheers,
Dan Ilic
Takeaways
- The podcast humorously critiques current events and societal issues.
- The Murdoch family's internal dynamics are complex and contentious.
- Legal battles within the Murdoch family reflect broader media power struggles.
- The remake of The Office in Australia has sparked significant debate.
- Public reactions to media adaptations often mirror past controversies.
- Environmental concerns are often overshadowed by corporate interests.
- The Betelgeuse Basin represents a critical environmental issue in Australia.
- Political commentary reveals public skepticism towards government actions.
- Humor serves as a tool for discussing serious topics.
- The podcast encourages listeners to engage critically with the news.
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Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.
🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.
🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.
🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.
👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions.
💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
If Patreon isn't your thing, and Apple Subscriptions are too Appley — chip in with A-Cast here: https://plus.acast.com/s/a-rational-fear-1.
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01/01/24 • 40 min
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🎟️ BUY A TICKET TO OUR 1,000,000th Download show: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/what-s-on/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/
G’day Fearmongers —
Thrilled to drop our end of the year special 2023 — hosted by Peter Dutton. Sorry, we have to for balance or risk jail in 2024.
It’s been a big year —
We’ve performed in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Thursday Island. We won Best Comedy Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards for the 4th time in a row — AND we hit 1,000,000 downloads last month so we’re putting on a big show to celebrate:
It’s at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre and the line up is stacked with ARF favourites including Charlie Pickering, Kirsty Webeck, Sami Shah, Dj Andrew McClelland and the man with the most downloads in Australia Richard Fidler.
🎟️ Buy a ticket now before they’re all sold out.
THANKS RØDE
Thanks to our friends at RØDE Microphones for hooking Lewis Hobba with a brand new RØDEecaster Duo. If you ever think about starting your own podcast or even if you have to do zoom calls from home, it’s worth the investment in some RØDE gear of your own! Buy yours here.
Thanks to everyone who came to gigs, downloaded the show, told their friends about the show, shared on social media, to our Patreon supporters who pay for the show, and to all the comedians, guests and experts who join us, Jacob Round on the teppanyaki timeline — and a special thanks to my love, Kate Holdsworth, who relentlessly writes some of the best jokes for the show when I’m in a panic, and happily endorses this stupid hobby even if it means writing emails in the holidays.
Happy New Fear everyone!
Cheers,
Dan
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Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.
🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.
🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.
🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.
👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions.
💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
If Patreon isn't your thing, and Apple Subscriptions are too Appley — chip in with A-Cast here: https://plus.acast.com/s/a-rational-fear-1.
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Wendy Harmer — A Rational Conversation
A Rational Fear
12/08/23 • 50 min
🎟️ BUY TICKETS TO OUR 1,000,000th DOWNLOAD LIVE SHOW: https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/tickets/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/
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In this conversation, Dan and Lewis interview Wendy Harmer, a comedy legend and former radio host. They discuss the evolution of comedy and radio, the impact of commercial radio, memorable interactions with radio management, and unconventional radio stunts. Wendy shares stories from her time on The Morning Crew and reflects on the cultural significance of the show. They also discuss the changing media landscape and the success of radio hosts like Kyle and Jackie O. Overall, the conversation highlights the unique and influential role of radio in the comedy industry.
Takeaways
- Radio has played a significant role in the evolution of comedy, providing a platform for comedians to showcase their talent and reach a wide audience.
- Commercial radio has undergone significant changes over the years, with comedians becoming a staple on radio shows and management often lacking experience in the medium.
- Unconventional radio stunts and promotions have been a hallmark of the industry, with hosts often pushing boundaries to engage listeners and boost ratings.
- Wendy Harmer's time on The Morning Crew was culturally significant, as she brought a female perspective to radio and helped redefine the role of women in the industry.
- The media landscape has changed dramatically, with the rise of social media and digital platforms providing new avenues for content creation and consumption.
A Rational Fear is turning 1,000,000 in downloads. Buy a ticket to our 1,000,000th download live show here:
https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/tickets/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear/
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and One Millionth Download Show
02:25
Introducing Wendy Harmer
03:05
The Evolution of Comedy and Radio
05:01
Capturing the Comedy Community
08:07
Finding Your Tribe in Comedy
09:08
The Impact of Commercial Radio
10:10
Memorable Interactions in Radio
12:39
Unconventional Radio Stunts
17:30
The Influence of Radio Management
19:16
The Dash for Cash and Other Stunts
21:53
The Origin of 'Two Strangers and a Wedding'
23:45
The Cultural Significance of The Morning Crew
30:32
The Impact of Wendy Harmer's Radio Career
33:36
The Changing Landscape of Media
36:06
The Success of Kyle and Jackie O
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If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
If Patreon isn't your thing, and Apple Subscriptions are too Appley — chip in with A-Cast here: https://plus.acast.com/s/a-rational-fear-1.
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
Sponsor losing - Award winning - Dan Ilic & Lewis Hobba
A Rational Fear
11/23/23 • 16 min
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Lewis and Dan catch up after winning the Best Comedy Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards.
Come see the 1,000,000th download show at the Malthouse Theatre February 1st
TICKETS https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/tickets/malthouse-outdoor-stage/a-rational-fear
🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear
Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.
🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.
🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.
🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.
👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions.
💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
If Patreon isn't your thing, and Apple Subscriptions are too Appley — chip in with A-Cast here: https://plus.acast.com/s/a-rational-fear-1.
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LIVE FROM SXSW SYDNEY - Dan Ilic, Chris Taylor, Lee Constable, Ed Coper, Antoinette Lattouf, DJ Dylan Behan
A Rational Fear
10/21/23 • 48 min
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A Rational Fear is LIVE at SXSW SYDNEY!
🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear
Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.
🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.
🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.
🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.
👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions.
💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
If Patreon isn't your thing, and Apple Subscriptions are too Appley — chip in with A-Cast here: https://plus.acast.com/s/a-rational-fear-1.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don't ask where the money is coming from - Dan Ilic, Lewis Hobba, Mark Connely & Alice Brennan
A Rational Fear
09/13/24 • 33 min
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In this episode of A Rational Fear, the hosts discuss a range of topics including the impact of Russian funding on YouTube influencers, the effectiveness of political propaganda, and a detailed analysis of the recent US presidential debate. They also touch on the upcoming COP31 climate conference and its implications for Australia. The conversation is filled with humour and insightful commentary on the current political landscape.
Takeaways
- The influence of Russian funding on political messaging is significant.
- Tim Pool's case exemplifies the intersection of media and propaganda.
- Polarisation strategies are effective in shaping public opinion.
- Influencers play a crucial role in disseminating political messages.
- The recent US presidential debate showcased contrasting strategies between candidates.
- COP31 presents both challenges and opportunities for Australia in climate discussions.
- The hosts emphasise the importance of questioning funding sources in media.
- Humour is a key element in discussing serious political issues.
- The dynamics of political debates can shift public perception.
- Future episodes will continue to explore these themes in depth.
🤑 CHIP IN TO OUR PATREON https://www.patreon.com/ARationalFear
Here's all the fun stuff you get when you sign up to Patreon.
🎧 Get an ad-free and sponsor free version of the show.
🎟 Get early access and discounts to live shows.
🎥 Get early access to final videos, and draft edits of upcoming videos.
👨🏼⚖️ Make show suggestions.
💬 Get a link to the A Rational Fear discord.
If you enjoyed this please drop us a review on Apple podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-rational-fear/id522303261
If Patreon isn't your thing, and Apple Subscriptions are too Appley — chip in with A-Cast here: https://plus.acast.com/s/a-rational-fear-1.
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FAQ
How many episodes does A Rational Fear have?
A Rational Fear currently has 233 episodes available.
What topics does A Rational Fear cover?
The podcast is about News, Australia, Climate, Earth Sciences, Comedy, Podcasts, Science, Arts, Comedy Interviews and Politics.
What is the most popular episode on A Rational Fear?
The episode title 'Sponsor losing - Award winning - Dan Ilic & Lewis Hobba' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on A Rational Fear?
The average episode length on A Rational Fear is 41 minutes.
How often are episodes of A Rational Fear released?
Episodes of A Rational Fear are typically released every 7 days, 2 hours.
When was the first episode of A Rational Fear?
The first episode of A Rational Fear was released on Mar 14, 2012.
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