November 21, 2025 • 9 mins
It’s good news time! It’s been a little while since we’ve done an episode like this, but with festive celebrations ramping up, it's the perfect time to reflect on the good in the world. From the Aussie sporting legends honoured in Melbourne this week, to global science breakthroughs and never-before-seen priceless artworks, we hope today's episode brightens your weekend.
Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Emma Gillespie
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This episode is brought to you by Ikea Right Now
get ten percent off selected products when shopping with the
Ikea App in store. For a limited time only, download
the Ikea App Now to unlock amazing savings Ikea Make
It Happen. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good morning and welcome to the Daily OS. It's Saturday,
the twenty second of November. I'm Emma Gillespie, I'm Billy
fit Simon's. It's a pleasure to be here on a
Saturday morning. Yeah, happy weekend time, and it's good news time.
I know it's been a little while since we've done
an episode like this, but festive celebrations are ramping up.
The end of year is in sight, and what better
(00:41):
time to take a moment to reflect on the good
that's in the world than right now.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Billy, you're right, it's festive season. I feel like everyone
is in the mood for some more good news, and
so we are starting today off with two OZSI sporting
legends who were honored this week.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Yees starting off strong with the Sport Australia Hall of
Fame Induction and Award Scala. So they were held in
Melbourne on Monday and Formula one driver Oscar Piastre and
seven time World Surfing champion Lane Beachley were awarded Australia's
most prestigious sporting honors. So the Don Award that's named
(01:20):
after Sir Don Bradman is given to an athlete or
team every year whose achievements over the past year have
most inspired the nation, and this year that honor went
to Piastree, Melbourne's very own, the nine time Grand Prix winner.
Organizers said, quote Pastre is carving out his own legacy,
transforming Australia's Formula one aspirations into reality and inspiring the
(01:45):
next generation of champions. Pastre called it a massive privilege
to win an award in Bradman's name, and this all
comes as the twenty four year old navigates the tight
race that he's in behind his McLaren teammatee Orlando Norris
for the driver's championship. Fingers crossed. Oscar scores big in
Vegas this weekend off the back of this exciting award.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
And you are the biggest F one fan that I
personally know. So I'm excited about that news for Oscar Piastre,
but I'm almost more excited about that news for you.
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
A win for Oscar is a win.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
For Okay, you were telling us about the Dawn Award,
but I'm going to be telling you about the Dawn Award.
Do you know what the Dawn Award is? No, Billy, Okay,
So it's named after Dawn Fraser. Do you know who
she is? Oh?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
I am familiar with the swimming legend.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
She is an eight time Olympic medalist and the whole
point of the award is for it to be awarded
to someone who has demonstrated courage and bravery that has
changed sport for the better. This week, Ossie icon Lane
Beachley won the Dawn Award. So Beachley became an advocate
for her sport. She is a surfer after being shocked
(03:01):
by the state of women's surfing when she joined the
pro tour in nineteen ninety, She reflected upon receiving this award,
through compromises, sacrifices and battles, we achieved pay equity in
twenty eighteen. Now women can truly aspire to be seen
and respected in what was once a male dominated environment.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Okay, Billy, Next up, I want to tell you about
a new study on the social lives of magpies.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
I think magpies and good news is an oxymoron. I
don't know how those two things go together.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I hear you, but I'm going to change your mind
because the University of Western Australia has been investigating the
relationship between magpie intelligence and their social connectedness. This is
measured through play, aggressiveness, vocal interactions and physical proximity. So
researchers tested magpies in urban environments around Perth and what
(03:56):
they called key developmental milestones. Magpies who were more connected
in their social networks were able to successfully look after
themselves earlier in life. So, for example, they could forage
for food independently at a young age and take care
of themselves. Doctor Lizzie Speechley from UWA School of Biological
(04:16):
Sciences said, quote The findings highlight the importance of the
social environment during early life to the development of cognitive
skills of magpies.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Fun fact, when I was fourteen, I was swooped by
a magpie and that is why I don't like them.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yeah, it's tough. I was swooped as a twelve year
old and it's never.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Really laid me Yeah, it never leaves.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Maybe because those magpies didn't have enough social connectedness.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Well, they came to the wrong place by swooping me
for social connectedness. I gave them none of that. Okay,
moving on, what's next?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Well, Billy, if magpies stress you out, I have a
good one for you. Have you ever considered meditation, because
the good news is it's been shown to improve brain function.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego analyzed subjects
who attended a meditation and healing retreat. And Billy, I
(05:10):
know that you are not against a bit of a
healing retreat.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Why am not?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I actually have gone to a health retreat before as well.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
I loved it.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
In this study, those researchers observed rapid and wide ranging
changes in brain function and found that meditation reduces connections
in parts of the brain associated within a chatter.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
I feel like that's what you hear that meditation is
amazing and for the people who it works for, I
feel like it really works for them. But then you
also hear from people like me who sometimes it feels
like meditating does the opposite of calming you down.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Yeah, and I completely understand that feeling. I think the
experts say it's not about achieving complete quiet and inner piece,
it's about sort of persevering through that. And one of
the reasons and from this study, that it might be
worth persevering, is that it's not just about brain function
being improved by meditation. Researchers also identified benefits to blood biology,
(06:11):
finding that the retreat engaged natural physiological pathways, promoting patients metabolism, immunity,
and pain relief. It's actually the first time in the
world that a study has comprehensively quantified the biological effects
of multiple mind body techniques administered together over a short period.
So like the program at this healing retreat, and one
(06:33):
of the studies authors said, the findings show that our
minds and bodies are deeply interconnected. Quote what we believe,
how we focus our attention and the practices we participate
in can leave measurable fingerprints on our biology.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
That is so interesting. I never would have thought that
it would have benefits for your blood.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah, inflammation, Who would have known?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
All right, Last, but not least, we are wrapping things
up with a good news story from the art world.
Masterpieces by some of history's most celebrated painters will be
displayed to the public for the very first time.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, I thought we'd finish on a classy note. Let's
take it high browbilly, that's.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
What we need for a Saturday.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
We're talking Monnet, Renoir, Matisse, Dega, Picasso, to name a few.
This is a really interesting story out of Germany, where
this one family, over four generations, has built up one
of Europe's largest private art collections, known as the Shaft Collection. Now,
the collection has its own fascinating history. At one point
(07:35):
it included over two thousand artworks that many of them
were actually destroyed or stolen during World War II, and
in the years after the war, a woman named Marguerite
Schaff worked really hard to save the collection, which was
built up by her father, Otto Gerstenberg. Eventually, Marguerite left
the surviving artworks to her sons, who have now said
(07:57):
the collection deserves to be seen publicly. So that decision
means that over the next three months, an exhibition in
Berlin is showcasing the collection of about one hundred and
fifty renowned works spanning three centuries. So if you're heading
to Europe for a white Christmas might be worth adding
it to your itinery.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Let's hope that the louver robbers don't get anywhere near that.
All right, good one, Billy, thank you, and on that
we will be ending on a high. That is all
we've got time for today. We hope these stories brought
a little bit of sunshine to your weekend. We will
be back to regular programming on Monday morning with your
next deep dive. Until then, enjoy the weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Bye.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda
Bungelung Calcultin woman from Gadigl Country. The Daily oz acknowledges
that this podcast is recorded on the lands of the
Gadighl people and pays respect to all Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Island and nations. We pay our respects to the
first peoples of these countries, both past and present.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
There are savings at Ikea that you might miss, and
to find them you're going to need a little bit
of help from the Ikea App, and you really want
to download it right now, because from the sixth to
the twenty seventh of November, you can get ten percent
off selected products when shopping with the Ikea app. In store.
A bargain could be anywhere, right in front of your nose,
(09:23):
but if you have the app open and ready in store,
you could save on something instantly selected, homeware, furniture, and
so much more. Download the ICA app now and let
the savings begin. Ikea Make It Happen. Terms, conditions and
exclusions apply
This episode is brought to you by Ikea Right Now
get ten percent off selected products when shopping with the
Ikea App in store. For a limited time only, download
the Ikea App Now to unlock amazing savings Ikea Make
It Happen. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Good morning and welcome to the Daily OS. It's Saturday,
the twenty second of November. I'm Emma Gillespie, I'm Billy
fit Simon's. It's a pleasure to be here on a
Saturday morning. Yeah, happy weekend time, and it's good news time.
I know it's been a little while since we've done
an episode like this, but festive celebrations are ramping up.
The end of year is in sight, and what better
(00:41):
time to take a moment to reflect on the good
that's in the world than right now.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Billy, you're right, it's festive season. I feel like everyone
is in the mood for some more good news, and
so we are starting today off with two OZSI sporting
legends who were honored this week.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Yees starting off strong with the Sport Australia Hall of
Fame Induction and Award Scala. So they were held in
Melbourne on Monday and Formula one driver Oscar Piastre and
seven time World Surfing champion Lane Beachley were awarded Australia's
most prestigious sporting honors. So the Don Award that's named
(01:20):
after Sir Don Bradman is given to an athlete or
team every year whose achievements over the past year have
most inspired the nation, and this year that honor went
to Piastree, Melbourne's very own, the nine time Grand Prix winner.
Organizers said, quote Pastre is carving out his own legacy,
transforming Australia's Formula one aspirations into reality and inspiring the
(01:45):
next generation of champions. Pastre called it a massive privilege
to win an award in Bradman's name, and this all
comes as the twenty four year old navigates the tight
race that he's in behind his McLaren teammatee Orlando Norris
for the driver's championship. Fingers crossed. Oscar scores big in
Vegas this weekend off the back of this exciting award.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
And you are the biggest F one fan that I
personally know. So I'm excited about that news for Oscar Piastre,
but I'm almost more excited about that news for you.
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
A win for Oscar is a win.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
For Okay, you were telling us about the Dawn Award,
but I'm going to be telling you about the Dawn Award.
Do you know what the Dawn Award is? No, Billy, Okay,
So it's named after Dawn Fraser. Do you know who
she is? Oh?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
I am familiar with the swimming legend.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
She is an eight time Olympic medalist and the whole
point of the award is for it to be awarded
to someone who has demonstrated courage and bravery that has
changed sport for the better. This week, Ossie icon Lane
Beachley won the Dawn Award. So Beachley became an advocate
for her sport. She is a surfer after being shocked
(03:01):
by the state of women's surfing when she joined the
pro tour in nineteen ninety, She reflected upon receiving this award,
through compromises, sacrifices and battles, we achieved pay equity in
twenty eighteen. Now women can truly aspire to be seen
and respected in what was once a male dominated environment.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
Okay, Billy, Next up, I want to tell you about
a new study on the social lives of magpies.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
I think magpies and good news is an oxymoron. I
don't know how those two things go together.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
I hear you, but I'm going to change your mind
because the University of Western Australia has been investigating the
relationship between magpie intelligence and their social connectedness. This is
measured through play, aggressiveness, vocal interactions and physical proximity. So
researchers tested magpies in urban environments around Perth and what
(03:56):
they called key developmental milestones. Magpies who were more connected
in their social networks were able to successfully look after
themselves earlier in life. So, for example, they could forage
for food independently at a young age and take care
of themselves. Doctor Lizzie Speechley from UWA School of Biological
(04:16):
Sciences said, quote The findings highlight the importance of the
social environment during early life to the development of cognitive
skills of magpies.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
Fun fact, when I was fourteen, I was swooped by
a magpie and that is why I don't like them.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yeah, it's tough. I was swooped as a twelve year
old and it's never.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
Really laid me Yeah, it never leaves.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Maybe because those magpies didn't have enough social connectedness.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Well, they came to the wrong place by swooping me
for social connectedness. I gave them none of that. Okay,
moving on, what's next?
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Well, Billy, if magpies stress you out, I have a
good one for you. Have you ever considered meditation, because
the good news is it's been shown to improve brain function.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego analyzed subjects
who attended a meditation and healing retreat. And Billy, I
(05:10):
know that you are not against a bit of a
healing retreat.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Why am not?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
I actually have gone to a health retreat before as well.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
I loved it.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
In this study, those researchers observed rapid and wide ranging
changes in brain function and found that meditation reduces connections
in parts of the brain associated within a chatter.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
I feel like that's what you hear that meditation is
amazing and for the people who it works for, I
feel like it really works for them. But then you
also hear from people like me who sometimes it feels
like meditating does the opposite of calming you down.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Yeah, and I completely understand that feeling. I think the
experts say it's not about achieving complete quiet and inner piece,
it's about sort of persevering through that. And one of
the reasons and from this study, that it might be
worth persevering, is that it's not just about brain function
being improved by meditation. Researchers also identified benefits to blood biology,
(06:11):
finding that the retreat engaged natural physiological pathways, promoting patients metabolism, immunity,
and pain relief. It's actually the first time in the
world that a study has comprehensively quantified the biological effects
of multiple mind body techniques administered together over a short period.
So like the program at this healing retreat, and one
(06:33):
of the studies authors said, the findings show that our
minds and bodies are deeply interconnected. Quote what we believe,
how we focus our attention and the practices we participate
in can leave measurable fingerprints on our biology.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
That is so interesting. I never would have thought that
it would have benefits for your blood.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Yeah, inflammation, Who would have known?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
All right, Last, but not least, we are wrapping things
up with a good news story from the art world.
Masterpieces by some of history's most celebrated painters will be
displayed to the public for the very first time.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, I thought we'd finish on a classy note. Let's
take it high browbilly, that's.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
What we need for a Saturday.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
We're talking Monnet, Renoir, Matisse, Dega, Picasso, to name a few.
This is a really interesting story out of Germany, where
this one family, over four generations, has built up one
of Europe's largest private art collections, known as the Shaft Collection. Now,
the collection has its own fascinating history. At one point
(07:35):
it included over two thousand artworks that many of them
were actually destroyed or stolen during World War II, and
in the years after the war, a woman named Marguerite
Schaff worked really hard to save the collection, which was
built up by her father, Otto Gerstenberg. Eventually, Marguerite left
the surviving artworks to her sons, who have now said
(07:57):
the collection deserves to be seen publicly. So that decision
means that over the next three months, an exhibition in
Berlin is showcasing the collection of about one hundred and
fifty renowned works spanning three centuries. So if you're heading
to Europe for a white Christmas might be worth adding
it to your itinery.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
Let's hope that the louver robbers don't get anywhere near that.
All right, good one, Billy, thank you, and on that
we will be ending on a high. That is all
we've got time for today. We hope these stories brought
a little bit of sunshine to your weekend. We will
be back to regular programming on Monday morning with your
next deep dive. Until then, enjoy the weekend.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Bye.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda
Bungelung Calcultin woman from Gadigl Country. The Daily oz acknowledges
that this podcast is recorded on the lands of the
Gadighl people and pays respect to all Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Island and nations. We pay our respects to the
first peoples of these countries, both past and present.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
There are savings at Ikea that you might miss, and
to find them you're going to need a little bit
of help from the Ikea App, and you really want
to download it right now, because from the sixth to
the twenty seventh of November, you can get ten percent
off selected products when shopping with the Ikea app. In store.
A bargain could be anywhere, right in front of your nose,
(09:23):
but if you have the app open and ready in store,
you could save on something instantly selected, homeware, furniture, and
so much more. Download the ICA app now and let
the savings begin. Ikea Make It Happen. Terms, conditions and
exclusions apply
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