You Cannot Be Serious

You Cannot Be Serious Podcast with Sam Newman

You Cannot Be Serious is an independent Australian podcast hosted by Sam Newman, a former professional footballer and a long-standing figure in the country’s sports media landscape. Based in Melbourne, the program serves as an unfiltered platform for commentary on current events, sports, and societal trends. Newman, known for his career with the Geelong Football Club and his decades on television, brings a direct and often provocative perspective to a wide range of topics, ensuring the show remains a consistent source of debate within the Australian media sphere.

The podcast’s content is predominantly structured around topical chat and opinion pieces. While Australian Rules Football (AFL) serves as a frequent focal point—covering everything from on-field performance to the administrative decisions of the league—the scope of the show extends far beyond the sporting arena. Episodes regularly delve into local and national politics, international affairs, and cultural critiques. Common themes include the state of civil liberties, the evolution of social norms, and critiques of mainstream media reporting.

The format is conversational and typically features Newman alongside recurring co-hosts and guest contributors who share backgrounds in professional sports or journalism. This dynamic allows for a blend of insider sporting anecdotes and robust discussion on modern life. Episodes are frequently divided into multiple segments or parts, allowing the hosts to pivot from lighthearted banter to serious analysis of global political developments, such as the American electoral process or Victorian state governance.

Characterized by a straightforward production style, the show prioritizes the dialogue and personal opinions of its hosts over complex sound design. It caters to an audience looking for perspectives that often sit outside the conventional media consensus. By maintaining a frequent release schedule, the podcast provides timely reactions to the news cycle, positioned through the lens of one of Australia’s most recognizable and outspoken public figures. Through its mix of sports analysis and social commentary, the program continues to engage with a dedicated listenership interested in direct, unscripted discourse.

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Episode's summary

The speakers address recent podcast personnel changes, clarifying that Wayne Carey did not resign, before moving into discussions on rising political violence and radicalism in Europe and Australia. The conversation explores the challenges of social integration, the impact of radical Islamism, and the economic concerns surrounding wind farming. The episode also covers various political scandals, including corruption rankings in Australia and internal conflicts within the Greens Party. Additionally, the hosts debate AFL drug testing policies and reflect on significant global events, such as a religious cult tragedy in Kenya and the political trajectory of One Nation.

Chapters

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Highlights

Wayne Carey did not resign from this podcast. He didn't walk away.

00:00:05 · The speaker clarifies the circumstances surrounding Wayne Carey's absence from the podcast to correct previous reports.

This car, it was like a four-wheel drive, big four-wheel drive, turned around and slammed into her twice.

00:03:53 · The speaker describes the details of a violent physical attack on Victorian politician Helen Haynes.

out of 182 nations, we ran 12th in government corruption.

00:17:05 · The speaker expresses shock at Australia's high ranking for government corruption in a global survey.

There's $20 trillion going into wind farming to wind turbines, and they produce 8% of the grid's electricity.

00:20:44 · The speaker uses these figures to argue that wind energy is not a cost-effective solution for global warming.

He asked people to wander into the forest in Kenya. His cult members wander in. 200 followed him into a forest in Kenya.

00:36:10 · The speaker recounts a tragic event involving a pastor and his followers in Kenya.

Episodes

1011-

Episode 384 - Renewables, Terror, Corruption

The speakers address recent podcast personnel changes, clarifying that Wayne Carey did not resign, before moving into discussions on rising political violence and radicalism in Europe and Australia. The conversation explores the challenges of social integration, the impact of radical Islamism, and the economic concerns surrounding wind farming. The episode also covers various political scandals, including corruption rankings in Australia and internal conflicts within the Greens Party. Additionally, the hosts debate AFL drug testing policies and reflect on significant global events, such as a religious cult tragedy in Kenya and the political trajectory of One Nation.

21 Oct 2026
1010-

Episode 383 - Red Meat

The speaker addresses his decision to stop hosting with Wayne Carey, citing the difficulty of discussing controversial topics without media attacks. The episode covers a wide range of social and political issues in Australia and abroad, including crime rates, migration, and recent scandals within the Sydney Swans. The discussion further explores the impact of cancel culture on public figures, inequities in the legal system, and drug use in professional sports. The conversation concludes with an analysis of global politics, covering unrest in France, the rise of nationalist leaders, and debates surrounding national identity and taxation.

14 Oct 2026
1009-

Episode 382 - Part 2 - Ian Cook

The host welcomes Ian Cook, an independent candidate for the seat of Mulgrave, to discuss his experiences as a victim of alleged corruption by the former Andrews government. Cook details how his food distribution business was driven out of business through orchestrated legal charges and council interference. Cook argues that this culture of corruption has spread across federal, state, and local levels, impacting infrastructure and public safety in Victoria. He outlines his motivations for running as an independent, his views on various political parties, and the personal sacrifices made during his long-standing fight against alleged government misconduct.

07 Oct 2026
1008-

Episode 382 - Part 1 - Who's Who in the Zoo

The hosts begin by discussing recent communication difficulties caused by travel and connectivity issues before diving into AFL news, including the Brisbane Lions' premiership, coaching controversies involving Alastair Clarkson, and the Sydney Swans. The conversation explores the ethics of public opinion on player scandals and covers significant coaching moves, such as John Longmire to Essendon and Jamie Graham at North Melbourne. The episode also addresses AFL myths regarding playing styles and player movements like Toby Green to Geelong. Shifting to broader themes, the speakers discuss US military recruitment policies, immigration and social unrest in Europe, and the impact of 'welcome to country' ceremonies at sporting events. The discussion concludes with topics ranging from political proposals for dogs in pubs to the massive financial implications of concussion lawsuits in professional contact sports.

07 Oct 2026
1007-

Episode 381 - Part 2 - Being Played

The speaker criticizes media outlets like the Daily Mail, Channel 9, and the ABC for perceived hypocrisy and bias regarding controversial statements. He discusses his support for Pauline Hanson's views on immigration and historical settlement, while also touching upon AFL controversies and religious practices in other countries. The episode further explores political tensions in Australia and the US, praising Donald Trump's global influence and Pauline Hanson's approach to media. The speaker also critiques 'Welcome to Country' ceremonies and political figures like Lydia Thorpe, arguing that such elements create division within the country.

30 Sep 2026