7am

It’s been a huge year for video games. Small developers are leading a renaissance of original ideas breaking through into the mainstream. They are going up against blockbuster franchises like Call of Duty – and winning. The 7am team debated adding “games” to our ‘best of’ features this year – but the numbers don’t lie. More than four out of five Australians game and the industry is at least three times the size of the film industry. Games can be so many things: high art, pop art – and pure dopamine. Sometimes all at once. Today, video games critic and tech journalist at the ABC, Rad Yeo, on her top five favourite games of the year.If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Video games critic and tech journalist at the ABC, Rad YeoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruby Jones listens to a lot of podcasts. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they all circle the same theme: journalism. Today, she’s bringing you her favourite journalistic podcasts of the year – recommending everything from immersive narrative series to friends with chat shows. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: 7am host Ruby Jones Photo: Ian West/PA WireSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Jinx watches hundreds of films every year – for her job programming feature films at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and, because she loves them. Today, she’s bringing you her five favourites from 2025. There’s Leonardo Dicaprio, of course. There’s also heists, collaborative theatre as film, PTSD but funny, and, there’s porridge. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Programmer of feature films at the Melbourne International Film Festival, Kate Jinx Photo: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a heavy year in many ways. And when you work in news, there’s no shying away from that. But music can be a respite – something to help process the heaviness, and something that brings escape and joy. When we asked Head of Music at SXSW, Claire Collins, to pick her favourite albums of the year, both the heaviness and the joy were reflected back at us. She’s picked five albums for you to blast this summer, as you prepare for the year ahead. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Claire Collins, head of music at SXSW Photo: Ian West/PA WireSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marieke Hardy is a writer, broadcaster and former panelist on the ABC’s First Tuesday Book Club. Marieke’s passion and enthusiasm for the books she loves is contagious. But she’s also direct and unapologetic when a book isn’t for her, so you always know that when she recommends something, it’s going to be worth your time. Her list of favourite books starts with a sprawling novel about friendship and love – and winds its way through so many other huge themes: grief, violence, war, and how the internet has ruined us. Today, Marieke Hardy with her five favourite books of 2025. If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram Guest: Writer and literary critic Marieke HardySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.