Sex work is decriminalised in New Zealand, unless you’re a migrant worker. In this episode Alice visits a brothel for business and pleasure and asks why this discriminatory law hasn't been changed.​

You’ve heard the term used in relation to high profile women such as JK Rowling, but what are trans exclusionary radical feminists, or TERFs, really all about? In this episode, Alice heads to Wellington to meet with the world’s first transgender MP, Georgina Beyer, and transgender advocate Caitlin Spice to hear about their experiences living in a society built upon rigid gender roles. Why are some people so afraid of trans people? And do TERFs deserve to be called feminists? From there, Alice attends the Feminism 2020 event hosted by “gender critical” group Speak Up For Women in Parliament’s Banquet Hall. Hoping to ask questions of their most prominent speakers, what ensues is a police report, a legal battle and not a hell of a lot of free speech.​

With an average lifespan that is seven years shorter than Pākehā, Māori have long suffered systemic inequity in our healthcare system. Alice, on the other hand, doesn’t have to think twice about visiting the doctor for every stomach pain and skin tag she encounters. Could it be that our healthcare system has a built-in racial bias? Episode 3 of Alice Snedden’s Bad News features insights from Kirimoana Willoughby and Sariah Witika from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, activist Dr Heather Came, Janell Dymus-Kurei (Te Whakatōhea) from Māori Public Health and Auckland DHB chair (and her Dad) Pat Snedden. During the episode, Alice discovers the ways that colonisation has had grave implications for Māori health and the overhaul that is needed to restore balance to our healthcare system in Aotearoa.

In this episode, Alice makes some inquiries upstairs about the charitable status of churches. Why should Sanitarium not have to pay any tax? Why is “advancement of religion” still considered a cornerstone of charity? And is it true what they say about Kellogg’s and masturbating? Joined by comedian Eli Mathewson and a giant pile of Weet-Bix, Alice tries to take a charitable view as she hears different perspectives on the issue. Head of the Interchurch Bureau Chris Bethwaite argues the case for churches as a social service, and tax advisor Andrea Black explains the origins of the exemption and whether it is still relevant today.​

Ever wondered why TK can’t stop taking his shirt off, but we have never seen a woman’s bare chest on Shortland Street? In this episode, Alice goes on a quest to expose the double standards of nudity. Meeting with Steve Crow, organiser of Boobs on Bikes, and Fiona McNamara of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Network, Alice dissects the complexities, profits and harm come from objectification. Perhaps normalizing nudity on screen would reduce that harm, but of course it’s not that simple. Getting the lowdown on censorship from Erica Brooks, Senior Classifications Advisor, Alice envisions a new kind of Ferndale that frees the nipple for all.

In October, Aotearoa will vote on whether or not to legalise voluntary euthanasia for those with a terminal illness who have less than six months to live. Undecided on how she is going to vote herself, Alice decides to host a dinner party like no other. Inviting a broad range of guests with varied perspectives on the euthanasia bill, she attempts to make up her own mind about the contentious and extremely sensitive issue over a lovely roast meal. Guests include ‘no’ voters like disability advocate Claire Freeman (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Korokoro) and her own mother Jo. On the ‘yes’ side is Canterbury University lecturer Te Hurinui Karaka Clarke (Te Arawa, Ngai Tahu), terminally ill advocate Bobbie Carroll and, of course, ACT MP David Seymour (Ngāti Porou).​

“New Zealand prides itself on being the first place to give women the vote and have universal suffrage, but actually we don’t.” In this episode, Alice examines the right of prisoners to vote in Aotearoa, a right which is currently denied if you are imprisoned for more than three years. She meets with Awatea Mita, daughter of Merata Mita, who was unable to exercise her democratic right in prison. Mark Mitchell, National’s spokesperson for justice (at the time of record), explains why National brought in the amendment in 2010, and why he still believes it was the right move. But with Māori 11 times more likely to be removed from the electoral roll than Pākehā, perhaps something needs to change. Justice campaigner Julia Whaipooti (who also appears in the Treaty Partnership episode) and Tania Mead from Justspeak share their perspectives, before everything is solved with a charity single.

In the words of Taika Waititi, New Zealand is racist as f***. In this episode, Alice is joined by Billy T winner Kura Forrester (Ngāti Porou) to assess how well we are honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 2020. The pair meet Hone Harawira (Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Aupouri, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whatua) to talk about the ongoing trauma of colonisation, and how the government is continuing to fail Treaty obligations. Ex-Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy reveals the hypocrisy in not having a single Māori person on the Human Rights Commission, before taking to the squash courts. Return appearances from Alice’s Dad Pat, Janell Dymus-Kurei (Te Whakatōhea) and Julia Whaipooti (Ngāti Porou) underscore the importance of historical literacy. Because what really is this Pākehā culture that so many are fighting so hard to protect?​