Was the original podcast format invented in Australia? This clip from the first episode of the podcast From the Hideout investigates this claim through a conversation with Pete Smith, who hosted the teenage radio show Broody’s Hideout back in the 1960s with Phil Brady.

Through the laidback but comprehensive chat, three generations of hosts –including Smith, Tony Martin and Djovan Caro – dive into the scrappy and incredible history of Australian radio. Smith's good-natured denial of inventing the podcast format is a launchpad into the lore of Broody’s Hideout: from constructing a makeshift radio in his parents' Melbourne garage to unorthodox methods of broadcasting his 'talkfest'. Warm anecdotes offer a window into what really does sound like a proto-podcast, while the mix of generational perspectives fuses nostalgia with a contemporary lens.

In its heyday, Broody's Hideout was transmitted locally via bell wire and shared internationally by mailing 1/4-inch open-reel tapes. Both Smith and Brady later became prominent radio and television announcers. From the Hideout picks up the baton through informal conversations like the one in this clip, reflecting on radio, media history and personal experience. By referencing its 1960s origins, the podcast not only preserves the legacy of Broody’s Hideout but also demonstrates the continuity of Australian radio culture across decades.