Inside the world of 'degenerate' content creators, Middle East update + losing your best friend

Inside the world of 'degenerate' content creators, Middle East update + losing your best friend

From Hack by triplej

June 11, 2026 · 31 min

About this episode

The episode explores the rise of 'degen' content creators in illegal gambling, updates on the Middle East conflict, and a personal story about losing a friend during COVID.

Ads for illegal gambling sites are flooding social media feeds, and the ABC has uncovered a shadow economy of influencers getting paid in crypto to put them there. So, what, and who are 'degen content creators'? Plus, the US has launched a new wave of missiles towards southern Iran after a US helicopter was shot down — and Iran has hit back. So, is the war re-escalating and does the ceasefire mean anything? And, losing a friend young can flip your world upside down — we speak with Grace Rouvray who lost her best friend suddenly in COVID. Listen now: 01:10 - Inside the world of 'degen' influencers 08:40 - Middle East update 12:44 - Grace + Katie Guests: Scobie McKay, ABC's Creator Program journalist Grace Rouvray, author, Is It Too Early To Bitch? Get the whole story from hack: Follow us on Instagram and TikTok Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

People in this episode

Guests: Scobie McKay, Grace Rouvray

Topics covered

  • degenerate content creators
  • illegal gambling
  • Middle East conflict
  • US military actions
  • loss of friendship
  • COVID impact

Keywords

  • degenerate content creators
  • gambling
  • influencers
  • Middle East
  • Iran
  • COVID
  • friendship loss

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ABC

Places: Iran, Middle East

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