The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have launched a new daily podcast series, 'The Morning Edition', hosted by journalist Samantha Selinger-Morris, and will feature renowned journalists such as Kate McClymont, Nick McKenzie, and Ross Gittins.

Regular episodes will include Peter Hartcher discussing major issues every Thursday, and Jacqueline Maley and David Crowe covering Canberra's biggest stories every Friday.

The Morning Edition is a rebranding of the 'Please Explain' podcast, which started in 2018 and won Best Daily Podcast at the 2023 Australian Podcast Awards. The podcast is available through The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times, WA Today and major podcast platforms including Spotify, Google, and Apple.

Samantha Selinger-Morris expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I have a burning desire to understand what’s going on, and here I get to speak to some of the finest - and most experienced - minds in the business. What a joy and relief it is when they help me, and by extension our listeners, to understand the swirling political, environmental, and often criminal forces that surround us.”

Chris Paine, Head of Premium Content for the metro mastheads, also shared his excitement about the evolution of the podcast. "Our podcast has evolved considerably over the past six years and we're incredibly excited that evolution continues today as the name becomes The Morning Edition,” he said. “It may be a new name and a new look, but the DNA remains: the story behind the story with the best journalists in the country. And with Sam behind the microphone, I cannot wait to see The Morning Edition grow to become every Australian's news podcast of choice."

Ruby Schwartz also praised the new direction of the podcast, saying, “I am looking forward to seeing where Sam takes The Morning Edition in 2024. She is a brilliant and inquisitive host who helps me better understand the big stories of the day through her rigorous and thoughtful questions. And with a US presidential election just around the corner, and geopolitical struggles not seen in generations taking place, that’s never been more important.”