Videos of emotional protesters outside a private all-boys school in Sydney have gone viral, with some former students of Newington College opposing the school welcoming female enrolment. The topic of single-sex schooling is familiar to Chanel Contos – a consent advocate who has for years accused private boys schools of fostering a dangerous and toxic culture. Today, founder of Teach Us Consent and author of Consent Laid Bare , Chanel Contos, on the argument against all-boys schools and the struc...
Feb 05, 2024•17 min•Ep. 1167
For someone who’s been accused of breaking an election promise, Anthony Albanese isn’t hiding. The prime minister and his front bench have been out selling their new tax cuts, giving interviews and addressing the National Press Club. So what makes the government confident they’ve made the right call? And how does it set up the political chessboard for the first week of parliament? Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on Anthony Albanese’s biggest call and h...
Feb 04, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1166
2024 will be democracy’s biggest year. Over four billion people will head to the polls, with major battles in the United States, India, South Africa and Indonesia. One person watching this closely is Anne Applebaum. She was calling out authoritarianism spreading around the world while western leaders were still shaking hands with Vladimir Putin. So, where could the world’s politics be heading? Today, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and writer for The Atlantic Anne Applebaum, on democracy’s bigg...
Feb 01, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1165
The ABC has started the year fighting off accusations of racism, unlawful dismissal and a failure to protect journalists from outside attacks. The case of Antoniette Lattouf’s sacking, a description which the ABC denies, has ignited a debate about the broadcaster’s editorial policies, its coverage of the war in the Middle East and its vulnerability to external lobbying and pressure. So, are the policies, the reporters, or the leaders to blame for the ABC’s problems? Today, associate editor of Th...
Jan 31, 2024•17 min•Ep. 1164
Last weekend’s decision by the International Court of Justice was heralded as a victory by many. South Africa and the Palestinian Authority saw it as a vindication, as orders have been made to prevent any genocidal acts in Gaza and the ICJ will move towards a full trial. Others heralded it as a win for Israel, with the court refusing to make an order for the end of military action against Hamas. Today, expert in international law and Professor of Law at the University of California Davis Chimene...
Jan 30, 2024•20 min•Ep. 1163
The Labor government promised it would return transparency to government once elected at the 2022 election. More than anyone else that mission was given to the new first law officer of Australia: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. So how has he measured up to Labor’s promise? Today, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, on his essay in the new edition of The Monthly and his vision of a more honest Australian government. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Attorney-General, Mark D...
Jan 29, 2024•20 min•Ep. 1162
The stage three tax cuts the Labor government said they’d deliver will be altered and now be of greater benefit to lower and middle-income earners. What does the change mean for all of us? Is there such a thing as a good promise to break? And does this decision signal that Anthony Albanese is taking a new approach to being prime minister? Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno, on what to make of the big changes coming to our pay packets. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter...
Jan 28, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1161
Surrounded by what we know as the Kakadu National Park, the Northern Territory’s Ranger Uranium Mine finally ceased processing in 2021, after nearly 50 years of operation. With the mine now closed, Kakadu’s traditional owners are seeking that the government make good on the original promise of a national park in their care. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Writer and photographer Anthony Ham See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 27, 2024•25 min•Ep. 1160
This year, the attempt to whip up nationalism over January 26 has taken a different turn. While politicians and the media talk about pride in celebrating Australia Day, many businesses and cultural institutions are moving ahead with not recognising a holiday that celebrates colonisation. So is the culture war actually failing? Is the debate over? And in the shadow of the referendum defeat, what is the state of the push for justice for Indigenous Australians? Today, writer and host of The Mission...
Jan 25, 2024•15 min•Ep. 1159
All over the world, humanity is rushing to regulate the development of artificial intelligence. Now, the Australian government has announced its first steps toward controlling the development of AI. But is it already too late? And do we really understand what the risks are? The technology is advancing at such a fast pace that some examples are becoming indistinguishable from real life. Today, Professor Toby Walsh, author of Faking It , on whether Australia is going far enough to regulate AI and ...
Jan 24, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1158
For years, Gabriel Shipton has been desperately advocating for the release of his older brother, Julian Assange. It’s a fight that may have nearly reached its end. Next month, Julian Assange has one final chance, to request an appeal of his extradition to the United States. If it fails, medical experts insist Assange will take his own life. Today, Gabriel Shipton on his brother’s last shot at freedom. Warning: this episode discusses suicide. Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagra...
Jan 23, 2024•17 min•Ep. 1157
At the end of last year, the government rushed through new laws that have largely flown under the radar. The new citizenship act, which was passed following a High Court decision, allows judges to strip a dual citizen of their Australian citizenship if they repudiate ‘Australian values’. But, what are Australian values? And can they be defined, anyway? Today, constitutional and citizenship expert and contributor to The Saturday Paper Professor Kim Rubenstein on why a new set of laws are forcing ...
Jan 22, 2024•18 min•Ep. 1156
Supermarket prices have finally caught the attention of our leaders. While the cost of living crisis continues, customers and, now, politicians are becoming increasingly fed up with the price of groceries, while Woolworths and Coles rake in billions of dollars in profits. So, what can be done about it? And will government scrutiny be enough to fix an industry dominated by two powerful players? Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton on how 2024 could be a year of reckoning for ...
Jan 21, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1155
Professional sport has grappled with how to address athletes’ domestic violence and sexual assault allegations for years. It’s an issue that’s currently unfolding before viewers worldwide, who are tuning into the Australian Open in Melbourne. Tennis star Alexander Zverev is playing at the tournament while facing domestic violence allegations and an impending trial in Germany. Today, sports journalist and author of new biography Naomi Osaka , Ben Rothenberg, sheds light on the culture of silence ...
Jan 18, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1154
Donald Trump has passed the first electoral test of his ambitious campaign to return to the White House. The former president convincingly won the Republican caucus in Iowa, asserting his stronghold over the party, less than four years after losing the presidential election to Joe Biden. Trump is now likely to become the Republican presidential nominee. So, what does his victory say about America? Today, senior researcher at the Australia Institute Dr Emma Shortis on the risks of Trump’s endurin...
Jan 17, 2024•17 min•Ep. 1153
The ABC is facing mounting scrutiny over the sacking of radio presenter Antoinette Lattouf, just days into a short-term contract. In a Fair Work case against the ABC, Lattouf alleges she was dismissed over a pro-Palestine social media post, as well as claiming systemic racial discrimination within the organisation against people of Arab or Muslim backgrounds. Meanwhile, the public broadcaster is dealing with the resignation of other high-profile presenters and scores of redundancies amid a restr...
Jan 16, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1152
The catholic church is known for running schools and charity services in Australia, but it also operates more than 20 publicly funded hospitals. It’s an arrangement that helped bring healthcare to the public before Australia was even federated, but it often goes unnoticed by patients. So, what happens when a hospital run by a catholic body gets into major financial strife? Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper , Rick Morton, on how an iconic public hospital may soon run out of money. Soc...
Jan 15, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1151
Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza now seems like it will last even longer, with the Israeli military saying it is prepared for a long conflict – one that could last all year. But the longer the war continues, the more devastating the humanitarian situation in Gaza becomes, and the higher the chance of more war breaking out across the region. Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper and Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom on the efforts to limit the conflict – and why so ...
Jan 14, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1150
A clinic inside Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital is quietly changing lives through the power of tattoos. The Combined Breast Service offers breast reconstruction, including making nipples anew with tattoo ink. It’s an offering that empowers post-mastectomy patients and breast cancer survivors, who often grapple with accepting their new chests. Today, author Katherine Wilson will be reading her piece from the May issue of The Monthly . (This episode first aired in August 2023) Socials: Stay in ...
Jan 11, 2024•19 min•Ep. 1149
Today on the show, writer Richard King, with his piece ‘Machine Learning’ about the AI chatbot ChatGPT. He begins his story with discourse sweeping a university campus as AI reaches the hands of ordinary students and teachers. How will this technology – still only a few months old – change not only teaching and marking, but the very nature of the transfer of knowledge? This is the question he sets out to answer, and it’s a compelling one as we stand on the precipice of a new age of technology. R...
Jan 10, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1148
Today on the show, author Christos Tsiolkas with a recent piece from The Monthly . “The Past is a foreign country: they do things differently there” – is the memorable opening line of L.P. Hartley’s 1953 novel, The Go-Between . It’s a line that has stuck with Christos Tsiolkas since he read it in high school - and a sentiment that has made him reflect on his life, his migrant parents’ lives, and the value of creating foreign worlds through fiction. Christos Tsiolkas will read his story, ‘The Pas...
Jan 09, 2024•16 min•Ep. 1147
Today on the show, author Carrie Tiffany, with her piece from The Monthly . After the death of her mother, Carrie reflects on the hold of sugar upon her family’s health and history. Carrie will read her piece, ‘Sweet Regret’ after a short conversation with the Editor of the 7am podcast, Scott Mitchell. (This episode first aired in July 2023) Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram Guest: Author, Carrie Tiffany See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 08, 2024•21 min•Ep. 1146
Today on the show, writer and filmmaker John Safran, with his piece from the latest edition of The Monthly . Father Bob Maguire was an icon in his own right, but for many, they knew him through his years of conversation with John Safran on TV and their Sunday Night radio show. Father Bob passed away earlier this year and received a state funeral in Melbourne and today we feature John’s writing about his friend. (This episode first aired in July 2023) Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and...
Jan 07, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1145
Described by the Washington Post as "one of our greatest living novelists", Richard Flanagan has been writing for more than three decades. His 2013 novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North won the Booker Prize and his essays have been published across Australia and internationally. This week Michael heads to Tasmania to speak with Richard at his home in Hobart about his latest and most personal novel, Question 7 . (This episode was first published in September 2024) Reading list: Gould’s Book of ...
Jan 04, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1144
Melissa Lucashenko writes about big ideas and brutal experiences, but she does so with grace, with generosity and – maybe above all else – a rich sense of humour. In this episode, from Schwartz Media’s podcast Read This , Michael sits down with Melissa for a conversation about her new book, Edenglassie, and they discuss history, eccentric characters, and why writing a love story is a revolutionary act. Reading list: Hard Yards, Melissa Lucashenko, 1999 Too Flash , Melissa Lucashenko, 2002 Mullum...
Jan 03, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1143
George Saunders is one of literary fiction's most acclaimed living writers. Along with his many collections of short stories, he also published the Booker Prize-winning novel Lincoln in the Bardo . In this episode, from Schwartz Media’s podcast Read This , Michael chats with him about his life and career, and George reveals the three words that made him a writer. (This episode was first published in September 2023) Reading list: CivilWarLand in Bad Decline , George Saunders,1996 Pastoralia , Geo...
Jan 02, 2024•28 min•Ep. 1142
Kate Grenville has spent her career bringing history to life, often using the lives of her own family to tell stories about the kinds of voices who are often left out of the official record. In this episode, from Schwartz Media’s podcast Read This , Michael heads to Kate's house to discuss her latest novel, Restless Dolly Maunder , and why she is preparing for the chance that someday someone’s going to rifle through her life and make up their own stories. (This episode was first published in Sep...
Jan 01, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1141
Award-winning writer and historian Tony Birch grew up listening to stories from his nan, Alma. In this episode, from Schwartz Media’s podcast Read This , Tony shares how Alma's advice has influenced his life and his writing. (This episode was first published in July 2023) Reading list: Shadowboxing , Tony Birch, 2006 Blood , Tony Birch, 2011 Ghost River , Tony Birch, 2015 Common People, Tony Birch, 2017 The White Girl, Tony Birch, 2019 Dark as Night , Tony Birch, 2021 Yellowface , R.F. Kuang, 20...
Dec 31, 2023•29 min•Ep. 1140
John Hughes was once hailed as a young literary genius, and won a scholarship to Cambridge. Yet he found himself back in Australia working as a librarian and a teacher before his writing found an audience. Hughes was shortlisted for some of the greatest honours in Australian writing. But under the scrutiny of greater acclaim, a strange web of inconsistencies and copying struck one reader: Anna Verney. Today, we’re looking back on this interview between Ruby Jones, Anna Verney and Richard Cooke, ...
Dec 21, 2023•25 min•Ep. 1139
The 2022 federal election saw a historic loss for the Coalition and a historic shift towards independent candidates like Allegra Spender in Sydney, Zoe Daniel in Melbourne and Kate Chaney in Perth. Elected on promises to fight climate change, make progress on gender issues and advocate for more integrity in politics, the Teals flipped some of the wealthiest and safest Liberal seats. But as the cost of living became the most pressing issue for voters in 2023, the Teals’ views on social inequality...
Dec 20, 2023•24 min•Ep. 1138
