While Venice was a patriarchal society, women nonetheless played vital roles in shaping the city’s political, social and cultural fabric. From patrician marriages that forged alliances among the elite to the quiet influence exerted behind convent and palace walls, what was life really like for women in the Republic of Venice? Their stories span from prominent figures such as Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, to the orphaned girls educated at the Ospedale della Pietà, and even to the ever-presen...
Jul 19, 2025•31 min
Elegant and imperial yet vibrantly modern, Vienna is a city where, like the beloved Danube itself, history and creativity flow together. For over four centuries, Vienna was the heart of the Habsburg Empire – a mecca for musicians, artists, architects and intellectuals. Today, its grand palaces, museums and concert halls still captivate, while the legacy of composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert continue to shape the city’s rich musical and cultural identity. In this episode, art histor...
Jun 21, 2025•18 min
In the late 13th century, a coalition of Turkic tribes united under a dynamic leader named Osman, forming a small principality situated between the declining Byzantine and Seljuk Empires. Within generations, it grew into the Ottoman Empire, a global power spanning three continents and controlling key trade routes. This rise ushered in a Golden Age marked by grand architecture, Iznik tiles, calligraphy and illustrated manuscripts, rivalling Europe's finest courts. In this episode we are joined by...
May 24, 2025•40 min
2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II. A year that reshaped the world and transformed Australia, 1945 was a tumultuous time that witnessed fierce fighting, celebrations of peace and the beginnings of a new world order. While the big three allies – Britain, America and the Soviet Union – would go on to challenge each other for supremacy in the post-war world, Australia emerged from the global conflict as a modernised but more complicated society, with altered attitudes toward...
Apr 26, 2025•27 min
When Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world, creating an empire that stretched from Greece all the way to India, he paved the way for the Hellenistic period. Forged from Alexander’s empire, this unprecedented contact with cultures far and wide disseminated Greek art, architecture, literature and religious practises, and exposed Greek artistic styles to a host of new exotic influences. When Alexander died in 323 BC, he left this extensive conquered territory without a clear line of...
Mar 08, 2025•20 min
Archaeologists have recently uncovered the ruins of an octagonal Armenian church dating back 1,700 years – making it one of the oldest such surviving monuments in the world. The church is located in Artaxata, once the site of a major commercial city that was the Kingdom of Armenia’s capital until the early 2nd century. In this episode we are joined by Dr Mathew Dal Santo as he takes us on a journey through the layers of Armenia’s history, and uncovers more of this exciting discovery. Matthew is ...
Feb 08, 2025•22 min
Johann Sebastian Bach was, besides being a famed organist, harpsichordist, violist and violinist, one of the most prolific and iconic composers of the Baroque Era. Centuries after his death, Bach’s contribution to music remains immense, with subsequent generations of musicians of all genres channelling his innovative techniques. In this episode, featuring musical excerpts of Bach's works, we are joined by musician, lecturer, and broadcaster Sandy Burnett as he follows Bach’s career to the city o...
Dec 14, 2024•34 min
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most significant architects of the 20th century, and his career is deeply connected to that of Marion Mahony Griffin. A woman ahead of her time, Marion was one of the first licensed female architects in the world and was also Wright’s first employee. With a career spanning 50 years, she contributed as a designer to the development of the Prairie School which revolutionised American architecture, and to the dissemination of its ideas through her beautiful drawings...
Nov 23, 2024•23 min
A bold reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s thrilling musical, Sunset Boulevard, made its Broadway premiere just last week and saw Nicole Scherzinger make her Broadway debut. In this special episode on The Thinking Traveller, Academy Travel tour leader and host of the STAGES podcast, Peter Eyers interviews Theatre Choreographer and Movement Director Fabian Aloise. Fabian's choreography has been critically acclaimed and garnered multiple nominations, including two Olivier Award nominations for Be...
Oct 26, 2024•1 hr 18 min
A tiny speck in the Pacific, Norfolk Island has a fascinating past and occupies a unique position in the history of European settlement in Australia. It is home to a turbulent and varied history, with new archaeological findings about the Island's first inhabitants through to the infamous Bounty mutineers and the relocated Pitcairners, the harsh penal settlement, the Island's Melanesian missionary society and also the vital role it played in the liberation of the Pacific in WWII. In this episode...
Sep 28, 2024•35 min
More than 80 years ago, the Fall of Singapore and the War in the Pacific touched almost all Australian households in some way. With Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day recently commemorated on August 15, we are joined by expert military historian Prof. Peter Stanley. Peter is a prize-winning historian and author of more than 40 books, who spent 33 years working at the Australian War Memorial (where he was Principal Historian) and the National Museum of Australia (as the inaugural head of its Researc...
Aug 17, 2024•30 min
Hilary Mantel’s extraordinary Wolf Hall Trilogy ignited popular interest in the turbulent Tudor period of British history. Coupled with the BBC production of the first two novels, the highlighting of Thomas Cromwell’s rise and fall has brought a new understanding to the political upheavals that occurred during the eventful reign of Henry VIII. With an adaptation of Mantel’s third book in the trilogy 'The Mirror & The Light' currently underway, we are joined by Dr Lauren Mackay. Lauren is a T...
Jul 20, 2024•30 min
Everybody knows the story of Romeo and Juliet. They are arguably the most famous lovers in literature. Their story has been told and retold through countless interpretations, from classical Shakespearean tragedies to Stephen Sondheim's West Side Story! But what is the real story behind these star-crossed lovers? Joining us for this episode is Dr Eireann Marshall, who herself lives not far from fair Verona. Eireann explains the truth behind the story of Romeo and Juliet as she uncovers if they we...
Jun 22, 2024•30 min
In the lead up to the National Gallery of Victoria’s new landmark exhibition Pharaoh, we are joined on our podcast by popular UK-based Egyptologist Lucia Gahlin. Ancient Egypt has been at the forefront of Australia’s cultural life during 2024, with three block-buster exhibitions visiting Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne – each with a different focus and unique artefacts. Undoubtedly, Pharaonic Egypt is an era of history that continues to fascinate and enthral. In this episode, Lucia guides us thro...
May 25, 2024•37 min
We all love going to the theatre, whether it’s a light-hearted musical or a deep thought-provoking drama. But the term theatre encompasses so much more… From Ancient Greece to modern day West End, every civilisation has (or had) some form of theatre performance and each is quite unique. In this episode we are joined by Dr Kate Foy to discuss the history of theatre, the various associated customs and the many experiences to be had. Kate's PhD studies focussed on world theatre history, whilst her ...
Apr 27, 2024•26 min
Flanked by the towering Andes to the east and the wild Pacific Ocean to the west, the impossibly dry Atacama Desert is the spectacular result of this unique geography. Despite its aridity, the Atacama region was first occupied by humans over 10,000 years ago and this hyper arid environment has subsequently allowed for the preservation of materials that most archaeologists can only dream of. In this episode we are joined by Dr Chris Carter to discuss what can be found in the region, from the scan...
Mar 30, 2024•27 min
Founded in 1485 by Henry VII, the Tudor dynasty, although short lived, was coloured by rebellions, conspiracies, challenges to succession, and fear of further civil war. From historical research to popular novels, TV series and even a West End musical, the Tudor period in England continues to hold an amazing fascination In this episode, Dr Lauren MacKay delves into the history (and truth) of this infamous dynasty. Lauren is an historian of Early Modern Europe. Her debut book, Inside the Tudor Co...
Feb 24, 2024•27 min
The Lombardy region of Italy, bordered on the north by Switzerland and south by the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, has a fascinating and complex history. But where did the name Lombardy originally come from? The Lombards were a Germanic tribe who fought their way across Europe during the Early Middle Ages, before settling on the northern part of the Italian Peninsula where they would establish a powerful kingdom that grew rapidly. In the process, the Lombards became a major thorn in the side ...
Jan 20, 2024•27 min
In the lead up to the Sydney exclusive exhibition ' Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs ' at the Australian Museum, we are joined on this episode by Egyptologist Dr Bill Manley as he provides a fascinating insight into the Pharaoh who continues to enthral, more than 3,000 years after he ruled Egypt. Known as Ramses the Great, Ramses II was one of the most powerful and influential Pharaohs to have ruled Egypt in its Golden Age. Ramses also built more monuments and sired more children than any o...
Nov 11, 2023•31 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter talks with Kaye Tuckerman, who played Broadway in the Donna Summer Musical! - and has appeared in extensive Musical Theatre product around the globe. She relishes living in the...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter chats with showbiz icon Caroline O’Connor, who has played Broadway 3 times - in ‘Chicago’, ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Anastasia’. They are but three of her theatrical triumphs co...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 39 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter chats with Michaeljon Slinger. Born in Queensland, Michaeljon found himself studying in New York in his late teens. He received a full scholarship to attend American Ballet The...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter talks with Amelia Cormack, who has played on Broadway over the past year in the Tony Award winning Best Musical - HADESTOWN. Peter caught up with Amelia live from New York City...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter chats with Hayden Tee. Hayden is currently touring Australia in the new Musical phenomenon - & Juliet. But he is no stranger to appearing on the stages of the West End and ...
Sep 16, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter chats with Maree Johnson, who opened the premiere Australian production of The Phantom of the Opera in Melbourne in 1990 as a member of the ensemble and a cover for Christine …...
Sep 16, 2023•57 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter chats with theatre great Tony Sheldon, who triumphed as Bernadette in the musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT……following an extensive tour the production played Broadway and ...
Sep 16, 2023•1 hr 26 min
Tune in to this special Broadway Spotlight series, brought to you by Peter Eyers, host of the STAGES podcast. In January 2024, Peter will be leading a 10-day tour to sample the best of Broadway and New York - alongside a host of cultural experiences at museums and galleries populating The Big Apple. In this episode, Peter chats with Carmel Dean. Carmel a composer/lyricist, arranger, music supervisor/director, and conductor of musical theatre, based in NYC. Her composition credits include Renasce...
Sep 16, 2023•1 hr 40 min
Cuba is one of those destinations that, merely by its name, conjures up images of vibrant art, soul stirring music and colonial streets populated by enormous ancient Chevrolets. But what is the real story of Cuba and what is Cuba like today? In this episode we are joined by Dr Stephen Wilkinson - Chairman of the International Institute for the Study of Cuba - to discuss. Stephen first visited Cuba in 1986 and has been travelling to and writing about the island ever since. Academy Travel is a lea...
Aug 05, 2023•48 min
Since the first official excavations in 1748, Pompeii has captured the popular imagination of the Western world, and there has never been a better time to visit with new finds still emerging in the current excavations. Much of the site, which for many years was closed to the public, is now accessible and some of the new impressive finds can be viewed in situ or in the newly re-opened museum on site. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Estelle Lazer who has worked on the human remains of the Pom...
Jul 01, 2023•27 min
When Masada was excavated in the 1960s, Israel was a very new country (less than 20 years old), full of immigrants from many different backgrounds, and was struggling to find an identity beyond being the homeland for the Jews after the horrors of the Holocaust. One of the reasons that Prof. Yigael Yadin went to dig at this forgotten site was to create a social link with the ancient Jewish state that was destroyed by the Romans, and to encourage modern Israelis to see themselves as the heirs of t...
May 20, 2023•33 min
