Amy is joined by South Gippsland’s Thomas Gurnett, Head Cider-Maker at Gurneys Cider, as they discuss the history and methods of cider-making that inform the stunning drops made at Gurneys in Foster, Victoria. Broadcast on 17 December, 2019.
Storyteller, folk musician and award-winning songwriter Carus Thompson joins Amy to explore the poignant and urgent social and political issues underpinning his seventh studio album, Shakespeare Avenue. He also plays three songs live in studio for us. Carus recorded his new album in England with Mercury nominated producer Sean Lakeman and folk star Seth Lakeman. Broadcast on 12 November 2019.
Historian Professor Timothy C. Winegard from Colorado Mesa University, USA explored some fascinating true stories of history from his new book, 'The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator.' Broadcast on 29 October, 2019.
Dr Delia Lin discusses the 70 year anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the history of modern China and its political thought, and the Xi Jinping presidency. Delia is based at the University of Melbourne's Asia Institute. Broadcast on 1 October, 2019.
Film director Janine Hosking discusses her documentary, THE EULOGY, which looks at the life and lonely death of one of the world's greatest pianists, Australian Geoffrey Tozer, and Paul Keating's eulogy for Tozer - a man he considered to have been abandoned by Australia's arts establishment. Due to copyright reasons the related music aired before and after this interview has been removed. Music before: Schlözer: Étude in A flat, Op. 1: No. 2 (Live) by Geoffrey Tozer. Music after: Medtner: Piano ...
Shaun Walker spent over a decade reporting on Russian politics from Moscow. He came in to discuss the importance of history to current day politics in Putin's Russia, which is the subject of his book, 'The Long Hangover: Putin’s New Russia and the Ghosts of the Past.' Broadcast on October 22, 2019.
Hong Kong-based lawyer and author Antony Dapiran returns with an in-depth look at the evolving political protests in Hong Kong, the reasons behind rising instances of violence and vandalism, plus the response from Mainland China and the wider world. Broadcast on 15 October, 2019.
Amy speaks with journalist and author Judith Hoare about her new book on a remarkable Australian scientist and doctor who changed the field of psychology forever, 'The Woman Who Cracked The Anxiety Code: The Extraordinary Life of Dr Claire Weekes.' Broadcast on 15 October, 2019.
Guardian Australia's Gabrielle Jackson joins Amy to discuss her book, 'Pain and Prejudice.' They explore how social taboos and medical ignorance keep women sick and in anguish. The stark reality is that women's pain is not taken as seriously as men's, and women are more likely to be disbelieved and denied medical treatment than men. Broadcast on 17 September 2019.
Environmentalist and former leader of the Australian Greens Bob Brown, joins Amy to discuss how the climate change debate occurs in ideological, as opposed to pragmatic terms and why this obscures the severity of what is going on. He also discusses why becoming an active citizen is essential to overcoming them. Broadcast on 17 September 2019.
Infectious-disease physician Dr Matt McCarthy discusses his book, 'Superbugs: The Race to Stop an Epidemic.' Matt shares why this is the most urgent and deadly public health issue of our time as well as the antibiotic he discovered to treat one of the most drug-resistant bacteria in the world – MRSA. Matt is Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell and a staff physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He is also editor-in-chief of 'Current Fungal Infection Reports' and the author of '...
American historian Deborah E. Lipstadt famously defeated a Holocause denier in Britain's High Court. Amy and Deborah discuss the nature of Holocaust denial - past and present, Deborah's experience defending historical truth, as well as the dangers of antisemitism today. Deborah's new book is, 'Antisemitism: Here and Now.' Broadcast on 3 September, 2019.
Investigative journalist Jess Hill discusses her new book, 'See What You Made Me Do: Power, Control and Domestic Abuse,' and the radical rethink we need to confront domestic abuse. Jess and Amy explore the history of approaches to domestic violence and how they have negatively shaped and impacted the way victims are treated and perceived, as well as the current approaches the federal and state governments are taking. And importantly Jess shares with us the solutions that do work. Broadcast on 27...
British philosopher A. C. Grayling returns to discuss his new book, The History of Philosophy. Amy and Antony discuss the vital role of philosophy, ancient philosophical traditions and ideas including stoicism, Platonism, and the legend of Socrates. As well as Antony's key role in the pro-remain campaign in Britain, which seeks to stop Brexit from going ahead. Broadcast on 13 August 2019.
Emeritus Professor John Burns from The University of Hong Kong gets to the heart of the reasons behind the escalating protests in Hong Kong and at the airport, as well as the political view from mainland China's central government. John will be appearing at a Melbourne University forum on the political crisis this week. Broadcast on 13 August 2019.
Owen Jones, British political columnist for the Guardian, activist and bestselling author, joins Amy in the studio to discuss the bungling of Brexit, the Tory push to populism and the future of progressive Corbynist politics in Britain. Broadcast on 6 August 2019. Owen Jones was in Melbourne for the Progress 2019 Conference.
Antony Dapiran, lawyer and author of 'City of Protest: A Recent History of Dissent in Hong Kong,' joined Amy from Hong Kong to discuss the mass-scale protests against the government's proposed extradition bill, as well as the long history of protest in the city. Broadcast on 18 June, 2019.
Playwright Rory Godbold and Dr Carolyn Johnston from Melbourne Law School, discuss Victoria's new voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws which come into effect this week. Rory's new play, When The Light Leaves, was inspired by his dad, Ray's advocacy for VAD and his wish to have greater control over his death from oesophageal cancer. It is now showing at La Mama Theatre. (Broadcast on 18 June 2019)
Tonia Eckfeld on the remarkable history of China's famous Terracotta Warriors from the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE). The NGV is currently showing several pieces of the terracotta army as part of their Winter Masterpieces exhibition. Tonia was one of the first Western women allowed entry to the excavation site of the terracotta warriors. Professor Tonia Eckfeld is a Principal Fellow in History at the University of Melbourne and a Distinguished Research Fellow at Northwestern Polytechnical University...
American author, climate activist and co-founder of 350.org, Bill McKibben discusses his latest book, 'Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?' Amy and Bill explore the pivotal moment when the course of environmental history could have changed and our climate protected. They also explore the reasons why there is as much reason for optimism as there is for despair. Broadcast on 4 June, 2019.
Princeton Uni philosopher and writer Eleanor Gordon-Smith came in to chat about her new book, 'Stop Being Reasonable,' which explores and challenges us to expand our understanding of rational argument, its role in public discourse, and through real life stories, we discuss what really changes people's minds and perceptions. Broadcast on 28 May, 2019.
Malcolm Farnsworth, Australian political history expert and publisher of AustralianPolitics.com, analyses the 2019 federal election results, how Labor lost the "unlosable election" and what it all means for Australia. Plus, we remember former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Broadcast on 21 May, 2019.
Historians Ruth Lee and Heather Sheard came in to discuss the brave and tenacious Australian women doctors who set up their own military hospitals and served overseas and on the frontline in World War I. Their book is called, 'Women To The Front.' Broadcast on 7 May, 2019.
Professor David Walker was in the studio to discuss his new book, 'Stranded Nation: White Australia in an Asian Region'. He provides a new untold history of Australia's relationship with and curiosity about its "Near North" - Asia. David and Amy focus on Australia's approach to China and Japan from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. David is Professor Emeritus in Australian Studies at Deakin University. Broadcast on 14 May 2019.
World renowned philosopher Peter Singer joined Amy to discuss utilitarianism and his concept of effective altruism, as well as his philosophical arguments on how we should treat animals. We also discuss his seminal work, 'Animal Liberation,' first published in 1975, which gave rise to the global animal rights movement. Peter Singer is appearing as part of Law Week for Lawyers for Animals.
Acclaimed actors John Bell and Jessica Tovey came in to discuss Bell Shakespeare's production of Molière’s 17th century classic comedy, 'The Miser' and how they’ve brought the new (and very Aussie) adaptation by Justin Fleming to life!
Australia’s first music thanatologist Peter Roberts plays the harp for the sick and dying. Farshid Akhlaghi has made a film about Peter and the special impact he’s had on the lives of many, especially in Geelong. Farshid and Peter joined Amy in the studio to discuss the Australian Premiere of 'From Music Into Silence' – screening at Cinema Nova in May. Peter also played his harp for us.
Local comedians and friends Annie Louey and Diana Nguyen join Amy to discuss their shows at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Annie and Diana discuss forgetful Millenials, the online dating jungle, Asian-Australian family life, and women supporting women in comedy. Broadcast on 16 April 2019.
Macquarie University historian Associate Professor Michelle Arrow joined Amy to talk about her book, 'The Seventies: The Personal, the Political and the Making of Modern Australia.' She details the great social transformations that took place in Australia during the 1970s - particularly the women’s liberation movement, and the push for gay and lesbian rights.
Barry Award-winning comedian and theatre-maker Zoë Coombs Marr joined Amy in the studio to discuss the encore season of her acclaimed show, Bossy Bottom, showing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival – April 9-14. She also discusses what it was like to perform “Dave”: "a sexist beer-swilling caricature of the dregs of masculinity" in stand-up comedy. Zoë is also supporting Hannah Gadsby at the Arts Centre.
