Poet and aged-care reform advocate Sarah Holland-Batt speaks about the many issues surrounding the coronavirus outbreaks in aged-care homes in Victoria that has led to the early death of so many elderly Australians. Sarah is an Associate Professor in Creative Writing at QUT and Chair of Australian Book Review. Broadcast on 8 September 2020.
Biologist and writer Merlin Sheldrake joins Amy from London for an in-depth conversation about his new book, ‘Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures’. They discuss the mysterious, lively and endlessly fascinating fungi kingdom. Broadcast on 8 September, 2020.
British writer Robert Macfarlane joins Amy for a special long-form conversation about the connections between landscape, language, people, and place. They delve into Robert’s latest book, Underland: A Deep Time Journey, and also draw on ideas from his past works including, Mountains of the Mind, The Old Ways, and Landmarks. Robert is a Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge University. Broadcast on 1 September 2020.
Kate Leaver discusses her book 'Good Dog', which delves into the special bond that has evolved between canines and humans. Kate talks of the emotional support she receives from her dog Bertie, and how this inspired her to delve into the research on the sophisticated emotional capacities that dogs display and the health benefits that humans enjoy from interacting with dogs, as well as how dogs also benefit. Broadcast on 28 April 2020.
Psychologist Professor Cordelia Fine from the University of Melbourne talks about the real science of sex differences, drawing on her 2017 book, Testosterone Rex, and her Aeon Mag essay 'Sexual Dinosaurs'. Cordelia debunks the gender bias in neuroscience that exaggerates the role of testosterone in male and female brains and behaviour. Her book, Testosterone Rex won the prestigious Royal Society Science Book Prize in the UK. Broadcast on 18 August 2020.
Dr Katja Hogendoorn, an entomologist and native bee expert from the University of Adelaide talks about the stunning Metallic Green Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa aerata), why it's vulnerable to extinction, and how her team is trying to save this species on Kangaroo Island after the summer bushfires. Broadcast on 11 August 2020. *You can support Katja's work with the Green Carpenter Bee by donating to the Australian Entomological Society, and specifying this species.
LA-based journalist and historian Lesley Blume speaks about her new book, 'Fallout: the Hiroshima cover-up and the reporter who revealed it to the world'. Broadcast on 11 August 2020.
Philosopher Dr Matthew Sharpe explores how the thoughts of Marcus Aurelius and Stoic philosophy can help us get through the COVID-19 pandemic, and current lockdown in Melbourne. Broadcast on 28 July 2020.
Freelance writer and photographer Anthony Ham talks about his new book 'The Last Lions of Africa: Stories from the Frontline in the Battle to Save a Species'. Anthony details the stories of lions under threat across Africa, their relationship to and with humans, and the critical role they play in their local ecosystems. Anthony was fortunate to have visited the places he writes of many times. Broadcast on 4 August 2020.
Dr Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute explains the state of Australia's economy during COVID-19 and de-mystifies the economic symbolism at play in the federal government's response. He also explains the Treasurer's back to the 1980's fiscal inspiration, and what the changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker mean for all of society. Broadcast on July 28, 2020.
Hong Kong-based lawyer and author Antony Dapiran joined Amy to discuss his new book, City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong, which takes us to the frontlines of the 2019 protest movement. Antony also gives us an update on how the Hong Kong government is suppressing and controlling the spread of COVID-19. Broadcast 7 April 2020.
Professor Mary-Louise McLaws is an epidemiologist at UNSW, and a member of the World Health Organisation’s Advisory Panel for Infection, Prevention and Control Preparedness and Response to COVID-19. Mary-Louise joins Amy for an in-depth look at the evidence and issues she sees in her work, including how wearing a face mask inhibits the spread of the coronavirus. They also discuss the evidence and arguments for Victoria and Australia undertaking an elimination strategy as opposed to the current n...
Historian Rutger Bregman returns to discuss his timely new book, 'Humankind: A Hopeful History.' Rutger delves into the historical and scientific evidence for why and how most humans are actually pretty decent, and just how radical it is to believe this. Rutger last joined the show in July 2017 to talk about his book, 'Utopia For Realists.' Broadcast on 2 June 2020.
Dr Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute chats about the dire economic straits Australian businesses and workers finds themselves in due to the coronavirus pandemic. Richard evaluates how the federal government is managing the economic fall-out, and how and when we might achieve some form of economic recovery. Broadcast on 26 May 2020.
Nicholas Dowse, founder of Honey Fingers – an urban beekeeping collective – speaks with Amy about the fascinating hive mind of honey bees, his experience with urban beekeeping in Melbourne, and how Australia's honey bee populations and beekeeping practices compare with the rest of the world. Nic and Amy also discuss the links between modern beekeeping and modernist architecture, as well as the historic and special significance of World Bee Day - May 20. Broadcast on 19 May 2020.
American naturalist and writer Sy Montgomery joined Amy to discuss her lifelong relationship with animals, and explore the fascinating ideas and stories about animal intelligence and consciousness from her critically acclaimed books, 'The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness' and 'How to Be a Good Creature.' Broadcast on 12 May 2020.
American science writer David Quammen discusses his prescient 2012 book, 'Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic.' David explores how dangerous viruses 'spillover' from animals into humans, and why they have been occurring more and more since the 1960s. He also tells us how we knew a pandemic like the COVID-19 was coming, why the warnings were ignored, and what we can do to prevent the next viral pandemic. Broadcast on 5 May 2020.
David George Haskell explores his fascinating book, 'The Songs of Trees: Stories from Nature's Great Connectors.' David and Amy discuss the unique songs and sounds that different trees and forests make around the world, and what they reveal to us about biology and human culture. David is a Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of the South (USA). Broadcast on 31 March 2020.
Laureate Professor Nick Talley, Editor-in-Chief of The Medical Journal of Australia, speaks with Amy about SARS-CoV-2 and the coronavirus pandemic. They discuss Australia's ICU bed and ventilator capacity, the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), Australia’s testing criteria and community transmission levels, and what the MJA's new COVID-19 surge and mortality modelling tells us. Nick Talley is a neurogastroenterologist, a world-leading researcher, and has expertise in epidemiolo...
Associate Professor Jessica Whyte, political theorist from UNSW explores themes from her critically acclaimed book, 'The Morals of the Market: Human Rights and the Rise of Neoliberalism.' Amy and Jessica discuss the parallel histories of human rights and neoliberalism, and the very early neoliberal attempts to develop a distinct moral framework for a market society at the end of World War II. Broadcast on 3 March, 2020.
Bill Bowtell, strategic health policy adviser and Adjunct Professor at UNSW, joins Amy for a deep-dive conversation on the Australian government's handling of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and how it compares to the various approaches other countries are taking. They also discuss the crucial role of state and local governments, as well as community groups and what we can do ourselves. Bill Bowtell was an architect of the Australian government’s successful response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Australian composer & conductor Gordon Hamilton discusses the joys, challenges, and wonder of composing his contemporary symphony 'Far South', during his trip to Antarctica onboard the Aurora Australis icebreaker. 'Far South' is having its World Premiere performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra this week. Broadcast on 3 March 2020.
Nick Parry from the Australian-German Climate & Energy College at The University of Melbourne discusses how and why the European Union has been transitioning far more easily than Australia to renewable energy and the reality of a low carbon emissions future. He also shares how this disparity in climate action has been affecting EU-Australia relations, diplomatically and economically. Broadcast February 25 2020.
Natural historian, ecologist, and environmental photographer Dr Alison Pouliot came in to talk about the fascinating fungi kingdom, how fungi are the phylogenetic older siblings of humans, and her extraordinary life travelling the globe to capture and study all kinds of fungi. Alison believes we need to care about the conservation of fungi as much as any other living organism. Broadcast on 25 February 2020.
International art conservators Will Shank and Antonio Rava joined Amy in the studio to discuss their restoration of the famous Keith Haring mural in Collingwood, as well as other Haring murals in Paris, Pisa, and Amsterdam. They reveal the painstaking processes and careful considerations that go into the conservation and restoration of major public murals, wall paintings, and street art. Broadcast on 18 February 2020.
A leading expert in fire ecology, Associate Prof. Kevin Tolhurst has testified at numerous bushfire inquiries and royal commissions. He joined Amy to delve into the science of bushfire behaviour, what we've learned from Australia's past 57 bushfire inquiries and royal commissions and why we don't need another one, as well as how we must draw from Indigenous fire practices to better manage the land in future. Broadcast on 11 February 2020.
Prolific Italian actor and film director Vittorio De Sica was a legend of 20th-century cinema, with his iconic film BICYCLE THIEVES (1948) still being an all-time favourite among movie-goers and critics. His pioneering works of neorealism depict post-war Italy in all its gritty and poignant reality. Elisabetta Ferrari, Lecturer in Italian Studies at the University of Melbourne, discusses De Sica, his films including BICYCLE THIEVES, as well as his unique approach to directing. Broadcast on 11 Fe...
Dr Alexandra Phelan, a global health law expert from Georgetown Uni in Washington, dials in to discuss the deadly coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan that continues to spread within China, and across the world. Dr Phelan explores the public health, social, political and human rights concerns arising from COVID-19, especially the use of quarantines and a 'cordon sanitaire.' Broadcast on 4 February 2020. NOTE: at the time of going to air, confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China were 14,411, with 304 deaths...
Philosopher Associate Professor Matthew Sharpe explores the subject of his upcoming lecture on philosophy and evil, which looks at the controversy surrounding Martin Heidegger’s 'Black Notebooks' and his associations with anti-Semitic and Nazi ideology, as well as the key ideas and connections underpinning existentialism, stoicism, and the work of French-Algerian author Albert Camus. Broadcast on 4 February, 2020.
Regulars Emma Shortis and Ben Eltham join Amy to discuss the year that was in Australian and US politics and give their predictions for 2020. Broadcast on 17 December, 2019.
