All podcast episodes

Podcast

Arm Wrestling, Accents & Spying Cars

The team gets enthusiastic about arm wrestling; Professor and researcher Michael Arnold predicts the future of cemeteries; linguist Kate Burridge shares some intel on how we perceive different accents; film reviewer Simone Ubaldi…

Podcast

White Jeans, Witchcraft & Ig Nobel Price

Nat has discovered a new witchy hobby; author Christian White chats about his new book The Ledge; Chris KP discusses the Ig Nobel Prize 2024 for Weird Science; filmmaker Genevieve Bailey talks…

Podcast

Conkers, Radio Bursts and Frogs

Mon tells us about her ill-fated bike ride; urban ecologist Kirsten Parris celebrates "Frogtober"; Fi Wright reviews David Mitchell's book Unruly as a fun way to learn about the British monarchs; award-winning astrophysicist…

Podcast

Laneways, Fossil Frauds & Faceplanting

Nat nearly face-planted in one of her shows; Fi Wright reviews the highly anticipated Intermezzo by Sally Rooney; urban historian Andy May on a new book he's co-authored about Melbourne's iconic laneways; Dr…

Podcast

A celebrated chef, a Melbourne food icon and a food memoir

Joseph Abboud is the owner of RUMI restaurant, and goes into how Middle Eastern cuisine has shaped Melbourne culture; Michael Harden celebrates the life of culinary giant Greg Malouf; book reviewer Fi Wright…

Podcast

Chatbots, OAMs & Summer Veggies

Host of Twang, Denise Hylands OAM and Richard Watts OAM, host of SmartArts, celebrate 60 years of broadcast between them; award-winning author André Dao talks about his novel Anam which has won the…

Podcast

Childhood Toys, Ballet & Sausage Rolls

The team reminisces on their treasured childhood toys; ballerina Benedicte Bernet shares her experiences of being the principal dancer in the new Australian Ballet production, Oscar; foodie Michael Harden unpacks the humble sausage…

Podcast

Tribute Acts, Comedy and Having Your Life Together

The team share their opinions on tribute acts; comedian Miriam Glaser chats about the new comedy web series Buried; Nat explains how one can tell if a person has their life together; author…

Podcast

Australian Food, Strong Women and Magic

Nat shares her newfound fascination for magic; Dr Lisa Hepp from RMIT talks about our right to disconnect from communication; foodie Besha Rodell shines a spotlight on Australian food; Dr Jen explains what…

Podcast

Oysters, Pocket Dials & Surprises

The team share their feelings about surprises; legendary author Andy Griffith talks about his latest book Adventures Unlimited: The Land of Lost Things; food enthusiast Michael Harden is excited for oyster season; journalist…

Podcast

Bizarre Crimes, New MIFF Films & Causing a Scene

Retired Olympian Debbie Flintoff-King reflects on the Olympics; Dr Jen explains what it means to be in a “flow state”; Nat shares the story of how she got her ears pierced; film reviewer…

Podcast

Interacting with AI, 2024 Olympics & Fridge Magnets

Filmmaker Eliza Cox talks about her documentary Queens of Concrete ahead of its MIFF screening; Dr Jen goes into the science of whether it's beneficial to be polite to AI tools like ChatGPT…

Podcast

Slide Assessment, Inner Voices, and Traffic Control Rooms

Architectural photographer John Gollings on his Heritage Address talk as part of this year’s Open House Melbourne; Dr Jen explains the science of “inner voices” and how they impact our memories; the team…

Podcast

Politics, Diet Pills & Christmas in July

Actress Bojana Novakovic talks about returning to the stage as Lady Macbeth in new Malthouse Theatre production, Macbeth (An Undoing); US politics expert Clare Corbould provides an update on the US election; the…

Podcast

Flying Raw, Sporting Nicknames & Coleman Complains

Comedian He Huang chats about her stand-up show Tiger Daughter vs The World; CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency, Muriel Bamblett, on the organisation's legacy and recent name change; the…

Podcast

Julian Assange, Fake Celebrants & Googly Eyes

Voice and dialect coach Amy Hume shares some vocal tips ahead of her upcoming masterclass; international relations expert Binoy Kampmark talks us through the recent release of Julian Assange; the team discusses the…

Podcast

Pandas, Sauna Etiquette & Animal Hybrids

Dr. Phil Ainsley from Adelaide Zoo chats about the departure of pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni; the team talks about sauna etiquette; book reviewer Fi Wright shares her takeaways from Lucinda Holdforth’s …

Podcast

Magic, Shenanigans & Pies

Magician Suhani Shah gets in team’s mind about her show Spellbounds as part of RISING; the team trade childhood stories; Laura Pietrobon reviews Oisín McKenna’s book Evenings and Weekends; Megan McKeogh discusses…

Podcast

Hellraiser, Hobby Horses & Spelling Bees

Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith talks about new stage production Julia at Melbourne Theatre Company; the team takes a closer look at the increasing popularity of hobby horse competitions; foodie Besha Rodell sums up 40…

Podcast

New Caledonia, Bioluminescent Bacteria & Reclink Community Cup

Nat went to the Tea Cosy Festival; Dr. Binoy Kampmark discusses the recent unrest in New Caledonia; Biomedical engineer Dr Matt Faria talks about bioluminescent bacteria and the Living Light Experiment at Science…

Podcast

Standing Ovations, Ethics of Milk & Emus in the City

The team discuss the tradition of standing ovations at the Cannes Film Festival; Megan McKeough reviews Tran Anh Hung’s The Taste of things; Michael Harden talks about the ethics and significance of milk…

Podcast

Law Week, Keeping Secrets & Westminster Dog Show

Dr. Jen discusses how keeping secrets impacts our wellbeing; filmmaker Andreas Dresen chats about his film From Hilde, with Love screening at the German Film Festival; the team get philosophical about balconies; Lynne…

Podcast

Bogey Birds, Blockbusters & Therapy Speak

Psychologist Dr. Ahona Guha discusses the rise of therapy speak and its creep into the mainstream language; Sean 'the Birdman' Dooley brings us the latest on Bogey Birds; author Charlotte Wood talks about…

Podcast

The Guilty Feminist, Barcodes & Mr. Squiggle

Linguist Kate Burridge explains the history and origins of sport slang; the team chats about moving in with a partner; Dan Salmon takes us through the history of the barcode and its first…

Podcast

Middle Names, Bananas & TV Spoilers

Michael Harden is passionate about bananas; the team discuss middle names; Dr. Jen describes the science behind a baby’s cry; Fi Wright (not the other Fiona Wright) reviews Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger: A Trip

Podcast

Swimming in the Seine, Puzzles and Aid Work in Gaza

Comedian Chloe Petts chats about her MICF show If You Can’t Say Anything Nice; Nat wonders about the logistics and potential pitfalls of swimming in the Seine for the Olympics; book reviewer…

Podcast

Comedy Travel, Food Guide for Visitors & a Palestinian Memoir

Aussie legend and gardener Costa Georgiadis chats about the Little Food Festival at Fed Square; foodie Besha Rodell provides the ultimate guide for where to take visitors in Melbourne; comedian Jason Leong on…

Podcast

Chicago, Aussie Vernacular & Stealing Souvenirs

The team celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Aussie term “grouse”; filmmakers and brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes talk about their latest film Late Night With the Devil; Mon makes a case for…

Podcast

Happiness, Botany & Comedy Galore

Comedian Tom Ballard talks about his Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Good Point Well Made and his YouTube series IT IS I; Dr. Jen addresses the question: Can we learn to be happy…

Podcast

Infantile Amnesia, Real Estate Agents & Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Comedian Zoë Coombs Marr covers every single thing in her whole life with her upcoming show at MICF; Dr. Jen explains why we struggle to remember early childhood memories; the team shares stories…

Podcast

Trader Joe, Tiramisu and RISING 2024

Book lover Fi Wright sums up Cal Newport’s book Slow productivity: the lost art of accomplishment without burnout; for Food Interlude, Michael Harden celebrates an Italian classic in honour of International Tiramisu…

Podcast

Super Tuesday, Sad Oompa Loompa & AI Photography

Professor of Politics at Deakin University, Zim Nwokora, fills us in on Super Tuesday and the US election; comedian Greg Larsen chats about his show Revolting at Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Dr. Alison…

Podcast

Beans, Landlines & Yeah, Nah

Linguist Kate Burridge explains the Aussie iconic phrase ‘Yeah, Nah’; Foodie Michael Harden makes a case for beans and legumes; Writer Maxine Beneba Clarke and director Tariro Mavondo talks about adapting The Hate

Podcast

TikTok Music Agreements, Bootleg Cooking & Can Deposit Machines

The team discuss the trials and heartbreak of breaking in shoes; Justin ‘Digga’ Calverley explains how to tell when fruit and vegetables are ready for picking; Vanessa Toholka gives the lowdown on TikTok’s…

Podcast

Sleepy Tunes, Water Scarcity Mentality & Table for One!

Michael Harden talks about the joys of dining out alone; Professor of Information Sciences at RMIT Lisa Given explains the Australian government’s approach to AI; Nat shares her preferred sleep music; festival director…

Podcast

Wagging Tails, Summer Gardens & Town Planning

Dr. Jen explains the reason why dogs wag their tails; director Rob Connolly speaks about his new film Force of Nature: The Dry 2; Nat has been diving off the Harold Holt diving…

Podcast

Hydration Obsession, House Hacks & Food Predictions

Foodie Michael Harden shares his predictions for the year ahead in food; Nat has discovered some clever home cleaning hacks; Dr. Ahona Guha, psychologist and author, talks about her new book Life Skills…

Podcast

Swimming Spots, Christmas Lunch Responsibilities & Bangkok for Foodies

Actor Jay Laga’aia chats about playing the iconic character of Vince Fontaine in the Grease musical; Michael Harden explains why Bangkok should be your next food destination; Nat shares her favorite swimming spots…

Podcast

Antarctica, 2024 Predictions & Dog Sitting Gone Wrong

Dr. Jen fills us in on her trip to Antarctica; writer and editor Iain McIntyre chats about new book Knocking The Top Off: A People’s History of Alcohol in Australia; games reviewer…

Podcast

Helping Wildlife, Password Security & Linguistics

The team compare their tyre changing abilities; CEO of Wildlife Victoria, Lisa Palma, explains how to best take care of wild animals this summer; Film reviewer Simone Ubaldi talks us through the new…