A weekly conversation about politics and current events, international affairs, history, art, books, and the natural world, to illuminate the issues faced by society and explore them in new ways.
Victorian cultural leader, philanthropist, and author Carrillo Gantner AC joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, Dismal Diplomacy, Disposable Sovereignty: Our Problem With China and America (out via Monash University…
Jo Dyer reflects on her experiences campaigning as an independent in the marginal seat of Boothby and the rise of the independents in politics. Jo discusses the transformation of Australian politics with a…
Guardian Australia environment reporter Graham Readfearn talks about the sixth mass coral bleaching event at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, which occurred earlier this year. He describes his visit to the John…
Dr Chris Wallace joins Amy to examine the 2022 federal election results in-depth, including the massive wins for the Greens, independents, and Labor. They also assess the extent of the media's influence, reflect…
Dr Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute joins Amy for the final instalment of Uncommon Sense's federal election policy series – this time, on the economy. Richard debunks all the election…
Former judge Stephen Charles AO QC and Dr Catherine Williams discuss what a robust and effective federal integrity commission looks like, as well as other accountability bodies and measures needed to protect our…
Richie Merzian, Director of the Climate and Energy Program at The Australia Institute joins Amy for part 3 of the Uncommon Sense election policy series – climate change. Richie looks at Australia's current…
Journalist and author Louisa Lim discusses her new book, Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong. Among many things, Louisa explores the 2019 protest movement in Hong Kong and the rising…
Luke Hilakari, Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council tells us the full story behind the fight to save the John Curtin Hotel. A green ban has just been announced in the effort…
Nic Maclellan, Pacific affairs correspondent for Inside Story, talks about Australia's foreign policy, including its relationships with Pacific island nations, China, the U.S. and France. Nic also explains the positions and recent policies…
Veteran broadcaster and author Jon Faine joins Amy to discuss his fascinating new book, Apollo & Thelma: A True Tall Tale. Jon tells the astonishing true story of the world's strongest man…
Luke Henriques-Gomes, Guardian Australia's social affairs and inequality editor, joins Amy for the first instalment of a special federal election policy series examining key policy areas in-depth. Luke discusses the policies and track…
Scottish paleobiologist Dr Thomas Halliday joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his debut book, Otherlands: A World in the Making. Thomas takes us on a journey into deep time and introduces us…
Dr Chris Wallace discusses the media's role and performance in the federal election campaign and previews Labor's chances of winning. Chris is the author of, How To Win An Election, and is Associate…
Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, joins Amy to reflect on how the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 virus has evolved. He addresses the myths and misinformation around what the…
Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, joins Amy to reflect on how the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 virus has evolved. He addresses the myths and misinformation around what the…
Award-winning investigative journalist and author Jess Hill unravels the complexities of domestic abuse and its insidious forms, like coercive control. These are issues Jess delves into in her podcast series, The Trap…
John Keane, Professor of Politics at University of Sydney joined Amy to discuss his latest book, The Shortest History of Democracy. John explains the lesser known origins of democracy in Syria-Mesopotamia, its…
John Keane, Professor of Politics at University of Sydney joined Amy to discuss his latest book, The Shortest History of Democracy. John explains the lesser known origins of democracy, its symbolism, and…
Philosopher and ethicist Peter Singer joins Amy for a special, wide-ranging chat ahead of his appearance in Melbourne this week. They discuss the philosophy of utilitarianism, Peter's conception of "effective altruism," moral questions…
New Zealand comedian and actor Chris Parker joins Amy for a chat about his comedy show Gentle Man (Melbourne: 31 March - 24 April). You might also know Chris from his hilarious Instragram…
Philosopher and ethicist Peter Singer (Princeton University) joins Amy for a special wide-ranging chat ahead of his appearance in Melbourne this week for 'An Evening With Peter Singer.' They discuss the philosophy of…
Director Jennifer Peedom discusses her new film, RIVER. The film explores the life and death of rivers and how humanity’s fortunes are intrinsically tied to them. RIVER is the sequel to the 2017…
Director Jennifer Peedom discusses her new film, RIVER. It's the sequel to the 2017 hit documentary MOUNTAIN, reuniting the creative team of Jennifer Peedom, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, narrator Willem Dafoe, and writer…
Amy speaks in-depth with best-selling author Johann Hari about his new book, 'Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention.' Johann explores the attention crisis and why we have lost our ability to focus…
Amy speaks in-depth with best-selling author Johann Hari about his new book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention. Johann explores the attention crisis and why we have lost our ability to focus…
Historian Anna Clark speaks with Amy about her new book, 'Making Australian History.' In a wide-ranging conversation, Anna looks at the history of Australian history, our changing and contested national story, and the…
Associate Professor Andrew Godwin, Principal Fellow at the Melbourne Law School, explores the fascinating life and work of William Ah Ket (1876-1936), Australia’s first barrister of Chinese heritage. He was widely admired and…
Historian and author Dr David Brophy explores his very relevant book, ‘China Panic: Australia’s Alternative to Paranoia and Pandering.’ David discusses this in the context of the federal government and media's escalating rhetoric…
Independent political candidate and cultural sector leader Jo Dyer joins Amy to discuss what has gone wrong with federal politics and how we can change it for the better. Jo argues that there…
Jo Dyer, independent candidate for Boothby (federal, SA) and cultural curator talks about where Australian politics went awry and how independents can reconstruct it – in her book, Burning Down The House: Reconstructing…
Poet and advocate Dr Sarah Holland-Batt discusses the crisis in aged care in-depth, and talks of the many older Australians suffering and dying of COVID-19 due to unprecedented COVID-19 outbreaks in aged-care homes.
Does Australia need a "big" government? Dr Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute examines the false narrative that Australians have been told for decades – that the less government spends, the…
Historian Emma Shortis and Guardian journalist Luke Henriques-Gomes review the year in Australian and U.S. politics. Epidemiologist and WHO Adviser Professor Mary-Louise McLaws takes us through everything we need to know about the…
Epidemiologist and WHO Adviser Professor Mary-Louise McLaws takes us through everything we need to know about the Omicron variant, the current COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria and NSW, plus how to best stay safe…
Economist Dr Richard Denniss debunks the political spin from Canberra during the last sitting week of parliament. He looks at the modelling and "plan" behind the Coalition's 'Net Zero by 2050' target, as…
Have you heard about the damage being done to our orbital environments by rapidly growing satellite mega-constellations? Writer Ceridwen Dovey discusses her award-winning essay, "Everlasting Free Fall.” She writes that, “in the past…
Political historian Judith Brett reflects on over 40 years of writing about Australian politics, as she discusses subjects from her new book of past essays, Doing Politics: Writing on Public Life. Judith…
Historian Emma Shortis talks about the latest in US politics including the Virginia election, as well as Australian diplomacy fails, and the COP26 climate talks. Emma is an author and Research Fellow at…
Guardian Australia Environment Reporter Graham Readfearn previews the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow and talks about Australia's global reputation and history at the climate negotiations since Kyoto. He also discusses the Coalition government's…
