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.
Emma Cutting, founder of The Heart Gardening Project discusses all things street gardening and how you can get involved. She also chats about their big community-led project, the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor – an…
British musician and environmental activist Nick Mulvey joins Amy for a special in-depth conversation about his latest album, New Mythology. Nick explains how he's "always trying to explore the planetary through the…
Nick Feik, former Editor of The Monthly, delves into the latest in federal politics with an incisive analysis of all the developments and questions arising from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's ministerial…
Professor Chris Wallace discusses the latest in federal politics, including the recent revelations that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison formally appointed himself to five Ministerial roles in secret. Chris delves into the detail…
Best-selling British author Johann Hari chats in-depth with Amy live on Uncommon Sense for part two of their conversation on his book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention. Johann discusses the…
Professor Chris Wallace discusses the latest in federal politics, including the recent revelations that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison formally appointed himself to five Ministerial roles in secret. Chris delves into the detail…
Highly regarded geopolitical thinker and former Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani speaks in-depth about his essay, 'Australia's Choice: Can It Be A Bridge To Asia?', published in Australian Foreign Affairs Magazine (July 2022). Kishore…
Acclaimed historian Henry Reynolds discusses his award-winning book, Forgotten War – on the frontier wars between First Nations people and white colonists. Frontier violence was commonplace in Australia during the nineteenth century, but…
Fiona Patten MP, Reason Party Leader and representative for the Northern Metropolitan Region in the upper house of Victoria's state parliament, joins Amy to discuss state politics and policy, as well as the…
Rachel Withers, Contributing Editor to the Monthly and The Politics columnist joins Amy to reflect on the first week of the 47th Parliament of Australia, including the draft referendum question on a Voice…
Dr Kylie Soanes, conservation biologist at the University of Melbourne delves into the State of the Environment Report, finally released by the federal government. With the report declaring that urban environments are in…
Professor Andrew Walter talks about the latest in UK politics, including the demise of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the final round of the Tory leadership contest between Rishi Sunak and Liz…
Epidemiologist Adrian Esterman joins Amy to discuss the winter COVID-19 wave of cases we are currently experiencing. With Australia's COVID cases and death rates the third highest in the world per capita in…
Gareth Evans AC QC, former Cabinet Minister in the Hawke–Keating governments joins Amy to talk about his new book, Good International Citizenship: The Case for Decency. Why should Australia care about poverty, human…
British biologist and bumblebee expert Professor Dave Goulson joins Amy to talk about his latest book, Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse. Dave talks about how insects have been misunderstood, the vital contributions…
Amy is joined by American biologist Professor David George Haskell who talks about his new book on the evolution of sound and the beauty of listening in nature. David also shares how humans…
American biologist Professor David George Haskell talks about his new book on the evolution of sound and the beauty of listening in nature. David also shares how humans are now silencing and smothering…
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…
Epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter discusses the state of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other viruses of concern this winter, including the flu. Nancy talks about the experiences of people who choose to…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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, 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…
Dr Juanita Fernando, Chair of the Australian Privacy Foundation’s Health Committee, discusses the Victorian Government's concerning plans to share every Victorian's patient data in a centralised health database with no way for individuals…
