Good Weekend Talks

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  George Megalogenis on immigration, instability and the 'three shocks' shifting modern society 14.08.2026 40Min.

  George Megalogenis is known as a big thinker about Australian politics and culture, searching beyond the noise for what’s really going on in our country. He has four decades' experience in the media, including time in the parliamentary press gallery. In his new book, Three Shocks: Who We Are Becoming in the 21st Century, he looks at the seismic changes underway that will influence all of us in the coming decades. He joins Good Weekend Talks today for a chat about immigration – long an interest of his, as the son of Greek migrants – along with the feminisation of the workforce, and the unreliability of both our great ally in the United States, and our great trading partner in China. Hosting this conversation is Good Weekend senior writer Gay Alcorn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Maria Ressa on journalism, the new internet, and AI ‘strip-mining our humanity’ 07.08.2026 40Min.

  Maria Ressa is one of the most celebrated journalists in the world. Born in Manila in 1963, she moved with her family to the US, studying at Princeton University before returning to the Philippines to forge a career covering the growth of terrorism in South East Asia. In 2012, she co-founded online news site Rappler, distinguishing herself as a fearless defender of freedom of expression while standing up to an authoritarian regime infamous for, among other things, its campaign against journalists. Ressa’s bravery earned her the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for journalism, and she’s visiting Australia to speak on August 23 at the Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney. She joins us for a chat about the threat to democracy from disinformation, and the responsibility we all share to tease fact from fiction in the age of AI – a conversation hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Tim Elliott.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Anthony LaPaglia on therapy, chasing zen – and realising 'there's nothing to be afraid of' 31.07.2026 31Min.

  Anthony LaPaglia is best known to audiences for a host of big- and small-screen roles, including films such as Looking for Alibrandi, Lantana and Balibo and US TV shows including Without a Trace. But the 67-year-old is also no stranger to the stage, having once won a Tony for his performance in the Arthur Miller play, A View from the Bridge. He’s back in Australia right now to front another Miller play – one the great works in the American canon – playing Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. A limited two-week season kicks off Tuesday, August 11 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, before moving on to Brisbane. LaPaglia joins us for a chat about acting and art, family and football – and what he wished he'd known 20 years ago. This episode is hosted by Good Weekend deputy editor Konrad Marshall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Introducing Virginia 29.07.2026 1Min.

  Virginia Giuffre was fearless in taking down some of the world’s most powerful people. As Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent victim, she helped expose his crimes and hold his friends to account, including the man formerly known as Prince Andrew. But despite her heroic battle in the most notorious sex trafficking case of the 21st century, few knew about one of her toughest fights. It was one she fought privately at home in Australia. Follow The Age and SMH Investigates to be first to listen to new episodes of Virginia from Walkley-award winning journalist Melissa Fyfe and WA Today reporter Carla Hildebrandt. Read the Good Weekend feature or our visual story which chronicles the harrowing final months of Virginia Giuffre's life as her marriage unravelled. Visit our websites at smh.com.au, theage.com.au and watoday.com.au, and send questions, information and feedback to virginiapodcast@nine.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Journalist Neil Mercer and the true stories of wrongful convictions in Australia 24.07.2026 37Min.

  Nothing exposes the flaws of a justice system more than the wrongful conviction of an innocent person for murder. Adelaide man Henry Keogh languished in prison for two decades after being wrongfully convicted of his fiancée’s drowning, while Andrew Mallard – a vulnerable, troubled outsider – had his life irrevocably shattered when he was wrongly convicted of the 1994 murder of Pamela Lawrence in Perth. Neil Mercer, one of Australia’s most respected print and TV journalists, has written a new book, 'Falsely Convicted: True Stories of Injustice in Australia', in which he exposes just how easily professional hubris, police tunnel vision and flawed forensic practices can put innocent people behind bars. Today's episode is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Greg Callaghan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Comedian Arj Barker on Letterman, the Conchords, and 'babygate' 17.07.2026 33Min.

  Arj Barker has been a fixture on the local comedy scene for decades, headlining our comedy festivals and turning up on shows including Thank God You’re Here and Spicks and Specks. But the San Francisco-born stand-up began telling jokes at open mic nights in 1989, before appearances on American late night TV for Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, and David Letterman - not to mention a memorable turn on the hit sitcom Flight of the Conchords. Barker joins us to talk about consciousness, comedy, and the furore that erupted two years ago after he asked a breastfeeding mother and baby to leave his show. This episode is hosted by Good Weekend deputy editor Konrad Marshall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘I know enough to be dangerous’: Boost Juice founder Janine Allis on failure and success 10.07.2026 36Min.

  Starting a business is one thing, running it successfully is another – but doing it with your spouse and four kids is a different kettle of fish. Janine Allis has done all of the above, after founding Boost Juice as a single store in the 2000s and growing it into a global empire. She’s since become one of the most sought-after entrepreneurs in the country and a regular on small screens, both as a judge on Shark Tank and as a competitor on Australian Survivor - twice. She also owns one of Australia’s fastest-growing dessert chains, Yochi. Allis joins Good Weekend Talks to chat about the challenges and delights of building a family business, how she finds time to surf, and what she learned about leadership as a stewardess on David Bowie’s boat. Today’s episode is hosted by business reporter Jessica Yun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘I’ve mellowed a little bit’: Peter Singer on the limit of free speech and his guidance for giving 03.07.2026 39Min.

  Peter Singer, often called the world's most influential philosopher, is turning 80, and he's returned home to Melbourne too, after almost 25 years as a professor of bioethics at Princeton University.Singer's practical ethics has had a huge impact and caused controversy across issues as diverse as the rights of animals, voluntary euthanasia and abortion, freedom of speech, and our moral obligation to help those living in extreme poverty.Given all that's happened in Singer's world and in the wider world, it seemed like a good time to ask him to reflect on his life and work, and about the issues of today, from Trump to anti-Semitism and the limits of free speech.Today's conversation is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Gay Alcorn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  'Accomplishment flows into courage': Rob de Castella on the Indigenous Marathon Project 26.06.2026 35Min.

  Rob de Castella, otherwise known as “Deeks” - or, to his opponents, “Tree”, due to his sturdy limbs and unshiftable calm - is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medal winner and Australian running royalty. He joins Good Weekend Talks to chat about his Indigenous Marathon Project, in which he takes a group of Indigenous people from around the country every year and signs them up for a rigorous training and education program before each of them runs the famed New York City Marathon. De Castella likes to say that the finishing line in Central Park has be their starting line - encouraging them to go home after the race and use the lessons and strength built throughout the program to be a ripple of change. A new documentary celebrating the project - The Long Run - follows a group of graduates as they’re mentored by former AFL superstar Buddy Franklin and NRL legend Johnathan Thurston. This episode is hosted by Good Weekend deputy editor - and avid runner - Konrad Marshall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Anna Funder on telling untold stories – and the blowback it sometimes brings 19.06.2026 40Min.

  Australian author and intellectual Anna Funder specialises in telling the stories of people forgotten or ignored by official histories. She began her writing career with Stasiland, detailing the state surveillance of the people of the former East Germany, which was followed by her prize-winning novel, All That I Am, telling the previously untold story of early resisters to the Nazis. In her most recent work, Wifedom, Funder shifted her lens to the unexamined life of author George Orwell’s wife, Eileen O’Shaughnessy, whose contribution had – until then – been obscured. The recently-appointed professor in creative writing at the University of Sydney is about to embark on a national speaking tour – live conversations exploring history, power, and the stories that shape public life. In this episode, she joins The Sydney Morning Herald senior writer and columnist Jacqueline Maley for a chat about everything from the dangers of AI to the livelihood of creatives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Pulitzer novelist Andrew Sean Greer on ‘charm novels’, the Italian life and travel wisdom 12.06.2026 34Min.

  Picture this: a crumbling Italian mansion in the Tuscan hills, an eccentric aristocrat, sun-soaked lunches, too much wine and a house humming with secrets. That’s the delightful world into which we’re heading today as we talk to writer Andrew Sean Greer, whose new novel, Villa Coco, is loosely inspired by his own time at an Italian estate around a famous Baroness. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less also joins us to discuss his life in Italy, the pleasures of the charm novel, and the one piece of travel advice he always comes back to. Today’s episode is hosted by books editor Melanie Kembrey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  John Safran on growing up Jewish, free speech, race - and Race Around the World 05.06.2026 39Min.

  John Safran burst into the public consciousness in 1997 as a contestant in the ABC TV show Race Around the World, where young filmmakers travelled the world making four-minute films in just 10 days. Safran won the popular vote on the reality show after running through Jerusalem naked, and asking a voodoo priest to put a curse on an ex-girlfriend. Almost 30 years on, the show is back, with Safran as a judge. Today’s conversation is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Gay Alcorn, who talks to Safran about that early experience, but also growing up Jewish, antisemitism and the contradictions and limits of free speech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What childless Gen Xer Katrina Strickland wants those stuck in today's baby-making vortex to know 29.05.2026 34Min.

  There's a profound grief associated with not having kids if you really wanted them, one that's rarely acknowledged, even less understood. But there's also an unexpected joy when you come out the other side. In today's conversation, Good Weekend senior writer Katrina Strickland discusses the ups and downs of her own path into childlessness with Good Weekend editor Melissa Stevens. They traverse what medical developments have given young women today, the potential downsides - and what those worried about the decline in global fertility rates should be paying attention to. They discuss, too, what Strickland wants Millennials and Gen Zs to know: it will be ok, however it turns out for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  From two-up to bingo halls and gaming apps  – Shaun Micallef on our gambling obsession 22.05.2026 35Min.

  Shaun Micallef has graced our TV screens since 1989 – from crime caper Mr and Mrs Murder to long-running game show Talkin' About Your Generation and weekly satirical news comedy Mad as Hell.But he's not averse to tackling the big issues, either: his latest series, Going for Broke, examines our national gambling habit.In today's conversation, with senior culture writer Kerrie O'Brien, the lawyer turned funny-man joins us for a chat about two-up, his book about the origin story of Dracula, and what drives him to keep coming up with new ideas for documentaries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  'Angertainers' are dividing society: Author Ed Coper explains why we fall for 'rage bait' 15.05.2026 41Min.

  Social media was once harnessed by Barack Obama to spread hope. Now “angertainers” are exploiting our human instinct to seek threat to divide society and to build their own cultural, political and social capital, often based on misinformation and lies.They create content for platforms that reward stunts, insults and anger – in the process, distorting reality and hijacking any possibility of a considered debate.In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, Ed Coper, author of Angertainment: How Social Media Outrage Ruined Everything, explains how and why that happens, why you can't stop clicking on things that make you angry – and what we can all do about it. This conversation is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Greg Callaghan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Bob Brown on finding optimism – live at the Melbourne Writers Festival 09.05.2026 43Min.

  Bob Brown has spent the past 50 years trying to make people put the planet before profit. The environmental crusader, former senator and medical doctor, and founding member of the Wilderness Society has fought pivotal battles, including campaigns to save the Franklin River and the Swift parrot. He also practises what he preaches: he has lived sustainably for decades in a one-bedroom home.Today, to celebrate the 300th episode of Good Weekend Talks, deputy editor Konrad Marshall interviews Brown live on stage at the Melbourne Writers Festival.This episode comes to you from the State Library of Victoria, where we are joined by a live audience for a conversation that will cover everything from the origin of the term "tree-hugger" to how Brown still finds optimism in the face of massive challenges facing the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘Even today, the cost continues’: Christie Whelan Browne on speaking out 01.05.2026 28Min.

  You might know her best from Shaun Micallef's Mad as Hell, but over the past 20 years, Christie Whelan Browne has become one of the most in-demand stars of the Australian stage, appearing in Britney Spears: The Cabaret, The Producers, Shane Warne: The Musical and Muriel's Wedding. But the thing that has kept her in the headlines is no laughing matter – the allegations of sexual harassment she made against her Rocky Horror Show co-star Craig McLachlan in late 2017. Today, Whelan Browne takes a break from rehearsing a musical version of All About Eve to chat about everything from our shifting attitudes to Britney Spears, the joy of an IVF baby and the stress of living through three very public court cases over six years. Today's episode is hosted by senior culture writer, Karl Quinn.   Further reading Karl Quinn's story 'Even today, the cost continues.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Fran Lebowitz on smoking, Trump and today's young people being another species 24.04.2026 43Min.

  When Fran Lebowitz was growing up in suburban New Jersey in the 1950s, she won a school award for being “the Class Wit” – and in her 50-year career as a writer and speaker, she’s repeatedly earned that label. Among her countless famous aphorisms, this zinger: "The best fame is a writer's fame. It's enough to get a table at a good restaurant, but not enough to get you interrupted when you eat." As a writer herself, Lebowitz has published two best-selling collections of essays – and a children’s book – but today she’s better known as a public intellectual, renowned for her acerbic social commentary, sardonic wit, and iconic status in the cultural life of New York City. Lebowitz joins us ahead of her Australian speaking tour for a chat about everything from the nightmare of long-haul plane travel for smokers, to the only monogamous love of her life: her 1979 Checker Marathon car. Today's episode is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Amanda Hooton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Luke Bateman: Former NRL star and gambling addict, now lumberjack ‘bookfluencer’ 17.04.2026 40Min.

  Luke Bateman is perhaps Australia’s most unlikely book critic – a former rugby league star and recovered gambling addict who works as a logger on a remote Queensland property. While hardly your average inner-city literary type, Bateman had always loved reading – especially fantasy books – but living in the bush with only black snakes for company, had no one to talk to about it. So one day in April last year, he posted a clip of himself on TikTok, talking about his love of books. The post made him famous – he now has more than a million social media followers, including Reese Witherspoon. His mission: to make reading cool again, and he is most definitely succeeding. Today's episode is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Tim Elliott.(Please note, this conversation deals with difficult topics – from addiction to suicide. If you are seeking help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The New Yorker's Patrick Radden Keefe on investigating 'an unnatural death' 10.04.2026 38Min.

  Investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe has made a career out of chasing the kinds of stories that most people would be wise to leave alone. The New Yorker writer is drawn to powerful institutions and the people at their heart – from the Sackler dynasty, whose pharmaceutical company created the opioid painkiller OxyContin, in Empire of Pain, to the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland in Say Nothing. His latest book, London Falling, delves into the story of 19-year-old Briton Zac Brettler, who had been living a double life, pretending to be the son of a Russian oligarch, before he mysteriously fell to his death from a luxury apartment building in London. Radden Keefe, the so-called “journalist’s journalist”, joins us to discuss London Falling, the ethics of true-crime reporting, and a reporter’s need for scepticism. Plus, we get our own scoop on what he might tackle next – and why it could bring him to Australia. Today’s episode is hosted by Spectrum editor Melanie Kembrey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.