The opening scene of Chris Flynn’s fourth and latest novel, Orpheus Nine, came to him in a dream. Not long after, he had the whole story down from start to finish. On this week’s episode of Read This, Chris and Michael sit down for a conversation about the falsity of certitude, how trauma can re-shape a community, and what The Exorcist, the Bible, and Winnie the Pooh all have in common.

The opening scene of Chris Flynn&rsquo;s fourth and latest novel,&nbsp;Orpheus Nine, came to him in a dream. Not long after, he had the whole story down from start to finish. On this week&rsquo;s episode of&nbsp;Read This, Chris and Michael sit down for a conversation about the falsity of certitude, how trauma can re-shape a community, and what&nbsp;The Exorcist,&nbsp;the Bible, and&nbsp;Winnie the Pooh&nbsp;all have in common.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Read This: Chris Flynn’s New Book Arrived in a Dream

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/4f27238f-64a2-409b-ac99-b2c80188aef7/transcript

Directly after Donald Trump intervened in Venezuela, capturing president Nicolas Maduro and laying claim to the country’s oil industry, the US President set his sights on Greenland.

Trump claims America “needs” Greenland for national security, and has asked his military chiefs to draw up plans to invade if neccessary. 

Meanwhile, a meeting between US Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt ended in a stalemate – with Trump doubling down, and Denmark asking for European back-up.

Today, defence editor at The Economist Shashank Joshi, on the real reason Trump wants Greenland, and how his plan could change the world.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

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Guest: Defence editor at The Economist Shashank Joshi

Photo: EPA/THOMAS TRAASDAHL DENMARK

Directly after Donald Trump intervened in Venezuela, capturing president Nicolas Maduro and laying claim to the country&rsquo;s oil industry, the US President set his sights on Greenland.
Trump claims America &ldquo;needs&rdquo; Greenland for national security, and has asked his military chiefs to draw up plans to invade if neccessary.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, a meeting between US Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt ended in a stalemate &ndash; with Trump doubling down, and Denmark asking for European back-up.
Today, defence editor at The Economist Shashank Joshi, on the real reason Trump wants Greenland, and how his plan could change the world.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Defence editor at The Economist Shashank Joshi
Photo:&nbsp;EPA/THOMAS TRAASDAHL DENMARK

Why Trump “needs” Greenland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b5d703a5-4596-4d8d-9240-b3d3006332ce/transcript

Is the world about to see the United States intervene in another country – this time, Iran?

Since late December, Iran has been rocked by mass protests, and the government has responded with force.

The internet has been cut for days at a time, making it difficult to verify what’s happening on the ground. Reports suggest a death toll in the thousands, with even larger numbers of protesters detained.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been publicly encouraging protesters and declaring that “help is on the way”.

Today, Iranian-born analyst and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Trita Parsi, on a regime fighting for survival – and on what Trump’s threats could mean for the entire Middle East.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Iranian-born analyst and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Trita Parsi.

Photo: AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Is the world about to see the United States intervene in another country &ndash; this time, Iran?
Since late December, Iran has been rocked by mass protests, and the government has responded with force.
The internet has been cut for days at a time, making it difficult to verify what&rsquo;s happening on the ground. Reports suggest a death toll in the thousands, with even larger numbers of protesters detained.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has been publicly encouraging protesters and declaring that &ldquo;help is on the way&rdquo;.
Today, Iranian-born analyst and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Trita Parsi, on a regime fighting for survival &ndash; and on what Trump&rsquo;s threats could mean for the entire Middle East.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Iranian-born analyst and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Trita Parsi.
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Kin Cheung

Will Trump go to war with Iran?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/cb190430-3b9c-4d62-8451-b3d20069b769/transcript

Adelaide Writers’ Week has been cancelled after the removal of Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah sparked a mass boycott of the event by more than 100 writers who were programmed to attend, as well as the resignation of the festival’s director.

In a statement on Tuesday, Adelaide Festival apologised to Abdel-Fattah, but rather than reinstating her, they announced that Australia’s premier free literary event would not go ahead – and almost all remaining board members would stand down.

The board described the cancellation as a “deeply regrettable outcome”.

Today, InDaily journalist Helen Karakulak on questions of political influence – and what the cancellation means for the future of the arts.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest:InDaily journalist Helen Karakulak

Background reading: https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/entertainment/books/2026/01/13/adelaide-writers-week-cancelled

Photo: PR Image

Adelaide Writers&rsquo; Week has been cancelled after the removal of Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah sparked a mass boycott of the event by more than 100 writers who were programmed to attend, as well as the resignation of the festival&rsquo;s director.
In a statement on Tuesday, Adelaide Festival apologised to Abdel-Fattah, but rather than reinstating her, they announced that Australia&rsquo;s premier free literary event would not go ahead &ndash; and almost all remaining board members would stand down.
The board described the cancellation as a &ldquo;deeply regrettable outcome&rdquo;.
Today, InDaily journalist Helen Karakulak on questions of political influence &ndash; and what the cancellation means for the future of the arts.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy&nbsp;7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: InDaily journalist Helen Karakulak
Background reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/entertainment/books/2026/01/13/adelaide-writers-week-cancelled">https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/entertainment/books/2026/01/13/adelaide-writers-week-cancelled</a>
Photo:&nbsp;PR Image

How cancelling a Palestinian writer blew up Adelaide Writers Week

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/46aa3dfa-671e-4c7a-94e6-b3d1004dacd7/transcript

Read This: Chris Flynn’s New Book Arrived in a Dream

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