In 2017, Rachel Khong released her debut novel Goodbye, Vitamin to critical acclaim. In 2024, she followed it with her second novel, a sweeping family saga spanning five decades. Real Americans is a fascinating exploration of what makes us who we are and challenges some of the corrosive myths that underpin America. In this episode of Read This, Michael chats with Rachel about her new book and she shares her thoughts on luck, science, and the ultimate unknowability of each other and sometimes, even ourselves.

In 2017, Rachel Khong released her debut novel&nbsp;Goodbye, Vitamin&nbsp;to critical acclaim. In 2024, she followed it with her second novel, a sweeping family saga spanning five decades. Real Americans is a fascinating exploration of what makes us who we are and challenges some of the corrosive myths that underpin America. In this episode of&nbsp;Read This, Michael chats with Rachel about her new book and she shares her thoughts on luck, science, and the ultimate unknowability of each other and sometimes, even ourselves.

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.

Read This: The Real Rachel Khong

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/83fa820d-62f8-499d-88b4-b2840064afdb/transcript

It’s an uncomfortable fact our government doesn’t like to face: 25 years on from the Tampa affair, we’re still paying a tiny island micro-nation hundreds of millions of dollars to keep immigration detention alive.

One of the ways we’re doing that is by helping to prop up Nauru Airlines – a company riven with financial, governance and safety issues.

Today, independent journalist Nick Feik on how our relationship with a foreign commercial airline is compromising the Australian government’s own regulators, departments and procurement processes in the name of immigration detention.

 

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: Independent journalist, Nick Feik

Photo: Nauru Airlines

It&rsquo;s an uncomfortable fact our government doesn&rsquo;t like to face: 25 years on from the Tampa affair, we&rsquo;re still paying a tiny island micro-nation hundreds of millions of dollars to keep immigration detention alive.
One of the ways we&rsquo;re doing that is by helping to prop up Nauru Airlines &ndash; a company riven with financial, governance and safety issues.
Today, independent journalist Nick Feik on how our relationship with a foreign commercial airline is compromising the Australian government&rsquo;s own regulators, departments and procurement processes in the name of immigration detention.
&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: Independent journalist, Nick Feik
Photo:&nbsp;Nauru Airlines

The absurd lengths Australia goes to keep Nauru Airlines flying

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/7155c222-0dc1-4c51-abf0-b4ce0061340c/transcript

One of the defining themes of Donald Trump's presidencies has been his war against the media.

Last week, he banned journalists from three media outlets from the White House, saying he’s had enough of the negative stories about him. This week, those outlets sued him over the ban.

And just last year he proved no one’s off limits,  taking media mogul Rupert Murdoch to court in a ten-billion-dollar lawsuit that’s still playing out – all over another story he didn’t much like.

Today, journalist and author Gabriel Sherman on the battle of the titans between Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch – and who really holds the power in this twisted transactional relationship.

 

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: Journalist and author Gabriel Sherman

Photo: EPA/Samuel Corum and Kevin Lamarque via AP

One of the defining themes of Donald Trump's presidencies has been his war against the media.
Last week, he banned journalists from three media outlets from the White House, saying he&rsquo;s had enough of the negative stories about him. This week, those outlets sued him over the ban.
And just last year he proved no one&rsquo;s off limits,&nbsp; taking media mogul Rupert Murdoch to court in a ten-billion-dollar lawsuit that&rsquo;s still playing out &ndash; all over another story he didn&rsquo;t much like.
Today, journalist and author Gabriel Sherman on the battle of the titans between Donald Trump and Rupert Murdoch &ndash; and who really holds the power in this twisted transactional relationship.
&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: Journalist and author Gabriel Sherman
Photo:&nbsp;EPA/Samuel Corum and Kevin Lamarque via AP

Trump and Murdoch: The enemies who need each other

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a6bc451d-4113-4b07-8e70-b4cd004efc01/transcript

Australia in 2066 will be older, richer, and – according to the treasurer – transformed by artificial intelligence.

The latest intergenerational report says, despite an aging population, our real incomes will be 55 percent higher by 2066. And Jim Chalmers says AI will get us there.

But the same report says younger Australians aren’t seeing the same gains in income, wealth and home ownership as the generations before it. So what does this report really say about our future – and how much of it is political wishful thinking.

Today, Vice Chancellor’s professor and Chief Societal Economist at the University of New South Wales, Richard Holden on what Australia could look like in 40 years – and where the economics end and the politics begin.

 

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: UNSW Chief Societal Economist Richard Holden

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Australia in 2066 will be older, richer, and &ndash; according to the treasurer &ndash; transformed by artificial intelligence.
The latest intergenerational report says, despite an aging population, our real incomes will be 55 percent higher by 2066. And Jim Chalmers says AI will get us there.
But the same report says younger Australians aren&rsquo;t seeing the same gains in income, wealth and home ownership as the generations before it. So what does this report really say about our future &ndash; and how much of it is political wishful thinking.
Today, Vice Chancellor&rsquo;s professor and Chief Societal Economist at the University of New South Wales, Richard Holden on what Australia could look like in 40 years &ndash; and where the economics end and the politics begin.
&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: UNSW Chief Societal Economist Richard Holden
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

A richer Australia in 2066 – but for who?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/678d6db8-68e4-409f-b97a-b4cc0063d367/transcript

Read This: The Real Rachel Khong

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