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.

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: The Real Rachel Khong

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

This week Pauline Hanson declared there are “no good Muslims” and renewed her call for a ban on people from Gaza and other so-called “terror hotspots”. After a backlash from across the community she has since walked back her comments on Muslim Australians, but her track record for stoking racial division remains intact. 

It’s language that was once politically toxic. Now it’s cutting through with a whole generation of voters who feel they’ve been dudded by the promise of prosperity through hard work alone. 

Today, Director of Strategy and Analytics at RedBridge Group, Kos Samaras, on the voters once known as Howard’s battlers, why more of them are turning to One Nation, and the forces reshaping Australia’s political centre and the social fabric of its democracy. 

 

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: Kos Samaras, Director of Strategy and Analytics at RedBridge Group

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

This week Pauline Hanson declared there are &ldquo;no good Muslims&rdquo; and renewed her call for a ban on people from Gaza and other so-called &ldquo;terror hotspots&rdquo;. After a backlash from across the community she has since walked back her comments on Muslim Australians, but her track record for stoking racial division remains intact.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s language that was once politically toxic. Now it&rsquo;s cutting through with a whole generation of voters who feel they&rsquo;ve been dudded by the promise of prosperity through hard work alone.&nbsp;
Today, Director of Strategy and Analytics at RedBridge Group, Kos Samaras, on the voters once known as Howard&rsquo;s battlers, why more of them are turning to One Nation, and the forces reshaping Australia&rsquo;s political centre and the social fabric of its democracy.&nbsp;
&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: Kos Samaras, Director of Strategy and Analytics at RedBridge Group
Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Why Howard’s battlers are turning to Hanson

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/9556df25-0481-42c4-86a6-b3f7005a8283/transcript

Sue-Anne Hunter has had a long career which started as a social worker and reached the heights of Commissioner for Victoria’s Truth Telling Commission - The Yoorook Justice Commission. Now she’s been appointed as Australia’s first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and the weight of the responsibility is very real.

Her appointment comes at a time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are being imprisoned at one of the highest rates in the world, incarceration rates are rising instead of falling, Indigenous people make-up nearly a third of all deaths in custody, and most Closing the Gap targets for children are not on track; with some going backwards.

So the task to break the cycle that leads to these appalling stats is a huge one.

Today, National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Sue-Anne Hunter on the task ahead and giving voice to children who have too often been spoken about, but rarely listened to.

 

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 onInstagram

Guest: National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children, Sue-Anne Hunter.

Photo: AAP Image/James Ross

Sue-Anne Hunter has had a long career which started as a social worker and reached the heights of Commissioner for Victoria&rsquo;s Truth Telling Commission - The Yoorook Justice Commission. Now she&rsquo;s been appointed as Australia&rsquo;s first National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and the weight of the responsibility is very real.
Her appointment comes at a time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are being imprisoned at one of the highest rates in the world, incarceration rates are rising instead of falling, Indigenous people make-up nearly a third of all deaths in custody, and most Closing the Gap targets for children are not on track; with some going backwards.
So the task to break the cycle that leads to these appalling stats is a huge one.
Today, National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Sue-Anne Hunter on the task ahead and giving voice to children who have too often been spoken about, but rarely listened to.
&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:&nbsp;National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children, Sue-Anne Hunter.
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/James Ross

“Yarning with Youth”: our new Commissioner for Aboriginal kids

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/4447c421-a673-4934-88c0-b3f60054ed9a/transcript

They’re known as the ISIS brides. 11 women and 23 kids who, for nearly a decade, have languished in a dusty desert detention camp in Northern Syria. Some of the children have known no other home. 

But the PM insists the group, who are all Australian citizens, aren’t welcome here.

Thwarted at the last minute, as they tried to make their way back home this week. The group is now in limbo once more. 

Today, Greens Senator David Shoebridge and Syria expert Josh Landis on the threat of radicalisation, the hope of rehabilitation, and what happens next for these Australians as chaos takes hold in Syria.

 

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: Greens Senator David Shoebridge & Syria expert Dr. Joshua Landis

Photo: AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad

They&rsquo;re known as the ISIS brides. 11 women and 23 kids who, for nearly a decade, have languished in a dusty desert detention camp in Northern Syria. Some of the children have known no other home.&nbsp;
But the PM insists the group, who are all Australian citizens, aren&rsquo;t welcome here.
Thwarted at the last minute, as they tried to make their way back home this week. The group is now in limbo once more.&nbsp;
Today, Greens Senator David Shoebridge and Syria expert Josh Landis on the threat of radicalisation, the hope of rehabilitation, and what happens next for these Australians as chaos takes hold in Syria.
&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: Greens Senator David Shoebridge &amp; Syria expert Dr. Joshua Landis
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad

What’s next for the Aussie ‘ISIS brides’ trapped in Syria

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/50fa1c1c-a9ea-4a41-9aa6-b3f50046b601/transcript

Read This: The Real Rachel Khong

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