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

John Bolton has spent years arguing that bombing Iran isn’t just justified but necessary. 

For decades he has argued that American military force can solve the problem of hostile regimes in the Middle East. He backed the Invasion of Iraq, championed some of the most disastrous American interventions of the modern era, and despite that, he is still arguing more force, more intervention and more regime change will bring stability to the Middle East.

Now, as the US escalates again, Bolton’s worldview is back at the centre of the debate. A worldview, that when it comes to Iran, our government shares. 

Today, former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, on the strikes on Iran, and on why a man who backed the invasion of Iraq still sees bombing as the answer. 

 

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: Ambassador John Bolton, Former Trump National Security Advisor

Photo: PA/Alamy

John Bolton has spent years arguing that bombing Iran isn&rsquo;t just justified but necessary.&nbsp;
For decades he has argued that American military force can solve the problem of hostile regimes in the Middle East. He backed the Invasion of Iraq, championed some of the most disastrous American interventions of the modern era, and despite that, he is still arguing more force, more intervention and more regime change will bring stability to the Middle East.
Now, as the US escalates again, Bolton&rsquo;s worldview is back at the centre of the debate. A worldview, that when it comes to Iran, our government shares.&nbsp;
Today, former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, on the strikes on Iran, and on why a man who backed the invasion of Iraq still sees bombing as the answer.&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: Ambassador John Bolton, Former Trump National Security Advisor
Photo:&nbsp;PA/Alamy

John Bolton thinks bombing Iran is the answer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/914e02eb-74fb-4018-b0a9-b40b00410836/transcript

This week Iran announced a new Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

But who’s really running the country now? We look into the heavily armed elite forces pulling the strings – the Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC.

Today, Iranian journalist and author Arash Azizi on what direction Iran’s elite armed forces could take the country.

 

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 journalist and author, Arash Azizi

Photo: EPA

This week Iran announced a new Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
But who&rsquo;s&nbsp;really running the country now? We look into the heavily armed elite forces pulling the strings &ndash; the Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. Today, Iranian journalist and author Arash Azizi on what direction Iran&rsquo;s elite armed forces could take the country.
&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 journalist and author, Arash Azizi
Photo:&nbsp;EPA

Inside the Powerful Elite Forces Running Iran

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0b1947b6-14ba-4ff9-ade4-b40a00741050/transcript

On Sunday night, after Iran’s final game of the Women’s Asian Cup on the Gold Coast, protesters surrounded the team bus, banging on the windows and shouting “let them go”.

Later, five members of the Iranian squad broke away from their minders. By Tuesday, the federal government had confirmed they had been granted humanitarian visas.

The move followed days of concern about what the players might face if they returned to Iran, after several were denounced on Iranian state television for refusing to sing the national anthem at the start of the tournament.

The government says the same option remains open to the rest of the team, but for now they look set to return to a war zone.

Today, former Socceroo and human rights advocate Craig Foster on what this moment says about football’s failure to protect women players when they needed them most.

 

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: Former Socceroos captain and human rights advocate, Craig Foster

Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

On Sunday night, after Iran&rsquo;s final game of the Women&rsquo;s Asian Cup on the Gold Coast, protesters surrounded the team bus, banging on the windows and shouting &ldquo;let them go&rdquo;.
Later, five members of the Iranian squad broke away from their minders. By Tuesday, the federal government had confirmed they had been granted humanitarian visas.
The move followed days of concern about what the players might face if they returned to Iran, after several were denounced on Iranian state television for refusing to sing the national anthem at the start of the tournament.
The government says the same option remains open to the rest of the team, but for now they look set to return to a war zone.
Today, former Socceroo and human rights advocate Craig Foster on what this moment says about football&rsquo;s failure to protect women players when they needed them most.
&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: Former Socceroos captain and human rights advocate, Craig Foster
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Craig Foster and the rescue mission to save Iran's soccer stars

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/6facb8fe-162d-42da-a827-b409004f7aac/transcript

Read This: The Real Rachel Khong

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