In this episode, we speak to Ita Buttrose. The former editor, radio broadcaster, TV host and chair of the ABC has long described herself simply as a "journalist" – but that single word doesn't sum up the range of the 83-year-old's six-decade career. Here, the media trailblazer talks to us about being hissed at in testosterone-fuelled newsrooms, and the excitement of launching a magazine during a time of dynamic cultural change. She also discusses why juggling career and family may be more challenging for women now than 40 years ago, and why young men today are struggling to define new roles. Finally, she opens up about her mobility challenges in old age and her new book, Unapologetically Ita, in a wide-ranging conversation with Good Weekend senior writer Greg Callaghan.

In this episode, we speak to Ita Buttrose. The former editor, radio broadcaster, TV host and chair of the ABC has long described herself simply as a "journalist" &ndash; but that single word doesn't sum up the range of the 83-year-old's six-decade career. Here, the media trailblazer talks to us about being hissed at in testosterone-fuelled newsrooms, and the excitement of launching a magazine during a time of dynamic cultural change. She also discusses why juggling career and family may be more challenging for women now than 40 years ago, and why young men today are struggling to define new roles. Finally, she opens up about her mobility challenges in old age and her new book, Unapologetically Ita, in a wide-ranging conversation with Good Weekend senior writer Greg Callaghan.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

Good Weekend Talks

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

Ita Buttrose on women, men and chasing dreams: 'You can’t waste a moment'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/0cb9609e-a495-4a9f-8a64-b37f017478a5/transcript

In this episode, we talk to Tania Lacy. The comedy pioneer became one of the biggest stars on Australian television in the 1980s, but at the height of her fame, Lacy seemingly vanished without explanation. In this revealing interview, she opens up about the reasons for her sudden disappearance, including her controversial sacking by the ABC; her addictions to heroin and alcohol; her mental health challenges; the damaging rumours spread by her peers; and a Hollywood dream that turned into a nightmare. Reflecting on what it was like being a young woman in a male-dominated industry, Lacy talks about all this and more in a feature story in the magazine this weekend - Disappearing Act - and hosting this conversation is the journalist behind that profile piece, The Age’s senior culture writer, Michael Lallo. Listeners should be advised that this episode deals with suicide and depression. If you are seeking help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

In this episode, we talk to Tania Lacy. The comedy pioneer became one of the biggest stars on Australian television in the 1980s, but at the height of her fame, Lacy seemingly vanished without explanation. In this revealing interview, she opens up about the reasons for her sudden disappearance, including her controversial sacking by the ABC; her addictions to heroin and alcohol; her mental health challenges; the damaging rumours spread by her peers; and a Hollywood dream that turned into a nightmare. Reflecting on what it was like being a young woman in a male-dominated industry, Lacy talks about all this and more in a feature story in the magazine this weekend - Disappearing Act - and hosting this conversation is the journalist behind that profile piece, The Age&rsquo;s&nbsp;senior culture writer, Michael Lallo.&nbsp;Listeners should be advised that this episode deals with suicide and depression. If you are seeking help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

She was one of the biggest TV stars of the 1980s. What happened next to Tania Lacy?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/36d407c7-7eb5-4fb0-a7cc-b3b100195608/transcript

In this episode, we talk to John Polson. You might know him from films such as The Sum of Us and, more recently, The Dry – or for the shows he’s directed including Elementary and The Walking Dead. But you might not know the remarkable story behind Tropfest – long described as the world’s biggest short film festival – which Polson founded and is bringing back after a six-year absence. Today he talks to Sydney Morning Herald senior writer Garry Maddox about the controversial highs and lows of the colourful festival, the high-profile team helping him revive it (from Bryan Brown to Sarah Murdoch), and how he landed Margot Robbie as jury president.

In this episode, we talk to John Polson. You might know him from films such as The Sum of Us and, more recently, The Dry &ndash; or for the shows he&rsquo;s directed including Elementary and The Walking Dead. But you might not know the remarkable story behind Tropfest &ndash; long described as the world&rsquo;s biggest short film festival &ndash; which Polson founded and is bringing back after a six-year absence. Today he talks to Sydney Morning Herald senior writer Garry Maddox about the controversial highs and lows of the colourful festival, the high-profile team helping him revive it (from Bryan Brown to Sarah Murdoch), and how he landed Margot Robbie as jury president.

John Polson on bringing ‘Tropfest’ back from the dead, with a little help from Margot Robbie

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/336fc908-40d1-42d5-b856-b3aa002d7d99/transcript

In this episode, we talk to Mitch Brown. The retired AFL player recently came out as bisexual, making him the first (current or former) openly queer player in the league’s 129-year history. He describes growing up in country Victoria with his twin brother and fellow gifted athlete, Nathan, and how he made the move interstate when drafted by the West Coast Eagles in 2006. Brown played 94 games before retiring almost a decade later, having married professional netball player Shae Bolton-Brown, with whom he has two little boys. In conversation with Good Weekend deputy editor Konrad Marshall, he also talks about playing it straight in footy – and why he made the call to finally share his sexuality with the public.

In this episode, we talk to Mitch Brown. The retired AFL player recently came out as bisexual, making him the first (current or former) openly queer player in the league&rsquo;s 129-year history. He describes growing up in country Victoria with his twin brother and fellow gifted athlete, Nathan, and how he made the move interstate when drafted by the West Coast Eagles in 2006. Brown played 94 games before retiring almost a decade later, having married professional netball player Shae Bolton-Brown, with whom he has two little boys. In conversation with Good Weekend deputy editor Konrad Marshall, he also talks about playing it straight in footy &ndash; and why he made the call to finally share his sexuality with the public.

'I didn’t do this for me': The AFL’s first openly queer player on coming out

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/1695dd74-9645-4723-8a78-b3a00065571c/transcript

Ita Buttrose on women, men and chasing dreams: 'You can’t waste a moment'

In 2 playlist(s)

Good Weekend Talks

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips