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

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 sh…

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

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 …

From political fixer to cricket caller: Meet broadcaster Adam Collins

In this episode, we talk to Adam Collins. The Dandenong-raised, London-based commentator, broadcaster, podcaster and author is back in Australia for another summer of cricket, and also to promote his new book, Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics (after last year helping Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwe…

Chef Helen Goh on "the three Ps" of baking and psychology: process, patience and presence

In this episode, we speak to Helen Goh, who has been writing recipes for the food pages of Good Weekend for eight years. The celebrated cookbook author left Melbourne for London in 2006, when she was 40 - and as luck would have it fell in with Yotam Ottolenghi early in his ascent to global cooking …

Jane Harper on backing yourself: "Nobody is going to pluck you out of the crowd"

In this episode, we speak to Jane Harper. Just under a decade ago, she fulfilled the classic fantasy of closet novelists everywhere, and published a murder mystery called The Dry, which became an international best seller. Nine years and two children later, she’s written five more hit novels, and i…

William Dalrymple on India, slavery and “the unsung heroes” helping historians

In this episode we speak to William Dalrymple. The Scottish historian is the author of 10 books, a regular contributor to The Guardian and The New Yorker, and host of the popular podcast Empire. A specialist in Indian and Islamic history, Dalrymple first visited the subcontinent as an 18 year old, …

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

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 bei…

Antonia Marran on parenting, family law and adolescent mental health

In this episode, we speak to Antonia Marran. The former TV presenter, parenting author and now lawyer and advocate is tasked with managing the legacy of her late father, Antony Kidman, and his pioneering work in adolescent and youth mental health. It's a role for which the experiences of Antonia’s …

"I'm an accidental musician": Joe Camilleri on singing, songwriting and The Black Sorrows

In this episode, we speak to Joe Camilleri. The singer, songwriter and sax man is perhaps best known as the one constant in Australian rootsy blues rock band The Black Sorrows, a group that was born more than 40 years ago. The 77 year old musician, however, has been recording and touring for more t…

The joys of stoicism (and a top tip from Marcus Aurelius): 'Wellmania' writer Brigid Delaney

In this episode we talk to author Brigid Delaney, whose writing about her alarmingly numerous misadventures in life belies a more serious, intellectual side. Those two sides came together in her book exploring the wellness industry, Wellmania (comedian Celeste Barber plays a version of Delaney in t…