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 the Netflix series of the same name).

She recently took a dive into stoic philosophy, including the 2022 bestseller Reasons Not to Worry, and her upcoming novel – The Seeker and the Sage – is billed as a tale to help us navigate our divided and unstable world.

Hosting this conversation – which also covers Delaney’s recent stint as a speechwriter for federal minister Tanya Plibersek – is Good Weekend senior writer Melissa Fyfe.

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 the Netflix series of the same name).
She recently took a dive into stoic philosophy, including the 2022 bestseller Reasons Not to Worry, and her upcoming novel &ndash; The Seeker and the Sage &ndash; is billed as a tale to help us navigate our divided and unstable world.
Hosting this conversation &ndash; which also covers Delaney&rsquo;s recent stint as a speechwriter for federal minister Tanya Plibersek &ndash; is Good Weekend senior writer Melissa Fyfe.

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;

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/0a2f9151-a0af-421d-9da4-b36b006516d9/transcript

Australians know Judith Lucy as the comedian with a sardonic wit and no-fear attitude to mining her personal life, from her unconventional upbringing and numerous disastrous relationships, to drinking too much and the indignities of ageing.

For over three decades, life was work for Lucy – until it wasn't. In 2023, she had a burnout, and she's turned her discoveries from that experience into a book about deep exhaustion.

In today's episode, Judith Lucy opens up about what fulfilment means for her, and the special guilt associated with burning out when you are middle-class and middle-aged. 

She talks to Good Weekend senior writer Gay Alcorn about everything from ayahuasca ceremonies and faecal transplants to finally asking herself, in her 50s, what she wants her life to look like.

And just a heads-up, this episode contains some strong language.

Australians know Judith Lucy as the comedian with a sardonic wit and no-fear attitude to mining her personal life, from her unconventional upbringing and numerous disastrous relationships, to drinking too much and the indignities of ageing.
For over three decades, life was work for Lucy &ndash; until it wasn't.&nbsp;In 2023, she had a burnout, and she's turned her discoveries from that experience into a book about deep exhaustion.
In today's episode, Judith Lucy opens up about what fulfilment means for her, and the special guilt associated with burning out when you are middle-class and middle-aged.&nbsp;
She talks to Good Weekend senior writer Gay Alcorn about everything from ayahuasca ceremonies and faecal transplants to finally asking herself, in her 50s, what she wants her life to look like.
And just a heads-up, this episode contains some strong language.

Judith Lucy on burnout, chasing wellness and knowing you’re both deeply unhappy and a 'privileged wanker'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/a15c2eee-0459-4104-8143-b4c700adcb9a/transcript

At just 19, Alexa Leary was a champion triathlete when she suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in an horrific cycling accident. She wasn't expected to survive the crash, but she beat the odds, learning to walk, talk and live again – even jumping back in the pool with renewed purpose, winning two gold medals and one silver at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, Leary talks to Konrad Marshall about living with traumatic brain injury and dealing with acute memory loss, and also reflects on her life before the accident. Now 25, Leary has released a song, Closer, and a biography – Sink or Swim: Defying the Odds.

At just 19, Alexa Leary was a champion triathlete when she suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in an horrific cycling accident. She wasn't expected to survive the crash, but she beat the odds, learning to walk, talk and live again &ndash; even jumping back in the pool with renewed purpose, winning two gold medals and one silver at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. In this episode of Good Weekend Talks, Leary talks to Konrad Marshall about living with traumatic brain injury and dealing with acute memory loss, and also reflects on her life before the accident. Now 25, Leary has released a song,&nbsp;Closer, and a biography &ndash; Sink or Swim: Defying the Odds.

Alexa Leary on surviving tragedy and living a ‘second life’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/4048e862-d395-4042-ab03-b4c1000ef99a/transcript

Bram Connolly is the type of person you want as a neighbour if there's ever a crisis or an emergency on your street.
Connolly spent 20 years in the Australian special forces navigating the world's most dangerous landscapes, from Afghanistan to Somalia, so he knows how to stay cool in the heat of battle – and in unplanned moments in daily civilian life.
The founder of Hindsight Leadership and Resilience says preparedness begins with situational awareness and controlling emotions like stress and anxiety. In this episode, Connolly discusses his new book, 100 Ways I Almost Died, which features compelling stories of survival during his years as a special forces commander, while also providing life lessons for these increasingly unstable times. This episode is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Greg Callaghan.

Bram Connolly is the type of person you want as a neighbour if there's ever a crisis or an emergency on your street. Connolly spent 20 years in the Australian special forces navigating the world's most dangerous landscapes, from Afghanistan to Somalia, so he knows how to stay cool in the heat of battle &ndash; and in unplanned moments in daily civilian life. The founder of Hindsight Leadership and Resilience says preparedness begins with situational awareness and controlling emotions like stress and anxiety. In this episode, Connolly discusses his new book, 100 Ways I Almost Died, which features compelling stories of survival during his years as a special forces commander, while also providing life lessons for these increasingly unstable times. This episode is hosted by Good Weekend senior writer Greg Callaghan.

Dodging the Taliban, camel spiders and becoming 'impervious to shock': Former special forces soldier Bram Connolly 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/7b996f78-c651-40c4-a6e1-b4ba006b344e/transcript

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

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