The Secret Grief Behind Matt Nable’s Latest Novel

You wouldn't expect constructing a crime thriller to be a time of laughter and healing after a tragic loss. But that's exactly what it was for Matt Nable. In this conversation, the multi-talented ex-sport star, actor and author talks about why writing is his biggest love above all, the encourageme…

One of Luke's MOST LOVED Authors! Peter V. Brett on How Fantasy Worlds Give Us Real Strength

The episode that proves that you SHOULD meet your heroes Luke is joined by Peter V. Brett, the acclaimed writer behind the Demon Cycle, a fantasy series destined to one of Luke's favourites from the moment he picked it up at 13.  In this raw and far-ranging chat, Luke gets to express just how much …

Book Club: The Layered, Living and Heartaching History of Land by Maggie O'Farrell

Prepare to be immersed in the times and lives of history in the most sweeping epic of Maggie O'Farrell's career yet.  In this episode, Luke breaks down the lyrical, poetry-like prose and perspective-shifting narrative while exploring the story's rich tapestry of 19th-century Irish history, complex…

The Real Story About Boys and Books, with Scott Stuart

What books do young boys really want to read? Scott Stuart, a passionate children's author and advocate for inclusive stories, joins Luke to reveal the surprising truths about gender bias in reading, how to break free from it, and the simple (and often joyful) acts that can ignite lifelong love of…

How Maggie O’Farrell Gives Her Historic Novels Their Own Heartbeat

What does it really take to breathe life into a bestseller? To make another time come alive? To place us into a polyphony of perspectives? In this candid conversation, acclaimed author Maggie O’Farrell joins Luke Bateman to unpack her extraordinary life story and highly intuitive creative process.…

Changing the Narratives of Masculinity, with Dr Zac Seidler

'Becoming a man is a process of subtraction' - so says one of the leading experts in masculinity and men's mental health. But why? And what can we do to change that? In this episode, Luke is joined by Dr Zac Seidler: clinical psychologist, Global Director of Research at Movember and Associate Prof…

Luke's Favourite Reads in 2026 So Far (Part 2)

We're back to finish Luke's list of favourite books he's read this year - including an EPIC fantasy, a global best-seller smash, the end of a romantic trilogy very well known to listeners of this podcast, and Luke's absolute top pick which he now calls one of his favourites of all time! Which of t…

Luke's Favourite Reads in 2026 So Far

It's the halfway point of the year and, surprise, Luke's read a lot of books so far! Here he takes us through some of his favourite discoveries - from a fantasy at the end of the world, sci-fi that takes you out of this world, a non-fiction that changes the way you see our world and more. Which of…

"Give the Women What They Want!": How Tierney Page Writes Spice That Connects and Desirable Men with Depth

Let's be clear - this definitely isn't one to have on in the car with the kids.  Luke is joined by his friend, the beautiful and brilliant Tierney Page, for an unfiltered, laugh-out-loud, and deeply insightful chat that might change how you see romance writing. From her hilariously honest reading …

Georgie Tunny: How Her High Pressure Career Helped Achieve Her Debut-Novel Dream

For the many years Georgie Tunny has graced our TV screens, and many others before, there was another dream she held: the dream of being an author, a dream she has now achieved with Over to You - her debut novel of fierce female friendships set behind the scenes of the high stakes chaos of the medi…