Neil Mitchell Asks Why

It's a question I often ask my guests on this podcast... and it's a good one to reflect on as the year comes to an end.  In this final episode of 2025, I revisit some of the most memorable answers, and offer my own to-do list if I was in charge.      

In this episode, I sit down with Blanche D’Alpuget; An award winning writer, mother and second wife of Bob Hawke. ‘Fridays with Blanche’ by Derek Rielly is available now at all good book retailers.  This episode contains discussions about sensitive issues, including suicide and mental health. If anything we talk about is difficult for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

I speak to sisters Cate & Bronte Campbell, two of the best swimmers Australia has ever produced, with a combined 7 Olympic gold medals between them.  We talk about what really happens inside the Olympic village, why elite sport & fear go hand-in-hand & why nothing else compares to winning gold.  You can hear Cate & Bronte on their new podcast 'Campbell's & Co' launchingthis summer.

I speak to Dr. Tim Sharp, AKA Dr. Happy, about why money really won't buy you happiness and how to really find it. Dr. Tim Sharp is the Chief Happiness Officer at The Happiness Institute. This episode contains discussions about sensitive issues, including suicide and mental health. If anything we talk about is difficult for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Back in 2017, I was lucky enough to record one of the last sit down interviews with legendary racing driver Allan Moffat. Here is that interview again in memory of Allan, after his death this weekend aged 86. 

I speak to Professor. Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist of the AI Institute UNSW, to discuss his most recent book; The Shortest History of AI.  

I sit down with Professor Owen White, a neurologist developing tech to better diagnose, manage and prevent concussion in sport.     

I chat to comedy legend Ben Elton about his writing process, The Beatles, comedians & why you can’t satirise Donald Trump.  Ben Elton's autobiography 'What Have I Done?' is available at all good book retailers now. 

I chat to former opposition leader Bill Shorten about his career in politics, the challenges facing our Universities and why the country 'needs to move up a gear'.  Bill Shorten is now Vice Chancellor at the University of Canberra.  

I sit down with Professor Lisa Given to discuss how changes to the way we search for information and use social media will impact us all. Lisa is a Professor of Information Sciences and Director of the Centre for Human-AI Information Environments at RMIT University.

I sit down with entertainment reporter Peter Ford for the inside stories behind Kylie Minogue, Shane Warne, Hugh Jackman, Bert Newton, Joan Rivers and more.

I sit down with US journalist and commentator James Kirchick to discuss Trump's world and Australia's place in it.   

What do Formula 1 racing, baking and anorexia nervosa have in common? Nothing - except for Kate Reid.  In this episode, I sit down with the creator of the world famous Lune Croissanterie to hear about her remarkable journey from aerospace engineering & the dark depths of anorexia to baking croissants.  You can find Kate's memoir 'Destination Moon' at all good book stores.  This episode contains discussions about sensitive issues, including suicide and mental health. If anything we talk about is difficult for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.  

Professor Brett Sutton was at one time the most revered andthe most reviled man in the country. In this episode, Brett Sutton tells me what we got wrong during the pandemic, the toll it took on him and the lessons we learnt.   

Harry Moffitt is not your ordinary soldier. The SAS veteran has been deployed 11 times to war zones around the world, but he's also a thinker. He's an author, a qualified psychologist and has a totally unique world view.  You can find Harry's book, 'The Fourth Pillar: Modern Stoicism and the Philosophy of High Performance' at all leading retailers. 

Comedian, satirist, intrinsically silly, genius; John Clarke died far too young. In this episode, I sit down with John’s daughter, Lorin Clarke, to get a look at the man behind the comedy. Lorin Clarke is a writer, performer and director of new feature documentary, ‘Not Only Fred Dagg but Also John Clarke’, a loving tribute to her father out in cinemas now. 

I sit down with the legendary Derryn Hinch to talk about his life, loves, mistakes and everything in-between.     

I speak to Dr. Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston about re-defining death and living forever. You can find out more about Dr. Ariel's work in his book, 'The Future Loves You':  https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-future-loves-you-9780241655894  

This is my take on the last week in news: Australia & Israel should both be ashamed, real meaning of China's internet outage and the citizen response to rising crime. 

I sit down with John Taylor, bomb squad and special ops veteran to chat about the biggest cases of his career, and his new book; 'Through fear and fire: The explosive true story of a bomb squad veteran.'

This is my take on the last week in news; Why critics of Snoop are being labelled 'casual racists' and Anthony Albanese's decision to recognise Palestine is 'simply wrong.' Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell   

I sit down with Geraldine Cox AM about her extraordinary life from Aussie diplomat, seducing her way across the globe, to founding children's charity 'Sunrise Cambodia'. To find out more about Geraldine's work, and to donate, head to her website here: https://www.sunrisecambodia.org.au This episode contains content related to suicide and other mature themes. Listener discretion is advised. If this raises issues for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

This is my take on the last week in news; Protestors gone feral, mysteries in the Aussie bush, pets & the WFH backflip.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

I chat with documentary maker Tim Noonan about his search for the Tasmanian Tiger, manhood and why he thinks truth is the most valuable commodity we have.   

This is my take on the last week in news: The truth about a sugar tax, young people are driving massive change in work culture and the Aussie company outpacing Elon Musk. 

In this episode, I sit down with Alison Wright, CEO of the Reach Foundation & Fergus Watts, Chairman of Reach, to talk about the challenges facing kids today.  

The Hon. Linda Dessau has one of the most impressive CVs in the country. Jurist, former Governor of Victoria, former AFL commissioner & a proud Jewish woman - she is a formidable force. In this episode, Linda discuses the demise of social cohesion in Australia.

This is my take on the last week in news: Time for Australia to get comfortable with killing kangaroos and the world needs to wake up to the dangers of AI. Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

Ian Baker-Finch is a legendary golfer & sports commentator, who was struck down by one of the worst cases of the yips in golf history. Ian's fall from the top in the late 90's became the stuff of golfing legend - But Ian's story isn't just about golf; It's about hitting rock bottom and finding a way back to the top.   In this episode, Ian talks about the extreme highs and lows of his career, the mental game of professional golf and what it takes to bounce back.  You can find out more about Ian's journey in his authorised biography 'Ian Baker-Finch: To Hell and Back'.  

This is my take on the last week in news: It’s time to seriously look at tax reform, solving 'intergenerational injustice' & the new education guidelines that are a 'pointless exercise in virtue signaling & social engineering'.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

I speak with Dr. Nicola Powell, Chief of Research and Economics at Domain, and Scott O'Neill, property investor and author of Rethink Property Investing. We discuss what’s really driving Australia’s housing crisis & why tax reform won't be enough to fix it. 

This is my take on the last week in news: Non-essential spending habits, ghost stories & it's time for Australia to join the campaign against Iran. Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

Dr Vladimir Dubaj is a neuroscientist with a Ph.D. in biomedical instrumentation. He also believes in ghosts, the afterlife and a dimension of dead people. In this episode, he tells me why.  You can find out more about Dr. Dubaj's work here And get in touch with me via email:neil.mitchell@nine.com.au

This is my take on the last week in the news: Why its time to seriously reform the health system,  sports reporting has become a bloodspot, another nail in the coffin for free to air TV & Greta Thunberg's latest stunt.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

I chat to criminal investigator Ken Gamble about how fraud is becoming the number one income crime across the planet, and why Australians are the most susceptible targets. Ken Gamble is a front-line cybercrime investigator & co-founder and current Executive Chairman of IFW Global.  Find out more about Ken's work here. 

This is my take on the last week in the news: Loyalty is eroding in all areas of society, world is on a war footing, Australia needs to pay attention to China and our dads need lessons in parenting.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

It's been over a year since Australian journalist Cheng Lei was released from wrongful detention in a Chinese prison cell. Arrested on bizarre, trumped-up charges, accused of spying, she was jailed and interrogated in appalling conditions for more than three years. To this day, she still doesn't know why. In this episode, I attempt to understand Australia's complex and problematic relationship with China, and what we can learn from Cheng Lei's ordeal.  You can find Cheng Lei's book, 'Cheng Lei: A Memoir of Freedom', at all good retailers.  Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sensitive and potentially distressing themes, including suicide, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, you can speak with someone today by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14.

This is my take on the last week in the news: Machete ban needs to be National, farmers tired of political squabbling over climate change & why Victoria does business like North Korea.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

In this episode, I sit down with farmer EmmaGermano, advocate and former President of the Victorian Farmers Federation to talk about drought, food security, threats to the bush and how it impacts us all. 

This is my take on the last week in the news: Victoria's disastrous state budget, the bush is up in arms, a rebel Catholic Priest and what I think about the Coalition split. Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

Years ago, I found myself at war with the Catholic Church. Now, as it continues to grapple with allegations of sexual abuse, a new Pope has been elected in the Vatican. In this episode, I sit down with one of the most outspoken advocates for survivors from inside the Church, Father Kevin Dillon.  Fr. Kevin Dillon is a retired Catholic Parish Priest, who, in 2013, established “Lifeboat Geelong” to provide pastoral support to victims of church related sexual abuse.  Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse, which may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. Support is available. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs someone to talk to, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 

Why the drought is a problem for every Australian, not just the farmers - and The Libs have a new leader... here's what she needs to do.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

I chat with Sylvia Arotin, woman of the year & founder of 'Guide & Grow' about the Montessori method, why the public school system is failing & how we can all be better parents.  Sylvia Arotin is the winner of the woman of the year at the Women Changing the World Awards in London, also winning gold in the Early Childhood Education category. You can find out more about Sylvia's work here.

ELECTION OUTCOME: The charade of politicians and how they need to win back our trust. And why you should need a license to own a dog.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

Julian Kingma photographs people who have chosen to access voluntary assisted dying in this country, capturing them in the final weeks, days and seconds of their lives. You can find ‘The Power of Choice’ by Julian Kingma here and all good book retailers.  Get in touch:   EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

This is my take on the last week in news: Amy Scott a real life Australian hero, how AI has found a new way to con the world & summarising the final week of an absurd election campaign.  Tell me what you think: EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

As we enter the final week of election campaigning, I sit down with Sarah Abo from the Today Show and Paul Sakkal, federal political correspondent for The Age and SMH, for their take & predictions.  Get in touch:   EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell 

I sit down with Professor Arnold Dix, the 'nerdy' Australian flower farmer, barrister, scientist and engineer who saved 41 people trapped in a collapsed Indian mine, capturing the world's attention.  You can find Arnold's memoir 'The Promise: How an Everyday Hero Made the Impossible Possible' at all good book stores. 

In this bonus episode for the Good Friday Appeal, I sit down with 13 year old cancer survivor Noa Ognall, her mum Dalia and Dr. Stewart Morrison, the Orthopaedic surgeon from the Royal Children's Hospital who saved her life.  Donate to the Good Friday Appeal here or call: 1300 APPEAL (1300 277 325)

I sit down with Zoe Daniel, Independent MP for Goldstein, who is defending one of the most fiercely contested seats in this election. We talk about her career change from journalist to politician, voter disengagement and her biggest frustrations with the major parties. Get in touch:   EMAIL: neil.mitchell@nine.com.au X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell