Against a backdrop of shifting laws, social media restrictions and legal and political pressure, Josh Bornstein, AC Grayling, and Antoinette Lattouf examine the impact of censorship – and what we stand to lose. They consider whose stories disappear first, and how silence reshapes culture. Hosted by Peter Greste. 

This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation. 

Against a backdrop of shifting laws, social media restrictions and legal and political pressure, Josh Bornstein, AC Grayling, and Antoinette Lattouf examine the impact of censorship &ndash; and what we stand to lose. They consider whose stories disappear first, and how silence reshapes culture. Hosted by Peter Greste.&nbsp;
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Josh Bornstein, AC Grayling, and Antoinette Lattouf - Censorship and its Consequences

Recent books by Tyree Barnette, Brandon Jack and Andrew Pippos offer insight into the complexities of men’s lives. They talk to Michael Williams about masculinity and identity, and the impact of men speaking openly– or not – about what hurts.

This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation. 

Recent books by Tyree Barnette, Brandon Jack and Andrew Pippos offer insight into the complexities of men&rsquo;s lives. They talk to Michael Williams about masculinity and identity, and the impact of men speaking openly&ndash; or not &ndash; about what hurts.
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Tyree Barnette, Brandon Jack and Andrew Pippos - Masculinity and Mental Health

Charlotte McConaghy’s third novel Wild Dark Shore opens with a woman washing up on a remote island halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica. Who she is and why she’s there is the mystery that propels the narrative. In her first festival appearance, Charlotte speaks with Courtney Collins about writing grief and resilience into ecological fiction – and the human cost of a vanishing world. 

This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation.  

Charlotte McConaghy&rsquo;s third novel Wild Dark Shore opens with a woman washing up on a remote island halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica. Who she is and why she&rsquo;s there is the mystery that propels the narrative. In her first festival appearance, Charlotte speaks with Courtney Collins about writing grief and resilience into ecological fiction &ndash; and the human cost of a vanishing world.&nbsp;
This conversation was recorded at the 2026 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible <a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Charlotte McConaghy in Conversation - A Vanishing World

From the page to the stage, Words & Music is a festival project in which songwriters are invited by Newcastle curator Nick Milligan to write and perform an original work inspired by the written word. Whether it be a novel, poem, short story or something unexpected, pre-existing prose is channelled into new art.

The 2025 edition of Words & Music saw William Crighton, Melody Pool, Charlie Scott, Candle Drum, Dave Wells and Symphony Rain Riley, Chelsea Reed, Ziggy Ramo, Khin Myint and Chain Daisy all perform new original works. The show also includes a live reading by Dylin Hardcastle from their book A Language of Limbs.

This performance was recorded at Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music on Saturday, April 5, 2025 and was hosted by Nick Milligan.

From the page to the stage, Words &amp; Music is a festival project in which songwriters are invited by Newcastle curator Nick Milligan to write and perform an original work inspired by the written word. Whether it be a novel, poem, short story or something unexpected, pre-existing prose is channelled into new art.
The 2025 edition of Words &amp; Music saw William Crighton, Melody Pool, Charlie Scott, Candle Drum, Dave Wells and Symphony Rain Riley, Chelsea Reed, Ziggy Ramo, Khin Myint and Chain Daisy all perform new original works. The show also includes a live reading by Dylin Hardcastle from their book A Language of Limbs.
This performance was recorded at Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music on Saturday, April 5, 2025 and was hosted by Nick Milligan.

Words & Music 2025, featuring William Crighton, Melody Pool and more

Sunday 29 March 2026

 Saturday 28 March 2026

Lead up festival events  22 to 27 March 2026

The ability of journalists to publish news in the public interest without interference and threats to their own safety is under increasing pressure. Diminishing resources, AI, and disinformation are just some of the threats to media freedom. Join journalists Eric Beecher and Rick Morton as they shed light on the state of media and what it means for the future of democracy. Hosted by Kylie Morris.

This conversation was recorded at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation. 

The ability of journalists to publish news in the public interest without interference and threats to their own safety is under increasing pressure. Diminishing resources, AI, and disinformation are just some of the threats to media freedom. Join journalists Eric Beecher and Rick Morton as they shed light on the state of media and what it means for the future of democracy. Hosted by Kylie Morris.
This conversation was recorded at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Eric Beecher and Rick Morton in Conversation - Breaking the News

Helen Garner returns with her signature candour and wit in an exuberant new book The Season, an account from the sidelines of the highs and lows of her youngest grandson’s footy team. Helen speaks with Newcastle Writers Festival director Rosemarie Milsom about the vulnerability of boys and the bittersweet experience of loving them and letting them go.

This conversation was recorded at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation. 

Helen Garner returns with her signature candour and wit in an exuberant new book The Season, an account from the sidelines of the highs and lows of her youngest grandson&rsquo;s footy team. Helen speaks with Newcastle Writers Festival director Rosemarie Milsom about the vulnerability of boys and the bittersweet experience of loving them and letting them go.
This conversation was recorded at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Helen Garner in Conversation - About a Boy

In his book Always Was, Always Will Be, Thomas Mayo investigates 'what's next?' for reconciliation and justice in Australia after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum. Thomas speaks with Clare Wright about lessons from the past, a path towards the future, and the new generation of First Nations leaders who are ready, resilient, and hopeful.

This conversation was recorded at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation. 

In his book Always Was, Always Will Be, Thomas Mayo investigates 'what's next?' for reconciliation and justice in Australia after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum. Thomas speaks with Clare Wright about lessons from the past, a path towards the future, and the new generation of First Nations leaders who are ready, resilient, and hopeful.
This conversation was recorded at the 2025 Newcastle Writers Festival. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/create-nsw">Create NSW</a>. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of the festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au/donate/">donation</a>.&nbsp;

Thomas Mayo in Conversation - Always Was, Always Will Be

Podcast by Newcastle Writers Festival

Newcastle Writers Festival

Podcast series by Newcastle Writers Festival

Podcast series by Newcastle Writers Festival

Newcastle Writers Festival

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