Maria Tumarkin is one of Australia’s most inventive and important non-fiction voices. Her latest book, Axiomatic, is her most pioneering yet. Part reportage, part philosophical meditation and part storytelling, it interrogates conventional wisdom about the role of the past in shaping the present. Previously nominated for the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Award and The Age Book of the Year, Maria discusses her boundary-shifting new work with the ABC’s Richard Fidler.

SWF podcasts are also available on iTunes and Spotify.

Maria Tumarkin is one of Australia&rsquo;s most inventive and important non-fiction voices. Her latest book, Axiomatic, is her most pioneering yet. Part reportage, part philosophical meditation and part storytelling, it interrogates conventional wisdom about the role of the past in shaping the present. Previously nominated for the New South Wales Premier&rsquo;s Literary Award and The Age Book of the Year, Maria discusses her boundary-shifting new work with the ABC&rsquo;s Richard Fidler.
SWF podcasts are also available on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/sydney-writers-festival/id985898011?mt=2">iTunes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://spoti.fi/2Qys9Rc">Spotify</a>.

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of writing and ideas.

Sydney Writers' Festival

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more.

Axiomatic: Maria Tumarkin

Professor of Philosophy and author A.C. Grayling outlines the fragility of democracy and the freedoms we take for granted and risk losing in For The People: Fighting Authoritarianism, Saving Democracy.

In recent years, the democratic foundations and civil liberties of Western nations that once seemed unshakeable have been shown to be remarkably fragile – vulnerable to authoritarianism, the whims of the wealthy and powerful and the erosion of civil liberties. As with previous works like Who Owns the Moon? and Discriminations, A.C. interrogates complex political realities and offers bold solutions.

Hear from a Festival favourite as he asks the critical questions of our time, followed by a discussion chaired by Nick Bryant (The Forever War) and Rosalind Dixon (The People's Guide to the Australian Constitution).

The Future of Democracy series, hosted by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon, is a collaboration between Sydney Writers’ Festival and the Resilient Democracy Lab at UNSW Sydney.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Professor of Philosophy and author A.C. Grayling outlines the fragility of democracy and the freedoms we take for granted and risk losing in For The People: Fighting Authoritarianism, Saving Democracy.
In recent years, the democratic foundations and civil liberties of Western nations that once seemed unshakeable have been shown to be remarkably fragile &ndash; vulnerable to authoritarianism, the whims of the wealthy and powerful and the erosion of civil liberties. As with previous works like Who Owns the Moon? and Discriminations, A.C. interrogates complex political realities and offers bold solutions.
Hear from a Festival favourite as he asks the critical questions of our time, followed by a discussion chaired by Nick Bryant (The Forever War) and Rosalind Dixon (The People's Guide to the Australian Constitution).
The Future of Democracy series, hosted by Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon, is a collaboration between Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival and the Resilient Democracy Lab at UNSW Sydney.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

The Future of Democracy: Fighting Authoritarianism with A.C. Grayling

Dubbed the “undisputed laureate of ordinary lives” by The Sunday Times, Irish Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle has kept us laughing and crying in equal measure.

From his prize-winning Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha to The Commitments, which was adapted into a BAFTA-winning screenplay, Roddy’s customary humour and dialogue capture beautiful relationships between lifelike characters, making him a literary icon. 

Listen as Roddy reflects on his storytelling career and discusses his latest novel, The Women Behind the Door, which marks the return of beloved character Paula Spencer. In conversation with Kate Evans.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Dubbed the &ldquo;undisputed laureate of ordinary lives&rdquo; by The Sunday Times, Irish Booker Prize winner Roddy Doyle has kept us laughing and crying in equal measure. From his prize-winning Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha to The Commitments, which was adapted into a BAFTA-winning screenplay, Roddy&rsquo;s customary humour and dialogue capture beautiful relationships between lifelike characters, making him a literary icon. Listen as Roddy reflects on his storytelling career and discusses his latest novel, The Women Behind the Door, which marks the return of beloved character Paula Spencer. In conversation with Kate Evans.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Roddy Doyle in Conversation

After her New York Times bestseller, Writers & Lovers, Lily King returns to themes of love, desire, forgiveness and loss in Heart the Lover.    

Our narrator is a successful writer who is familiar with the classic tropes of love stories. She lives her life with her husband and children until a surprise forces her to confront the lingering strings of her own romantic past. This is Lily at her masterful best, with an epic story that celebrates literature and young love.    

Revel in unforgettable connection and untangle the pieces of this love story with Lily, in conversation with Melanie Kembrey.  

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:  
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

After her&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;bestseller,&nbsp;Writers &amp; Lovers,&nbsp;Lily King returns to themes of love, desire,&nbsp;forgiveness&nbsp;and loss in&nbsp;Heart the Lover.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Our narrator is a successful writer who is&nbsp;familiar with the classic&nbsp;tropes&nbsp;of love stories. She lives her life with her husband and children&nbsp;until&nbsp;a surprise forces her to confront the lingering strings of her own&nbsp;romantic past. This is Lily at her&nbsp;masterful best,&nbsp;with an epic story&nbsp;that celebrates&nbsp;literature and young love.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Revel in unforgettable connection and untangle the pieces of this love story with Lily, in conversation with Melanie Kembrey.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media:   Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Axiomatic: Maria Tumarkin

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