This time last year, we could have used a laugh, but the cancelling of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival added to our COVID induced disappointments. Now it’s back, and The Columnist talks with Festival Director Susan Provan and comedian Kirsty Webeck about the joy of the return, and the kick-in-the-guts to our entertainment industry through JobKeeper. 

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.