In this episode, Caroline O’Donoghue, bestselling author and host of the award-winning podcast Sentimental Garbage discusses her new novel The Rachel Incident.

Set in Ireland against the backdrop of the post-economic crash of 2009, The Rachel Incident delves into the realm of youthful yearnings, early adulthood, and the bittersweet transition from carefree student to responsible professional.

O’Donoghue joined Abigail Ulman live at the Wheeler Centre for Spring Fling to discuss the danger and delight of youthful dalliances, and the great love story of enduring friendship.

This event was recorded on Thursday 12 October 2023 at the Wheeler Centre as part of Spring Fling. 

Featured music ‘Golden Hour’ by Sarah the Illstrumentalist.

Spring Fling was proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund. Special thanks to official bookseller Readings and accommodation partner The Sofitel.

In this episode, Caroline O’Donoghue, bestselling author and host of the award-winning podcast Sentimental Garbage discusses her new novel The Rachel Incident.
Set in Ireland against the backdrop of the post-economic crash of 2009, The Rachel Incident delves into the realm of youthful yearnings, early adulthood, and the bittersweet transition from carefree student to responsible professional.
O’Donoghue joined Abigail Ulman live at the Wheeler Centre for Spring Fling to discuss the danger and delight of youthful dalliances, and the great love story of enduring friendship.
This event was recorded on Thursday 12 October 2023 at the Wheeler Centre as part of Spring Fling. 
Featured music ‘Golden Hour’ by Sarah the Illstrumentalist.
Spring Fling was proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund. Special thanks to official bookseller Readings and accommodation partner The Sofitel.

Subscribe to the Wheeler Centre's podcast to hear full recordings of our talks, featuring the best in books, writing and ideas from Melbourne, Australia.

The Wheeler Centre

Caroline O'Donoghue: The Rachel Incident

Acclaimed actor, activist and 2023 Sydney Peace Prize-winner Nazanin Boniadi shares her dream of a 'a free, prosperous and secular democratic Iran'.

Iranian-born actress Nazanin Boniadi has had an impressive onscreen career, including leading roles in the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of  Power and Homeland.

But it’s her major role as a human rights advocate that has led to her most recent recognition. Over more than two decades, Boniadi has worked tirelessly to elevate the voices and struggles of Iranian citizens and activists, fighting for the country’s democracy and freedom – particularly for women and children. She has advocated at the highest levels, including at the UN Security Council, the US Senate Human Rights Caucus, and in the British Parliament.

Boniadi was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize for ‘lending a powerful voice to support Iranian women and girls and their #WomanLifeFreedom movement, and for using a high-profile platform to promote freedom and justice in Iran’.

At an unmissable event at The Capitol in Melbourne, Boniadi delivered a stirring keynote lecture on democracy and women’s rights, followed by a Q&A hosted by Mahsa Hajjari.

This event was recorded on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

It was presented by the Sydney Peace Foundation and RMIT Culture. Supported by the Wheeler Centre, Amnesty International, Future Women and the Victorian Women’s Trust.

Featured music is ‘Fuzzy Feeling’ by Timothy Infinite.

Acclaimed actor, activist and 2023 Sydney Peace Prize-winner Nazanin Boniadi shares her dream of a 'a free, prosperous and secular democratic Iran'.
Iranian-born actress Nazanin Boniadi has had an impressive onscreen career, including leading roles in the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of  Power and Homeland.
But it’s her major role as a human rights advocate that has led to her most recent recognition. Over more than two decades, Boniadi has worked tirelessly to elevate the voices and struggles of Iranian citizens and activists, fighting for the country’s democracy and freedom – particularly for women and children. She has advocated at the highest levels, including at the UN Security Council, the US Senate Human Rights Caucus, and in the British Parliament.
Boniadi was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize for ‘lending a powerful voice to support Iranian women and girls and their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/womanlifefreedom">#WomanLifeFreedom</a> movement, and for using a high-profile platform to promote freedom and justice in Iran’.
At an unmissable event at The Capitol in Melbourne, Boniadi delivered a stirring keynote lecture on democracy and women’s rights, followed by a Q&amp;A hosted by Mahsa Hajjari.
This event was recorded on Tuesday 31 October 2023.
It was presented by the Sydney Peace Foundation and RMIT Culture. Supported by the Wheeler Centre, Amnesty International, Future Women and the Victorian Women’s Trust.
Featured music is ‘Fuzzy Feeling’ by Timothy Infinite.

Nazanin Boniadi: The 2023 Sydney Peace Prize Lecture

Leigh Sales is one of Australia’s most beloved journalists. A veteran anchor of the ABC’s flagship current affairs program 7.30, the new presenter of Australian Story, co-host of hugely popular podcast Chat 10 Looks 3 with Annabel Crabb, and a bestselling author, Sales has been recognised with three Walkley Awards over the course of a career that has seen her interview countless political leaders, innovators and artists.

In her new book, Storytellers: Questions, Answers and the Craft of Journalism, Sales turns her talents on her remarkable peers – including Waleed Aly, Richard Fidler, Niki Savva and Stan Grant – revealing candid insights into the craft of journalism and the power of storytelling.

Over an intimate dinner at award-winning winery Montalto, Sales was joined by her close friend Lisa Millar, co-host of ABC News Breakfast, as they shared insights from their careers in the media and offer a peek behind the curtain of this vital but often misunderstood profession.

This event was recorded on Friday 6 October 2023 AT Montalto as part of Spring Fling.

Presented in partnership with Montalto.

The bookseller for this event was Antipodes Bookshop and Gallery.

Featured music is ‘Mirror’ by Simon Winkler.

Leigh Sales is one of Australia’s most beloved journalists. A veteran anchor of the ABC’s flagship current affairs program 7.30, the new presenter of Australian Story, co-host of hugely popular podcast Chat 10 Looks 3 with Annabel Crabb, and a bestselling author, Sales has been recognised with three Walkley Awards over the course of a career that has seen her interview countless political leaders, innovators and artists.
In her new book, Storytellers: Questions, Answers and the Craft of Journalism, Sales turns her talents on her remarkable peers – including Waleed Aly, Richard Fidler, Niki Savva and Stan Grant – revealing candid insights into the craft of journalism and the power of storytelling.
Over an intimate dinner at award-winning winery Montalto, Sales was joined by her close friend Lisa Millar, co-host of ABC News Breakfast, as they shared insights from their careers in the media and offer a peek behind the curtain of this vital but often misunderstood profession.
This event was recorded on Friday 6 October 2023 AT Montalto as part of Spring Fling.
Presented in partnership with Montalto.
The bookseller for this event was <a href="https://antipodesbookshop.com/">Antipodes Bookshop and Gallery</a>.
Featured music is ‘Mirror’ by Simon Winkler.

Leigh Sales at Montalto

The author of The Great Believers and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Rebecca Makkai is back with an explosive new work. Described by the New York Times as ‘spellbinding’,
I Have Some Questions for You is part campus novel, part true-crime podcast investigation, all told through the lens of the #MeToo era.

Join Makkai and host Rachael Brown as they reckon with the past and interrogate just how deep our obsession with true crime runs.

This event was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture.

It was recorded on Saturday 14 October 2023 at The Capitol as part of Spring Fling.

Spring Fling was proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund. Special thanks to official bookseller Readings and accommodation partner The Sofitel.

The author of The Great Believers and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Rebecca Makkai is back with an explosive new work. Described by the New York Times as ‘spellbinding’, I Have Some Questions for You is part campus novel, part true-crime podcast investigation, all told through the lens of the #MeToo era. Join Makkai and host Rachael Brown as they reckon with the past and interrogate just how deep our obsession with true crime runs.
This event was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture.
It was recorded on Saturday 14 October 2023 at The Capitol as part of Spring Fling.
Spring Fling was proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund. Special thanks to official bookseller Readings and accommodation partner The Sofitel.

Caroline O'Donoghue: The Rachel Incident

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