Good Weekend Talks

4.3 (311)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

3 DAYS AGO

Jane Harper on backing yourself: “Nobody is going to pluck you out of the crowd”

In this episode, we speak to Jane Harper. Just under a decade ago, she fulfilled the classic fantasy of closet novelists everywhere, and published a murder mystery called The Dry, which became an international best seller. Nine years and two children later, she’s written five more hit novels, and is credited with establishing a whole new fictional genre: outback noir. Her sixth book, Last One Out, was published last month, and she talks to us today about the secret to creative achievement, and her former life as a journalist. Hosting this conversation is the writer of our October 4 profile of Harper - LIFE OF CRIME - Good Weekend senior writer Amanda Hooton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

35 min
31 OCT

William Dalrymple on India, slavery and “the unsung heroes” helping historians

In this episode we speak to William Dalrymple. The Scottish historian is the author of 10 books, a regular contributor to The Guardian and The New Yorker, and host of the popular podcast Empire. A specialist in Indian and Islamic history, Dalrymple first visited the subcontinent as an 18 year old, and knew that it was where he wanted to spend his life. These days he spends most of the year at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Delhi, but he’s heading to Australia for a speaking tour this month. Dalrymple’s works often explore the intersections of history, culture, and religion - basically managing to make history sexy - which he does for India in his latest deep dive book, The Golden Road. He talks to us today about everything from the indigenous people of Palestine, to why truth-telling about history is critical, and how a podcast about Australian history might be next, in a wide-ranging chat with senior writer for culture at The Age, Kerrie O’Brien. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

41 min
24 OCT

Ita Buttrose on women, men and chasing dreams: 'You can’t waste a moment'

In this episode, we speak to Ita Buttrose. The former editor, radio broadcaster, TV host and chair of the ABC has long described herself simply as a "journalist" – but that single word doesn't sum up the range of the 83-year-old's six-decade career. Here, the media trailblazer talks to us about being hissed at in testosterone-fuelled newsrooms, and the excitement of launching a magazine during a time of dynamic cultural change. She also discusses why juggling career and family may be more challenging for women now than 40 years ago, and why young men today are struggling to define new roles. Finally, she opens up about her mobility challenges in old age and her new book, Unapologetically Ita, in a wide-ranging conversation with Good Weekend senior writer Greg Callaghan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

34 min
16 OCT

Antonia Marran on parenting, family law and adolescent mental health

In this episode, we speak to Antonia Marran. The former TV presenter, parenting author and now lawyer and advocate is tasked with managing the legacy of her late father, Antony Kidman, and his pioneering work in adolescent and youth mental health. It's a role for which the experiences of Antonia’s own life have prepared her well. She comes from a tight-knit family (including her sister, the Hollywood star Nicole Kidman), and has endured both the public heartbreak of her first marriage falling apart then the sudden death of her first husband, not to mention a mid-life love affair, the travails and joys of parenting a blended family of six children, and then finally, a late career switch to the law, where she found a sense of fulfilment that had eluded her so far. Marran talks about all of this and more in a Good Weekend feature story this week – Her Father’s Daughter. Hosting this conversation is the writer of that profile, chief reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald, Jordan Baker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

38 min
10 OCT

"I'm an accidental musician": Joe Camilleri on singing, songwriting and The Black Sorrows

In this episode, we speak to Joe Camilleri. The singer, songwriter and sax man is perhaps best known as the one constant in Australian rootsy blues rock band The Black Sorrows, a group that was born more than 40 years ago. The 77 year old musician, however, has been recording and touring for more than six decades, and created more than 50 albums. That includes his latest - The Quintessential Black Sorrows - a compilation of remastered hits from the legendary front man, being released on October 24. Camilleri is currently on a national tour with the ever-evolving band, but took time out to join Good Weekend deputy editor Konrad Marshall in the studio for a chat about life, love, and music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 min
3 OCT

The joys of stoicism (and a top tip from Marcus Aurelius): 'Wellmania' writer Brigid Delaney

In this episode we talk to author Brigid Delaney, whose writing about her alarmingly numerous misadventures in life belies a more serious, intellectual side. Those two sides came together in her book exploring the wellness industry, Wellmania (comedian Celeste Barber plays a version of Delaney in the Netflix series of the same name). She recently took a dive into stoic philosophy, including the 2022 bestseller Reasons Not to Worry, and her upcoming novel – The Seeker and the Sage – is billed as a tale to help us navigate our divided and unstable world. Hosting this conversation – which also covers Delaney’s recent stint as a speechwriter for federal minister Tanya Plibersek – is Good Weekend senior writer Melissa Fyfe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

37 min
2 OCT

Introducing: Diagnosing Murder

For decades, families in Australia and overseas, have been accused of one of the worst crimes imaginable – child abuse. Diagnosing Murder is an investigative podcast about parents who've had their children taken away, sat in the dock and even done time in prison. All for something they insist they didn't do – shake their baby. Can we trust the science behind shaken baby syndrome? Or are innocent people being locked up for a crime they never committed? Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diagnosing-murder/id1843555473Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3LqYqSCZHW4vtA0yhiaJKB?si=f8c56f4b638b4a24Listen on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrLulycax358g-04ndbBaBg3ED4Dnyv0S&si=CVXIqoUI6AJ6DD5x See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 min
27 SEPT

‘This is me, not on general viewing TV’: Melissa Leong’s raw interview on her darkest chapter

In this episode, we talk to TV and food personality Melissa Leong, the subject of the cover story in Sunday Life's September 28 issue. Leong has worn many hats: talented pianist, advertising executive, food writer and even UFC broadcast host. But it’s the three years she spent as a judge on MasterChef Australia that made her a household name, and also put her under the spotlight. In this interview with Sunday Life associate editor Melissa Singer, Leong talks about her formative years and food memories, and why she’s revealing the darkest chapter of her life. You can read the Sunday Life piece here. And a heads-up, this episode contains some strong language, and discussions about assault and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

45 min

See All (101)

TRAILER

Introducing: Trial by Water

From The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Trial by Water is a new investigative podcast series about Robert Farquharson, who has been locked up for decades for an unthinkable crime: murdering his three sons in a dam on Father’s Day, 2005. Now scientists and lawyers are asking the question: did we get it wrong? And is this man in prison for a crime he didn’t commit? Episode 1 will arrive on Saturday, June 1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26/05/2024

•

4 min

Katrina Strickland

Host
Konrad Marshall

Host

4.3

out of 5

311 Ratings

Jess Cattelly, co-founder of Sydney swingers.

3 Aug

FJQuinn

Beyond boring.
Diverse listening

28 June

VMS57

This podcast allows us into the lives of a range of people who open up to Konrad so easily. He's an excellent journalist and conversationalist. Love it!
Debunking Milk

23/07/2024

Tweedstar

- everyone should listen to this podcast. Extremely interesting and informative. I especially loved his facts on breastfeeding.
Terrific series

22/07/2024

savuti

This is a great series, but I particularly liked the episode of debunking milk myths. Informative, science based information and presented in an easy to understand manner. Unfortunately the presenter missed the opportunity when it came to minimising food waste to call on Matthew Evans to call on many restaurants to reduce portion sizes and thereby minimise their waste. A small point but an important one I feel

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.