100 episodes

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.

Sydney Writers' Festival Sydney Writers' Festival

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.3 • 322 Ratings

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.

    The Secret Lives of Women

    The Secret Lives of Women

    “We are invisible”, writes Balli Kaur Jaswal in Now You See Us. “We clean your houses, we look after your children, we know your secrets.”
    The Singaporean-Australian writer is joined by Dominican-American novelist Elizabeth Acevedo (Family Lore) and Arab-Australian author Sara M Saleh (Songs for the Dead and the Living and The Flirtation of Girls) whose latest works portray the private lives and subterranean desires of women who are too often silenced.
    In conversation with ABC RN’s Kate Evans, these cross-cultural novelists discuss the rich inner worlds of their characters, whose aspirations are often obscured by duty and expectation.
    This episode was recorded live at the 2024 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: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestX (Twitter): @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfest
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 51 min
    Paul Lynch: Prophet Song

    Paul Lynch: Prophet Song

    In his Booker Prize acceptance speech, Paul Lynch admitted his fifth novel, Prophet Song, had been difficult to write.
    “The rational part of me believed I was dooming my career,” he said, “though I had to write the book anyway. We do not have a choice in such matters”.
    Set in Ireland’s near future, Prophet Song depicts a collapsing society in the grip of an increasingly tyrannical government. The Booker Prize judges described it as a novel “to remind us of all that is worth saving”.
    Sit down with Paul and host Michael Williams to discuss this timely and terrifying parable.
    This episode was recorded live at the 2024 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: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestX (Twitter): @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfest
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 59 min
    The War on Journalists

    The War on Journalists

    War correspondent Marie Colvin stated: “It has always seemed to me that what I write about is humanity in extremis, pushed to the unendurable, and that it is important to tell people what really happens in wars.”
    With conflict continuing in Ukraine, and the death toll of journalists in the Gaza conflict reaching alarming proportions, we look at the role of journalists in war – on and off the frontlines – and how vital the protection of journalists is to news we can trust about the realities of war.
    Join us to hear from those with firsthand experience from the most conflict-ridden parts of the world: Global Affairs Editor for the ABC, John Lyons, The Guardian World Affairs Editor, Julian Borger and journalists Alisa Sopova and Anastasia Taylor-Lind of the 5km From the Frontline project. In conversation with journalist and broadcaster Hamish Macdonald.
    This episode was recorded live at the 2024 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: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestX (Twitter): @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfest
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 51 min
    Play Like a Girl

    Play Like a Girl

    Matildas fever swept across Australia during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, taking hold of new soccer fans and diehards alike. But where do we go next to tap into the potential of women’s sport?
    Hosted by The Ticket podcast’s Tracey Holmes, this elite panel features Olympic rugby gold medallist Chloe Dalton (Girls Don’t Play Sport), Australia’s most decorated cycling Olympian Anna Meares and world champion pro-athlete Jana Pittman (Enough).
    Cheer on the sportswomen kicking goals for female athletes everywhere.
    This episode was recorded live at the 2024 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: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestX (Twitter): @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfest
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 49 min
    Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water

    Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water

    Physician and writer Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, crafts a masterly narrative of three generations of a family in Kerala, through the eyes of a young girl, from her arranged marriage at the turn of the 20th century to her emergence as the matriarchal figure Big Ammachi. Solving the mystery of a family affliction – in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning – the book brings to life a vanished past and the impact of change on lives and communities. Examine the marriage of medicine and literature with Abraham, joined by host Roanna Gonsalves. Abraham Verghese appeared at this event via video link. This episode was recorded live at the 2024 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: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestX (Twitter): @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfest
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 49 min
    Bonnie Garmus: Lessons in Chemistry

    Bonnie Garmus: Lessons in Chemistry

    After a male colleague took credit for her work, Bonnie Garmus channelled her rage into the unforgettable protagonist of Lessons in Chemistry Elizabeth Zott – a chemist-turned-celebrity cook who surreptitiously teaches housewives to subvert the status quo.
    With her debut, Bonnie became a multimillion-copy-bestselling novelist, whose novel has also been adapted into an Apple TV series starring Brie Larson. This 1960s-set comedy has inspired readers worldwide with its message that it's never too late to change everything – including yourself.
    Listen to Bonnie as speaks with Caroline Baum about science, sexism and success in your sixties.
    This episode was recorded live at the 2024 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: @sydwritersfestFacebook: @SydWritersFestX (Twitter): @SydWritersFestTikTok: @sydwritersfest
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 56 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
322 Ratings

322 Ratings

Siobhan TM ,

Excellent Podcast- Five Star Rating

Blowing the Whistle.

lamamandemilly ,

Brilliant

Fantastic podcast and so happy to catch up on the festival for those who missed it. I just listened to Julia Gillard: it was an outstanding conversation. I can’t recommend it enough. Enjoy it.

On hanger ,

Podcast Julia Gillard

Thanks for making this and other podcasts available for those of us who for one reason or another could not attend in person.
What a fascinating discussion between two interesting women. Reminded me how eloquent Julia is.
Thanks so much!

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