Uncommon Sense

Triple R Podcasts
Triple R Podcasts
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A weekly conversation about politics and current events, international affairs, history, art, books, and the natural world, to illuminate the issues faced by society and explore them in new ways – presented by Amy Mullins. The intro and outro theme is Soft Illusion and was generously provided by Andras. https://andras.bandcamp.com/track/soft-illusion

  1. 6d ago

    Artist Domenico de Clario Walks Vincent Van Gogh's Footsteps Through Arles, France, And Explains His Resulting Artistic Output & Exhibition, 'Arles' Alongside Dr Robert Nelson

    Established interdisciplinary artist, academic, writer, and musician, Domenico de Clario (born 1947, Trieste, Italy) and art critic and historian Associate Professor Robert Nelson from the University of Melbourne, talk about Domenico de Clario's stunningly exuberant and moving exhibition, 'Arles,' which features works from the 187 etherreal, vibrant, and also at times muted paintings de Clario painted in Arles, Aix-en-Provence, France. They were inspired by legendary post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, who also made 187 paintings during his fourteen months in Arles in 1888 and 1889. Domenico's works were made in many of the same places that Vincent painted in, but differ in their technique and approach, as Robert and Domenico describe. The paintings were first installed in the 8th century church of Saint Genest in Arles before being transported to Australia earlier this year. Jacob Hoerner Galleries presents them both as individual works and as one body of painting in St Kilda. The exhibition closes on November 7, with a special finissage event with the artist on the closing day between 3pm-5pm. Domenico also created a sculptural monument to Vincent in Arles for the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles in the form of a post-box whose purpose it is to receive handwritten letters to Vincent from all over the world. It's now permanently installed in Place Lamartine, Arles. Information about how to write a letter to Vincent is here. One of the 7 songs for Vincent, aired in part at the end of the interview can be heard here in full – 'Damage.'

  2. Sep 29

    John Keane On The Rise and Allure Of Demagogues And Despots In The 21st Century And What It Means For Democracy

    Leading democracy scholar Professor John Keane explores with Amy why and how many 21st century democracies are being undermined and weakened; their citizens being seduced by a dangerous class of political leaders that rule by the magnet, rather than the hammer. They capitalise on disaffection within contemporary democracies, over issues like ever-deepening social inequality, and the feeling that politicians are not listening nor acting in their people's best interests, thus breeding envy and frustration. In this interview John delves into the ideas in his latest book, Demagogues and Despots: democracies on the brink (NewSouth Publishing), and explains why the words we use to describe contemporary phenomena matters and shapes our world. Specifically, John explains why older terms like, demagogue and despot, are the most accurate way of describing these dangerous leaders and their actions, as opposed to more commonly and loosely used terms like fascist, populist, and authoritarian. He gives examples and case studies of these types of seductive anti-democratic leaders and their actions, which threaten and in some cases destroy the democratic foundations of countries around the world. While whipping up division and conflict in already turbulent and uncertain times, John describes how they continue to build power and influence for themselves and their circle of wealthy followers and supporters. Their power and mode of operation is contagious, as demagogues and despots in the 21st century flock together, creating a risk to other countries not yet under the sway of such leaders, or who are under the early influence of "wannabe despots." How is Australia affected by this trend and are there signs of wannabe demagoguery in Australia? John also reflects on whether a democractic society can heal from the wounds of demagoguery and despotism, should a leader eventually be ousted, as in the case of Hungary and Orbán. John Keane is a Professor of Politics at the University of Sydney. Some of his previous books include, The Life and Death of Democracy, and listen back to Amy's previous interviews with John on The Shortest History of Democracy, and The New Despotism.

  3. Apr 21

    For ANZAC Day, Hear The Untold, Uncensored Story Of WWII Nurse Vivian Bullwinkel & The Bangka Island Massacre (Extended Interview)

    For ANZAC Day, historical detective, author, and distinguished military historian Lynette R. Silver AM MBE delves into the evidence she has uncovered to piece together the untold, uncensored story of Australian nurse Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel. Sister Bullwinkel was the sole survivor of a massacre of 21 Australian nursing sisters at the hands of Japanese soldiers on Radji Beach on Bangka Island, east of Sumatra in the Indonesian archipelago on 16 February 1942. Lynette's latest book where she details the alleged war atrocities against 22 Australian nurses in World War Two is called, Sister Bullwinkel: The Untold Uncensored Story. It is also a fullsome biography of Bullwinkel's remarkable life and achievements. Hear Sister Vivian Bullwinkel recount the official story of what happened in the Bangka Island massacre in her interview for the National Library of Australia's oral history archives. Lynette Silver writes that Sister Bullwinkel put on a brave face to the world, recounting this "official" but sanitised version of events ever since she was released from a Japanese POW camp in Sumatra at the end of World War II. Vivian revealed the horrific truth of what happened on Radji Beach on Bangka Island to army investigators and was prepared to tell the Tokyo War Crimes Trial but, according to Lynette's research, "they censored her testimony and chose to obliterate it from the record. Despite her best efforts, Vivian was gagged from the outset by her own government and by the Australian army, who ordered her to keep quiet – an order that, as a serving member of the military, she was bound to keep. Vivian was desperate to speak out. She knew that the truth would set her free from the years of torment. Thwarted by higher authorities, by a succession of men who thought that they knew better, she was prevented from doing so." Through extensive research, Lynette Ramsay Silver has uncovered what she believes really happened on Bangka Island. Here's an example of eyewitness testimony published in 1946 (Trove). This is the extended interview, To hear the shorter interview that went to air, listen back here.

  4. Apr 14

    Pollster And Analyst Kos Samaras Takes The Political Pulse Of The Nation

    RedBridge director, political pollster, and analyst Kos Samaras talks with Amy about their latest research and polling data. Kos reveals the issues that matter to Australians right now and how and why the voting landscape has changed drastically, with parties like Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party back on the rise, and the two-party system in absolute disarray. In fact, according to Redbridge;s latest polling, if a federal election were held today, One Nation would be the official Opposition party, taking over the LNP Coalition. Check out Kos' writing on Substack here. The latest RedBridge | Accent Research MRP, modelling all 150 seats (22/05/2026) If an election were held now:• Labor - 31% primary, 76 seats. A majority government.• One Nation - 28% primary, 53 seats. The Official Opposition.• Coalition - 21% primary, 12 seats.• Independents - 8 seats.• Greens, KAP, Centre Alliance - one seat.

  5. Apr 14

    Go On A Global Fungi Foray With Ecologist And Nature Photographer Dr Alison Pouliot

    After an extended (reluctant, but necessary) hiatus Amy Mullins returns to the Triple R airwaves with long-time friend of the show and fungi expert Dr Alison Pouliot! She speaks about her two latest visually stunning books, Funga Obscura: Photo Journeys Among Fungi (NewSouth Publishing) – a book about fungi and the photography of fungi, and Mushroom Day: A Story of 24 Hours and 24 Fungal Lives (University of Chicago Press). Enchantingly illustrated by Stuart Patience, Alison’s book takes us on a global tour of some highly peculiar and fascinating fungi across a 24-hour period. Amy’s current favourite; the Hairy Nuts Disco (Lanzia echinophila) lives in the spine of a chestnut and is based in Europe – take a look for yourself! Or go on a tour with Alison in person and attend one of her workshops, fungi forays, talks, and other events this autumn between April and June. Alison is a headline speaker at the fourth annual Moorabool Mushroom Festival in Bacchus Marsh, organised by MYCOmmunity, which takes place this weekend on April 18–19 2026. PS. A little note from me to say, thank you for your patience and kindness while I've been on leave and for all the generous messages of support and encouragement on the textline welcoming me back on air. Community radio, and specifically this show for me is about having independent, earnest, and stimulating conversations, with a foundational shared passion for beauty, critical-thinking, and justice. It's a listening, learning, and creative corner of the radio-verse for people who care. Much love back to all who listen xx

  6. 09/17/2024

    Don Watson On Trump, Harris, and America on the Brink; A Special Panel Talks About The Photobooth & Melbourne Icon Alan Adler; Mid-Autumn Festival With Linda Jaivin & Joey Leung

    Don Watson, acclaimed author and former speechwriter to Paul Keating, speaks in-depth about his Quarterly Essay, High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink, on the 2024 US Presidential Election and whether the United States of America is disintegrating. He travelled around the country as part of his research for the essay earlier this year. Amy will also be joined by a special panel with Daniel Boetker-Smith (CCP Director), Catlin Langford (outgoing CCP Curator), Jessie Norman, and Christopher Sutherland, to talk about a brilliant photography prokect and book co-published by Perimeter Editions and the Centre for Contemporary Photography. Auto-Photo: A Life in Portraits tells the story of Alan Adler, a Melbourne man who is likely the the most photographed person in Australia, and is also perhaps the oldest and longest-serving photobooth technician in the world. Alan maintained a suite of photobooths across Melbourne/Naarm for over 50 years – most notably, at Flinders Street Station – and would undertake weekly testing and servicing on each photobooth across his network. Adler would take a seat in the booth and produce a test strip of photographs – these photos from the 1970s to the 2010s – form the basis of the book and a forthcoming exhibition in 2025. In 2018, with the booth at Flinders Street Station facing imminent closure, Christopher Sutherland and Jessie Norman – whose operation later became known as Metro-Auto-Photo – began working with Adler to generate interest in his work and to successfully save his photobooth. It's Mid-Autumn Festival (also known as Moon Festival) on Tuesday 17th September. Joey Leung, founder of Joy Jaune, an artisan patisserie and dessert shop at the Preston Market, and author and Sinologist Linda Jaivin talk about the significance of Mid-Autumn Festival in China and to many other Asian cultures, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They talk about the story of the Moon Goddess Chang'e, the traditions around mooncakes, family reunion, and more! Joey sells her beautiful mooncakes every Moon Festival – check out her Instagram!

  7. 09/17/2024

    Don Watson On Trump, Harris, and America on the Brink – Is The US In A Process Of Disintegration?

    Amy Mullins chats with Don Watson, acclaimed author and former speechwriter to Paul Keating, about his Quarterly Essay, 'High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink.' In this historically rich and incisive account, Watson explores Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, and a nation approaching its democratic high noon. As part of his research, Don travelled across the U.S. earlier this year, exploring the question: Is the United States disintegrating? Key themes of his essay include voter suppression, the rise of fascist politics, Australian parallels, and deeply rooted systemic racism, with his queries capturing a critical juncture in history. Furthermore, he says: “The core of the problem lies in their founding documents — the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, as they never began resolving the race debate.”

  8. 08/13/2024

    Philosopher A. C. Grayling On How To Build Your Own Philosophy Of Life

    British philosopher and best-selling author A. C. Grayling joins Amy in the Triple R studios for a very special in-depth conversation. Anthony tells us how we can consciously build our own philosophy of life, and why it is so important that we have one of our own. Grayling doesn't want to be prescriptive, but rather says we should take what's best for us from a range of philosophical schools and ideas. Amy and Anthony discuss free will and Sartre and Beauvoir's concept of existentialism, the key ancient philosophical schools and philosophers, including the Stoics, Cynics, and Epicureans. They also explore universal topics of love, friendship, and what happiness really is today compared with how it was conceived of in the past. He explores these ideas in his recent book, Philosophy And Life: Exploring the Great Questions of How to Live.

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About

A weekly conversation about politics and current events, international affairs, history, art, books, and the natural world, to illuminate the issues faced by society and explore them in new ways – presented by Amy Mullins. The intro and outro theme is Soft Illusion and was generously provided by Andras. https://andras.bandcamp.com/track/soft-illusion

Information

  • Channel
    Triple R Podcasts
  • Creator
    RRR - Triple R
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    475
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Triple R Broadcasters Ltd
  • Show Website
    Uncommon Sense

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