Talking Prisoner Matt Batten

Introducing Our New Co-Host: Director Tim Burns
We're thrilled to announce that Matt Batten will now be joined by a new co-host on Talking Prisoner—none other than independent filmmaker Tim Burns! With a portfolio of cinematic gems that encapsulate Australian culture and history, Tim is no stranger to compelling storytelling.
His cult classic film, "Boronia Boys, perfectly captures the essence of Australian suburbia in the late 2000s. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. His creative prowess extends to a myriad of projects, including "Mondo Maniacs," "The Honey Suckle Sisters," "Sizzle 77," "Boronia Backpackers," "Moonlight and Magic," and "Nancy Nancy." His documentary "Prisoner Queen," featuring Prisoner cast member Jude Kuring, bridges his cinematic vision with the world of "Prisoner," making him a perfect addition to our show.
Tim is no stranger to accolades, having won several awards, including honours from The Melbourne Underground Film Festival. A true collaborator, he has worked with numerous Prisoner cast members and has a reputation for "getting things done," as many in the industry will attest.
With Tim on board, you can expect Talking Prisoner to level up in so many ways. The duo is already lining up some incredible guests and have a plethora of exciting plans in the pipeline to make the show even more engaging for all you Prisoner fans out there.
So get ready to dive deeper into the world of "Prisoner" like never before, as Matt and Tim bring you unparalleled access and insight into one of Australia's most iconic television series.

Welcome to Episode 55 of Talking Prisoner, where your host, Matt Batten, has a profound conversation with Buddhist prison chaplain, Susan Shannon. Susan's remarkable career spans over four decades, with her most striking experiences centred around her work on death row at San Quentin Prison.
In this episode, we delve deep into Susan's life story, from her childhood years to her conversion to Tibetan Buddhism. Susan reveals her unexpected love for the hit TV show, The Sopranos, and shares a bit about her personal hobbies.
Our conversation transitions into her riveting journey at San Quentin Jail, from her very first day to her encounters with prison guards and inmates on death row. Susan recalls her initial visit to death row and describes the ambience that continues to stick with her.
Susan details the establishment of her Buddhist prison group, discussing its origin and evolution. She courageously shares her insights on the crimes committed by inmates she has worked with and provides an up-close look at the reality of life on death row.
Throughout the episode, we explore the challenges Susan faced in starting her chaplaincy within the prison system and her relentless efforts to make a difference. She reflects on the surreal experience of putting on a bullet/stab proof vest for the first time and her dedicated work with inmates on death row, particularly Albert 'Ru Al' Jones and Jarvis 'Jay' Masters.
We delve into a typical day in the life of an inmate on death row, discussing everything from meals and education to security protocols. The impact of Covid-19 on prisons also forms a vital part of our conversation.
Susan fondly reminisces about her meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and further unravels the harsh realities faced by inmates on death row.
Join us for this stirring episode that offers a rare, heartfelt insight into prison chaplaincy and the world within death row. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for more engaging discussions.
#deathrow #susanshannon #prison #truecrime #podcast #prisonlife #sanquentin

Welcome to Episode 56 of Talking Prisoner where your host, Matt Batten, enjoys a sit-down with Lynne McGranger, best known for her role as Irene Roberts on the long-running soap, Home and Away. With nearly three decades on the show, Lynne proudly holds the title of longest-serving female cast member.
Before capturing our hearts as Irene, Lynne graced several other Australian TV shows such as The Flying Doctors, Skirts, Street Angels, Seven Deadly Sins, and Sky Trackers. In this episode, Lynne recounts her journey from her humble beginnings in Sydney, her time as a school teacher, and how she landed her enduring part on Home and Away.
We delve into the mystery surrounding Jacqy Phillips's departure and why she didn't continue as Irene. Lynne shares her insightful thoughts on the end of Neighbours and the future of free-to-air TV. With a fondness for theatre acting, Lynne has appeared in many pantomimes over the years which are also discussed in our conversation.
In the 1980s, Lynne was part of the comedy group, The Natural Normans, performing alongside Denise Scott, Sally-Anne Upton, and Lynda Gibson. Lynne reminisces about the laughs and the learning during her comedy stint.
In 2014, Lynne put on her dancing shoes for Dancing with the Stars, emerging as the runner-up. We chat about the intense schedule of learning to dance and the unforgettable experiences on the show. Lynne shares her journey of penning down her book, “Me, Myself and Irene,” and the process that led to its creation.
Interestingly, Lynne reveals that she discovered through a radio interview with Jonesy and Amanda that her character Irene was set to be axed in 2002. Fortunately, Coral Drouyn, a Prisoner Writer who had been hired to boost Home and Away's ratings, saved Irene, believing her character had many storylines left to explore.
Lynne also shares cherished memories of working with Chris Hemsworth who played Kim Hyde on Home and Away and a hilarious encounter with a fan during dinner with Ray Meagher after a long day of shooting.
Don't forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel to ensure you never miss an episode of Talking Prisoner!
 
#lynnemcgranger #homeandaway #chrishemsworth #neighbours

Talking Prisoner EP 54 Interview with Governor Eddie Mullins Mountjoy Prison
 
Welcome to Episode 54 of Talking Prisoner where our host, Matt Batten, has an enlightening conversation with Governor Eddie Mullins of Mountjoy Prison in Ireland.
In this episode, Eddie shares his life's journey that led him to the prison service in 1991 and his eventual ascension to the role of governor.
 
Our conversation delves into various aspects of prison life, including the rehabilitation process, the prevalence of weapons, and the day-to-day lives of inmates.
We also explore the realities of serving as a governor, how Eddie manages to distance himself from the inmates' crimes, and the struggles ex-inmates face in finding employment due to Ireland's spent convictions scheme.
 
Governor Mullins sheds light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prison life, the role of education and health in prisons, and the quality of prison food. We also discuss the intricate dynamics of the court system, sentencing procedures, and the oftentimes complicated relationship between politicians and the prison system.
 
Additionally, Eddie shares the uplifting story of Mountjoy's prison choir and teases some exclusive news about the next chapter of his career.
Join us for this compelling conversation and don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel for more deep dives into the world of True Crime
 
#mountjoy #truecrime #prison #eddiemullins #ireland

Welcome to Episode 53 of Talking Prisoner, where we shine the spotlight on the creative genius behind Prisoner's hauntingly beautiful theme song, 'On the Inside'.
 
Our special guest today is none other than the legendary Allan Caswell, a luminary in the Australian country music scene with a Golden Guitar, multiple chart-topping hits, and over 900 songs to his credit. Although he never made an on-screen appearance in Prisoner, his contribution to the series' atmosphere and mood through 'On the Inside' is indelible. The song not only reached platinum status in Australia, but it also topped the UK singles chart, forever linking Allan to the iconic series.
In this in-depth conversation, host Matt Batten uncovers Allan's early life and school years, his impressive music portfolio, and his unique experiences performing in diverse locations like LA, Nashville, East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Allan also delves into the recognition he's earned through his eight Golden Guitar awards.
 
A significant portion of the interview is dedicated to exploring the history of 'On the Inside': how it came to be, Grundy's initial approach to Allan, how Lyn Hamilton came to lend her voice to it, and the fascinating fact that the original Prisoner theme song was supposed to be 'Unchained Melody'.
 
Allan imparts valuable wisdom for aspiring songwriters, candidly discusses the current state of the industry, and examines the impact streaming platforms like Spotify have had on music creation and consumption.
 
Join us in this captivating episode as we delve into the life and career of a country music legend. Please like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon on our YouTube channel to keep up with future Talking Prisoner interviews. Enjoy the conversation!"
 
#ontheinside #allancaswell #lynhamilton #prisoner #cellblockh

Welcome to this special episode of Talking Prisoner. Today, we're thrilled to host our guest, Louise Siversen, as we discuss her new theatre production, 'Under Ms Archer,' currently playing at St. Martin's Theatre in South Yarra.
 
Under Ms Archer is a unique blend of drama and comedy that brings a 21st-century woman face-to-face with a medieval man, sparking a culture war that takes no prisoners. In this episode, Louise and I delve into the genesis of the show, the inspiration behind it, and the experience of performing again post-Melbourne lockdowns.
 
This theatrical performance features two of Melbourne's favorite actors, Louise Siversen, known for her roles in House Husbands, Prisoner, Love Me, MTC Noises Off, and Peter Houghton, recognized for his performances in The Pitch, Shakespeare in Love, Killing Time. Both actors are fresh off their recent collaboration in MTC’s hit comedy, 'Heartbreak Choir.'
 
Under Ms Archer has already made its mark, with Stage UK calling it a 'comic and performing tour de force... Great invention and extraordinary physicality... A virtuoso piece of acting, delivered with great bravura.'
 
Over the last four decades, Louise has built a formidable reputation in Australian Film, Theatre, and TV productions. Her leading roles in shows like PRISONER, THE FLYING DOCTORS, BOOTLEG, CHANCES, EUGENIE SANDLER P.I, HIGH FLYERS, SHORTCUTS, NEIGHBOURS, STINGERS, THE SECRET LIFE OF US, HALIFAX F.P, JANUS, BACKBERNER, HOUSE HUSBANDS, FIVE BEDROOMS, LOVE ME, among others, have made her one of the country's most recognisable actors, celebrated for her dynamic comedic and dramatic portrayals.
 
Under Ms Archer is now in its final week at St. Martin's Theatre. Don't miss out on this spectacular show. Tickets are available at www.undermsarcher.com. See you there