Good Weekend Talks

In this episode, we talk to Tania Lacy. The comedy pioneer became one of the biggest stars on Australian television in the 1980s, but at the height of her fame, Lacy seemingly vanished without explanation. In this revealing interview, she opens up about the reasons for her sudden disappearance, including her controversial sacking by the ABC; her addictions to heroin and alcohol; her mental health challenges; the damaging rumours spread by her peers; and a Hollywood dream that turned into a nightmare. Reflecting on what it was like being a young woman in a male-dominated industry, Lacy talks about all this and more in a feature story in the magazine this weekend - Disappearing Act - and hosting this conversation is the journalist behind that profile piece, The Age’s senior culture writer, Michael Lallo. Listeners should be advised that this episode deals with suicide and depression. If you are seeking help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to John Polson. You might know him from films such as The Sum of Us and, more recently, The Dry – or for the shows he’s directed including Elementary and The Walking Dead. But you might not know the remarkable story behind Tropfest – long described as the world’s biggest short film festival – which Polson founded and is bringing back after a six-year absence. Today he talks to Sydney Morning Herald senior writer Garry Maddox about the controversial highs and lows of the colourful festival, the high-profile team helping him revive it (from Bryan Brown to Sarah Murdoch), and how he landed Margot Robbie as jury president.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Mitch Brown. The retired AFL player recently came out as bisexual, making him the first (current or former) openly queer player in the league’s 129-year history. He describes growing up in country Victoria with his twin brother and fellow gifted athlete, Nathan, and how he made the move interstate when drafted by the West Coast Eagles in 2006. Brown played 94 games before retiring almost a decade later, having married professional netball player Shae Bolton-Brown, with whom he has two little boys. In conversation with Good Weekend deputy editor Konrad Marshall, he also talks about playing it straight in footy – and why he made the call to finally share his sexuality with the public.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Adam Collins. The Dandenong-raised, London-based commentator, broadcaster, podcaster and author is back in Australia for another summer of cricket, and also to promote his new book, Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics (after last year helping Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell write his memoir, The Showman). But Collins also had another life in politics. A long-time Labor Party member, he spent his 20s in Canberra on the staff of treasurer Wayne Swan, and as media adviser to then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Joining us from the first Test in Perth, this episode is hosted by chief cricket correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, Dan Brettig, the pair reflecting on the series to come, including a few choice Ashes predictions (or wishes).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak to Helen Goh, who has been writing recipes for the food pages of Good Weekend for eight years. The celebrated cookbook author left Melbourne for London in 2006, when she was 40 - and as luck would have it fell in with Yotam Ottolenghi early in his ascent to global cooking superstardom, becoming a key cooking and testing collaborator. What many don't know is that Goh is also a trained psychologist and still sees patients in London, alongside her baking career. Goh has just released her first solo book - Baking and the Meaning of Life - in which she combines her two great loves: psychology and cooking. Joining us today, she discusses all this and more with Good Weekend senior writer Katrina Strickland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

Ita Buttrose, a media trailblazer and former chair of the ABC, reflects on her remarkable six-decade career in journalism. She shares her early experiences of facing resistance in male-dominated newsrooms and the thrill of launching Cleo during a time of social change. Ita discusses contemporary challenges for working mothers and the evolving roles of young men in society. She also opens up about her new book, Unapologetically Ita, and the resilience needed to face aging while juggling career and family.

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.

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.