Good Weekend Talks

In this episode, we talk to Hannah Kent. The South Australian author burst onto the literary scene in 2013, with the publication of her debut historical novel, Burial Rites, about the execution of a young woman in Iceland, two centuries ago. The book was a global bestseller, optioned by Hollywood with Jennifer Lawrence attached to star in the film version, but Kent’s success also gave her that thing that all writers crave - not fame and fortune, but time and space to write. She followed Burial Rites with two more hit novels, The Good People and Devotion, not to mention a screenplay for Netflix, and now something different - a memoir. Kent talks to senior writer Konrad Marshall about “Always Home, Always Homesick”, which walks readers through the early life experiences that set Kent on the writing path, followed by her formative time as a teenage exchange student in Iceland, plus the forensic and emotional construction of her smash hit novel, and finally, the ghost who lingers and lives with her still.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Rutger Bregman. You might remember the Dutch historian and author from a 2019 appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which went viral after he called out millionaires and billionaires for tax avoidance. He joins us to talk about everything from the loss of America's moral authority after the re-election of Donald Trump, to why we need more ordinary people speaking up and defending principles of human decency. This week's Good Weekend features an extract from Bregman’s new book, Moral Ambition, examining our monstrous and long-running cruelty to animals. Hosting the conversation – which also delves into the corrosiveness of misogynistic male influencers, as well as the role of “realistic idealism” in improving our society's moral trajectory – is Good Weekend acting editor Greg Callaghan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode - one week before the federal election - we talk to Kos Samaras. Samaras had a long career as a Labor strategist - particularly in running campaigns for the Victorian party - before founding the political consultancy firm RedBridge in 2020. He's one of the big thinkers in Australian politics, who grew up in a blue collar Labor family, and is now sometimes critical of Labor for what he sees as the neglect of its heartland voters. Samaras is one of many voices featured in this week's cover story - Battle for the battlers - about the challenges facing social democratic parties around the world (including Australia), written by the host of our conversation today, Good Weekend senior writer Gay Alcorn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk to Tim Rogers. Best known as the frontman for rock band You Am I, Rogers was born in Kalgoorlie, WA, but lived all over the country growing up, spending time in Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra, and now, rural Victoria. The 55-year-old has lived a big life so far as a songwriter, raconteur, talking head and author. He's had his struggles and his joys but has remained, as always, sartorially splendid. He speaks with Good Weekend senior writer Konrad Marshall about addiction, mental health, footy, cycling, gardening, and his current tour with the band, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of its seminal sophomore album, Hi Fi Way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discusses her journey after her divorce and her commitment to women's empowerment. She shares insights on overcoming perfectionism in parenting, embracing authenticity, and the joy of grandparenting. Melinda also highlights the systemic barriers to women's equality and her initiatives for improving women's health. With a focus on philanthropy's role in societal change, she emphasizes the hope and resilience found in community efforts and the increasing presence of women in leadership.

In this episode we speak with Ellie Cole. Cole, of course, is a childhood cancer survivor whose right leg was amputated when she was 3. Within weeks of that operation, she was swimming as a form of rehab, before ultimately going on to become the most decorated Aussie female Paralympian of all time, with 17 medals over four games. In recent years she’s become a rising star in Australian sports media, as a trusted and charismatic broadcaster, not to mention staunch disability advocate, and now children’s book author. Cole recently became a mum to her little boy Felix, and her new book – “Felix and his Fantastic Friends” – is inspired by his adventures in early childhood, and her own in motherhood. Hosting this conversation – about everything Cole’s relationship with her twin sister to the complicated challenge of Paralympic classification – is a man who covered Cole’s final games in Tokyo in 2021 – Sydney Morning Herald sports journalist, Tom Decent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with Jane Flemming, who made her name in the late '80s and early '90s as a golden girl in track and field, a two-time Olympian – and Commonwealth Games gold medallist – specialising in the heptathlon and long jump. Flemming retired before the Sydney 2000 Olympics and transitioned into a career in media, marketing and management, but 18 months ago she took on a different role altogether, as president of Australian Athletics.It’s an exciting time to be in the role, too, with a host of local mid-career champions like Nina Kennedy, Jessica Hull and Matt Denny, not to mention junior stars on the rise like Torrie Lewis and Claudia Hollingsworth, Cameron Myers and, of course, Gout Gout. Flemming talks to Good Weekend senior writer Konrad Marshall about everything from her early years as an athlete to the DNA tests being used to "protect women's sport", and the runway to Brisbane 2032.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with Matt Kean. The former NSW state politician was once deputy Liberal leader, treasurer, and minister for energy and environment – but he’s now chair of the national Climate Change Authority. That means Kean helps set the Australian agenda in the fight against global warming, shaping federal policies on every hot-button green issue imaginable. Taking on the job was seen in some quarters – by conservative commentators, mostly – as a traitorous move by a “climate communist” now known to some as “Green Kean”. Our new climate change tsar is the subject of a feature profile this week – “Force of Nature” – and hosting this conversation about the powerful enemies Kean now faces, and the fight to save our natural world, is the acting editor of Good Weekend, Greg Callaghan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with Curtis Stone. The Melbourne-born, LA-based chef has run two celebrated restaurants in that city, earning several Michelin stars and praise from critics – yet in Australia he’s better known as the face of Coles, for whom he’s been an ambassador for 15 years. He’s back in town right now, about to cook for 1700 people at Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s flagship event, the World’s Longest Lunch, in Kings Domain on March 21. Hosting this conversation, which covers everything from run-ins with restaurant critics to how Aussie meat pies are being received in LA, is Good Food’s eating out and restaurant editor in Melbourne, Emma Breheny.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with Senator Katy Gallagher. The busy politician is close to both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and manages an almighty workload. With four big portfolios in finance, women, the public service and government services, she’s also firmly in the crosshairs of the opposition, which has promised to slash jobs, and cut back on diversity hires and working from home. Gallagher talks to us today about all of the above, but also her own life and times – including her unusual family upbringing, and the immense tragedy she suffered with the loss of her fiancé, Brett Seaman, when she was 26 and pregnant with their first child. Gallagher is the subject of our cover story this week – “From that worst place, I found a way out” – and hosting this conversation is the writer of that in-depth profile, freelance correspondent Deborah Snow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.