Good Weekend Talks

On this week's episode, actor, author and advocate Hannah Diviney speaks about what it was like to call out Lizzo and Beyonce for ableist language, how she doesn't always love her disability, and the freedom to be found in not always needing to be awesome. Speaking with The Sydney Morning Herald culture writer Thomas Mitchell, Diviney also talks about her the new Australian film, Audrey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode we speak with author Gina Chick, winner of the inaugural Alone Australia and author of the memoir We Are The Stars. Chick speaks with journalist David Leser about feeding birds from her own mouth as a kid, how she learned to embrace her weirdness as a young adult, and the wonder of discovering the identity of her famous literary grandmother.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak to Academy Award winner Kate Winslet about her new film "Lee" - a biopic about the life of pioneering World War II correspondent Lee Miller, and her sensitive and stunning front-line photography. Hosted by Konrad Marshall, the discussion covers everything from the ups and downs for women in film, to life behind the lens.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode we speak with former Australian Financial Review Rear Window columnist Joe Aston about the national airline and how its reputation has fallen among so many flyers. Aston, who penned the upcoming book, The Chairman's Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out, speaks with senior Good Weekend writer Jane Cadzow about how he went from working for Qantas and writing a travel column, to being highly critical of the airline and its former CEO Alan Joyce, to why he wanted to capture that trajectory in a book (with a young baby in tow).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Ronson, a Welsh journalist and author known for "The Psychopath Test," discusses the intriguing correlation between psychopathy and success. He argues that many traits associated with psychopaths enable them to thrive, especially in leadership roles. Ronson also sheds light on how social media favors those lacking empathy and critiques the rise of public shaming. Humor in writing is another focal point, as he emphasizes its significance in storytelling while maintaining honesty. Prepare for a thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics and societal norms.

Nobody's desk at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald has been as overflowing with books as that of Jason Steger, who recently left his job as books editor at the mastheads. On today's episode he talks with culture writer Kerrie O'Brien about his favourite interviews and books, whether he cops much abuse from writers after a bad review - and that time he drank too much with Richard Flanagan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, American author, speaker and blogger Mark Manson discusses how the mantra of relentless positivity, which drives so much of the self-help industry, is full of pitfalls. He explains how negative emotions have a purpose - to drive us to do something - and why the willingness to look like an idiot occasionally guards against self-entitlement. He gives us tips on how to be realistic in our lives, how to maintain hope - and what not to do with cyber stalkers.  Hosting this talk is Good Weekend deputy editor, Greg Callaghan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Norman Swan, a former GP and ABC broadcaster, dives into the nuances of parenting in his new book. He discusses establishing healthy eating habits and tackling screen time challenges for kids under ten. Swan emphatically asserts that children should never sip alcohol, emphasizing the risks it poses to their developing brains. He also highlights the importance of authoritative parenting, balancing warmth and discipline, and the vital role of parental engagement in shaping children's mental health and social awareness.

The youngest ever editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, now owner of Private Media, publisher of Crikey, Eric Beecher has spent decades in and observing the media. In today's episode he discusses his conclusions on when it works best, and when it fails democracy, with his longtime friend, journalist David Leser. Beecher also discusses what it was like to work for Rupert Murdoch during his two year stint as editor-in-chief of The Herald and Weekly Times Group, and whether he was scared when, decades later, Lachlan Murdoch sued him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, singer/songwriter Tim Minchin discusses the poison that is social media, how he emerged from his bruising time in LA and why he urges students to look after their bodies. In conversation with culture reporter Thomas Mitchell, he reflects also on his infamous George Pell song, and on the impending publication of his first non-fiction book, You Don't Have to Have a Dream (Advice for the Incrementally Ambitious).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.