Good Weekend Talks

In this episode, Booker Prize-winning author Richard Flanagan discusses everything from his latest novel, Question 7 – from his near-death experience as a young man kayaking on the Franklin River to his decision to become a novelist as a four-year-old, and how his connection to Tasmania dates back to the first convicts. Hosting the conversation about the difficulties of forgetting, remembering and writing about the past is Spectrum editor and culture writer Melanie Kembrey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, journalist and bestselling author Julia Baird speaks about her latest book, Bright Shining, which explores the role of grace in our lives: what it is, where to find it, and how to cultivate it. Hosting the conversation is Good Weekend senior writer, Amanda Hooton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode we talk to Jodi Matterson, the most important person in Australian film and TV that you've likely never heard of. This powerhouse of the screen is behind everything from the Naomi Watts film Penguin Bloom, to the Nicole Kidman series Nine Perfect Strangers. She speaks about her globetrotting life, and how she fell into the career in the first place.Hosting this discussion is Good Weekend senior writer Amanda Hooton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Australian thriller writer Matthew Reilly talks about his writing life in Los Angeles, what it was like to make the film Interceptor and how long it takes to know if you've got a Netflix hit (hint: not long at all). Hosting the conversation is Books Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Jason Steger.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we talk with former Olympic champion Kieren Perkins. The swimmer had an amazing career in the pool, including winning consecutive individual gold medals through the 1990s.  Since then he's worked in leadership, consultancy and banking - and for the past 18 months, at the Australian Sports Commission, as CEO of an organisation charged with fostering  Australia's Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth games sports. Hosting the conversation is Good Weekend senior writer, Konrad Marshall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak to the former frontman for The Cruel Sea, Tex Perkins, who’s currently on tour playing the hits of the legendary Johnny Cash. In conversation with Karl Quinn, Perkins discusses everything from performance anxiety and growing up in Brisbane to the pros and cons of playing Cash’s songs to the inmates of a maximum security prison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, we speak to the world’s leading melanoma pathologist, professor Richard Scolyer, about the tumour found in his brain earlier this year, and how he decided to see himself as a guinea pig, adapting his pioneering approach to melanoma to solving the riddle of brain tumours like his own.He’s joined by his close friend and colleague from Melanoma Institute Australia, professor Georgina Long, with Good Weekend senior writer Tim Elliott hosting a discussion about cancer treatments, grief - and how you respond when death appears to be a certainty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, former AFL player, coach and transgender advocate Danielle May Laidley opens up about her battle with gender dysphoria and how reconnecting with her childhood sweetheart, plus her friends from footy, helped her get through her lowest points. Plus, what the future holds and whether she will one day return to the AFL. Hosting the conversation is the co-author of Laidley’s memoir, Don’t Look Away, senior writer for Good Weekend, Konrad Marshall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, we speak to former Newcastle Knights player Alex McKinnon, whose life was changed forever when a tackle left him a quadriplegic almost a decade ago. Today, he opens up about his injury, how it made him a better person, and how legendary coach Wayne Bennett helped him through that testing time.Hosting the conversation is chief sports writer for The Sydney Morning Herald, Andrew Webster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we speak with professor Martin Green from the University of New South Wales about the solar cell that's turbo-charging the take-up of solar energy around the globe.Hosting the discussion about how Green and his colleagues developed the cell over many decades, what it means for the world and why, despite international accolades, he's not yet a household name is the environment and climate editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Nick O'Malley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.