Saturday Extra - Full program podcast

On Saturday Extra's final show of the summer break:  Our best conversations with authors of notable books. CNN's Jake Tapper on one of the most fateful decisions in American history - Joe Biden's decision to run for re-election despite evidence of his decline; actor Griffin Dunne on coming of age in a family of larger-than-life characters in Hollywood; and historian Sophia Rosenfeld on the history of how choice became synonymous with freedom and self expression. 

From the Colossus of Rhodes to the hanging gardens of Babylon, we visit the seven wonders of the ancient world with author and historian Bettany Hughes; and from jewels to jumbo jets, a history of diplomatic gift giving; journalist Ed Wong on how travelling China with his father taught him that his family story is deeply entwined with China's rising power; 50 years of Papua New Guinean independence. Plus two new takes on Australian history with Professor Mark McKenna and Annabel Crabb.

On the show: Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, Lord Norman Foster who was awarded the Pritzker prize for architecture , and Irish novelist Colum McCann who won the National Book Award in America.

What shaped the world in 2025?We revisit the heartbreaking conflicts and the peacemaking.From the powerful influence of the Trump presidency to the Australia federal election, the big beautiful bill to Beijing's rising power, we take stock of pivotal developments with the world's best analysts. Highlights from our most insightful conversations with some of the world's biggest thinkers: Thomas Friedman of The New York Times, Anne Applebaum from The Atlantic, David Rennie from The Economist, among other greats.

Welcome to Summer on Saturday Extra where you'll hear some of our best conversations of 2025. This week - Australian arts and culture. A conversation with the playwright Suzie Miller about her blockbuster play, Inter Alia; David Wenham brings back the much loved character Jonny Spitteri for the sequel to the 2003 cult film Gettin' Square. Music from the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra; and nature photographer Leila Jeffreys reveals how she captures intimate portraits of birds.

One of Australia’s most celebrated authors, Geraldine Brooks on how she came to write a book with the Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris; the deep schism between Europe and the US over the National Security Strategy and how to end the war in Ukraine; the BBC Chief North America Correspondent -Gary O’Donoghue, or BlindGazza as he calls himself on social media, takes us behind the scenes of his exclusive interview with President Trump and his coverage of Trump's attempted assassination; and after 20 years as Chancellor of UNSW, David Gonski reflects on the challenges, criticism and brilliance of the university sector.

An updated US National Security Strategy pledges “lethal force” against drug cartels as the US continues a massive military presence off Venezuela - Phil Gunson from the International Crisis Group analyses the situation from Caracas; a candid conversation with Governor-General Sam Mostyn about her role and the "goodness" in Australia that can be masked by media and polarising voices; a guide to the under 16 social media ban with Professor Susan Sawyer, an expert in adolescent health and medicine, and Bryce Corbett, the creator of a media literacy program for primary school kids; Sean Turnell on Myanmar's mass release of prisoners ahead of the military junta's so called elections later this month; and 18-year Tommy Lamb's global overland odyssey to reach Australia for the Ashes.

A chat with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook from chart-topping The Rest is History podcast;  the year of Donald Trump with the author and journalist David Frum from The Atlantic magazine; a deep dive into the 2025 Australian Election study, and after European leaders were blindsided by President Trump’s 28-point-plan to end the Ukraine war - where do peace talks now stand? 

Constanze Stelzenmüller on Ukraine's ‘difficult choice’ over a US peace plan that's backed by Russia; the G20 in South Africa - Sherwin Bryce-Peace from SABC News takes us through the key issues in Johannesberg; how China is run as an engineering state that excels at construction while the US has become a lawyerly society that favours obstruction with author Dan Wang; Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi on President Trump's defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; a new era of bilateral film collaboration with filmmaker and actress Rachel Griffiths and Mitu Bhowmick Lange; and the week in federal politics with Mark Riley from 7News, and Sarah Ison from The Australian.

On the show: The BBC apology to Trump over Panorama edit with former head of BBC executive Roger Mosey; Tara Setmayer, former GOP communications director on calls to release all Epstein files as President Trump faces rare pressure from the MAGA base; at 90 years of age, the UK architect Lord Norman Foster reflects on his childhood and designs that have led him to world acclaim;, the history of grandparenting in Australia with demographer DR Liz Allen and how to make unis more relevant for students and the public with leading academic Sophie Gee.