Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

The small town of Stawell in regional Victoria is busy preparing for the 143rd running of the Stawell Gift - Australia's richest and oldest footrace. The history of th Gift is full of drama, intrigue, and occasional controversy. Guest: Robert Irvine, committee member, Stawell Athletic Club 

Yanis Varoufakis, an influential economist and co-founder of DiEM25, shares his insights on Trump's surprising economic tactics. He argues that Trump’s strategy could shock the global economy by forcing countries to embrace cryptocurrency for trade, significantly impacting the U.S. dollar's dominance. Varoufakis provides a historical context, likening Trump's policies to those of Nixon, and warns of the risks involved. He discusses the interplay of global currencies, the role of tech entrepreneurs, and the complex loyalties in international trade relationships.

Harvard University will not 'yield' to demands from the Trump administration to roll-back diversity initiatives and 'root out' activists, despite threats of $9bn USD in withdrawn federal grants. Meanwhile, another pro-Palestinian student from Columbia University has reportedly been detained by immigration authorities. Guest: Bruce Shapiro, Contributing Editor for the Nation, Executive Director of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University

Damon Young, philosopher and author of 'Immortal Gestures: Journeys in the Unspoken,' dives deep into the fascinating world of hand gestures. He explores the emotional impact of a simple wave goodbye, emphasizing its significance in human connection. The discussion also unpacks the rich history and cultural variations of handshakes, revealing how trust and meaning evolve over time. With a focus on gestures like the shrug, Young illustrates how body language conveys complex emotions, showing that our silent expressions speak volumes about who we are.

In 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced he was shelving the religious discrimination bill, for fear of stoking societal tensions. The move left religious groups and equality advocates disappointed. So where is that bill now? And why have the major parties stayed quiet on the issue?

As the major party campaigns officially get underway, Laura Tingle dissects Labor and the LNP's offerings on housing. Guest: Laura Tingle, Political Editor, 7.30

20 years on from her famous novel The Secret River, writer Kate Grenville retraces the footsteps of her settler ancestors, and asks what it means to be on land taken from other people.Guest: Kate Grenville, author of Unsettled, published by Black Inc

Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, the man who now rules Syria, has gone by multiple names and led a variety of rebel groups to ultimately oust the Assad regime. But who is he? And, after being designated a terrorist, can he gain legitimacy on the international stage and unite the numerous tribal, ethnic and religious groups inside Syria? GUEST: Nicolas Pelham, The Economist’s Middle East correspondentPRODUCER: Catherine ZengererThe great pretender: how Ahmed al-Sharaa won Syria

ABC election analyst Antony Green has decided that this federal election will be his last in an on-air role. For over thirty years, he's tallied the numbers on election night, live on ABC TV. So what lies ahead for Australia's favourite psephologist? Guest: Antony Green AO, ABC election analyst

For the past century the interval has been as much a part of the theatre experience as the curtain call and the standing ovation. So why is it disappearing? And how will our bladders cope?GUEST: John Shand, theatre critic, Sydney Morning HeraldPRODUCER: Helen Pitt