

Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast
ABC
Incisive analysis, fearless debates and nightly surprises. Explore the serious, the strange and the profound with David Marr.
This LNL podcast contains the stories in separate episodes. Subscribe to the full podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
This LNL podcast contains the stories in separate episodes. Subscribe to the full podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 17, 2025 • 19min
Anna Henderson's Canberra: what next for the Liberal moderates?
As the Liberal Party joins the Nationals in ditching a net zero emissions target for 2050, what is the fate of the remaining moderate MPs in the Liberal Party? Plus, One Nation continues to gain ground in polling. Guest: Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent, SBS

Nov 13, 2025 • 25min
Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz warns of 'inequality emergency'
Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Laureate economist and former chief economist of the World Bank, discusses the pressing issue of global inequality. He highlights how policy choices have exacerbated this crisis, impacting democracy and fostering social unrest. Stiglitz proposes an international panel on inequality, drawing parallels with climate change. He critiques neoliberal policies and argues that addressing inequality can enhance economic performance. His insights reveal how extreme wealth concentration undermines society and calls for better resources management.

Nov 13, 2025 • 27min
Gareth Evans says Australia should lead nuclear arms control talks
Gareth Evans, former Australian foreign minister and esteemed professor at ANU, dives into the pressing issues of nuclear arms control. He discusses the alarming rise in nuclear risks from major powers and highlights the failures of past arms agreements. Evans argues for Australia's leadership in a new arms control initiative, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies like a no-first-use policy. He also reflects on past nuclear near-misses, the irrationality of using such weapons, and the complex dynamics around Israel's nuclear status and Iran's ambitions.

Nov 12, 2025 • 55min
Henry Reynolds turns Australian history upside-down
Historian Henry Reynolds, known for his work on Australia's frontier history and Indigenous relations, delves into the untold stories of northern Australia. He discusses the distinctiveness of this region beyond the Tropic of Capricorn, the reasons behind the success of southern colonization contrasted with northern failures, and the rich presence of Indigenous Nations. Reynolds also highlights the complexities of multicultural interactions, economic aspirations, and the legacy of racial theories, urging us to view history with empathy and curiosity.

Nov 11, 2025 • 20min
Australia's (very, very) early computer: CSIRAC
The University of Melbourne is celebrating 70 years of Australian computer classes, which were first taught on CSIRAC, the earliest computer ever built in Australia and the oldest surviving computer in the world. What did it take to run a 2,500kg computer back in the 1950s?Guest: Dr Peter Thorne, former head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Melbourne (and, long before that, the weekend service operator for CSIRAC)Producer: Alex Tighe

Nov 11, 2025 • 16min
Ian Dunt's UK: Trump threatens to sue the BBC
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for 1.6 million dollars, over an inaccurate clip aired on its flagship documentary program, Panorama. Despite the editing mistake, Ian Dunt argues that attacks on the British broadcaster are part of a populist assaultGUEST: Ian Dunt: iNews columnist and regular LNL commentatorPRODUCER: Ali Benton

Nov 11, 2025 • 17min
Brutal police killings in Rio's favelas shock the world as Brazil hosts climate summit
On October 28, conservative Governor of Rio, Cláudio Castro, ordered over 2,500 police officers and soldiers to storm the city’s favelas at dawn. The goal was to capture leaders of the notorious Comando Vermelho (Red Command) gang. "Operation Containment” was a massacre – at least 120 people were killed, sparking international outrage about police brutality in the country which is hosting the CoP Climate Summit. The dead included a 14-year-old and a 19-year-old who was decapitated and had his head exhibited on a tree.Guest: Ana Lankes, The Economist’s Brazil bureau chiefProducer: Catherine Zengerer

Nov 10, 2025 • 18min
The mysterious lost footage of Whitlam's dismissal
Simon Smith, a curator at the National Film and Sound Archive, unravels the mystery of the lost footage from Gough Whitlam's 1975 dismissal. He discusses how technical limitations led to minimal filming that day and the bizarre vanishing of key ABC reels. Simon reveals intriguing surviving clips, like Whitlam with a megaphone and footage of his filing cabinets being packed up. The conversation highlights the effort of Channel 7 in preserving what little exists, making for a captivating exploration of a pivotal moment in Australian history.

Nov 10, 2025 • 21min
The fight for gold at the heart of Sudan’s genocide
Declan Walsh, the Africa Bureau Chief for The New York Times and author on Sudan, shares his insights into the brutal civil war and its connection to gold. He discusses how rebel forces capture cities like el-Fasher, the staggering economic impact of gold smuggling estimated at $16 billion annually, and the power dynamics between the RSF and Sudanese army. Walsh reveals how Commander Hemedti’s rise correlates with gold mines and explores the international implications of foreign powers backing rival factions in this violent conflict.

Nov 10, 2025 • 11min
Anna Henderson's Canberra: Gough Whitlam's statue and net zero fallout continues
In this engaging conversation, Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent for SBS World News, shares insights on Canberra's political landscape. She discusses Prime Minister Albanese's announcement of a statue for Gough Whitlam amid the 50th anniversary of the dismissal. Anna delves into the Liberal Party's potential abandonment of their net zero policy, citing the struggle to define their identity against rural pressures. With the mining lobby's influence looming, she highlights the risk of losing younger urban voters as moderates grapple with these changes.


