

Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast
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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

Mar 3, 2025 • 53min
The State of the Nation: has the myth of the 'fair go' been broken?
Has the myth of the Australian fair-go finally been broken? Are social divides deepening and widening? And in a time of great uncertainty, how does Australia see itself in the world? Bob Carr, Rick Morton and Rebecca Huntley join David Marr in front of a live audience at Adelaide Writers' Week.

Feb 27, 2025 • 52min
Alok Vaid-Menon tackles Trump, hyper-masculinity and the gender binary
Alok Vaid-Menon, a comedian, poet, and performance artist, dives deep into the impact of Trump's executive orders on gender identity and the humor used to challenge societal norms. They explore the evolution of gender-inclusive language, share personal stories of trauma and resilience, and highlight the healing power of laughter in confronting identity politics. Alok discusses the intersections of fashion, masculinity, and the importance of empathy, advocating for a compassionate understanding of diverse identities in a binary world.

Feb 26, 2025 • 26min
The painter, the painting and the political controversy: Blue Poles revisited
In 1973, the highest price ever paid for a painting in the USA - US$2million - was offered by.. the Australian Government. The painting was Blue Poles, by Jackson Pollock. It created huge division in Australia, and would contribute to the downfall of the Whitlam Government.A new book revisits this important intersection of art and politics. Guest: Tom McIlroy, political correspondent and author. Producer: Ann Arnold

Feb 26, 2025 • 23min
Russia through the eyes of Vladimir Putin
Orlando Figes, a leading historian and author on Russian history, offers deep insights into the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He explains how Putin's beliefs about Ukraine's identity stem from a complex historical narrative. Figes discusses the historical roots of the Rus and Crimea's governance changes, shedding light on their relevance today. His reflections on the evolution of Russian society in the 1980s provide a personal touch, revealing the profound impact of these events on contemporary geopolitical tensions.

Feb 25, 2025 • 18min
The rehab centre for hummingbirds
A new documentary follows hummingbird rehabber Terry Masear as she cares for sick and injured birds from her LA home. GUEST: Sally Aitken, director "Every little thing"PRODUCER: Helen Pitt

Feb 25, 2025 • 21min
NT communities face mining royalties cliff
A number of decades-old mining operations in the remote Northern Territory - including Rio Tinto's bauxite operation on the Gove peninsula - will cease operations in the next 5-10 years. Indigenous Elders and landowners are concerned about what happens when the mining royalties dry up. Guest: Matt Garrick, reporter, ABC Northern TerritoryProducer: Jack Schmidt

Feb 25, 2025 • 13min
Ian Dunt's UK: Starmer 'ready' to put troops in Ukraine
As US President Donald Trump pressures Ukraine to make concessions for peace (and describes their President as a 'dictator') UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says he is 'ready and willing' to put UK troops on the ground in Ukraine to help guarantee its security.Guest: Ian Dunt, columnist with i-news, co-host of the Origin Story podcast

Feb 24, 2025 • 19min
Geologist and more: the multi-faceted genius who was loathed and revered in colonial Australia
Unearthing a mysterious figure from Australia's colonial times. Ferdinand von Sommer was Western Australia's first government geologist. He was also, in various parts of the world, a doctor, missionary, journalist, lecturer, naturalist and more. Was he a fraudster, or a genius? Guest: Professor Alexandra von Ludewig Producer: Ann Arnold

Feb 24, 2025 • 18min
The big money media training young right-wing voices
In Britain, the US and the EU a fresh crop of young commentators are readily available for TV and radio interviews. They’re articulate, they’re polished and they’re clearly media trained. So who’s backing them? Answer: a talent agency backed by the ultra-conservative Koch think tank and the Atlas Network. GUEST: Olly Haynes, freelance journalist with the Byline Times and the GuardianPRODUCER: Catherine Zengerer

Feb 24, 2025 • 15min
Laura Tingle's Canberra: how accurate are the polls?
A new poll from AFR/Freshwater shows the Coalition has a 52-48 2PP lead, despite the recent interest rate cut. But other polls have a markedly different result. So which polls are reliable? And why doesn't Anthony Albanese seem too worried about them?GUEST: Laura Tingle, 7.30 Political EditorPRODUCER: Catherine Zengerer