Best Sydney Writers Festival Podcasts (2024)

1
Play Like a Girl 49:46

1h ago49:46

49:46

Matildas fever swept across Australia during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, taking hold of new soccer fans and diehards alike. But where do we go next to tap into the potential of women’s sport? Hosted by The Ticket podcast’s Tracey Holmes, this elite panel features Olympic rugby gold medallist Chloe Dalton (Girls Don’t Play Sport), Australia’s m…

1
Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water 49:05

3d ago49:05

49:05

Physician and writer Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, crafts a masterly narrative of three generations of a family in Kerala, through the eyes of a young girl, from her arranged marriage at the turn of the 20th century to her emergence as the matriarchal figure Big Ammachi. Solving the mystery of a family affliction – in every generat…

1
Bonnie Garmus: Lessons in Chemistry 56:21

9d ago56:21

56:21

After a male colleague took credit for her work, Bonnie Garmus channelled her rage into the unforgettable protagonist of Lessons in Chemistry Elizabeth Zott – a chemist-turned-celebrity cook who surreptitiously teaches housewives to subvert the status quo. With her debut, Bonnie became a multimillion-copy-bestselling novelist, whose novel has also …

1
Fragile Democracy 51:27

12d ago51:27

51:27

Australia has been a close ally of the United States since 1940, but what does this mean for contemporary politics when democracy is more fragile than ever? Donald Trump and his attacks on the US electoral system have raised red flags about the strength of American democracy. But in an age of disinformation and civic decline, signs of fragility are…

1
TGIF debates the debate 51:41

15d ago51:41

51:41

Richard Glover is joined by James O’Loghlin, Jennifer Wong and Shane Jacobson.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
In Conversation: 2024 Stella Prize Winner Alexis Wright 47:39

16d ago47:39

47:39

“Praiseworthy is mighty in every conceivable way: mighty of scope, mighty of fury, mighty of craft, mighty of humour, mighty of language, mighty of heart.” – Stella Prize Hear from the winner of this year’s Stella Prize, Alexis Wright, as she joins judging panel chair Beejay Silcox in conversation to discuss her creative inspirations, writing proce…

1
Viet Thanh Nguyen: A Man of Two Faces 50:50

19d ago50:50

50:50

“I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces”, begins Viet Thanh Nguyen’s debut novel, The Sympathizer, the internationally acclaimed bestseller that was recently adapted into an HBO series starring Sandra Oh and Robert Downey Jr. This duality is also at the heart of Viet’s highly original memoir, A Man of Two Faces, which details with sardo…

1
Ann Patchett on Ordinary Joys 59:39

24d ago59:39

59:39

“How other people live is pretty much all I think about,” writes Ann Patchett. Since her breakthrough novel, Bel Canto, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Ann’s clever, compelling and expertly crafted portraits of other people’s lives have enamoured readers and critics alike. The author of bookshelf staples like Commonwealth and The Dutch House ret…

1
Closing Address: Kate Manne on the Future of Misogyny 42:13

26d ago42:13

42:13

[Content warning: misogynistic violence, sexual assault] When Kate Manne’s first book Down Girl, a tightly argued analysis of misogyny, was published shortly after the full exposé of Harvey Weinstein, she became ‘the philosopher of #MeToo’ – someone who could explain in crisp and compelling terms what misogyny is and how it works. With her trademar…

1
TGIF goes #boysober 43:10

30d ago43:10

43:10

On Thank God it’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Alice Fraser, Tommy Dean and James Colley as they discuss the supposed egg shortage, the trend to swear-off men and the politics of our pets.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF goes on the road to the Wagga Comedy Festival 43:26

1M ago43:26

43:26

On Thank God It's Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Dane Simpson, Tommy Dean and Rebecca de Unamuno live from the Wagga Comedy Festival.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF courts trouble 44:41

1M ago44:41

44:41

Gary Eck, Tommy Dean and Bridie Connell join Richard Glover as they discuss Trump's conviction, Sydney's new housing rules and the so-called "loyalty tax."By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF at the Sydney Writers' Festival 44:40

2M ago44:40

44:40

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Tommy Dean, Jean Kittson and Gary Eck at the Sydney Writers Festival.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF budgets on change 43:14

2M ago43:14

43:14

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Alex Lee, Colin Buchanan and Tommy Dean as they discuss the Federal Budget, the stormy descriptions of Trump, and Australia’s new trip on the sheep’s back.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF bags a better bottom. 42:30

2M ago42:30

42:30

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Alice Fraser, Dane Simpson and Tommy Dean as they discuss the new “Wonderbra for bums”, the ban of library books on same-sex parenting by one Sydney council, and the way people now refuse to answer the phone.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF shares the glory 44:36

2M ago44:36

44:36

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Bec Melrose, Gary Eck, and Tommy Dean who discuss Chiko Rolls, a 24-toilet house and the “age verification” questions that could separate young people from their elders.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF live at the Sydney Comedy Festival 45:13

3M ago45:13

45:13

On this week's TGIF, Richard Glover is joined by Kirsty Webeck, Jennifer Wong and Tommy Dean live from the Chatswood Concourse as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF rues the day 43:51

3M ago43:51

43:51

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Pat Sunderland, Bridie Connell and Tommy Dean as they discuss the discovery of giant kangaroos in Australia’s past, the threat to imprison the boss of Woolworths and the accidental free money given out at a Sydney casino.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF trains on the wrong tracks 46:28

3M ago46:28

46:28

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Tommy Dean, Rebecca de Unamuno and Tahir as they discuss the racehorse found wandering in a Sydney train station, the litigious Lothario in America who is suing his dates, and why cash should still be king.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF tries it fast 44:26

3M ago44:26

44:26

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Colin Buchanan, Jennifer Wong and Tommy Dean as they discuss the trend for “speech fasting”, the war on superbugs and the gym-junkies who now want a tax break.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF trumps those ruddy insults. 43:53

4M ago43:53

43:53

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Alex Lee, James Colley and Tommy Dean as they discuss Trump’s attack on Kevin Rudd, the plan to ban TikTok and the rise of “shrinkflation”.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF pulls royal focus 44:19

4M ago44:19

44:19

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Jean Kittson, Tommy Dean and Colin Buchanan as they discusses Princess Kate’s fuzzy right hand, Jeremy Rockliff’s chocolate fountain election promise and the renewed popularity of paying in cash. On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Jean Kittson, Tommy Dean and Colin Buchanan as…

1
TGIF exports the love 43:40

4M ago43:40

43:40

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Jennifer Wong, Gary Eck and Tommy Dean as they discuss rugby league's foray into America, the new policy allowing pets to fly and the attack on cars with gears.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
2024 Program Announcement: Annabel Crabb and Ann Mossop 37:41

4M ago37:41

37:41

Join Annabel Crabb and Artistic Director Ann Mossop as they discuss the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival program. The pair talk about the 2024 Festival theme, Take Me Away, and how books let us escape into different worlds, live other lives and travel in time and space. The 2024 Sydney Writers' Festival is out now. Head to our website to explore the p…

1
TGIF plays I spy 44:06

5M ago44:06

44:06

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Wendy Harmer, Tommy Dean and Rebecca de Unamuno as they discuss Australia’s spy scandal, the demonisation of Peppa Pig, and the true story behind Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday”.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF returns fire 44:49

5M ago44:49

44:49

On Thank God It’s Friday, Richard Glover is joined by Jean Kittson, Tommy Dean and Colin Buchanan, as they take on the supermarkets, Donald Trump and the world of fast fashion.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
TGIF Limbers Up 46:39

5M ago46:39

46:39

Thank God It's Friday returns next week with our usual live audience! But to get in the mood, we've got interviews with three legends of comedy: Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, and the late Barry Humphries. Plus, live music from Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Daniel Lavery: Dear Prudence and more 57:08

5M ago57:08

57:08

[Content warning: Child sexual abuse] Join internet darling Daniel Lavery as he lifts the lid on his writing life and Dear Prudence, a collection of the weirdest and wildest questions received during his tenure as Slate’s agony aunt. Filled with his always sympathetic, thoughtful and good-humoured advice, it offers a good dose of sense and compassi…

1
Tabitha Carvan on Finding Your Passion (For Benedict Cumberbatch) 40:01

5M ago40:01

40:01

The Curiosity Lecture series returns to the Festival with a line-up of our most thought-provoking speakers delivering one-time talks on topics of intrigue, interest and importance. In this entertaining talk, author Tabitha Carvan shares the story of how falling for Benedict Cumberbatch while stuck at home with two young children became an unlikely …

1
Real Selves 53:52

6M ago53:52

53:52

[Content warning: Sexual assault and paedophilia] Women and girls have long been pressured to conform to written and unwritten rules about how to think, act, look and feel. But a new generation of writers and activists are breaking down barriers to allow women and girls to show their real selves.  Hear from Wadjanbarra Yidinji, Jirrbal and African-…

1
Andrey Kurkov: Diary of an Invasion 56:34

6M ago56:34

56:34

Celebrated Ukrainian novelist Andrey Kurkov has been one of the most important voices throughout the Russian invasion of his adopted homeland, releasing frequent dispatches from Kyiv and the remote countryside. See him in conversation about Diary of an Invasion, his searing on-the-ground account of the human toll of the war, the interrelated histor…

1
The intergalactic search for Exoplanets and the Goldilocks Zone, from the 2023 World Science Festival in Brisbane 51:59

6M ago51:59

51:59

Astronomers and astrophysicists are looking for exoplanets, that orbit around stars beyond our solar system in what is known as the Goldilocks Zone — the zone with conditions that might be just right for creating life. A fascinating discussion from the 2023 World Science Festival in Brisbane.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Kate Evans hosts a session about bringing the past to life, at the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival 54:06

6M ago54:06

54:06

At the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, Kate Evans discusses historical fiction with the celebrated authors — Geraldine Brooks, Pip Williams and Sally Colin-James.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
The Arc of Racism in Australia 1:00:06

6M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

When Ghassan Hage’s seminal study on racism in Australia, White Nation, was published 25 years ago, the Cronulla riots, Christchurch massacre and Black Lives Matter movement all lay ahead. Hear from a lively panel of writers and thinkers as they consider how racism and white privilege have changed here since then and what lies ahead. Anthropologist…

1
Claire Nicholls is on stage with three authors to discuss mothers and motherhood in their works 54:06

6M ago54:06

54:06

At Perth Festival's Writers Weekend, Claire Nichols talks mothers & motherhood with Alice Pung author of 100 Days, Larissa Behrendt who's latest book is After Story, and Chloe Hooper who examines parenting in her memoir Bedtime Story.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Son of Francis and brother of Sophia, Roman Coppola talks about being a member of one of cinema's most successful families 51:22

6M ago51:22

51:22

At Melbourne's inaugural Now or Never Festival in 2023, Roman Coppola talks about how he grew up in the industry, his love of collaboration and setting up a fund to develop new talent in the industry.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
A session hosted by Kate Evans at the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival that asks, "what is the current state of the novel?" 47:09

6M ago47:09

47:09

At the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, Kate Evans hosts a discussion featuring: Pulitzer Prize winning writer Colson Whitehead, Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton, Man Booker Prize winner Richard Flanagan and acclaimed debut novelist Tracey Lien.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
A panel of writers discuss the deeper meaning of travel, at the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival 54:06

6M ago54:06

54:06

At the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival, writers speak about of how travel shapes our identity and gives us a better understanding of other cultures. Features Richard Fidler, Kris Kneen, chef Adam Liaw and artist & researcher Vicky Shukuroglou.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
At the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, two-time world debating champion Bo Seo is speaking with former High Court judge, Michael Kirby 48:41

7M ago48:41

48:41

Two-time world debating champion Bo Seo and former High Court judge Michael Kirby, discuss how we might better listen to and disagree with each other, and Seo's new book, Good Arguments.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Best-selling crime novelist Jane Harper speaks to Sarah L'Estrange at the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

Since 2016 Jane Harper has published five bestselling novels, including The Dry and The Lost Man, and her latest Exiles. We'll hear why she's finishing up with one of her most popular characters in this conversation with Sarah L'Estrange, at the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
An entertaining session at the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, that asks - can a dinner change the course of a person's life? 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

A session hosted by Adam Liaw and Annabel Crabb at the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, which features well known chefs revealing how an extraordinary meal had a huge impact on who they've become.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Kate Evans is at the 2023 Canberra Writers Festival speaking with historical novelist Lauren Groff 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

Best-selling author Lauren Groff's is in conversation with Kate Evans at the 2023 Canberra Writers Festival. Lauren Groff’s books include Arcadia, Fates and Furies, Matrix, and her latest novel The Vaster Wilds.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Two of Australia's best-known commentators on true crime: Helen Garner & Hedley Thomas at the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

At the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, writer Sarah Krasnostein is in conversation with veteran journalist and podcaster Hedley Thomas, and the renowned author Helen Garner.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Debut novelists Tracey Lien and Nina Wan in a delightful conversation with Sarah L'Estrange, at the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

Sarah L'Estrange speaks to Tracey Lien about her book All That's Left Unsaid, which tells of the aftermath of a shocking murder; and to Nina Wan's - who's novel The Albatross, explores love, duty and belonging.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
At the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, former PM Julia Gillard is in conversation with Indira Naidoo 51:16

7M ago51:16

51:16

Australia's first female Prime Minister talks about the infamous Misogyny Speech, how she feels about it ten years on, and what the future look like for the next generation of female leaders.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Paul Barclay hosts a session at the 2023 World Science Festival which asks - Can Science Save the World? 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

Paul Barclay hosts a panel that asks can science save the world and does the world actually need saving? Hear from four big thinkers that are transforming extraordinary ideas into life changing discoveries.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
A thought provoking discussion about hope and climate change at the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

Simon Holmes a Court hosts a challenging but ultimately optimistic panel discussion. He asks the panel for their insights into where we are at with climate change, and what are their hopes are for the future?By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Kate Evans is at the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival speaking with author Shehan Karunatilaka 52:39

7M ago52:39

52:39

The 2022 Booker Prize winning author Shehan Karunatilaka, in an entertaining conversation with Kate Evans, at the 2023 Melbourne Writers Festival.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Debut novelist Sequoia Nagamatsu talks to Claire Nicholas at Perth Festival's Writers Weekend 50:47

7M ago50:47

50:47

Claire Nicholls in conversation with Japanese American author Sequoia Nagamatsu, about his debut novel How High We Go in the Dark, at Perth Festival's Writers Weekend.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Actor Sam Neill at 2023 Sydney Writers Festival 51:07

7M ago51:07

51:07

In front of a huge crowd at the 2023 Sydney Writers Festival, Brian Brown interviews his old friend and fellow actor Sam Neill, about Sam's memoir, Did I ever tell you this?By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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