All Episodes
Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading — 737 episodes
Everyone Has a Story: The woman who carried 15 children and gained 2 more in death
REWIND: Stories Behind the Story: Karen Brooks on brewing, her writing journey and bringing history to life through fiction
REWIND: Stories Behind The Story: Blanche d’Alpuget on the Life and Legacy of Bob Hawke
Stories Behind The Story: Nadine Browne on finding her voice and trying to belong in the literary world
Stories Behind The Story: Kbora and Razia Ali on identity, belonging and resilience
Stories Behind The Story: Hannah Richell on The Unexpected Ways Life Can Transform After Loss
Stories Behind The Story: Hannah Richell & Michelle Prak on Their Favourite Phases When Writing
Stories Behind The Story: Holden Sheppard & Peter Polites on Their Unique, Diverse Backgrounds
Libby Trainor Parker on Finding Healing Through Advocacy
Stories Behind The Story: Sarah Trad on Hospitality and Building Her Dream House
Stories Behind The Story: Joan Sauers on Film and Mysteries
Stories Behind The Story: Victoria Purman on Journalism, Publishing and Vintage Books
Stories Behind The Story: What Are You Reading? The App with Caroline Overington
Stories Behind The Story: Francesca Albanese on War and Power
Stories Behind The Story: Dervla McTiernan on Ruthless Editing and Finding Home in Australia
Stories Behind The Story: Antoinette Lattouf on Books, Battles and Breaking Barriers
Stories Behind The Story: Ann Mossop on the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival
Stories Behind The Story: Mali Cornish on Life, Law & Her New Novel
Stories Behind The Story: Kate Mildenhall & Kate Forsyth on the Complexities of Writing
Stories Behind The Story: Rosalie Ham on Ageing, Connection and Look After Your Feet
Stories Behind The Story: Mohammed Massoud Morsi on Journalism and Belonging
Stories Behind The Story: Linda Martin on Her Journey from Editor to Author
Stories Behind The Story: Durkhanai Ayubi on Displacement, Food and Hope
Stories Behind The Story: James Colley & Christian White on Crime, Comedy and Their Kids
Stories Behind The Story: Bernice Barry on Historical Fiction, Botany and Writing
Stories Behind the Story: JP Pomare and Michael Robotham on Crime and Twists
Stories Behind the Story: J.A. Stevens on Disability and Writing Her First Book
Stories Behind the Story: Matt Stanton and Sarah Ayoub on Family and Kids Books
Stories Behind The Story: John M. Green on Writing, Editing and A.I.
Stories Behind The Story: Ian Kemish on Global Diplomacy and the Australian Economy
Stories Behind the Story: Michael Mohammed Ahmad on Community, Grief and Writing
Stories Behind The Story: Crime Special with Christian White & Tim Ayliffe
Stories Behind The Story: Joanna Nell and Ali Lowe on Families and Hard Work
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #12
Stories Behind The Story: Christian White on How His Daughter Changed His Writing
Stories Behind The Story: Rachel Perkins on Her Father, Colonisation and Australia's Future
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #11
Stories Behind The Story: Loubna Haikal on Heritage, Immigration and the Power of Cooking
Stories Behind the Story: Andrew Sloan on the Human Experience and the Future
Stories Behind The Story: Heather Rose on Inspiration, Writing Across Ages and Shifting Worldviews
Stories Behind The Story: Omar El Akkad on Truth & Ignorance, From Guantánamo to Gaza
Stories Behind The Story: Susan Wyndham on Elizabeth Harrower and a Life in Literature
Stories Behind The Story: Jessica Mansour-Nahra on Her Debut, Pregnancy and Creativity
Stories Behind The Story: Marika Sosnowski on Law, Creative Writing, and the Making of 58 Facets
Stories Behind The Story: Greg Haddrick on The Mushroom Murders and the Art of Storytelling
Stories Behind The Story: Chris Hammer on Journalism, Storytelling Craft and His Latest Thriller
Stories Behind the Story: Soren Tae Smith on Grief, Motherhood and Finding Solace in Storytelling
Stories Behind The Story: Tim Winton on Ningaloo, the Power of Nonfiction and His Creative Process
Stories Behind The Story: Garry Disher on Being an Aussie Author, Touring Germany, and What Makes the Hirsch Series Unique
Stories Behind The Story: Allison Rushby on Writing Across Genres, 25 Years of Storytelling, and the Journey to Slashed Beauties
Stories Behind The Story: Chris Hammer & Caroline Overington on Aussie Books and The Rise of Self-Publishing
Stories Behind The Story: Melina Marchetta & Tess Woods on Their Writing Journeys, Venice and Writing Different Genres
Stories Behind The Story: Jackson Harvey & Alex Towler on Building Big with LEGO®, Creative Collaboration, and Their Exhibition in Sydney
Stories Behind The Story: Lauren Chater & James Bradley on Being an Artist and the Impacts of the Pandemic
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 9: Megan Kelleher
Stories Behind The Story: Michael Robotham & Dinuka McKenzie on the art of crafting interesting characters
Stories Behind The Story: Jacqueline Harvey & Kristin Darell on how they got into the publishing industry
Stories Behind The Story: Caoilinn Hughes & Bri Lee on the differences between young and older readers
Stories Behind The Story: January Gilchrist on Writing Beginnings, Blue Mountains Adventures, and Finding Her Voice at a Retreat
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 8: Cheryl Leavy
Stories Behind The Story: Karen Brooks on Brewing, Her Writing Journey and Bringing History to Life Through Fiction
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 7: Marly Wells
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 6: Joshua Gilbert
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 5: Wanda Gibson
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 4: Lenora Thaker
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 3: Natalia Figueroa Barroso
Stories Behind The Story: Fiona McKenzie Kekic on Turning Real-Life Experience and Industry Sexism into Page-Turning Fiction
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 2: Steve MinOn
Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 1: Luke Patterson
Stories Behind The Story: Jenny Ashcroft on How Real-Life Anonymous Letter Scandals Shaped Her Narrative
Stories Behind The Story: Michael Robotham on His 19th Book, Publishing Challenges and Bringing His Books to Screen
Stories Behind The Story: Rachel Paris on How Power Imbalances and Toxic Masculinity Have Influenced Her Writing
Stories Behind The Story: Angie Faye Martin on How Her Aboriginal Heritage Influenced Her Debut
Stories Behind The Story: Marian Keyes on Finding Joy, Feminism and Recovery Through Writing
Stories Behind The Story: Madeleine Cleary on Dedication and Teamwork Behind Crafting Compelling Narratives
Stories Behind The Story: Omar Sakr on How Art Can Serve as Both Witness and Weapon
Stories Behind The Story: Andrew HC McDonald on His Love for Languages
Stories Behind The Story: Cassie Hamer on How Her Background and Life Experiences Shape Her Fiction
Stories Behind The Story: Isabel Allende on Being Honoured with a Barbie Tribute
Stories Behind The Story: Natasha Lester on Balancing Creativity with The Demands of Daily Life
Stories Behind The Story: Renee Salt and Kate Thompson on the Importance of Sharing Stories to Honour the Past
Stories Behind The Story: Patricia Wolf on How the Australian Landscape Becomes a Character in Her Latest Book
Stories Behind The Story: Jessie Burton on How Storytelling is a Compulsion and an Artistic Escape
Stories Behind The Story: Andrea Thompson on The Challenges of Embracing her Identity and Finding Her Voice
Stories Behind The Story: Amy Matthews on Her Journey Through Historical Romance and Romantic Comedies
Stories Behind The Story: Ronni Salt on The Power of Social Media in Connecting with Readers
Stories Behind The Story: Emily Paull on the Importance of Authentic Historical Details
Stories Behind The Story: Mary-Lou Stephens on Her Journey From Radio to Writing
Stories Behind The Story: Ashley Kalagian Blunt on How Illness Has Shaped Her Creative Practice
Stories Behind The Story: Kate Horan on the challenges of getting published and the rapid success of her book deal.
Stories Behind The Story: Petronella McGovern & Margaret Hickey on growing up in small rural towns
Stories Behind The Story: Rachael Johns and Belinda Alexandra on overcoming bad reviews and the intense pressure of deadlines
Stories Behind The Story: Tim Ayliffe and Anna Downes on Being an Actor and a Journalist
Stories Behind The Story: Michael Connelly and Candice Fox Talk About Their First Encounter in a New York City Bar
Stories Behind The Story: Sara Haddad on Storytelling as Resistance and the Crisis in Palestine
Stories Behind The Story: Penelope Janu on the Evolving Opportunities for Women in Literature
Stories Behind The Story: Rose Carlyle on the delicate balance between creative expression and commercial expectations.
Stories Behind The Story: Helen Garner on Writing, Age and The Seasons
Stories Behind The Story: Lainie Anderson on Kate Cookson's life as South Australia's first female police officer
Stories Behind The Story: Kathy George on the Balance Between Family Life and Creativity
Stories Behind The Stories: David Whish-Wilson on His Journey from a Nomadic Childhood to a Successful Crime Novelist
Stories Behind The Story: Tess Woods on on how tourism continues to strain Venice
Stories Behind The Story: Christian White on the importance of trusting readers to engage actively with his stories
Stories Behind The Story: Dr. Emma Beckett on the challenges of breaking free from the restrictive narratives of diet culture.
Stories Behind The Story: Tim Winton on the connections between the personal struggles in his stories and real-world issues.
Stories Behind The Story: Michael Connelly on Witnessing a Crime to Becoming a Crime Novelist
Stories Behind The Story: Hasib Hourani on The Displacement and Dispossession of the Palestinian People
A Decade of Stories: Celebrating 10 Years of Better Reading
Stories Behind The Story: Josh Bornstein on Corporate Power and the Fight for Free Speech
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #10
Stories Behind The Story: Genevieve Gannon On The Importance Of Community-Based Journalism
Stories Behind The Story: Harriet Constable and Her Commitment to Crafting a Narrative That Brings the Past to Life
Stories Behind The Story: Nick Bryant on The Complex Interplay Between Politics and Society In The U.S.A.
Stories Behind the Story: Danielle Binks on the importance of reading without making it feel like a chore
Stories Behind the Story: Mitch Wallis on fostering meaningful and empathetic conversations
Stories Behind The Story: Briony Stewart on the special place children's literature holds in shaping young minds
Stories Behind The Story: Michael Robotham on Celebrating 20 Years of Writing and the Connections that Shaped His Career
Stories Behind The Story: J.P. Pomare on the validation process through publishing
Stories Behind The Story: Louise Candlish on the triumphs of being a long-standing author
Stories Behind the Story: Andrew Caillard on the Evolution of the Australian Wine Industry.
Stories Behind The Story: Linwood Barclay on the pressures of sustaining success in the literary world
Stories Behind The Story: Amy Neff on Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life
Stories Behind The Story: Anna Johnston on Humanising Older Adults Through Storytelling
Stories Behind The Story: Jane Sullivan on The Evolution of Journalism and the Representation of Women in Literature
Stories Behind The Story: Caroline Overington on the evolving landscape of Australian literature
Stories Behind The Story: Tim Sharp on Navigating Happiness and Growth
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #9
Stories Behind The Story: Stella Quinn on Her Inspirations From Real-Life Events and Characters
Stories Behind The Story: Jake Adelstein on Working in Japan and His Career Trajectory as a Journalist
Stories Behind the Story: Julia Lawrinson on The Unconventional Relationships and Identity Exploration
Stories Behind The Story: Francesca de Tores on Unveiling Gender Identity Through Historical Fiction
Stories Behind The Story: Rachel Treasure on The Transformative Power of Literature in Advocating for Change
Stories Behind The Story: Jo Peck on Embracing New Beginnings Later in Life.
Stories Behind The Story: Lauren Chater on the allure of historical fiction and the inspiration behind timeless human experiences
Stories Behind The Story: Isabel Allende on the power of reading and the impact of bullying on children.
Stories Behind the Story: Lisa Medved on art, travel and writing historical fiction
Stories Behind the Story: Nat's What I Reckon on mental health, cooking and how quickly life can change
Stories Behind the Story: Catherine Doyle on merging fantasy with real-world themes
Stories Behind the Story: Petronella McGovern on memories and her mother's influence on her writing journey
Stories Behind the Story: Ariane Beeston on motherhood, madness and coming back from the brink
Stories Behind the Story: Barbara Sumner on the forgotten female convicts of colonial Australia
Stories Behind the Story: Venita Dimos on the vital skills children learn through reading
Stories Behind the Story: Garry Disher on his unique approach to crime fiction
Stories Behind the Story: Geoffrey Robertson on The Trial of Vladimir Putin
Stories Behind the Story: Diane Armstrong on what makes historical fiction personal
Stories Behind the Story: Bradley Trevor Greive on how we find our way back from tragedy
BE Better: Tim Duggan on how to Work Backwards
Stories Behind the Story: Sarah Bailey on how she reconnected with her love of writing
Stories Behind the Story: Jackie French on hearing what wombats have to say
BE Better: Simone Callahan on Growing with Grace
Stories Behind the Story: Vikki Wakefield on the craft of writing across genres
BE Better: Gyan Yankovich on Just Friends
Stories Behind the Story: James Norbury on Big Panda and Tiny Dragon being an audiobook
Stories Behind the Story: Trish Bolton on ageism, grief and the lives of older women
Stories Behind the Story: Glenna Thomson on writing complex family dynamics
Stories Behind the Story: Rachael Johns on editing, publishing and a change of direction
Stories Behind the Story: Jane Tara on getting older and being visible
BE Better: Jodi Rodgers on being Unique
Conversations from the Vault: Julia Baird: on winning the ABIA Book of the Year
Stories Behind the Story: Simone Amelia Jordan on being Australia's most successful hip-hop journalist
Conversations from the Vault: Tom Keneally on exploring rural Australia through fiction
Stories Behind the Story: Simon Rowell on good dogs and oil rigs
Stories Behind the Story: Kemper Donovan on Agatha Christie, Scriptwriting and Podcasting
BE Better: Lizzie Williamson on The Active Workday Advantage
Stories Behind the Story: Victoria Vanstone on how sobriety changed her life
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Jack Heath
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Shelley Burr
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Josephine Moon
Stories Behind the Story: Elizabeth Coleman on what makes a good mystery
Stories Behind the Story: Kate Ceberano on what inspires, humbles, hurts and sustains her
Stories Behind the Story: Sarah Barrie on juggling biker gangs with farm life
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: James Colley
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Jodi McAlister
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Esmé Louise James
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Kate Mildenhall
Book Chat: Listen to our Christmas episode with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington
Stories Behind the Story: Joanna Nell on retirement and ageing gracefully
Stories Behind the Story: Tony Birch on surviving domestic violence, writing and family
Lina Jebeile: on food, culture and Lebanese cuisine
BE Better: Sydel Sierra on her own Metamorphosis
Stories Behind the Story: Amal Awad on the experience of migrant women
Stories Behind the Story: Richard Osman on old-school mystery novels and ageing
BE Better: David Michie on meditation and The Dalai Lama’s Cat
Stories Behind the Story: Jess McGeachin on growing up in a museum
Stories Behind the Story: Matt Preston on the food that shapes us
BE Better: Tom Cronin on meditation
Rachelle Unreich: on the brilliant life of her mother
Chris Hammer: on journalism, crime, and how his writing has evolved
Antony Loewenstein: on the escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict
Trent Dalton: on finding light in the darkest of places
Bryan Brown: on his legendary career, from acting to writing
Murder and Mystery: A Crime Author Panel
Robyn Davidson: on trekking across 1700 miles of the Australian Outback
Tea Cooper: on uncovering the history of Mrs Greenway
Katrina Strickland: on The Good Weekend and the power of memoirs
Melissa Ashley: on giving a voice to forgotten women in history
BE Better: Esmé Louise James on Kinky History
Tara Wigley: on simplifying recipes for everyday cooks
Levi Pinfold: on Harry Potter, illustrating and picture books
BE Better: Kaz Cooke on menopause
Rachel Matthews: on the absurdity and challenges of modern dating
Tricia Stringer: on setting her new novel on The Ghan
BE Better: Penny Moodie on OCD and The Joy Thief
Clare Fletcher: on journalism, rom-coms and writing
Heather Morris: on the forgotten women of WWII
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #8
Mariah Sweetman: on being inspired by the fastest man in Australia (her great-great grandfather)
Zeno Sworder: on illustrating the story of his parents' migrant experience
BE Better: Dr Tara Swart on The Source
Kelly Rimmer: on the WWII spies that inspired The Paris Agent
Leigh Sales: on the power of telling other people's stories
BE Better: Rachael Coopes on Paris for Beginners
Lucy Leonardi: on food waste and becoming Food Wise
Sasha Wasley: on the league of photographers that inspired Snapshots from Home
Melanie Saward: on exploring the cycle of intergenerational trauma
Shelley Burr: on the challenges of writing her second book
Martin Flanagan: on his harrowing boarding school experience
Kate Mildenhall: on exploring all aspects of womanhood
Charles Prouse: On the Voice to Parliament
Scott Bennett: on the soldier that inspired him to write fiction
Karen Brooks: on bringing history to life
Vanessa McCausland: on what it means to dream in French
Roger Simpson: on how characters evolve over time
Emily Perkins: on identity, visibility and feminism
Dianne Yarwood: on the near-death experience that inspired her debut
Alli Parker: on Australia's first Japanese war bride
Ben Mckelvey: on trauma, change and resilience
Mark Brandi: on small-town life, poverty and class
BE Better: Kerri Sackville on The Secret Life of You
Nicole Madigan: on the disturbing phenomenon of stalking
Ayesha Inoon: on the cultural differences that shape identity
BE Better: Amanda Thompson on Financially Fit Women
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #7
Anna Funder: on feminism, marriage and Wifedom
BE Better: Bec Wilson on How to Have an Epic Retirement
Megan Rogers: on the beautiful messiness of midlife
Fiona Lowe: on the Ponzi scheme that inspired her novel
BE Better: Kate Christie on The Life List
Isabel Allende: on exploring the relationship between mother and child
BE Better: Melissa Levi reminds us that We Need to Talk About Ageing
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #6
Susan Paterson: on exploring the power of art in her debut novel
James Comey: on the FBI, mob trials and writing crime
BE Better: Paul McKenna on Finding Freedom from Anxiety
Naima Brown: on exploring the dark side of reality TV
BE Better: Belinda Alexandra on being Emboldened
Nilima Rao: on exploring her cultural identity through fiction
BE Better: Sandra Radice on Our Green Change: A Journey to Green School, Bali & Beyond
Antony Loewenstein: on writing The Palestine Laboratory
Lisa Barr: on her transition from journalist to writer
BE Better: Helen Jacobs on how to Follow Your Heart
Josephine Moon: on her inspiring journey to publication
Stuart Black: on the abuse of corporate power
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #5
BE Better: Wim Hof on The Wim Hof Method
Jennifer Saint: on redefining Greek mythology
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #4
Tim Winton: on his body of work and ABC nature series, Ningaloo Nyinggulu
Markus Zusak: on how The Book Thief changed his life
BE Better: Caitlin Cady on The Hope Dealer
Armando Lucas Correa: on the rise of translated fiction
Candice Fox: on the success of her novels
BE Better: Gretchen Rubin on living Life in Five Senses
Loraine Peck: on criminal ex-husbands and writing courses
Brad Walls: on capturing the beauty of pools
BE Better: Dr Ahona Guha on complex trauma
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #3
Samantha Shannon: on the intricacies of modern fantasy
BE Better: Kath Koschel on Kindness
Nicci French: on balancing writing as husband and wife
Rae Cairns: on the dangerous research process for her novel
BE Better: Georgie Collinson on The Anxiety Reset Method
Sally Colin-James: on the plane crash that changed her life
Margaret Simons: on the process of writing a biography
Pip Williams: on expanding the world of A Dictionary of Lost Words
Toni Jordan: on the popularity of women's fiction
Louise Candlish: on the evolution of her writing
Alexandra Collier: on navigating motherhood alone
Ali Lowe: on shifting from journalism to writing fiction
Jackie French: on the similarities between adults and children's fiction
Charlene Carr: on IVF, motherhood and identity
Kate Legge: on Infidelity and Other Affairs
Rosemary Kariuki: on advocating for migrant women and refugees
Cassandra Austin: on moving from writing to ceramics
Bebe Backhouse: on poetry and self-discovery
Emilia Hart: on the Pendle Witch Trials
Mercedes Maguire: on the billion dollar romance fiction industry
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #2
Shannon Molloy: on being a voice for sexual abuse survivors
Penelope Janu: on her passion for writing romance
Olivia Wearne: on the policewomen of 1940s Australia
Nikki Mottram: on how working as a child protection officer inspired her debut novel
Book Chat: with Cheryl Akle and Caroline Overington – episode #1
Bonnie Garmus: on 98 rejections and her bestselling debut
Peter Doyle: on the crimes that shaped Sydney
Rebecca Heath: on exploring class and grief in The Summer Party
Ellidy Pullin: on deciding to have her late husband's child
Pip Drysdale: on how different cities influence her writing
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Rachael Johns
Tom Keneally: on the life and exploits of Irish patriot John Mitchel
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Chris Flynn
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Michael Moseley
Nat's What I Reckon: on how cooking changed his life
Michelle Johnston: on finding stories in everyday situations
What Are You Reading? Summer Edition: Caroline Overington
Roger Simpson: on adaptation, television and why he's drawn to crime
Fiona Palmer: on the town that inspired The Wrong Sister
Behrouz Boochani: on his 6 years on Manus Island
Nikki Crutchley: on why psychological thrillers need a killer setting
Sami Bayly: on her love of the natural world
Christine Courtenay: on the life and legacy of Bryce Courtenay
Sally Thorne: on what the rise of BookTok means for authors
Sean Wilson: on transitioning from playwright to author
Judy Nunn: on writing short stories
Belinda Alexandra: on blending historical fact with fiction
Amaryllis Gacioppo: on identity, belonging and finding a home
Janet Evanovich: on writing Stephanie Plum
Paddy Manning: on the high-stakes life of Lachlan Murdoch
Kathy Reichs: on writing Temperance Brennan
Sloane Crosley: on satirising modern dating
Natasha Lester: on fashion, France and historical fiction
Dominique Roques: on his worldwide search for perfumes
Kayte Nunn: on the haunting crime that inspired The Only Child
Philippa Gregory: on writing women back into history
Victoria Hannan: on the ripple effects of grief
Booker Prize-winning author George Saunders: on his first short story collection in 10 years
Tea Cooper: on butterflies, teaching and historical fiction
Melissa Doyle: on learning to be brave
Craig Silvey: on exploring the bonds between dogs and humans
Reece Carter: on exploring darker themes in gothic children's fiction
Kate McCaffrey: on gender, identity and adult fiction
Sarah Schmidt: on parenthood and generational trauma
Julietta Henderson: on exploring sibling relationships in her writing
Anna Kent: on working as a midwife in developing countries
Tracey Lien: on journalism, identity, and growing up in Cabramatta
Aaron Fa'Aoso: on being Torres Strait Islander and representation in the media
Susan White: on systematic misogyny in the hospital system
Antoinette Lattouf: on starting conversations about diversity
Zoulfa Katouh: on giving a voice to young Syrian women
Andy McNab: on his career from SAS soldier to bestselling author
Clare Fletcher: on rural weddings bringing communities together
Nigel Marsh: on being Smart, Stupid & Sixty
J.M. Miro: on escapism in fantasy fiction
Claire G. Coleman: on the connection between culture and writing
Emma Harcourt: on writing women back into history
Denis Knight and Cristy Burne: on co-writing Wednesday Weeks
Larry Emdur: on being Happy As
Lisa Barr: on using fiction to give voice to women
Margaret Hickey: on the rise of Australian rural crime fiction
Julie Fison: on alcohol-fuelled violence and coward punches
Richard McHugh: on his career from barrister to writer
Ruth Ozeki: on winning the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction
Matthew Spencer: on using his unusual childhood home in his debut novel
Helen Thomas: on Melbourne's most notorious cold case
Tim Winton: on 40 years of storytelling
Brendan Colley: on writing as a solace
Indira Naidoo: on using writing to explore grief
Helen Fitzgerald: on social work and writing
Geraldine Brooks: In conversation with the Pulitzer Prize winner
Nicole Haddow: on ethically growing your wealth
Mykaela Saunders: on First Nations speculative fiction
David Knoff: on surviving 537 days stranded in Antarctica
Luke Mathers: on changing curious habits
Michael Robotham: on the golden age of Australian crime fiction
Melissa Fu: on the importance of place and identity in Fiction
Diane Armstrong: on her experience as a child holocaust survivor
Caroline Petit: on giving women a voice in historical fiction
Robbi Neal: on cancer, family and overcoming hardship
Carrie Cox: on marriage, love and loss
Annabel Abbs: on why we need more food in fiction
Catherine Deveny: on honesty, dyslexia and being an ‘arts tradie’
Averil Kenny: on her deep connection to rural life
Stella Rimington: on her experience as Director General of MI5
Brigid Kemmerer: on the fantasy genre boom
Liane Moriarty: on bestselling novels and award-winning TV shows
Judy Cotton: on Art, New York and the constant longing for home
Jon Faine: on the Mighty Apollo and Thelma Hawkes
Alix Bradfield: on growing older, well
Damon Galgut: on exploring the complexities of South Africa in his writing
Kylie Moore-Gilbert: on how she survived 804 days in an Iranian Prison
Chloe Hooper: on the power of bedtime stories
Sheila O'Flanagan: on loss, grief, and accepting change
Shelley Burr: on her award-winning crime debut WAKE
Lauren Chater: on the gown that inspired The Winter Dress
Better Reading Book Chat: Who made the 2022 Top 100?
Better Reading Top 100: Craig Silvey: on the books that shaped his childhood
Beth O'Leary: on why she loves writing romance
Eliza Hull: on breaking the stigma around disability
Emma A. Jane: on breaking the silence surrounding sexual abuse and mental illness
Toni Jordan: on science, writing, and Barbie dolls
Emma Viskic: on writing a deaf detective
Steve Toltz: on why fear is a big part of his writing
Julie Bennett: on how her love of opera influenced her writing
Sarah Di Lorenzo: on her passion for overhauling the health of her clients
Kate Thompson: on the importance of libraries and storytelling
Jonathan Butler: on the unsolved murder of Warwick Meale
Karin Tanabe: on how she's always been a storyteller
V. E. Schwab: on fantasy and escapism
Jamar J. Perry: on writing diverse characters in children's books
Robert Gold: on publishing, crime fiction and working with James Patterson
Joanna Buckley: on dementia and dying with dignity
Paul Callaghan: on how Indigenous thinking can change your life
Jana Firestone: on why we should embrace change
Dinuka McKenzie: on diversity in crime fiction
Isabel Allende: on the inspiration for Violeta
Lizzie Pook: on the dark history behind Australia's pearling industry
S.J. Norman: on the importance of diversity in writing
Nita Prose: on her career as an editor
Imogen Crimp: on opera, feminism and storytelling
2021 Highlights: Rick Morton: on complex PTSD and rediscovering love
Ethan Kross: on harnessing the voice in our heads
2021 Highlights: Michael Mohammed Ahmad: on being Lebanese-Australian and reclaiming Arab humanity
Johann Hari: on why we're losing our ability to focus
Miriam Margolyes: on her extraordinary life story
2021 Highlights: Cathy Kelly: on journalism, perspective, and how her writing has evolved
Charlotte Wood: on what art and artists teach us
2021 Highlights: Stan Grant: on western liberalism and the state of the world
2021 Highlights: Monica Dux: on Catholicism and her lapsed faith
Fleur McDonald: on writing rural fiction
Berndt Sellheim: on the power of writing
Rebecca Herrmann: on the rise of audiobooks
Inga Simpson: on her treechange and opening a writer's retreat
Morris Gleitzman: on ending his popular Once series
Ann Patchett: reflecting on her life and career
Dinah Jefferies: on the influence living in Spain had on her writing career
Christos Tsiolkas: on how his cultural heritage has influenced his writing
Sara Foster: on the lack of maternal figures in dystopian fiction
Van Badham: on QAnon and the rise of conspiracy theorists
Garry Linnell: on one of Australia's most infamous serial killers
David Hunt: on exploring the crazy history of Australia
Lola Berry: on learning from failure
Anita Heiss: on the Aboriginal heroes of the Gundagai flood
Julie Kalman: on people smuggling and the criminalisation of refugees
Shane Jenek: on the genesis to Courtney Act
Jessie Burton: on retelling the story of Medusa
Kate Langbroek: on what the Italian way of life can teach us
Yumi Stynes: on breaking the stigma around women's mental and sexual health
James Han Mattson: on exploring social issues through horror fiction
Mimi Kwa: on exploring her family history
Tricia Stringer: on exploring female friendship in fiction
Karen Herbert: on how redundancy lead her to writing The River Mouth
Caroline Overington: on how she turned lockdown into a bestselling thriller
John Safran: on the smoking epidemic and the rise of vaping
Judy Nunn: on writing, theatre and showbusiness
Tom Keneally: on exploring rural Australia through fiction
Damien Cave: on how moving to Australia changed his relationship with risk
Brendan Cowell: on acting, writing and everything in between
Tim Ayliffe: on the rise of extremism in Australia
Cecelia Ahern: on how we are shaped by the people in our lives
Alison MacLeod: on the power of fiction
John M. Green: on publishing
Robyn Harding: on why readers are drawn to domestic thrillers
Thomas Mayo: on masculinity, love and culture
Catherine Steadman: on pulling back the curtain on show business
Lisa Millar: on overcoming her fear of flying
Jake Avila: on the diving trip that inspired Cave Diver
Kim Lock: on using writing as an outlet for anxiety
Karen Brooks: on challenging the male perspective of history
Dr Norman Swan: on the toll COVID has taken on our wellbeing
Imran Mahmood: on how a courtroom speech inspired his crime writing
John Doyle: on the life and career of the man behind Rampaging Roy Slaven
Hannah Bent: on inspiration, grief, and change
Pamela Hart: on cosy mysteries and home renovations
Kate Thwaites: on toxic culture in Australian Parliament
Nicola West: on setting a crime novel in her hometown
Sophie Green: on how her spiritual beliefs influence her writing
Zakiya Dalila Harris: on being a young black woman in the publishing industry
Kyle Perry: on overcoming the dreaded second book syndrome
James Phelps: on his research into the Australian prison system
Shannah Kennedy: on allowing ourselves to be happy with Plan B
Campbell Mattinson: on using writing to break down barriers of love and loss
Michael Mohammed Ahmad: on being Lebanese-Australian and reclaiming Arab humanity
Erina Reddan: on how her childhood inspired her fiction
Fiona McIntosh: on what makes a good crime novel
Jillian Cantor: on why she chose to write about Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie
Cassandra Austin: on feminism and how women's roles have changed
Julia Baird: on winning the ABIA Book of the Year
A.W Hammond: on researching and writing about moral grey areas in his WWII historical novel
Monica Dux: on Catholicism and her lapsed faith
Ruhi Lee: on overcoming her family's expectations
Mary-Anne O'Connor: on her work with women's shelters and researching women's suffrage
Kamalle Dabboussy: on his ongoing fight to free his daughter and grandchildren from the Islamic State
Cindy Solonec: on her rich cultural heritage
Yumiko Kadota: on being a female surgeon in a male-dominated industry
Kate Holden: on what really happened to Glen Turner
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 14
Kathy Reichs: on her career as a forensic anthropologist, crime writer and TV producer
Tori Haschka: on her love of food and how it influenced her first novel
Meredith Jaffé: on writing a book set in a men's prison
Dr Robert Isaacs: on bridging the divide between white and black Australia
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 13
Cathy Kelly: on journalism, perspective, and how her writing has evolved
Madeleine Ryan: on being diagnosed with autism while writing A Room Called Earth
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 12
Richard Flanagan: on the rotting underbelly of the Tasmanian salmon industry
Reverend Bill Crews: on twelve practical life lessons for the secular and spiritual alike
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 11
Christina Sweeney-Baird: on imagining a man-killing virus for The End of Men... before COVID-19
Book Chat: 2021 Better Reading Top 100
Adam Thompson: on Aboriginal heritage, muttonbirding and storytelling
Nikki Gemmell: on writing about Australia's dark history
Kate Foster: on raising a neurodiverse child
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 9
Nicola Moriarty: on growing up in a family of storytellers
Lisa Harding: on growing up around addiction and the power of escapism
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 8
George Saunders: on how writing can fundamentally change someone
Rick Morton: on complex PTSD and rediscovering love
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 7
Stan Grant: on western liberalism and the state of the world
Neil Mercer: on what happened to Trudie Adams
Katie McMahon: on how her love of medicine turned into a love of writing
Kirsty Everett: on how she survived cancer not once, but twice
Dr Sarah Woodhouse: on trauma and how to break free from it
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 6
Zoe Daniel: on America's chaotic political climate
Kathy George: on Namibia to Melbourne and more
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 5
Tana Douglas: on being the world's first female roadie and working with legends
C.J. Tudor: on interviewing movie stars and becoming an award-winning author
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 4
Janet Skeslien Charles: on the unusual woman who sparked her love of France
A.J. Gnuse: on writing short stories (before his six-figure deal novel)
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 3
Australian exclusive - Isabel Allende: on feminism, and approaching it joyfully and together
Abigail Dean: on making the New York Times bestseller list as a debut author
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 2
Kellie McCourt: on dyslexia and dropping out of university to become a poet
Gretel Killeen: on family, generational differences, and dementia
Alexandra Joel: on how women are held to a higher standard
Jacqui Jones: on building positive foundations for kids
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 1
Katherine Kovacic: on serial killers... and dogs
Maggie Hamilton: on why human connection is so essential
J. P. Pomare: on how Maori heritage influences his writing
Richard Osman: on TV, writing... and Steven Spielberg
Anita Abriel: on her extraordinary family history and why she decided to write about it
Kate Elizabeth Russell: on the sometimes fine line between coercion and seduction
Mary Li: on her love for her family and how it changed her career
Sue Brierley: on why she chose adoption and the challenges she faced
Ceridwen Dovey: on her multicultural upbringing and how her Harvard education shaped her writing
Greg Quicke: on stargazing and outback astronomy
Candida Baker: on communicating with horses
Sue Smethurst: on what sparked her career in journalism
Denise Leith: on her incredible experiences traveling through the Middle East
Garry Disher: on publishing his first book and how crime fiction has evolved
Jenny Hocking: on the Whitlam Government and the fight to release the infamous Palace Letters
Fiona McIntosh: on Champagne... the history, the industry and travelling to research a novel on it
William McInnes: on Christmas
Matthew McConaughey: on humour, values and Greenlights
Joanne Fedler: on the female experience and finding freedom over fifty
Monica McInerney: on releasing a book during Covid and how her childhood shaped her writing
Rebecca Higgie: on the importance of libraries and the romanticized idea of writing
Patrick Carlyon: on the Melbourne gangland killings and the city's dark history
Fiona O'Loughlin: on her religious upbringing and surviving alcoholism
Nigella Lawson: on why Cook, Eat, Repeat is the story of her life
Ben Pobjie: on life in comedy and how it shapes his writing
Dawn French: on her journey to writing and making lifelong friendships
Nick Bryant: on post election America and what we can expect from the results
Tania Blanchard: on telling her grandmother’s stories
Belinda Alexandra: on writing, publishing and resilience
Ronni Kahn: on growing up in South Africa and finding her ambition
Stan Walker: on overcoming a painful past and singing Cheryl a song
Paul Dalgarno: on polyamory and his journalism career
Bradley Trevor Greive: on meeting the Bloom family and telling their story
Fiona Palmer: on Speedway driving and rural living
Craig Silvey: on the books that shaped his childhood
Kate Mildenhall: on podcasts, writing and the fear of failure
Richard Flanagan: on unexpected tenderness and grateful wonder
Nick Bryant: on America's decline, Trump... and on getting COVID
Sue Miller: on observation, character and writing about something that terrifies her
Hazel Gaynor: on her unusual journey from self publishing to traditional publishing
Turia Pitt: on the small steps that lead to happiness
Christine Jackman: on how to find silence in a noisy world
Trent Dalton: on the private conversations we have with the sky
Kiley Reid: a look back at her podcast with us, recorded before her success with Such A Fun Age
David Sinclair Ph.D: on fasting, ageing, and a pill that will help you live longer
Allison Tait: on podcasts, writing and being a voracious reader as a child
Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage: on food, collaboration, their new cookbook FLAVOUR
Greg Woodland: on his journey from screenplay to novel
Hugh van Cuylenburg: on showing up for the present moment
Rose Carlyle: on her love of sailing and spending a year sailing around the Indian Ocean
John Wood: on how he clawed his way to the middle
Michael Robotham: on the science of lying and the inspiration behind his characters
Nat Amoore: on the importance of storytelling and how it affects kids
Anna Downes: on her colourful road to writing a bestselling debut thriller
Anstey Harris: on telling tall tales when the truth isn’t interesting enough
Kyle Perry: on mental health, social media and its effects on teens
Robyn Harding: on writing different genres, living in a small town, and the how we rely on the reading community.
Dr Randa Abdel Fattah: A Conversation about Diversity in Children’s Books #1
Maxine Beneba Clarke: A Conversation about Diversity in Children’s Books #2
Will Kostakis: A Conversation about Diversity in Children’s Books #3
Laura Bloom: A Conversation about Diversity in Children’s Books #4
Deborah Abela: A Conversation about Diversity in Children’s Books #5
Rachel Bin Salleh from Magabala Books: A Conversation about Diversity in Children’s Books #6
Tara June Winch revisited: on life, the land, and writing her Miles Franklin winning novel, The Yield
Julia Gillard: on Women and Leadership
Susan Allott: on Life in the UK and how Environment Shapes our Writing
Hayley Katzen: on finding her place in the world
Jacqueline Harvey: on why Reading is Important for Kids, and How to Make it fun for Them at Home
Chris Flynn: on the climate, science and the future of cloning
Dugald Bruce Lockhart: on acting, writing and being the son of a spy
Lisa Ireland: on giving older people a voice in her new novel
Melina Marchetta: on writing for a whole new age group
Peter Carey: The importance of story in troubling times #3
Patrick Ness: on how complacency is the death of creativity
Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley: on food, their collaboration... and the perfect hummus
Anna Funder: The importance of story in troubling times #2
Miranda Tapsell: life, performance and being a Top End Girl
Kate Grenville: The importance of story in troubling times #1
Tayla Harris: AFL, boxing and 'that' photo
Katherine Scholes: Africa, storytelling, and fictional pandemics
Sophie McNeill: The Middle East and why We Can't Say We Didn't Know
Pip Williams: how Dyslexia shaped her love of storytelling
Danielle Binks: fan fiction and a passion for books
Lauren Chater: on life, books and Gulliver's Wife
Malcolm Turnbull: politics, the environment and the Liberal Party
Jess Hill: 2020 Stella Prize winner on domestic abuse
Kelly Rimmer: nothing compares to when readers share their personal stories
Andrew Daddo Get Kids Reading: how to make reading fun
Caroline Overington: Missing William Tyrrell
Karina Kilmore: journalism to fiction and the tie between the two
Candice Fox: visiting prison in the name of research
Richard Denniss: the economic impact of COVID19
Julia Baird: things that sustain you when the world goes dark
Ruby Hamad: white women's tears
Charles Firth: The Chaser and beyond
Emily Maguire: feminism... and what it really looks like
Tea Cooper: boarding school to bestselling author
Adele Parks
Leah Purcell
Fiona Lowe
Dr Rupy Aujla
Melissa Ashley
Fiona Macintosh 2
Pip Drysdale
Garry Linnell
Bernadette Agius
Christian White
Darry Fraser
Jeff Sparrow
Katherine Johnson
Mary Moody
James Phelps
Jane Cockram
Dion Leonard
Kiley Reid
Blanche d'Alpuget
Christos Tsiolkas
Joy Rhoades
Tara Moss
Rachael Treasure
Jack Charles
Andrew Daddo
Tricia Stringer
Jane Sullivan
Michael Connelly
Elliot Perlman
Dr Richard Harris and Dr Craig Challen on the Thai Cave Rescue
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Tim Slee
Judy Nunn
Jono Lineen
Mem Fox
Diane Armstrong
Heather Morris
Sarah Barrie
Lucy Bloom
Paula Saunders
Mark Brandi
Benjamin Law
Adele Ferguson
Louise Milligan - Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell
Dave Glasheen
Kaneana May
Morris Gleitzman
Paullina Simons
Gabbie Stroud
Tara June Winch
The road to publication with Nikki Christer
Dialogue with Melina Marchetta
Research and setting with Candice Fox
Character building with Belinda Alexandra
Story and plot development with Dervla McTiernan
The writer with Trent Dalton
Armando Lucas Correa
Ava Benny-Morrison
Rebecca Hermann
Craig Ensor
Tess Woods
Tom Keneally
Christine Courtenay
Victoria Purman
Alli Sinclair
Megan Blandford
Leigh Straw #2
Meg Bignell
Janet Fife-Yeomans
Mikey Robins
Sally Rippin
Amanda Hampson
Paige Toon
Melina Marchetta
Alice Clark-Platts
James Delargy
Fatima Bhutto
Nicole Alexander
Felicity McLean
Susan Hurley
Minnie Darke
Kerry Tucker
Josephine Moon
Mary-Anne O'Connor
J.R. Lonie
Todd Alexander
Jacqueline Harvey
Chris Hammer
Amy Goldstein
Sulari Gentill
Zack McDermott
Toby Walsh
Tayari Jones
Kate Young
Kerri Turner
Fiona Lowe
Cassie Hamer
Dervla McTiernan
Brandy Scott
Ben Okri
Jackie French
Jennifer Spence
Michael Mosley
Literary Scandals and Hoaxes
Anna Funder
Carly Findlay
AJ Finn
Myffy Rigby