Late Night Live - Full program podcast

Saree Makdisi questions the perceptions by the West of Israel as a liberal democracy and Will Tosh questions whether William Shakespeare was gay, and does it really matter.

Bruce Shapiro on how Kamala Harris can turn the Trump campaign on its head, theoretical physicist Paul Davies says there's a lot to be gained from artificial intelligence - if we're mindful about how we use it and Simon Cleary on his walk down the Brisbane River.

Laura Tingle on the Opposition's renewed focus on Howard's battlers, Richard Ackland on whether Linda Reynolds should be suing Brittany Higgins over social media comments, and Antoni Gaudi - a bad-tempered genius, but was he a saint?

How much reform can we expect from the President of Iran while the Ayatollah Khomeini is still the Supreme Leader. How many countries can your passport get you access to? Passports provide freedom to cross borders but that freedom comes at a price.

France remains in limbo while deciding on a new Prime Minister and historian Joan Beaumont takes us to the war graves on the island of Ambon and asks how should we commemorate those that died in war now and into the future.

Will British PM Keir Starmer be able to restore faith in politics in the UK? And who will the Tories choose as their next leader? Plus the little told story of the nurses who cared for, and advocated for, AIDS patients, when most people were afraid of them.

Laura Tingle on which laws the Albanese government hasn't been able to get through parliament, Bruce Shapiro on the impact of the Trump assassination attempt on the upcoming election, plus the secret plan to unravel the French submarine deal.

The young Rupert Murdoch was a radical who espoused socialism, kept a bust of Lenin in his uni accommodation and then went on to build his empire from 1950s Adelaide.  Walter Marsh is a journalist and author of Young Rupert - the making of the Murdoch empire,  published by Scribe.

Lara Marlowe reflects on the life and work of her late partner, the great English writer and journalist Robert Fisk in her memoir Love In A Time Of War: My Years with Robert Fisk.  And Azar Nafisi, Iranian-American writer and professor of English literature believes we need to read dangerously in order to resist the populist and polarising impulses of contemporary politics. Her book is called Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times

The brilliance of Elena Kats-Chernin was first discovered when she was only four years old and from that moment she has been unable to imagine a life without composing music. She's since forged an international career as a composer across a huge range of genres. Elena even scored our LNL opening theme! In 2019 she was awarded an Order of Australia for her distinguished service to music as a composer. First broadcast in 2019.

One of Australia's most beloved performers, Magda Szubanski, star of Kath & Kim, Fast Forward and films including Babe and Goddess, talks to Phillip about her life and her extraordinary 'mongrel family history', which includes Irish, Polish, Italian and Scottish backgrounds.  This was first broadcast in 2013.

'The Big Fella', Jack Lang, twice premier of NSW, was one of Australia's most controversial politicians and loved and hated with a visceral intensity. During the Great Depression he was dismissed from office by the NSW Governor for refusing to repay interest on Commonwealth loans. He was expelled from the Labor party in 1942 and re-admitted in 1971 with the support of his young protégé, Paul Keating.  Paul Keating, former Labor prime minister, and Frank Cain, historian. First broadcast on November 17, 2005.

The Whitlam era saw a great leap forward for women's rights in Australia, driven by Women’s Adviser Elizabeth Reid and a host of female activists, backed by a grass roots movement across the country. Their work is recognised in a book released to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of Reid’s appointment.  Guests: - Dr Elizabeth Reid, former Women's Adviser to Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, feminist development worker, academic and writer. - Michelle Arrow, Professor in Modern History at Macquarie University and editor of 'Women and Whitlam: Revisiting the Revolution,' published by New South Books. - Ranuka Tandan from the Whitlam Institute's Public Affairs Team. First broadcast in 2023.

Phillip and best-selling Chilean author Isabel Allende explores how feminism has shaped her life over the past seven decades. Originally broadcast in 2021. Mathematician Keith Devlin from Stanford University is on a crusade to get the world to recognise Fibonacci as the man who introduced Hindu-Arabic numbers to the West. Originally broadcast in 2017.

In Phillip Adams' last Late Night Live, Laura Tingle turns the tables and interviews Phillip. They discuss how the political conversations and media landscape has changed since Phillip started at the ABC back in 1991, and what his hopes are for Australia. You can also watch this interview on I-View by clicking here. Host: Laura Tingle, Chief Political Correspondent, 7.30 Guest: Phillip Adams, host of Late Night Live

Naomi Klein on doppelgangers, conspiracy theories and getting mistaken for Naomi Wolf. Plus Philosopher Peter Singer's advice on how we can make our lives worth living by making the right choices.

In Phillip's last show with his regular contributors, Laura Tingle, Bruce Shapiro and Ian Dunt look at the release of Julian Assange,  the importance of the AUKUS alliance, and the big stories they have covered over their many years on the little wireless program.  Guests:  Laura Tingle, Chief Political Correspondent, 7.30 Bruce Shapiro, contributing editor with The Nation magazine; Executive Director of the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University Ian Dunt, Columnist with the “I” newspaper.

Phillip Adams is joined by comrades Frank Bongiorno, Jon Piccini and Meredith Burgmann for a romp through the history of the political left in Australia and an assessment of what's left of the left today.

Simon Winchester has appeared on Late Night Live many times over the years to discuss his bestselling books. Now he and Phillip discuss Simon's own phenomenal life - from entering boarding school in England at the age of 4 to having his beehives in Massachusetts raided by bears.

Art historian Ben Lewis'  new book The Last Leonardo: The secret lives of the world's most expensive painting.John Connell reflects on life as a shepherd in rural Ireland.

Ian Dunt on whether Nigel Farage’s Reform party could take a big chunk out of the conservative vote in the upcoming UK election. Plus Wade Davis on how anthropology can help us deal with the many problems we face as a human species.

Laura Tingle discusses the highs and lows of the Chinese Premier's visit - and what it really means for Australia. Then Phillip's successor David Marr makes a surprise appearance, and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney joins Phillip for a frank conversation about her life and reconciliation after the Voice referendum.

In his new book, George Monbiot says the trend towards neoliberalism began in the 1930s, and has so dominated the political narrative that its now seen as the natural way of things. So as the far-right once again marches to power, is this moment a political tipping point in the direction of fascism? And can this be reversed before the planet reaches its own ecological tipping point?

Geoffrey Watson SC had high hopes for the new National Anti-Corruption Commission, but its first decision on Robodebt has left him disappointed. Nicholas Thomas looks back on the life of celebrated artist Paul Gauguin and tries to answer the question about whether you can separate the artist from his work.

Bruce Shapiro gives his analysis of the peace deal that has the support of the UN Security Council, but still has not got approval from Israel and Hamas. Jonathan Schroeder tells the story of a fugitive slave from America, John S Jacobs,  who managed to publish his anti-slavery treatise in a Sydney based journal back in 1855.

Kay Kinane was a school-teacher from Perth who went on to become Deputy Director of the ABC’s Education Department in the 1960s – the first woman to hold such a position. And she did it with cheek, determination, and a remarkable eye on the future of broadcasting.

Iran has shown remarkable restraint in responding to Israel's attacks on Gaza. Professor Ali Ansari says the country is not only caught up in internal issues following the death of its president, but also has a long and not well-known connection with the Jewish community. Plus, how acting quickly on pulling methane from the atmosphere could make a difference to climate change.

Narendra Modi has won his third successive election in India, but journalist Atul Dev tells the backstory of his feared and influential wingman, Amit Shah. And author Regan Penaluna tells the story of some of the women philosophers whose names should be better known - like Mary Astell.

Ian Dunt on the first fortnight of the UK election campaign, how Mexico's new President, Claudia Sheinbaum, will take on its machismo culture and thirty years after its discovery, how the Wollemi pine is coping with modernity.

7:30's Chief Political Correspondent Laura Tingle is back with Phillip to discuss the latest immigration scandal to shake up politics, and historians Michelle Arrow and Leigh Boucher look at Australia's long fight for equality on the basis of sexuality and gender, from the 1970's to today.

Anne Applebaum on the connections between Russian and Chinese autocrats and the Trump Republicans seeking to discredit liberalism. Plus how Joseph Stalin secretly organised to evacuate 12,000 Greek communists after the Greek Civil War, and send them to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Jane Goodall is most well know for her work with chimpanzees in Tanzania, but she is currently in Australia explaining why she has hope for the climate. Michela Wrong has been researching the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and questions why the west continues to support him.

In Bruce Shaprio’s America, Donald Trump’s hush money trial is almost over and what’s going on with the upside- down US flag? Exiled activist Ma Thida on Myanmar’s civil war.

Bernard Keane looks at how the government is navigating the challenges of reconciliation, hate speech, the war in Gaza and the path to net zero. Plus Clive Hamilton asks why Australia accepts says the privileges enjoyed by the rich and powerful - which he says cause widespread harm.

In Jordan both the royal family and Palestinian Jordanians are protesting the war in Gaza, but Jordan's reliance on Israeli water is becoming a political obstacle to further action. And philosopher AC Grayling thinks we need to turn our attention to ownership disputes not on earth, but on the moon.

Anastasia Taylor-Lind and Alisa Sopova met covering the war in Donetsk back in 2014. Since then they have captured the every day lives of people living close to the frontline. Aaron Bateman traces the history of global connection from radio to modern day undersea cables.

Stella Assange on what the latest court win means for Julian Assange, Ian Dunt assesses the initial pitches from Labor and the Conservatives in the election campaign and Nabila Ramdani busts a few myths about what France is really like, and how it should be fixed.

7:30's Chief Political Correspondent Laura Tingle unpacks Peter Dutton's Budget reply speech. Then, a new strain of bird flu is wreaking havoc across the world; what's the risk to Australia? And finally we re-join national Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek in Georgia, 12 years into his Out of Eden walk.

Annie Jacobsen describes in chilling detail the steps that might lead to nuclear war and Mark Rank explains why some people are more vulnerable to the vagaries of luck and randomness than others.

Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robinson on whether the international community is equipped to respond to war crimes being committed in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. He also speculates on what would happen to Julian Assange, should he be extradited to the United States. Plus Boyan Slat, Dutch inventor and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, on their quest to rid the oceans of plastic.

The conservative think tank - the Heritage Foundation - has issued a policy manifesto for 2025. Bruce Shapiro and Emma Shortis give their analysis. Flooding, failing dams and melting Siberian permafrost are causing real issues for water quality in Russia. Can Putin take his eye off the war to deal with critical domestic issues like water?

Laura Tingle previews the federal budget and whether Labor can manage to navigate burgeoning cost demands in defence, housing and health and the need to bring down inflation. Plus what do Israel, Mexico and Israel have in common? David Adler from the Reactionary International reveals the shadowy networks helping helping governments to spy on their citizens, their adversaries, and their friends.

The Pacific has the world’s lowest rate of women’s representation in Parliament, but local women are working to change that, with some innovative - but contentious - approaches to elections. And Australia's leading social psychologist Hugh Mackay is nearly ninety. His latest book examines our society today and asks timely and urgent questions about its future.

Japanese Philosopher Kohei Saito makes the case for degrowth communism as the radical transformation required to save our planet. Roger Pulvers looks to the past to understand the future of Australia's relationship with Japan.

Ian Dunt reports on the recent UK council elections and how the Tory Party are trying to spin the disastrous results. The uses and abuses of diplomatic asylum in Latin America, and Robyn Davidson shares how she ended up having such a nomadic life including her trek across Australia.

7:30's Chief Political Correspondent Laura Tingle on the government's response to the impending ground invasion in Rafah, and what's coming up in the federal budget. Plus, Austin Frerick on the rich, powerful and occasionally corrupt corporate giants who control what we eat.

Lorraine and Shaan Peeters are helping to heal the stolen generations and their families with their organisation Marumali. Plus a new book by Susan Wyndham and Brigitta Olubas called "Hazzard and Harrower: The Letters" tells an extraordinary account of two literary luminaries, their complex relationship and the times they lived in.

Johann Hari explains the health risks and rewards of the new weight loss drugs and looks at the causes of the high demand for these drugs in the affluent west. Brendan Kennedy argues for water rights for native title owners in the Murray Darling Basin.

Bruce Shapiro reports on the latest from the student protests at Columbia University and Satyajit Das shares the conflicting emotions he feels about the amazing wildlife he has seen on his travels and his concerns for their future.

7:30's Chief Political Correspondent Laura Tingle reflects on a weekend of powerful protests denouncing violence against women. Then, Australian writer James Bradley makes an impassioned plea to save our oceans and the awesome creatures who live there.

Two historians remember those who served in the First World War. Ross McMullin delves deep into lives of three outstanding individuals; each so full of promise, but tragically, their potential would never be realised. Melanie Oppenheimer considers the overlooked role and contribution of women in the mostly male mythologies of the ANZACs.

About a year ago, longtime friends lawyer Hiba Husseini and former politician Yossi Beilin released a plan to lay the groundwork for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Plus a documentary on a surprising Anzac history on the Greek island of Lemnos.

Ian Dunt laments the passing of the Rwanda Bill in Westminster which will allow the deportation of immigrants who arrive by boat to Rwanda. Classicist Natalie Haynes reveals why the Greek goddesses have been much maligned and misunderstood.

The transformation of Germany over the last 80 years has been something of a marvel. It’s gone from a shattered guilt-ridden pariah of a country to a bastion of democracy and Europe’s fiscal hero. So how did this metamorphosis occur? Can it be continued in the post-Merkel era? Historian Frank Trentmann joins us to answer these questions, and more. Plus, Laura Tingle examines the PM's trip to Kokoda, and why the Opposition has changed its tune on government powers to regulate online content on social media.

Author, poet and academic Tony Birch celebrates the success of so many First Nations writers but there is always room for improvement in the publishing industry. From the LNL Archive we hear a conversation with Andrew O'Hagan and Karl Miller recorded in Edinburgh in 2012.

Nelson Mandela's African National Congress has held power for more than thirty years, but that could soon change. And saffron is the world's most expensive spice, revered as sacred in many cultures. But climate change is making the delicate flower that produces it harder than ever to harvest.

Bruce Shapiro takes us inside Donald Trump's first day in court as a criminal defendant. In China, the Communist Party keeps tight control of the narrative of the history of China. Ian Johnson introduces us to the artists and film makers who are challenging that narrative - at their own peril.

7:30's chief political correspondent Laura Tingle unpacks the Lehrmann defamation verdict dominating news headlines, and we speak to neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky who makes the provocative argument that we have no free will, at all.

Sir John Franklin is honoured in Hobart as the discoverer of the infamous North-West passage through the Arctic, but a closer look at the story examines how much he relied on women's help and Indigenous knowledge. Also, in the age of scrolling, is it history for the chapter?

Aussie Ark's Tim Faulkner explains why he believes the imminent rewilding of the eastern quoll will be successful this time, after 50 years of extinction on the Australian mainland. Social philosopher Anne Manne tells the harrowing story of the Anglican paedophile ring in Newcastle and the brave group of people who brought it down.

In the UK, Ian Dunt reports on the pressure building over the sale of arms to Israel, Stephen Long questions the carbon credits NSW is hoping for in order to save the state's koalas and Judith Keene details the legacies of the Spanish Civil War in both Spain and across the globe.

Crikey's Bernard Keane on how the government has responded to the IDF review into Zomi Frankcom's death. Plus, playwright David Williamson tells Phillip why he has come out of retirement to write a play about the housing crisis and the increasing divide between Australia's haves and have-nots.

Ecofeminist Vandana Shiva explains the significance of adding ecocide to the list of crimes that the ICC can prosecute. And Henry Grabar makes his case for reducing the number of car parks on our planet.

Professor Viet Thanh Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American professor and Pulitzer Prize winning novelist. Viet's memoir, A Man Of Two Faces, is published by Black Inc. and Viet will be a guest at the Sydney Writer's Festival later this month. What makes humans so unique? Our ability to learn. So says computer scientist and Harvard Professor Leslie Valiant. His new book is called “The Importance of Being Educable”  published by Princeton University Press.

Bruce Shapiro digs into the history of the 1871 Comstock Act being used to argue against the sale of abortion drugs online. Anna Funder reveals the many ways that George Orwell's wife Eileen contributed to his work during their life together.

Phillip Adams and Jack Thompson sit down to chat about Jack's career,  how he is living with dialysis, his love of Dylan Thomas and his determination to tell the truth about the frontier wars in this country.

Rupert Read helped found the radical climate protest movement, Extinction Rebellion. Now he says a climate movement is needed that the broader public can feel comfortable with.  And Max Leonard explains how ice has changed the world from ice-cubes to ice-bergs.

Years of neglect on immigration policy in the US means that it will be a big issue in the Presidential election later this year. Surrealism was born out of the horrors of World War One and Mark Polizzotti explains why it was so much more than an artistic or literary phenomenon.

What might a Keir Starmer Labor government might look like in the UK. Ian Dunt reveals all. Dick Tamimi had a wild life as a pilot, gold smuggler and record producer. Julien Poulsen has decided to turn his life into a musical.

Laura Tingle is back with the latest news on Australian politics and Phillip speaks to former First Lady of Timor-Leste Kirsty Sword Gusmao about her decades-long fight to improve life for Timorese women.

Journalist Lech Blaine unpacks Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's 'battle for the burbs' strategy, and whether his strongman persona will see the Liberals win back enough territory to claim a future victory. Plus how Vesuvius became a magnet for early adventure tourists.

Bruce Shapiro dives into the latest fault lines in American politics and Dr Shannon Smith recounts the previously untold story of Clive Williams; the Australian preacher, teacher and chiropractor who became one of President Soeharto's closest advisors.

Rachel Withers dishes the latest in Australian politics, and Dr David Lee reveals whether newly released records shed light on how the decision to send Australian troops to Iraq in 2003 came about. Plus, could Joseph Conrad's writing have been heavily influenced by his travels Down Under?

Historians Tony Moore and Hamish Maxwell-Stewart guide us  through Unshackled: a multi media touring exhibition that tells a new and different story about convicts, transportation and colonial Australia. Helen Thomas, in her true crime podcast,  reviews the evidence in the Easey street murders in Melbourne in the late 1970's

Liam Pieper recounts how he was forced into ghost writing and then found his way out again to write books in his own name and Boyd Cothran studied an unremarkable cargo ship, the Edwin Fox, through the lens of microhistory to tell a wider story.

Ian Dunt on the mass exodus of Conservative politicians from Westminster under way and Gideon Levy on the challenges of reporting on the war in Gaza as an Israeli journalist who has been unable to enter Gaza for 16 years.

Amy Remeikis brings all the recycled news from Canberra, including utes and nukes, and Yanis Varoufakis shares his ideas on the economies of Australia and Greece and how Australia should be positioning ourselves in a world of shifting alliances.

This International Women's Day while debate rages about the latest gender pay gap figures, LNL looks back at the women of Australia's history who led the fight for better wages and conditions, writing letters, leading protests and strikes, taking on male-dominated jobs and challenging our governments and our biggest employers to do better.

Bruce Shapiro on US politics, Super Tuesday primaries and Supreme Court deliberations. Also, Peter Goldsworthy's reflections on being told he has cancer.

Former Greens Leader Bob Brown on a life of environmental activism, the role independents might have in the upcoming Tasmanian election, his work in East Timor and Tibet, and why he wants a statue of forgotten Tasmanian opera singer, Amy Sherwin.

Laura Tingle looks at the by-election results in the Victorian seat of Dunkley and how the campaign got so nasty. Plus Phillip chats to the man he calls the son he never had - Matt Noffs - and what can be done to break the cycles of youth crime.

Historian and author of 'The Silk Roads' and 'The Earth Transformed' Peter Frankopan sits down in the studio with Phillip for their fourth and final chat. Plus, we hear about the extraordinary rabble-rousing characters of journalist Polly Toynbee's life.

Jewish-American journalist Nathan Thrall investigates a tragic bus crash in the West Bank, and finds that it reveals much about the restrictions on everyday life for Palestinians living there. Plus Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti is hailed as the West Bank's Nelson Mandela, and the only politician who could bring about democracy and negotiate peace. But he has been imprisoned in Israel for more than twenty years - for murder.

Naomi Smith on the latest headaches for Rishi Sunak after by-election loses and a motion on Gaza causes havoc in the House of Commons. Plus Amitav Ghosh on how the East India company turbo-charged the opium industry and found an infinitely expanding market for opium in China.

Laura Tingle unpacks the big new changes to higher education and Late Night Live alumni Margo Kingston talks about how independents became a force to be reckoned with in Australian politics. Plus, a history of male belly dancing. Yes, you read that right.

Science writer Rebecca Boyle explains why she loves the moon and how it has contributed to humanity's physical and cultural evolution. Guido Alfani looks back on the super wealthy of history and how their responsibilities to society have changed over time.

Radoslaw Markowski explains the many measures being taken in Poland to restore democracy since the election. Ali Al Jenabi and Madeleine Blackwell discuss their new film Damage which explores themes of refuge and refugees.

Joey Watson on his investigation into the ASIO nest of cold war moles. And Caitlin Davies on the real life female super- sleuths of the 19th century.

Laura Tingle on the back-to-the-future border wars, and SMH chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont reflects on on a life investigating crime and corruption.

Lorin Clarke and Phillip Adams share their memories of the brilliant comedian and Lorin's father, John Clarke.

Jennifer Robinson on the latest appeal from Julian Assange against his extradition to the USA, and historian Andrew Pettegree looks back on the long and complicated connections between books and war.

Ian Dunt dissects the latest in UK politics. What's on the agenda for Northern Ireland's new government? And the long history of hitchhiking - from wholesome adventure to real-life horror.

Laura Tingle on the shocking revelations about Home Affairs awarding contracts to companies with suspected links to drugs, firearms and bribery. Plus  professor Caleb Everett on what linguistic diversity can tell us about human culture - as thousands of languages are disappearing.

Christopher Pollon looks back on the dirty history of mining for metals and asks can we do better in the future, as our transition to green energy is dependent on mining metals. And Sugandha Srivastav tells the surprising story of a pioneering solar inventor and his apparent kidnapping that stopped his research in its tracks.

Regina Weiss and Ben Saul explain the finding of the International Court of Justice that there was a plausible risk that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. And we meet Sister Brigid Arthur, a nun who has been supporting refugees and children facing court her whole life.

Bruce Shapiro examines the chance of Donald Trump being disqualified from running for President by the Supreme Court and Peter Greste, Jodie Ginsberg and Jason Rezaian bring their personal experiences to a discussion on the deteriorating state of press freedom and safety for journalists around the globe.

Laura Tingle looks at Nemesis - the Turnbull years, what Yang Hengjun's death sentence could mean for our relationship with China, and whether the Liberals will support the stage three tax cuts. Plus Professor Marcia Langton pays tribute to Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue and reflects on the future for reconciliation.

As prominent Australians call for a détente with China, Satyajit Das looks at whether the so-called BRICS countries could create their own trade network - excluding the US and us. Plus how a Russian migrant became a Cold War ASIO spy.

The revelations about the plans of the far right in Germany and their deep networks prompted more than a million people to take to the streets across the country. A panel discusses  why magazines are enjoying a resurgence in popularity - is it just about digital fatigue or is it more than that?