Best Sally Swift Podcasts (2025)

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Curtin’s Cast EOY Special - Nine Media’s Sean Kelly on Quarterly Essay #100: The Good Fight 55:13

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2d ago55:13

55:13

As we wrap up Curtin’s Cast for 2025, a big thank you to everyone who’s tuned in this year — and a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and season’s greetings to all our listeners. Your support has helped make Curtin’s Cast one of the most widely listened-to political podcasts in the country, and we’re deeply grateful. To close out the year, we couldn’…

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Heated Rivalry Episode 4 (THIS! IS! NOT! ENOUGH!!!) 1:14:22

2d ago1:14:22

1:14:22

All the things she said, all the things she said, running through my head, running through my head!!!! We're back with a DEEP-DIVE of episode 4, and WOW! Did we have a lot to talk about! Join us to unpack the whole episode: ginger ale, tuna melt, hockey, montages, and that f***ing club scene. This whole episode was catharsis for us all. We'll be ba…

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Heated Rivalry Episode 3 (YOU F***ING HEARD ME, HOLLANDER) 43:31

7d ago43:31

43:31

We recap Episode 3 of Heated Rivalry! You can follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpodcast. You can follow Emily on all platforms at @emilyrojasreads and Abigail on TikTok at @fabigail11.By Emily Rojas & Abigail Freshley

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Curtin's Cast Episode 41 - 10 December 2025 - Kos and Nick on One Nation surge, Barnaby and much more 42:21

9d ago42:21

42:21

On this week’s Curtin’s Cast, Nick Dyrenfurth and Kos Samaras go one-on-one on what the latest Redbridge and Resolve polling is really telling us about Australian politics heading into a huge 2026 calendar. With two state elections looming in South Australia and Victoria, and federal pressures building, we unpack what to expect at state level, how …

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2025 Reading in Review 1:01:58

9d ago1:01:58

1:01:58

It's not quite the end of 2025, but we're checking in for our annual year-in-review episode. We celebrate a breakout year of reading and real talk: how to hit big number goals, diversify authors with intention, and find joy reading. We share five-star favorites, surprising hits, and a few fears about the 2026 release drought (let's not talk about h…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 40 - 3 December 2025 - Alex Vynokur (United Ukraine Appeal) and Dom Meagher (JCRC) 37:14

16d ago37:14

37:14

🎧 NEW EPISODE | CURTIN’S CAST 🇺🇦🇦🇺 Recorded live from Parliament House, Canberra Winning the Peace: Why Ukraine’s Reconstruction Is Australia’s Test Too This episode features one of the most powerful voices in Australia’s Ukraine community. Alex Vynokur didn’t become an advocate by choice — history chose him. A Ukrainian Jew whose family endured an…

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Heated Rivalry Episodes 1 & 2 32:42

16d ago32:42

32:42

We're popping in with a check-in chat quickly discussing our initial thoughts on episodes one and two of Heated Rivalry! This long-awaited adaptation is finally here. If you were sick of us (Emily, mostly, let's be honest) before, it's only going to get worse from here! In this brief bonus episode, we're talking our expectations, viewing experience…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 39 - 26 November 2025 - Paul Sakkal (Nine Media Chief Political Correspondent) 46:48

23d ago46:48

46:48

Nick Dyrenfurth and Kos Samaras sit down with Nine Media’s Chief Political Correspondent, Paul Sakkal, for one of the sharpest political conversations we’ve had all year. We cover everything reshaping Australian politics right now: • The latest polling — and what it really means • Liberal Party chaos & whether Sussan Ley can hang on? • The rise and…

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A Thoughtful, Bookish Holiday Gift Guide 50:47

23d ago50:47

50:47

Want to gift a book this holiday season, but not sure where to start? Tune in to today's episode for a thoughtful, curated holiday gift guide. Plus the Goodreads Book Awards, recent reads, and more.By Emily Rojas & Abigail Freshley

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Curtin's Cast Episode 38 - 19 November 2025 - Nick and Emma Dawson on the Revolt Against Politics As Usual 50:02

30d ago50:02

50:02

With Kung Fu Kos away, Nick Dyrenfurth teams up with guest co-host Emma Dawson (Chifley Research Centre) to tackle a huge few weeks in politics: 📊 What the latest federal polling really says 🌆 Mamdani’s NYC upset + outsider politics 🇬🇧 UK Labour turmoil, Reform & Greens surge 📱 Australia’s under-16 social media ban Is a new generation rejecting “po…

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Revisiting Twilight, Twenty Years Later 56:00

1M ago56:00

56:00

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Twilight's release AND to commemorate our origins as a podcast, today's episode is all about Twilight! Hear our experiences attending screenings in the theater and our updated thoughts now that we are fully formed adults and not Edward-obsessed tweens. Plus Emily's 14-year-old self's unedited thoughts on the Brea…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 37 - 11 November 2025 - Troy Bramston on Gough Whitlam 51:39

1M ago51:39

51:39

Fifty years to the day after the Dismissal, this week on Curtin’s Cast, Nick Dyrenfurth and guest co-host Emma Dawson talk to acclaimed historian and political biographer Troy Bramston about his stunning new biography Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New. 700+ pages of reform, chaos, and vision — from Gough’s youthful poem to the tumultuous events o…

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Alissa Lee & 'With Friends Like These': Debut Discussions 45:42

1M ago45:42

45:42

In this episode of Debut Discussions, Alissa Lee shares her journey from a successful legal career to becoming a published author with her debut thriller, With Friends Like These. The conversation explores her early reading influences, the inspiration behind her book, character development, the significance of friendships, and the challenges of the…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 36 - 5 November 2025 - SDA Union National Secretary Gerard Dwyer 51:58

1M ago51:58

51:58

🎙️This week on Curtin's Cast, Kos Samaras and Nick Dyrenfurth sit down with Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary of the SDA — Australia’s largest private-sector union covering retail, fast food and warehouse workers and a proud John Curtin Research Centre Board member. From regional NSW, to the classroom and social work, and now the frontline of the la…

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Vanessa Lillie & 'The Bone Thief': Complicated Conversations Series 46:33

2M ago46:33

46:33

In today’s Complicated Conversations we chat with Vanessa Lillie about her new novel, The Bone Thief, which is book two in her Syd Walker series. We discuss her journey as an author, the significance of Indigenous narratives, and the development of Syd and where we find her in this novel. Our conversation, like the book, explores themes of spiritua…

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Nobody Wants This Season 2 Recap: This is How You Choose Love Over Life 53:49

2M ago53:49

53:49

Nobody Wants This Season 2 Recap: This is How You Choose Love Over Life

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Rebecca Baum & 'The Brood': Complicated Conversations Series 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

In this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Rebecca Baum to discuss her latest novel, The Brood, a feminist body horror story that explores themes of agency, internalized misogyny, and the complexities of womanhood. We chat with Rebecca about the protagonist, a cutthroat attorney, and her journey of control and surrender; the symb…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 35 - 29 October 2025 - Kos and Nick on the Netflixisation of Politics 43:03

2M ago43:03

43:03

🎙️ This week's Curtin's Cast delves into what one British political writer calls the Netflixisation of Politics. Nick Dyrenfurth & Kos Samaras dive into the end of the political pendulum: both major parties bleeding to their disruptor flanks, the rise of niche tribes, and how politics has become algorithmic entertainment — the voter as subscriber, …

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Listener Book Recommendations 3 (Chaos Edition) 1:09:57

2M ago1:09:57

1:09:57

We're back with another series of book recommendations as submitted by our listeners! PLUS: Breaking news from Abigail, recent reads, Mate reactions, the Louvre heist (???) and more chaos! BOOK REC LINKS: Heated Rivalry The Long Game COZY MYSTERIES: Wrong Place Wrong Time Famous Last Words Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone You Can Run Statio…

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Side bar on finding the right book at the right time and the controversy around eldest daughters 41:05

2M ago41:05

41:05

Do you believe that the right book finds you at the right time? On this side bar we discuss how we each found the perfect book to deal with our emotional hangovers from the movie All of You on AppleTV. That led us to a discussion of the emotional connections that books create, the significance of reckoning with one's past, and the impact of first l…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 34 - 22 October 2025 - From Basra to 🇦🇺 Aussie Boardrooms: JCRC Chair Sam Almaliki 56:42

2M ago56:42

56:42

🎙️ Our guest today has lived the Australian story from the inside out. Born in Basra, Iraq, arriving to Australia as an asylum seeker aged nine including spending time in Villawood Detention Centre, and now a lawyer, chairperson and entrepreneur — Sam Almaliki’s journey is one of hope, hardship and renewal. From learning English behind fences to le…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 33 - 15 October 2025 - Historic major party vote lows, One Nation support rising and Greens' Gaza gaffes 46:11

2M ago46:11

46:11

🎙️ New Curtin’s Cast episode! Kos and Nick dive into explosive new polling showing the combined major party primary vote at historic lows. The Liberals are haemorrhaging votes on their right flank while collapsing among Gen Z, millennials, women and CALD voters. They unpack the immigration debate, the rise of Advance Australia and right-wing online…

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Book Talk: Thursday Murder Club Movie, Heated Rivalry TV Show, and Recent Reads 54:02

2M ago54:02

54:02

We're back for a chill book talk episode where Emily is definitely not going insane about Heated Rivalry for the 40th time this year. We catch up after travel, compare notes on The Thursday Murder Club film, and share a stack of recent reads. Here for the links? Request Heated Rivalry on your favorite streaming services. DO IT FOR EMILY IF NOTHING …

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Apple TV's 'All of You' starring Roy Kent/Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots 1:27:47

2M ago1:27:47

1:27:47

“Made for you might not be meant for you.” With a tagline like that, and a nuanced, realistic script about the brutal nature of love, connection and personal growth, it’s no wonder that we both loved the new film All of You on AppleTV. Here’s the summary: “Laura and Simon have been best friends since college. Over the years they've realized their b…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 32 - 1 October 2025 - Kos and Nick on MAGA politics, Andrew Hastie and much more 39:42

3M ago39:42

39:42

🎧 New #CurtinsCast episode - Kos Samaras is back with Brisbane Lions tragic & premiership celebrator Nick Dyrenfurth to dissect the week in politics: 🇬🇧 The rise of alt-right & MAGA politics in the UK and Australia 🛠️ Andrew Hastie on migration, housing & slaying the neo-liberal dragon ⚠️ Wayne Swan’s warning to Labor on its shallow base in a time …

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Book Club: Awake by Jen Hatmaker 1:01:02

3M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Join us for a discussion on Jen Hatmaker's newest book, Awake. Unlike our other book club episodes, this is less deep dive and more vibes based discussion. That's because we enthusiastically recommend reading this book for yourself and then coming back to join us for our discussion. You're more than welcome to use this as a TLDR, and trust we are s…

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'Materialists' & Celine Song 1:13:17

3M ago1:13:17

1:13:17

In this episode we finally deep dive into Materialists, Celine Song’s follow-up to her Oscar-nominated movie, Past Lives (which we also covered - go check that out too!). There is so much to discuss in this film: choosing love or choosing the life you want; exploring how Lucy’s wound mirrors our own but how her response to it differs; turning a rea…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 31 - 24 September 2025 - Dr Shireen Morris (JCRC Board Member, Constitutional Lawyer and Author) 49:38

3M ago49:38

49:38

🎧 New Curtin’s Cast Episode With Nick Dyrenfurth still away, JCRC board member & leading constitutional lawyer Dr Shireen Morris joins Kos Samaras for a rich, personal and political conversation. 🌏⚖️ 💡 From her Indian-Fijian family roots and early acting dreams to the frontlines of law and advocacy, Shireen shares the journey that shaped her fight …

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Laura Goode & 'Pitch Craft" : Complicated Conversations Series 48:44

3M ago48:44

48:44

In today’s Complicated Conversation, we chat with Laura Goode about her book, Pitch Craft: The Writer’s Guide to Getting Agented, Published, and Paid. This book is a must-read for both aspiring writers and seasoned authors. Listen now and discover practical advice on navigating the publishing world, understanding the psychology of overachievement, …

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The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Finale 40:58

3M ago40:58

40:58

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Finale

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Curtin's Cast Episode 30 - 17 September 2025 - Dr Stephen Parnis 55:28

3M ago55:28

55:28

#CurtinsCast host Nick Dyrenfurth takes a well-earned spell from the microphone as John Curtin Research Centre board member and constitutional lawyer Dr Shireen Morris joins Kos Samaras to lead a searching conversation with "proud Westie" and emergency physician Dr Stephen Parnis. From the frontlines of emergency medicine to the fraught politics of…

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Book Club: Sister Wife by Christine Brown Woolley 1:22:48

3M ago1:22:48

1:22:48

Today, we're doing a deep dive into Christine Brown Woolley's memoir, Sister Wife. As longtime fans of TLC's Sister Wives, we were SEATED for this tell-all from Christine. Read along or listen in for our TLDR version of this explosive book. Plus recent read from Emily, Beartown by Fredrick Backman Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky at @readirectpod…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 29 - 10 September 2025 - ACTU Secretary Sally McManus 48:35

3M ago48:35

48:35

This week’s Curtin's Cast features the excellent ACTU Secretary, Sally McManus. Kos Samaras and Nick Dyrenfurth explore her working-class upbringing in north-west Sydney, the parallels between the rise of One Nation in the 1990s and today’s hard-right, neo-Nazi currents, and whether her attraction to the labour movement was a matter of nature or nu…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 28 - 3 September 2025 - Prof Sean Scalmer (Author of A Fair Day’s Work: The Quest to Win Back Time) 53:28

4M ago53:28

53:28

This week we’re joined by Professor Sean Scalmer — one of Australia's leading historians based at the University of Melbourne, Fellow of the Academy of Social Science, and author of A Fair Day’s Work: The Quest to Win Back Time. We dive into: ⏳ The fight for the eight-hour day and Australia’s pioneering role 📉 How progress stalled from the 1980s on…

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Our Favorite Fictional Schools 1:09:03

4M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

In honor of Back to School season, we're drafting our teams of our favorite fictional schools from literature, discussing what makes these educational settings compelling, terrifying, and gossip-worthy. Team Emily One-room schoolhouse from The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Shiz from Wicked by Gregory Maguire Hawkings Independent School from The Cad…

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Sidebar on L.O.V.E second chances and reversing the prophesy from Taylor Swift and TSITP 46:29

4M ago46:29

46:29

Sidebar on L.O.V.E second chances and reversing the prophesy from Taylor Swift and TSITP

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Curtin's Cast Episode 27 - 27 August 2025 - Former Liberal MP Keith Wolahan 47:12

4M ago47:12

47:12

This week’s Curtin’s Cast features the thoughtful and formidable former Liberal MP Keith Wolahan. Kos Samaras and Nick Dyrenfurth discussed Keith’s Irish Catholic working-class roots in Dublin, his childhood in suburban Melbourne and education at Ringwood Secondary College, through to his academic achievements at Melbourne, Monash and Cambridge and…

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Samantha Downing & 'Too Old For This': Complicated Conversations Series 33:16

4M ago33:16

33:16

In today’s Complicated Conversations, we welcome bestselling author Samantha Downing to discuss her latest novel, Too Old For This, a story about a wickedly funny female serial killer who has to come out of retirement to protect her past. We chat with Sam about her unforgettable heroine, Lottie Jones, who came into her mind and demanded her story b…

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Sidebar on the identity crisis of the rom-com, mutual admiration as the foundation for love, sexing up Taylor Swift and covering up Pam Anderson - why we're here for both 55:54

4M ago55:54

55:54

On this episode, we sidebar on the identity crisis of the rom-com, how mutual admiration is the foundation for love, sexing up Taylor Swift and covering up Pam Anderson - why we're here for both. And since we're talking about bodies, we discuss anxiety disorders vs eating disorders by way of reality TV lessons.…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 26 - 20 August 2025 - South Australian Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas 47:03

4M ago47:03

47:03

In a competitive field we think this week's Curtin's Cast might be the best yet featuring the super impressive South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. Kos Samaras and Nick Dyrenfurth discussed Peter's upbringing in Adelaide, his career as a unionist rising from the Woolies shopfloor to become state secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied…

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Cleyvis Natera & 'The Grand Paloma Resort': Complicated Conversations Series 42:57

4M ago42:57

42:57

On today’s episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Cleyvis Natera to discuss her new thriller, The Grand Paloma Resort, which explores the complexities of sisterhood, the impact of tourism on local communities, and the themes of race and class in the Dominican Republic. Through the characters of Laura, Elena, and Vida, Cleyvis delves into …

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Fall 2025 Book Preview 1:09:12

4M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

Today, we're previewing our most anticipated fall 2025 book releases! Plus a bunch of recent reads. Fall Releases: Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola Sister Wife by Christine Brown Woolley Alchemised by SenLinYu Awake by Jen Hatmaker The Librarians by Sherry Thomas Thursday Murder Club #5 (The Impossible Fortune) by …

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The Hunting Wives Season 1 Recap: Rebecca Cutter and May Cobb gave us Bonnie Raitt's something to talk about 56:35

4M ago56:35

56:35

In this episode, we deep dive into the soapy sapphic thriller, The Hunting Wives. Based on a book by May Cobb and led by showrunner Rebecca Cutter, this Netflix summer binge series has everyone talking - and for good reason! At the heart of the story are two very complicated women, Sophie and Margo, played brilliantly by Brittany Snow and Malin Ack…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 25 - 13 August 2025 - Dom Meagher (JCRC Deputy Director & Chief Economist) 54:10

4M ago54:10

54:10

We are very fortunate to have the one of the brightest and most innovative economists in Australia as part of our team - Dr Dominic Meagher. He's our latest guest on Curtin's Cast with Kos Samaras discussing the finer details of our recently released paper co-authored with Nick Dyrenfurth - 'Innovation Nation: Powering Australian Productivity in th…

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Karin Slaughter & 'We Are All Guilty Here': Complicated Conversations Series 22:27

4M ago22:27

22:27

On today’s Complicated Conversation we welcome back Karin Slaughter, the author of twenty-five instant New York Times bestselling novels, to delve into the gripping world of "We Are All Guilty Here," the first book in a thrilling new series. The story kicks off with the kidnapping of two young girls, drawing us into the life of Emmy Clifton, a dete…

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Curtin's Cast Episode 24 - 6 August 2025 - Liberals' Existential Crisis (Kung Fu Kos Is Back!) 41:12

4M ago41:12

41:12

The great 'Kung Fu' Kos Samaras is back with Curtin's Cast co-host Nick Dyrenfurth discussing the post-election environment and the crisis of the Liberal-National Party.By John Curtin Research Centre

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Sidebar on BSB at The Sphere, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Building the Band and Carinn finding her joy in reading again 40:41

4M ago40:41

40:41

On this sidebar episode we dive into the fiery energy of Leo season, reflecting on the transition from the emotional depths of Cancer; share personal experiences, from Kate's upcoming birthday trip to Las Vegas to see the Backstreet Boys at The Sphere, to Carinn's creative breakthroughs during Cancer season. We also explore the complexities of rela…

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Reading Rewind: The Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne 1:00:29

4M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Today we're revisiting Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Treehouse series for a Reading Rewind episode! PLUS: Is Stephanie Meyer going to release a Jacob and Renesmee sequel for the 20th anniversary of the Twilight saga? And personal updates from Emily & Abigail to round out the episode. Stay tuned to the end for a plethora of book recommendations. Recent …

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Curtin's Cast Episode 23 - 30 July 2025 - Gautam Raju (Movember) 40:53

5M ago40:53

40:53

This week's Curtin's Cast is a ripper featuring Gautam Raju, Global Director, Policy & Advocacy – Programs with Movember. Gautam, as listeners will discover is a ripper bloke talking about an issue Australian society is slowly but surely confronting - bloke's health, whether mental or physical well-being. Nick Dyrenfurth and Redbridge's Simon Welsh…

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Virginia Trench & 'Our Secrets Were Safe': Debut Discussions 32:13

5M ago32:13

32:13

In this episode of Debut Discussions, we dive into the captivating world of Our Secrets Were Safe with author Virginia Trench. Discover the inspiration behind this thrilling novel, where two friends grapple with the aftermath of a crime they thought was long ago buried. Virginia shares her journey from a lifelong dream to be a published author, exp…