Auscast Literature Channel

This week, we interviewed the author of our latest favourite, and Book Club book of the month, 'How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates.' We chat all about the witty new slasher romance, the anxieties it feeds off, how to plot a book that spans over only a few hours, and the horniness of horror. What would you do if you were stuck with a serial killer, and they'd killed your blind date during a blackout op...

Continuing a banger month of unconventional romance (Bad ra-ra ah-ah-ah), this week we're digging into the phenomenon of Sentient Object Romance. What initially seems like a silly, goofy genre is revealed to have hidden depths as we get into the topics of women's pleasure, consent, being seen, and the kindness of these stories. Don't worry, we also play games! We learn things about ourselves with...

Oh it is good to be back for Season 2! This month’s theme is Bad (ra-ra, ah-ah-ah) Romance and today we’re kicking the year off with a discussion of serial killer Romance Fiction. The episode begins with a very reasonable conversation about the ethics of True Crime entertainment and then … well. But within the proceeding chaos — games, Harry’s “incontinence&rdq...

In the midst of the anxiety-ridden chaos of late-stage capitalism, is it really possible to lead a plain life? Philosopher, essayist and yogi Antonia Pont’s book is far more a philosophical analysis of our modern existence than it is self-help, but she offers advice on being true to oneself and ignoring the ‘noise’ of our current social media driven culture. + The Tsundoku team h...

In this episode of Around the School Table   (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Kelly McBurnie , Director of Business Operation at Academy of Queensland Ballet (academy.queenslandballet.com.au), to explore how elite arts education can balance performance, wellbeing and operational precision. Drawing on her background in mainstream and Steiner education, Kelly shares how tho...

Rach and Eddie recap the biggest highlights from Season 2, and drop some exciting news! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Hans Moningka, Director, APAC from RM PLC Group  (rm.com) to explore the evolving landscape of digital assessment. He brings a global perspective shaped by partnerships with major assessment authorities and education systems. Throughout the conversation, Hans unpacks how digital exams are steadily...

Today on Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by James Thomas , Managing Director of Digital Education Partnerships Indonesia (DEPI) (depi.co.id). DEPI helps international edtech companies build trust and traction across Indonesia’s vast school landscape. It’s a market shaped by scale, complexity, and relationships. Early in the conversation, James...

Jim Meskimen is the voice behind hundreds of beloved characters, and has a career most voice actors could only dream of! He chats with Rach and Eddie about his fascinating career, the power of observation, and his tips on how students can grow their skills. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andre Casson joins Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts) for an audio conversation with host Steve Davis. Andre is the Headmaster of Brisbane Boys’ College (bbc.qld.edu.au), and he brings a science teacher’s lens to leadership. Moreover, his experience spans Australia, the UK, and international schools in Asia. Firstly, Andre reflects on preparation and opportunity. He shares...

In this episode of Around the School Table ( xuno.com.au/podcasts ) host Steve Davis is joined by Dr Jenny Donovan , CEO of the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) ( www.edresearch.edu.au ), Australia’s national evidence body for education. Together, they unpack why nine education ministers backed a shared “national evidence institute” approach. Moreover, they explo...

Jim Meskimen is the voice behind hundreds of beloved characters, and has a career most voice actors could only dream of! Hechats with Rach and Eddie about his fascinating career, the power of observation, and his tips on how students can grow their skills. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Dr Annette Marner who has spent eight years documenting her ‘patch’, South Australia’s geologically extraordinary Southern Flinders ranges. With patience and respect for wildlife, and some very fancy camera gear, Annette captures in her book very up close and personal moments with the animals and birds of the region, and explains in beautiful prose the tumultuous geo-history...

Ali Lopez and Eddie team up to coach Rachel on creating a demo. This episode is a masterclass for any aspiring voice actor wanting to make an impact with a powerful demo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamara Linke returns to talk about how breathing techniques can help your voice performance, warm up tips and gives us a AAVA update. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We powered through technical difficulties and wifi troubles to bring you a wrap up of 2025 and the finale of our first season of the pod! Thank you to everyone who read along, listened to or watched each episode, followed us on socials, or joined us for one of our live book clubs. We appreciate all your support and hope to see you again next year for season two!  Also, apologies for how terri...

Former journalist, Michael Brissenden, brings insider knowledge and a sharp world view to the crime and thriller genre. “Dust” goes into that now familiar territory, the dark underbelly of rural Australia, to create a gripping story that begins with a dry lake giving up its secrets. And who knew that celebrated spy thriller author Mick Herron is also a poet? Our regular reviewer, Annie...

In this episode of Around the School Table ( xuno.com.au/podcasts ), host Steve Davis is joined by Shanti Clements , Principal of Seven Hills West Public School (sevenhillw-p.schools.nsw.gov.au), for the final interview of 2025. From the outset, Shanti shares a simple mission with real weight: growing great human beings every day . With more than 30 years in education and a PhD in educational lead...

Secretary of the Australian Association for Voice Artists (AAVA) Cecelia Ramsdale is a powerhouse in the Australian voice industry. This woman literally does it all. Cecelia talks about her experience in animation, audiobooks, podcasting and commercials and has a realistic, natural way of approaching the voice over industry.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table ( xuno.com.au/podcasts ), host Steve Davis is joined by James Wright , a physics teacher and Digital Innovation Lead at Garden International School (gardenschool.edu.my) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The school is home to around 50 nationalities. It also supports a thriving, multilingual community. After 12 years in Malaysia, James on what changes when you t...

In this episode of Around the School Table ( www.xuno.com.au/podcasts ), host Steve Davis is joined by founding principal Blayne Wallis . Together they explore what it takes to open a supported inclusion school in Melbourne’s west. Mindalk Primary School ( www.facebook.com/mindalkprimaryschool ) is preparing to welcome its first students in January 2026. During the conversation, Blayne expla...

Stephen Crockford has spent 55 years in education, leading change and lifting expectations in Melbourne’s northwest. In this episode of Around the School Table ( www.xuno.com.au/podcasts ), host Steve Davis talks with Stephen about his long career and his final weeks as principal of St Albans Meadows Primary School ( www.samps.vic.edu.au ). Together, they trace his journey from classroom tea...

Cath and Annie take a deep dive into the brilliant, celebrated and mysterious life of Elizabeth Harrower, author of the 1960s Australian classic “The Watch Tower”. Cath first reviews Harrower’s most celebrated work and then Annie speaks to Harrower’s biographer, Susan Wyndham, about the enigmatic novelist's past to better understand the woman, her times, and why the career...

We're celebrating Christmas early with this month's book club pick: Three Holidays and A Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin & Marissa Stapley, as recommended to us by our local Christmas Romance expert (the only tick of approval we need!). Join us as we discuss the holiday season and share everything about this small-town novel that made us fall back in love with festivities, family and friendship. &n...

In this episode of Around the School Table (www.xuno.com.au/podcasts), Lisa Burt joins host Steve Davis to explore how inclusive leadership reshapes learning within a small school setting. As principal of Knox Central Primary School (www.knoxcentral.vic.edu.au), she leads a school community of 74 students and demonstrates how relationships, predictability and calm environments support every learne...