Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, famed chef Yotam Ottolenghi talks finding the joy of cooking and talks his stage show coming to New Zealand in 2026.  We hear from Black Grace Dance Company founder Neil Ieremia as the group celebrates 30 years of stunning performances.  Plus Bill Bryson talks revisiting and revising his iconic book  A Short History of Near...

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from multi award winning and delightful Australian author Trent Dalton on his latest book, Gravity Let Me Go. He also celebrated his theatre production coming to Auckland.  Francesca catches up with Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey. She's taking Hollywood by storm with a starring role in  Yellowjackets but came home to star...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear the heart-wrenching but uplifting story of Timoti te Moke - who turned his life around and is now a doctor and role model to so many. And Francesca speaks with Dr Rachel Clarke about the fascinating world of organ donation - and the case that sparked interest around the world.  Plus we all know Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conc...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from the iconic Helena Bonham Carter on her new movie  Four Letters of Love and how she reflects on her storied career.  And Francesca speaks with Owain Mulligan who ended up serving in the Iraq War after joining the Territorial Army as an outlet. He's told his story in the book The Accidental Soldier.  Plus Canadian band...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from filmmaker Celine Song on her Hollywood hit,  The Materialists  starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans.  Author AA Dhand talks his latest thriller, The Chemist. Francesca asks how his experiences with abuse, violence and overdoses while running a late hour pharmacy in the UK informed his writing. &...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, the author and screenwriter of the novel, film and television series One Day , David Nicholls is back with a new best-selling novel. He joins Francesca to talk the his massively successful career.  Author Kailane Bradley was also on our shore for the Auckland Writer's Festival this month - and joined Francesca to talk her debut novel,&nbsp...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, actress Rebecca Gibney opens up about her newest TV project and the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. Richard Roxburgh and journalist Peter Gresta joined Francesca to discuss their new movie  The Correspondent - where Roxburgh portrays Gresta's 2013 arrest in Egypt. And Amanda Knox tells her story of being wrongly convicted...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, famed UK comedian and writer joined Francesca Rudkin in studio to talk his New Zealand tour and offer some big opinions on the state of the world. Francesca also catches up with worldwide writing sensation Jojo Moyes who has just released her latest novel,  We All Live Here.  And New Zealand's own and The Veils frontman Finn Andrews c...

In the first 2025 edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, former CIA analyst turned thriller writer David McCloskey talks his third book and how he captures CIA life.  New Zealand's own Morgana O'Reilly is a cast member on  The White Lotus  and tells Francesca what it was like on set and what audiences should expect from the hit show's third season.  And Jake Bailey captu...

On the final episode of the summer edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from author, podcaster and former late night talk show host Chelsea Handler joined the show before her tour to New Zealand.  Gemma Arterton, of Quantum of Solace and The King's Man fame, talked her latest movie, The Critic.  And award winning author Abraham Verghese spoke to Francesca before his appe...

In this episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, British comedian and author Richard Osman talks starting a new novel series and his take on the comedy scene.  Boxer Mea Motu had a massive 2024 - so she joined Francesca to chat her year and what is driving her to succeed.  And the ever delightful and surprising Miriam Margoyles toured New Zealand in early 2024 - and she had a deligh...

In the sixth episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, one of Ireland's bestselling authors Marian Keyes talks Francesca through her 16th novel and why people crave love stories.  And Australian author Trent Dalton visited New Zealand for the Auckland Writers Festival - and popped in to studio for an interview.  Hollywood star Diane Kruger starred in Kiwi film  Joika -  and...

In this episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, British acting royalty Hugh Bonneville talks the latest Paddington film and his memories of Dame Maggie Smith.  Then we hear from New Zealand's own Madeline Sami - who had a massive 2024 with the second season of her show  Double Parked.  And we get cooking inspiration from one of Australia's most loved cooks, Nagi Maehashi.&nbsp...

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, comedy and children's author legend David Walliams joins the podcast to talk his career.  World squash champion, former Race Relations Commissioner and reality TV star Dame Susan Devoy released her memoir this year and joined Francesca.  Plus we all know Elijah Wood from the Lord of the Rings trilogy - but he was back on Kiwi screens...

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, Eric Idle talks his decades long career and what keeps him going in the comedy world.  We get in an insight into the life of the SAS with ex-commander Jamie Pennell .  And Australian sailor and world record holder Lisa Blair talks her journey around Antarctica and the documentary that followed.   Great Chats with Franc...

In this episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, global megastar Robbie Williams talks his storied music career, his controversies, and why he chose now to make a biopic.  Better Man  is in theatres now!  Then we hear from extreme adventurer, Andrew Fagan. He joined Francesca to talk his attempt to set the record for the smallest boat to sail around the world solo.  And Ma...

In the first episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, Canadian music superstar Rick Astley talks his life, the dangers of fame and the memoir he released this year.  Then we hear from Celebrity Treasure Island and ZM host Bree Tomasel about her upbringing and coming to the New Zealand radio market as an Australian.  And TV show The Bear is one of the most critically acclaimed shows...

Get the very best from Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin as she brings you the top interviews from her chats from The Sunday Session.  Hear from the big names globally as well as those making headlines right here in New Zealand.  Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin is the home of in depth, enlightening and entertaining conversations.  From December 23rd - get the best interviews from the...