The Drawing Room

Long before James Bond and MI6, all the way back in the 16th century, one man was behind the first British spy service. 

Architect Gino Volpato's houses have stood out in suburban Australia for decades and now after a period of neglect, his designs are finding favour again.

With the Scandinavian Film Festival on around Australia, find out about the different idiosyncrasies that each Nordic nation has when it comes to their subgenre of film. 

Hear why Lars von Trier's 1996 film Breaking the Waves is ideal for being adapted into an opera.

Composer and musician Erik Griswold explains how the Sichuan province in China inspires his experimental work with piano. 

What happened when Joy Milne knew her husband was starting to smell different?

One of Australia’s foremost sitar players Dr. Sarita McHarg joins us in the studio for a lesson in classical Indian music. 

Are you an ocean pool fanatic? 

Joep Beving composition doesn't demand much energy from the listener but aims to evoke an energy. He talks about finding the essence of the instrument and what his daughters think of his work.

How composer and musician Tim Munro is translating sunset on the beach into music. 

American author John Koenig has written his own dictionary The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, creating and compiling new words for those moments you can't quite find the right word for.

A flash of flesh dashing across the screen during a game of footy used to be the norm but streaking seems to have gone somewhat out of fashion. We speak to Michael Waters about the history of streaking and where its gone.

The outgoing President of The Australian Human Rights Commission Rosalind Croucher AM, reflects on her seven year tenure in the top job. 

Ukrainian born, Finnish Conductor Dalia Stasevska, is making sure that the music of both her home countries is heard all around the world.

Russian actor Oleg Vidov’s story sounds like the plot of one of the Soviet-era films he starred in, and now his life has been documented by his widow Joan Borsten Vidov in the new film Oleg: The Oleg Vidov Story

How the discovery of tiny slivers of bone has led researchers to pinpoint the time that clothes transitioned from purely functional, to fashionable. 

The fascinating history of US presidential debates. Spoiler: this last one was not the only car cash debate over the years. 

If you are a fan of natural history documentaries from David Attenborough to our own Harry Butler or even Steve Irwin, then you want to hear from the emeritus professor who has studied the ABC's own Natural History archived to inform the new book Making Animals Public

Which famous artist of the 20th century collaborated with Mae West, Buster Keaton, David Bowie, Alfred Hitchcock, Walt Disney and heavy metal rocker Alice Cooper? That would be Salvador Dalí.

Find out why in 1392, King Charles the Sixth was convinced his body was made of class and that he might shatter at any moment. 

Jeremy Hearder has been one of Australia's longest serving diplomats and public servants. He's retiring this week after 65 years, nine postings abroad and a wealth of stories.

Tiffany Murray's new autobiography 'My Family and Other Rock Stars' of her time growing up amongst musicians like Queen, David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

Many musicians can claim that they are a product of the Espy in St Kilda, but not like Alex Hamilton he grew up in the hotel his mum worked behind the bar and he lived out the back. 

Part two of our interview with global best-selling British author David Nicholls for the Big Weekend of Books.

The new theatre production “Hits”  is a theatrical love letter to the music that saved you and set your teenage soul on fire. It aims to capture the euphoria of finding your people and going to your first music festival.