Uncommon Sense

Acclaimed historian Henry Reynolds speaks with Amy about the historical reality of the colonisation of Australia, and why it is legally, historically, and morally clear that Indigenous sovereignty was never ceded. Henry also discusses his life's research on the frontier wars in Australia and his views on treaty-making, memorialisation, and confronting our violent history. His new book is 'Truth-Te...

Award-winning investigative reporter Louise Milligan delves into the issues examined in her latest book, 'Witness: An Investigation Into the Brutal Cost of Seeking Justice.' Louise talks about the traumatic effects witnesses and complainants of sexual abuse experience under cross-examination, and whilst navigating the criminal justice system in Australia. Epidemiologist and WHO Advisor on COVID-19...

Award-winning investigative reporter Louise Milligan delves into the issues examined in her latest book, Witness: An Investigation Into the Brutal Cost of Seeking Justice. Louise talks about the traumatic effects witnesses and complainants of sexual abuse experience under cross-examination, and whilst navigating the criminal justice system in Australia.

Philosopher and scuba diver Peter Godfrey-Smith speaks in-depth about his new book, Metazoa: Animal Minds and the Birth of Consciousness . Peter explains how conscious experience evolved from animals in the sea millions of years ago. He introduces us to some of the fascinating creatures he meets on his scuba dives; sponges, soft coral, banded shrimp, giant cuttlefish, and hermit crabs. Peter is a...

Philosopher and diver Peter Godfrey-Smith speaks in-depth about his new book, Metazoa: Animal Minds and the Birth of Consciousness . Peter explains how conscious experience evolved from animals in the sea millions of years ago. He introduces us to some of the fascinating creatures he meets on his scuba dives; sponges, soft coral, banded shrimp, giant cuttlefish, and hermit crabs. Peter is a profes...

Author and regenerative farmer Charles Massy joins Amy to discuss the re-release of his acclaimed book, Call Of The Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, A New Earth. We talk about the extensive environmental, health, and economic benefits of regenerative agriculture (the alternative to industrial agriculture), as well as the connection between soil health and human health. Charles shares why the trans...

Amy returns for her first show of 2021! Dr Emma Shortis, Research Fellow at the EU Centre of Excellence, RMIT, delivers the US Politics Wrap talking about the Capital coup and media reporting of it, Joe Biden’s first days and actions as US President, the impending impeachment trial, and more. Author and regenerative farmer Charles Massy joins Amy to discuss the re-release of his acclaimed book, Ca...

Kate Manne, Australian philosopher at Cornell University (NYC), joins Amy to discuss her new book, Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women, and her ground-breaking previous book, Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny.

Kate Manne, Australian philosopher at Cornell University (NYC), joins Amy to discuss her new book, Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women, and her ground-breaking previous book, Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny . Uncommon Sense regulars Emma Shortis and Ben Eltham stop by for the 2020 year-in-review politics wrap talking all things Australian and US politics – the lows, and the even deeper lows...

Historian and evolutionary neurobiologist Dr Matthew Cobb joins Amy for a deep conversation on The Idea of the Brain: A History .

Historian and evolutionary neurobiologist Dr Matthew Cobb joins Amy for a deep conversation on The Idea of the Brain: A History . Dr Skye Cleary, philosopher at Columbia University, NYC, explores the essential features of existentialism from her co-edited book, How to Live a Good Life: A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy . Historian Dr Chloe Ward from RMIT on the latest in UK politics and...

Dr Skye Cleary, philosopher at Columbia University, NYC, explores the essential features of existentialism from her co-edited book, How to Live a Good Life: A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy.

Former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, China's Grand Strategy and Australia’s Future in the New Global Order, which examines China’s place in the world and the strategy behind its actions. They also discuss diplomatic relations between Beijing and Canberra, which are at an all time low. Why has the situation worsened in recent ye...

Former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, China's Grand Strategy and Australia’s Future in the New Global Order, which examines China’s place in the world and the strategy behind its actions. They also discuss diplomatic relations between Beijing and Canberra, which are at an all time low. Why has the situation worsened in recent ye...

US politics expert Dr Emma Shortis from RMIT joins Amy for an in-depth and extensive analysis of the US election – what happened, what does it mean for the US, and what does it mean for the rest of the world, including Australia? Dr Gabriel da Silva, lecturer in chemical engineering from The University of Melbourne on the effects of air pollution and particularly bushfire smoke. He outlines the ch...

US politics expert Dr Emma Shortis from RMIT joins Amy for an in-depth and extensive analysis of the US election – what happened, what does it mean for the US, and what does it mean for the rest of the world, including Australia?

Former Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley speaks with Amy about the findings of the Bushfire Royal Commission report that was just handed down and what we must do to prepare for the bushfire season. Craig has been advocating alongside fellow Emergency Leaders for Climate Action to put climate change at the centre of Australia’s bushfire and natural disasters response.

Former Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley speaks with Amy about the findings of the Bushfire Royal Commission report that was just handed down and what we must do to prepare for the bushfire season. Craig has been advocating alongside fellow Emergency Leaders for Climate Action to put climate change at the centre of Australia’s bushfire and natural disasters response. Dr Man...

Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis joins Amy for a special conversation about his vision for a post-capitalist society. They discuss Yanis's political influences, his time as Finance Minister seeking to negotiate a financial settlement for Greece and his battle with Europe's establishment, as well delving deeply into his new book, Another Now: Dispatches From An Alternative Present. Ab...

Former Greek finance minister and economist Yanis Varoufakis joined Amy Mullins for a long-form conversation about his vision for a fair, just, and competitive post-capitalist society, as detailed in his new book Another Now: Dispatches from an Alternative Present. They discuss his political activism, influences, and time as finance minister in 2015 seeking to negotiate a settlement for Greece wit...

Guardian Australia inequality and welfare reporter Luke Henriques-Gomes discusses how the reductions in JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments have been affecting Australians, as well as the difficulties faced in this recession, particularly by older women. Dr Chloe Ward from RMIT University chats about the latest in UK politics, including the British government’s threats of a no-deal Brexit with the EU...

Writer Katerina Bryant delves into mental illness and bias in the medical system in her new book, Hysteria: A Memoir of Illness, Strength and Women’s Stories Throughout History. Professor Brendan Wintle, conservation ecologist and director of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub joins Amy to talk about the ongoing bushfire recovery efforts to save threatened species, recent positive case studies in...

Writer Katerina Bryant delves into mental illness and bias in the medical system in her new book, Hysteria: A Memoir of Illness, Strength and Women’s Stories Throughout History.

French journalist and author Guillaume Pitron talks about his eye-opening new book, The Rare Metals War: The Dark Side of Clean Energy and Digital Technologies .

French journalist and author Guillaume Pitron talks about his eye-opening new book, The Rare Metals War: The Dark Side of Clean Energy and Digital Technologies . Dr Chris Wallace from the University of Canberra shares with us the secrets of electoral success with her book, How to Win an Election . And Dr Emma Shortis from RMIT stops by to talk about the US Presidential Election and the growing Whi...