Uncommon Sense – Triple R FM

Professor Andrew Walter demystifies Brexit for us; he explains why the UK Parliament rejected the first deal, what the so-called 'Irish backstop' is and why understanding Ireland and Northern Ireland's complex history is so important to the issue. Plus, with a looming Brexit deadline approaching, what comes next? Professor Walter is based at the School of Social and Political Sciences at the Unive...

Acclaimed writer Fiona Wright discusses her new non-fiction book, 'The World Was Whole', which explores Fiona's lived experience of chronic illness. She explores our relationship to the spaces we inhabit – not only the physical world, but also our physical bodies. This book has been longlisted for The Stella Prize in 2019. (Broadcast on 29 January, 2019)

Peter Cochrane, historian and novelist, spoke about his new book on "the story behind the story" of Australia's involvement in World War I, 'Best We Forget: The War for White Australia: 1914-18'. He examines how the racial preoccupations and anxieties that shaped Australia’s preparation for and commitment to the war have been lost to popular memory. Broadcast on September 4, 2018.

Barry Jones, public intellectual and former Minister for Science in the Hawke government, spoke about what’s wrong with our political parties and system and he and Malcolm Fraser's big idea to solve it. Broadcast on 28 August 2018.

Mark McKenna, Professor of History at The University of Sydney joined Amy in the studio to discuss his Quarterly Essay 'Moment of Truth: History and Australia's Future'. In McKenna's own words: "Australia stands at a crossroads – we either make the commonwealth stronger and more complete through an honest reckoning with the past, or we unmake the nation by clinging to triumphant narratives in whic...

Graeme Davison, urban and social historian and Emeritus Professor at Monash University, joined Amy in the studio to discuss the book he has edited, 'Hugh Stretton: Selected Writings.' Stretton was a prominent public intellectual in Australia and a social democrat, known for his deeply humane approach to social and urban policy issues. Fundamentally, Stretton wanted to make Australia fairer. We dis...

Patrick Mullins, discusses his new political biography, 'Tiberius With A Telephone: The Life and Stories of William McMahon.' McMahon is a man regarded by many as Australia’s worst performing Prime Minister, having served in the top job from 1971-72. He was widely derided by his cabinet colleagues too. We ask, has history remembered his long political career and life accurately? What were his achi...

Parisian author and journalist Agnès Poirier discussed her book, 'Left Bank: Art, Passion and the Rebirth of Paris, 1940-50,' which explores the intellectual, literary and cultural flourishing during Nazi-occupied Paris and after liberation. Amy and Agnès discuss this and the many connections and relationships that were essential to such an intense and productive period. Notable intellectuals and...

Author Stuart Kells discusses his book, 'The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders,' which has been shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards in the Non-Fiction Category. Amy and Stuart discussed the wonder of books, libraries and the sometimes quirky and passionate behaviours of bibliophiles across history. Broadcast on 27 November, 2018.

Award-winning journalist and ABC legend Kerry O'Brien joined Amy in the studio to discuss his new memoir. They explore the stories behind his greatest political interviews, his views on the series of leadership spills in recent times, the changing media landscape, has a chuckle about how everyone asks if his hair is real, and much more. Broadcast on 20 November, 2018.

Ed Hill, Campaigner at the Goongerah Environment Centre (GECO) in East Gippsland, joined Amy in the studio to discuss the old growth native forest logging still occurring in Victoria, the threats to endangered species, and the policy positions of the major state parties on logging, the creation of new national parks, and conservation. Broadcast on 13 November 2018.

Feminist and writer Dr Anne Summers joined Amy Mullins to talk about her adventurous life and prolific career, detailed in her new memoir, 'Unfettered and Alive.' They spoke about the women's liberation movement, politics, and the unfinished business of feminism. Broadcast on 6 November, 2018.

Professor Emeritus Jürgen Tautz from the University of Würzberg, talked with Amy about his book co-authored with Diedrich Steen, 'The Honey Factory: Inside the Ingenious World of Bees.' Broadcast on October 30, 2018.

3RRR alumni, radio presenter and songwriter Greg Champion of the ABC’s Coodabeen Champions joined Amy in the studio to talk about the new published collection of his football songs, 'The Thing About Football – The Songs of Greg Champion', and sang quite a few of them. Broadcast on October 2, 2018.

Philosopher Anne Manne came in to talk about mothers and the quest for social justice. Anne argues for a 'universal caregiver' regime as opposed to the current 'universal breadwinner' regime that expects productive citizens to be in full-time paid work and devalues unpaid caring work. Anne's chapter is in the new multi-author book, 'Dangerous Ideas About Mothers'. Broadcast on 25 September 2018.

British author Johann Hari joined Amy in the studio to talk about his book, Chasing the Scream, The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs. They discuss drug addiction, what it is, why it happens, and what the new solutions have been in other countries and what they might be in Australia. Broadcast on 25 September 2018.

Alex Edney-Browne, from the University of Melbourne, discussed with Amy the history of military drones, and their present day effects on the civilian populations they surveil and attack in war zones and beyond. They also discussed the experiences of drone operators. Alex went to Afghanistan and also to the US to speak with those affected and to share their stories more widely. Broadcast on 18 Sept...

American artist and co-founder of The Centre for Artistic Activism, Steve Lambert, talked about his thought-provoking and interactive public art installation touring Melbourne’s CBD, Capitalism Works for Me! True/False, which is showing through the Melbourne Fringe Fest.

Fiona Patten MLC, Founder and Leader of Reason Party (formerly The Sex Party) and parliamentarian, came in to the studio to discuss her memoir, 'Sex, Drugs and the Electoral Roll: My unlikely journey from sex worker to Member of Parliament'. Broadcast on 11 September 2018.

Don Rothwell, Professor of International Law at the Australian National University spoke to Amy about the the crucial International Whaling Commission meeting being held in Brazil whereby Japan is seeking to reverse the moratorium on commercial whaling. Broadcast on 11 September, 2018.

Barrister Julian Burnside QC joined Amy in the studio to discuss the threats to multiculturalism in Australia, which is the topic of his Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria 7th Annual Walter Lippmann Memorial Oration. Broadcast on 11 September, 2018.

Acclaimed actors Marta Dusseldorp and Zoe Terakes talk about the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of A Doll’s House Part 2, which sees Nora return to the family she left 15 years ago. The original play, A Doll's House (1879), was written by the father of modern drama, Henrik Ibsen. Broadcast on 28 August 2018.

Dr Karen Jones, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Melbourne, came in to talk about trust – what is it, and how can we trust wisely? Karen believes that misplaced distrust can be every bit as costly as misplaced trust. Broadcast on 14 August 2018.

Judith Brett, Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe University, discussed her new book, The Enigmatic Mr Deakin, which details the curious life and charismatic character of Australia's second Prime Minister, Alfred Deakin. Judith won the prestigious 2018 National Biography Award for this book. Broadcast on 12 September, 2017.

Richard Todd, Director and Producer of Dying to Live, came into the studio to discuss his documentary about organ and tissue donation in Australia – looking at the donors and the recipients. It is part of the 2018 Melbourne International Film Festival. Broadcast on 14 August 2018.