Uncommon Sense – Triple R FM

Cinematic legend and icon Jean-Luc Godard died at age 91 recently, so it was apt that Dr Andrew McGregor returned to delve deeply into the life and legacy of the revolutionary auteur. Andrew and Amy discuss the nouvelle vague movement that originated in the late 1950s into the 1960s in France and Godard's prominent place within it. They explore the innovative film-making techniques and artistic ge...

British musician and environmentalist Nick Mulvey joins Amy for a special in-depth conversation about his latest album, New Mythology. Nick explains how he's "always trying to explore the planetary through the personal" with his music. From his early years as a founding member of Portico Quartet to his solo career, Nick shares the many spiritual, cultural, musical, and environmental influences on...

Nick Feik, former Editor of The Monthly, delves into the latest in federal politics with an incisive analysis of all the developments and questions arising from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's ministerial power grab, including the complicity of those who knew, the role of the Governor-General, and much more. Broadcast on 23 August 2022.

Highly regarded geopolitical thinker and former Singaporean diplomat Kishore Mahbubani talks about his essay, 'Australia's Choice: Can It Be A Bridge To Asia?', which is published in Australian Foreign Affairs Magazine (July 2022). Kishore explains how Australia needs to face up to the geopolitical reality of the 21st century – that China will become the number 1 global power. In order to find eff...

Best-selling British author Johann Hari chats in-depth with Amy live on Uncommon Sense for part two of their conversation on his book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention. Johann discusses the crisis of attention in both children and adults, how 'big tech' saps our ability to focus, as well as the insidious environmental factors that affect our attention, like pollution and chemicals. Most i...

Acclaimed historian Henry Reynolds discusses his award-winning book, 'Forgotten War' – on the frontier wars between First Nations people and white colonists. Frontier violence was commonplace in Australia during the 19th century, but can it be characterised as a war? Henry Reynolds explains. Originally published in 2014, it has been re-released by NewSouth Publishing. Broadcast on 9 August 2022.

Fiona Patten MLC, Reason Party Leader and representative for the Northern Metropolitan Region in the upper house of Victoria's state parliament, joins Amy to discuss state politics and policy, as well as the upcoming state election. Fiona explains her new bill which seeks to ensure that all publicly funded hospitals (including religious ones that receive government funding) provide abortion servic...

Dr Chris Wallace discusses the latest in federal politics, including the recent revelations that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison formally appointed himself to five Ministerial roles in secret. Chris delves into the detail of what happened and the historical and contemporary significance of this unprecedented action by an Australian Prime Minister. She also shares what this means for democracy...

Dr Kylie Soanes, conservation biologist at the University of Melbourne delves into the State of the Environment Report, finally released by the federal government. With the report declaring that urban environments are in the best condition – rated as "good and neutral" – Kylie discusses whether this assessment reflects the reality of nature in our cities and urban ecologies. In fact, Australia’s c...

Professor Andrew Walter talks about the latest in UK politics, including the demise of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the final round of the Tory leadership contest between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss. Andrew also discusses some of the other leadership contenders who have since left the field but are making their mark on the Tory party, including Kemi Badenoch. Andrew Walter is a Professor of I...

Epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter discusses the state of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other viruses of concern this winter, including the flu. Nancy talks about the experiences of people who choose to wear a mask, those with Long COVID, and those seeking timely anti-viral treatments. Nancy also explains the critical and simple things we can do to protect ourselves, each other, and the heal...

British biologist and bumblebee expert Professor Dave Goulson joins Amy to talk about his latest book, 'Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse.' Dave talks about how insects have been misunderstood, the vital contributions they make to our ecosystems and lives. He also explains the concerning research detailing insect decline and the reasons behind it. We can prevent an insect apocalypse. Da...

The recent detection of varroa mite in Australia via the Port of Newcastle has alarmed many beekeepers. A deadly parasite, varroa mite has plagued every other continent on Earth except Australia, until now. Nicholas Dowse, founder of urban beekeeping collective Honey Fingers, speaks about this concerning development and the likelihood of varroa mite being eradicated. If it is not, what might its e...

Amy is joined by American biologist Professor David George Haskell who talks about his new book on the evolution of sound and the beauty of listening in nature. David also shares how humans are now silencing and smothering many of the natural sounds of the living Earth. It's a crisis that is easily solvable with political will. David is a professor of biology and environmental studies at Sewanee:...

Victorian cultural leader and former diplomat Carrillo Gantner AC joins Amy for an in-depth conversation about his new book, 'Dismal Diplomacy, Disposable Sovereignty: Our Problem With China and America.' Carrillo examines the recent history of Australia's very poor diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and explains what the new Labor federal government must do to repair the rel...

Guardian Australia environment reporter Graham Readfearn talks about the sixth mass coral bleaching event at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, which occurred earlier this year. He describes his visit to the John Brewer Reef near Townsville and what he has learned about the causes of the Great Barrier Reef's decline. We learn about its current condition and the reef's future in the face of clim...

Dr Chris Wallace joins Amy to examine the 2022 federal election results in-depth, including the massive wins for the Greens, independents, and Labor. They also assess the extent of the media's influence, reflect on campaign strategies, and the next steps for an incoming Albanese Labor government. Chris is Professor at the 50/50 By 2030 Foundation at the University of Canberra, a former member of t...

EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Award-winning author Dr Elizabeth Tynan speaks about her new book, The Secret of Emu Field: Britain’s forgotten atomic tests in Australia. Elizabeth tells us what happened at Emu Field, South Australia in October 1953. She talks of a terrifying black mist that spread across the land after the first atomic bomb detonation called Totem I. It brought death and sickness to Aborigin...

Dr Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute joins Amy for the final instalment of Uncommon Sense's federal election policy series – this time, on the economy. Richard debunks all the election econobabble on wages growth, productivity, inflation, and much more. He explains and evaluates the economic policies of the major and minor parties at this federal election, including on ho...

Richie Merzian, Director of the Climate and Energy Program at The Australia Institute joins Amy for part 3 of our election policy series – climate change and energy policy. Richie looks at Australia's current climate targets and tells us what targets and policies are needed to keep global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees or at the very worst, 2 degrees. He also examines and evaluates what Labo...

Nic Maclellan joins Amy for the second instalment of our federal election policy series. He discusses Australia's foreign policy, including its relationships with Pacific island nations, China, and France. Nic also explains the positions and recent policies of the major and minor parties in regard to our nearest neighbours in the Pacific. Nic Maclellan is Pacific affairs correspondent for Inside S...

Luke Henriques-Gomes, Guardian Australia's social affairs and inequality editor, joins Amy for the first instalment of a special federal election policy series examining key policy areas in-depth. Luke discusses the policies and track record of the major parties in the areas of social policy, including the cashless debit card, JobSeeker, and the NDIS. Broadcast on 26 April 2022.

Former judge Stephen Charles AO QC and Dr Catherine Williams discuss what a robust and effective federal integrity commission looks like, as well as other accountability bodies and measures needed to protect our democracy from corruption. These include reforms to our political donations system, among many others. Their new book is called, 'Keeping Them Honest: The Case for a Genuine National Integ...

Gabriel Shipton, film producer and brother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, speaks about his film ITHAKA, which follows Assange's father John Shipton in his fight to free Julian. Gabriel discusses the chilling effect America’s efforts to prosecute Julian are having on freedom of press and whistleblowers across the world, and the disturbing tactics deployed to silence him and undermine Julian's...

Does Australia need a "big" government? Dr Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute examines the false narrative that Australians have been told for decades – that the less government spends, the better their lives will be. Richard talks about taxes, the weaponisation of shame in our welfare system, and what we can really afford as a country, if we choose it. His book is called,...