In 2020, former Victorian state MP Tim Holding and fiancée Felicity Selkirk purchased a crumbling 18th century French chateau and set about restoring it. The monumental, multi-year renovation has drained their patience - and bank balance - but become one of the most rewarding things they've ever embarked upon.
Hosting a conversation about why they decided to do it in the first place, what it's taught them about themselves and each other, and living in the French countryside, is Good Weekend senior writer Melissa Fyfe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What restoring an 18th century French chateau taught former Victorian pollie Tim Holding and his partner about themselves

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In this episode we meet Rhanee Rego, the young Novocastrian who became interested in the case of Australia's "worst serial child killer", Kathleen Folbigg, when studying law. Six years later, Rego was instrumental in securing the release of Folbigg, who'd been jailed in 2003 for killing her four infant children. With Folbigg's convictions now quashed, Rego is working to secure what's expected to be one of the biggest compensation payouts in Australian legal history.
Hosting the conversation is Good Weekend senior writer, Tim Elliott. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The law student who thought Kathleen Folbigg innocent - then went on to secure her freedom

In this episode we meet Rachelle Unreich, Melbourne-based author of the book, A Brilliant Life: my mother's inspiring story of surviving the Holocaust.
Recently shortlisted for The Age’s non-fiction book of the year, this mother-daughter memoir weaves the remarkable story of Rachelle's mother Mira, who survived four concentration camps from the age of 17, together with background about the Holocaust and Rachelle's own life.
Hosting the episode, which explores both Rachelle and Mira's stories, the challenge of memory and the lessons learnt from the very worst - and best - of humanity, is the editor of Good Weekend, Katrina Strickland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What lessons are there still to learn from the Holocaust?

In this episode we meet bestselling author Johann Hari, who has gone down an Ozempic rabbit hole to work out how and why this weight loss drug works. Hari writes about his findings in a new book, Magic Pill, including his own dramatic drop in clothes size. Whilst marvelling at how drugs like this are changing obesity management, he remains conflicted about their use and longer-term ramifications.
Hosting the conversation is Good Weekend senior writer, Amanda Hooton.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling author Johann Hari on the whole Ozempic conundrum

In this episode we meet lawyer and author Shankari Chandran, who won the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens. Chandran’s writing explores the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia, and weaves sharp commentary on racism, injustice and ignorance through richly told stories of family and community.
Her new novel, Safe Haven, published by Ultimo Press in early May, explores issues of immigration and detention.
Hosting this episode, which also covers how Chandran finds the time to write between her work as a lawyer and raising four kids, is Good Weekend editor Katrina Strickland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving from anger towards love: a Miles Franklin winner's writing process

In this episode, we meet economist Sean Turnell, who was imprisoned in Myanmar in 2022, following a military coup. Turnell spent 650 days behind bars, including two months in a metal room within a room that he calls "the box". He talks to us today about everything from his anxiety over the continued imprisonment of his colleagues from Myanmar, to forming a movement with other Australians who've been wrongfully imprisoned abroad, like Kylie Moore-Gilbert and Cheng Lei.
Hosting this episode, which touches on the smuggled books and fruitcake that made Turnell’s stint in prison bearable, is former South-East Asia correspondent and now senior reporter, Chris Barrett. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What restoring an 18th century French chateau taught former Victorian pollie Tim Holding and his partner about themselves

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