Long Distance Call

American political strategist David Axelrod once famously told President Obama that "hard things are hard".

Eliza thinks Axelrod's blunt advice is useful when it comes to preparing for COVID-19.

She's starting to plan for a future where coronavirus and all the associated disruptions become the new normal. That process of change and adaptation is hard - but then everyone's finding it a challenge.

Geraldine is forcing herself to put down COVID-related news and pick up a novel instead.

Also this week: Sydney's terrific urban renewal project. Eliza and her Mum also clash over Sydney's new casino building.

Thanks for listening! Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email [email protected]

Quarantine Fatigue is Real – The Atlantic

“Live and Let Die” Pod Save America

Spies of No Country – Matti Friedman

The Actress - Anne Enright

The Risks – Erin Bromage blog

How America’s First Known Coronavirus Patient Recovered- Frontline PBS America

Lebanese people are breaking free of quarantine and returning to the streets to protest against the corrupt ruling elite.

The Government has successfully managed to stop the spread of coronavirus. But the economy - which was already in freefall - is now terminal. The Government has asked the International Monetary Fund for a loan, but that money will come with strict austerity conditions that risk further angering the 'street'.

Eliza's husband Adam covers Lebanon's recent turbulent past in a program on ABC TV Tuesday 5th May at 8pm.

Also on the podcast, Geraldine wonders if the COVID-19 pandemic will unlock our creative juices? History would suggest not.

And where should a novice gardener begin?

Join the conversation at "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page or email [email protected]

David Runciman – Big Ideas

Will Joe Biden be the next President of the United States?

The Art of Forgetting – The Australian - Rosemary Neill

Affection – Ian Townsend

Metropolis – Philip Kerr

Eichmann in Jerusalem – Hannah Arendt

Hot Mess – ABC Radio National

Australia has had great success tackling COVID-19.

But now that some of the fear has passed, Geraldine and Eliza think the Government should alter its message and public health restrictions.

Also this week, how should Geraldine report on the upcoming US election?

Eliza decides to opt out of the official school curriculum.

And finally - what were you meant to be doing in 2020? There's been some great commentary on the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers". Let us know your plans at [email protected]

The paradox of Merkelism - Philip Oltermann

Helen Quade is a lawyer who lives on a farm in Western NSW with her husband and three kids.

She joins Eliza on the latest episode of the Lockdown Chronicles.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

Denee Savoia is an Australian journalist living and working in Istanbul, Turkey. She joins Eliza for the latest edition of the Lockdown Chronicles.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the Lockdown Chronicles, Eliza talks to her friend Cara Mayega in Singapore.

It's a politics-heavy podcast this week.

The former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has written a memoir about his time in Canberra. He denies that the book is an act of revenge against his former colleagues, but there are many in the Liberal Party who are likely to squirm in anticipation of its release.

Eliza is a big fan of political memoirs. Geraldine is too, but only if they're sufficiently reflective.

Also this week, Geraldine breaks a habit of a lifetime and begins baking packet-mix cakes.

And Eliza finds joy at Woolworths.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page or email us at [email protected]. Leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice. Thanks for listening!

David Crowe on Malcolm Turnbull’s memoir - The Good Weekend

Michael Ignatieff: the intellectual who wanted to be a politician

Barak Obama & Bill Clinton: Lets be Friends (2012)

Light and Shadow: Memoirs of a Spy’s Son – Mark Colvin memoir

The Book of Life – Eve Claxton

Unfettered and Alive - Anne Summers

My Story: Julia Gillard

The Climb: Geraldine Doogue

The Godfather

The Wire

On this episode of the Lockdown Chronicles we go to Washington DC with Heidi Lipson and then to Los Angeles with Luke Adams.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

(Apologies about the variable audio quality throughout the episode)

Easter Monday brings good news: the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital.

He uploaded a video message to Twitter thanking the NHS for saving his life, particularly two nurses: Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal. Two immigrants who he credits with helping him get through 48 hours which "could have gone either way".

Geraldine wonders where the PM's near death experience will change him?

Before Geraldine and Eliza discuss Boris, they run through other important issues of the day: particularly how to maintain beauty standards in the age of social distancing.

The struggle is real.

Join the conversation at the facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening

He Could Have Seen What Was Coming: Behind Trump's Failure on the Virus

Coronavirus has exposed the myth of British exceptionalism - Fintan O'Toole

The American Exception in the coronavirus - Zadie Smith

Talking Politics - episode 235 Can America Cope?

Burial Rites - Hannah Kent

This is the first in a special series of personal stories from Eliza's network of expat friends around the world.

Coronavirus has separated us, but it's also united us through similar challenges and opportunities.

How's everyone coping? Is homeschooling in Belgium any different to Sydney? How does it feel to be so far from 'home' but for the first time in our lifetimes, unable to get home.

First up: long-time Australian expat Lucy Reynaud in Belgium.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]