Everyone's talking about the Banking Royal Commission in Australia this week.

Geraldine has covered it closely. She hates the "gotcha" news cycle and feels much of the coverage has been populist and lacked context.

But Eliza had a very frustrating experience with her bank recently. She understands people's frustrations and the notion that bankers have been greedy while real wages stalled.

In Lebanon, there are concerns about a run on the banks because the economy is so fragile. Eliza tells her mum about the new Lebanese Government and the latest in Middle Eastern politics.

And then there's the normal LDC chat about TV, movies and podcasts.

Join the conversation online at the "Long Distance Calllers" Facebook page or email us at [email protected].

And if you're so inclined please vote for us at the Australian Podcast Awards! australianpodcastawards.com

Lebanon Forms New Government - NYT

The Angel - Netflix

Gladiator podcast

Green Book

Who the Hell is Hamish?

Australian soccer player Hakeem al-Araibi

This episode follows on from last week's conversation about Normal People by Sally Rooney.

Eliza loved it! She got all the cultural references and believed that the intimate scenes told us so much about the immature young lovers.

As opposed to Geraldine who thought the book was good, but certainly not great.

"Normal People" and its themes of about society and class division sparked a broader conversation about childhood in the 21st century. Geraldine read a special report in the Economist about childhood (it's available on the Facebook page Long Distance Callers). That report cited evidence to show that childhood has changed radically, radically altering life as a parent too.

Finally, Geraldine has a rant about the narrow use of the english language and Eliza wonders if Ottolenghi is all he's cracked up to be.

Join us for more discussion online at Long Distance Callers (facebook) or email us at [email protected].

Thanks for listening!

Normal People - Sally Rooney

The Guardian on Normal People

ABC Radio All In The Mind

Geraldine has returned to work this week and everyone is talking Kondo.

But neither Geraldine or Eliza are sure about this method of personal makeover. Might it add to people's sense of domestic failure? Is it a sustainable model in the busy modern world? The verdict is out.

And please don't suggest throwing out books. This is a heresy to both women.

Geraldine has just returned from a holiday to Tasmania where she finished the bestseller "Normal People" by Sally Rooney. People are raving about it but Geraldine thought it was a bit lazy. She wonders whether the sex was a distraction from the character development?

Eliza cites the Bernhard Schlink book "The Reader" as an example where sex was crucial to the story, but didn't swamp it.

Let us know your thoughts over email [email protected] or the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers".

Thankyou for listening!

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning - Margareta Magnusson

Normal People - Sally Rooney

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37539457-normal-people

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/26/sally-rooney-normal-people-review-elegant-intelligent-tender

The Reader - Bernhard Schlink

It's cold, it's wet, it's wintery, the schools are closed ... and Eliza is having a whinge about her new city.

Geraldine is just back from a wonderful holiday in Queensland and will jet off to Tasmania in the coming week.

The women also talk about the latest from Brexit and the big political shifts in the Middle East.

Please log onto Long Distance Callers on Facebook for the shownotes & links which Eliza will post when the schools re-open.

Thanks for listening!

Christmas is approaching!

In this episode, Eliza and Geraldine discuss their "Best Of" 2018 covering books, podcasts, journalism, tv and music.

Eliza is limping to the finish line with a few days remaining before she boards the flight home. Forget the challenge of moving countries, the biggest headache has been dealing with her Australian mortgage lender from afar.

She's most satisfied by seeing her children making friends and happily settling in to their new city.

Geraldine has successfully moved house with her sanity intact. Just. But she loves her new place and feels a great sense of satisfaction with the move behind her.

Thankyou for listening and please give us your thoughts via the website longdistancecall.com.au or the Facebook call “Long Distance Callers”

Rise and Kill First – Ronen Bergman

A Legacy of Spies – John Le Carre

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeymoon

The Library of Ice by Nancy Campbell –

H is for Hawk

TV - A Very English Scandal

Essay – England’s Dreaming – Fintan O’Toole – Prospect Magazine

Slow Burn Clinton Impeachment (Episode 8)

Caliphate podcast

Ben McIntyre – The Spy and the Traitor

Boy Swallows Universe – Trent Dalton

Normal People – Sally Rooney

NYT Investigation into Donald Trump’s suspect tax schemes

First Man

The Crown

In two weeks Eliza and her family will be boarding a plane to celebrate Christmas in Australia.

So is Geraldine ready for the Silly Season?

The answer is…sort of.

Geraldine has had a busy month moving house. She’s planning to decorate the Christmas tree this weekend.

Eliza tells her to chill and forget about the bells and whistles this year.

Christmas is a different celebration in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s considered a small break, rather than the formal end of the working year. And therefore it seems less pressured than Australia.

The women pivot from Christmas cheer to President George H Bush's funeral in America.

His son, President George W Bush gave a terrific eulogy and Eliza believes the Trump era has prompted a re-think about the man once considered a bumbling fool.

In a fortnight Eliza and her Mum will do a “Best of 2018” wrap. Please get in touch with your favourite books, tv shows and podcasts via the Facebook page (Long Distance Callers) or email [email protected] with your list.

Thanks for tuning in!

British Government appoints Minister for Loneliness

President George W Bush delivers his father's eulogy

The Edith Trilogy - Frank Moorhouse

There's a bit of everything in this week's podcast.

Indonesian authorities have determined that the Lion Air plane that crashed into the sea off Jakarta airport shouldn't have been allowed to fly. Geraldine and Eliza regret the horrible loss of life and discuss some of the perils of travelling in Indonesia.

Back in Australia, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews crushed the Opposition at the weekend election. It was an emphatic victory for Labor and a vote against the Conservative's strategy. But Geraldine believes Australia is becoming more fragmented. She doesn't necessarily see the electoral trends from Victoria continuing through to the Federal Election next May.

And then it's time Ferrante Fever. The Good Weekend Magazine in Australia published an article about the screen adaptation of Elena Ferrante's novel "My Brilliant Friend". There was some great feedback on the Facebook group. And it emerged that Geraldine didn't devour the trilogy as Eliza thought.

Eliza and her Mum talk about women's friendships, creativity after motherhood and what makes successful female leaders. Eliza has just finished listening to Michelle Obama who is an inspirational woman.

If you like the podcast, please join the discussion on Facebook through "Long Distance Callers". And leave us a review on iTunes. Thankyou!

Lion Air Crash

Finding Elena Ferrante "It was like working with a ghost"

Michelle Obama & Oprah

Jeremy Bowen War Stories

Geraldine was inducted into the Melbourne Press Club’s Journalism Hall of Fame last week along with other legends like Ray Martin and Andrew Olle.

Geraldine reflects on the fun night and the path she’s taken to get to reach the pinnacle of the industry.

Eliza consumes most of her journalism through newspapers and podcasts these days. But last week she tuned into the BBC World Service live and was reminded of the very high standard of its broadcasters. That prompts the women to get stuck down a rabbit hole about Brexit, before they come up for air and discuss Facebook and its flaws.

Geraldine is still unpacking boxes and has promised to have watched some of the “The Bodyguard” on Netflix before next week’s call.

To join the debate, just search for “Long Distance Callers” on your facebook page. Or drop us a line through the ‘contact’ section at longdistancecall.com.au

Thanks for listening!

Melbourne Press Club

Saturday Extra: Geraldine talks to former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett

Legendary Melbourne crime reporter John Silvester

One Crowded Hour - Tim Bowden

Neil Davis

Highways to a War - Christopher Koch

Ted talk: 10 ways to have a better conversation

Anne Summers - ABC Conversations

New York Times Facebook investigation

Geraldine has spent her final night in the family home.

She's feeling a bit sentimental but knows she's ready for the move.

Meanwhile Eliza has finally received her shipment of furniture, almost five months after leaving her old home in Indonesia. It's such a relief. But her house is full of boxes.

The discussion moves on to the US MidTerm elections, tribalism, what it takes to join the elite forces of the Australian army, ISIS and the new BBC miniseries that's gripping the world.

Neil Prakash the Australian ISIS recruiter now in jail in Turkey

The Bodyguard

Line of Duty

Anne with an E

Extract from The Great Cave Rescue

The Great Cave Rescue

Join the discussion at our Facebook page "Long Distance Callers".

It's a special LDC this week because Geraldine and Eliza are together!

Adam makes a guest appearance too.

The trio eat at one of Beirut's best Italian restaurants https://www.zomato.com/beirut/tavolina-mar-mikhael and then it's onto a very cool cocktail bar. http://www.anisebar.com

Check out our Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" for some pictures of Geraldine's trip.