Public

On Point news analyst Jack Beatty on the connections and correlation between President Trump, his most loyal supporters and the popularity of the Fox News Channel.

Analytic philosophy has often understood itself as being in some sense "above" history - using reason and logic to explore problems that are timeless and apolitical. But this week we're talking with the author of a new book that places analytic philosophy firmly in its social/historical context.

UnHerd’s Florence Read sits down with John Michael Greer, prolific author of over 50 books, including The Druidry Handbook, The Long Descent, and The King in Orange, and former Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. Greer explains what it means to be a Druid today, detailing the spiritual practices rooted in Celtic traditions, including rituals, meditation, and divination, and their connection to the living Earth.

They discuss Greer's perspective on the modern world, blending ecology, spirituality, and societal decline. He describes magic as "the politics of the excluded," revealing its role in history and power dynamics. Greer also shares his provocative views on contemporary politics, including speculation on Donald Trump's destiny, suggesting he might follow the path of other transformative U.S. Presidents who died in office.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*This podcast was made possible through the generous support of Book Alchemy’s paid membership. To support the show and future projects, please consider becoming at member at secretlibrarypodcast.com

Saying goodbye is bittersweet

Nine years ago, I launched a podcast with very little certainty that it would thrive. I didn’t know if we would even hit ten episodes. Today I fact-checked my total of 250+ episodes and learned I was WILDLY off. This is technically episode 487.

I would not have been able to continue this long without the incredible generosity of both my guests and my listeners. Without Haley Hatcher of Heart-Centered Podcasting’s support. Without the multiple logos Barry McWilliams patiently created, and without Emily Hawkins, who composed the dream theme music I wish we’d had from the very beginning.

In this final episode, I am honored that my friend Katherine May offered to take over the interviewer’s role, letting me reminisce and share the experience of producing this show for so long. Thank you Katherine, I couldn’t have closed this well without you.

The show will be here in the archives for you to revisit, and now we close one chapter. I’m delighted, relieved, exhausted and a bit sad all at once.

Thank you, above all, for listening.

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour. To join the game, call 0345 60 60 973, Thursdays at 12pm.

Macau is best known now for its casinos, but it was the first European city in Asia, remained a Portuguese colony for 500 years, and contains many colourful and significant stories within its walls. 

On 28 June 1919, in the Palace of Versailles in Paris the signing of the Treaty of Versailles took place.

It was a peace agreement that marked the end of World War One.

The terms of the treaty punished Germany for their involvement in starting the war.

British journalist, William Norman Ewer attended the signing. He told his story to the BBC World Service in 1967.

He recalls the moment of the signing and the treatment of the German delegates in this fascinating account.

Produced and presented by Gill Kearsley.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Treaty of Versailles is signed by Prime Minister Clemenceau. Credit: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The novel has continued to evolve since its inception as a major literary form centuries ago. It has seen styles and genres come and go, adaptation and translation between languages and cultures and countless publishing trends and cycles. In this panel discussion featuring four extraordinary novelists, Rumaan Alam (Entitlement), Robbie Arnott (Dusk), Samantha Harvey (Orbital) and Torrey Peters (Stag Dance), join host Kate Evans (ABC Radio National’s The Bookshelf) to consider the novel, its place in contemporary times and how their work fits into the larger literary landscape.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2025 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Solnit: Changing the Story, Changing the World

In this powerful in-store conversation, Rebecca Solnit joins Adam Biles to discuss her new book No Straight Road Takes You There — a rallying call for hope, justice, and the reimagining of our collective future. With wit, clarity, and courage, Solnit explores how stories shape our world — and how changing them can change everything. Drawing on decades of activism and deep historical insight, she challenges despair, celebrates solidarity, and reminds us that even in dark times, “we are always in the middle of the story.” From climate crisis to the power of protest, from Silicon Valley dystopia to unexpected beauty in community, this conversation is a galvanizing reminder: the future is unwritten — and it’s ours to shape.

Buy No Straight Road Takes You There: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/no-straight-road-takes-you-there

*

REBECCA SOLNIT is the author of more than twenty books, including Orwell’s Roses, which was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing, Recollections of My Non-Existence, which was longlisted for the 2021 Orwell Prize for Political Writing and shortlisted for the James Tait Black Award, The Faraway Nearby, Wanderlust, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, River of Shadows and A Paradise Built in Hell. She is also the author of Men Explain Things to Me and many essays on feminism, activism, social change, hope, and the climate crisis. She lives in San Francisco and writes regularly for the Guardian. She lives in San Francisco.

Adam Biles is Literary Director at Shakespeare and Company.

Listen to Alex Freiman’s latest EP, In The Beginning: https://open.spotify.com/album/5iZYPMCUnG7xiCtsFCBlVa?si=h5x3FK1URq6SwH9Kb_SO3w

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The seed of the idea for Irish author Kevin Barry’s latest novel was planted more than 25 years ago. But it wasn’t until late into the pandemic as he was walking in the countryside and had a vision of a young couple on horseback riding double that he decided to write The Heart in Winter. Set in 1890s Montana, the book is a savagely funny and achingly romantic tale of young lovers on the lam. On this week’s episode Michael chats with Kevin about The Heart in Winter and why these days, glamorous sentences are not the most important thing in his writing.   Reading list: City of Bohane, Kevin Barry, 2011 Beatlebone, Kevin Barry, 2015 Night Boat to Tangier, Kevin Barry, 2019 The Heart in Winter, Kevin Barry, 2024   Underworld, Don DeLillo, 1997   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Kevin Barry