Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 143

Professor Clare Wright

Clare is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. She holds a PhD in Australian Studies from the University of Melbourne and an MA in Public History from Monash University and is currently Professor of History and Professor of Public Engagement at La Trobe University. She is the author of five works of history and hosts the ABC Radio National history series, Shooting the Past. 

Her latest book Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions (2024) (Text Publishing) is described as ‘‘An impossibly important book’, that traces the story of a founding document of Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. This is the final chapter in Clare’s best-selling Democracy Trilogy, and follows the land rights movement led by Australia’s first people.

This was quite a wide ranging and important conversation as we discussed this country's history and how the teaching of history has changed so dramatically in the last 10 years in particular to ensure that we 'recover the lost and forgotten pages of Australian history'.

Follow the link in my bio and head to the podcast for a listen....

Clare's books can be found here:

https://www.clarewright.com.au/author

Her publisher is Text Publishing

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Really Interesting Women

The Podcast

Ep. 142   Kate Grenville

Kate Grenville is one of Australia’s most celebrated writers.

Her international bestseller The Secret River was awarded local and overseas prizes, has been adapted for the stage and as an acclaimed television miniseries, and is now a much-loved classic.

Kate has now published 16 books, many of which have won major literary prizes. They’ve all been published around the world and all the novels have been translated into many languages.

Some of her other novels include Sarah Thornhill, The Lieutenant, Dark Places and the Orange Prize winner The Idea of Perfection, the bestselling A Room Made of Leaves and Women’s Prize shortlisted Restless Dolly Maunder.

It was a great chat. We talked about her influences both personal and literary...and how she lamented the fact that in the 60's her literary influences (such as they were) seemed to be English...until she discovered Patrick White. And then, at age 13, it all changed. And she still cherishes and is influenced by a first edition novel of his. She explained why she had no faith in The Secret River when she first sent it to her publisher. "Is this a book?", she asked. The answer, thankfully, was an emphatic "YES". She also explains why, when she was approached about adapting that book to the stage, her only request was that they didn't undertake a faithful adaptation. 

Her imagination is celebrated internationally. Her intellect is obvious...and she's a lot of fun.

Her new book, 'Unsettled' will be published very soon.

Head to my bio for a link to her podcast episode. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Ep. 141

Shaynna Blaze

This is my final podcast episode for 2024 - and what an incredible guest to finish.

Shaynna Blaze has had an amazing path to becoming the household name we see today.

And her abilities and talents are the gift that keeps on giving as she throws herself into another aspect of her ever evolving career.

Shaynna takes opportunities, or creates them. Or both.

It's a great discussion which shows how a fulfilling life and career can open up - if you're open to it and prepared to work for it.

For those who may not be aware of Shaynna's background, she is an award-winning interior designer, author, creative director, business owner, executive producer, musician, and, of course, TV personality.

She has become a household name from her time as a co-host on Selling Houses Australia and as a judge on The Block since 2012. Her television career expanded with her participation in Celebrity Apprentice Australia, which she won...in 2021.

She has also just launched her EP which re-establishes (that’s ‘re-establishes’) her music career. She is also an advocate for social justice, she actively supports organizations addressing domestic violence and has been involved in projects like the feature film The Fort, which highlights issues of domestic abuse. She is committed to mentoring the next generation of designers and empowering women in the industry. 

Her EP clips are on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kXU-DWX_2qHsRwGiDi3JCtfXZXHNQYD60

Her 'Bluebottle performance' on The Masked Singer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr8i8Jsbs7s

Her cabaret show at Malthouse Theatre Melb. Feb 27/28
https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/hirer-events/taking-back-my-joy

Voice of Change: instagram @voiceofchangeau

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 140    Bianca Chatfield

Bianca Chatfield is a former Australian netball player. In fact, she was one of the youngest players to have debuted for Australia. 

She’s won a world championship, Commonwealth Games gold as well as 6 combined premierships with Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Vixens. 

The transition from successful athlete to what I’ll call the outside world, is never easy. And it’s a testament to her ability, drive and determination that she would become a leading media personality and business owner.

Bianca is, without doubt, one of the most prominent female voices in Australian sport. She also works across a variety of TV and radio shows, launched a book in 2016 called Every Girl Needs A Plan and, always seeking new challenges, in 2018 she and a former teammate, became reality TV stars when they were one of the teams on the channel 9 reality show, The Block. But her reality show connections don’t stop there. Her partner is also a reality show star. It’s a very modern love story.

Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to our conversation.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 139

Mem Fox AM

Mem Fox is one of this country’s favourite writers.

In 1983, she became Australia’s best-selling writer and has remained the pre-eminent writer for young children pretty much since then. She has written over 45 books for children, many of which have become international best-sellers in Australia and the US. 

But it was one book in particular that caught international attention and thrust her into the public’s orbit. And that book was originally called ‘Hush the Invisible Mouse’, but, we now know it as... Possum Magic. 

Mem was born in Melbourne and grew up in Africa. She went to drama school in England, and came back to Australia in 1970, aged 22. She claims that growing up outside the country and returning at 22 gave her a unique perspective on Australia, and a passionate love for it.

Mem Fox is a retired Associate Professor of Literacy Studies from Flinders University, South Australia, where she taught teachers for 24 years until 1996.

Her latest book is Meerkat Mayhem, illustrated by Judy Horacek, published on November 5th 2024.

Head to the link in my bio for our podcast conversation. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Ep. 138

Jo Stanley

Jo Stanley has had an incredibly successful media career spanning over 2 decades. 

During that time, amongst many other achievements, she took 2 radio shows on 2 different networks to Number 1. She’s probably the only woman in Australia to ever do this. 

She was co-host of The House of Wellness TV and Radio, is producer and host of numerous podcasts, writes a regular column for the Sunday Life Magazine, and is the creator of the ‘Play Like a Girl’ children’s book series. 

Most of us would recognise Jo from her television appearances on Australia's Brainiest Kid, The Panel, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Thank God You're Here, The Projet, Studio 10 and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.

But it’s what she’s done more recently that is, I think, her most impressive undertaking. 

Having the experience she had, Jo became concerned that there was no radio station catering to women’s interests and life experience. So... she is building a new radio network for women, by women called Broad Radio. 

She's an incredibly hard worker, fun, funny, has a searing intellect and a good heart. Others have described her as having 'a warm and vibrant honesty'. I agree. 

Have a listen to our conversation by heading to the link in my bio.

Jo's new radio network can be found by downloading the broad radio app or by heading to www.broadradio.com.au and listening live. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Really Interesting Women - the Podcast

Episode 137


Dr Louise Mahler

Dr Louise Mahler is one of the world’s leading keynote speakers. She has been voted. amongst the top experts in both Body Language and Communication globally. 

...and it started following a decade singing Opera in Europe, including a soloist contract at the Vienna State Opera. From that, Louise began an exploration of performance as it applies to the business context.

Louise is a highly sought-after media figure and commentator and is regularly interviewed on Sunrise, The Today Show, SBS, the ABC, and radio stations across Australia. You may recognise her from that and from analysing politicians during the last federal election and Royals such as Prince Harry and Meghan. Her analysis of the Johnny Depp and Amber Herd trial attracted over 2 million views on YouTube.

But beyond that public image, she also helps leaders and teams to elevate their body language and voice. 

She was awarded the Professional Speakers Association’s Keynote Speaker of the Year for 2021 and the Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement helping Women in Business.

Head to the link in my bio to listen to our conversation.

Dr Loise Mahler’s latest book is Gravitas: Timeless Skills to Communicate with Confidence and Build Trust

https://www.amazon.com.au/Gravitas-Timeless-Skills-Communicate-Confidence/dp/1394237332

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

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Really Interesting Women - the podcast


Episode 136   Professor Adele Green AC

Adele Green is officially (and often) referred to as "an international leader in the epidemiology of melanoma and skin cancer. Her ground-breaking randomised controlled trial of long-term sunscreen application in an Australian community provides the scientific basis for clinical and public health advice about sunscreen use for skin cancer prevention."

And all that is true. But I always think it's important to put those statements into context to get a true picture of the significance of the statement....

When Adele Green studied medicine, it was with a view to having a significant humanitarian impact. When she started her research, we didn't even know how common skin cancer was. It just wasn't recorded anywhere. Adele saw the problem and sought to do something about it. 

There was a time, not that long ago, when no one knew the burden of skin cancer or how to prevent it - until Adele turned her mind to it. Her work has contributed hugely to the treatment of melanomas. And that treatment has dramatically improved over the last 10 years such that the survival rates for even advanced melanomas has been turned around significantly.

She is also an innovator when it comes to detection and treatment of indigenous cancers. Another significant contribution includes insight into risk factors for ovarian cancer.

Professor Adele Green has received international awards and is a recognised advocate for cancer control, including through longstanding membership on national and international scientific and advisory councils. She has trained and mentored a generation of epidemiologists and clinician-scientists. 

Have a listen to our conversation by heading to the link in my bio.

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
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Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 135

Lily Brett OAM

Lily Brett is an internationally acclaimed author of six novels, four collections of essays and nine volumes of poetry. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including, the C.J. Dennis Prize for Poetry, the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and has been shortlisted several times for the Miles Franklin award. 

She was born in Germany to two Auschwitz survivors and the family migrated to Australia as refugees when she was very young. She went on to become a bit of a reluctant journalist (initially) and worked for Australia's most renowned rock magazine where she covered the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival and has interviewed, amongst others, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger. 

She subsequently turned to writing poetry and novels and, as alluded to earlier – made a great success of that. Her work frequently explores the lives of Holocaust survivors and their children. The story of her own parents survival is remarkable. As is pretty much most of Lily Brett's life. 

Head to the link in my bio to listen to my conversation with Lily Brett.


You can find Lily's books on her website:
https://www.lilybrett.com/books

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
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Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 134

Justine Barwick

"If you can't solve the big problems, solve the little ones in front of you and keep chipping away"

Justine Barwick has been working tirelessly and selflessly in the Community Services sector for 25 years. The sort of person that puts the needs of everyone else before her own. But circumstances eventually changed that dramatically.

It was what happened in September 2018 that propelled Justine into the national conscience. You see, she was on annual holiday in the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and this country’s collective worst nightmare happened. She was attacked and mauled by a shark. 

She was very, very lucky to survive. In those situations, life changes dramatically in an instant and those changes, should you survive...are ongoing both physically and mentally. 

Here’s the story of an extraordinary woman whose resilience and determination meant she not only survived, she thrived. It's an incredible and inspiring story of survival. And the lessons she's learned on the way are relevant for all of us. 

Head to the link in my bio to hear Justine's story. 

Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.

Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friends
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849