You’ve heard of the Cambridge Five spies but there was another spy, perhaps even more daring and damaging to western interests.  Author and Financial Times journalist Simon Kuper joins us to talk about his new book The Happy Traitor: Spies, Lies and Exile in Russia that tells the extraordinary story of George Blake.

Over the past few weeks, Afghan refugees evacuated to Australia after the recent Taliban takeover have emerged from hotel quarantine. We speak to Cath Scarth, CEO of AMES Australia, which is assisting Afghan refugees as they begin to chart their new lives.

Some of the world’s busiest ports have been hit with Covid closures and recently in Los Angeles between 70 and 80 container vessels were sitting off the coast waiting to unload.

A recent investigation sheds light on the Covid-related waste crisis plaguing countries across Southeast Asia, and hints at a growing global scourge. Plus, as some Australian states cross the vaccination threshold required to re-open, what might we learn from Singapore’s own experience of living with Covid-19?

Catherine Fisher, author of Sound Citizens: Australian Women Broadcasters Claim their Voice, 1923–1956 explores how a cohort of professional women broadcasters, activists and politicians used radio to improve women’s status in Australia from the introduction of radio in 1923 until the introduction of television in 1956.

After listener feedback on the challenge of navigating a world where everything is now done via a smartphone 'app', we get some practical advice on where you can go for help with building digital skills and, most urgently, getting your digital vaccination certificate. Guest: Jess Wilson, CEO of Good Things Foundation Australia.

Important information

Good Things Foundation Australia helpline: 1300 795 897

Be Connected (free online courses): www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au

Advice on getting proof of COVID-19 vaccination: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

It’s a tough time to assume the leadership of any organisation, let alone the country’s first charity - the Benevolent Society.  

During the pandemic the Benevolent society has been forced to significantly its practitioners assist Australia's most vulnerable citizens.

It’s rare that something is experienced by the whole world at the same time, but that’s what’s happening with this pandemic. Professor of Globalisation at Oxford University, Ian Goldin, joins us to argue this a unique opportunity to push governments to do things differently and usher in a new era.

Allan Gyngell, former diplomat and author of the newly updated Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942, reflects on the significance of the trilateral AUKUS agreement and the challenges it throws up for Australian foreign policy going forward.

Gladys Berejiklian has resigned on Friday morning, hours after the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced she was being investigated by the corruption watchdog.