Sydney Writers' Festival

By Sydney Writers' Festival

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channe

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The podcast currently has 744 episodes available.

Best of Sydney Writers' Festival

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Grand Ambition: Paul Keating and James Curran in Conversation
There used to be a time when political leaders didn’t limit themselves to an election cycle. In his latest book, Grand Ambition, international affairs expert and historian James Curran draws on never-before-seen archival documents and extensive interviews to present former prime minister Paul Keating’s dynamic, compelling and contested vision for Australia’s role on the world stage. Listen in as Curran and Keating reflect on the bold politics of the past and ask how we should approach questions of independence, security and identity in these turbulent and unpredictable times. Hear Paul Keating and James Curran for a fascinating in-depth analysis of Australia’s national identity and its place in the world. This episode was recorded live at a Sydney Writers' Festival event at City Recital Hall in September 2026. 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.
September 09, 20261h 5min
Number 2: Tayari Jones: Kin
Two motherless girls begin their lives in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, but they take paths that are worlds apart. Tayari Jones, author of An American Marriage, winner of the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction, has written another unforgettable story. Her new novel, Kin, centres a complex relationship between childhood best friends, showing how the bonds between mothers, daughters and friends are tested by affluence and inequality, love and desire and a wide world of adventure. Hear Tayari talking with Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Shankari Chandran about her rich and emotional new work. This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 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.
September 03, 202652min
Number 3: Susan Choi: Flashlight
Louisa goes for a walk along the beach with her father, but only she returns. The new novel from Susan Choi, multi-award-winning writer including the National Book Award and a Lambda Literary Award, is a sweeping, international family drama that was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. Flashlight, described by The Guardian as a return to the great American novel of the 20th century, beguiled readers for its examination of absence and silence in a small family rocked by the assumed death of Louisa’s father. Listen to Susan as discuss relationships and alienation in her new novel, in conversation with Beejay Silcox. This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 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.
August 26, 202656min
Number 4: Florence Knapp: The Names
[Content warning: Family violence] Instant bestseller and “best debut novel in years” (The Sunday Times) starts in a literal and metaphorical storm. While registering her son’s birth, Cora faces a decision that could change his life: what will she name him? Her options – Bear, Julian or Gordon – each come with their own legacies, expectations and risks. In The Names, novelist Florence Knapp tells a powerful story of darkness and hope through three vastly different versions of a boy’s life. Explore the profound force of family with Florence, in conversation with ABC Radio National’s Claire Nichols (The Book Show). This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 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.
July 22, 202654min
Number 5: Ferdia Lennon: Glorious Exploits
Stories about brotherhood are a mainstay of classical writing, from brothers Romulus and Remus to brothers-in-arms Achilles and Patroclus. Ferdia Lennon's award-winning debut tells the story of two unemployed theatre-loving best friends in ancient Sicily who tempt Athenian prisoners of war with food and drink in exchange for recitations of their favourite Greek poetry. From there to a full production of a Greek tragedy is only a small step in this this exhilarating story of friendship, art and war that brings the ancient world vividly alive. Find out more about the best and worst that humans are capable of with Ferdia Lennon, in conversation with Australian playwright Tom Wright. 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.
September 04, 202549min