Uncommon Sense

Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, joins Amy to reflect on how the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 virus has evolved. He addresses the myths and misinformation around what the virus is, how it is spread, and what we must all do to reduce transmission. Brendan also discusses the long-term health effects of COVID-19, including Long COVID, and much more. Writer and farmer Bruce Pascoe and historian Bill Gammage discuss their new book, Country: Future Fire, Future Farming. They explain how Aboriginal people were, and are, farmers and agriculturalists – and what we urgently need to learn from them, for the sake of our forests, climate, and ecologies. Bill and Bruce also explain how and why First Nations people need to benefit from sharing their knowledge. Rachel Withers, Contributing Editor of THE MONTHLY, discusses the start of the 2022 federal election campaign.

Professor Brendan Crabb AC, Director and CEO of the Burnet Institute, joins Amy to reflect on how the pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 virus has evolved. He addresses the myths and misinformation around what the virus is, how it is spread, and what we must all do to reduce transmission. Brendan also discusses the long-term health effects of COVID-19, including Long COVID, and much more. Professor Crabb is also President of both the Australian Global Health Alliance and the Pacific Friends of Global Health.

Award-winning investigative journalist and author Jess Hill unravels the complexities of domestic abuse and its insidious forms, like coercive control. These are issues Jess delves into in her podcast series, The Trap, where she speaks with victim survivors, perpetrators, police, and others. If this conversation brings up any concerns for you, please contact Lifeline 13 11 14, 1800 Respect (1800 737 732), or Safe Steps 1800 015 188.

John Keane, Professor of Politics at University of Sydney joined Amy to discuss his latest book, The Shortest History of Democracy. John explains the lesser known origins of democracy in Syria-Mesopotamia, its symbolism, and the three forms of democracy across history – assembly democracy, electoral democracy, and monitory democracy. He also reflects on present day Australia and assesses the state and functioning of our democracy.

John Keane, Professor of Politics at University of Sydney joined Amy to discuss his latest book, The Shortest History of Democracy. John explains the lesser known origins of democracy, its symbolism, and the three forms of democracy across history – assembly democracy, electoral democracy, and monitory democracy. He also reflects on present day Australia and assesses the state and functioning of our democracy. Award-winning author and journalist Jess Hill returns to speak about the reality of domestic abuse in Australia. Jess also explains the insidious nature of coercive control, why perpetrators do this to their intimate partners, and the red flags to look for. Her latest project is a podcast series called, The Trap. Rachel Withers Contributing Editor to THE MONTHLY and The Politics columnist talks about the latest in federal politics, including the federal budget and Labor’s budget reply.

Dr Juanita Fernando, Chair of the Australian Privacy Foundation’s Health Committee, discusses the Victorian Government's concerning plans to share every Victorian's patient data in a centralised health database with no way for individuals to opt-out. It will be utilised by public and denominational hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential care services, mental health, community health and ambulance services. Read the Health Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2021 here. Philosopher and ethicist Peter Singer (Princeton University) joins Amy for a special wide-ranging chat ahead of his appearance in Melbourne this week for 'An Evening With Peter Singer.' They discuss the philosophy of utilitarianism, Peter's conception of "effective altruism," moral questions raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as why we should care about the suffering of animals. New Zealand comedian and actor Chris Parker chats about his MICF show Gentle Man (31 March - 24 April). You might also know Chris from his hilarious Instagram/TikTok videos.

Philosopher and ethicist Peter Singer joins Amy for a special, wide-ranging chat ahead of his appearance in Melbourne this week. They discuss the philosophy of utilitarianism, Peter's conception of "effective altruism," moral questions raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as why we should care about the suffering of animals. Peter Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University.

New Zealand comedian and actor Chris Parker joins Amy for a chat about his comedy show Gentle Man (Melbourne: 31 March - 24 April). You might also know Chris from his hilarious Instragram videos during the pandemic. Did you know that even the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern watches Chris' videos?

Director Jennifer Peedom discusses her new film, RIVER. It's the sequel to the 2017 hit documentary MOUNTAIN, reuniting the creative team of Jennifer Peedom, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, narrator Willem Dafoe, and writer Robert Macfarlane. Writer James Bradley explores the cultural history of swimming with Amy through his essay in the Sydney Review of Books, 'Full Body Immersion.' Plus, Rachel Withers, Contributing Editor to THE MONTHLY and The Politics columnist talks about the latest in federal politics.

Director Jennifer Peedom discusses her new film, RIVER. The film explores the life and death of rivers and how humanity’s fortunes are intrinsically tied to them. RIVER is the sequel to the 2017 documentary MOUNTAIN, and reunites the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti, narrator Willem Dafoe, and writer Robert Macfarlane, alongside new collaborators William Barton, Jonny Greenwood, and Radiohead.

Music from the film that was originally aired with this interview:

Listen to the RIVER soundtrack.