Uncommon Sense

Ecologist, natural historian, and environmental photographer Alison Pouliot returns to discuss her fascinating new book, Underground Lovers: Encounters with Fungi. Alison takes us into the fungi kingdom and shares her vast knowledge and global experiences of fungi with us. She talks about the conservation of fungi, indigenous uses of fungi, the role of women in fungal lore, and much more.

Solomon Islander journalist Dorothy Wickham speaks from Honiara about what life is really like in Solomon Islands. She explains the political realities and domestic concerns of Solomon Islanders as their country finds itself in the middle of a geopolitical tussle between China, the US and Australia. Dorothy is editor at the Melanesian News Network and her latest essay, 'The View From Solomon Islands: Our Priority Is Running Water, Not Geopolitics' is published in Australian Foreign Affairs.

Amy returns with a federal budget analysis and is joined by politics regulars Chris Wallace and Rachel Withers.

Solomon Islander journalist Dorothy Wickham speaks from Honiara about what life is really like in Solomon Islands. She explains the political realities and domestic concerns of Solomon Islanders as their country finds itself in the middle of a geopolitical tussle between China, the US and Australia. Dorothy is editor at the Melanesian News Network and her latest essay is published in Australian Foreign Affairs.

Plus, a special nature conversation with Andrew Skeoch, one of Australia's best-known nature sound recordists. Andrew will talk about his fascinating field work and take us through some of his nature sound recordings of birds and mammals in the forests and deserts of Europe, Australia and Solomon Islands. He also discusses an upcoming immersive sonic walk and workshop he is running, which invites participants to partake in sound walking as an active creative practice. Andrew will appear at Acoustic Ecologies as part of Open Nature on Saturday 20th May at the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen. His new book is called, Deep Listening To Nature.

Former Leader of the Australian Greens, environmentalist, and giant of the conservation movement Bob Brown speaks in-depth with Amy Mullins. In a wide-ranging conversation, Bob reflects on his life of activism, protest, and deep personal connection with nature including the giant native trees of Tasmania, as depicted in an inspiring documentary, THE GIANTS (in cinemas April 20). The film interweaves Bob’s story with the life cycle of the ancient trees he is fighting for. In this conversation, Bob shares his wisdom to those who care for and want to protect the environment, and gives us his take on a range of environmental and conservation issues today. Bob heads up the Bob Brown Foundation.

Rachel Withers, The Politics Columnist and Contributing Editor of The Monthly speaks about the latest developments on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Former Leader of the Australian Greens, environmentalist, and giant of the conservation movement Bob Brown speaks in-depth with host Amy Mullins. In a wide-ranging and deep conversation, Bob reflects on his life of activism, protest, and deep personal connection with nature including the giant native trees of Tasmania, as depicted in an inspiring documentary, THE GIANTS (in cinemas April 20, co-directed by Rachel Antony and Laurence Billiet). The film interweaves Bob’s story with the life cycle of the ancient trees he is fighting for. In this conversation, Bob shares his wisdom to those who care for and want to protect the environment, and gives us his take on a range of environmental and conservation issues today. Bob heads up the Bob Brown Foundation.

Hugh White, contributor to The Monthly, Emeritus Professor of Strategic Studies at ANU, and author of The China Choice, chats with Amy about his latest piece for The Monthly, ‘Penny Wong’s next big fight’. Hugh looks at whether Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong can stop Australia going to war and examines how her foreign policy positions have evolved as shadow and foreign affairs minister. Does Penny Wong believe AUKUS now positions Australia for an inevitable Pacific war, or does she still think we needn’t choose between the US and China?

Note: The two songs Bob Brown mentions from the 1960s, as aired on the show – If I Had A Hammer by Peter, Paul, and Mary AND Little Boxes by Peter Seeger.

Nick Feik, former editor of The Monthly returns to speak about how federal Australian climate policy has been reverse-engineered to protect the interests of the fossil-fuel industry. He takes us through the issues with Labor's climate policy and the details of the safeguard mechanism, as outlined in his latest essay for The Monthly. After extensive negotiations, the safeguard mechanism bill is set to pass the lower house with amendments and the support of the Greens, and then go to the Senate later this week.

It's Piano Day across the world on Wednesday 29th March 2023. Composer and contemporary classical pianist Sophie Hutchings and FLOAT Founder and Piano Day organiser Sofia Ilyas speak with host Amy Mullins as they delve into their love for the piano and contemporary piano music in its many forms. An annual worldwide celebration of the piano, Piano Day is held on the 88th day of the year in reference to the 88 keys on a standard piano. Sofia explains the origins of Piano Day in her kitchen chatting with German musician Nils Frahm, while Sophie tells us about her process for composing piano works and recently how she reworked Still / Sound by Ólafur Arnalds. They reflect on their favourite pianists and the role Piano Day has in engaging the local community of Melbourne, as well as the global community – from beginners to professionals, and from casual listeners to piano aficionados. A special event is being hosted by FLOAT in Melbourne at Tempo Rubato (SOLD OUT, waiting list available) on Sunday 2 April featuring Sophie Hutchings, Grace Ferguson, and Evelyn Ida Morris, along with many other events taking place around the globe. Piano Day and LEITER have also released an official companion album, Piano Day Vol. 2. Here is Amy's Curated Contemporary Classical playlist on Spotify and Apple Music which features 88 meditative tracks of many of the artists and works mentioned.

Guardian Australia Environment Reporter Graham Readfearn joins Amy for a round-up of the latest news on the environment. Recent studies have shown that half NSW forests have been lost since 1750, plus more than 500 common species of fish, seaweed, coral and invertebrates that live on reefs around Australia have declined in the past decade with almost 300 declining at a rate that could qualify them as threatened species. Graham explains these studies as well as the latest mass fish kills in NSW and the invasive plant disease 'myrtle rust.'

It's Piano Day across the world on Wednesday 29th March 2023. Composer and contemporary classical pianist Sophie Hutchings and FLOAT Founder and Piano Day organiser Sofia Ilyas speak with host Amy Mullins as they delve into their love for the piano and contemporary piano music in its many forms. An annual worldwide celebration of the piano, Piano Day is held on the 88th day of the year in reference to the 88 keys on a standard piano. Sofia explains the origins of Piano Day in her kitchen chatting with German musician Nils Frahm, while Sophie tells us about her process for composing piano works and recently how she reworked Still / Sound by Ólafur Arnalds. They reflect on their favourite pianists and the role Piano Day has in engaging the local community of Melbourne, as well as the global community – from beginners to professionals, and from casual listeners to piano aficionados.

A special event is being hosted by FLOAT in Melbourne at Tempo Rubato (SOLD OUT, waiting list available) on Sunday 2 April featuring Sophie Hutchings, Grace Ferguson, and Evelyn Ida Morris, along with many other events taking place around the globe. Piano Day and LEITER have also released an official companion album, Piano Day Vol. 2. Here is Amy's Curated Contemporary Classical playlist on Spotify and Apple Music which features 88 meditative tracks of many of the artists and works mentioned.

Historian Dr Emma Shortis and veteran political journalist Brian Toohey delve into the multi-faceted problems with the AUKUS alliance, Australia's $368 billion nuclear submarines announcement, and former PM Paul Keating's significant intervention in the debate at the National Press Club. They draw out and explore the big picture strategic issues Keating raised. Brian has been writing extensively on national security since 1973.

Dr Emily Millane, Economic Security and Governance Lead at Impact Economics and Policy, speaks in-depth about the history of superannuation policy in Australia, the reluctance of governments to tackle major tax reform, plus how the Robodebt Royal Commission has revealed a deeper problem with the way the public service now operates.

Historian Dr Emma Shortis and veteran political journalist Brian Toohey delve into the multi-faceted problems with the AUKUS alliance, Australia's $368 billion nuclear submarines announcement, and former PM Paul Keating's significant intervention in the debate at the National Press Club. They draw out and explore the big picture strategic issues Keating raised. Brian has been writing extensively on national security since 1973.

Comedian, musician, and performer Andrew Hansen talks about his Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, Andrew Hansen Is Cheap! The show is a thrifty antidote to the rising cost of absolutely everything else. Andrew explains what influences his comedy and musical compositions

Canberra-born Alix Biggs speaks to Amy while sheltering from a major air raid conducted by Russia in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Alix explains what life is like on the ground for everyday Ukrainians subject to regular air raid offensives with missiles and drones. She shares how Ukrainians perceive the war and the level of military and humanitarian support provided by Western countries, as well as the way Ukrainians have established a "new normal" in the country's capital. Alix also describes the cultural and linguistic transformations taking place across the country, which are creating a strong sense of national identity. Her piece for Inside Story is here. Alix Biggs is Programme Manager for Norwegian Refugee Council and is supporting displaced people in the north of Ukraine.

Historian Professor Michelle Arrow, as well as Elizabeth Reid AO and Sara Dowse discuss a new book called, Women and Whitlam: Revisiting the Revolution. In 1973, Elizabeth Reid was appointed Women's Advisor to the Prime Minister, a first for Australia and the world. From 1974-1977, Sara Dowse was the inaugural head of the Women's Affairs section of the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet, which was established to support PM Gough Whitlam's first women's adviser, Elizabeth Reid. They reflect on their time and leadership within second wave feminism in Australia, whilst the book’s editor Michelle Arrow tells us about the collection of essays contained in Women and Whitlam.

Professor Chris Wallace, political biographer, commentator, and former press gallery journalist, stops by to talk about the week in federal politics, including the AUKUS submarines announcement, the conclusion of the Robodebt Royal Commission hearings, federal health and climate policy, and more.