Uncommon Sense

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.

Why is philosophy so male-dominated? Did female philosophers exist in ancient times? (Yes.) Dr Dawn LaValle Norman talks about the presence and role of women in ancient philosophical dialogues and her project, The Diotima Prize. This playwriting competition seeks to address the lack of women featured in philosophical dialogues. Dawn explains who the priestess and philosopher Diotima was, as she appears through Socrates in Plato's The Symposium. She also tells us about other fascinating and prominent women of ancient philosophy and literature, like Sappho, Nossis, Aspasia of Miletus, Macrina the Younger, and Hypatia of Alexandria. Dr Dawn LaValle Norman is a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University.

Rachel Withers, Contributing Editor to The Monthly and columnist for The Politics chats about the latest in federal politics, including The Voice to Parliament referendum, Labor's proposed amendments to the climate change "safeguard mechanism," superannuation tax reform, and the Robodebt Royal Commission hearings.

Chris Schuringa, Campaign Coordinator for Victorian Forest Alliance, speaks in-depth about the latest developments regarding native forest logging in Victoria, speaking of areas including the Wombat State Forest, Toolangi State Forest, and Swifts Creek in East Gippsland. She also talks about the significance of the closure of Australia's last white paper mill in Maryvale, the Victorian anti-protest laws which come into effect in May 2023, and concerns about "salvage logging".

Dr Dawn LaValle Norman, Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University talks about the presence and role of women in Ancient philosophical dialogues and how it relates to her project, The Diotima Prize. This playwriting competition seeks to address the question, why is (Ancient) philosophy so male-dominated? And redress the gender imbalance through the creation of new plays inspired by the mediums of drama and philosophical dialogue. Dawn explains who the priestess and philosopher Diotima was, as she appears through Socrates in Plato's The Symposium, and other prominent women of Ancient philosophy and literature.

Dr Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute, returns to discuss his latest piece in The Monthly on the failures of federal and state COVID-19 policy and Richard tells us what the real causes of inflation and rising interest rates are. There’s no risk to the economy of a wage-price spiral, rather a profit-price spiral.

Dr Damian Smith, art historian, curator, and art critic, speaks about a new book he edited, The Geoff Raby Collection of Contemporary Chinese Art (La Trobe University Press). Dr Geoff Raby AO was Australia’s Ambassador to China between 2007 and 2011, and donated 174 contemporary Chinese art works to La Trobe University. Raby arrived in Beijing in the 1980s where he first encountered the emerging contemporary art scene and soon became an avid collector. Damian talks about the artists, art works, and artistic themes featured in the collection, as he shows the diversity of contemporary art practice in China and how it reveals cultural insights into 21st century China.

Tania Wolff, President of the Law Institute of Victoria and Lizzie O'Shea, Chair of Digital Rights Watch sit down with Amy to delve into the Victorian government's proposed digital health record with no opt-out provision – the Health Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2023, which passed the lower house last week. Additional concerns around cybersecurity, privacy, data misuse, and that it will not be subject to Freedom of Information laws are yet to be addressed. We last spoke about this issue with Juanita Fernando and Fiona Patten in 2022.

Dr Damian Smith, art historian, curator, and art critic, speaks about a new book he edited, The Geoff Raby Collection of Contemporary Chinese Art (La Trobe University Press). Dr Geoff Raby AO was Australia’s Ambassador to China between 2007 and 2011, and donated 174 contemporary Chinese art works to La Trobe University. Raby arrived in Beijing in the 1980s where he first encountered the emerging contemporary art scene and soon became an avid collector. Damian talks about the artists, art works, and artistic themes featured in the collection, as he shows the diversity of contemporary art practice in China and how it reveals cultural insights into 21st century China.

Acclaimed London-based writer Marina Benjamin speaks in-depth about her latest memoir, A Little Give: the unsung, unseen, undone work of women (Scribe). Marina talks about these interlinked essays and verse, in which she examines in her own life the tasks once termed, ‘women’s work’. From cooking and cleaning to caring for an ageing relative, Marina shows this kind of unsung and invisible caring work is a site of paradox and conflict, but also of solace and meaning. Marina's previous books include, Insomnia, The Middlepause, Rocket Dreams, and Last Days in Babylon. She is senior editor of Aeon Magazine.

Professor Andrew Walter from the University of Melbourne stops by to discuss the recent developments in Scotland with the shock resignation of long-serving First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. He also looks at the latest in UK politics and the Northern Ireland Protocol negotiations with the European Union.

Acclaimed London-based writer Marina Benjamin speaks in-depth about her latest memoir, A Little Give: the unsung, unseen, undone work of women (Scribe). Marina talks about these interlinked essays and verse, in which she examines in her own life the tasks once termed, ‘women’s work’. From cooking and cleaning to caring for an ageing relative, Marina shows this kind of unsung and invisible caring work is a site of paradox and conflict, but also of solace and meaning. Marina's previous books include, Insomnia, The Middlepause, Rocket Dreams, and Last Days in Babylon. She is senior editor of Aeon Magazine.

Musicologist Dr David Larkin speaks with host Amy Mullins as he explores Richard Strauss's epic and powerful tone poem, An Alpine Symphony (Eine Alpensinfonie) and shows how music can represent and evoke nature and the sublime. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are to perform this majestic single movement tone poem on March 2 and 3 in Melbourne. With musical excerpts, David shares how Strauss depicts a waterfall, a flowery meadow with cows, a sunrise, a thunderstorm, a hiker reaching an alpine summit, an experience of the sublime, and much more. He explains the historical, philosophical and musical context Strauss wrote and premiered it in and its critical reception across the years. He also gives us some insight into the ideas Strauss had about the meaning of certain sections. David Larkin is a Senior Lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is a specialist in German music of the nineteenth century. Read his pieces on An Alpine Symphony in the Conversation and Nineteenth-Century Music Review.

To listen to the full interview as it aired with the music included, listen to the feature segment here on the 3RRR website.

To listen to the music at home alongside the podcast, here is the tracklist of music aired (in order) from YouTube and Spotify:

Activist and campaigner Judy Ryan discusses her new book You Talk We Die: The Battle For Victoria’s First Safe Injecting Facility (Scribe Publications). Judy, alongside fellow residents, successfully campaigned for the first safe injecting facility in the state after witnessing decades of tragic and frequent cases of lethal overdoses from drugs in the Richmond and Abbotsford areas. She delves into her advocacy journey and what’s next for safe injecting facilities in Victoria.

Companion interview: Listen to the referenced 2018 interview with Johann Hari on Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, where Johann speaks of Judy's advocacy.

Luke Henriques-Gomes, the Guardian Australia's social affairs and inequality editor, speaks in-depth about what have learned from the Robodebt Royal Commission hearings between December 2022 and February 14, in particular the evidence from top public servants and the responsible ministers at the time. He tells us what we’ve learned so far and what we are yet to learn. The final round of hearings commence on February 20 2023. To watch the hearings, visit: robodebt.royalcommission.gov.au/

Activist and campaigner Judy Ryan discusses her new book You Talk We Die: The Battle For Victoria’s First Safe Injecting Facility (Scribe Publications). Judy, alongside fellow residents, successfully campaigned for the first safe injecting facility in the state after witnessing decades of tragic and frequent cases of lethal overdoses from drugs in the Richmond and Abbotsford areas. She delves into her advocacy journey and what’s next for safe injecting facilities in Victoria.

Kinsfolk Farm duo Bridie Cotter and Tom Gaunt speak with Amy about their regenerative and organic farming practices in Moriac and their new pocket card guide to kitchen gardening, Home Harvest (Hardie Grant Books). They share a few tips and tricks to help you build your own thriving kitchen garden, as comprehensively featured in their beautiful card guide.

Kendrah Morgan, Head Curator at the Heide Museum of Modern Art sits down to speak about the first survey exhibition of modernist sculptor Barbara Hepworth's (1903–1975) work in Australia. Inspired by the landscape and human form, Hepworth was one of the leading British artists of her generation and the first woman sculptor to achieve international recognition. BARBARA HEPWORTH – IN EQUILIBRIUM is showing at the Heide until March 13.