Historian Rutger Bregman returns to discuss his timely new book, 'Humankind: A Hopeful History.' Rutger delves into the historical and scientific evidence for why and how most humans are actually pretty decent, and just how radical it is to believe this. Rutger last joined the show in July 2017 to talk about his book, 'Utopia For Realists.' Broadcast on 2 June 2020.

Dr Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute chats about the dire economic straits Australian businesses and workers finds themselves in due to the coronavirus pandemic. Richard evaluates how the federal government is managing the economic fall-out, and how and when we might achieve some form of economic recovery. Broadcast on 26 May 2020.

Nicholas Dowse, founder of Honey Fingers – an urban beekeeping collective – speaks with Amy about the fascinating hive mind of honey bees, his experience with urban beekeeping in Melbourne, and how Australia's honey bee populations and beekeeping practices compare with the rest of the world. Nic and Amy also discuss the links between modern beekeeping and modernist architecture, as well as the historic and special significance of World Bee Day - May 20. Broadcast on 19 May 2020.

American naturalist and writer Sy Montgomery joined Amy to discuss her lifelong relationship with animals, and explore the fascinating ideas and stories about animal intelligence and consciousness from her critically acclaimed books, 'The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness' and 'How to Be a Good Creature.' Broadcast on 12 May 2020.

American science writer David Quammen discusses his prescient 2012 book, 'Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic.' David explores how dangerous viruses 'spillover' from animals into humans, and why they have been occurring more and more since the 1960s. He also tells us how we knew a pandemic like the COVID-19 was coming, why the warnings were ignored, and what we can do to prevent the next viral pandemic. Broadcast on 5 May 2020.

David George Haskell explores his fascinating book, 'The Songs of Trees: Stories from Nature's Great Connectors.' David and Amy discuss the unique songs and sounds that different trees and forests make around the world, and what they reveal to us about biology and human culture. David is a Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of the South (USA). Broadcast on 31 March 2020.

Laureate Professor Nick Talley, Editor-in-Chief of The Medical Journal of Australia, speaks with Amy about SARS-CoV-2 and the coronavirus pandemic. They discuss Australia's ICU bed and ventilator capacity, the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), Australia’s testing criteria and community transmission levels, and what the MJA's new COVID-19 surge and mortality modelling tells us. Nick Talley is a neurogastroenterologist, a world-leading researcher, and has expertise in epidemiology. Broadcast on 31 March 2020.

Associate Professor Jessica Whyte, political theorist from UNSW explores themes from her critically acclaimed book, 'The Morals of the Market: Human Rights and the Rise of Neoliberalism.' Amy and Jessica discuss the parallel histories of human rights and neoliberalism, and the very early neoliberal attempts to develop a distinct moral framework for a market society at the end of World War II. Broadcast on 3 March, 2020.

Bill Bowtell, strategic health policy adviser and Adjunct Professor at UNSW, joins Amy for a deep-dive conversation on the Australian government's handling of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and how it compares to the various approaches other countries are taking. They also discuss the crucial role of state and local governments, as well as community groups and what we can do ourselves. Bill Bowtell was an architect of the Australian government’s successful response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Australian composer & conductor Gordon Hamilton discusses the joys, challenges, and wonder of composing his contemporary symphony 'Far South', during his trip to Antarctica onboard the Aurora Australis icebreaker. 'Far South' is having its World Premiere performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra this week. Broadcast on 3 March 2020.