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When we talk about the most significant events of the last year, the one that might have the biggest impact on humanity actually took place far above the Earth’s atmosphere.Up there, in orbit around earth, is one of the most powerful tools humans have ever had to hunt for the origins of our universe – and for alien life.The James Webb Space Telescope has the ability to look so far and with such clarity that we can get an insight into a period of time that our best scientists have only ever speculated about: the cosmic dark ages.Today, Director of the Space Technology and Industry Institute at Swinburne University, Dr Alan Duffy on why the last year marked a new beginning for our understanding of the universe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year, around a million Australians visit the US . But it's becoming a more dangerous place: firearm murders alone increased by 35% between 2019 and 2020. But you won’t find that statistic in the guidance for Australians travelling to the US. And it’s a risk that disproportionately affects people of colour.Today, author and contributor to The Monthly, Santilla Chingaipe on the travel guidance we rely on for our safety and what it tells us about how race functions in bureaucratic definitions of Australianess.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Misinformation, fear and pain: when Andrew Denton was asked to speak on the topic of euthanasia, he found something that he couldn’t look away from.What started as a single lecture became the biggest political fight of his life.And the last year has seen the fruit of those labours, with every state now having laws to allow people the right to choose to end their life when faced with terminal illness. The territories are well on their way to doing the same.Go Gentle Australia, the organisation he founded, helped change the tide of a debate around death that had been paralysed in Australia for decades.Today, Andrew Denton, on the campaign that changed how Australians will experience the end of their lives and the way it’s changing the care we receive at the end.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on the Weekend Read, writer and artist Sarah Walker with her piece, “Little Breaks”, from The Monthly.It’s a story of joy and sadness in the ocean. She writes of her time in the water as a beginner surfer, finding glee in shallow breaks. But beyond the break, in the deeper water, there’s also loneliness, isolation and vulnerability.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Writer and artist, Sarah WalkerBackground Reading: Little BreaksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Anthony Albanese declared victory in last year’s election, one of the first commitments that he made was to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.While the Uluru Statement from the Heart includes truth-telling and a treaty, a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament is the first step that the government plans to take.If it goes ahead, it will be the first referendum since the republic vote just over 20 years ago.Professor Gary Foley, senior lecturer of history at Victoria University, on self-determination, the lessons we should take from history and his hope for genuine change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year has seen an explosion of film and TV releases – as sound stages fill with productions, following the end of lockdowns that threatened the industry.But if you’re like us, this summer you might just be taking a breath and getting a chance to catch-up on the things you missed throughout the last year.So with that in mind, we’ve invited writer and critic Clem Bastow to share some of her favourite releases.She’ll be joined by the editor of The Monthly, Michael Williams, in a discussion that spans teen drama, the church of latter-day saints and yes, a Star Wars series that might just verge on being real prestige TV.We’ve kept it relatively spoiler free, but be warned, there’s a couple of moments we get close to the edge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deep in Australia’s oldest forests there are criminal gangs operating: illegally chopping down trees to sell the wood. The authorities know it’s happening, but the problem is catching the perpetrators in the act.The old growth forests are sprawling and these gangs know how to evade rangers and police.Today, author and contributor to The Monthly, Sophie Cunningham on the crime against our oldest and most precious old growth forests.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Author and contributor to The Monthly, Sophie CunninghamSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lachlan Murdoch is the presumptive heir to the global Murdoch media fortune – and with his father, Rupert, now aged 91, Lachlan’s time could be imminent.But Lachlan’s rise to the top has not been smooth. After a bright start, the first-born son fell out of grace with his father and was exiled to Australia, only to return to favour when the family was in crisis.   Now it seems that Lachlan could be the successor to the empire after all. So what does Lachlan Murdoch stand for?Journalist Paddy Manning has long chronicled the Murdoch family and their businesses., His latest book – The Successor – is the first biography of Lachlan.Today, Paddy Manning on what drives Lachlan Murdoch.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Author of The Successor, Paddy ManningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next year, Australians will get to vote in a referendum and we will be asked whether Australia should amend its constitution to create an Indigenous Voice to parliament.In this episode from August, we spoke to the first person to read the road map to that referendum outloud after the Uluru Statement from the heart was agreed to.Today we revisit this episode with someone who has spent years working towards constitutional recognition: chair in constitutional law at the University of NSW, Megan Davis.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Chair in constitutional law at the University of NSW, Megan Davis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you become prime minister, a lot changes – but there’s only a few people who know exactly what that's like.One of them is Kevin Rudd,and this year the former prime minister joined the show to share his experience of the way the Murdoch media changes its approach when you enter Government.Today in this episode from June, former prime minister Kevin Rudd on the way News Corp brings new governments to heel.Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramGuest: Former prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.