Conversations

What happens when a man can't stop his drive and desire for more? Author Andrew O'Hagan dissects the pitfalls of more money, more success and more applause in his latest novelAndrew O’Hagan is the author of several highly acclaimed novels.His new book is a sweeping portrait of modern-day London, a city ‘levitating on a sea of dirty Russian money’. The main character, Campbell Flynn, is much like Andrew himself: a public intellectual who escaped from the Scottish council estate he grew up in and came to London to enjoy great success.But success, a big house, a loving family and expensive habits are not enough.Campbell is a man riding for a fall, and there will be many spectators at the final hurrah, when his life comes tumbling down. To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.Further informationThis episode of Conversations was recorded at the Melbourne Writers Festival.Caledonian Road is published by Allen & Unwin.

Ruth Shaw, an adventurous bookseller, shares her incredible stories of surviving pirate attacks, running bookstores in New Zealand. Topics include childhood love for books, pet mice business, golden mining memories, and navigating through emotional challenges. The discussions also touch on love, self-worth through The Velveteen Rabbit, and varied reflections on Ruth Shaw's memoir.

Artist Brigita Ozolins grew up hearing about the magic of her mother's home country, Latvia. It wasn't until she was in her 50s that Brigita understood why her mother fled that paradise, full of flowers and polite children

Astrophysicist Naomi McClure-Griffiths shares her discovery of a new spiral arm in the Milky Way galaxy. Topics include interactions between galaxies, star-gazing experiences, journey into cosmology from a love for mathematics, pulsars and galactic hydrogen studies, loneliness and wonder of astrophysical discoveries, and the Square Kilometer Array project for exploring the universe.

Para world champion in jiu-jitsu, Sean Fong, discusses his journey from a tragic accident to athletic success. Topics include empowerment through jiu-jitsu, surviving trauma, finding freedom in the water, and challenging societal norms about disabilities.

Historian Frank Bongiorno explores the Australian Labor Party's 130-year journey, from rural roots to diverse urban support. Topics include early women's involvement, relationships with religious groups, the impact of historical events like World War II, and the party's resilience and evolution through changing political landscapes and economic challenges.

Troy Cassar-Daley grew up walking a tightrope between two worlds after his mum and dad broke up when he was small. As a grown man, a trip on a country music cruise began to change his story (CW: discussion of suicidal ideation and suicide)

Troy Cassar-Daley grew up walking a tightrope between two worlds after his mum and dad broke up when he was small. As a grown man, a trip on a country music cruise began to change his story (CW: discussion of suicidal ideation and suicide)

When Bonnie Hancock stumbled on a book in her local library, she got a gut feeling that refused to go away. And so she set off on a gruelling 12,700km journey around Australia on her surf ski

Cassandra Pybus sheds light on the secret trade of Tasmanian Aboriginal remains, revealing disturbing historical practices of grave robbing and body snatching. Explore the resilience of Truggenany, the last Tasmanian Aboriginal person, and the dark legacy of body part retrieval by the Royal Society, involving manipulation and deceit.