Breakfasters

The Breakfasters are back from Easter, and kicks off with a short and sweet week. Rebecca Traister, the author of book Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Womens Anger is in the studio to talk about her experience from being a feminist journalist in the United States. Food, alien or both? In food interlude we get a little more familiar with mushrooms as Michael Harden talks about the aromatic ingredient. The comedy festival is still a hot topic, and Geraldine talks about Celeb 5, possibly the biggest superstar of the festival this year. The War on the F*#king Election is touring Australia, and writers and comedians Charles Firth and James Schloeffeltalks to the Breakfasters about the challenges (or lack of) writing political comedy when the politicians are comedic gold just by being themselves.

The Breakfasters share life advice about how being a girl guide can set you up to manage a bin fire, how to fit in with surfers and how to celebrate Easter. Plus, Leif Cocks joins the team to talk about being friendzoned by an orangutan and Michelle Bennett tells all about Judith Brett's new book From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia Got Compulsory Voting.

Geraldine tells Sarah and Jeff about what it's like to go to your parents' 50th wedding anniversary, drink half a bottle of coke from the side of the road and be mistaken for just another lesbian. Michael Harden visits the studio for Food Interlude and shares all about the latest diet fads appearing on a restaurant menu near you! Plus US comedian Maria Bamford discusses her Melbourne International Comedy Festival show "The Irrelevant Redundancy." AndLoretta Smith sheds light on her new bookA Spanner In The Works: The Extraordinary Story of Alice Anderson And Australias First All-Female Garage and how she wrote it over 10 years while living with chronic illness.

This week, Uncle Larry Walsh and Isobel Morphy-Walsh talk about the significance of Wominjeka Festival; Comedians Nina Oyama and Lloyd Langford chat about their Comedy Festival shows; writer Sophie Cunningham fleshes out her new book of essays City Of Trees; historian and writer Kenan Malik shares his thoughts on the current state of identity politics; and the team explore things they love, and things they fear.

On this week's podcast Comedian Susie Youssef drops by to chat about her show at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival as well as doing her first hook turn in Melbourne. Former broadcaster on the 3RRR show "The Architects" Simon Knott talks about soft infrastructure and place-making. Veteran American comedian Jen Kirkman chats to the Breakfasters ahead of her comedy festival show, and what she has been up to recently. Finally, the Breakfasters' resident film reviewer Thomas Caldwell reviews the film, 'Listen Up, Phillip'.

The team is back together in their full glory, and this weeks Breakfasters is packed with good stuff. We start off with a talk with Tom Griffith and his new essay The Planet is Alive Radical History for Uncanny Times. The team chats about work superpowers and weird skills learned from random jobs over the years. RONE is in the studio to talk about his installation Empire at Burnham Beeches, and the concept of art that you can move through, smell and feel as well as see. Film reviews are always fun, but Hayley Inchs review of High Life (2018) is something quite else. Speaking of film, Melbourne Queer Film Festival is on and Drew Droege, who features in Bright Colors and Bold Patterns (2018), talks to the team about queer villains and ideal weddings. We finish up the week reminiscing about the all too familiar feeling of getting in trouble.

Sarah has been away this week, but that has not stopped the Breakfasters having fun. We kick things off with a new Food Interlude, and this week Michael Harden is in the studio to talk about the food Jeff describes as eating a spoonful of spit, but is actually a proven aphrodisiac. Speaking of food, Johanna Simkin from Melbourne Museum and the exhibition "Gut Feelings: Your Mind, You Microbes" and how your guts and mind could possibly talk to each other. How can you actually be nice to strangers? Apparently a tiny village in Northern Spain has the best answer. And the best way to finish the week is, of course, Friday Funnybugger. This week Nat Harris gets Jeff, Geraldine and Sam to do a role play about hospitality work. Find out if the customer isreallyalwaysright in this week's podcast!

This weeks Breakfasters offer hard-hitting discussions and light-hearted conversations. We start off in the serious corner as the show is visited by Kassem Eid, who talks about the Arab Spring, his life prior to the war and his book My Country: A Syrian Memoir. All eyes are on R Kelly after a six-part documentarySurviving R Kelly (2019) investigates the sexual abuse allegations against him, and US film producer Tamra Simmons joins the Breakfasters to discuss the difficulties involved in making the series. Wrestle! is a new childrens picture book from the creator of award-winning documentary Gayby Baby (2016), and Maya Newell is in the studio to discuss growing up with LGBTQ parents, the lack of LGBTQ representation in children's books and what it is like co-writing a book with a seventeen-year-old. To celebrate International Womens Day, Geraldine and Sarah are joined by Fee B Squared to talk about the first time they got their periods. And finally, Friday Funny Bugger wraps it all up with Laura Dunemann and her list of Top Ten Influential Women.

Tony Biggs drops by to offer his thoughts on a bookby Jonathan Alter called"The Centre Holds: Obama and HisEnemies" which offers an analysis of Barack Obama's second electoral win. Filmmaker Laura Nix joins the Breakfasters to discuss her film "The Yes Men Are Revolting" about the comedy activist duo "The Yes Men". On the first "Genius Squad" of the year Henry Wagons talks about Elvis' Honeymoon Palm Springs home and AuthorJohn Darnielle talks about his book "Wolf in White Van".

This week on Breakfasters, we get a quick lesson in what sort of questions NOT to ask the trio (and people in general, really). Food Interlude is back, and food critic Larissa Dubecki is in the studio to talk about Feb Fast, the silliness of mocktails and the best alcohol-free beer around. Former Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has produced his second fiction novel, "Comeback", and shares his thoughts on crime as a genre, property developers and the diversity of people living in the inner-city. It's time for Feature Creature, and Simon Hinkley talk about the different ways insects defend themselves, from the classic 'roll over and play dead' to the classy fecal parasol. As the former Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tim Soutphommasane experienced a lot of uncomfortable and nasty things in his everyday life, and he visits the Breakfasters to talk about his new Melbourne Uni publication "On Hate". A new segment is born, and Sarah is the first one to bring something for 'Show and Tell'. Listen in to find out what!

From supernatural encounters to fictitious crushes, this weeks Breakfasters podcast is packed with interesting chats. Claire Coleman stops talks about the upcoming Wheeler Centre Gala, where this years topic is fictional crushes. Richard Vegas takes us to the world of magic and illusions when he shows us a couple of his tricks, and talks about his upcoming show No Smoke No Mirrors at the Butterfly Club. The author of book Accidental Feminists, Jane Caro, talks about her experience growing up as a feminist in a time filled with change. The Breakfasters get into a discussion about social awkwardness, prompted by one of Geraldines recent experiences. And finally, the last bit of this weeks podcast is not for the faint-hearted, as Jeff and Geraldine share their real life ghost stories.

On Breakfasters this week, Geraldine shares her experience from being a co-host for RAW comedy. Toby Halligan visits the studio to give us all the juicy details about Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Geraldine has done some research for her own comedy show, and travelled to Healesville sanctuary to watch the bird show Spirits of the Sky. Adrian Dyer from RMIT University answers the question everyone has been wondering: Can bees do math? MTCs Arbus and West" is a stage play that focuses on Hollywood icon Mae West, and the Breakfasters talk to actress Diana Glenn about the rebel icon and the famous meeting with photographer Diane Arbus. And lastly, what is the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day: Pie night or getting to meet Lauryn Hill? Find out in this weeks podcast!

This week, Breakfaster Sarah shares not only one, but two real-life stories with a strong Seinfeld vibe. We get to hear all the details from a visit to Australia's famous Big Banana. Adam Christou pops by to introduce the new segment "Game Changers", talking us through thepuzzle exploration game 'Pikuniku'. We get serious with Professor Patrick McGorry when we talk about mental health. And lastly, the Breakfasters get to try their hands at role playing with Laura Dunemann in this week's Friday Funnybugger.

On this week's podcast, the first of 2017, the Breakfasters are joined by Richard Katz, sole performer of Malthouse show 'The Encounter' and A Toot Your Horn Tuesday where Geraldine built a fence, Jeff drank a bottle of free wine and Sarah googled a phone number as well as grew some veggies. Melissa Hickey from Women's AFL comes in to talk about female footy and Sarah and Jeff talk about their holiday Earthquake experiences.

Victorian Prize For Literature winner Sarah Krasnostein talks about her new book The Trauma Cleaner; Sean "The Birdman" Dooley talks about the birds he saw on his trip to New Zealand; and Jeff talks about seeing komodo dragons in Indonesia, Geraldine talks about Cath shaving her head, and in new segment "Trauma Tuesday" the team talk about recent bad experiences.

This week on Breakfasters, the team chat about nerd parties; boxer and bronze world medal holder, Kristy Harris drops by the studio, Triple R regular Michael Harden talks about the best and worst foods of 2018; editor Paola Balla chats about The Lifted Brow new issue titled "Black Brow"; and Bob Brown and Paul Thomas come onto the show to chat about their latest book "Green Nomads: Wild Places".

This week on Breakfasters, Professor Ary Hoffmann drops by to discuss the threat of climate change and how it's measured. Josh Earl calls in to talk about the live show of his podcast "Don't You Know Who I Am," which is raising money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and is sure to be well-attended by 'J-earl Scouts.' Sarah, Jeff and Geraldine talk about why they dislike the term bucket list and the experiences most people put on them, and the inevitability of talking about how hot it is on a hot day. And US comedian Iliza Shlesinger joins the team to talk about her new show "Elder Millennial Tour" about what it was like to grow up when Nintendo graphics were just coloured blocks.

Triple R regular Casey Bennetto swaps his Superfluity host hat to talk up "The Show of the Year," in which he sings songs that sum up 2018 and author Jadan Carroll tells us about his new book "Definitely the Best Dogs of All Time." Meanwhile, the team chats about the hidden meaning of proverbs and what not to get your colleague in Secret Santa. Plus, Friday Funnybugger Laura Dunneman showcases her second ever radio play featuring magnificent acting from Elizabeth, Jeff and Geraldine.

Director Jessica Leski talks about her film 'I Used to be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story'; David Marr drops in to reflect on his career and new book; Michael Harden talks up edible hemp during Food Interlude; Plus the team chat about bad office Christmas parties and the perils of schoolies week.

Director Susie Dee discusses the new show Broken being played at 45downstairs; Shaun Micallef chats about his new book The Uncollected Plays of Shaun Micallef; comedian Catherine Tate talks about The Catherine Tate Show Live being performed at The Palais; and Geraldine talks about her adventures getting attacked by eagles and swimming with sharks. With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

Olmo Salvatore joins Sarah and Geraldine for a chat with director Sarah Goodes & actor Kamil Ellis about the Melbourne Theatre Company's new show 'Astroman.' Then Jeff returns to the studio for regular segment 'Wednesdare' and a talk about accidentally-on-purpose inserting yourself into a story you were never part of. Plus, funeral director and theatre director Scott Turnbull shares the goss on his appropriately titled new show "The Director," which tells you everything you ever wanted to know about working in a funeral home. And Friday Funnybugger Nat Harris invites everyone who's dating and courting to forget about spicing up your relationship - spice up your break-up instead!

This week the Breakfasters speak to guests Braden and Zach about Aunty Donna "The Album Tour," Seth Stephen-Davidowitz about his book "Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are " and Michael Harden for regular segment Food Interlude. Plus, Sarah, Jeff and Geraldine talk scary stories, not recognising your gym guy and hang out with Friday Funnybugger Laura Dunneman.

This week the team chat about holiday wine tasting; Palaeontologist Ben Francischelli features on weird science chatting about how whales evolved from land creatures; the team chat about hangover cures; author Chloe Hooper speaks about her latest novel "The Arsonist: A Mind On Fire"; Nat Harris is the Friday funnybugger; and Child Psychiatrist Dr Julie Stone chats about the health of the 52 children on Nauru.With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, Sam Cummins and Geraldine Hickey

This week, Geraldine gets her first aid certificate; Sarah shares some of her car dramas; the team are joined by Pacharo Mzembe & Ratidzo Mambo actors in Mambo apart of Melbourne Festival; author Clare Wright writer of "You daughters of freedom: The Australian who won the vote and inspired the world; and Eddo meets Kasey Chambers. With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

This week, Michael Harden speaks about eating insects on "Food Interlude"; Geraldine and Sarah speak about their adventures at the Melbourne show; Stuart Coupe chats about his latest book "Roadies: The Secrets History of Australian Rock n Roll"; ABC journalist, Laura Tingle speaks about her quarterly essay "Follow the Leader: Democracy and the Rise of the Strongman"; and finally the team chat about homecoming queens.With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

The team chat about their weekend activities; director Benjamin Gilmour and actor Sam Smith comes onto the show to speak about their film "JRGA"; the team chat about the words squirting and oozing; Joanne Ryan comes onto the show to chat about her upcoming show "Eggsistentialism" which will be appearing at the Melbourne Fringe Festival; Simon Hinkley is back on feature creatures chatting about scorpions. With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

The team chat with Stuart Daulman about his show "Death of a Daulman" happening at Melbourne Fringe Festival; the team did some improvising about writing prompts; Birdman shares some information about magpies on this week's feature creatures and Mike McRae comes onto the show to have a chat about his latest book "Unwell: What makes a disease a disease?".With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

This week Mia Timpano speaks about her show "Speaking Of Which: The Science Of Conversation" that will playing at Melbourne FRINGE festival; Sarah is the centre of attention on Trauma Tuesday; Michael Harden talks about food interlude; director Ben Lawrence chats about his latest film "Ghosthunter"; and the team chat about airport phone dramas.With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

The team welcome back John Safran who will be performing "Jew Detective: Sarcasm is not a crime" at Yarraville Laughs; Zoe Coombs Marr and Mish Grigor chat about "Ich Nibber Dibber"; Wednesdare is back, the team have a discussion about being scared; long time Breakfaster friend, George Megalogenis chats about his book "The Football Solution: How Richmond's premiership can save Australia"; and the team are introduced to the Disdain Game. With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

The team chat about things you don't have to like as you grow older; Wednesdare is back; Jackson Castiglione comes onto the show who is an artist from Field Theory "ICON" which will be appearing at Melbourne Fringe Festival; Mark Triffitt will be chatting about "The West's Age Of Retreat" Piece in Pursuit; Sisonke Msimang who is appearing at MWF will be chatting about her book "Always Another Country". With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

The team chat with Juha Kaakinen about homelessness week and Finland's approach to homelessness; Geraldine shares her experience with helping someone become a captain; writer Carey Gillam comes onto the show to talk about her latest book "Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science"; AFL footballer Bob Murphy chats about his book "Leather Soul: A half-back flanker's rhythm and blues"; the team chats about curating film marathons and finally director Catherine Scott chats about her latest film "Backtrack Boys" which will be appearing at MIFF.With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow and Geraldine Hickey.

Jeff and Sarah speak with Jill Stark about her book "Happy Never After: Why the happiness fairytale is driving us mad"; Matt chats with the team about problematic 90's TV shows; Geraldine talks about being forced to become a comedian in the least expected place; 'Feature Creatures' sees Simon Hinkley exploring botflies; director Debra Granik talks about her film "Leave No Trace" which will be screening locally at MIFF; and Matt is the centre of attention as our Friday Funnybugger. With presenters Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, Geraldine Hickey, and Matt Stewart.

On this week's Breakfasters podcast, Geraldine, Jeff and Sarah speak with Sami, Madeline and Jacki Van Beek who are the writers, directors and actors of the hit new film "The Breaker Upperers"; Wednesdare is back; the team chat with comedians "Rhett & Link"; the team share thoughts about reinventing themselves; Dr. Tristan Rich comes onto the show to chat about pets and desexing and reproduction on this week's Feature Creatures; and finally the team chat about Helpy Helperson at Melbourne University.

On this week's Breakfasters podcast, Geraldine, Jeff and Sarah speak to Dr. Peter Thorne about CSIRAC, Australia's first computer; Melbourne Writers Festival 2018 Artistic Director Marieke Hardy stops by to discuss this years program; comedian Laura Dunemann gets the team to read her new script about Trump meeting the Queen; and the tea, share their thoughts on being smug at the gym, online shopping, Muppets VHS's and Geraldine has someone opening her old mail.

This week, the Breakfasters team chat with writer and perfomer Amer Hlehel, who has a show called "TAHA" at the Arts Centre; the team chat about terot cards and spirts; Geraldine speaks about her holiday break and how she pretended to be an Australian wildlife expert in LA; Ricky-Lee Erickson chats about gaint spider crabs on this week's Feature Creatures; and Steve Ellen and Catherine Deveney come onto the show to chat about their upcoming book "MENTAL".

This week, the Breakfasters team chat with card magician Woody Aragon, who has a show at Melbourne Magic Festival called "A Bald Faced Liar"; the team chat about what they got up to over their holiday break; Simon Hinkley comes back onto the show to talk about exploding ants from South-East Asia; Matt Stewart features on Friday Funnybugger; and the team chat about their weekend celebrations.

This week, Breakfasters welcome back comedian Anne Edmonds, former Triple R presenter, to chat about "Helen Bidou: Enter The Spinnaker Lounge"; the team chats about whale watching and how to become a whale watching captain; Richard Dennis comes onto the show to chat about his Quarterly Essay "Dead Right: How Neoliberalism Ate Itself"; and the team welcomes back Greg Sestero, who came onto the show last year, to speak about his upcoming film "F(r)ends".

This week, Breakfasters welcome back filmmaker Leigh Whannell, former Breakfaster film reviewer, to chat about his latest film, Upgrade; Geraldine describes her experience with meeting a shark; Jeff shares his footy poem; Laura Dunemann is our "Friday Funnybugger"; and Aaron Foley - The Chief Storyteller of The City of Detroit - comes onto the show is discuss how the creative industries can help influence social change.

This week the Breakfasters team caught up with Molly Carlie who is a greif, death and palliative care expert; Bird hydbirds are up for discussion with a possible Pidgpie discovery; Corin Nemec, actor in tv show Supernatural, talks to the team about his apperance at Oz Comic Con this weekend; American biologist Dr. Jake Owens is the star of IMAX film Pandas 3D, he comes onto the show to talk to the team about giant panda conservation!

Dr Michelle Lim from Swinburne University discusses loneliness as a public health issue; playwright Patricia Cornelius talks about her new adaption of the The House of Bernarda Alba; food writer Larissa Dubecki chats about new food trends including katsu sandwiches; Jeff talks about a particularly bad experience with a parcel delivery in "Trauma Tuesday"; and Geraldine chats about going mushroom hunting and joining a gym. With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Climate journalist Jeff Goodell chats about his book The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities and the Remaking of the Civilized World; Writer and performer Rowan Thambar talks about his show 23 at the Butterfly Club; Geraldine talks about a surprise date and her new invention - the adult swaddle. Also, the team chat about a Spanish Galleon with billions of dollars of gold at the bottom of the ocean, public perception of women doctors, and Victorian Labor's debate about changing the date of Australia Day. With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Beer expert Melissa Cole has a chat about Good Beer Week; in "Weird Science" Dr. Jen talks about misophonia - getting annoyed or outraged at common repetitive sounds; Nasser Mashni from the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network discusses the 70th anniversary of the Nakba and the recent killings at the Gaza border. Geraldine chats about being worried about someone knocking on her window in the night. With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Film critic Simone Ubaldi chats about new film Breath; entomologist Simon Hinkley discusses the dreaded bed bug; Geraldine talks about her travels in NSW and seeing the bizarrely racist Ayers Rock Roadhouse, and her "very lesbian day"; plus the team talk about the embarrasment of being publicly criticized as an adult.

Actor and director Simon Baker talks about his new film Breath; food critic Larissa Dubecki chats about what foods people are willing to eat; conservationist and campaigner Christian Slattery talked about the current state of the Great Barrier Reef and the Stop Adani campaign; Geraldine talks about problems getting in and out of wetsuits, and the team talk about going to the gym and getting lost in the bush. With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Lawyer and Middle East researcher Marika Sosnowski chats about the current situation in Syria; Vanessa Toholka talks about the history of emojis in "Tech Talk"; "Friday Funnybugger" Laura Dunemann chats about famous babies; Geraldine talks about a whirlwind day trip to Sydney, and the experience of losing a bank card. With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Comedian David O'Doherty talks about his MICF show You Have To Laugh; singer and comedian Lady Rizo chats about Red, White and Indigo, her cabaret show about "bad boyfriend" America; human rights lawyer Julian Burnside talks about HRAFF film Border Politics; the team talks about going to sleepovers as both kids and adults, and a chat about merchandising turns into a discussion about a new cosmetic line from Jeff - "Sparrow's Mud". With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Comedian Scout Boxall talks about the RAW Comedy Grand Final and the road to becoming a comedian; Gurrumul's musical collaborator Michael Hohnen chats about the new Gurrumul documentary; food critic Larissa Dubecki talks about vegemite being used in high-end dining; Geraldine talks about going to a choir recital made up of songs by people named George, and in "Wednesdare" Jeff tries to do the rosary. With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Organiser Matt Nurse chats about the March for Science; performer Maddie Rice speaks about the show playing at the Malthouse, Fleabag; curator Sarah Tutton talks about Wonderland an exhibition about Alice in Wonderland at ACMI; the team talk about the Commonwealth Games, trivial pursuit, and Sarah lies about being offered a job to Jeff in "Wednesdare". With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

Writer Tim Winton chats about his new book The Shepherd's Hut; Founding editor & publisher of Jacobin magazine Bhaskar Sunkara talked about his appearance at the upcoming Marxism conference; The team invent reality TV shows, celebrate Sarah's birthday, and talk about their highlights of the week in "High Tide Thursday". With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.

GP and author Nick Martin talks about his piece in Meanjin - Diary Of A Nauru Doctor; Curator at Melbourne Museum Lena Hejil talks about the new exhibit Vikings: Beyond the Legend; Marine biologist Ricky-Lee Erickson chats about the immortal jellyfish and other marine invertebrates in "Feature Creatures"; The team talk about stuff you can buy for 50 cents, alternatives to spending time on your phone, and in "Wednesdare" Geraldine has to perform the rosary on public transport. With Sarah Smith, Jeff Sparrow, and Geraldine Hickey.