The Good Life: Andrew Leigh in Conversation

Mark Fabian is associate professor of public policy at the University of Warwick, UK. He is also an affiliate researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at Cambridge University, and an associate at the Institute for Social Change at the University of Tasmania. In his latest book he challenges our ideas of happiness. From the hedonic treadmill to self-actualisation, he explains why frustration can be part of a meaningful life, why integrity matters more than productivity, and how to align who you are with who you want to be. A thoughtful guide to living with pleasure, fulfillment, and purpose.

On 11 June 2025, I joined UNSW Professor Toby Walsh on stage in Canberra at an ANU-Canberra Times Meet the Author event, to discuss Toby’s new book “The Shortest History of AI”.

This week New York Times-bestselling author Alex Hutchinson returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book ‘The Explorer's Gene’.

On 12 March 2025, at an ANU-Canberra Times Meet the Author event, I interviewed Robert Dessaix about his new book ‘Chameleon’. This is a record fourth appearance for Robert on the Good Life podcast (his past fascinating chats are episodes 27, 136 and 172).

Matthew Halteman is a professor of philosophy at Calvin University in Michigan and a fellow in the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. We spoke about his new book “Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan”, which was published in November 2024 by Basic Books.

Shaun Micallef on Laughter, Stepping Up and Stepping Back

Dave Eccles and Tadgh Kennelly on Blokes Bonding on Beaches. To find out more about WNOW visit https://www.wnow.com.au/

Nina Jankowicz and Van Badham on Online Misogyny Nina Jankowicz, American disinformation expert and author of How to Lose the Information War and How to Be a Woman Online, and Van Badham, activist, playwright, and author of QAnon and On discuss disinformation, online harms, and their effect on elections in 2024 and beyond.

Lucas Patchett on front loaders, friends & founding Orange Sky - To volunteer with Orange Sky, go to orangesky.org.au

185. Sean Turnell on Finding Hope in Myanmar's Most Notorious Jail

184. Tanya Plibersek on crime fiction

Pat Farmer on Running Across Continents

Dana Suskind on building a parent nation

On 3 October 2023, I joined Chris Hammer on stage at an ANU / Canberra Times Meet the Author event to discuss crime fiction writing, with a particular focus on his latest book, “The Seven”.

On 28 September 2023, I joined Catharine Lumby on stage at an ANU / Canberra Times Meet the Author event to discuss her new biography of Frank Moorhouse.

To make a donation to support Blue Dragon Children Foundation, go to www.bluedragon.org Michael’s blog is at lifeisalongstory.com

Emma Johnston on seas, science and sailing

Richard Reeves on boys and men

Tim Winton on landscape, words and activism

Tayla Harris on AFL, boxing and that kick (Rebroadcast).

174. Brigid Delaney on Stoicism.

I spoke to Bo Seo about his latest book 'Good Arguments', discussing how in a shouty world, it matters more than ever to be able to disagree without being disagreeable. Our conversation took place as part of the ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author Series, in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop.

Michael Traill on Willoughby Wildcats, lifelong learning and jumping ship (Rebroadcast).

Robert Dessaix is the quintessential public intellectual. Sparking off his new book ‘Abracadabra’, we talked about Robert’s personal language (‘K’), the inspiration he draws from Nikolai Gogol, and being raised by an adoptive father who was born in the 1880s. Our conversation took place as part of the ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author Series, in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop.

171. Daniel Pink on the power of regret.

170. Ben Quilty on painting soldiers, asylum seekers and Santa. Photo credit: Daniel Boud

169. Amani Haydar on Agony, Anger and Art.

168. Jennifer Nadel & Matt Hawkins on Compassion in Politics.

167. Ed Coper on fighting online lies.

Susan Carland on Islam and authenticity (Rebroadcast).

165. Ryan Holiday on Stoicism. Photo credit: Dawson Carroll

164: Andrew Denton on Improvisation, Interviewing & Liquid Time.

163. Emma McKeon on Swimming, Stress & Success.

Michelle de Kretser on Shimmering Stories & Scary Monsters. Photo credit: Joy Lai

161. Nyadol Nyuon on seeking refuge & fighting racism.

160. Madeleine Dore on avoiding guilt, busyness & indecision. Photo credit: Prue Aja

159. Cathy Wilcox on cartoons, chance & change.

158. Robyn Archer on festivals, artistic risks & German cabaret. Photo credit: Rohan Thomson

157. Paul Grabowsky on making music.

Sheridan Harbridge on cabaret, comedy and creativity (Rebroadcast)

Violet Roumeliotis on welcoming refugees.

Cordelia Fine on Female Brains, Boys' Toys and Other Delusions of Gender (Rebroadcast).

156. David Williamson on a Life of Drama.

155. Cal Newport on deep work and the curse of email. Photo credit: Penny Gray

Joshua Gans on Parentonomics (Rebroadcast).

Patricia Karvelas on resilience and community (Rebroadcast).

Ellen Broad on what makes a good online life (Rebroadcast).