Podcasts · Arts

First Read

Penguin Books Australia

14 episodes

The meeting ground for big ideas, compelling stories, and the conversations shaping our world. Insightful author interviews with leading thinkers, bestselling writers, and the experts behind today's most talked-about non-fiction books. Join Charle Malycon for this weekly podcast from Penguin, providing thoughtful conversation, expert analysis, and engaging cultural commentary. From politics, history, religion, business, society + culture, to conversations about cults, conspiracy theories, and the forces shaping our lives. First, Read - new episodes every Wednesday. Powered by Penguin.

Episodes

  1. Li Cunxin's incredible journey to becoming Mao's Last Dancer (Part 1)

    · 34 min · S1 E12

    What happens when a young peasant boy is given the chance to dance his way onto the world stage? For Li Cunxin, it was all about making the most of his luck. In our in depth interview with the internationally acclaimed…

  2. Julie Goodwin on coming 'Home For Dinner', and back to herself

    · 54 min · S1 E11

    What happens when the mental load becomes too much to bear? For cook and media personality Julie Goodwin, she had to reconfigure her life to take back her power. In this in-depth interview we cover Julie's ascendence…

  3. Dr. Billy Garvey on Raising Boys Part 2: The Teen Years and Beyond

    · 27 min · S1 E10

    Part 1 of our in-depth interview with developmental paediatrician Dr. Billy Garvey tackles the early years or raising boys, and is available now. In Part 2, we discuss the teen years and beyond. We reflect on the…

  4. Dr. Billy Garvey on Raising Boys Part 1: The Early Years

    · 41 min · S1 E9

    What happens when our boys and their behaviour starts spiralling out of control? In Part 1 of our in-depth interview with developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey, author of Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Raising…

  5. George Megalogenis on immigration, One Nation, and Australia's future

    · 55 min · S1 E9

    What happens when the conversation around immigration reaches fever pitch? For political journalist George Megalogenis, it comes back to the data. In this in depth interview, we delve into the third book in the…

  6. Dr Anastasia Hronis on gambling, addiction and our overstimulated world

    · 49 min · S1 E8

    What happens when our brains are bombarded by consistent sensory and mental overload? We talk to clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis, gambling and addiction expert to understand to how to overcome the…

  7. Dr Fatima Khan on navigating perimenopause and why 'Hormone Health is Mental Health'

    · 53 min · S1 E7

    What happens when you encounter the perfect storm - caring for young kids, peaking career demands, sick parents - and then your brain is suddenly hijacked by anxiety, brain fog and rage? For Dr Fatima Khan, it led her…

  8. Amie McNee on the transformative power of creativity, and her book 'We Need Your Art'

    · 42 min · S1 E6

    What happens when we share our art, no matter how imperfect? For artist and author Amie McNee, that's when the power of creativity truly begins to shine. In this enlightening conversation, we we talk about why so many…

  9. Dr. Amantha Imber on the extreme burnout that inspired 'The Energy Game'

    · 49 min · S1 E5

    What happens when a work and energy expert experiences extreme burnout? For Dr. Amantha Imber, it gave her the impetus to start researching how to gameify energy and to write her most personal book yet. We talk through…

  10. Antoinette Lattouf on writing 'Women Who Win' while fighting her greatest battle

    · 45 min · S1 E4

    What happens when the most difficult period of your life is broadcast live across the country? For Antoinette Lattouf, the answer was to write. During her landmark court case against the countries public broadcaster…

  11. Bek Condello on escaping a cult, and finding herself while writing 'Can You Handle A Girl Like Me?'

    · 50 min · S1 E3

    What happens when your whole life has been controlled by the confines of a cult, and you finally break free? Bek Condello's experience within the doomsday cult Geelong Revival Centre is what begins her new book, Can…

  12. Marc Fennell on writing his 'deeply uncomfortable' history book, 'Stuff the British Stole'

    · 48 min · S1 E2

    What happens when history stops being polite? In this wide-ranging author interview, Marc Fennell explains Stuff the British Stole, an “Indiana Jones in reverse” journey through the British empire, and the wild…

  13. Sarah Wilson on writing her most dangerous book yet, 'I Eat the Stars'

    · 43 min · S1 E1

    What is the most dangerous idea an author can have? Sarah Wilson believes it's the loss of hope. In this insightful best-selling author interview, we discuss the rise of fascism, the importance of truth in an…

  14. Introducing First, Read: The Meeting Ground for Big Ideas

    · 1:19 · Trailer

    First, Read is the meeting ground for big ideas, compelling stories, and the conversations shaping our world. Insightful author interviews with leading thinkers, bestselling writers, and the experts behind today's most…

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