Something different
Interviews with Osman Faruqi, Jess Hill, Richard Cooke and Rachel Withers
I’ve been presenting a radio show on 3RRR this month (Uncommon Sense, Tues 9am-midday), and have enjoyed talking to Osman Faruqi about the rise of One Nation; Jess Hill about her ongoing work on family violence; Richard Cooke about the cultural impact of Wikipedia on its 25th birthday; and Rachel Withers about the week in politics. If you’re interested in any of these conversation, please clink the links below to listen:
Osman Faruqi on the Rise of One Nation
I speak to Osman Faruqi about the rise of One Nation, the state of the media, and what’s happening in right-wing politics in Australia.
Osman Faruqi is an award-winning journalist and editor who’s worked across news, politics, current affairs, arts and entertainment – at the ABC, the Nine newspapers, Junkee and Schwartz Media. Last year Faruqi started up his own independent news and podcast outfit Lamestream with colleague Scott Mitchell.
Lamestream provides rigorous analysis and commentary on the increasingly right-leaning political and media landscape in Australia.
Listen here to our conversation.
Jess Hill on Updating her Landmark Book ‘See What You Made Me Do’
Investigative journalist and author Jess Hill discusses her work on family violence.
Hill started out in journalism as a producer at ABC Radio National and then became a foreign correspondent but in recent years has gravitated towards journalism about family and sexual violence. Her work has been widely acclaimed, winning Walkley Awards, Our Watch Awards, a Premier’s Literary Award, a Stella Prize and much more. She also made a documentary TV series for SBS based on her book, See What You Made Me Do.
In this conversation, Hill talks about her continuing, developing work in the area, which has prompted an update of her book. The new edition of See What You Made Me Do is out through Black Inc and on shelves now.
Please note: this conversation discusses issues including domestic violence, gendered violence and sexual assault.
Listen here to our conversation.
Richard Cooke on Wikipedia’s Wild Cultural Impact
Richard Cooke is an author, reporter and screenwriter. He has been published by many of the best outlets in the world including the The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Republic, WIRED and the Paris Review, and he is a multiple Walkley winner. His books include Tired of Winning, a stunning series of essays on Trump’s first term; a Writers on Writers contribution on Robyn Davidson; and Dark Star Rising, a short biography of Elon Musk.
Richard wrote a stunning essay a few years ago called “Wikipedia is the Last, Best Place on the Internet” and will soon be expanding it into a book. He’s perfectly placed to talk about the cultural impact of Wikipedia on its 25th birthday.
In the second half of the conversation, they discuss recent trends in US politics under Trump. Listen here.
Rachel Withers on Isaac Herzog’s visit, the Coalition in crisis and One Nation’s Latest Polls
Rachel Withers and I discuss the week in politics.
Withers is an independent journalist and political commentator. She has written for publications including Crikey, Meanjin and The Monthly and co-presents RRR’s Spin Cycle on Thursday evenings.
The week in local politics has been dominated by the visit of Israel’s president Isaac Herzog, and the protests against his visit. What was touted by Albanese and the pro-Israel community as an opportunity for healing after Bondi has turned into anything but.
In the second half of the conversation, we discuss the ongoing problems of the Coalition. Listen here.




Is uncommon sense no longer available in podcast form for easy listening whole walking the dog? Looks like last podcast published was 2024