The Good Life: Andrew Leigh in Conversation

193. Toby Walsh on Artificial Intelligence

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”.

192. Alex Hutchinson on The Explorer's Gene

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

191. Robert Dessaix, Chameleon

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).

190. Matthew Halteman on Hungry Beautiful Animals

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.

189. Shaun Micallef on Laughter, Stepping Up and Stepping Back

Shaun Micallef on Laughter, Stepping Up and Stepping Back

188. Dave Eccles and Tadgh Kennelly on Blokes Bonding on Beaches

Dave Eccles and Tadgh Kennelly on Blokes Bonding on Beaches.

 

To find out more about WNOW visit https://www.wnow.com.au/ 

187. Nina Jankowicz and Van Badham on Online Misogyny

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.

186. Lucas Patchett on front loaders, friends & founding Orange Sky

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

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

184. Tanya Plibersek on crime fiction

184. Tanya Plibersek on crime fiction

183. Pat Farmer on Running Across Continents

Pat Farmer on Running Across Continents 

182. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz on creatively crunching data and the AI revolution

181. Dana Suskind on building a parent nation

Dana Suskind on building a parent nation

180. Chris Hammer on writing crime fiction

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”.

 

179. Catharine Lumby on Biography, Betrayal and Bookwriting

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.

178. Michael Brosowski on helping street kids and fighting human trafficking

To make a donation to support Blue Dragon Children Foundation, go to www.bluedragon.org

 

Michael’s blog is at lifeisalongstory.com

177. Emma Johnston on seas, science and sailing

Emma Johnston on seas, science and sailing 

176. Richard Reeves on boys and men

Richard Reeves on boys and men

175. Tim Winton on landscape, words and activism

Tim Winton on landscape, words and activism

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

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

174. Brigid Delaney on Stoicism

174. Brigid Delaney on Stoicism.

173. Bo Seo on how to have a good argument

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)

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

172. Robert Dessaix on Abracadabra

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

171. Daniel Pink on the power of regret.

170. Ben Quilty on painting soldiers, asylum seekers and Santa

170. Ben Quilty on painting soldiers, asylum seekers and Santa.

 

Photo credit: Daniel Boud

169. Amani Haydar on Agony, Anger and Art

169. Amani Haydar on Agony, Anger and Art.

168. Jennifer Nadel & Matt Hawkins on Compassion in Politics

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

167. Ed Coper on fighting online lies

167. Ed Coper on fighting online lies.

166. Van Badham on cranks, conspiracies & courage

Susan Carland on Islam and authenticity (Rebroadcast)

Susan Carland on Islam and authenticity (Rebroadcast).

165. Ryan Holiday on Stoicism

165. Ryan Holiday on Stoicism.

 

Photo credit: Dawson Carroll

164: Andrew Denton on Improvisation, Interviewing & Liquid Time

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

163. Emma McKeon on Swimming, Stress & Success

163. Emma McKeon on Swimming, Stress & Success. 

162. Michelle de Kretser on Shimmering Stories & Scary Monsters

Michelle de Kretser on Shimmering Stories & Scary Monsters.

 

Photo credit: Joy Lai

161. Nyadol Nyuon on seeking refuge & fighting racism

161. Nyadol Nyuon on seeking refuge & fighting racism.

 

160. Madeleine Dore on avoiding guilt, busyness & indecision

160. Madeleine Dore on avoiding guilt, busyness & indecision.

 

Photo credit: Prue Aja

159. Cathy Wilcox on cartoons, chance & change

159. Cathy Wilcox on cartoons, chance & change.

158. Robyn Archer on festivals, artistic risks & German cabaret

158. Robyn Archer on festivals, artistic risks & German cabaret.

 

 

Photo credit: Rohan Thomson

157. Paul Grabowsky on making music

157. Paul Grabowsky on making music. 

Sheridan Harbridge on cabaret, comedy and creativity (Rebroadcast)

Sheridan Harbridge on cabaret, comedy and creativity (Rebroadcast)

Violet Roumeliotis on welcoming refugees (Rebroadcast)

Violet Roumeliotis on welcoming refugees.

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

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

 

 

156. David Williamson on a Life of Drama

156. David Williamson on a Life of Drama.

155. Cal Newport on deep work and the curse of email

155. Cal Newport on deep work and the curse of email.

 

Photo credit: Penny Gray

Joshua Gans on Parentonomics (Rebroadcast)

Joshua Gans on Parentonomics (Rebroadcast).

 

 

 

 

Patricia Karvelas on resilience and community (Rebroadcast).

Patricia Karvelas on resilience and community (Rebroadcast). 

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

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

154. Harry Garside on boxing, ballet and masculinity

154. Harry Garside on boxing, ballet and masculinity.

153. John Safran on comedy, constraints & creativity

153. John Safran on comedy, constraints & creativity. 

You can check out John's new book 'Puff Piece' here.

Photo credit: Penguin Random House.