Episodes

  • Chrissy Mack's Rant: Unpacking Australia's Housing Crisis

    Chrissy Mack's Rant: Unpacking Australia's Housing Crisis
    May 18 2026
    Join Chrissy Mack on the RnB Podcast as she dives deep into the housing crisis in Australia. In this episode, Chrissy sets aside political rhetoric and media spin to explore the real roots of the crisis. Discover a candid analysis of how we arrived at this point, and what needs to change to address the challenges facing Australians today. Tune in for an honest and insightful discussion that cuts through the noise. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    13 mins
  • Harmony Across Cultures: A Conversation with Michael Atherton

    Harmony Across Cultures: A Conversation with Michael Atherton
    May 13 2026
    Join host Michael Lester as he sits down with Michael Atherton AM, Foundation Professor of Music at the University of Western Australia. Explore Atherton's lifelong passion for music, his compositions, performances, and recordings. Discover his work with groups like the Renaissance Players and Sirocco, and his collaborations with diverse musicians across Australia's many cultures. Learn about his commitment to music education and his unique approach to blending cultures, genres, and instruments. Enjoy a selection of his music as we celebrate his contributions to the musical landscape. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    25 mins
  • Ngarraya: Music, Identity, and Place

    Ngarraya: Music, Identity, and Place
    May 8 2026
    Join host Michael Lester as he sits down with Yaegl musician Michael Birk to explore his new album, "Ngarraya." Discover the significance of Birk's music and language to his identity and meaning. Dive into the personal stories and struggles reflected in his lyrics, deeply rooted in place and country. Listen in as they discuss songwriting, performance, and record production, and enjoy a few tracks from his latest album. Celebrate the power of music to connect and express profound personal and cultural narratives. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    22 mins
  • NDIS Blowout with Roger Beale

    NDIS Blowout with Roger Beale
    May 6 2026
    In this episode of the RNB Podcast, Michael Lester interviews Roger Beale AO, former Australian public service departmental head, on the NDIS blowout. Introduced in 2013 by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the National Disability Insurance Scheme was a revolutionary welfare policy based on the right to assistance for those with permanent disabilities. Explore how the scheme has evolved over nearly 15 years, now supporting close to 700,000 people at a cost of $50 billion annually, making it the third largest component of Commonwealth government expenditure. Roger Beale discusses options to manage budgetary costs and ensure the scheme's sustainable future. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the challenges and solutions surrounding this vital program. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    30 mins
  • Dear Son: Indigenous Voices, Masculinity, and the Path to Justice

    Dear Son: Indigenous Voices, Masculinity, and the Path to Justice
    May 5 2026
    In this RNB Podcast, Michael Lester interviews Thomas Mayo, Torres Strait Islander writer, unionist, human rights advocate, and Uluru Statement signatory. They discuss Mayo’s edited collection Dear Son—letters between Indigenous fathers and sons that challenge toxic stereotypes about masculine identity. The conversation covers how the work has been adapted into a powerful stage play (touring nationally in 2025), the impact of the Voice referendum no vote, and Mayo’s book Always Was, Always Will Be: The Campaign for Justice and Recognition Continues (2024). A thoughtful exploration of Indigenous leadership, reconciliation, and ongoing advocacy for justice and recognition in Australia. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    28 mins
  • Divestment Dilemma: HMAS Penguin, Middle Head, and the Fight to Preserve Public Heritage

    Divestment Dilemma: HMAS Penguin, Middle Head, and the Fight to Preserve Public Heritage
    May 1 2026
    In this RNB Podcast episode, Michael Lester interviews Jill L'Estrange of the Headland Preservation Group about the proposed divestment sale of HMAS Penguin, the historic waterfront naval facility at Middle Head, Mosman. Explore the community objections, the campaign to keep the site in public hands, and how these decisions intersect with defence budgeting and heritage protection. A thoughtful look at preserving public heritage amid development pressures on Sydney Harbour's Middle Head-Georges Heights precinct. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    28 mins
  • Job Reimagined: A World-Class Australian Production

    Job Reimagined: A World-Class Australian Production
    Apr 27 2026
    In this RNB Podcast, Chrissy Mack interviews producer Jason Blaiklock and composer Anthony MacDermott about the Australian take on the Book of Job. Explore how local producers and a brilliant cast bring this timeless tragedy to life, featuring insights into adaptation, score, and the creative process behind a world-class, homegrown interpretation of Job. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    24 mins
  • Liberal Renewal in Focus: James Griffin on Australia’s Political Reboot

    Liberal Renewal in Focus: James Griffin on Australia’s Political Reboot
    Apr 23 2026
    In this Friday RNB Podcast, Michael Lester talks with NSW Liberal MP James Griffin, former Environment and Heritage Minister and current Shadow Minister for Energy, Climate Change, Digital AI, and Investment. They dissect the Liberal Party’s brand challenges after a historic federal defeat, the plunge in polling, and the rise of new leadership at national and NSW levels. Explore strategies for renewal and regeneration, the path to rebuilding trust, and how party direction might shape Australia’s climate, innovation, and digital futures. Northern Beaches Entertainment https://northernbeachesentertainment.com.au
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    30 mins