The Grapevine

The Grapevine has wrapped up! Never fear – if you enjoyed listening to the show and following presenter Dylan Bird’s conversations around arts, culture, politics, human rights and the climate – you can follow his new program FUTURE PERFECT. More info & the RSS feed for Future Perfect is here: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/future-perfect You can also search for ‘Future Perfect’ in your favourite podcast player to subscribe to the new feed. Future Perfect airs every Monday from 9am-12pm on Melbourne community radio station, Triple R.

Alice Mathieu talks to El Gibbs, an award-winning writer on disability and social issues about the newly released NDIS review. Alice also speaks to adaptation scientist, Dr. Johanna Nalau, on the urgency of climate adaptation and whether these issues have been resolved at the Climate Change Conference 2023. Behavioural scientist, Kim Borg, was also in to talk about how behavioural science can be used to advocate for behaviours that are more 'sustainable' to restore and protect the natural environment.

Host Kirby Fary fills in for Dylan and chats to Michael Shaik, a member of Free Palestine Melbourne, about his decades-long activism and how supporters can avoid burnout. La Trobe University PhD candidate Jacinta Humphrey flies in to talk about her latest research into noisy miners, and how the bird is bullying vulnerable species in urban areas. Plus, artists Ria Soemardjo and Victoria Wanata chat about their sister theatre projects, ‘Surat-Suratnya’ and ‘May 1989’; both about Indonesia’s Suharto era and the lives that were impacted under the dictator.

On 2023’s final episode of The Grapevine, Dylan is joined by Priya Nadesalingam and journalist Rebekah Holt to chat about their new book Home to Biloela, which chronicles Priya and her family’s journey as refugees which grew to national attention. Victorian Government school teachers Lucy and Farah speak on their involvement with Teachers and School Staff for Palestine Victoria and the role of teachers and schools in the current Israel-Gaza crisis. Plus, Tony Wilson, author and founder of Speakola, drops by to recap the best speeches of 2023.

Dylan is joined by Julian Assange’s father John Shipton to update on the campaign to free his son, following lawmakers lobbying US President Joe Biden to withdraw the extradition request and halt all prosecutorial proceedings against him. Rick Morton, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, unpacks his reporting into the case of the missing recommendation in the government’s response to the robo-debt royal commission. Plus, Panos Karanikolas and Dr Chris Maylea discuss their research report for La Trobe University into police responses to mental distress, and their proposal to change how these cases are managed.

University of Melbourne Journalism Lecturer and Writer Jeff Sparrow discusses his latest research, tracking the use of the word ‘woke’ in Australian media: how did the term become an effective shorthand for political correctness? Guardian Australia State Correspondent Benita Kolovos walks us through the Victorian projects that have been canned following the Federal Government’s infrastructure review, and where it leaves the Airport Rail Link and Suburban Rail Loop. Dylan talks to Palestinian-Australian nurse Riyad Aladassi, who is on hunger strike as part of Block the Dock, protesting Australian arms exports to Israel and media coverage of the current conflict. Then, Annabelle Lukin, Macquarie University Associate Professor in Linguistics, discusses her research of language in times of conflict, and how politicians and the media use certain words when referring to Israel and Palestine.

Dylan is joined by human rights lawyer and Refugee Legal Executive Director, David Manne, to talk about the “new dawn” in Australia’s indefinite detention laws: will a new precedent be set after the High Court found them unlawful? Rawan Arraf, Executive Director at the Australian Centre for International Justice, discusses a Federal Court legal action to uncover whether Australian arms exports are being used by Israel in the current conflict. ANU Professor Andrew Macintosh chats about apparent flaws in the government’s carbon credit scheme, which he thinks will put Australia’s net-zero target at risk. Plus, “Dr Pub”, aka Dr Sam Whiting from UniSA, discusses his new book Small Venues, analysing the cultural impact of small live-music venues across Australia.

Dylan is joined by journalist and Inside Story publisher Mark Baker to discuss the future of Australia’s relationship with China following Albanese’s recent visit to Beijing. University of Melbourne Professor in Urban Planning Dave Nichols talks about the benefits of dog parks for us and our furry friends. Plus, Fiona Sweet, Executive Director and CEO of Stella, chats about the upcoming inaugural Stella Day Out – a free literary event supporting women and non-binary writers.

Judith Peppard talks to drug policy expert Dr Monica Barratt about the need for a Victorian drug checking and early warning system, in line with recommendations from the Coroners Court. Journalist Antony Loewenstein provides an update on the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict and his concerns for what lies ahead. Plus, filmmaker Gary Newman talks about his new documentary How to Capture a Prime Minister about the 1976 Monash University incident which saw Malcolm Fraser hiding from protesting students in a basement.

Dylan is joined by Cam Walker from Friends of the Earth to look ahead to Australia's bushfire season, and the ‘shifting baseline syndrome’ phenomenon discussed in his recent blog post. Journalist and author Rebekah Holt drops by to break down the New Zealand election results, and what to expect from the country’s new government. Emmanuel Maiberg, co-founder and journalist at tech publication 404 Media, discusses Bandcamp’s sale to songtradr and what the acquisition and ensuing layoffs mean for the music platform. Plus, Australian music legend Normie Rowe chats about his upbringing and connection to music in Melbourne ahead of his performance for A TRIPLE R TAKEOVER at Northcote Theatre, as part of The Eighty-Six festival.

Dylan is joined by psychologist Chris Cheers, author of ‘The New Rulebook’, to discuss ways we can take care of ourselves and others amid intense news and difficult times. Journalist and author Antony Loewenstein speaks about the Israel-Hamas conflict, unpacking the recent developments in Gaza, the global media coverage, and the Western/European geopolitical response so far. Plus, Dr Joanna McIntyre, Senior Lecturer at Swinburne University, chats about her research project into the lasting impact of Australian children’s TV programming for adult audiences, as well as its relationship with nostalgia and cultural identity.

Dylan is joined by Tarneen Onus Williams, Community Organiser for Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, who explains their reasons for voting Yes in the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament explored in their article for Crikey. Marni Cordell, major projects editor at Guardian Australia, unpacks her investigative report into the Indonesian military targeting civilians, including children, in West Papua. Isabelle Reinecke, lawyer and Executive Director of Grata Fund, joins to discuss her new book Courting Power: Law, Democracy & The Public Interest in Australia and the issue of judicial independence in the country. Plus, Damien Warren Smith chats about his show ‘Greece Lightning’ for Melbourne Fringe 2023, which sees his alter ego Garry Starr performing stories from Greek mythology to help save Greece from economic ruin.

Dylan is joined by Bernard Keane, politics editor at Crikey, who gets into the fallout following Nine newspapers' reporting of Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo's alleged efforts to influence Liberal Party politics. Journalist Marc Fennell chats about his new documentary podcast series House of Skulls, which uncovers the secrets behind the mysterious Morton Cranial Collection in Penn Museum in Philadelphia. Plus, Carly Findlay, disability advocate and Access Advisor at Melbourne Fringe, discusses Fringe’s Radical Access project, which aims to increase access and inclusion for d/Deaf and Disabled artists across the independent arts sector.

Dylan is joined by Benita Kolovos, Victorian state correspondent for The Guardian, who rounds up the state government’s changes to housing policy regarding short-stay rentals, planning scheme reforms and public housing redevelopments. Journalist Stephen Mayne joins to discuss Rupert Murdoch stepping down from Fox and NewsCorp, with his son Lachlan Murdoch rising as his successor at the two companies. Kath Albury, Professor at Swinburne University, talks about dating app safety in light of the federal government's call for an industry code of practice. Plus, Collingwood Football Club mega fans Antoun Issa and ‘Swoop Luke’ drop in to bond with Dylan about their experience supporting the club over the years ahead of the team’s appearance in the AFL Grand Final.

On Kulja’s final show on The Grapevine, Dylan and Kulja sit down with regular guest Dave Nichols to chat about the state of Australia’s housing crisis following the federal government’s $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund passing parliament last week. Muriel Bamblett, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency, reflects on the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s recommendations for Victoria’s justice systems, as well as the ongoing conversations around the Voice to Parliament in the lead-up to the referendum. Director Danny Cohen drops by to talk about his documentary Anonymous Club, his relationship with subject Courtney Barnett and the filmmaking process behind capturing an intimate portrait of the artist and musician. Plus, long-time Triple R broadcaster Tracee Hutchison joins to celebrate Kulja’s contribution to the station, and Melbourne band The Orbweavers discuss the connection to place currently inspiring their work ahead of their upcoming shows in Melbourne and beyond.

Dylan and Kulja are joined by regular guest Cam Walker to unpack the Victorian Government putting an end to VicForests ahead of a native logging ban and what it means for the state’s ecological health, as well as new data from the World Meteorological Organisation on the relationship between climate change and weather following Australia’s hottest recorded summer. Kieren Pender, Senior Lawyer for the Human Rights Law Centre, discusses the organisation establishing Australia’s first dedicated legal service for whistleblowers and the concern about the lack of protections currently available for whistleblowers in the country. Bundjalung and Kullilli journalist Daniel Browning goes into his reflection published in Overland ahead of his essay collection Close to the Subject: Collected Works, which explores his decades-long career with the ABC, his responsibility as a storyteller, and the difficult experiences faced along the way. Plus, Ruth Jeanes, Professor at Monash University, looks at what’s behind the increased participation in informal sport.

Dylan and Kulja speak with author and journalist George Megalogenis about his essay for The Monthly on The Voice to Parliament, taking a look at what previous referenda, demographics and the Coalition’s opposition mean for the success of The Voice. Wendy Stone, Professor at Swinburne University, discusses the impact of short-term accommodation such as Airbnbs on the housing crisis amid the NSW government announcing a commission, and City of Melbourne’s approval of regulations for the rentals. Plus, Melbourne-based writer Harry Saddler joins in-studio to discuss his new book Clear Flowing Yarra and his own connection to the river, and musician Ed Kuepper chats about his upcoming national tour in support of the remastered reissues of his first two solo albums.

It's Radiothon time at Triple R. As an independent media organisation, Triple R relies on its listeners to help support and fund its programming each year. For their special Radiothon edition of the show, Dylan and Kulja are joined by regular guest Dave Nichols who gives a history lesson on the longevity of Triple R and his own decades-long involvement at the station. Grapevine regular and Victorian State Correspondent for The Guardian, Benita Kolovos, chats about her community radio roots and reporting on state politics and government accountability. Plus, Ben Harrington and Dan Morganti, current and former podcast editors for The Grapevine, get into working on the show and their involvement across the station, and regular guest Jeff Sparrow reports live from a strike for better working conditions for university staff at Melbourne Uni to chat about people power and the community spirit. And finally, musician Emma Russack reflects on how her career has intersected with the station.

Dylan and Kulja sit down with Indy Johar, architect and founder of London-based Dark Matter Labs, who unpacks the thinking behind the organisation’s way of approaching global challenges and crises ahead of his keynote at Now or Never 2023. Louise Milligan, award-winning investigative journalist, chats about what went into her investigation on the silence about homosexuality in the AFL for ABC's Four Corners, amid queer sexuality in sport being spotlighted and celebrated by the Women’s World Cup. Plus, Dr Rod Davies, convener and lecturer at Monash University, gets into the calls to address the inequity in payment for session musicians in Australia, and why the country is lagging behind the rest of the world on the issue.

Dylan and Kulja are joined by Prof. John Woinarski, Professor at Charles Darwin University and Biodiversity Council member, who discusses the crisis facing Australian animal and plant species in light of reporting from a journal article in Science that the country’s biodiversity loss is among the worst in the world. Also on the show, Journalist Peter Mares drops in to break down the state of the Federal Government's parent migration scheme and its challenges – as investigated in his analysis for the Scanlon Federation. Plus, Naarm/Melbourne based writer and editor Savannah Hollis gets into the troubling implications for the Australian publishing industry following the merging of the last two major book printing companies in the country, explored in her article for Overland.