Although I feel slightly indulgent to speak about my new book, I pass the interviewer’s mic to good friend Jordan Shopov. We talk about the lessons in my book, in particular, how an intolerance of your circumstances, developing focus, improving your writing and taking advantage of the unique opportunities Australia offers all conspired to fuel my turnaround. For a copy of the book please visit Connor Court Publishing.

On this episode I talk to Dr Sammut from the Centre for Independent Studies. We start a little differently by discussing personal history but then move onto the (re)emergence of identity politics, the state of universities and building cultural confidence in Australian history.

For something slightly different, I talk to Gold Coast Lifeguard Luke Ingwersen on the range of roles a lifeguard plays, from local tour guide to first responder. It’s a great discussion on rips, some general water safety, the changing nature of international beach-goers and the challenges of being responsible for public safety in one of the busiest places in the country.

This episode’s title is borrowed from Robert Garran’s satire of the Australia’s State Premiers in 1934. While we oftentimes hear that the States should collect your income tax (the Feds currently do) they historically haven’t been too keen on it. Federalism is hardly a ‘fun’ topic but join Jordan Shopov, Will Witheridge and I as we talk about some of the unique features of our federal system.