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The Radio National Hour

The Radio National Hour

ABC Australia 218 Episodes Oct 15, 2026

A daily current affairs program from ABC Australia, hosted by one of the country's leading interviewers. The show takes a thoughtful approach to important and challenging issues, with in-depth conversations spanning politics, culture, arts, and sport. It features big names from these fields and offers a deep dive into the topics shaping the national conversation.

Episodes

Political junkies and the books they read
Political junkies and the books they read Oct 15, 2026 0:55:14 Paul Keating once said, "anyone who’s any good never writes about themselves.” Luckily, plenty of others have and last weekend Fran sat down in front of a live audience, with celebrated journalists - Kerry O'Brien, Laura Tingle and Lorena Allam – to talk about great political writing. From the Yirrkala bark petitions, to Gough’s memoir, and the many leadership spills, what are th
What does the collapse of the Firmus IPO tell us about the hype surrounding AI?
What does the collapse of the Firmus IPO tell us about the hype surrounding AI? Oct 14, 2026 0:54:38 We’re told it’s bigger - much bigger - than any technology revolution that’s come before, but are we buying the AI hype or, perhaps more crucially, are we willing to pay for it? Chief business correspondent Ian Verrender explains why markets around the world are getting the jitters.    They’re the invisible workforce: more than 3 million Australians who work (unpaid) as carers fo
Not just a few bad eggs: ACCC sues producers over 'cartel' behaviour
Not just a few bad eggs: ACCC sues producers over 'cartel' behaviour Oct 13, 2026 0:55:08 In 2023 oncologist Ophira Ginsburg blew the whistle on the scandal of millions of women dying prematurely because of medical misogyny in cancer care. Three years on she says progress is being made but too many women in the developing world are relying on miracles instead of science for a cure. ACCC boss Gina Cass-Gottlieb has launched action against some of Australia’s biggest eg
'What have I created?' The scientist on a mission to protect our thoughts
'What have I created?' The scientist on a mission to protect our thoughts Oct 12, 2026 0:55:08 More than a decade ago, neuroscientist Rafael Yuste made a startling discovery: enabling the technology that is now being used to read and manipulate human minds. Now he's working to ensure that our neural privacy is protected in legislation.Angry 'Cockroaches' are being encouraged to take to the streets of India's capital New Delhi. That's the name given to a highly motivated an
Michael Pollan on why humans are squandering the gift of consciousness
Michael Pollan on why humans are squandering the gift of consciousness Oct 9, 2026 0:54:39 When Jenny Bloomfield arrived in Australia from Greece at the age of 12 she felt like an alien landing on a strange planet, little did she know three decades later she would be representing her adopted home as its Ambassador to Greece, just one chapter in a diplomatic career that took her across the world.Tsar Samuel, the Emperor of Bulgaria, conquered the Balkans more than one t
Work, wages and shopping in the age of AI
Work, wages and shopping in the age of AI Oct 8, 2026 0:55:08 Fran Kelly brings you compelling conversations on issues that challenge,entertain and inspire us. 
Who's responsibile for the emissions from Australia’s exported coal?
Who's responsibile for the emissions from Australia’s exported coal? Oct 7, 2026 0:55:16 Fran Kelly brings you compelling conversations on issues that challenge,entertain and inspire us. 
Adam Liaw's quest to revive the 'everyday' dishes that bring us comfort
Adam Liaw's quest to revive the 'everyday' dishes that bring us comfort Oct 6, 2026 0:55:08 It's like something out of a Dickens novel: Australians sleeping rough, veterans, migrants and those suffering severe mental health are being buried in unmarked, mass graves in New South Wales and Queensland because they're unable to afford a proper burial or relatives can't be identified. In an exclusive investigation The Guardian's chief investigative correspondent Christopher
The cruel irony of Christa Pike's botched execution
The cruel irony of Christa Pike's botched execution Oct 5, 2026 0:54:38 Tennessee prison authorities tried for more than an hour to kill her with two doses of a lethal poison before doctors intervened to save her life. Murderer Christa Pike remains on life support after last week’s botched execution. So will this catastrophic failure be a moment of reckoning for Americans who still support the death penalty?Facing increased threats from China, North
Kevin Rudd on what the West and China misunderstand about each other
Kevin Rudd on what the West and China misunderstand about each other Oct 2, 2026 0:54:38 Former Australian Prime Minister and Ambassador to the United State Kevin Rudd joins The Diplomats to reflect on his differing roles in diplomacy, as well as explore the misinterpretations between the US, the West and China.Humorist and essayist David Sedaris's latest work focuses on travelling, growing older, family but continues his iconic style of finding humour in everyday od
'Clowns out, Cowboys in' The meaning behind Pete Hegseth's latest announcement
'Clowns out, Cowboys in' The meaning behind Pete Hegseth's latest announcement Oct 1, 2026 0:54:36 The latest 'State of the Force' was another firey speech from US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth signposting an American focus on autonomous warfare, 'Fortress America', faith and the promotion of a warrior culture. Retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Rachel VanLandingham, now  professor of law at Southwestern Law School looks at the broader agenda. European inte
The Greens choose a new leadership team
The Greens choose a new leadership team Sep 30, 2026 0:55:14 With David Shoebridge voted in by his peers as the new federal leader of the Greens, Phil Coorey, Political Editor of The Australian Financial Review looks at where the party could wield its influence in the Senate. Plus Kos Samaras, pollster and director strategy and analytics at Redbridge Group, looks at what the electorate thinks of the Greens and where it does have support, b

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