First Read
First Read is a weekly podcast from Penguin Books Australia hosted by Charle Malycon. It features insightful interviews with leading thinkers, bestselling writers, and experts behind today's most talked-about non-fiction books. The show covers topics from politics, history, religion, business, and society to cults, conspiracy theories, and the forces shaping our lives. New episodes are released every Wednesday.
Episodes
Julie Goodwin on coming 'Home For Dinner', and back to herself
What happens when the mental load becomes too much to bear? For cook and media personality Julie Goodwin, she had to reconfigure her life to take back her power. In this in-depth interview we cover Julie's ascendence from 'just a mum' on Masterchef's inaugural season, through to a period of work so intense she was eventually hospitalised. It's led her and her family to want to
Dr. Billy Garvey on Raising Boys Part 2: The Teen Years and Beyond
Part 1 of our in-depth interview with developmental paediatrician Dr. Billy Garvey tackles the early years or raising boys, and is available now. In Part 2, we discuss the teen years and beyond. We reflect on the importance of connection through play, the social media debate, and how to manage online and offline friendships. We also delve into how to have the hard conversations, what we should say
Dr. Billy Garvey on Raising Boys Part 1: The Early Years
What happens when our boys and their behaviour starts spiralling out of control? In Part 1 of our in-depth interview with developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey, author of Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Raising Boys, we step through how to navigate the challenging early years of raising boys. We discuss toddler tantrums, the importance of connection and repair, and emotional regulation for
George Megalogenis on immigration, One Nation, and Australia's future
What happens when the conversation around immigration reaches fever pitch? For political journalist George Megalogenis, it comes back to the data. In this in depth interview, we delve into the third book in the George's trilogy on Australia's politics, Three Shocks. We also discuss the future of Australia's two party system, the immigration debate, the likelihood of Pauline Hanson'
Dr Anastasia Hronis on gambling, addiction and our overstimulated world
What happens when our brains are bombarded by consistent sensory and mental overload? We talk to clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis, gambling and addiction expert to understand to how to overcome the overstimulation that our modern lives so often provide, and to find the roadmaps back to stillness. We discuss her best-selling book The Dopamine Brain and her forthcoming book Ovestimulated: F
Dr Fatima Khan on navigating perimenopause and why 'Hormone Health is Mental Health'
What happens when you encounter the perfect storm - caring for young kids, peaking career demands, sick parents - and then your brain is suddenly hijacked by anxiety, brain fog and rage? For Dr Fatima Khan, it led her to writing her groundbreaking book, Hormone Health is Mental Health, a scientifically backed guide to perimenopause. We talk about the importance of seeking help to manage symptoms,
Amie McNee on the transformative power of creativity, and her book 'We Need Your Art'
What happens when we share our art, no matter how imperfect? For artist and author Amie McNee, that's when the power of creativity truly begins to shine. In this enlightening conversation, we we talk about why so many of us need permission to create, what ambition looks like when it isn’t simply hustle culture in nicer clothes, and the stories artists inherit about money and ‘proper’ work. Fir
Dr. Amantha Imber on the extreme burnout that inspired 'The Energy Game'
What happens when a work and energy expert experiences extreme burnout? For Dr. Amantha Imber, it gave her the impetus to start researching how to gameify energy and to write her most personal book yet. We talk through the four energy types, how to manage your energy accounts, and the suprisingly simple, science-backed tricks that can get you out of an energy slump.First, Read is hosted by Charle
Antoinette Lattouf on writing 'Women Who Win' while fighting her greatest battle
What happens when the most difficult period of your life is broadcast live across the country? For Antoinette Lattouf, the answer was to write. During her landmark court case against the countries public broadcaster for unlawful termination, she turned to the stories of other women who fought and ultimately won. Her bestselling book Women Who Win was the result. We discuss the inspiration behind t
Bek Condello on escaping a cult, and finding herself while writing 'Can You Handle A Girl Like Me?'
What happens when your whole life has been controlled by the confines of a cult, and you finally break free? Bek Condello's experience within the doomsday cult Geelong Revival Centre is what begins her new book, Can You Handle A Girl Like Me, but it's what she does after leaving that is truly surprising. We talk about the writing process of this powerful memoir, breaking free from the cult
Marc Fennell on writing his 'deeply uncomfortable' history book, 'Stuff the British Stole'
What happens when history stops being polite? In this wide-ranging author interview, Marc Fennell explains Stuff the British Stole, an “Indiana Jones in reverse” journey through the British empire, and the wild histories hidden behind polite little museum labels. We discuss cultural ownership, his career journey, and the extraordinary stories about contested objects in the world's biggest museums
Sarah Wilson on writing her most dangerous book yet, 'I Eat the Stars'
What is the most dangerous idea an author can have? Sarah Wilson believes it's the loss of hope. In this insightful best-selling author interview, we discuss the rise of fascism, the importance of truth in an increasingly fake world, and why infinite growth on a finite planet cannot be the answer. First, Read is hosted by Charle Malycon, and this episode's guest is Sarah Wilson, author of 'I Eat t
Introducing First, Read: The Meeting Ground for Big Ideas
First, Read is the meeting ground for big ideas, compelling stories, and the conversations shaping our world. Insightful author interviews with leading thinkers, bestselling writers, and the experts behind today's most talked-about non-fiction books. Hosted by Penguin Random House Australia books editor, Charle Malycon, this weekly podcast explores the ideas that define our times through thoug
