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The Columnist writes about a new survey that shows most Australians can't cook, and talks to one of Australia’s best storytellers — Adam Shand — about why he can do most things but still can’t boil an egg.   Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Warne is dead. The Columnist writes about why Warnie meant so much to us, and he speaks with entertainment reporter Peter Ford about the thousands of messages he got from the spin king over the years.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first rule of Fight Club is never talk about fight club. The first rule of censorship is to make people afraid to speak. The Columnist writes about the Chinese government rewriting of a cult movie, and two examples of free speech getting trampled in Australia. Champion basketball player Andrew Bogut was one of the victims — he talks with the Columnist.   Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following violent protests at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott supported the louts. The Columnist calls on him to resign his commission on the board of the Australian War Memorial.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a push to drop the compulsory prayer in parliament, and The Columnist writes about why it should go and picks a fight with someone who’s praying it stays.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a couple of embarrassing political radio interviews, there’s been a shift in power from the AM stations to the FM. And The Columnist wrote about what it might mean to politicians who just thought it was all a bit of fun.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only in Australia can a backbench MP for a minor party become the Acting Prime Minister in 24 hours. The Columnist writes about the crazy and blustering world of Barnaby Joyce, and talks with Seven News political editor Mark Riley. Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government has been keeping a family in detention on Christmas Island for years. One of the children has become sick. The Columnist talks to the people trying to free them, and he writes about the deep shame that comes with locking up children.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trams of Melbourne are a beautiful thing, but they’re more dangerous than ever before. The Columnist has been writing about this risky icon.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a Melbourne court, two modern day slave owners have been granted bail. The Columnist wrote about how the system buggered it up so badly.   Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a long battle, there’s finally going to be a royal commission into the suicides of Australian veterans. The Columnist has been part of the fight, but he discovers that it’s from over.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The people who give out the Order of Australian honours have had a bad run, and The Columnist thinks they're only one stuff-up away from destruction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Columnist is weary of the Prime Minister explaining what his job isn’t, rather than what it is. And hours after his column was published, the PM hosted one of the worst political press conferences in living memory.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Columnist went to the March 4 Justice. Not to write and not to talk, just to listen.  WARNING: This episode contains discussion of rape and sexual assault.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This time last year, we could have used a laugh, but the cancelling of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival added to our COVID induced disappointments. Now it’s back, and The Columnist talks with Festival Director Susan Provan and comedian Kirsty Webeck about the joy of the return, and the kick-in-the-guts to our entertainment industry through JobKeeper.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Columnist writes about Facebook — the tech giant who switched off Australia’s news feeds with all the sophistication of a nanna unplugging a kettle. And he spoke with former Facebook boss of Australia and New Zealand, Stephen Scheeler.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Prime Minister holds a press conference after an allegation of rape surfaces against a former Liberal staff member. At the press conference, he mentions his daughters, and he gets belted for using the “father of daughters” line. The Columnist writes about why this line brings such a strong reaction.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the Margaret Court debate, there could not be two more opposing sides than Shane Stone — the Chair of the Order of Australia Council — and the Columnist — who broke the story of Court’s award days before the official announcement. But they talked it out.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Columnist broke a major story when he revealed the plans to award a controversial sportsperson with Australia’s highest honour.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An iconic Australian brand has changed its name, following a long campaign over its racist double-meaning. The Columnist went searching for the people who carried the same name.  Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com. The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time.  Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now.  Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.