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A virtual meeting of the Wide Open Air Exchange Film Club with guest Davis Rivera. Thanks to everyone who contributed reviews and comments for inclusion in the discussion. Film Club viewing list discussed with Davis: The Last Dance (2020), documentary series about Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. Capone (2020), a film by Josh Trank starring Tom Hardy as gangster Al Capone in his later life suffering from mental deterioration. Vitalina Varela (2019), a film by Pedro Costa set in Lisbon and featuring Vitalina Varela who previously appeared in Horse Money. A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019), a stop-motion animation comedy about an alien encounter. Corpus Christi (2020), a drama set in regional Poland where a young man with a criminal history passes himself off as a priest visiting from a seminary. Other reviews featured: Coming 2 America (2021), the highly anticipated sequel to the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy classic. The Wizard of Lies (2017), a biopic about the downfall of financial fraudster Bernie Madoff. Hotel Coolgardie (2016), a documentary about the woeful experiences of two Finnish backpackers assigned to be barmaids at a pub in outback Australia. Judith Lucy vs Men (2020), a stand-up comedy special by Australian comedian Judith Lucy. Music featured in this episode: Lipka Zielona by Eliza Rycembel from the soundtrack to Corpus Christi Midnight Train from Zamunda by Gladys Knight from the soundtrack to Coming 2 America

Launching the Wide Open Air Exchange film club with a list of 5 films to watch ahead of a discussion of these with list curator Davis Rivera in a future episode which will feature your reviews. Here is our first viewing list The Last Dance 2. Capone 3. Vitalina Varela 4. A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon 5. Corpus Christi Listen to an explanation of the film selections using the audio player above or by downloading this episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform. Watch as many or as few of the films as you can manage and send your thoughts, comments and critiques by text or voice memo to wideopenairexchange@gmail.com  Send your reviews by the end of the month to be featured in the first Film Club discussion. Here are trailers for each of the selections

A discussion of the candidates and their campaigns ahead of election day on 3 November. Topics include what might be the appeal of Joe Biden to moderate Republicans, and how the pandemic informed the Trump and Biden campaign approaches. You’ll also hear thoughts on how liberal media bias against President Trump is making Fox News look relatively neutral, and on the absence of either candidate offering anything meaningful to people involved in widespread protests across the US. Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

Oxford doctoral researcher Hanna Nowicka explains the development of her interest in biomedical engineering and her work on brain imaging methods, and shares some of the realities of DPhil/PhD life. Hanna is a Clarendon Scholar who conducted her research at FMRIB, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/woae091_hanna_nowicka-.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

‘A Country Practice’ was a popular family drama which aired on Australian television from 1981 and into the early 90s and which is currently available on 7Plus. There has been a place for nostalgia television during the Covid shut downs and my guest, and sister, Anne-Marie Gallagher has been keenly re-watching the show in recent months. Anne-Marie shares insights about some of the beloved characters, production history, and social themes which were addressed in a progressive way for the time. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/woae90-acp-podcast.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform. Cast list of characters discussed: Lorrae Desmond — Shirley Gilroy (nee Dean) Brian Wenzel — Frank Gilroy Shane Porteous — Terence Elliot Penny Cook — Vicky Bowen Grant Dodwell — Simon Bowen Anne Tenney — Molly Jones Shane Withington — Brendan Jones Syd Heylen — “Cookie” Vernon Locke Gordon Piper — Bob Hatfield Joyce Jacobs — Esme Watson Joan Sydney — Maggie Sloan Honourable mentions of Bev the faceless switchboard operator, Fatso the Wombat and Doris the alcoholic pig

Talking sci-fi and fantasy fiction with author and comedian Sam Bowring. You’ll hear about some of the thinking behind Sam’s Broken Well Trilogy and his approach to writing his latest book, Scharlette Doesn’t Matter and Goes Time Travelling. To find Sam’s books, stand-up comedy and more you can visit his site via this link: sambowring.com https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/sam-bowring-woae.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

A conversation for the interest of students of History and others interested in scholarly approaches and attitudes to biography and autobiography as historical methods. Professor Barbara Caine explains changing perceptions of biography in the historiography and the emergence of what some refer to as a biological turn and more recently an autobiographical turn. Professor Caine is author of Biography and History and books on the Strachey family, English feminism, Victorian feminists, and the sisters of Beatrice Webb, among other works. Professor Caine’s current research is on the history of women’s autobiography from the mid 18th century to the present. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/woae088-biography-and-history.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

A brief introduction to the contributions of Socrates and Plato and other influential ancient Greek thinkers with freelance philosopher Dr Tim Dean. This is an unpublished excerpt from a longer conversation with Tim about the Philosophy of Love. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/ancient_greek_phil_.mp3 Soon to come, a History episode with Professor Barbara Caine about changing attitudes towards biography as a method throughout historiographical turns from around the 17th century to the present.

Valentine’s Day is a time when romantic love is idealised. This conversation explores the usefulness of different philosophical conceptions of love and considers contemporary applications of various ancient Greek words for love: éros, storgē, philía and agápe. Dr Tim Dean is a freelance philosopher, an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney, and a faculty member at the School of Life. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/woae086-philosophy-of-love.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/alex_carlton_woae085.mp3 In her 20 year career Alexandra Carlton has carved out a reputation as a skilled feature writer and editor across numerous magazines and digital media sites. These days as an accomplished freelance writer Alex’s work can be found across a variety of formats and publications including features for Marie Claire, articles for News.com.au and travel writing for Qantas. In this conversation Alex shares insights about her practices of interviewing and storytelling, and thoughts on how developments in digital media have informed changing practices of journalists, along with the core skills that transcend media technologies. Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

Film scholar Davis Rivera shares his favourite films of the 2010s including narrative films, documentaries and a couple of exceptional stand-out series. Davis has kept a record of his personal ratings of films since he was aged 13 and has a database of more than 3000 film ratings. These are his picks of the decade. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/woae084-davis_rivera_decade.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform. Davis Rivera’s favourite films of the decade: 1. The Hunt (2012) directed by Thomas Vinterberg, and written by Tobias Lindholm and Thomas Vinterberg 2. Rules Don’t Apply (2016) directed and written by Warren Beatty 3. Melancholia (2011) directed and written by Lars von Trier 4. Happy Hour (2015) directed by Ryūsuke Hamaguchi, and written by Ryūsuke Hamaguchi, Tadashi Nohara, Tomoyuki Takahashi 5. The Turin Horse (2011) directed by Béla Tarr and Ágnes Hranitzky, and written by László Krasznahorkai and Béla Tarr 6. Hereditary (2018) directed and written by Ari Aster 7. American Sniper (2014) directed by Clint Eastwood, and based on the memoir by Chris Kyle 8. The Staircase (2018) directed and written by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade 9. River of Fundament (2014) directed by Matthew Barney and Jonathan Bepler, and inspired by the Norman Mailer novel Ancient Evenings 10. Hacksaw Ridge (2016) directed by Mel Gibson, and based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector 11. Mysteries of Lisbon (2010) directed by Raúl Ruiz, and based on the 1854 novel by Camilo Castelo Branco 12. Jackass 3D (2010) produced by Johnny Knoxville and Spike Jonze, and directed by Jeff Tremaine 13. Lenny Cooke (2013) directed by Josh and Benny Safdie 14. The Last of the Unjust (2013) directed by Claude Lanzmann 15. The Counselor (2013) directed by Ridley Scott, and written by Cormac McCarthy Other notable mentions: The Image Book (2018) directed and written Jean-Luc Godard Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) created by David Lynch and Mark Frost Jesus is King (2019) produced by Kanye West, and directed by Nick Knight Films by Kelly Reichardt: Certain women (2016) and Meek’s Cutoff (2010) and others

An explanation of vectorology and genome editing and how viral vectors are used in gene therapy. Dr Leszek Lisowski is a molecular biologist who is Group Leader of Translational Vectorology at the Children’s Medical Research Institute and Manager of its Vector and Genome Engineering Facility. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/cmri_woae-podcast.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

A nostalgia trip for those who lived through it and a cheat sheet for those seeking an introduction to the premise and characters of the TV series Beverly Hills 90210. This conversation with pop culture aficionado Liz Marques is a primer for watching the reboot, BH90210. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/90210-woae082.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

Answering questions asked by Year 8 students from Christian College, Geelong about the processes of creating a podcast. The students are researching, scripting and recording their own podcasts for a Digital News unit of study. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/podcasting-woae081.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download this episode of the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform. Below are time markers for sections and questions to help the students find the most relevant parts for their assignments. 00:00–01:48 Introduction 01:48–04:48 Script writing 04:48–09:35 Sounds and voices 09:35–11:42 Structure 11:42–17:58 Generating ideas 17:58–19:20  Research 19:20–21:30 Key tips 21:30–23:00 Final thoughts Special thanks the to the Geelong Cats Football Club for approving the use of the Club theme song. Audio from the following video was used as an example of vox pops along with a recommendation for the YouTube channel Behind the News

A guide to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Jeremy Ray, Managing Editor for FANDOM. If you’re interested in The Avengers but the thought of catching up with 23 movies is stopping you from investing time in the series this conversation should help you get on board. You’ll find an introduction to some of the Avengers characters and a snapshot of the story arcs across the three phases of Marvel movies as well as a short list of 5 or 6 must see films. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/woae080-avengers-jr.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download this episode of the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform. The FANDOM Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki lists the movies in chronological order should you want to follow along with that part of the conversation. This episode was recorded at the FANDOM headquarters in Sydney and the feature image on the podcast post webpage is a photo of an entire wall in the Marvel meeting room there.    

A conversation about chemistry with no assumed knowledge. Chemist Dr Adrian George explains some of the history of chemistry as a discipline and gives an introduction to foundational concepts along with examples of how the knowledge of Chemistry is applied and can explain so much around us. Adrian is a senior lecturer with the School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/woae-adrian-george-chemistry-.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

The resignation of Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party and the end of her Prime Ministership is a moment to revisit some of my conversation with former Number 10 advisor Nick Rowley about the problems of Brexit and the challenges faced by government leaders in the UK along with some additional thoughts about this development. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/theresa-may-and-brexit.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

Marianna Papas is the creator of women’s fashion label LuLu Manna and founder of LuLu Manna Boutique. Marianna shares insights from her years of experience within the fashion retail and textile industries including the challenges and rewards of starting her own business. I was also interested to hear Marianna’s views on personal styling and to reminisce a little about fashion trends of the 1990s (some of which are coming back in style again). https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/woae077-marianna-papas-for-web.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

As a follow to the last episode about having a baby and discussions of conception and breastfeeding we revisit conversations with previous guests who have related specialist views. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/conception-and-breastfeeding-follows.mp3 Reproductive geneticist Nada Kubikova speaks about declining fertility and miscarriages as well as her clinical work on Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis which can be used during IVF to identify embryos affected by genetic defects (recorded Feb 2017). At the time of recording Nada was a doctoral researcher within the Institute of Reproductive Sciences at the University of Oxford now based in the Oxford Science Park. Dr Julie Smith is an Associate Professor at the Research School of Population Health at the Australian National University (ANU) who has been an expert advisor to the World Health Organisation. Julie speaks about some of the evolutionary health benefits of breastfeeding and public policy contexts and impacts of the hospitalisation of births and the emergence of milk formula (recorded Sept 2017). The conversation with Emma Bellamy, author of Baking A Baby, can be found by clicking here All episodes of the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast can be accessed via iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform.

Baking A Baby author Emma Bellamy explains her philosophy of conscious co-creation in preparing to have a baby and shares practical advice based on personal experiences. The first half of the conversation canvasses processes of transformation and preparation which can be done pre-conception, and the second half of the conversation turns to conception, birth and breastfeeding. https://mechrissyg.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/emma-bellamy_podcast.mp3 Listen using the audio player above or download the episode from the Wide Open Air Exchange podcast using iTunes or Stitcher or your preferred podcast platform. Other discussions of conception and breastfeeding can be found by clicking here. Guests are a reproductive geneticist and an academic researcher interested in the impacts of public policy on breastfeeding.