Sundays with James O'Loghlin: Recent Episodes
ABC Local Radio
Sunday Evenings with James O'Loghlin explores the small and large moments in our lives. It also hears from people who do extraordinary things, such as sailing solo around the world, and pulling sleds across the Antarctic. Writers, musicians, adventurers - you never know who you might stumble across on a Sunday evening.
Prof Michael Gillings from Macquarie University, A/Prof Dieter Hochuli from Sydney University and A/Prof Rick van der Zwan from Southern Cross University battle it out for animals, insects and humans in this rematch of the Battle of the Animal Professors. James O'Loghlin judges each pitch in five rounds. Who will win?
Listeners ask questions on what they don't get, and other listeners provide the answers.
What effect does new technology have on the brain? How does using a smartphone or tablet affect you? Or is it more about changes in social interactions? Professor Ian Hickie is from the Brain and Mind Institute from the University of Sydney chats with James O'Loghlin.
What happens when you need to make savings in an organisation? How do you work out where the cuts should be made? Ronan Gilhawley is partner in charge of Strategy and Planning at KPMG. It's his job to go into companies and help them identify ways to streamline costs. He's speaking with James O'Loghlin.
Pastor Andy Gorley works in youth outreach. Using red frogs as his entry ticket, Gorley and his team go to parties and work to prevent problems that arise when teenagers drink too much.
John, better known as 'Swanee', joined the Australian music scene when he was just 14 years old, performing first as a drummer, then as a singer with many of the nation's iconic bands and as a successful solo artist. After living the rock and roll lifestyle for decades, Swanee, chose to clean up his act in 2000 and now helps young musicians to focus on creativity without drugs and alcohol.
What are the 5 most amazing insects, land animals and sea animals? Three of the country's leading professors battle it out on behalf of the natural world. Professor Michael Gillings from Macquarie University takes on A/Prof Dieter Hochuli from Sydney University and Professor Jamie Seymour from James Cook University in a survival of the fittest contest. Emma Crowe judges each round. Which animal is the most amazing?
David Savage is a nominee for the 2015 Australian of the Year, he is a former federal police officer, a peace keeper, an AID worker who has been based all over the world including East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka.
Keith Bunker was diagnosed with liver cancer in his mid 40's and for the last few months he shared his experience of living with a terminal illness with James O'Loghlin. Last week Keith's condition deteriorated and he died on Thursday morning.
David Nicholl's book 'One Day' sold 5 million copies globally and was turned into a film starring Anne Hathaway. He's just released his latest book 'Us' about what happens in a marriage when the children leave home. He describes the book and writing process with James O'Loghlin.
Listeners ring in to James O'Loghlin with questions that perplex them, and other listeners offer answers to these questions.
Rosie Batty's son was killed by his father in February 2013. Since this tragedy, Rosie has raised awareness of domestic violence and the treatment of people involved in the system. She's a finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards for the state of Victoria. Listen to her moving and inspiring story.
For the past six months Keith has been speaking with James O'Loghlin about what it is like living with a terminal illness. Keith offers an insight into what is usually a very private place, he does this with candor, humour and without a moment of self-pity. You can read more about Keith and his family at their blog 'The Bunker Girls'.
Professor Ian Hickie from the Brain and Mind Institute at Sydney University explains the science behind Depression and Nostalgia.
What would the world look like without wind? Andy Pitman Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science at UNSW speaks with James O'Loghlin about a bleak world without wind.
In his new book 'The Rules of Engagement', media executive Kim Williams, not only reflects on his sudden departure from News Corp in 2013 but muses on the qualities required for leadership and the uncertain future that continues to confront Australian media organisations.
A caller asked if humans could shrink to miniature size, which would be the better environment to live in: a bee hive or an ants nest? James O'Loghlin asked Associate Professor Dieter Hochuli from the University of Sydney what he thinks.
Since March, James O'Loghlin has spoken to Keith Bunker each month about what it's like to live when you know you're going to die. Keith is in his mid-40s, is married with two young girls, and was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer. He speaks frankly, honestly and movingly about his experiences. Since James' last chat, Keith and his family have moved to Edinburgh.
Richard Clapton is an Australian musical legend. He's just penned a book 'The Best Years of Our Lives' which is also the title of one of his hit songs. He shares some of the key moments in his career with James O'Loghlin.
What are the strategies charities use to get us to donate money? Do advertisements appealing to our emotions work more effectively than someone dressed as a koala on a street? Consumer psychologist Adam Ferrier talks with James O'Loghlin.
Rachel Kunde has been a surrogate twice. Hear why she decided to carry another person's child and how she feels about surrogacy.
A look back through Greg Combet's political career will tell you he hasn't been one to shy away from a fight. While he's left politics for now, the former Senior Labor Minister is no less sure of his convictions. He's proud of what he's achieved and he's joined James on Sundays to go through some of his old battlefields.
You hear it all the time, "sex sells". The sex-factor might be a little more in your face these days but, it's always been there. So why does it work so well? To find out why sex is so good at making us hand over our money James is joined in the studio by Michael Gillings from the School of Biological Services at Macquarie University as well as consumer psychologist, Adam Ferrier.
Claire Dunn became disillusioned with her urban life and decided to do something radical - leave civilisation and live in the bush for a year. She learned how to trap animals, start fire and live off her wits. She describes her experience to Jen Fleming.
Belinda Neil used to work as a police negotiator, dealing with highly stressful situations. Years of this confronting and difficult work took its toll, and she began to experience post-traumatic stress. She's written about her experiences in the book 'Under Seige'.
Keith Bunker was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer a year ago. In this third chat with James O'Loghlin, he describes some of the decisions he and his family have taken when every moment is precious.
Why do we obey some laws and not others? People who wouldn't shoplift might say it's OK to speed on the road or illegally download internet content. James O'Loghlin speaks with Dr Rebecca Wickes, senior lecturer in criminology at the University of Queensland. James also chats with Prof Rick van der Zwan from Southern Cross University about whether listening to music as you work is a help or distraction.
As Australia Post deals with a massive shift to its business model, James O'Loghlin speaks with two executives about how they've dealt with the digital disruption. Steve Cox is managing director of Dymocks bookstores and Deborah Thomas is a director of Bauer Media that publishes many magazines, including the Women's Weekly.
With the FIFA World Cup taking place in Brazil, we ask a Brazilian living in Australia and an Australian who lived in Brazil to give their 10 reasons why they love their adopted country.
How will higher education students learn in the future? How will technology influence the delivery of lectures and tutorials? To discuss this, Prof Pip Pattison, deptuy vice chancellor of Sydney University and Simon McIntyre from the College of Fine Arts.
Listen to James O'Loghlin talk to Scottish writer Irvine Welsh about his career, and the strange phenomenon of having his characters become their own Twitter accounts.
Listen to James O'Loghlin speak to Adam Ferrier about his new book, The Advertising Effect: How to Change Behaviour.
Listen to James O'Loghlin speak to Colin James - one of Australia's top corporate speakers - about his personal experience of recovering from prostate cancer.
Jihad Dib is the Principal of Punchbowl Boys' High School - a school once considered to be the roughest around. In the years since Jihad becae principal there hasn't been a single expulsion, and the school has wont both a National Literacy and Numeracy Award nd Director General's Award.
Following a listener query about why some people suffer fear of heights - a rational fear - more than others, Professor Ian Hickie, executive director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute, speaks to James O'Loghlin about why fears vary between people.
After witnessing the mark that schizophrenia left on her twin brother's life, neurobiologist Professor Cyndi Shannon Weickert has devoted herself to finding a cure for schizophrenia.
Ages of retirement, both official and effective, vary significantly around the world. So to does access to an age pension.
After surviving a sky dive in the Swiss Alps that went awfully wrong, 21-year-old Canberran Emma Carey was told she was paraplegic.
Irish comedian, Des Bishop, set himself the task of moving to China, learning Mandarin and then performing stand-up comedy in Mandarin. All within a year. How did he go? Find out in this engaging interview with James O'Loghlin.
In movies, books and TV, we often see characters go from good to bad. But what about the reverse? Do we like stories about people who go from evil to good? Professor Rick van der Zwan is a neuroscientist at Southern Cross University.
Last year, Keith Bunker was diagnosed with liver cancer. Since then, he and wife, Helen, and their two young daughters, have been living day to day with this terminal illness. What impact has it had? How has it reshaped their lives? This is a powerful and heartfelt interview about the importance of cherishing life.
Does a fit 48 year-old version of you beat an unfit 38 year-old version of you? Professor Michael Gillings from the School of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University explains to James O'Loghlin.