If you've ever dreaded public speaking, this episode is for you! Author and podcaster Katherine Collette speaks about her charming new novel The Competition, which satirises the world of competitive speaking clubs. We explore why public speaking is so intimidating for most people. We also discuss Katherine's personal experience with public speaking clubs, and how they can build both confidence and empathy. As she says, 'You sign up to learn to speak. But the real power is in having to listen.' Finally, we answer the question – is some discomfort in life necessary? Katherine Collette is a novelist, podcaster and engineer living in Melbourne with her husband and two children. Her debut novel, The Helpline, was published in Australia, Germany, Italy and the US and UK. She co-hosts the writing podcast The First Time with author Kate Mildenhall. Books and authors discussed in this episode: After Story by Larissa Behrendt; David Sedaris; Found, Wanting by Natasha Sholl; Sarah Krasnostein; Love Stories by Trent Dalton; Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton; Ben Hobson Ashley is teaching in-person at Writing NSW! Crafting Memoir: An Introduction. Saturday 7 May 2022, 10am-4pm, in-person at Writing NSW, Callan Park, Sydney. Visit Writing NSW to learn more about their online course program.  Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

38,000 people go missing every year in Australia, yet only a small number of these cases garner public interest. In 'The Missing Among Us,' author Erin Stewart explores the issue of missing persons from a variety of perspectives, including the lack of police resources that leave families leading their own searches, the Stolen Generations, and cults. And what drew Erin to the topic is just as fascinating.  Erin talks to Ashley and James about how the ambiguity of living with chronic illness drove her interest in missing persons. 'The Missing Among Us' is 'about finding a space for those conversations about ambiguous circumstances in order to understand the complex issue of missing persons.’ She also describes her experiences with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and the research behind her book.  Erin Stewart is a Canberra-based freelance writer who has written for a range of Australian and international publications including Meanjin, Voiceworks, ABC Online, SBS Online, Daily Life, Overland, and many others. She has been an opinion columnist for The Age and made regular appearances on ABC Sydney Mornings to talk about books and the arts. An earlier version of this book was shortlisted for the Portobello Books Unpublished Manuscript Prize in the UK. She holds a PhD in non-fiction writing. You can buy a copy of 'The Missing Among Us' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Myth of Closure by Pauline Boss; Brave New Humans by Sarah Dingle;  'What if there's no such thing as closure' by Meg Bernhard, New York Times; All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy; Missing Richard Simmons podcast  Ashley is teaching in-person at Writing NSW! Crafting Memoir: An Introduction. Saturday 7 May 2022, 10am-4pm, in-person at Writing NSW, Callan Park, Sydney. Visit Writing NSW to learn more about their online course program.  Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

Fiona Robertson lived with migraines for years, writing short stories as a creative pursuit. Now she's free from migraines and the award-winning author of the debut short story collection, If You're Happy. Her work explores the lives of lonely people seeking happiness in a turbulent world.  She tells us about the common threads that bind her stories, why they're her chosen form, and how living with unpredictable chronic illness impacted her life and creative work.  Fiona is a writer and doctor. Her short fiction has been published in literary magazines and anthologies in Australia and the UK, and has been shortlisted for international competitions. Her collection of stories, If You’re Happy, won the Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer at the 2020 Queensland Literary Awards. Fiona lives in Brisbane with her husband and children. Learn more about Fiona on her website, and buy a copy of 'If You're Happy' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: Louise Allan; The Keepers by Al Campbell, plus her Sydney Morning Herald article, 'The disappointing question I most often got after writing a book';  Long Road to Dry River by Jen Severn; All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy; Child of God by Cormac McCarthy; Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy; David Vann; Denizen by James McKenzie Watson, out 19 July 2022!  Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

Lech Blaine is the author of the memoir 'Car Crash' and the Quarterly Essay ‘Top Blokes’. Here, he speaks to James and Ashley about the challenge of writing and releasing these two publications back to back during the pandemic, and the burnout that followed. He also discusses the epiphanies that writing a memoir can bring and the emotional toll of sharing so much vulnerability with readers.  His writing has appeared in The Monthly, Guardian Australia, The Best Australian Essays, Griffith Review, Kill Your Darlings and Meanjin. He was an inaugural recipient of a Griffith Review Queensland Writing Fellowship.  Learn more about Lech on his website, and buy a copy of 'Car Crash' and 'Top Blokes' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: Cloudstreet by Tim Winton; Timeline by Michael Crichton; Sphere by Michael Crichton; Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton; State of Fear by Michael Crichton; Lee Child; John Grisham; Know My Name: A Memoir by Channel Miller Specky Magee by Felice Arena and Garry Lyon; Harry Potter by JK Rowling; Glory Gardens by Bob Cattell The Joy of Creative Writing – lunchtime workshop with Ashley: Tuesday 8 March, 12:15-1:15 pm AEDT, online via Zoom, tix $9-14 Whether you haven’t written creatively since high school or you’re the author of 12 books, this fun class will help you get your creativity flowing. Wherever you’re at, this is the class for you. Through a series of short, timed writing exercises, we’ll explore different ways to access the creative recesses of our minds and surprise ourselves! Get your ticket here. Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

When Dinuka McKenzie first sat down to write a novel, she had no dreams of publication or experience in the craft of fiction. She was the working mother of two young kids, feeling like everyone wanted something from her all the time, and in search of something that was purely for herself. Now she's the award-winning author of The Torrent, a police procedural set in small-town Australia. We talk to Dinuka about why she chose a pregnant detective as her main character, how her own experience as a working mum influenced her story, and how she managed to find time to write with everything else going on in her life! Dinuka McKenzie is an Australian writer and book addict. Her debut crime-fiction manuscript The Torrent won the 2020 Banjo Prize. She works in the environmental sector and is part of the Writers’ Unleashed Festival team. She lives in Southern Sydney with her husband, two kids and their pet chicken. You can buy a copy of The Torrent from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold. Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Housemate by Sarah Bailey; The Others by Mark Brandi; The Shadow House by Anna Downes (from ep 5); The Good Mother by Rae Cairns; Wake by Shelly Burr; Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor; Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding; How to End a Story: Diaries 1995-1998 by Helen Garner; Theft by Finding by David Sedaris; A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris Catch Dinuka at her upcoming events! Thurs 17 Feb 6.30 pm AEST via Avid Reader online Thurs 24 Feb 6pm AEDT via Bad Sydney Crime online Tips and Tricks to Writing Your Memoir: Tuesday 22 February, 6:15-7:30 pm AEDT, Online via ZoomSo you’re thinking of writing a memoir and you’re not sure how to start. Or you’ve already started and you’re not sure how to keep going. Learn tips and tricks to make the process easier and rewarding. This is a workshop for novice writers in the beginning stages of writing a memoir or thinking about starting one. Get your ticket here. Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

It's our 50th episode! Author Sarah Sentilles joins us to talk about her new memoir, Stanger Care. She discusses coping with unexpected loss, who counts as family, and how at heart, all of us are baby monkeys. She also shares how each of us can use our creativity to remake the world around us.  Stranger Care is a memoir of Sarah and her husband’s experience with the foster system in Idaho and the ten months they parented an infant named Coco, only to return her to her loving but vulnerable mother.   Sarah Sentilles is the author of Draw Your Weapons, Breaking Up with God, A Church of Her Own and Taught by America. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Divinity School, she lives in Idaho’s Wood River Valley. Her latest book is Stranger Care: A Memoir of Loving What Isn’t Ours. You can buy a copy of Stranger Care from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold, and find Sarah's workshops and retreats at sarahsentilles.com. Books and authors discussed in this episode: Draw Your Weapons by Sarah Sentilles; This Accident of Being Lost by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson; The Body in Pain: The Making and Unmaking of the World by Elaine Scarry; The Rabbits by Sophie Overett; Bewilderment by Richard Powers; 'The abortion I didn't have' by Merrit Tierce; A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet Ashley's Joy of Creative Writing workshop: Monday 31 January 2022, 7:45-9pm AEDT, Online via Zoom Whether you haven’t written creatively since high school or you’re the author of 12 books, this fun class will help you get your creativity flowing. Get your ticket here. Library through the Lens: Ashley in conversation with Anna Downes: Thursday 3 February 2022, 11am AEDT, Online via ZoomJoin Ashley in conversation with international bestselling thriller author Anna Downes as she talks about her much-anticipated second novel. Free, RSVP here. Here's what time it is Rockhampton. Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

***Warning! Spoilers for Earthlings by Sayaka Murata in this episode*** After arguing about the intense and disturbing ending to Earthlings by Sayaka Murata in episode 45, James and Ashley rope past guest Jacinta Dietrich into returning to the podcast to try and figure out what might happened in the novel's closing pages. If you've read Earthlings, you know what we mean! If you haven't – well, Ashley says you can listen to this ep anyway, since this book doesn't hinge on a twist. James disagrees.  Our guest is author Jacinta Dietrich, a writer and editor who holds a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne. Her first book, This Is Us Now, was published in 2021 by Grattan Street Press. Books, articles and authors discussed in this episode: This Is Us Now by Jacinta Dietrich (from ep 45);  Earthlings by Sayaka Murata, translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori; Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata;  How to Be Australian by Ashley Kalagian Blunt;  Certain Prey by John Sandford;  Mortal Prey by John Sandford;  David Vann (from ep 23);  ‘The Future of Sex Lives in All of Us’ by Sayaka Murata for the NY Times;  'I acted how I thought a cute woman should act' by David McNeill for the Guardian;  'Of Darkness and Stars' by Sally Breen for Sydney Review of Books 'Earthlings' Summary and Study Guide from Bookrags Burgers, Beers and Books interview with Ashley Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

How do we build community and a sense of self after loss, especially the kind of loss that echoes for generations? James and Ashley speak with Australian Sri Lankan author Shankari Chandran about her new novel, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, and how her efforts to find connection in the writing community echo her Tamil family's work to build community after being dispossessed from their homeland in the Sri Lankan civil war. Shankari discusses writing from a place of anger and love, the changing Australian publishing landscape, and how literature creates an archive of the dispossessed.  This episode connects to our conversations with previous guests Nardi Simpson (ep 18), Luke Stegemann (ep 26), David Heska Wanbli Weiden (ep 40), in which we explore the legacy of mass traumatic events on the health of communities and society. Shankari Chandran was raised in Canberra, Australia. She spent a decade in London, working as a lawyer in the social justice field, before returning to Australia, where she now lives with her husband and children. She is the author of two previous novels, Song of the Sun God, and The Barrier, and has been shortlisted for the Fairway National Literary Award and the Norma K Hemming Award for speculative fiction.  Learn more about Shankari on her website, and buy a copy of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: A Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam; Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell; Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson (from ep 18); Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie; They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall; David Heska Wanbli Weiden (from ep 40); Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian translated by Mabel Lee; Amnesia Road by Luke Stegemann (from ep 26) Check out Shankari's essay on writing and resilience published by Writing NSW. Plus, join Ashley for her Laneway Learning online workshop, The Joy of Creative Writing (Monday 31 January, 7:45-9pm AEDT) and her upcoming online event with Anna Downes (Thursday 3 Feb, 11am AEDT).  Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

The last episode for 2021 is a special bonus interview with Michelle Tom, who James and Ashley first spoke to in episode 38 (the most downloaded episode of the year). As part of Avid Reader's Festival of Cancelled Events, James joined Michelle in conversation for an online event to discuss her memoir, 'Ten Thousand Aftershocks.' This event took place on October 18 2021.  A video recording of this event is available to watch on YouTube and includes Michelle answering questions from the audience at the end of the event. See you in 2022! Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

The best (and most!) book recommendations of the year! We share the 'What Are You Reading?' highlights from a wide range of our 2021 guests, including Nardi Simpson, David Vann, Kavita Bedford, Luke Stegemann, Ruhi Lee, Joanna Nell, Fiona Murphy, Heather Taylor Johnson, Jacinta Dietrich and – of course – James and Ashley.  Books discussed in this episode (all 44 of them): Bindi by Kirli Saunders The Road to Woop Woop by Eugen Bacon The End: My Struggle Book 6 by Karl Ove Knausgaard Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter Shadow Child by PF Thomése Eight Lives by Susan Hurley The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright Disoriental by Négar Djavadi The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon Deepfakes by Nina Schick The Possessed by Dostoevsky Thus Bad Begins by Javier Marias A Heart So White by Javier Marias The Stranger and short stories by Albert Camus When We Dead Awaken by James Robins The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson Damascus by Christos Tsiolkas We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby The Ripping Tree by Nikki Gemmell On Quiet by Nikki Gemmell Beautiful Kate by Newton Thornburg The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien The Neverending Story by Michael Ende Fun Home by Alison Bechdel Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Betty by Tiffany McDaniel The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet Ghost Species by James Bradley The Past by Tessa Hadley The Iceman by John Sandford Storm Prey by John Sandford Love, Clancy by Richard Glover Flesh Wounds by Richard Glover Prosopagnosia by Sonia Hernandez No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow The Rúin by Dervla McTiernan Earthlings by Sayaka Murata Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata What about you – what are you reading? Get in touch and let us know! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley speak with Melbourne-based author Jacinta Dietrich about her debut book 'This Is Us Now', which explores a young couple's relationship as one of them faces a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Based on her boyfriend's experience of surviving lymphoma, the book explores two individuals who don't know where their relationship is going and have to figure out how they feel about each other, all as one of them goes through chemo. Jacinta discusses how cancer treatment 'suppresses every part of a relationship', her decision to write the book she needed to read, and how she managed to write honestly about difficult feelings.  Jacinta Dietrich is a writer and editor who holds a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne. 'This Is Us Now' is her first book. You can order it from Booktopia and bookshops across Australia.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green;  Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott; The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks;   Lee Kofman (featured in episode 3);  Earthlings by Sayaka Murata;  Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata;  Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow;  Kay Kerr (featured in episode 37);   The Rúin by Dervla McTiernan;  Tana French;  Dinuka McKenzie;  Andrew Solomon, of course!  Ten Thousand Aftershocks by Michelle Tom (featured in episode 38);  Lyn Yeowart (featured in episode 39)  Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

CSI: TASMANIA, the Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival, is happening 27 & 28 November 2021, and it's entirely online! In this bonus ep, James and Ashley speak to festival director and author LJM Owen about this year's festival highlights. (This isn't a paid promo, we just love connecting readers and writers.)   TAF2021 - CSI: TASMANIA online, 27 & 28 November 2021 Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Literary Festival features more than 35 crime and mystery authors speaking across panels, books clubs and mini-masterclasses. The line-up includes David Heska Wanbli Weiden (featured in episode 40), Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Liz Nugent, Garry Disher, Naomi Hirahara, Abir Mukherjee, Vanda Symon, JP Pomare, Candice Fox,   Anita Heiss, RWR McDonald (featured in episode 32) and lots more!  For more info and tickets, visit TerrorAustralisFestival.com and follow @terroraustralisfestival on Instagram. Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James is back! He and Ashley chat about his recent CIDP relapse and ongoing recovery, and how his perspective on living with chronic illness has shifted. Thankfully, the steroids haven't affected his sense of humour.   Disclaimer: None of the information in this episode is medical advice, and if you're concerned about your own health, you should consult a proper medical professional.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris;  The Stand by Stephen King The Joy of Creative Writing: an online workshop with Ashley Thursday 2 December, 6:15-7:30 pm AEDT Online via Zoom Tix $9-14 Whether you haven’t written creatively since high school or you’re the author of 12 books, this fun class will help you get your creativity flowing. Through a series of short, timed writing exercises, we’ll explore different ways to access the creative recesses of our minds and surprise ourselves! You might be a writer working on a specific project, a poet searching for new ideas, or someone who just wants to give creative writing a try for the first time in years – wherever you’re at, this is the class for you. Get your ticket here. TAF2021 - CSI: TASMANIA online - November 27 + 28 2021  Tasmania's International Crime and Mystery Literary Festival features more than 35 crime and mystery authors speaking across panels, books clubs and mini-masterclasses. The line-up includes: David Heska Wanbli Weiden (featured in episode 40), Ann Cleeves, Val McDermid, Liz Nugent, Garry Disher, Naomi Hirahara, Abir Mukherjee, Vanda Symon, JP Pomare, Candice Fox, Anita Heiss, RWR McDonald (featured in episode 32).  Early bird tickets are $90 and are available until Sunday 14 November. For more information on the festival and ticket follow this link. Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

Ashley's on her own again, and without James around, things get really earnest really fast. She shares ten of her favourite quotes from a variety of books, summarising 'The Most True Things She Knows About Life and Writing' (one of them, at least, is funny.) Then she does a deepdive #WhatAreYouReading into Rutger Bregman's 'Humankind: A Hopeful History,' recommended by recent guest Lyn Yeowart. Books and authors discussed in this episode: 'A Brief for the Defense' by Jack Gilbert;  Humankind: A Hope History by Rutger Bregman; Natural Causes: An Epidemic of Wellness, the Certainty of Dying, and Killing Ourselves to Live Longer by Barbara Ehrenrich;  The Way Home: Tales from a Life Without Technology by Mark Boyle;  The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson;  Billy Collins, poet;  Sarah Sentilles, author Boundless, the festival of Indigenous and culturally diverse writers, is taking place 30 Oct to 1 November, free and online. Book your tickets at boundlessfestival.org.au Intro to Novel Writing: Finding Joy In Your First Draft with Ashley Tuesday 2 November 2021, 7:45-9 pm AEDT Online via Zoom Tix $9-14 Whether you’re planning to complete 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) or you’re drafting your first masterwork at your own pace, this workshop is a gift basket of tips and tricks to make the process easy, efficient and fun. Learn how to tap into your creativity to get the words flowing, how to separate drafting from editing to make your writing process more efficient, and how to know if you’re on the right track. This is a workshop for novice writers who are in the early stages of a novel or memoir, or are keen to start one. Get your ticket here. Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

Ashley interviews author and editor Heather Taylor-Johnson. When Heather was diagnosed with Ménière's disease at age 25, one of the many things it meant was quitting skydiving. She discusses how more than two decades of living with chronic illness have inspired her writing and led to the anthology 'Shaping the Fractured Self: Poetry of Illness and Chronic Pain'. She also shares Van Gogh's misdiagnosis with her condition, describes how a year of studying art has changed her writing process, and tells us about her latest book, 'Rhymes with Hyenas'. Learn more about Heather on her website, and buy a copy of 'Rhymes with Hyenas' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Heather Taylor-Johnson is a writer and editor. Born in Minnesota and now living in South Australia, she has written novels and poetry collections, and is the editor of 'Shaping the Fractured Self: Poetry of Chronic Illness and Pain'. Her writing has been published in Meanjin, Southerly, Cordite, Westerly, Griffith Review, Island and TEXT. She lives with Ménière’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear. Books and authors discussed in this episode: Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability by Jennifer Bartlett (ed); Prosopagnosia by Sonia Hernandez; No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley interview David Heska Wanbli Weiden about his multi-award-winning debut novel 'Winter Counts.' In it, they discuss the shocking American laws that let crimes on Native American Reservations go unpunished, the importance of food in cultural reclamation, and the marvel of Carhenge. Learn more about David on his website, and buy a copy of Winter Counts from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  'Winter Counts' is a contemporary thriller about Virgil Wounded Horse, a hired vigilante on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Through it, Weiden reveals the profoundly broken criminal justice system on American reservations.  David Heska Wanbli Weiden is an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota nation and the author of Winter Counts. His debut novel, Winter Counts was the winner of the 2021 Thriller Award for Best First Novel, the Spur Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and Best First Novel, the Barry Award for Best First Novel, the Lefty Award for Best Debut Novel, and the Tillie Olsen Award for Creative Writing. He lives in Colorado. Books and authors discussed in this episode:  Jim Thompson, US noir author; Don Becker, Denver comedian; Razorblade Tears by SA Cosby; These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall; They Can't Take Your Name by Robert Justice; The House of Ashes by Stuart Neville; The Shadow House by Anna Downes (our guest from episode 5); The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright; Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk  Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley interview Lyn Yeowart, author of the rural-noir thriller, 'The Silent Listener.' In it, they discuss how Lyn's own childhood shaped the events in the book, the fascinating world of synesthesia, and why it's never too late to start writing.  Learn more about Lyn on her website, and buy a copy of 'The Silent Listener' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold. Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Spiral by Iain Ryan;   Humankind, a Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman; Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman; How Fiction Works by James Woods; The Important Things by Audrey Molloy; The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright; Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary; One Hundred Years of Dirt by Rick Morton Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson  

James and Ashley interview Michelle Tom about her stunning memoir 'Ten Thousand Aftershocks.' In it, they discuss the captivating and highly original structure of Michelle's book, the strange parallels between childhood trauma and earthquakes, and the transformative power of owning your narrative.  Learn more about Michelle on her website, and buy a copy of Ten Thousand Aftershocks from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Join Ashley for a fun online creative workshop, Monday 6 Sept, 6:15pm AEST. Book here! Books and authors discussed in this episode: Memoir Writing For Dummies by Ryan Van Cleave; Trespasses: A Memoir by Lacy M Johnson; The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch; Lee Child's Jack Reacher series; To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf; The Return by Rachel Harrison; It by Stephen King; Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon (of course!) Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley interview Kay Kerr and Anna Whateley, neurodiverse authors of young-adult fiction. In it, Kay and Anna discuss their journeys to diagnosis as adults, their upcoming second books, and their remarkable friendship. Learn more about Kay on her website, and buy a copy of her debut novel 'Please Don't Hug Me' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Learn more about Anna on her website, and buy a copy of her debut novel 'Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow; The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough; Henry Hamlet's Heart by Rhiannon Wilde; Future Girl by Asphyxia; When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro; The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro; Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro; Vodka and Apple Juice by Jay Martin; A History of My Brief History by Billy Ray Belcourt; The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson You can read James' interview with Writing NSW here.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley interview Fiona Murphy about her memoir 'The Shape of Sound.' In it, they discuss the complexities of Deaf culture and identity, the corrosive power of secrets, and the challenges of being deaf in the healthcare industry.  Learn more about Fiona on her website, and buy a copy of The Shape of Sound from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon; The Past by Tessa Hadley; The Iceman by John Sandford; Storm Prey by John Sandford; Love, Clancy by Richard Glover Flesh Wounds by Richard Glover  Join Ashley and a great line-up of authors for the Writers Unleashed Festival happening online, Saturday 21 August. Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley are interviewed by Amy Lovat of Secret Book Stuff (who they interviewed in episode 34), for Amy & Laura's radio show 'Reading Makes You Better in Bed.' In it, they discuss reading habits, the history of James and Ashley's podcast, and whether or not reading really does make you better in bed. This interview originally aired on Newcastle Live Radio on June 25 2021.  You can learn more about Secret Book Stuff on their website, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, or explore their various radio shows/podcast appearances. Books and authors discussed in this episode: Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson (interviewed in ep 18);  Emotional Female by Yumiko Kadota (interviewed in ep 28);  Of Gold and Dust by Samantha Wills;  Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon;  The Shape of Sound by Fiona Murphy;    Hitch by Kathryn Hind; The Spill by Imbi Neeme; The Rabbits by Sophie Overett;  The End, My Struggle Book 6 by Karl Ove Knausgaard;  David Vann (interviewed in ep 23) Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley interview Amy and Laura, multitalented writers, social entrepreneurs, and radio hosts/podcasters from Newcastle, NSW. In it, they discuss the story behind Secret Book Stuff, transformative writing, and, of course, why reading makes you better in bed.  You can learn more about Secret Book Stuff on their website, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, or explore their various radio shows/podcast appearances. Books and authors discussed in this episode - Hold Your Own by Kae Tempest; - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote; - High Fidelity by Nick Hornby; - White Oleander by Janet Fitch; - Insomniac City by Bill Hayes; - Animal People by Charlotte Wood; - Hot Little Hands by Abigail Ulman; - Tonight I'm Someone Else by Chelsea Hodson; - Felicity by Mary Oliver; - I'll Tell You in Person by Chloe Caldwell; - Women by Chloe Caldwell; - Joan Didion; - Samantha Irby; - The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien; - The Neverending Story by Michael Ende; - Fun Home by Alison Bechdel; - Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid; - Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid; - Betty by Tiffany McDaniel; - The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay;   - Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez; - A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet; - Ghost Species by James Bradley (read James's review here) Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson  

James and Ashley interview GP and author Joanna Nell about her new novel 'The Great Escape from Woodland's Nursing Home.' In it, they discuss positive ageing, the challenges faced by Australia's aged care system, and the runaway success of the 'uplit' genre. Learn more about Joanna on her website, and buy a copy of 'The Great Escape from Woodland's Nursing Home' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode Providing Good Care at Night for Older People by Diana Kerr and Heather Wilkinson; The Ripping Tree by Nikki Gemmell; On Quiet by Nikki Gemmell; Beautiful Kate by Newton Thornburg; Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

James and Ashley interview RWR McDonald about his new novel 'Nancy Business,' follow-up to the bestselling 'The Nancys.' In it, they discuss the parallels between the original girl detective Nancy Drew and The Nancys' Tippy Chan, the art of balancing the humorous and heavy in fiction writing, and the physical toll of a creative life.  Learn more about Rob on his website, and buy a copy of 'Nancy Business' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books and authors discussed in this episode: Harold Robbins (contact Rob for title recommendations); The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene; Girl, 11 by Amy Suiter Clarke; The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart; Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake; Goat Mountain by David Vann (who we interviewed in episode 23) Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

A very special episode to make a very special announcement! Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson  

James and Ashley interview Ruhi Lee, author of the hilarious and heartbreaking memoir 'Good Indian Daughter.' In it, they discuss what it means to be a girl in a South Asian family, the notion of unconditional parental love, and how one generation avoids making the same mistakes as the last.  Follow Ruhi on Instagram (@lee_ruhi), and buy a copy of 'Good Indian Daughter' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books discussed in this episode: 'Yes Please' by Amy Poehler; 'This Is Going to Hurt' by Adam Kay; 'Damascus' by Christos Tsiolkas; 'Far from the Tree' by Andrew Solomon; 'We Are Never Meeting in Real Life' by Samantha Irby; 'Wow, No Thank You' by Samantha Irby Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

Ashley interviews a mystery guest from the Varuna Writer's House in Katoomba, NSW, where he's midway through a residential fellowship (hint: it's James). An episode for both those who've never been on a residential writing retreat and those who want to reminisce about their time at Varuna! You can learn more about Varuna and the incredible work it does supporting Australian authors here.  Books discussed in this episode: 'Shadowchild' by P.F. Thomése 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson Find out more about WestWords and their wonderful podcasts here: The WestWords Podcast WestWords Mini-Masterclass Poets' Corner Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Emily Maguire about her stunning new novel 'Love Objects.' In it, they discuss our relationships with our belongings, the psychology of hoarding, and the beauty of writing for connection.  Learn more about Emily on her website, and buy a copy of 'Love Objects' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold.  Books discussed in this episode: 'Friends and Dark Shapes' by Kavita Bedford; 'The Shape of Sound' by Fiona Murphy; 'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata; 'Emotional Female' by Yumiko Kadota; Writing in your pyjamas: a writing metaphor from Sandra Cisneros Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Luke Stegemann, author of 'Amnesia Road.' In it, they discuss the parallels between South-West Queensland and rural Andalusia's violent pasts, the ongoing ramifications of near-forgotten genocides, and little black dogs that portend death.  You can follow Luke on Twitter, or buy a copy of 'Amnesia Road' from your local bookshop, Booktopia, or wherever else books are sold.  Books discussed in this episode: 'The Possessed' by Dostoevsky; 'Thus Bad Begins' by Javier Marias; 'A Heart So White' by Javier Marias; 'The Stranger' and short stories by Albert Camus; 'Far from the Tree' by Andrew Solomon; 'When We Dead Awaken' by James Robins Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley listen to some audio of themselves when unwell and have a conversation about the psychological impacts of chronic ill-health, the fears and anxieties that accompany invisible illnesses, and how difficult conversations like this one are to have.  Books (and cults) discussed in this episode: Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon;  Earthlings by Sayaka Murata;   Children of Thunder Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Kavita Bedford, author of the novel 'Friends & Dark Shapes.' In it, they discuss the isolation and anonymity that comes with modern city living, the implications this disconnect has for those grieving, and the troubled relationship Sydney millennials have with their city and its identity. Learn more about Kavita on her website, and buy a copy of 'Friends & Dark Shapes' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold. Books and authors discussed in this episode: Sidewalks by Valeria Luiselli Teju Cole Olivia Lang Sheila Heti Rachel Cusk Jenny Offill Elizabeth Strout Disoriental by Négar Djavadi The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomon Deepfakes by Nina Schick  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview David Vann, author of seven internationally bestselling novels including 2019's 'Halibut on the Moon.' In it, they discuss the trauma that inspired and haunts much of his work, the creative process that fosters his raw and visceral writing style, and the difficulties even an author of his status and calibre faces in the modern publishing landscape. Just a warning: this episode contains an explicit conversation about suicide and mental illness.  Learn more about David on his website, and buy a copy of 'Halibut on the Moon' from your local bookshop, Booktopia, or wherever else books are sold. David's back catalogue is also available to purchase on Booktopia and Amazon.  Books discussed in this episode: Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace The World According to Garp by John Irving Goat Mountain; Aquarium; Legend of a Suicide; Bright Air Black; Dirt; Last Day on Earth by David Vann Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter Shadow Child by PF Thomése Eight Lives by Susan Hurley The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Nash, artist and author of 'What to Expect When You're Immigrating,' a hilarious and insightful commentary on the Australian immigration process. In it, they discuss using humour to cope with stressful situations, the challenges faced by new arrivals to Australia, and the commonalities between Sri Lanka and Melbourne (hint: its pigeons).  Follow Nash on Instagram, and buy a copy of 'What to Expect When You're Immigrating' from your local bookshop, Booktopia, or wherever else books are sold. Books discussed in this episode: Halibut on the Moon by David Vann When Marnie Was There by Joan G Robinson  Glenn Loury & John McWhorter (technically YouTubers, not authors)  Nash will be in conversation with Mark Mariano for a live-streamed event via City of Marion Libraries at 2:30pm (ACST) on April 13 2021. Get more information or book a place here.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

This bonus episode contains a ten-minute excerpt from the newly released audiobook of Ashley's first book, 'My Name is Revenge.' On 17 December 1980, at 9:47 am, two men shot the Turkish consul-general to Sydney and his bodyguard near the consul's home in Vaucluse. The assassins aimed, fired, and vanished. A finalist in the 2018 Carmel Bird Digital Literary Award and Longlisted for the 2020 Davitt Awards, 'My Name Is Revenge' is a novella set in 1980s Sydney and based on true events. From the assassination in Australia, one of a series of international terrorist attacks, the story traces back to the streets of 1920s Berlin and the Armenian genocide of World War I. Three companion essays provide historical context. The audiobook is narrated by Felix Johnson.  Listen on Audible, Amazon, Kobo, Google Play, Scribd or your favourite audiobook app. Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Josephine Taylor, author of 'Eye of a Rook.' In it, they discuss vulvodynia, a poorly understood and often debilitating gynaecological condition, how this illness has shaped Josephine's life, and the stunning novel it's inspired her to write. Find out more about Josephine at her website, and buy a copy of 'Eye of a Rook' from your local bookshop, Booktopia, or wherever else books are sold. You can also check out Josephine's #FridayCookBook project on Instagram and join her for her Avid Reader online event with Lee Kofman on February 9, 2021. For more support and information about vulvodynia, visit the following resources: The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease  The Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society The Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia  The National Vulvodynia Association (US)  The Vulval Pain Society (UK)  Books discussed in this episode: The Fifth Season by Philip Salem Wintering by Krissy Kneen 'The Wife's Story' by Ursula K LeGuin Imperfect by Lee Kofman (who we spoke to in episode 3) Unlike the Heart by Nicola Redhouse Pain and Prejudice by Gabrielle Jackson Show Me Where It Hurts by Kylie Maslen Hysteria by Katerina Bryant One Day I'll Remember This: Diaries 1987-1995 by Helen Garner In the Woods by Tana French Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

In this special crossover episode, James and Ashley interview Dani Vee from the Words and Nerds podcast and vice versa. It's a fascinating conversation about podcasting, health, reading, and why we're all doing what we're doing.  This conversation is being simultaneously released as an episode of Words and Nerds. Big thanks to Dani for editing this chat. Find out more about Words and Nerds at the official website, or by searching for it wherever you get your podcasts. Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Nardi Simpson, Yuwaalaraay musician and author of 'Song of the Crocodile.' In it, they discuss Nardi's transition from writing lyrics to prose, the preservation of Indigenous languages, and the importance of non-Indigenous Australians accepting that some elements of Indigenous culture are not accessible to them.  Find out more about Nardi at her website, and buy a copy of 'Song of the Crocodile' from your local bookshop, Booktopia, or wherever else books are sold. Books discussed in this episode: 'Bindi' by Kirli Saunders 'The Road to Woop Woop' by Eugen Bacon 'The End: My Struggle Book 6' by  Karl Ove Knausgaard Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson Find out more about the online memoir and narrative non-fiction workshop Ashley is running in January 2021 at Mirrabooka Writers. 

In the last episode for 2020, James and Ashley gather some fantastic writing tips provided by authors interviewed in the first sixteen podcasts. It features contributions from Kate Mildenhall, Anna Downes, Elizabeth Tan, Petronella McGovern and Ada Palmer. Don't forget to listen to the whole interviews these excerpts came from if you haven't already!  Books and authors mentioned in this episode: "Light the Dark: Writers on Creativity, Inspiration and the Artistic Process" edited by Joe Fassler, with a piece on getting the words down by David Mitchell Shaula Evans on the logogentics writing prompt   "The Perfect Wife" by JP Delaney  "Levels of Life" by Julian Barnes Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Ada Palmer, historian, composer and author of the 'Terra Ignota' sci-fi/fantasy book series. In it, they discuss Ada's astonishing body of work and how she's managed to achieve it while managing a number of invisible illnesses. They also explore the impact of COVID-19 on research, the relationship between identity and disability and why the renaissance wasn't actually a great time to be alive... Find out more about Ada, her work and her writing on her website, and check out her blog, Ex Urbe. Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson Find out more about the online memoir and narrative non-fiction workshop Ashley is running in January 2021 at Mirrabooka Writers. 

James and Ashley discuss their very different motivations for writing, the processes they use to translate that to words, and some tips they've each learnt along the way.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Elizabeth Tan, author of 'Smart Ovens for Lonely People.' In it, they discuss the public health crisis of loneliness, the personal experiences that inspired some of these stories, and an unusual but highly effective writing prompt. Find out more about Elizabeth on her website, or buy a copy of 'Smart Ovens for Lonely People' from your local bookstore, Booktopia, or wherever else books are sold.  Find the writing prompt discussed in this episode here.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Kate Mildenhall, bestselling author of 'The Mother Fault' and 'Skylarking.' They discuss the craft of novel writing, the challenges of penning a second book, and the creative anxieties that plague writers.  Find out more about Kate on her website and buy a copy of 'The Mother Fault' from your local bookshop, Booktopia, or wherever else books are sold.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Petronella McGovern, bestselling author of 'The Good Teacher' and 'Six Minutes.' They discuss the allures and dangers of fringe healthcare, the similarities shared by many Australian communities, and the differences between writing a first and second novel.   Find out more about Petronella at her website and buy a copy of 'The Good Teacher' from your local bookshop, Booktopia, Amazon, or wherever else books are sold.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Anthony Jeannot, a stand-up comedian who has spent the last decade taking a test-and-learn approach to anxiety management with the help of a professional therapist. They discuss the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic on mental wellbeing, the mental health challenges faced by young men, and the idea of the Nintendo life.  Find out more about Anthony on his website, or get in touch with him on Twitter. You can stream his debut stand up comedy album on Spotify or Apple Music, or wherever else you listen to music. You can read his article, 'The Anti-Anxiety Techniques That Prepare You for a Crisis' on Tiny Buddha.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley discuss health - more specifically, their own chronic illnesses. In this episode, they explain their conditions, discuss how these affect day to day life, and explore how illness has impacted their senses of self.  Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Karin Foxwell, an art therapist and counsellor from South Australia’s Adelaide Hills. In this fascinating conversation, Karin describes the profound therapeutic power of art, as she's observed in her work with military and emergency services personnel who've sustained PTSD in the course of their service. She also describes a 'standard' art therapy session, discusses the therapeutic power of writing, and explains why she thinks everyone should engage in some kind of art therapy.   Karin's services are facilitated by The Road Home, a charity that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of veterans, emergency service personnel and their families across Australia. Find out more about The Road Home on their website. Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview journalist, author and speaker Kate Leaver about her new book, 'Good Dog.' They discuss the remarkable therapeutic power of dogs, extraordinary pups from around the world, and the impact canine companionship has had on Kate's own mental wellbeing. (As if that wasn't reason enough to listen to this episode, it also features a very special canine guest... albeit, a very quiet one.) Find out more about Kate on Twitter or on her website, or pick up a copy of her book (available now through Harper Collins).    Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson

James and Ashley interview Katherine Tamiko Arguile, author of 'The Things She Owned.' They discuss the traumas that shaped Katherine's writing, the troubled mother-daughter relationship at the centre of the novel, and the secret, hybrid languages that develop when cultures overlap. You can find Katherine on Twitter, or pick up a copy of 'The Things She Owned' here.   Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson