Afternoon Light
Welcome to the Afternoon Light Podcast, a captivating journey into the heart of Australia’s political history and enduring values. Presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, a prime ministerial library and museum, this podcast illuminates the remarkable legacy of Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest-serving prime minister. Dive into the rich tapestry of Menzies’s contemporary impact as we explore his profound contributions on the Afternoon Light Podcast. Join us as we delve into his unyielding commitment to equality, boundless opportunity, and unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Our engaging discussions bring to life the relevance of Menzies’s values in today’s world, inspiring us to uphold his principles for a brighter future. Ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Experience the Afternoon Light Podcast now! Tune in to explore the past, engage with the present, and shape a better tomorrow by learning from the visionary leadership of Sir Robert Menzies. Stay connected by signing up on the Robert Menzies Institute website: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/. Have an opinion? Email your comments to: info@robertmenziesinstitute.org.au.
Episodes
Are the destinies of English-speaking nations intrinsically linked?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Jesse Clark to dissect what the term 'Anglosphere' actually means. Debating the similarities and differences between the various English-speaking liberal democracies that have emerged from the Westminster tradition, how relevant the grouping remains, and what lays behind the populist political trend e...
How would an Australian cope with being locked up in an Iranian prison?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Kylie Moore-Gilbert about the conflict in Iran and her own personal experience with the Iranian regime. After 804 days in incarceration, she offers insights that few other Australians could imagine (or would want to imagine).
Kylie Moore-Gilbert is an Australia-based academic with a research backg...
What can you tell about a country through the words it invents?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with lexicographer Amanda Laugesen to tell Australia's story in 100 words. From bushmen to Sheilas, and larrikins to wowsers, it will change your perspective on the Australian language and make you appreciate the uniqueness of our culture.
Amanda Laugesen is a historian, lexicographer, and author. She is ...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Xiaoxi Cui on the topic 'Suez and the shadow of the last war'.
The Menzies Early Career Network...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Molly Doran on the topic 'Understanding families as homes human'.
The Menzies Early Career Netw...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Ethan Westwood on the topic 'Beyond money, notoriety, applause'.
The Menzies Early Career Netwo...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Aryan Ilkhani on the topic 'Two conceptions of the rule of law'.
The Menzies Early Career Netwo...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Jamie Robbins on the topic 'Shaping of the Cabinet'.
The Menzies Early Career Network (MECN) is...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Chantal Moore on the topic 'Ancient lessons for modern democracy'.
The Menzies Early Career Net...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Fiona Duncan on the topic 'Attorney-General versus Friends of the Soviet Union'.
The Menzies Ea...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Charlie Hume on the topic 'A prime minister’s American odyssey'.
The Menzies Early C...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Axel Melkonian on the topic 'Political pragmatism and post-war German immigrants'.
The Men...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Mary Coleman on the topic 'Civic Virtue in a Technological Age'.
The Menzies Early Career ...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Pablo Avaria-Jimenez on the topic 'Blueprint for middle-power statecraft'.
The Menzies Ear...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Anton Vassallo on the topic 'Riding on the sheep’s back into Japan'.
The Menzies Ear...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Andrew Fankhauser on the topic 'Konfrontasi and evolving defence policy'.
The Menzies Earl...
How did Australia's most decorated military leader become so loathed, & is his negative reputation unfair?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Brent Taylor to discuss the distinguished yet controversial career of Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey. The man Robert Menzies chose to lead the Australian Army in World War Two, and who equally received the full backing of John Curtin. Yet, a figure who has s...
Is the sickness of modern democracy our increasing inability to argue constructively, with an honest view towards convincing or even learning from our opponents?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Leila Brammer to unpack the centrality of debate to democracy, why its quality has declined in recent years, and what we can do to reverse the trend. For as Robert Menzies said, ‘if truth is to emerge a...
After 75 years of the Australian-American Alliance, are we still pulling our weight?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Andrew Hastie to mark 75 years of the ANZUS Treaty and explore the myriad of challenges that Australia faces today. From unpredictable allies to deindustrialisation, the complacency with which we have coasted through the post-Cold War period will no longer keep us safe.
The Hon Andrew...
How early did Australia come to see Russian Bolshevism as a threat to the world?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Damien Wright to reveal the untold story of Anzac involvement in the Russian Civil War. Our nation's first battle against communism, which saw two Australians win the Victoria Cross, only for their heroism and sacrifice to be all but forgotten.
Damien Wright is a historian and author with...
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