Adelaide poet Miriel Lenore didn't take to poetry until two thirds of her way through an adventurous life. She was over her many years a botanist, researcher, traveller, student, teacher, activist, feminist, mother and grandmother. Miriel spent twenty years in Fiji, forty years in the Australian women's movement and the Adelaide writing scene, and ten years as a regular visitor to a Ngaanyatjarra community in the Western Desert of Western Australia.

Miriel died in 2024 aged 96. Cath discusses Miriel’s final collection, with the poet’s longtime friend and curator, author Margaret Merrilees.

Guest: Margaret Merrilees

“Driving to Mulberrygong” published by Wakefield press

@wakefieldpress

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This week, we interviewed the author of our latest favourite, and Book Club book of the month, 'How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates.' We chat all about the witty new slasher romance, the anxieties it feeds off, how to plot a book that spans over only a few hours, and the horniness of horror. What would you do if you were stuck with a serial killer, and they'd killed your blind date during a blackout opposite you at the table? Some of us would run and hide! Abby would probably grab the nearest weapon and fight to save us all.

LINKS

🎵 Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single SAME OLD here: https://tr.ee/Mn6oTQ2AOW

📚Where to find Shailee:

WEBSITE: https://shaileethompson.com/home/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shaileewrites/

🌸 Our Socials:

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/amyandbookclub

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/169K69qXsh/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@amyandbookclub

💛 Where to find Amy:

Amy Matthews on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amymatthewsauthor/

Amy Barry on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amybarryauthor/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmyTMatthewsauthor

WEBSITE: https://amymatthewsauthor.com/

Thank you so much for watching!💞

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing a banger month of unconventional romance (Bad ra-ra ah-ah-ah), this week we're digging into the phenomenon of Sentient Object Romance. What initially seems like a silly, goofy genre is revealed to have hidden depths as we get into the topics of women's pleasure, consent, being seen, and the kindness of these stories. Don't worry, we also play games! We learn things about ourselves with a game of FMK, and test our resolve as Payton delights us with select readings from the genre. It's worth noting: this episode may be particularly NSFW.

This month we’re reading How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson. If a slasher x Rom-Com mashup appeals to you, get yourself a copy and stay tuned for our interview with the author on March 19, followed by our live book club over on YouTube on March 26!

MENTIONS

Books
Hallowpeen by Holly Wilde
The Deviled Egg Made Me Do It by Holly Wilde
Cold Sweat by Vera Valentine
Taken by the Tetris Blocks by Leonard Delaney
Melt for Daddy by Holly Wilde
Pounded by Produce by G.M. Fairy
Bedding the Bedding by Annara Layne
Penetrated by the President's Twitter Feed by M.J. Edwards
Pushin' Cushions by Vera Valentine & Unfortunate Reads
Pounded by Pluto by Leonard Delaney
Squeak by Vera Valentine
Stuffed by Sylvia Morrow
Midori Days by Kazurou Inoue (anime series by Studio Pierrot)

Film/TV
Pinnocchio, Disney
Toy Story, Disney
Beauty & the Beast, Disney
Star Wars, Lucasfilm
Doctor Who, BBC
Dukes of Hazzard, CBS

OTHER MEDIA
Date Everything, Sassy Chap Games
I'm in Love with my Car, Queen
Chuck Tingle (author)
Grapie Deltaco (Youtube)

LINKS

• 🎵 Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single SAME OLD here: https://tr.ee/Mn6oTQ2AOW

🌸 Our Socials:

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/amyandbookclub
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/169K69qXsh/
• TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@amyandbookclub

💛 Where to find Amy:

• Amy Matthews on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amymatthewsauthor/
• Amy Barry on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amybarryauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmyTMatthewsauthor
• Website: https://amymatthewsauthor.com/

Thank you so much for listening!💞

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh it is good to be back for Season 2! This month’s theme is Bad (ra-ra, ah-ah-ah) Romance and today we’re kicking the year off with a discussion of serial killer Romance Fiction. The episode begins with a very reasonable conversation about the ethics of True Crime entertainment and then … well. But within the proceeding chaos — games, Harry’s “incontinence”, and Amy’s determination to be the easiest prey a murderer could ask for — are a few gems regarding K-Dramas, Dark Romance novels, serial killers as patriarchs, and humanity’s fixation with the macabre.

This month we’re reading How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson. If a slasher x Rom-Com mashup appeals to you, get yourself a copy and stay tuned for our interview with the author on March 19, followed by our live book club over on YouTube on March 26!

MENTIONS

Books
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
Joe Cinque’s Consolation by Ann Rule
Mindhunter by John Douglas & Mark Olshaker
The Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper, & Sarah Krasnostein
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates Shailee Thompson

Podcast
Serial from New York Times

Film/TV
Killing Eve, BBC
Flower of Evil, Studio Dragon
Come and Hug Me, MBC
Crash Course in Romance, Studio Dragon
Making a Murderer, Netflix
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Columbia Pictures

CITATIONS

Freud, Sigmund. Beyond the Pleasure Principle. Translated by James Strachey, London: W. W. & Company, 1961.

Marono, Abbie Jean et al. “A Behaviour Sequence Analysis of Serial Killers' Lives: From Childhood Abuse to Methods of Murder.” Psychiatry, psychology, and law : an interdisciplinary journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, vol. 27,1 126-137. 6 Feb. 2020, doi:10.1080/13218719.2019.1695517

LINKS

• 🎵 Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single SAME OLD here: https://tr.ee/Mn6oTQ2AOW

🌸 Our Socials:

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/amyandbookclub
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/169K69qXsh/
• TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@amyandbookclub

💛 Where to find Amy:

• Amy Matthews on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amymatthewsauthor/
• Amy Barry on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amybarryauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmyTMatthewsauthor
• Website: https://amymatthewsauthor.com/

Thank you so much for watching!💞

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the midst of the anxiety-ridden chaos of late-stage capitalism, is it really possible to lead a plain life? Philosopher, essayist and yogi Antonia Pont’s book is far more a philosophical analysis of our modern existence than it is self-help, but she offers advice on being true to oneself and ignoring the ‘noise’ of our current social media driven culture.

+

The Tsundoku team have a revealing chat about their summer reads; from erudite literature to cosy murder mysteries, from self-help to the secrets of the British Royals.

Guest:
Antonia Pont, author of ‘Plain Life’

Other books that get a mention:

‘Organising from the Inside out’ - Julie Morgenstern

‘Let them’ - Mel Robbins

‘Paperboy’ - Christopher Fowler

‘A long winter’ - Colm Toibin

‘What Rhymes with Murder’ - Penny Tangey

‘The Names’ - Florence Knapp

‘Mad Mabel’ - Sally Hepworth

‘The Palace Papers’ - Tina Brown

‘The Vanity Fair Diaries’ - Tina Brown

‘A Different Kind of Power’ - Jacinda Ardern

‘The Lady in Gold’ - Anne-Marie O’Connor

INSTAGRAM

@newsouthpublishing
@newsouthbooksau

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In this episode of Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Kelly McBurnie, Director of Business Operation at Academy of Queensland Ballet (academy.queenslandballet.com.au), to explore how elite arts education can balance performance, wellbeing and operational precision.

Drawing on her background in mainstream and Steiner education, Kelly shares how those leadership lessons now guide a world-class ballet programme. At the Academy of Queensland Ballet students undertake half-day academics alongside intensive dance training. As a result, excellence is pursued without sacrificing holistic development.

Throughout the conversation, Kelly explains how research has reshaped ballet training. Rather than relying on chronological age, physical readiness is carefully assessed before students begin pointe work. Consequently, injury risk is reduced and long-term development is prioritised. Moreover, wellbeing is embedded through daily touchpoints with experienced staff, physiotherapists and strength coaches.

Importantly, operational systems have also evolved. Previously, complex panel assessments were paper-based and manually averaged. However, digital platforms such as Xuno (xuno.com.au) and Student Maps (xuno.com.au/student-maps) now allow live moderation across four judges and 25 criteria. Therefore, reporting is streamlined and transparency is strengthened. Parents can track progress over time through clear data and visual insights.

Communication has improved significantly as well. With real-time calendar updates and a parent portal, families receive timely information about rehearsals and performances. In addition, a digital kiosk sign-in system provides accurate visibility across six studios and multiple training spaces. Consequently, safety, accountability and engagement are enhanced.

Beyond systems and structure, the episode highlights the human side of high performance. Students develop resilience, grit and collaboration through daily discipline. Furthermore, many graduates move into professional companies, including Queensland Ballet, while others pursue global opportunities in the arts.

This episode offers practical insights for school leaders seeking to integrate wellbeing, data and operational excellence. Ultimately, it demonstrates that high performance and care can coexist when vision is matched with thoughtful systems.

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Rach and Eddie recap the biggest highlights from Season 2, and drop some exciting news!

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In this episode of Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Hans Moningka, Director, APAC from RM PLC Group (rm.com) to explore the evolving landscape of digital assessment. He brings a global perspective shaped by partnerships with major assessment authorities and education systems.

Throughout the conversation, Hans unpacks how digital exams are steadily replacing paper-based models. Rather than describing a sudden revolution, he outlines a careful and strategic shift. Moreover, he explains why accessibility is driving student preference for online assessment. Research across several countries shows most students favour digital formats, especially after direct experience.

Importantly, Hans addresses the balance between innovation and integrity. While digital platforms offer flexibility, assessment authenticity must remain central. Therefore, the discussion explores tools such as secure exam browsers, focus tracking, and AI-supported proctoring. These technologies strengthen oversight, yet they also raise ethical considerations.

In addition, the episode examines the growing influence of artificial intelligence in schools. AI-generated content is becoming more common. Consequently, educators must rethink how originality and authorship are assessed. Hans shares practical insights into responsible AI use, emphasising preparation over panic.

For teachers and school leaders, the conversation highlights two key gaps: availability and preparation. Infrastructure, device access, and professional learning all shape readiness. Furthermore, mindset plays a critical role. Small, deliberate steps towards digital integration can build long-term confidence.

Ultimately, this episode offers cautious optimism. Assessment will continue to evolve, yet humane and credible practice can remain at its core. For educators navigating change, the insights from Hans provide clarity, reassurance, and strategic direction.

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