The Columnist writes about a new survey that shows most Australians can't cook, and talks to one of Australia’s best storytellers — Adam Shand — about why he can do most things but still can’t boil an egg.  

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shane Warne is dead. The Columnist writes about why Warnie meant so much to us, and he speaks with entertainment reporter Peter Ford about the thousands of messages he got from the spin king over the years. 

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first rule of Fight Club is never talk about fight club. The first rule of censorship is to make people afraid to speak. The Columnist writes about the Chinese government rewriting of a cult movie, and two examples of free speech getting trampled in Australia. Champion basketball player Andrew Bogut was one of the victims — he talks with the Columnist.  

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following violent protests at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott supported the louts. The Columnist calls on him to resign his commission on the board of the Australian War Memorial. 

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a push to drop the compulsory prayer in parliament, and The Columnist writes about why it should go and picks a fight with someone who’s praying it stays. 

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a couple of embarrassing political radio interviews, there’s been a shift in power from the AM stations to the FM. And The Columnist wrote about what it might mean to politicians who just thought it was all a bit of fun. 

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only in Australia can a backbench MP for a minor party become the Acting Prime Minister in 24 hours. The Columnist writes about the crazy and blustering world of Barnaby Joyce, and talks with Seven News political editor Mark Riley.

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government has been keeping a family in detention on Christmas Island for years. One of the children has become sick. The Columnist talks to the people trying to free them, and he writes about the deep shame that comes with locking up children. 

Tell Justin your story at justinsmithwords@gmail.com.

The Columnist is a podcast designed to help us understand what is happening in the world one conversation at a time. 

Justin's debut novel Babies of the Rose is available now. 

Produced by Jay Mueller as part of the Bad Producer Podcast Network. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.