Rephonic
Artwork for First Read
Penguin
Non-Fiction Books
Stuff the British Stole
British Empire
Museums
Repatriation

The meeting ground for big ideas, compelling stories, and the conversations shaping our world. Insightful author interviews with leading thinkers, bestselling writers, and the experts behind today's most talked-about non-fiction books. Join Charle Malycon for this weekly podcast from Penguin, providing thoughtful conversation, expert analysis, and engaging cultural commentary. From politics, histo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes4Foundeda month ago
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Artwork for First Read

Latest Episodes

What happens when your whole life has been controlled by the confines of a cult, and you finally break free? Bek Condello's experience within the doomsday cult Geelong Revival Centre is what begins her new book, Can You Handle A Girl Like Me, but it'... more

What happens when history stops being polite? In this wide-ranging author interview, Marc Fennell explains Stuff the British Stole, an “Indiana Jones in reverse” journey through the British empire, and the wild histories hidden behind polite little m... more

What is the most dangerous idea an author can have? Sarah Wilson believes it's the loss of hope. In this insightful best-selling author interview, we discuss the rise of fascism, the importance of truth in an increasingly fake world, and why infinite... more

First, Read is the meeting ground for big ideas, compelling stories, and the conversations shaping our world. Insightful author interviews with leading thinkers, bestselling writers, and the experts behind today's most talked-about non-fiction books.... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Marc Fennell
Walkley Award-winning journalist, podcaster, presenter, and author
Stuff the British Stole (Book, TV show, podcast)
Episode: Marc Fennell on writing his 'deeply uncomfortable' history book, 'Stuff the British Stole'
Sarah Wilson
Author of I Eat the Stars
Author
Episode: Sarah Wilson on writing her most dangerous book yet, 'I Eat the Stars'

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#7
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#3
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#11
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#9
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#23
New Zealand/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#124
Ukraine/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#180
Ukraine/Arts

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Marc Fennell on writing his 'deeply uncomfortable' history book, 'Stuff the British Stole'
Q: Why did you decide to turn this project into a book, rather than sticking to TV or podcast formats?
It began as rage at misrepresented history, and evolving formats allowed deeper exploration of the stories, context, and moral complexities beyond what a traditional format could sustain.
Marc Fennell on writing his 'deeply uncomfortable' history book, 'Stuff the British Stole'
Q: Has the provocative title caused problems in production or distribution?
Yes, especially in the UK where the title is hard to carry, but the speaker chose to keep it, finding its provocative edge essential to the project's impact.
Sarah Wilson on writing her most dangerous book yet, 'I Eat the Stars'
Q: How did the book transition from a serialized exploration to a fixed出版?
She describes turning an emergent, ongoing dialogue into a book with careful editing, while preserving the emergent spirit through 65,000 Substack subscribers and a collaborative editorial process.
Sarah Wilson on writing her most dangerous book yet, 'I Eat the Stars'
Q: What should people do now to prepare or respond as systems destabilize?
Her guidance emphasizes building community, steadying the nervous system through practices like dance and nature connection, and forming islands of sanity to navigate uncertainty without resorting to hoarding or violence.
Sarah Wilson on writing her most dangerous book yet, 'I Eat the Stars'
Q: Could you possibly describe it in a nutshell for us?
Wilson explains that the book analyzes how civilizations grow increasingly complex and eventually collapse, and she frames this through philosophical, spiritual, and scientific lenses to guide readers toward living bravely and ethically in the face of systemic crisis.

Audience Metrics

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How many episodes of First Read are there?

First Read launched a month ago and published 4 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on First Read?

Recent guests on First Read include:

1. Marc Fennell
2. Sarah Wilson

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