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The Readings Podcast

Readings Books
Melbourne
Australia
The Modern Guide To Sex
Christina
Sophie Quick
Detective Beans and the Case Of the Missing Hat
All Better Now
Arborescence
Covid-19
Neal Shusterman
Tenderfoot
Mental Health
Australian Literature
The Confidence Woman
Brisbane
Salvage
Happiness Pandemic
Scythe
Of Flame and Fury
Housing Crisis

The Readings Podcast is a celebration of books, reading and culture. Episodes are published weekly and include author interviews, event recordings, booksellers chatting about their favourite reads, industry insights, and more.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes387Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Readings Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this episode, a conversation recorded at the Melbourne launch of Jordan Prosser’s new work of fiction/sci-fi, Blue Giant, an unruly eulogy for millennial optimism – and a deranged love letter to a generation torn between helplessness and selfishne... more

In this episode, a conversation with Avigayl Sharp, author of a blisteringly funny and transcendently deranged debut novel for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh, Patricia Lockwood and George Saunders. In Offseason, our fiercely observant but self-deluded narr... more

In this episode, a conversation with Mirandi Riwoe, the award-winning, bestselling author of Stone Sky Gold Mountain, and of a new book, the story of an Irish-Chinese family over four generations in Australia, A Short History of Longans. It’s the win... more

In this episode, another instalment of the Comics Question, where Bernard Caleo discusses comics, graphic novels, and the place they inhabit within the broader books and publishing world. Bernard was joined by Trace Balla, a much-loved Australian chi... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Trace Balla
Australian children's book writer, illustrator, and author of Treeshape
Alan & Unwin (publisher)
Episode: The Comics Question: Trace Balla in Conversation with Bernard Caleo
Rachel E. Menzies
Author and psychologist; daughter of Ross Menzies
Independent psychologist/author
Episode: Rachel E. Menzies & Ross G. Menzies in Conversation
Ross G. Menzies
Author and psychologist; father of Rachel Menzies
Independent psychologist/author
Episode: Rachel E. Menzies & Ross G. Menzies in Conversation
Joanne Wallis
Co-author of Neighbours, Australia and the Pacific
Episode: Joanne Wallis & Jack Corbett in Conversation
Jack Corbett
Co-author of Neighbours, Australia and the Pacific
Episode: Joanne Wallis & Jack Corbett in Conversation
Chris Ames
Author of I Made This Just For You (debut short-story collection)
Author
Episode: Chris Ames in Conversation
Bernard Caleo
Comic historian and writer; guest on The Comics Question
Independent writer/critic
Episode: The Comics Question: Bernard Caleo on graphic novels for kids
Lee Chen
Creator of Detective Beans
Penguin Random House (publisher)
Episode: The Comics Question: Bernard Caleo on graphic novels for kids
Maria Takolander
Novelist and poet, author of The End of Romance
Episode: Maria Takolander in conversation

Hosts

Bernard Caleo
Host of The Readings Podcast segment, interviewer
Nico Callaghan
Host of The Readings Podcast
Niko Kaligan
Producer and host on Readings Podcast discussions

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 73 ratings
  • Love it!

    Great chats!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jacew65
    Australia2 months ago
  • Love Stories

    Just came across this podcast and chose the November discussion between Trent Dalton and Julia Baird around Love and Human connection as my starting point.

    It was pure joy to listen to.

    Thank you.

    Can’t wait to dive into more episodes AND to read both of their books !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Karen.Eivers
    Australia5 years ago
  • Fantastic Podcast

    Love listening to this podcast- fabulous content for a bookworm like me. Great authors international and Australian. It’s excellent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Annie897
    Australia8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Strong appeal for book lovers and those in publishing looking for industry insights.
Positive feedback on pacing and hosting style that feels warm and curious.
Praised for showcasing both Australian and international authors.
Listeners praise thoughtful author conversations and diverse guest lineups.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chris Ames in Conversation
Q: What do you think the book's title, I Made This Just For You, suggests about the relationship between reader and text in an age of mass production and algorithmic recommendation?
The title embodies a tension between personal, handmade intention and mass-produced content, suggesting that genuine connection can still emerge when art crosses that gulf and resonates with a reader in the moment they need it, even within a vast digital landscape.
Chris Ames in Conversation
Q: So before we delve into the book itself, what first drew you to the short story as a form, and what has kept you returning to it over all these years?
I've always loved the form for its ability to compress worlds into a small, portable unit; balancing the window of time with a larger, imagined universe is what keeps pulling me back, even as life's responsibilities shrink the writing window.
Maria Takolander in conversation
Q: How do motherhood and gender influence the narrative?
Motherhood is presented as complex and central, not romanticized or reduced to sacrifice; the mother's perspective shapes the survival drive, the ethical duties to a child, and the tensions between personal fear and collective responsibility, especially in a world at risk.
Maria Takolander in conversation
Q: What inspired the structure of multiple perspectives in the novel?
The author explains that shifting viewpoints allow for a rupture in conventional dystopian storytelling, suggesting that a fractured form can more accurately reflect a fractured world and invite readers to engage with diverse consciousnesses rather than a single authoritative narrative.
The Comics Question: Bernard Caleo on graphic novels for kids
Q: What shifted graphic novels from a niche audience into mainstream shelves for kids in Australia?
Key shifts came from the arrival of titles like The Arrival, the expansion of libraries and schools recognizing the educational value of comics, and the emergence of local publishers and editors who could better guide creators through the publishing process, making distribution more affordable and shelf-ready in Australia.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Readings Podcast

What is The Readings Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on author interviews, literary culture, and industry perspectives, often featuring authors, publishers, booksellers, and academics. Episodes blend deep dives into books and writing craft with broader conversations about themes, regional culture, and publishing trends, frequently anchored in Australian literature and Readings Melbourne networks. A notable strength is the breadth of guests—from debut authors to established critics and artists—creating a rich mix of literary analysis, creative process, and real-world publishing context. This combination makes it a strong pick for listeners who want thoughtful discussion, book recommendations, and insider viewpoints from the literary ecosystem.

What stands out is the consisten... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Readings Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Readings Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Readings Podcast:

1. The Book Show
2. The Bookshelf
3. Sydney Writers' Festival
4. Chat 10 Looks 3
5. Take Four Books

How many episodes of The Readings Podcast are there?

The Readings Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 387 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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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Readings Podcast?

Recent guests on The Readings Podcast include:

1. Trace Balla
2. Rachel E. Menzies
3. Ross G. Menzies
4. Joanne Wallis
5. Jack Corbett
6. Chris Ames
7. Bernard Caleo
8. Lee Chen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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