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The Wheeler Centre

The Wheeler Centre
Australia
Literary Criticism
Feminism
Myanmar
Taylor Swift
Liminal Festival
Cultural Criticism
Censorship
Covid-19
Pop Culture
Artificial Intelligence
Human Rights
Music Industry
The Librarianist
Stephen Crane
Aging
Freedom Of Expression
Gaza
Pop Music
Nostalgia

Subscribe to the Wheeler Centre's podcast to hear full recordings of our talks, featuring the best in books, writing and ideas from Melbourne, Australia.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes100Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophyArtsBooksSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Wheeler Centre

Latest Episodes

Hear from one of the country’s most acclaimed authors, Kate Grenville, on her dazzling new work of non-fiction – a colonial-era cold case that’s part locked-room mystery, part captivating exploration of a writer's imagination navigating the blurred b... more

India’s great chronicler of memory, family, identity and belonging sits down with host Mridula Nath Chakraborty to discuss her luminous, genre-defying books and extraordinary literary career.

Originally presented on Wednesday 12 August 2026 by The... more

Tech critic Cory Doctorow on the broken promise of the utopian internet, the systems that sustain it and what it might take to reclaim a more open digital future. With host Professor Lisa M. Given, Director, Centre for Human-AI Information Environmen... more

What does it take to keep showing up to the blank page? Award-winning author Alice Pung offers reasons for optimism in this year’s E. W. Cole Lecture.

Originally presented on Thursday 6 August 2026 by The Wheeler Centre, supported by the E. W. Cole... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kate Grenville
Australian author discussing The Country Schoolmaster, A Mystery in 88 Letters
Episode: Kate Grenville: A Mystery in 88 Letters
Geetanjali Shree
Author of Tomb of Sand, International Booker Prize winner
Author, Tomb of Sand
Episode: Geetanjali Shree in Conversation
Cory Doctorow
Science fiction author, journalist, and technology activist
Electronic Frontier Foundation; Open Rights Group (mentioned)
Episode: Cory Doctorow: Enshittification
Mick Herron
Espionage novelist and creator of Slough House/Slow Horses series
Author, Slow Horses series
Episode: Mick Herron: Slough House and Slow Horses
Stan Grant
Acclaimed author and broadcaster, author of When Words Fail Us
Author, Broadcaster
Episode: Stan Grant: When Words Fail Us
Ed Coper
Pioneer Communications Expert and the strategist behind GetUp
GetUp
Episode: Ed Coper: Angertainment
Amitav Ghosh
Celebrated Indian writer discussing Ghost-Eye and his career
Episode: Amitav Ghosh in Conversation
Jimmy Wales
Founder of Wikipedia
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Foundation
Episode: Jimmy Wales: Founder of Wikipedia
Kathy Lette
Humorist and author of Puberty Blues
Author, The Sisterhood Rules
Episode: Kathy Lette: The Sisterhood Rules

Host

Sally Warhaft
Host and interviewer with a focus on conversation, public life, and cultural critique

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 115 ratings
  • World-Class Conversations

    Fantastic stuff, genuinely. I follow a lot of “expert discussion” pods, but the wheeler centre satisfied that killer combination of good curation of guests, and damn good conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SerialReviewer2
    Australiaa month ago
  • Terrific

    I loved the Rachel Kushner interview. The woman who interviewed her was so refreshing. Forgive the language, but I do find some of the interviewers a bit smart-arsey. However this interviewer was well - prepared and in all honesty when she began the introduction, I thought she’d never stop -but it was interesting. I sensed she was nervous. Rachel Kushner also sensed this and was so sweet and kind and encouraging. Gradually the interviewer warmed up and she was good. Asking well-thought out quest... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BringbackRomona
    Australia7 years ago
  • Longform discussions, not packaged trinkets

    I love the Wheeler Centre podcast for what it offers in a fairly raw format: not just rich ideas, but the mechanics of thoughtful conversation and expertise that get you there. Compared to stuff like TED Talks, it's the difference between being told and being taught. Recommended for anybody with an interest in books and reading, the craft of writing and the task of figuring out what goes on in our complicated world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    extra content
    Australia8 years ago
  • John Clarke Memorial Service

    Was so deeply touched by John's passing. Loved the mind of this marvellously funny, clever man. The words of Michael Leunig and Sam Neil left me in tears for a man I wished I'd known personally. John's body of work will stand the test of time. Vale John

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    peacheykeen64
    Australia9 years ago
  • The John Clarke Celebration exceptional.

    Heartbreakingly joyful

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Perth-ite
    Australia9 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Consistently high-quality, in-depth conversations with a strong literary focus
A valuable archive of Australian interviews with politicians and cultural commentators
A thoughtful platform for long-form dialogue and serious guests
Impressive mix of writers, journalists, and public intellectuals in long-form format

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cory Doctorow: Enshittification
Q: What is the best approach for a small market like Australia to regulate tech and media?
Adopt anti-circumvention measures, push for interoperable systems and local digital sovereignty, and design policy that reduces platform power without crippling innovation.
Cory Doctorow: Enshittification
Q: Can the Internet ever be fun again?
Yes, by focusing on a healthy blend of open platforms, diverse communities, and policies that preserve access to enjoyable, diverse online experiences while curbing abuse and surveillance.
Mick Herron: Slough House and Slow Horses
Q: How does the TV adaptation influence the writing of the books?
Herron describes how TV adds a different dynamic—more emphasis on on-screen presence and actor interpretation—while stressing that the books' mood and core characters remain the guiding vision. He also notes collaborative moments in the writers' room and the need to adapt plots to screen without betraying the source material.
Ed Coper: Angertainment
Q: Ed, Anger Tainment is a portmanteau of Anger and Entertainment. How does this combination stop rational arguments from taking hold in public discourse?
Anger Tainment hijacks attention through sensational, emotive content that overrides evidence, making people react viscerally rather than thoughtfully, which erodes rational debate and allows misinformation to spread more easily.
Jimmy Wales: Founder of Wikipedia
Q: Why stay non-profit and donor-funded instead of seeking billionaire sponsorship?
The donor model preserves independence and intellectual freedom, reducing the risk of censorship or biased editorial influence from wealthy funders, ensuring long-term sustainability through community support.

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 Wheeler Centre

What is The Wheeler Centre about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-form interview and conversation show that features writers, journalists, and thinkers across literature, media, technology, and culture. Episodes commonly center on books, writing craft, journalism ethics, political outrage, and societal issues, with guests ranging from novelists and essayists to tech activists and comedians. The host fosters thoughtful, unhurried dialogue that often blends personal storytelling with big-picture analysis, making it well-suited for listeners who enjoy deep dives into ideas and creative processes. Noteworthy are the strong emphasis on intellectual honesty, global perspectives, and discussions that bridge culture and public policy, sometimes including live event temperament and theatre-informed storytel... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Wheeler Centre?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Wheeler Centre:

1. Sydney Writers' Festival
2. The Book Show
3. The Bookshelf
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Big Ideas

How many episodes of The Wheeler Centre are there?

The Wheeler Centre launched 17 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Wheeler Centre?

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What guests have appeared on The Wheeler Centre?

Recent guests on The Wheeler Centre include:

1. Kate Grenville
2. Geetanjali Shree
3. Cory Doctorow
4. Mick Herron
5. Stan Grant
6. Ed Coper
7. Amitav Ghosh
8. Jimmy Wales

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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