Good Weekend Talks

Alex de Minaur on the drive to compete, hitting rock bottom, and his classic car obsession

Tennis star Alex de Minaur will lead the homegrown charge in the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday, off the back of a tough 2025. De Minaur spoke to Konrad Marshall for this episode late last year, during a rare and all-too-brief break between seasons. It was an opportunity to ask the tennis champion at length about everything from his lowest point, which he himself calls his rock bottom, along with how he plans to take his game to the next level, before, finally, why playing in front of a home crowd at Melbourne Park is the greatest gift. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why Helen Garner trained her forensically observant eye on an Aussie rules team - and what she learnt from it

In this week's episode we speak with acclaimed author Helen Garner, who followed the travails of her grandson's footy team for her new book, The Season. She speaks with Konrad Marshall about what she now envies about male contact sports, the benefit of coming to footy with limited prior knowledge, and the debate over the book's cover image. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

You Am I's Tim Rogers on addiction and anxiety, playing footy and prowling the stage

In this episode, we talk to Tim Rogers. Best known as the frontman for rock band You Am I, Rogers was born in Kalgoorlie, WA, but lived all over the country growing up, spending time in Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra, and now, rural Victoria. The 55-year-old has lived a big life so far as a songwriter, raconteur, talking head and author. He's had his struggles and his joys but has remained, as always, sartorially splendid. He speaks with Good Weekend senior writer Konrad Marshall about addiction, mental health, footy, cycling, gardening, and his current tour with the band, celebrating the 30-year anniversary of its seminal sophomore album, Hi Fi Way. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

From dance floor to ‘orgy room’: What happens on a typical swingers’ night?

In this episode we talk to Jess Cattelly, the co-founder of Sydney swingers club Our Secret Spot. The 32-year-old got into swinging – also known as The Lifestyle - when she was just 20, and her Parramatta Road venue has since become an example of the way in which the swinging community is changing. Middle-class suburban key parties are no longer, nor is the practice as grimy or seedy as popular culture might have you imagine. Instead, The Lifestyle is big on respect and consent, joy and community, and, as Cattelly notes, usually led by the female gaze. It's also welcoming a new generation of Zoomers who are experiencing app fatigue, and see swinging as a more transparent and intentional option for hooking up. Hosting this conversation is senior writer Konrad Marshall, who interviewed Cattelly along with dozens of venue owners, party organisers, kink performers and “consent angels” for this week’s Good Weekend cover story: Swing Set. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Sleep expert Matthew Walker on snoring, napping, nightmares and the power of slumber

In this episode, we speak with Matthew Walker. The British neuroscience professor is the author of “Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams”, and he’s coming to Australia shortly to speak at Vivid Sydney in conjunction with the Sydney Writers' Festival. Walker has lately become the sleep expert of choice around the world for his deep research and clear thinking about one of life’s great mysteries – and necessities. This student of the sandman will be on stage in front of a packed audience at Sydney Town Hall on May 27, but for the moment, he joins Good Weekend senior writer Konrad Marshall for a chat about the incredible benefits of a good night's sleep. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.