A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
Society & Culture
About
Julia Gillard, the only woman to have served as Prime Minister of Australia sits down for insightful, moving and thought-provoking conversations with some of the most interesting people from around the world working to advance gender equality – whether that's by actively dismantling gender-based barriers, or by being inspirational trailblazers in their field. We'll bring you stories from the worlds of business, entertainment, media, sport and many more, shining a light on people doing amazing things that you might not have heard about, and learning more about those we already know and love.Julia presents a podcast in her role as Fo...
Episodes
- Akec Makur Chuot on making history as the first African woman in the AFLW
Akec Makur Chuot, the first African woman in the AFLW, shares her experiences from South Sudan to Australia, her football career, and her advocacy for gender equality, child marriage awareness, girls' education, and refugee communities wit…
- Julia's Book Club - The Names
In this episode of Julia's Book Club, Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette review Florence Knapp's novel, The Names. They discuss the book's narrative structure, generational trauma, and differing perspectives on naming a child.
- Julia Gillard and Caitlin Moran: an International Women's Day conversation live in London
Julia Gillard and Caitlin Moran discuss Moran's background, the future of feminism, and her book What About Men at a live event. The episode also features Kelly Beaver from IPSOS UK to examine new research findings regarding global attitud…
- Suzie Miller on theatre as a force for social change
Julia Gillard sits down with playwright and former lawyer Suzie Miller to discuss how theatre can act as a force for social change. They explore Miller's career transition, her play Prima Facie, and her new work Inter Alia in the context o…
- Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette look back on 2025
Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette reflect on their favourite books of 2025, discuss writing memoirs, and talk about upcoming projects including the Women's Prize for Fiction and Lette's new novel. They also share their holiday plans in this fi…
- Catherine & Naomi on job sharing & diversity in national security
Catherine and Naomi, who job share in the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, discuss stereotypes, diversity in national security, and the realities of their work with Julia Gillard.
- Kelly T. Clements on the global refugee and foreign aid crisis
Julia Gillard interviews Kelly T. Clements, Deputy High Commissioner of UNHCR, discussing Clements' 30-year career assisting those displaced by global crises and the effects of reduced foreign aid.
- Julia's Book Club - Highway 13
Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt discuss the short story collection Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane. They explore the themes of the book, which focuses on the impact of a fictional 1990s serial killer on various lives across continents.
- Jacinda Ardern on leading with kindness.
Julia Gillard interviews former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern about her leadership career, memoir, and post-political life. They discuss their experiences as women in leadership and Ardern's approach questioning traditiona…
- Julia's Book Club - The Book of Guilt
Julia Gillard and Professor Michelle Ryan discuss Catherine Chidgey's novel, The Book of Guilt, which explores themes of autonomy and morality in an alternate 1979 England. The conversation examines the story's focus on three boys caught i…
- Katherine Bennell-Pegg on making history as Australia's first astronaut, the intense training and why space travel is worth the risks
In this episode, Julia Gillard talks to Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia's first female astronaut and Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space Agency, about her training, the importance of diversity in space, and the value of…
- Julia's Book Club - Tell Me Everything
In this Book Club episode, Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette delve into Elizabeth Strout's novel "Tell Me Everything." They discuss the plot, which centers on a legal case in Crosby, Maine, and its broader themes of love, grief, family, friend…
- Julia Gillard and Bridget Phillipson live at the Global Institute for Women's Leadership
Julia Gillard hosts Bridget Phillipson, discussing Phillipson's career, current gender equality issues including misogyny and violence against women, and recent global study findings with Kelly Beaver.
- Julia's Book Club – Audition
In this episode of "A Podcast of One's Own," Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt discuss Katie Kitamura's novel "Audition." The conversation delves into the book's exploration of identity, motherhood, and the psychological tension between…
- Cheng Lei on her fight for freedom
Cheng Lei discusses her life, career as a news anchor in China, and her experience being wrongly accused and detained for over three years. She shares her story in a candid conversation on "A Podcast of One's Own."
- Julia's Book Club - Fundamentally
Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette discuss Nussaibah Younis' debut novel 'Fundamentally.' The book follows Nadia Amin's work with the UN in Iraq rehabilitating ISIS women and her interactions with Sara, a radicalized youth. The discussion cover…
- Julia's Book Club - Theory & Practice
In this episode of Julia's Book Club, Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt discuss Michelle de Kretser's novel 'Theory & Practice.' They delve into the book's exploration of themes including feminism, class, jealousy, maternal relationship…
- Leigh Sales and Julia Gillard: A Podcast of One's Own Live
In a live recording of A Podcast of One's Own, host Julia Gillard interviews journalist Leigh Sales. They discuss Sales' career achievements, interview preparation, storytelling, and her latest book, Storytellers.
- Julia's Book Club - Butter
Julia Gillard and Kathy discuss the Japanese novel Butter by Asako Yuzuki. They explore themes of feminism, body image, and obsession while examining the story of a journalist reporting on a convicted murderer.
- Beverley Ditsie on the fight for queer freedom
Dr. Beverley Ditsie, a filmmaker and activist, shares her experiences fighting for queer rights in South Africa, including co-founding an LGBTQ+ group and addressing the UN. She discusses activism, intersectionality, and the documentary "S…
- Julia's Book Club - Wild Dark Shore
In the first Book Club episode of 2025, Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt discuss Charlotte McConaghy's novel "Wild Dark Shore." The book explores themes of loss, grief, climate change, and parenthood, centered around a family on a remo…
- International Women's Day with Eluned Morgan, the first woman to lead Wales
Julia Gillard interviews Eluned Morgan, the first woman to lead Wales. They discuss Morgan's political journey, resilience, experiences with misogyny, and her faith, ahead of International Women's Day.
- Julia looks back on 2024
In this episode of A Podcast of One's Own, host Julia Gillard and guest Josephine Linden reflect on their favorite books from 2024 and anticipate upcoming releases for 2025. They discuss several specific titles, including works by Joel Dic…
- Julia Gillard and Paula Hawkins live at Hay Festival Winter Weekend
Julia Gillard interviews author Paula Hawkins at the Hay Festival Winter Weekend about
- June Oscar on First Nations gender justice
Dr June Oscar AO, a Bunuba woman, discusses her career advocating for First Nations women and girls, including her time as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and her current work with the Wiyi Yani U Thangani…
- Angie Murimirwa on the transformative power of education
Julia Gillard speaks with Angie Murimirwa, CEO of CAMFED, about the barriers to girls' education and its positive effects on individuals, families, and communities. They also discuss the CAMFED alumni network, a significant force of women…
- Julia's US Election Special with Amy Walter
Julia Gillard speaks with Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report about the 2024 US Presidential election. They discuss swing states, the influence of gender and reproductive rights, and potential outcomes as voters head to the polls.
- Julia's Book Club – There Are Rivers in the Sky
In this episode of Julia's Book Club, Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt discuss Elif Shafak's novel "There Are Rivers in the Sky." They delve into the book's narrative spanning centuries and continents, focusing on themes of historical…
- Alexis Wright on activism, Indigenous land rights and breaking down literature stereotypes
Julia Gillard interviews author Alexis Wright about her activism, Indigenous land rights advocacy, and literary achievements, including winning prestigious awards.
- Julia's Book Club – Blue Sisters
In this episode of Julia's Book Club, Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette discuss Coco Mellors' novel 'Blue Sisters.' They delve into the book's exploration of sisterhood, grief, addiction, and motherhood, focusing on the story of three sisters…
- Elif Shafak on the power of storytelling, freedom of expression and the global water crisis
In this episode, Julia Gillard speaks with author Elif Shafak about her journey into writing, her advocacy for women's and LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of expression. They also discuss Shafak's novel 'There are Rivers in the Sky' and the cri…
- Julia's Book Club - Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder
Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette delve into Salman Rushdie's memoir, 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder'. They explore the knife attack he endured, his life under surveillance, the fatwa, and the subsequent debate on freedom of spe…
- Domtila Chesang on ending female genital mutilation
Julia Gillard speaks with Domtila Chesang about her work to end female genital mutilation in Kenya. Chesang discusses the practice's harmful impact on women and girls and her efforts to educate and empower communities to eradicate it.
- Julia's Book Club - The Wren, The Wren
Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt discuss Anne Enright's novel, 'The Wren, The Wren.' They explore the book's themes of Irish family dynamics, love, betrayal, and intergenerational trauma, as well as Enright's distinctive literary style.
- Katrina Gorry on motherhood, the road to the Olympics and the legacy of the World Cup
Matildas player Katrina Gorry shares her experiences with Julia Gillard, covering her journey through motherhood, her record-breaking performance in the FIFA Women's World Cup, and her aspirations for the Paris Olympics, while reflecting o…
- Julia's Book Club - The Sun Walks Down
In this episode of Julia's Book Club, Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt discuss Fiona McFarlane's novel "The Sun Walks Down." They explore the book's setting in an 1880s South Australian town, its characters, and its examination of colo…
- Jelena Dokic on tennis, abuse, mental health and her road to recovery
In this episode, Jelena Dokic shares her experiences with poverty, war, and abuse by her father during her rise in tennis. She discusses her recovery from mental health struggles and online trolls, and her current work as an author, commen…
- Julia's Book Club - The Fraud
Julia Gillard and Kathy Lette discuss Zadie Smith's novel 'The Fraud,' a historical fiction story set in Victorian England centered around the Tichborne Trial. They explore the book's themes of race, gender, age, and beauty.
- Katy Gallagher on overcoming tragedy, life in politics and ending violence against women
Katy Gallagher, Australia's Minister for Women, Finance, and the Public Service, shares insights into her early life, a pivotal personal tragedy, and her political journey. She discusses her work on the Federal Government's gender equality…
- Julia's Book Club - Wifedom
In this episode of "A Podcast of One's Own," Julia Gillard and Sarah Holland-Batt delve into Anna Funder's book "Wifedom." They discuss Eileen O'Shaughnessy's life, her largely untold story within her marriage to George Orwell, and Funder'…
- Chanel Contos on the fight for consent education
Julia Gillard interviews Chanel Contos, an activist who sparked national change in Australia's consent education curriculum. Contos discusses her journey, the "Teach Us Consent" campaign, and engaging young people in conversations about co…
- Julia Gillard looks back on 2023
In the last episode of 2023, Julia Gillard reviews the notable discussions from Season 5 of "A Podcast of One's Own."
- Sam Mostyn on women breaking through in business, sport and equal opportunity
Sam Mostyn discusses her career across business, sport, and policy, including leading the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce and establishing the AFL women's league. She now takes over as Chair of Beyond Blue, focusing on mental health an…
- Elly Desmarchelier on barriers, resilience, and demanding a seat at the table
Elly Desmarchelier, a disabled woman and advocate, shares her experiences with discrimination and her fight to protect Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme with host Julia Gillard. They discuss overcoming barriers and improving…
- Annie Lennox on anthems, activism & global feminism
Annie Lennox discusses her music, activism, and founding The Circle, a global women's rights organization, with host Julia Gillard. Lennox is a celebrated musician and humanitarian.
- Turia Pitt on determination, defying expectations and taking up space
Turia Pitt, who suffered burns to 65% of her body after a grassfire, shares her story of determination and rebuilding her life. She discusses the incident, her business ventures, and ongoing gender inequality in Australia with Julia Gillar…
- Angela Rayner on overcoming gendered barriers in politics
Julia Gillard speaks with Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the British Labour Party, about her life, gendered barriers in politics, and the potential impact of a UK general election on women. The conversation was recorded live at King's Col…
- Spotlight on women’s rights under the Taliban
This episode features a live discussion on women's rights in Afghanistan following the Taliban's 2021 takeover. Experts discuss the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life, education, and employment.
- Gayle Lemmon on making the invisible visible
Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, author of 'The Dressmaker of Khair Khana,' 'Ashley's War,' and 'The Daughters of Kobani,' discusses her work on women's entrepreneurship, military service, and activism.
- Julia Gillard live at the Sydney Writers' Festival
Julia Gillard discusses her Misogyny Speech with Indira Naidoo at the Sydney Writers' Festival, reflecting on its origins, the present situation, and the future for women leaders.