Jonathan Green
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Talks on the radio. Somewhere. Lapsed Meanjin editor. CarltonFC tragic. Typing on unceded Wurundjeri land. Making musings on Substack. he/him.
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Articles by Jonathan Green
Program: Indigenous update, talking to science deniers and researching ancient worlds in Western Australia
Shahni Wellington reports on vaccination in indigenous communities, and the new indigenous member of The Wiggles. Boston University philosopher Lee McIntyre has written about science deniers. And a big ARC Linkage project called 'From the Desert to the Sea' will unearth Deep Time secrets and build new connections in WA.
Program: Brazil's three pressure points. The history of Cuban doctors serving abroad. The hunt for a Nazi fugitive.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro is facing mounting criticism and challenges on many fronts. Sarah Maslin assess how the beleaguered country and its leader are faring. John Kirk discusses the history and current deployment of Cuba's medical brigades. Philippe Sands, in his new book The Ratline, follows the trail of a Nazi fugitive, Otto von Wachter.
Program: US politics, General Soeharto and unravelling jeans
Bruce Shapiro on the latest in US politics, journalist David Jenkins on his new book about former Indonesian President General Soeharto and fashion activist Maxine Bédat on the life and death of a pair of jeans.
Program: Bruce Shapiro, Myanmar's prodemocracy movement and the work of a colonial illustrator
The latest on the recall election in California, the current state of the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar and the life and work of George French Angas, a travelling colonial artist.
Environmental historian Emily O’Gorman explains why it's a mistake to set wetlands aside as areas not available for human interaction and use. Philosopher Lee McIntyre urges a push back against science denial and disinformation. David Rooney on how clocks have been deployed as instruments of faith, money and power, imposing social order and regulating behaviour.
Program: Daniel McCarthy's America, Japan's Covid mascot and wildlife trafficking
Daniel McCarthy takes America's temperature, Matt Alt explores why Japan has turned to a 19th-century folk legend in its hour of need and Rachel Nuwer discusses whether Covid could curb the global wildlife trade.
Program: Indonesia and COVID-19, 100 years of the Nats and Churchill and the Blitz
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Program: Covid-19 in Italy and the world in 1000 AD
The Economist's correspondent John Hooper discusses whether Italy has turned the Covid-19 corner, John Eldridge explains what Covid-19 means for contracts and American historian Valerie Hansen takes us back to the world in 1000 AD.
Program: USA with Daniel McCarthy and Shakespeare in America
Daniel McCarthy talks about developments in the United States and their potential ramifications, while James Shapiro considers what Shakespeare can teach us about America.
Laura Tingle on the latest divisions in Canberra, Stuart Kells on the high risks of water trading and Kevin Coombs on his Paralympic career as a wheelchair basketballer.
Laura Tingle on the latest from Canberra, Chinese entrepreneur and author Desmond Shum on doing business in China and school teacher Diane Davis on a how her tiny Canadian town became a 9/11 musical
Program: North Korea and COVID 19. Geopolitics during the pandemic. Australia's original Radio Girl
How has North Korea handled the virus and where is leader Kim Jong Un ? Is Russian and Chinese aid to Europe and America entirely altruistic? and the story of Violet Mackenzie- Australia's original radio girl
Program: Operation Gideon; Facebook moderators' stress; Lord Byron's scandalous ancestors
A botched attempted raid on Venezuela proves truth is stranger than fiction. Keeping the Internet free of the worst violence, hate speech, animal cruelty and child abuse is taking a terrible toll on moderators. Newly discovered records suggest poet Lord Byron's exploits pale in comparison to those of his forebears.
Program: Hong Kong protesters return. Deep sea mining and where did alphabetical order come from?
Protesters in Hong Kong are re-emerging after the COVID 19 lock down but Anthony Dapiran sees further repression and dark days ahead. Alex Rogers and Helen Rosenbaum outline their concerns over the impacts of deep sea mining. A curious history of Alphabetical order- Judith Flanders looks back at its origins and adoption.
Program: Madeleine Albright on life's third act & an intimate history of the Victorian economy
America's former secretary of state, Madeleine Albright reflects on her life and work in her latest memoir Hell and Other Destinations and British historian Emma Griffin explores the life and finances of working-class families in 19th-century Britain.
Program: David Frum's Trumpocalypse, Dominic Cummings and an angry Britain, the Illuminati conspiracy.
Program: David Frum's Trumpocalypse, Dominic Cummings and an angry Britain, the Illuminati conspiracy. Wed 27 May 2020 at 10:05pmWed 27 May 2020 at 10:05pmWed 27 May 2020 at 10:05pm Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Program: Daniel McCarthy's America, a Marshall Plan for Africa and corporate denial
Daniel McCarthy discusses just how far Mitch McConnell's influence extends, Zambian economist Dr Dambisa Moyo argues in favour of a modern-day Marshall Plan for Africa and Barbara Freese explores the history of corporate denial from the slave trade to climate change.
Program: Tough times in Ian Dunt's UK. Public health, artificial intelligence and surveillance. Traditional Japanese culture under pressure.
Program: Tough times in Ian Dunt's UK. Public health, artificial intelligence and surveillance. Traditional Japanese culture under pressure. Wed 15 Apr 2020 at 10:05pmWed 15 Apr 2020 at 10:05pmWed 15 Apr 2020 at 10:05pm Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Bruce Shapiro on the latest from the US, Elizabeth Kolbert on flawed attempts to control nature and Madlen Ziege on how animals and plants talk to each other
Program: Shakespeare's America and Lord Byron's racy relatives
James Shapiro on what Shakespeare can tell us about the increasingly divided America and Emily Brand reveals the scandalous behaviour of the family of poet Lord Byron.
Program: Trailing a Nazi fugitive; the Victorian economy; Australia's first lady of radio
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Program: Laura Tingle on Canberra, Emily O'Gorman on the Murray Darling and Arnold Zable on PEN
Laura Tingle on the lack of transparency in Canberra, Emily O'Gorman on the Murray Darling wetlands and Arnold Zable on the 100th anniversary of PEN
Program: Remembering 9-11 and its aftermath
Sharon Premoli tells the remarkable story of her escape from the 80th floor of the World Trade Tower and how it set her on a path for justice. Mahmood Fazal's happy life in Australia was turned on its head when suddenly his Afghan heritage made him, and his Muslim community, the focus of the racism that boiled over after the terror attacks.
Program: Ian Dunt's Britain, Angela Merkel's legacy, and clocks in history
A UK Cabinet shuffle is hours away, and there's a Brexit-related goods shortage due to a lack of truck drivers. An analysis of the contribution of the remarkable Angela Merkel, Germany's soon-to-depart Chancellor. And 'A history of civilisation in twelve clocks'.
Program: A feast for the senses — Taste beyond the tongue
Guest presenter Matt Preston and three-Michelin-starred chef Kyle Connaughton of SingleThread consider how weather conditions, flowers in the room, colours on the plate, and even the plate itself can enhance the dining experience. Some of these phenomena are well documented by science, as Barry C. Smith, founding director of the Centre for the Study of the Senses at the University of London, explains.
Program: Wildflower power – Bringing petals to your pantry
As ABC Radio National prepares to crown Australia's most amazing wildflower for National Science Week, guest host Matt Preston is on the hunt for Australia's most DELICIOUS wildflower. From flavouring cordials with sweet nectar to foraging for exotic blooms to turn into fritters, flowers are an untapped culinary resource. But as our guests explain, when it comes to sourcing native flowers, it's important to tread lightly.
Program: A daily grind — The story of pepper
While pepper is now ever-present on dining tables around the world, there was a time when this unassuming dried fruit was one of the most valuable commodities on Earth. Its trade changed the course of history and helped reshape the world as we know it. In this episode, we explore the ancient and modern history of pepper, examining its origins, trade, and, of course, its deliciousness.
Program: Why am I hungry? The science of appetite
What is appetite? Many happily succumb to it, while others struggle against it through willpower or even pharmaceuticals. But what are the biological, cultural and psychological mechanisms that make us want to eat? These questions are increasingly complicated in this era of unprecedented abundance and ubiquitous food. Guest: This episode was originally broadcast on April 26, 2025.
Program: Sourdough superstar Richard Hart
If you were to list the world's best bakers working today, Richard Hart's name would have to be near the top. After honing his craft at renowned bakeries in California, he teamed up with the world-famous Noma to open Hart Bageri in Copenhagen. His skills with sourdough are so well-known that he was even namechecked on The Bear. Richard recently published his first book. It's called Richard Hart Bread. Guest: This episode was originally broadcast on April 5, 2025.
Program: The taste of place — Australian native ingredients
What characterises Australian food? We're a nation adept at making first-rate versions of food drawn from all corners of the globe, but our palates are less familiar with the foods of our own backyard. For millennia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have cultivated and enjoyed uniquely Australian foods. So, why are these ingredients still so hard to find on supermarket shelves? Guests: This episode was originally broadcast on May 24, 2025.
Program: Half an onion — The singular pleasure of cooking alone
Melt some butter in a hot pan, throw in a handful of diced onions and suddenly — even if it's a meal just for you — you are cooking. When you don't have a family to feed or anyone to impress, it's never been easier to buy a single meal from the frozen food section of your supermarket or order one on an app. But what might we deny ourselves by making those choices? In this second episode on solo dining, we explore the joys and practicalities of cooking for one.
Program: Table for one — The singular pleasure of eating alone
Cooking and eating are often characterised as communal activities. To some, the idea of cooking or eating alone conjures images of loneliness, isolation — perhaps even wasted time. Whether you've chosen a solitary life, are yet to settle down, or find yourself living alone in later life, our guests today insist that cooking for oneself can be a powerful act of self-care.
Program: Risk it for the brisket — How BBQ called KG from Cairo
An epiphanic encounter with Texas-style barbeque led Kareem "KG" El-Ghayesh to quit his lucrative finance career in Cairo and relocate to Austin to open a food truck. KG BBQ has since become a household name, boasting both Texan authenticity and innovative tweaks inspired by the flavours of his original homeland. So, who better to introduce us to this unique and regionally specific cuisine than a man who — having never tasted Texas BBQ growing up — became one of the state's best-known pitmasters.
Program: Food in an age of insecurity
In a world rife with conflict, our food systems are experiencing increased insecurity. The impacts on the global economy and supply chains are felt well beyond the front lines. When conflict in Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, access to one-third of the world's fertiliser supply was disrupted. These shocks and stresses affecting our food systems have compounded those already caused by climate change. The situation is grim — so, what are we going to do about it?
Program: A memory of madeleines — The cake Proust almost forgot
Marcel Proust's epic novel In Search of Lost Time is perhaps best known for its evocation of memory triggered by the senses — particularly in a scene involving a madeleine. The shell-shaped sponge cake whisks the narrator into a detailed recollection of his childhood, and this familiar sensation continues to fascinate philosophers, neuroscientists and other scholars today. So, how does this kind of memory operate? Why might a madeleine be the perfect catalyst?
Program: From Seder to Shabbat — A year of Jewish cooking
Punctuating the year with food is a point of commonality across so many cultures — foods that connect us to community and tradition. Jewish cuisine includes a vast array of seasonal dishes. From the careful preparation of the Seder during Passover to the abundant honey cakes of Rosh Hashanah, a new book from the Monday Morning Cooking Club celebrates these moments, sharing stories and recipes for each occasion. It's called A Year of Jewish Cooking.
Program: For love or honey — Keeping bees in the age of varroa
Recreational beekeeping has experienced an incredible surge in recent years. However, this surge has coincided with the spread of varroa mites — a now-endemic parasite devastating Australian honeybee colonies. Whether beekeeping to harvest honey or to pollinate crops — for love or for profit — how can we mitigate the destructive impact of varroa mites going forward?
Program: The care and feeding of Bourdain and Batali
Laurie Woolever had a front-row seat to both triumph and disaster in the lives of two giants of the American food scene: Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali. Celebrity chef Batali faced allegations of sexual harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement and, by 2019, had exited all of his restaurants. Bourdain was a very different character: a celebrated chef at several New York institutions, a best-selling author, and a fixture of culinary television; he took his own life in 2018.
Program: Super Marios — How to last 40 years in hospitality
Given how often we hear about hospitality's slim margins, transient workforce, and the ever-changing tastes and habits of diners, how does a restaurant stay the course? Marios in Melbourne seems to have cracked the code: this year it marks 40 years in business. Today, we pull up a chair at Marios and meet both new and long-standing members of staff, a regular customer of note, and the eponymous Marios themselves.
Program: Aussie udon — From wheatbelt to noodle bowl
Udon noodle making in Japan goes back 1,200 years, so when did Western Australia become one of its top suppliers of noodle wheat? Japanese udon noodles are serious business, with regional varieties of broth, toppings and preparation techniques inspiring fierce local pride. But wherever you are, there's a good chance the wheat comes from Australia.
Program: Thi Le — Vietnamese with variations
For ten years now, one of the most consistently lauded small restaurants in Australia has been Anchovy. It bills itself as Vietnamese cuisine "naturalised in Australia." Chef and co-owner Thi Le was born to a Vietnamese family in a Malaysian refugee camp and grew up in Sydney's West. She shares her story — and recipes — in Viet Kieu: Recipes remembered from Vietnam.
Program: Hi, fibre! Is it time to reboot your biome?
When discussing dietary fibre, it's easy to stray into awkward conversations about 'the other end' of eating. Thankfully, we have communicators like Dr Joanna McMillan to normalise these conversations about our nutritional health. Her new book, The Fibre Factor, explores how fibre has faded from the modern diet, and how not eating enough can have implications beyond healthy digestion.
Program: Stephanie Alexander — 30 years of The Cook's Companion
When chef and restaurateur Stephanie Alexander published her Cook's Companion in 1996, she could not have known that it would become Australia's kitchen bible. An A to Z guide to ingredients, from abalone to zucchini, the book includes detailed explanations of varieties and seasons, as well as selection and storage tips, alongside a glossary of techniques and tools — everything a curious cook could need.
Program: Fed up — In search of kinder kitchens
The chef behind Denmark's famous Noma restaurant is the latest hospitality figure to be accused of mistreating staff. It seems that many in the food industry too often face overwork, underpayment and intimidation in the workplace. It's a familiar story to Lucy Ridge, author of Fed Up: A Chef's Adventures in Food, Farming & Feminism. Burnt out, Lucy left the chef life behind and, with the help of women farmers and makers, forged a path towards a more meaningful relationship with food and feeding.
Program: Faithful fasting — What we gain when we refrain
For Waleed Aly, refraining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan brings about not only a physical transformation but a spiritual one as well. Fasting is a feature of many different religions, and according to some experts, these and other religious practices can be determinants of health — both physical and mental.
Cooking community - A recipe for connection - ABC listen
Who doesn't love a passionfruit sponge, jam roly-poly or nice fluffy scone? Many of these classic recipes have been shared via community cookbooks, compiled by community groups and sold to raise funds for different causes and organisations. These books can become time capsules, revealing much about the social and political fabric of a community at a particular point in time. Guests: This episode was originally broadcast on July 19, 2025.
Program: The food pyramid gets flipped
Do you remember the healthy food pyramid? In the 1980s and 90s, the diagram was used to show which foods to eat most and which to eat least. It was replaced in Australia and the United States by a plate in the 2010s, but now — spurred by RFK Jr and the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement — the pyramid is back. Sort of: it's now upside down. For the first time, the guidelines acknowledge the harm caused by ultra-processed foods. So why are some dietitians critical of the new pyramid?
Flavours of note - How to tune your pantry - ABC listen
As a trained cellist, food writer and cook Gurdeep Loyal relies on music theory to amplify flavour. While he spends more time in the kitchen than in the string section these days, Gurdeep's first two cookbooks lean heavily on musical ideas, such as the flavour chords and triads that underpin all his recipes. Building on those concepts, his new cookbook, Flavour Heroes, takes fifteen underutilised pantry items and builds a repertoire of meals, snacks and sweets around each one.
Feasts of fortune — The festive flavours of Lunar New Year - ABC listen
While tasselled lanterns, weaving dragons, dancing lions and firecrackers are a familiar spectacle in Chinatowns right across Australia during Lunar New Year, the season is celebrated by more than just the Chinese community. In this episode, we explore the roots of Chinese New Year festivities in Australia, give the stove god some time off for Tết, Vietnamese New Year, and become older and wiser with a bowl of tteokguk, an essential dish during Seollal, Korean New Year.
That’s the tonic: How West Winds is changing the way Australians think about gin
I’m not sure if this will be considered a statement or a confession – but I quite like a gin. Actually, I’m going to say it proudly, I really enjoy a gin. Gin and tonic, gin and bitter lemon – in summer, in winter, in between drinks… and I don’t think I’m alone. I believe that in bars and pubs around the country, there is an uprising of support for the ‘old lady’ of the spirits section. You see, that has long been a problem for gin – its image.
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