Long Distance Call

American political strategist David Axelrod once famously told President Obama that "hard things are hard". Eliza thinks Axelrod's blunt advice is useful when it comes to preparing for COVID-19. She's starting to plan for a future where coronavirus and all the associated disruptions become the new normal. That process of change and adaptation is hard - but then everyone's finding it a challenge. Geraldine is forcing herself to put down COVID-related news and pick up a novel instead. Also this week: Sydney's terrific urban renewal project. Eliza and her Mum also clash over Sydney's new casino building. Thanks for listening! Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Quarantine Fatigue is Real – The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/quarantine-fatigue-real-and-shaming-people-wont-help/611482/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share “Live and Let Die” Pod Save America https://crooked.com/podcast/live-and-let-d

Lebanese people are breaking free of quarantine and returning to the streets to protest against the corrupt ruling elite. The Government has successfully managed to stop the spread of coronavirus. But the economy - which was already in freefall - is now terminal. The Government has asked the International Monetary Fund for a loan, but that money will come with strict austerity conditions that risk further angering the 'street'. Eliza's husband Adam covers Lebanon's recent turbulent past in a program on ABC TV Tuesday 5th May at 8pm. Also on the podcast, Geraldine wonders if the COVID-19 pandemic will unlock our creative juices? History would suggest not. And where should a novice gardener begin? Join the conversation at "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page or email ldcpodcast1@gmail.com David Runciman – Big Ideas https://www.talkingpoliticspodcast.com Will Joe Biden be the next President of the United States? https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rearvision/past-programs/ The Art of Forgetting – Th

Australia has had great success tackling COVID-19. But now that some of the fear has passed, Geraldine and Eliza think the Government should alter its message and public health restrictions. Also this week, how should Geraldine report on the upcoming US election? Eliza decides to opt out of the official school curriculum. And finally - what were you meant to be doing in 2020? There's been some great commentary on the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers". Let us know your plans at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com The paradox of Merkelism - Philip Oltermann https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/angela-merkel-profile-trump-germany-chancellor-prime-minister

Helen Quade is a lawyer who lives on a farm in Western NSW with her husband and three kids. She joins Eliza on the latest episode of the Lockdown Chronicles. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com

Denee Savoia is an Australian journalist living and working in Istanbul, Turkey. She joins Eliza for the latest edition of the Lockdown Chronicles. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com

In this episode of the Lockdown Chronicles, Eliza talks to her friend Cara Mayega in Singapore.

It's a politics-heavy podcast this week. The former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has written a memoir about his time in Canberra. He denies that the book is an act of revenge against his former colleagues, but there are many in the Liberal Party who are likely to squirm in anticipation of its release. Eliza is a big fan of political memoirs. Geraldine is too, but only if they're sufficiently reflective. Also this week, Geraldine breaks a habit of a lifetime and begins baking packet-mix cakes. And Eliza finds joy at Woolworths. Join the conversation at the Facebook page or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com. Leave us a review on your podcast platform of choice. Thanks for listening! David Crowe on Malcolm Turnbull’s memoir - The Good Weekend https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/in-his-own-words-malcolm-turnbull-on-old-battles-personal-and-political-and-new-beginnings-20200316-p54akr.html Michael Ignatieff: the intellectual who wanted to be a politician https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2013/11/17/michael

On this episode of the Lockdown Chronicles we go to Washington DC with Heidi Lipson and then to Los Angeles with Luke Adams. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com (Apologies about the variable audio quality throughout the episode)

Easter Monday brings good news: the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital. He uploaded a video message to Twitter thanking the NHS for saving his life, particularly two nurses: Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal. Two immigrants who he credits with helping him get through 48 hours which "could have gone either way". Geraldine wonders where the PM's near death experience will change him? Before Geraldine and Eliza discuss Boris, they run through other important issues of the day: particularly how to maintain beauty standards in the age of social distancing. The struggle is real. Join the conversation at the facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Thanks for listening He Could Have Seen What Was Coming: Behind Trump's Failure on the Virus https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-response.html Coronavirus has exposed the myth of British exceptionalism - Fintan O'Toole https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/

This is the first in a special series of personal stories from Eliza's network of expat friends around the world. Coronavirus has separated us, but it's also united us through similar challenges and opportunities. How's everyone coping? Is homeschooling in Belgium any different to Sydney? How does it feel to be so far from 'home' but for the first time in our lifetimes, unable to get home. First up: long-time Australian expat Lucy Reynaud in Belgium. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com

It's finally happened. Geraldine has ditched the broom for the leafblower after years of resistance. Also this week: Easter services move online. And as big business urges the Government to restart the economy as soon as possible, Eliza and her Mum think Government may have to ease some of the harsh coronavirus restrictions. Join the conversation at the "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page or email at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com

Eliza is home and thinks Australia is doing a great job at managing the COVID-19 crisis. Geraldine agrees and is very interested to see how Australia's approach compares to Germany and Singapore. This week Geraldine interviewed Professor Howard Markel from the University of Michigan about the history of vaccines. Both women agreed that if this coronavirus was targeting children - like polio did decades ago - it would be even harder to control one's fear and anxiety. Geraldine and Eliza read out some contributions from the LDC community via the Facebook page about how they're keeping busy during these strange times. Please join the conversation on the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Thanks for listening! Saturday Extra - The History of Vaccines https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/saturdayextra/the-history-of-vaccines/12116454 A French Village - TV https://www.nytimes.com/watching/recommendations/a-french-village Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evaristo https:

The latest from Geraldine and Eliza on the COVID crisis.

This week: we turn 100 and the world changes around us. Unfortunately Eliza is too busy for extensive shownotes this week. Perhaps that will be incorporated into next week's virtual learning program. But this week Eliza and Geraldine talk all things Corona, as the scale of this crisis begins to dawn on the world. Join the discussion at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Thankyou for listening!!

The coronavirus crisis appears to be reaching a crescendo in Australia. Panic is rising and that's leaving Geraldine quite concerned. She's in favour of the British phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On." Geraldine would prefer to exercise her own judgement about the best way to respond to the pandemic, rather than abide by strict quarantine measures dictated by the Government. Eliza disagrees with Geraldine's attitude. She thinks the scale of the health crisis warrants an extreme approach. Lebanon is basically in "lockdown" with schools, restaurants, parks and shopping malls all closed. Two weeks of homeschooling has been a stretch. But Eliza has resigned herself to the new routine for another two months at least. Midway through the podcast Eliza breaks the news that the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton had fallen ill with the virus. The women also discuss what history can teach us about the best way to manage the crisis. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcas

There were some technical problems with the episode uploaded Sunday morning AEDT ... so we're having another go RUOK Australia? What on earth is happening with the run on loo roll? Geraldine thinks it's a symptom of the need for control in the face of the global flu epidemic. Eliza thinks life in the West has been stripped of a lot of risk. So when a genuine threat looms on the horizon, people panic more than countries in troubled regions like the Middle East. Also: Biden's back in America. Geraldine and Eliza discuss Elizabeth Warren's decline in more detail and question how much 'likeability' will play a factor in the final decision. The women discuss Israeli politics. And why we read books. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Thanks for listening!

The Corona Virus has arrived in Lebanon. There's been four confirmed cases of the flu from people who have recently returned from Iran. Schools are closed for a week (or more) and hand sanitizer is selling out. Eliza is feeling vaguely demoralizaed by the prospect of another big upheaval to normal life. But she's doing her best to combat the panic spreading through the school WhatsApp groups. Meanwhile, Super Tuesday is around the corner. Eliza wonders why Elizabeth Warren's star has fallen. Is it because she's sharp and people find that challenging in a female leader? Geraldine thinks Warren was targetted by the big tech companies who feared regulation. Whatever the real reason, it looks like Sanders will win the nomination. Also this week, Geraldine discusses new research about the ABC audience. And Eliza isn't a fan of fondue. Please join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com

Geraldine has a new phone. It has a fancy camera and bigger screen. But the prospect of "learning" her new device has left Geraldine a bit frazzled. She's come to the conclusion that while technology can simplify our lives, it also requires big investments of time to master the new technology. Eliza is watching the slow decline of Lebanon's economy. She's also been glued to American politics and believes Mike Bloomberg is now the best hope to force Trump out of the White House. Also this week: Eliza becomes a yogi. Sinn Fein's political resurgence. And Geraldine commits to walking the Lebanon Mountain Trail. Join the conversation at the "Long Distance Call" Facebook page or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Saad Hariri calls for early elections https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/defiant-lebanon-hariri-deal-aoun-history-200214172027571.html The light That Failed - Ivan Krastev https://www.amazon.com/Light-That-Failed-Losing-Democracy/dp/1643133691 Interview on ABC Radio National Saturday Extra with Geraldi

Eliza had her wisdom tooth extracted this week. In an attempt to distract from the pain, she asked the dental surgeon for his thoughts on the crisis that's engulfing the Lebanese economy. “In 1985, the Syrians were shelling us just over there,” he said, pointing out the window. “But at least we had money.” The local Lebanese currency continues to depreciate against the US dollar. Small businesses are closing every week. Expensive retailers in downtown Beirut are reinforcing their stores with heavy metal doors to stop goods being stolen during protests and riots. Also on the podcast: Geraldine interviews British polymath Tom Holland. Eliza begins to despair about Joe Biden as a Presidential candidate. Salman Rushdie’s brilliant prose. And the joy of rain during a Sydney summer. Let us know what you think of the podcast at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com The Designated Mourner – Fintan O’Toole on Joe Biden https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2020/01/16/joe-biden-desig

Geraldine has come to the conclusion that Australia should change the date of its national celebration. Despite this decision, she's found herself worn down by the discussion this year and isn't reading about it like she was in 2019. In Lebanon, Eliza's serving bacon sandwiches at brunch and revelling in national spirit. Australia - with its universal health care system and superannuation scheme - is a country to be proud of. Also this week: buying furniture as an expat. Reading Rushdie. And Trump's impeachment trial. Let us know what you think of the podcast at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Thanks for listening! Salman Rushdie Two Years, Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24292310-two-years-eight-months-and-twenty-eight-nights Maureen Dowd on impeachment https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/25/opinion/sunday/trump-senate-impeachment-trial.html Hillary Clinton documentary https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/25/entertainment/hilla