Long Distance Call

Violent protests have erupted again in Lebanon as the country lurches deeper into a political and economic crisis. There's little prospect of a Government being formed soon. The local currency is depreciating against the US dollar, making daily life more expensive. There's a weekly cap on withdrawals from the banks. People are desperate and their frustrations spilled over into riots in Downtown Beirut on the weekend. Many believe it's the only way they'll be heard by the political elite. It's a very different scene in Australia. Geraldine has been struck by the surge of national pride in the wake of the bushfire crisis. She hopes the Government uses the opportunity to act on this rare moment of national consensus. Finally, Geraldine and her daughter reflect on the power of a good funeral. Let us know what you think of the episode on the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Lebanon on 'brink of chaos and anarchy' Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/mi

Things are hot in the Middle East and even hotter on this week's podcast. Geraldine and Eliza have divergent views about the American assassination of Iranian Commander Qasem Suleimani. They also disagree about some of the journalism that has stemmed from the killing. But they do tend to see eye to eye on 'Meghxit'. Eliza feels sorry for Meghan Markle and hates her treatment in the press. But she also thinks the Sussexes could have handled the split better. Also this week: Captain Cook and summer time in Cairns. Money exchange in Beirut. And how to define 'star power' on TV. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Thanks for listening! Trent Dalton’s three-part series on Captain Cook in The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/cook-rediscovered-white-ghosts-on-the-coast/news-story/b2ff8dd879ac8d345f195b23638ea79b https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/cook-rediscovered-miracle-on-the-great-barrier-reef/news-story/2e11

Eliza and Geraldine discuss John Le Carre's latest novel "Agent Running in the Field". Let us know what you think at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Here are some reviews: The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/10/john-le-carre-agent-running-in-the-field-review/600631/ Peter Craven in The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/still-in-a-field-of-his-own/news-story/f58f361e69fc720e6c405f3d00fb7acb The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/oct/21/agent-running-in-the-field-john-le-carre-review

LDC has a special guest this week. Geraldine and one of her oldest friends (and Eliza's godmother) Mary Ciccarelli are in Beirut for new years celebrations. The three women sit down over a a glass of wine to talk about their impressions of Lebanon & the Syria crisis, the latest Ann Patchett novel and the joys of cauliflower for dinner. Let us know your thoughts at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com or join the conversation at the "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page. The Good Shepherd Sister of the Middle East https://www.goodshepherdsisters.me/en/Accueil Ann Patchett - The Dutch House https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/29/dutch-house-ann-patchett-review All is True - movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9206798/ Ad Astra - Brad Pitt https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2935510/ Lee Child says Tom Cruise is too small to be Jack Reacher https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/11/tom-cruise-jack-reacher-lee-child-reboot The Middle of Nowhere - George Megalogenis in The Monthly https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2019/

Welcome to the last podcast of 2019! It's been a huge year. Geraldine travelled to Russia. Eliza went back to full time work. Progressive politics was overtaken by fear. Tune in for hot tips and analysis. Please let us know your reflections on 2019 by joining the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Thankyou so much for listening! The Loudest Voice - Stan https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6821044/ Succession - HBO https://www.hbo.com/succession Normal People – Sally Rooney https://www.amazon.com/Normal-People-Novel-Sally-Rooney/dp/1984822179 Women’s Work – Megan Stack https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/549445/womens-work-by-megan-stack/ Inside the trial of Shamima Begum – British GQ https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/politics/article/the-trial-of-shamima-begum Fintan O’Toole – The Ham of Fate https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2019/08/15/boris-johnson-ham-of-fate/ Lech Blain – How good is Queensland! The Monthly https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2019/november/1572526800/lech

Eliza had the privilege of being at The Hague last week for the Gambia's genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi lead Myanmar's defence and argued that no genocide was committed against the Rohingya muslim community. She said any crimes committed during the 2017 "clearance operations" should be tried at home, rather abroad. Eliza joined a group of Rohingya survivors at The Hague, who now live in the camps in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh. When Eliza returned to Lebanon she went to the Roman ruins at Baalbek for the final bookclub of the year. The verdict: Baalbek is a must see! Geraldine is having a lovely, social wind-down to Christmas. Stay tuned for the "Best of 2019" podcast which will drop just before Christmas Day. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com The Daily: Elizabeth Warren https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/13/podcasts/the-daily/elizabeth-warren.html ABC Rear Vision – Nancy Pelo

Remember the horrible crimes against the Rohingya community in 2017? The Myanmar Government - lead by freedom fighter turned leader Aung San Suu Kyi - will defend accusations of a genocide at the International Court of Justice at The Hague this week. And Eliza will be there to bear witness with three very brave Rohingya survivors who have made the long journey from the camps in Bangladesh. Also on this podcast: Eliza and Geraldine predict a Tory majority at the UK poll on Thursday. And how to fix lower back pain. Join the conversation at our "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com. The "Best of 2019" episode will be recorded next week.

Geraldine is having one of those weeks that makes you tired just hearing about it. It started with big breaking news stories on her breakfast radio shifts on Monday. Then it was down to Canberra and Melbourne for meetings and will culminate with her MC’ing a big public function to celebrate 80 years of international broadcasting at the ABC. It’s been a busy time over in Lebanon too. Eliza’s husband Adam is back in Australia so she’s running around with the kids while monitoring the looming economic crisis. The local Lebanese currency, the Lira, has dropped sharply against the US dollar. Employees are only receiving a fraction of their wages. It’s hard to see a solution in Lebanon that doesn’t result in more financial pain for most of its citizens. Thanks for listening! Join the conversation at the Facebook page “Long Distance Callers” or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com The Climb – Geraldine Doogue https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/the-climb Australia in the World podcast https://australiaintheworld.

This is an updated episode of "The Crown". The first attempt had some audio problems. Apologies! The new season of The Crown has just dropped on Netflix. It begins in 1964 as England is on the verge of electing British Labour MP Harold Wilson into Downing Street. The series continues to unpick the enduring marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. The British actress Olivia Colman has taken over as Queen from Claire Foy. Geraldine isn't quite sure about the new Monarch, despite being a big fan of Colman's work. Eliza agrees that Colman doesn't quite nail the reserved Elizabeth like her predecessor, partly due to her natural warmth and expressive face. The conversation about The Crown segues to the topic of marriage in general. Then it's the train wreck that was the Prince Andrew interview concerning his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Thanks for listening! Email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com or join the conversation on Facebook at the "Long Distance Callers" page. The Crown & Peter Morgan https://www

Eliza & Geraldine discuss "Fleishman Is in Trouble" by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. The verdict: relentless. Let us know your thoughts via email ldcpodcast1@gmail.com or join the conversation at the "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page.

The impeachment hearings against President Trump have begun in Washington. Geraldine appeared on the ABC's Drum program on Thursday alongside Australia's former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. Mr Downer - who played a small but important role in the scandal surrounding Mr Trump - believes the Republican party will stand by their embattled President even if they don't like him. Eliza thinks the surging US economy will make people inclined to vote for the incumbent. The conversation then shifted to Australia's opposition leader Anthony Albanese, podcasting and the deteriorating situation in Lebanon. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Alexander Downer and George Papadopoulos https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/how-fbi-russia-investigation-began-george-papadopoulos.html Nikki Haley on the impeachment process https://www.cbsnews.com/video/nikki-haley-says-she-doesnt-think-trump-will-be-impeached/ The NYT Daily podcast on polling i

How long can the protest movement hold on in Lebanon? The short answer is no-one knows. The appetite for political change remains strong. But Eliza also detects a lethargy amongst ordinary Beirutis whose lives have been thrown into chaos. Small businesses are starting to haemorrhage money and people are worried about losing their jobs. At the same time, nornality is returning. Some schools are opening and most of the city's roads are accesible. Also this week, Geraldine speaks about Royal Commission fatigue. And both women celebrate the "Buy From the Bush" online initiative connecting rural retailers with city buyers. This terrific project was founded by Eliza's school friend Grace Brennan who lives with her family on a property in western New South Wales. GraceforPM Join the conversation at the facebook page Long Distance Callers or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Jacarandas in full bloom in Kirribilli https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/instagram-inspired-tourists-swarm-sydney-street-for-selfies-wit

Eliza speaks to Sarah Macdonald on the ABC's Nightlife program with the latest from Lebanon.

Eliza goes back to the streets to hear from protesters in Beirut.

Protests roll on in Lebanon against a Government seen as corrupt and out of touch. On Monday the Prime Minister agreed to a series of concessions including withdrawing new taxes and halving politician's salaries. But will it be enough to take the people off the streets? It's too early to tell. Eliza thinks the Government will probably hold on but the political class has been shocked by the spontaneous protests. Also on this episode, Geraldine renovates her kitchen. And the best books of the 21st century. Join the conversation at the "Long Distance Callers" Facebook page or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Ross Douthat on Trump in NYT https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/19/opinion/sunday/trump-turkey-syria.html The Eulogy Documentary http://theeulogy.com.au 20 Best Australian Books of the 21st Century https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5877:2019-abr-fan-poll&Itemid=1758&idU=5 "She Said" Jodi Kantor & Megan Twohey https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/boo

Yalla! Huge numbers of Beirutis joined protests on Sunday night calling for the resignation of the Government. Thousands more gathered in regional capitals around Lebanon. For this special episode of LDC, Eliza joined the protests and asked people why they were rallying for change.

It's been a bloody & upsetting week in the Middle East. Just over a week ago President Trump allowed Turkish President Erdogan to invade north-eastern Turkey, abandoning their protection of the Kurds. Scores of Kurds have been killed, as well as some Turks and as many as one hundred thousand people are displaced. The Syrian Kurds have now signed a deal with President Assad in Damascus. It marks a historic moment in the Syrian civil war. Geraldine and Eliza discuss the events of the week and what it means for the future. They also unpick Russia's role in the crisis and the new power bloc in the region. Also, Geraldine is feeling overwhelmed by her various devices and Eliza is trying to find time in the day for homework. Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Apologies about Eliza's poor audio this week, it seems the microphone wasn't working and sound recorded through her phone.

Eliza has been so busy preparing for her daughter's 3rd birthday that she's stopped reading fiction books. But she's determined to pick it up again as a way to stop the endless checking of her phone. It turns out she's not alone. A recent article in the Guardian Newspaper sparked a conversation about how our phones are stopping our reflexive instinct to read books. The former ABC Managing Director, Mark Scott, told Geraldine years ago that he read fiction to "slow the frantic pace". It's a sentiment many of us can relate to. This week, Eliza and Geraldine also discuss American politics and the consequence of the Obama presidency. Join the conversation at the Faecbook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com The Lebanese PM & a Sth African bikini model https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/world/middleeast/lebanon-hariri-model.html?fbclid=IwAR3qZROGqawPL9-oITS2dbFBKLBTqZVQT4MZjvcV6tcoz9YLPMHkrDDlVHg The Loudest Voice https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6821044/ Gabriel Sherman: The Loudes

Eliza’s back from England where she watched Boris Johnson stagger from one crisis to another. She says the new British prime minister is quickly losing his authority within his own party. But as Eliza lands back in Beirut, there’s a bigger crisis erupting on the other side of the Atlantic. A complaint by a whistleblower has revealed that US president Donald Trump urged Ukraine’s president to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden. Trump’s in trouble: It’s illegal in the US to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in an election and unlike the Russia investigation, Trump’s not denying that he did so. He could eventually face impeachment hearings. Geraldine says the Democrats must work hard to explain to Americans why Trump’s behaviour is wrong and why it’s important that he be held to account. The impeachment inquiry is being driven by Nancy Pelosi, who is hard to like but who cares? She’s powerful and effective and is taking on the most powerful man in the world. Join the conversation at the Facebook pag

This is a special edition of LDC. Join us for the first episode of Long Distance Bookclub. "Live a Little" is a sharp, funny and sometimes bleak novel about looking back at life as death nears. Geraldine loves Jacobson's writing and is giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Eliza enjoyed the book without loving it and is giving it three and a half out of 5. Let us know what you think at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at ldcpodcast1@gmail.com Live a Little - Howard Jacobson https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1117016/live-a-little/9781787331433 Guardian review https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/28/live-a-little-howard-jacobson-review The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/howard-jacobson-live-a-little-review-books-the-finkler-question-man-booker-prize-a8976876.html