Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

The common Australian term 'Blind Freddy', as in 'Blind Freddy could see that', spread quickly and comprehensively. But who was Blind Freddy? An author has concluded he was Frederick Pottinger, an Englishman from a notable family who was far from a success as a policeman hunting bushrangers in the NSW colony. 
Guest: Adrian Mitchell, author of ‘Blind Freddy: the Pottinger Attainment’ (Wakefield Press)
Producer: Ann Arnold

John Safran has made a career out of blasphemy and offence. With his gonzo-style journalism he placed a “fatwa” on Rove McManus, streaked naked through Jerusalem streets to “prove God is Jewish”, got baptised and exorcised and squatted in Kanye West’s house. He has interviewed neo-Nazis and white nationalists and insisted on the importance of getting on the record “what goes on in the shadows”. But after the Bondi massacre, Safran is asking himself where offending is simply part of free speech, and where it becomes truly dangerous. His new documentary for SBS explores the notion of offence, and what can and cannot be said in Australia today. ‘Shut Your Big Fat Mouth John Safran’ premieres Sunday 24 May 2026 on SBS and SBS On Demand. 
Guest: John Safran, satirist, documentary maker, journalist, and author.
Producer: Catherine Zengerer

Ahead of November's midterm elections, Republicans are looking to reshape South Carolina's congressional districts, in an effort to create a US House map that could yield a clean sweep. Meanwhile, Trump's polling continues to fall to new lows amid the ongoing war in Iran. 
Guest: Bruce Shapiro, contributing editor for The Nation, executive director of the Global Centre for Journalism and Trauma

All over the world, people are encountering the timeless work of Shakespeare for the first time, thanks to translators who have managed to distil the essence of the great writer. So what goes into maintaining the language, rhythm and puns in other languages and cultures? Daniel Hahn's new book examines how Shakespeare is translated around the world, and how tricky it can be to convey just the right meaning and tone.
Guest: Daniel Hahn, author of ‘If This Be Magic - The Unlikely Art of Shakespeare in Translation’, published by Allen and Unwin. Daniel Hahn is in Australia for Sydney Writer's Festival
Producer: Catherine Zengerer

Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, was repeatedly warned to evacuate during the war between Israel and Hamas, but chose to remain with his patients. In December 2024, he was arrested by the Israel Defence Forces. Seventeen months later, Amnesty International alleges that Dr. Abu Safiya has been tortured in detention, while the United Nations has called for his release. The IDF, meanwhile, says the doctor has ties to Hamas.
Guest: Dr. Guy Shalev, CEO of Physicians for Human Rights Israel
Producer: Ali Benton