New Perspectives on Old Assumptions
ABOUT THE SHOW
Marc Fennell, Matt Bevan, Lucinda Holdforth & Tyree Barnette in conversation with Sean Jacobs
What’s the social cost of our longing for longevity? How do our evolutionary quirks shape our perspective? What’s missing from Australia’s discussion of race relations? And how should we think about the ethics of cultural collection? Join four intrepid writers whose trenchant works of reportage and memoir ask us to think outside the box and challenge some of our unexamined views.
PART OF BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Marc Fennell is a Walkley-winning journalist, AACTA-nominated filmmaker, broadcaster and author. He is the creator of the acclaimed Stuff the British Stole (ABC/CBC) and the quizmaster of SBS’s Mastermind. Marc’s documentary credits include The School That Tried to End Racism, Framed, The Kingdom, The Mission, Australia’s Greatest Conman, The State of Man and The Secret DNA of Us. His work has earned multiple international honours, including a Walkley Award, Canadian Screen Award, James Beard Foundation Award, Australian Writers Guild Award, and eight medals at the New York Festivals. He spent nine years anchoring SBS’s The Feed, reporting globally on major social and political issues. In audio, Marc has created award-winning Audible Originals including It Burns, Nut Jobs, House of Skulls, This Is Not A Game, Corked and Unreal: When AI Becomes Us. Marc, a familiar voice on ABC Radio and former triple j film reviewer, lives in Sydney.
Matt Bevan is the host and writer of the award-winning ABC News podcast If You’re Listening. He has been a journalist at the ABC since 2008, and spent six years as newsreader for Radio National Breakfast. His debut book If You’re Listening: Declassified was released in 2026.
Lucinda Holdforth is the author of four books examining what makes good societies flourish. While working as a speech writer and adviser to senior leaders across government and business, she has written with wit and insight about the women who shaped the culture of Paris, the enduring value of manners, the language of democratic leadership and, most recently, the downside of modern virtues in 21st-Century Virtues: How They Are Failing Our Democracy (2023). Her books are lively provocations – wake-up calls – to think more clearly about the forces and conditions that make for a civilized world.
Tyree Barnette is a transplant to Sydney, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. He is a member of the Sweatshop Literacy Movement and is featured in a few of their anthologies. Tyree has also written several pieces for SBS Voices which all culminated in his debut novel, Stolen Man on Stolen Land.
Sean Jacobs is a Papua New Guinean-born Australian writer, and government relations and public policy specialist. He is a former Brisbane City Council election candidate, ministerial adviser, United Nations worker, international youth volunteer, and national water polo champion. Sean holds a BA (International Relations) from Griffith University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism from Macquarie University. He also holds qualifications from the Australian National Security College, the Australian Institute of Management and the University of New England.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
VENUE
TICKETS
DURATION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Suitable for all ages
18 months and under free on the knee; all other ages must hold a valid ticket
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Marc Fennell is a Walkley-winning journalist, AACTA-nominated filmmaker, broadcaster and author. He is the creator of the acclaimed Stuff the British Stole (ABC/CBC) and the quizmaster of SBS’s Mastermind. Marc’s documentary credits include The School That Tried to End Racism, Framed, The Kingdom, The Mission, Australia’s Greatest Conman, The State of Man and The Secret DNA of Us. His work has earned multiple international honours, including a Walkley Award, Canadian Screen Award, James Beard Foundation Award, Australian Writers Guild Award, and eight medals at the New York Festivals. He spent nine years anchoring SBS’s The Feed, reporting globally on major social and political issues. In audio, Marc has created award-winning Audible Originals including It Burns, Nut Jobs, House of Skulls, This Is Not A Game, Corked and Unreal: When AI Becomes Us. Marc, a familiar voice on ABC Radio and former triple j film reviewer, lives in Sydney.
Matt Bevan is the host and writer of the award-winning ABC News podcast If You’re Listening. He has been a journalist at the ABC since 2008, and spent six years as newsreader for Radio National Breakfast. His debut book If You’re Listening: Declassified was released in 2026.
Lucinda Holdforth is the author of four books examining what makes good societies flourish. While working as a speech writer and adviser to senior leaders across government and business, she has written with wit and insight about the women who shaped the culture of Paris, the enduring value of manners, the language of democratic leadership and, most recently, the downside of modern virtues in 21st-Century Virtues: How They Are Failing Our Democracy (2023). Her books are lively provocations – wake-up calls – to think more clearly about the forces and conditions that make for a civilized world.
Tyree Barnette is a transplant to Sydney, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. He is a member of the Sweatshop Literacy Movement and is featured in a few of their anthologies. Tyree has also written several pieces for SBS Voices which all culminated in his debut novel, Stolen Man on Stolen Land.
Sean Jacobs is a Papua New Guinean-born Australian writer, and government relations and public policy specialist. He is a former Brisbane City Council election candidate, ministerial adviser, United Nations worker, international youth volunteer, and national water polo champion. Sean holds a BA (International Relations) from Griffith University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism from Macquarie University. He also holds qualifications from the Australian National Security College, the Australian Institute of Management and the University of New England.
