Talk Talk - Series Five

Episode One - Dave McArtney, The Pink Flamingos
Host Finlay Macdonald opens the fifth and final season of Talk Talk with an interview with Dave McArtney, guitarist and vocalist of Hello Sailor and The Pink Flamingos. McArtney talks about choosing to pursue music, his postgraduate studies, and the toll from five years touring with Hello Sailor. He shares stories of his upbringing, punk rock years, time in Bavaria, and celebrating his 60th. The episode closes with McArtney and The Pink Flamingos performing 'Looking for the Goddess'.

Episode Two - Julia Deans
Finlay Macdonald sits down for a chat with Julia Deans, former Fur Patrol frontwoman turned solo artist, about returning to New Zealand after a decade performing in Australia. Deans reflects on touring Australia's “dirty little rock venues”, loyal fans, and her move from band life to solo performance. She also recalls her creative upbringing, shaped by an artistic family. The episode ends with Deans performing 'A New Dialogue' from her solo album, Modern Fables.

Episode Three - Sarah-Kate Lynch, Mel Parsons
Finlay Macdonald welcomes Sarah-Kate Lynch — journalist, former NZ Woman’s Weekly editor, and author of Dulci di Love. Lynch discusses rejecting the “chick-lit” label, how National Geographic Traveller magazine dubbed her novels “trip-lit”, and turning holidays into research excursions. She reflects on her path from journalist to author, her food-writing roles, and the abrupt end of her radio career. The episode closes with Mel Parsons performing 'I Won’t Let You Down' from her second album.

Episode Four - Dame Jenny Gibbs, Gina Sanders and Sarah Watkins
Philanthropist, arts patron and collector, Dame Jenny Gibbs, takes the chair to reflect on her modest upbringing, education in London, and activism in abortion law reform and the Playcentre movement. She shares her philosophy of being a “guardian” of art and discusses New Zealand’s growing presence on the global arts stage, including the Venice Biennale. The episode features Vissi d’arte from Tosca, performed by Gina Sanders with Sarah Watkins on piano.

Episode Five - Karl Steven, The Drab Doo Riffs
Joining Finlay Macdonald is musician Karl Steven (of Supergoove), who discusses fame, burnout, and rediscovering his passion after leaving the band at its peak. He looks back on his creative upbringing, early love of literature sparked by Macbeth, and studies in philosophy at Auckland University and Cambridge. Following his daughter’s autism diagnosis, he returned to New Zealand to refocus on family and music. The episode ends with Steven performing 'Juggernaut' with The Drab Doo Riffs.

Episode Six - George Henare, Katie Scott & The Miss T's
Actor George Henare reflects on his East Cape farm upbringing and how he came to discover a love of acting and performance through a school drama production. He talks about training as a teacher before joining the New Zealand Opera Company and pursuing theatre full-time. He tells Finlay about touring Russia with the Māori Theatre Trust, and the early days of New Zealand television. The episode closes with ‘That’s the Game’ by Auckland band Katie Scott & The Miss T's

Episode Seven - Jane Clifton, The Eastern
Finlay Macdonald interviews political journalist Jane Clifton, who recalls stumbling into journalism before quickly falling in love with the bustling newsroom. She reflects on covering politics throughout the 1980s, including encounters with Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. Clifton discusses where she sits in the world of journalism, being a “political gossip columnist”, as well as her time in television. The episode wraps with Lyttleton band The Eastern, performing ‘Be True’ from their album Arrows.

Episode Eight - Bruce Baguley, Auckland Philharmonia and Rebecca Ryan
Professor Bruce Baguley, of the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, recalls how being inspired by a childhood radio show, The Drama of Medicine, led him to research. He reflects on his time working for a pharmaceutical company and touches on the human dimensions of medical science, from funding to patients’ lived experiences. The episode closes with 'Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5' by Heitor Villa-Lobos, performed by soprano Rebecca Ryan, accompanied by the cellos of the Auckland Philharmonia.

Episode Nine - Sir Paul Callaghan, Victoria Girling-Butcher
Finlay Macdonald speaks with Professor Sir Paul Callaghan about his journey to Oxford University, and efforts to promote scientific research in New Zealand. Callaghan reflects on the importance of communication in science and approaching his own cancer diagnosis with a scientific mindset. He talks about being recognised as 2011's New Zealander of the Year and voted third most-trusted person by a Reader’s Digest survey. The episode features 'Night Scout' by Victoria Girling-Butcher from her solo album.

Episode 10 - Shane Jones, Grand Rapids
Finlay Macdonald sits down with politician Shane Jones to hear about his career with the Labour Party and later New Zealand First. Jones discusses his upbringing and influence of his schoolteacher mother, and his parents’ hopes for him to champion Māori culture and values. He also speaks about the collective nature of politics and speculates about New Zealand’s first Māori prime minister. The episode ends with Grand Rapids performing 'The Men on the Horses' from their debut album, Faintheartedness.

Episode 11 - Marilyn Waring, Iva Lamkum
Former MP Marilyn Waring, discusses being both a feminist and MP for the National Party, becoming a public face for women’s rights, and how parliamentary experience taught her more than her political science degree. Waring also speaks about entering Parliament at just 23, her book Counting for Nothing and the international attention she received from a Canadian documentary. The episode closes with Iva Lamkum and band performing an original composition, 'Way Back'.

Episode 12 - Te Radar, The Bats
Comedian and presenter Te Radar looks back to his beginnings growing up on his Northland family farm before discovering comedy at university, and moving into television. A self-described “opinionist” rather than comedian, Te Radar shares tales of chasing global conflicts, interviewing Yasser Arafat, and his “just keep the cameras rolling” philosophy behind shooting his offbeat documentaries. The episode features The Bats performing 'Simpletons' from their album, Free All the Monsters.

Episode 13 - Annette Sykes, Maisey Rika
Activist and lawyer Annette Sykes speaks with Finlay Macdonald about being raised by her grandmother in a household deeply focused on land reclamation and justice. She reflects on growing up Māori while embracing both her Māori and Pākehā heritage, experiences of racism at school, and being inspired by Eva Rickard, the Māori Language Movement, and the 1981 Springbok Tour protests. The episode finishes with a performance by her niece, Maisey Rika, singing 'Letting Go'.

Episode 14 - John Psathas, Steven De Pledge
Composer John Psathas tells Finlay Macdonald about his experience being commissioned to write music for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games ceremonies. He reflects on growing up as the child of Greek immigrants in small-town New Zealand, discovering a passion for music early in life, and diving into music theory by age 12. Psathas discusses the influence of his Greek heritage and his desire to create positive music. The episode closes with pianist Steven De Pledge performing Psathas’ composition 'His Second Time' from Songs for Simon.

Episode 15 - Tom Scott, The Adults
To close out the season, Finlay Macdonald invites writer and cartoonist Tom Scott to discuss his humour and storytelling. Scott reflects on his lifelong engagement with politics, having navigated a changing political climate as a young cartoonist. He shares how his sense of humour was shaped by his father, and his approach to cartooning vs filmmaking, along with his love for writing drama. The episode concludes with a performance by The Adults, playing 'Nothing to Lose' from their debut album.