Talk Talk - Series Four

Episode One - Michael Laws, Opensouls 
Setting off for season two, presenter Finlay Macdonald is joined by Michael Laws, who discusses his time as a talkback radio presenter, mayor of Whanganui, member of parliament and father. Then the band Opensouls perform the title song from their 2009 album Standing in the Rain.

Episode Two - Charlotte Grimshaw, The Bellbirds
Author Charlotte Grimshaw sits down with Finlay Macdonald to discuss her novel, The Night Book, and reflecting contemporary New Zealand in her writing. A decade before her memoir The Mirror Book , she shares insights into her author father CK Stead’s influence on her as she grew up. Then band The Bellbirds perform their song 'Close Your Eyes'.

Episode Three - Richard Faull, Stephen De Pledge
Finlay Macdonald is joined by Professor Richard Faull, a world-renowned brain expert. Amongst the wide-ranging chat, Faull discusses the big philosophical questions his work tries to answer, and how his childhood helped shape his values. Pianist Stephen De Pledge then performs an aria from Bach — selected by Faull —before the musician and neuroscientist chat.  

Episode Four - Elizabeth Hanan, Lisa Chung
Talk Talk is joined by another scientist in the studio, Elizabeth Hanan, DNZM. Hanan discusses her passion for science communication, changes in how science is taught, her founding of the the Dunedin International Science Festival, and forays into playground safety. The civilised chat is punctuated by Lisa Chung performing Tchaikovsky's Nocturne on the cello.

Episode Five - James Belich, Hammond Gamble
Finlay Macdonald's guest is historian James Belich, who came to national attention as presenter of award-winning TV series The New Zealand Wars. Belich discusses his latest book The Replenishing Earth, and reveals how working on 1970s historical TV drama The Governor gave him a passion for Aotearoa's history. Belich's musical pick is bluesman Hammond Gamble, who performs 'It's Been Too Long'. 

Episode Six - Roger Shepherd, Die! Die! Die!
The founder of iconic music label Flying Nun takes the guest chair. Roger Shepherd recalls his formative job in a Christchurch record store and his naivety in starting up Flying Nun in 1981. Macdonald discovers Shepherd's musical tastes and delves into why Shepherd chose to buy back his old company. Post punks Die! Die! Die! perform a blistering version of debut single 'How Ye', and vocalist Andrew Wilson joins Macdonald and Shepherd for a quick chat. 

Episode Seven - Catherine Healey, The Midnights
Finlay Macdonald's guest is Catherine Healey, founder of the NZ Prostitutes' Collective (now known as the Aotearoa NZ Sex Workers' Collective). Healey describes her 1970s childhood and her entry into the sex industry in 1986 as a naive receptionist. Healey's advocacy work has taken her all over the globe, and Macdonald is interested to hear her take on the perception of sex work versus the realities. Healey's musical choice is Auckland reggae group The Midnights performing 'Outside Looking In'.

Episode Eight - Nándor Tánczos, Steve Abel
Former Green MP Nándor Tánczos is the guest in this episode. Finlay Macdonald asks Tánczos about life after Parliament and how he marked the move by shedding his trademark dreadlocks. Tánczos explores his Hungarian and South African heritage, his Rastafarian faith, and his opinion that "real change" can only occur from within and without the system. Tánczos's friend, musician Steve Abel and his band The Chrysalids perform the track 'Dance', before he joins in for the final chat.

Episode Nine - Bob Jones, Jade String Quartet
Investor, author and former politician Bob Jones sits down to discuss his latest book Fighting Talk: Boxing and the Modern Lexicon. He reflects on the evolving culture of the corporate world, how a long hospital stay in his twenties shaped him, and the time he wrote a horoscope column. To close, the Jade String Quartet performs a selection from German composer Louis Spohr’s String Quartet in E-flat major, Opus 58.

Episode Ten - Dave Dobbyn
Legendary songwriter Dave Dobbyn joins Finlay Macdonald to talk about life stages and his rock'n'roll past. Dobbyn discusses how life is rolling out in his "middle years" and how he doesn't miss bad old habits like cigarettes and alcohol. Dobbyn touches on the craft of songwriting, and how his Irish Catholic childhood provided early musical inspiration. He also performs his tune 'In This Town' with his band. 

Episode 11 - Bob Parker, Ariana Tikao
Presenter turned Christchurch mayor Bob Parker joins Finlay Macdonald to reflect on interviewing famous Kiwis for TV show This Is Your Life, and how he first stumbled into broadcasting. He talks about making the shift from television into politics with his mayoral campaign. The episode closes with a performance by Christchurch musician Ariana Tikao, who plays her song 'Something To Give'.

Episode 12 - Kevin Roberts, Artisan Guns
Finaly Macdonald is joined by International marketing executive Kevin Roberts. Born in Lancaster, England, Roberts recounts his early days working for designer Mary Quant before heading abroad. He shares lessons learned at Procter & Gamble, Lion Nathan, and Saatchi & Saatchi, and contemplates a post-brand era. To round out the episode, Auckland band Artisan Guns perform their track 'Autumn'.

Episode 13 - Ray McVinnie plus Justine Cormack, Ashley Brown & James Tibbles
Chef, food writer, and MasterChef NZ judge Ray McVinnie sits down with Finlay Macdonald to discuss the rise of the celebrity chef. McVinnie shares thoughts on what makes a truly good cook, lecturing in gastronomy at Auckland University, and his ongoing advocacy for a healthier national food culture. The episode closes with a performance from violinist Justine Cormack, cellist Ashley Brown and harpsichordist James Tibbles of the first movement from Bach’s Violin Concerto in A Minor.

Episode 14 - Silvia Cartwright, Emma Sloman
Former Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, reflects on her time as an international judge at the Cambodia war crimes tribunal and riding motorbikes through capital Phnom Penh. She shares how a book on Roman law sparked her interest in the legal world, leading to a career as a lawyer and later a Family Court judge. The episode ends with Emma Sloman of NZ Opera performing 'One Fine Day' from Madame Butterfly.

Episode 15 - Charles Chauvel, Shona Laing
Lawyer and Labour MP Charles Chauvel joins Finlay Macdonald to reflect on his political journey and public life. He traces his path from a politically curious teen to law school, and eventually into Parliament in search of meaningful work and lasting impact. Chauvel also reflects on growing up of mixed heritage and being openly gay in politics. The episode ends with a performance by Shona Laing, singing 'Hey', from her 1992 album New on Earth.