Deep conversations. Extraordinary people. Human stories. Frances Whiting is an award-winning journalist, best-selling author, and Australia's longest-running Sunday newspaper columnist. For more than 30 years, she has shared stories of heartache, triumph, love, and loss. Now, her new podcast from The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail takes you behind the scenes of her most candid interviews to reveal what it truly means to be human.
In this limited series, Frances Whiting's Humankind, she shares her favourite conversations with politicians, celebrities, performers, and everyday people with vital stories to tell. Listen in as Frances sits down with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, journalist Cheng Lei, Pub Choir’s Astrid Jorgensen, radio personality Robin Bailey, and a prominent Queensland police officer facing an unfathomable family tragedy.
This is a podcast that draws you in and makes you cry, laugh, and feel. These are deep conversations that will stay with you long after they end.
Hit follow to never miss an episode of Frances Whiting's Humankind.
Read Frances’s columns at couriermail.com.au/journalists/fran-whiting (http://couriermail.com.au/journalists/fran-whiting) and features at qweekend.com.au (http://qweekend.com.au/).
Bestselling author Matthew Reilly on the secret to becoming a writer
Bestselling author Matthew Reilly on King's Ransom and the secret to becoming a writer
5 Oct 2026
Ballet icon Li Cunxin on the lessons that shaped his extraordinary life
Mao's Last Dancer author Li Cunxin on his new book The Lucky Son
28 Sept 2026
Author Trent Dalton on the power of friendship - Live at the Brisbane Powerhouse
Bestselling author Trent Dalton turns the tables on Frances Whiting, interviewing her live onstage at the launch of her third novel, The Nocturnals (https://harpercollins.com.au/pages/nocturnals) at the Brisbane Powerhouse. In front of a sold-out crowd, the two old friends and former colleagues dive deep into the origins of the book, the power of friendship, the characters that haunt us, and the stories behind Frances's celebrated journalism career. From a Robert Redford look-alike sighting at Indooroopilly traffic lights to a $2 million philanthropic miracle, this is a warm, funny, and moving conversation between two of Australia's finest storytellers - introduced by their teenage daughters, and featuring an audience who came to do more than just listen.
This is a new limited series from The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail (https://www.couriermail.com.au/).
Read more (https://www.couriermail.com.au/journalists/fran-whiting)from Frances Whiting in QWeekend.
Frances Whiting's novel, The Nocturnals (https://harpercollins.com.au/pages/nocturnals), is out now as is Trent Dalton's latest novel Gravity let Me Go. (https://harpercollins.com.au/pages/trent-dalton)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
21 Sept 2026
Radio star Robin Bailey on the hardest truths she's had to face
Radio star Robin Bailey discusses her toughest times including her husband's suicide and the death of her new love
13 Sept 2026
Annastacia Palaszczuk on fertility and life after politics
In this episode of Frances Whiting's Humankind, former Queensland premier Anastacia Palaszczuk shares her devastating infertility struggle and why she really left the top job.
The former premier reveals how she stood up to bullying, political pressure and internal critics, including attacks on her childlesness. She's now determined to help the next generation and is encouraging other women not to settle for second best.
Annastacia Palaszczuk's book The Politics of Being Me (https://harpercollins.com.au/products/9781460767894) is available now.
Frances Whiting's Humankind is a new limited series from The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail (https://www.couriermail.com.au/).
Read more (https://www.couriermail.com.au/journalists/fran-whiting?eafs_enabled=false)from Frances Whiting.
Frances Whiting's new novel, The Nocturnals (https://harpercollins.com.au/pages/nocturnals), is out now.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
7 Sept 2026
Conservationist Terri Irwin on family, grief, love and growing older
n this heartwarming and inspiring episode of Humankind, Terri Irwin shares her remarkable life story, from her early days as a young woman in love with Australia to her current role as a renowned conservationist and mother of two.
31 Aug 2026
Officer Jacinta Pannowitz on duty, grief and losing her mother.
Former police officer Jacinta Pannowitz on responding to the fatal shooting of her own mother.
24 Aug 2026
Liane Moriarty on her new book Big Little Truths
Frances Whiting interviews Liane Moriarty on her new book Big Little Truths, the sequel to Big Little Lies
17 Aug 2026
Holly Ringland on her new novel The World Beneath Her Feet
Frances Whiting interviews author Holly Ringland on the release of her new novel The World Beneath Her Feet
10 Aug 2026
Journalist Cheng Lei on the power of the mind
Frances Whiting interviews journalist Cheng Lei about her time in a Chinese jail
3 Aug 2026
Pub Choir founder Astrid Jorgensen on becoming a global sensation
Frances Whiting interviews Pub Choir founder Astrid Jorgensen on her global success
27 Jul 2026
Robert Irwin on conservation, fame and staying grounded
Frances Whiting interviews conservationist and rising star Robert Irwin at Australia Zoo
13 Jul 2026
Introducing: Frances Whiting's Humankind
Deep conversations. Extraordinary people. Human stories.
Frances Whiting is an award-winning journalist who has spent more than 30 years telling stories of heartache, triumph, love, and loss. As Australia’s longest-running Sunday newspaper columnist and a best-selling author, Frances has built a unique, decades-long bond with her audience.
In her new limited series from The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail, Frances takes you behind the scenes of her most candid interviews to reveal unforgettable stories of what it means to be human. From household names to everyday people with extraordinary lives, these are deep conversations that will stay with you long after they end.
Hit follow to never miss an episode of Frances Whiting's Humankind.
Read Frances’s columns at couriermail.com.au/journalists/fran-whiting (http://couriermail.com.au/journalists/fran-whiting) and features at qweekend.com.au (http://qweekend.com.au/).
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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