Get the very best from Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin as she brings you the top interviews from her chats from The Sunday Session.
Hear from the big names globally as well as those making headlines right here in New Zealand.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin is the home of in depth, enlightening and entertaining conversations.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode 17: Yotam Ottolenghi, Neil Ieremia and Bill Bryson
Francesca Rudkin interviews chef Yotam Ottolenghi about the joy of cooking, Neil Ieremia discusses Black Grace Dance Company's 30th anniversary, and Bill Bryson revisits his book, A Short History of Nearly Everything.
29 Oct 2025
Episode 16: Trent Dalton, Melanie Lynskey and Ken Follett
Trent Dalton discusses his latest book and theatre production, Melanie Lynskey shares her experiences in Hollywood and a new film, and Ken Follett reveals the art of writing historical novels in an interview with Francesca Rudkin.
27 Aug 2025
Episode 15: Timoti te Moke, Dr Rachel Clarke and Bret McKenzie
In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear the heart-wrenching but uplifting story of Timoti te Moke - who turned his life around and is now a doctor and role model to so many.
And Francesca speaks with Dr Rachel Clarke about the fascinating world of organ donation - and the case that sparked interest around the world.
Plus we all know Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords fame. But he's gone on to produce music for Hollywood blockbusters and he talks with Francesca about his new album Freak Out City.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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30 Jul 2025
Episode 14: Helena Bonham Carter, Owain Mulligan and Margo Timmins
Helena Bonham Carter discusses her new movie and reflects on her career, Owain Mulligan shares his experience in the Iraq War, and Margo Timmins reveals the secret to her band's longevity in this interview episode.
26 Jun 2025
Episode 13: Celine Song, AA Dhand and Chris Parker
Francesca Rudkin interviews filmmaker Celine Song about her movie, AA Dhand discusses how pharmacy experiences shape his thrillers, and Chris Parker analyzes New Zealand's comedy scene in this episode.
28 May 2025
Episode 12: David Nicholls, Kailane Bradley and Kaylee Bell
Francesca Rudkin interviews author David Nicholls about his successful career, Kailane Bradley discusses her debut novel, and Kaylee Bell shares her journey to international recognition in this episode.
24 Apr 2025
Episode 11: Rebecca Gibney, Richard Roxburgh and Peter Gresta and Amanda Knox
In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, actress Rebecca Gibney opens up about her newest TV project and the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.
Richard Roxburgh and journalist Peter Gresta joined Francesca to discuss their new movie The Correspondent - where Roxburgh portrays Gresta's 2013 arrest in Egypt.
And Amanda Knox tells her story of being wrongly convicted of murdering her flatmate in Italy in 2007 and surviving 4 years in prison in her new book Flee.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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26 Mar 2025
Episode 10: Ben Elton, Jojo Moyes and Finn Andrews
In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, famed UK comedian and writer joined Francesca Rudkin in studio to talk his New Zealand tour and offer some big opinions on the state of the world.
Francesca also catches up with worldwide writing sensation Jojo Moyes who has just released her latest novel, We All Live Here.
And New Zealand's own and The Veils frontman Finn Andrews came in to celebrate the band's latest album and give a special performance.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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26 Feb 2025
Episode 9: David McCloskey, Morgana O'Reilly and Jake Bailey
In the first 2025 edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, former CIA analyst turned thriller writer David McCloskey talks his third book and how he captures CIA life.
New Zealand's own Morgana O'Reilly is a cast member on The White Lotus and tells Francesca what it was like on set and what audiences should expect from the hit show's third season.
And Jake Bailey captured the nation's attention when he was at high school with a cancer diagnosis. He's beaten the disease and has become a speaker on the international scene and talked his new book.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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16 Jan 2025
Episode 8: Chelsea Handler, Gemma Arterton, Abraham Verghese
On the final episode of the summer edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from author, podcaster and former late night talk show host Chelsea Handler joined the show before her tour to New Zealand.
Gemma Arterton, of Quantum of Solace and The King's Man fame, talked her latest movie, The Critic.
And award winning author Abraham Verghese spoke to Francesca before his appearance at the Auckland Writers Festival.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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12 Jan 2025
Episode 7: Richard Osman, Mea Motu and Miriam Margoyles
In this episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, British comedian and author Richard Osman (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/richard-osman-author-and-television-presenter-on-new-crime-novel-we-solve-murders/) talks starting a new novel series and his take on the comedy scene.
Boxer Mea Motu (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mea-motu-kiwi-boxer-ahead-of-her-october-fight-against-ellie-scotney/) had a massive 2024 - so she joined Francesca to chat her year and what is driving her to succeed.
And the ever delightful and surprising Miriam Margoyles (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/miriam-margolyes-actress-and-comedian-ahead-of-her-upcoming-live-show-oh-miriam/) toured New Zealand in early 2024 - and she had a delightful chat with Francesca.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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9 Jan 2025
Episode 6: Marian Keyes, Trent Dalton, Diane Kruger
In the sixth episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, one of Ireland's bestselling authors Marian Keyes (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/marian-keyes-irish-author-on-her-new-book-my-favourite-mistake/) talks Francesca through her 16th novel and why people crave love stories.
And Australian author Trent Dalton (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/trent-dalton-australian-author-on-his-latest-book-lola-in-the-mirror/) visited New Zealand for the Auckland Writers Festival - and popped in to studio for an interview.
Hollywood star Diane Kruger (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/diane-kruger-actress-on-her-newest-role-in-kiwi-directed-film-joika/) starred in Kiwi film Joika - and joined Francesca for a chat.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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5 Jan 2025
Episode 5: Hugh Bonneville, Madelaine Sami and Nagi Maehashi
In this episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, British acting royalty Hugh Bonneville talks the latest Paddington film and his memories of Dame Maggie Smith.
Then we hear from New Zealand's own Madeline Sami - who had a massive 2024 with the second season of her show Double Parked.
And we get cooking inspiration from one of Australia's most loved cooks, Nagi Maehashi.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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2 Jan 2025
Episode 4: David Walliams, Dame Susan Devoy and Elijah Wood
In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, comedy and children's author legend David Walliams joins the podcast to talk his career.
World squash champion, former Race Relations Commissioner and reality TV star Dame Susan Devoy released her memoir this year and joined Francesca.
Plus we all know Elijah Wood from the Lord of the Rings trilogy - but he was back on Kiwi screens with the movie Bookworm. So he chatted to Francesca about the movie and his love of New Zealand.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
29 Dec 2024
Episode 3: Eric Idle, Jamie Pennell and Lisa Blair
In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, Eric Idle (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/eric-idle-comedian-and-monty-python-founding-member-ahead-of-his-always-look-on-the-bright-side-of-life-tour/) talks his decades long career and what keeps him going in the comedy world.
We get in an insight into the life of the SAS with ex-commander Jamie Pennell (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jamie-pennell-former-nzsas-commander-on-his-new-tell-all-memoir-serviceman-j/).
And Australian sailor and world record holder Lisa Blair (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/lisa-blair-australian-solo-sailor-on-the-sailing-trip-around-antarctica-that-inspired-the-documentary-ice-maiden/) talks her journey around Antarctica and the documentary that followed.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
26 Dec 2024
Episode 2: Robbie Williams, Andrew Fagan and Maureen Callahan
In this episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, global megastar Robbie Williams talks his storied music career, his controversies, and why he chose now to make a biopic. Better Man is in theatres now!
Then we hear from extreme adventurer, Andrew Fagan. He joined Francesca to talk his attempt to set the record for the smallest boat to sail around the world solo.
And Maureen Callahan wrote one of the most contentious books of the year all about the famous Kennedy family. She talks through her theories around the family.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
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22 Dec 2024
Episode 1: Rick Astley, Bree Tomasel and Matty Matheson
In the first episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, Canadian music superstar Rick Astley (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/rick-astley-famed-uk-singer-talks-about-the-dangers-and-boredom-that-come-with-stardom/) talks his life, the dangers of fame and the memoir he released this year.
Then we hear from Celebrity Treasure Island and ZM host Bree Tomasel (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/bree-tomasel-zm-host-unpacks-media-career-and-personal-struggles-in-new-memoir/) about her upbringing and coming to the New Zealand radio market as an Australian.
And TV show The Bear is one of the most critically acclaimed shows of recent years. Francesca caught up one of the show's stars, Matty Matheson (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/matty-matheson-celebrity-chef-and-actor-talks-new-role-in-the-bear-and-new-cookbook/).
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
11 Dec 2024
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin - Coming Soon!
Get the very best from Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin as she brings you the top interviews from her chats from The Sunday Session.
Hear from the big names globally as well as those making headlines right here in New Zealand.
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin is the home of in depth, enlightening and entertaining conversations.
From December 23rd - get the best interviews from the programme from 2024. Episodes will be published every Monday and Friday over the holiday season.
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Who has been a guest on Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Yotam Ottolenghi
Neil Ieremia
Bill Bryson
Trent Dalton
Melanie Lynskey
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
7,631,690
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
49
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
0
Contact Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin
Guest appearances
Books guests
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