Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin

Episode 17: Yotam Ottolenghi, Neil Ieremia and Bill Bryson

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:22:08 +0000

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, famed chef Yotam Ottolenghi talks finding the joy of cooking and talks his stage show coming to New Zealand in 2026.

We hear from Black Grace Dance Company founder Neil Ieremia as the group celebrates 30 years of stunning performances.

Plus Bill Bryson talks revisiting and revising his iconic book A Short History of Nearly Everything.

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.

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Episode 16: Trent Dalton, Melanie Lynskey and Ken Follett

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:20:49 +0000

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from multi award winning and delightful Australian author Trent Dalton on his latest book, Gravity Let Me Go. He also celebrated his theatre production coming to Auckland.

Francesca catches up with Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey. She's taking Hollywood by storm with a starring role in Yellowjackets but came home to star in the new Pike River film.

Plus we learn the art of writing historical novels from the iconic Ken Follett.

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.

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Episode 15: Timoti te Moke, Dr Rachel Clarke and Bret McKenzie

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:59:33 +0000

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.

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Episode 14: Helena Bonham Carter, Owain Mulligan and Margo Timmins

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:11:56 +0000

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from the iconic Helena Bonham Carter on her new movie Four Letters of Love and how she reflects on her storied career.

And Francesca speaks with Owain Mulligan who ended up serving in the Iraq War after joining the Territorial Army as an outlet. He's told his story in the book The Accidental Soldier.

Plus Canadian band Cowboy Junkies have been around for four decades and they're touring New Zealand in November. Lead singer Margo Timmins tells us the secret behind the band's longevity.

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.

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Episode 13: Celine Song, AA Dhand and Chris Parker

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:30:47 +0000

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from filmmaker Celine Song on her Hollywood hit, The Materialists starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans.

Author AA Dhand talks his latest thriller, The Chemist. Francesca asks how his experiences with abuse, violence and overdoses while running a late hour pharmacy in the UK informed his writing.

And one of our top comedians, Chris Parker is on a nationwide tour. So he joined Francesca in studio talk New Zealand's ever-growing comedy scene.

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.

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Episode 12: David Nicholls, Kailane Bradley and Kaylee Bell

Wed, 28 May 2025 17:14:43 +0000

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, the author and screenwriter of the novel, film and television series One Day, David Nicholls is back with a new best-selling novel. He joins Francesca to talk the his massively successful career.

Author Kailane Bradley was also on our shore for the Auckland Writer's Festival this month - and joined Francesca to talk her debut novel, The Ministry of Time.

And Kiwi's own country music star Kaylee Bell stops by to give an exclusive performance and to chat getting recognition around the world.

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.

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Episode 11: Rebecca Gibney, Richard Roxburgh and Peter Gresta and Amanda Knox

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:10:10 +0000

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.

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Episode 10: Ben Elton, Jojo Moyes and Finn Andrews

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:31:50 +0000

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.

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Episode 9: David McCloskey, Morgana O'Reilly and Jake Bailey

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:12:34 +0000

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.

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Episode 8: Chelsea Handler, Gemma Arterton, Abraham Verghese

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:14:41 +0000

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.

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Episode 7: Richard Osman, Mea Motu and Miriam Margoyles

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 20:13:19 +0000

In this episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, British comedian and author Richard Osman talks starting a new novel series and his take on the comedy scene.

Boxer Mea Motu 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 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.

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Episode 6: Marian Keyes, Trent Dalton, Diane Kruger

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:15:56 +0000

In the sixth episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, one of Ireland's bestselling authors Marian Keyes talks Francesca through her 16th novel and why people crave love stories.

And Australian author Trent Dalton visited New Zealand for the Auckland Writers Festival - and popped in to studio for an interview.

Hollywood star Diane Kruger 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.

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Episode 5: Hugh Bonneville, Madelaine Sami and Nagi Maehashi

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 20:13:37 +0000

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.

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Episode 4: David Walliams, Dame Susan Devoy and Elijah Wood

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 20:12:56 +0000

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.

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Episode 3: Eric Idle, Jamie Pennell and Lisa Blair

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:08:33 +0000

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, Eric Idle 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.

And Australian sailor and world record holder Lisa Blair 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.

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Episode 2: Robbie Williams, Andrew Fagan and Maureen Callahan

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 20:13:40 +0000

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.

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Episode 1: Rick Astley, Bree Tomasel and Matty Matheson

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 20:19:27 +0000

In the first episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, Canadian music superstar Rick Astley 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 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.

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.

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Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin - Coming Soon!

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:54:24 +0000

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.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.