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Karl Stefanovic discusses acting debut alongside Sean Penn

They say "go big or go home," and Karl Stefanovic wasted no time in going big, boldly venturing into acting alongside Hollywood legend Sean Penn in Stan's latest original series, C*A*U*G*H*T . In an interview with 9Entertainment the on the blue carpet premiere at the Sydney Opera House, the Today show host shared how he landed the role, and what it was like to film with a legend. "I'm in it!" he boasted. "It's amazing, when Kick [creator, producer, director and star] asked me to come on I thought it was a joke – that's how crazy it is. "It was so fun to see his vision brought to life and be part of that process." Stefanovic also shared how his first day of acting went. "I was in my first scene, and Sean Penn walked out and stood right next to the camera. Sean Penn, my first acting scene ever," he gushed. "I actually stopped during my line, and I just said, 'Oh my God... Sean Penn!'" Stefanovic laughed as he recalled how the Hollywood legend looked at him, shook his head and jokingly walked away. The series itself is directed and produced by Australian writer Kick Gurry, who is known for his role as Griff in Edge of Tomorrow. The show is a comedy about four Australian soldiers who get mistaken for Americans in a war-town country and are captured by freedom fighters. The freedom fighters then made a hostage video, which goes viral, and the soldiers rise up to fame. The show features a star-studded cast including Matthew Fox, Susan Sarandon, Bryan Brown and more. Images: Getty/ Mike Marsland/WireImage

Jelena Dokic's candid discussion about mental health

Jelena Dokic has opened up about her struggled with mental health issues, being diagnosed with an eating disorder, and the trauma that came with being a young tennis champion. The 40-year-old spoke candidly with <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/jelena-dokic-new-book-fearless-mental-health-recovery-diagnosis/83b5c0b9-4e64-40a9-b3b7-da438485f24f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a> ahead of the release of her tell-all book Fearless: Finding the Power to Thrive, which hits the shelves on September 12th. In Jelena's first book Unbreakable, she documented the abuse she endured at the hands of her father and tennis coach Damir Dokic. After the release of Unbreakable, Jelena found strength from other women who came forward to share their stories of abuse. "It's changed my life," she told 9Honey. "I say that the day that Unbreakable came out was the best day of my life. It was the beginning of healing for me and basically finding happiness." She shared how her cultural background of being born in Croatia, combined with the secrecy of her career, meant she couldn't speak out about her abuse. "I was taught to be silent, to never say a word, to not speak up and to never talk about those things that go on behind closed doors. "And if you look at a lot of things in this world like abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, mental health, the power of those things is the silence, and that's how the abusers and the perpetrators control the situation." She went on to cite the MeToo movement, and stories of survival from Grace Tame and Simone Biles as reasons to come forward with her own story. "Everything changed once those amazing women spoke up," she says. Since going public with her story of struggling with mental health issues as a result of her abuse, Jelena has been subject to a slew of online hate. As a result of the onslaught and lasting trauma, the former tennis champion was diagnosed with bing-eating disorder, or BED. "I didn't even know originally that I had it," Dokic explains. She says she thought her disordered eating behaviours were "kind of normal" particularly on the professional sports circuit. "It wasn't really until the last couple years where I was dealing with actual trauma from the past and going through a lot of these things where I've discovered 'OK, I've got an eating disorder,'" Dokic says. After losing and regaining 50kgs in the past few years, and being the target of relentless online body shaming, Jelena wanted to speak out about body positivity and those who target different body types. "That's why I wanted to talk about it because again, I think that for a lot of people, it will resonate with them and I think that we need that representation," she said. "It doesn't matter because that should not be that main topic, do you know what I mean? "My kindness and who I am at my core, my IQ, my important values. Not my measurements." Through dealing with lasting trauma, an eating disorder, and a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD), all while being in the limelight, Jelena said it is important to be open and honest about your struggles, and not paint the picture of perfectionism. She has learned that being strong "has nothing to do with putting on this perfect front". "There's actually so much strength in being vulnerable," Dokic shares. "That actually takes courage and strength, being vulnerable and being honest and raw and open about everything, especially about your tough moments." "I am very proud of myself where I am now," she says. "And the biggest thing I'm proud of is the fact that there is absolutely no hate, bitterness or frustration from me going towards anyone or anything in life. "I have embraced all the difficult and tough times and just tried to make a positive impact. And I am, yeah, I'm very proud of that." Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Gastro or endometriosis? How your GP discusses uncertainty can harm your health

You wake with stomach pain that worsens during the day and decide to see your doctor. You describe your symptoms and your doctor examines you. Then the doctor says, “From what I hear, I think you could just have a stomach bug. Rest and come back in three days.” This might be a less definitive answer than you’re after. But doctors can’t always be sure of a diagnosis straight away. As <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-022-07768-y">my review</a> shows, doctors use various ways of communicating such uncertainty. Sometimes there is a mismatch between what doctors say when they’re uncertain and how patients interpret what they say, which can have harmful consequences. <h2>Why does uncertainty matter?</h2> Doctors <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-017-4164-1">cannot always explain</a> what your health problem is or what caused it. Such diagnostic uncertainty is a normal and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.2141">ever-present part</a> of the processes leading to a diagnosis. For instance, doctors often have to rule out other possible diagnoses before settling on one that’s most likely. While doctors ultimately get the diagnosis right <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2012-001615">in 85-90%</a> of cases, diagnostic uncertainty can lead to diagnostic delays and is a huge contributor to harmful or even deadly misdiagnoses. Every year, <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/system/files/issues/213_07/mja250771.pdf">an estimated</a> 21,000 people are seriously harmed and 2,000-4,000 people die in Australia because their diagnosis was delayed, missed or wrong. That could be because the wrong treatment was provided and caused harm, or the right treatment was not started or given after the condition had already considerably progressed. More than <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/system/files/issues/213_07/mja250771.pdf">80% of diagnostic errors</a> could have been prevented. Three medical conditions – infections, cancer and major vascular events (such as strokes or heart attacks) – are the so-called “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1515/dx-2019-0019">Big Three</a>” and cause devastating harm if misdiagnosed. In my review, the top three symptoms – fever, chest pain and abdominal pain – were most often linked to diagnostic uncertainty. In other words, most of us will have had at least one of these very common symptoms and thus been at risk of uncertainty and misdiagnosis. Some groups are less likely to be diagnosed correctly or without inappropriate delay than others, leading to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.7252">diagnostic inequities</a>. This may be the case for <a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/whr.2022.0052">women</a>, and other groups marginalised because of their <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acem.14142">race or ethnicity</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113609">sexual orientation or gender identity</a>, or <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.7252">language proficiency</a>. <h2>How often do you hear ‘I don’t know’?</h2> My research showed doctors often make diagnostic uncertainty clear to patients by using explicit phrases such as: “I don’t know.” But doctors can also keep quiet about any uncertainty or signal they’re uncertain in more subtle ways. When doctors believe patients prefer clear answers, they may only share the most likely diagnosis. They say: “It’s a stomach bug” but leave out, “it could also be constipation, appendicitis or endometriosis”. Patients leave thinking the doctor is confident about the (potentially correct or incorrect) diagnosis, and remain uninformed about possible other causes. This can be especially frustrating for patients with chronic symptoms, where such knowledge gaps can lead to lengthy diagnostic delays, as reported for <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2018.12.039">endometriosis</a>. Subtle ways of communicating uncertainty include hedging with certain words (could, maybe) or using introductory phrases (my guess, I think). Other implicit ways are consulting a colleague or the Internet, or making follow-up appointments. If patients hear “I think this could be a stomach bug” they may think there’s some uncertainty. But when they hear “come back in three days” the uncertainty may not be so obvious. Sharing uncertainty implicitly (rather than more directly), can leave patients unaware of new symptoms signalling a dangerous change in their condition. <h2>What can you do about it?</h2> 1. Ask about uncertainty Ask your doctor to share any <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/dx-2021-0086">uncertainty and other diagnostic reasoning</a>. Ask about alternative diagnoses they’re considering. If you’re armed with such knowledge, you can better engage in your care, for example asking for a review when your symptoms worsen. 2. Manage expectations together Making a diagnosis can be an evolving process rather than a single event. So ask your doctor to outline the diagnostic process to help manage any <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebm.14.3.66">mismatched expectations</a> about how long it might take, or what might be involved, to reach a diagnosis. Some conditions need time for symptoms to evolve, or further tests to exclude or confirm. 3. Book a long appointment When we feel sick, we might get anxious or find we experience heightened levels of fear and other emotions. When we hear our doctor isn’t certain about what’s causing our symptoms, we may get even more anxious or fearful. In these cases, it can take time to discuss uncertainty and to learn about our options. So book a long appointment to give your doctor enough time to explain and for you to ask questions. If you feel you’d like some support, you can ask a close friend or family member to attend the appointment with you and to take notes for you. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/gastro-or-endometriosis-how-your-gp-discusses-uncertainty-can-harm-your-health-196943" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Caring

Ray Martin discusses interviewing “arrogant” senior royal

Veteran journalist Ray Martin has interviewed many high profile figures over his stellar career in the media. Some of his most noteworthy conversations have been with members of the royal family, including the late Princess Diana, and another senior royal that Martin said confirmed his “worst suspicions” about the institution. Speaking with news.com.au’s<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ray-martin-names-arrogant-royal/id1593788055?i=1000602980406" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> I’ve Got News for You</a> podcast, he shared the details of his 1981 interview with the late Prince Philip, who he recalled as being “arrogant”. The interview took place when Martin was a reporter for 60 Minutes, as he was offered a rare sit-down with the late Duke of Edinburgh, about his role as the international president of the World Wildlife Fund. Unsurprisingly, it was a tightly-controlled environment on board the royal ship Britannia, where the interview took place. “It was strictly about World Wildlife, we couldn’t talk about anything else,” Martin told the podcast. “I didn’t like Prince Philip – he was quite priggish and arrogant, and that confirmed all my worst suspicions of the royals.” Despite his unpleasant memories of the late royal, he said he felt completely differently about King Charles, who he first interviewed in 1994 amid a growing Republican movement, describing him as “very pleasant, very comfortable”. “(He was) a little shy, and went out of his way to be nice and polite to our team … He certainly made it easy for all of us, and I went away thinking, ‘You’re not a bad bloke’.” Ray went on to say although no topics were officially off limits, he chose not to pry about personal issues with the now King. “Of course, I was tempted,” Martin admitted. “I don’t remember them saying he wouldn’t talk about (Princess Diana), but protocol was that he was prepared to talk about the Republic and other issues like that, so that was it.” After their interview concluded, Ray took a chance and asked the royal if he wanted to join the crew for a drink, given the warm Brisbane weather. “It was a really hot Queensland day, and I said, ‘we’re going down to the Gold Coast for a swim and a beer, would you like to join us?’” he revealed. “And he laughed and said, ‘I would like to join you, but I’ve got to give a bloody speech in Auckland... but I’d much prefer to go to the Gold Coast and have a beer.’ So it was kind of funny. I think he enjoyed the day, and we enjoyed it.” Image credits: Getty Images

Frequent flyer discusses the biggest sins of travelling

A frequent traveller has shared what she believes are the biggest sins of travelling. Posting a series of videos on TikTok, frequent flyer and travel influencer Tinx bluntly exposed the “worst things” people can do in airports and on planes. The 32-year-old regularly flies between London and New York to visit family, and understands that having to deal with the annoying behaviours of fellow passengers is not an easy task. Now Tinx, whose real name is Christina Najjar, has voiced her frustrations with her followers, revealing the “worst” behaviours that make for “awful travellers”, while urging anyone who is guilty of such sins to “take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror before you travel again.” While there are many things travellers can do that annoy their fellow holiday-goers, Tinx said being “unprepared” is the worst travel sin of all. “Let's begin with people that are unprepared at the front of the security line. It's a security line, you know what's coming, and yet there are still people who are fumbling around with their laptop like a child who forgot their homework.” "'Do I have to take off my jacket?’ Yes, spoiler alert, you always have to take off your jacket. Please keep the theatrical water chugging to the Uber,” she joked. Next up, Tinx trashed the “gate crowders” for their lack of awareness. “Next, let's discuss the gate crowders, they haven't even put up our flight on the little digital board and you're crowding around the gate like it's the stampede from The Lion King, grinding your foot into the ground like you're about to run with the bulls,” she said. “Aside from the fact that you're in group five, I got to tell you buddy, we're all going to the same place, we're all getting on the same plane.” Lastly, the influencer explained her anger at the other passengers who are “a**holes” when it comes to the overhead bins. “It always baffles me with the bins because it's very simple, just don't be an a**hole.” “Put your overstuffed away suitcase and your ugly little personal item in the seat in front of you,” she said. Many of Tinx’s viewers agreed with her travel qualms, with the comments being flooded with additional faux pas that get under the skin of frequent flyers. One user said, “How about those who as soon as the plane is stopped and the seatbelt sign is off they rush to the front of the plane.” Another commented, “What about the people that go back and forth in the aisle trying to choose a seat that suits their preference while other people are boarding?” Image credits: TikTok

Travel Tips

Julie Bishop discusses the power of fashion in a male-dominated government

After a long career in law and politics, Julie Bishop is no stranger to being a woman in a male-dominated workplace. Throughout her time in parliament, Julie was told by "an older white male" within her party to dress more like a Minister for Aging should, to "drop the corporate look" in favour of "cardigans", and was mockingly dubbed the Minister for Fashion while Foreign Minister. "I had forged a career in law at a time when there were very few women in senior ranks and so I was accustomed to being in a very male dominated profession, so I didn't ever see my career through a gender lens," Bishop tells <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/julie-bishop-interview-breaking-barriers-australian-fashion-diplomacy-politics-of-dress-exclusive/cfb790bf-e447-48d3-bb73-a1a22c6c531d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a> in London. "It was the norm to me, but over time, I did find the different standard, somewhat frustrating, but I knew why that happened because all the conventions and protocols and attitudes in parliament were established at a time when there were no women in parliament and it takes a long time to change people's attitudes." As Julie forged her own way through the walls of Parliament House and demanded respect from her male colleagues, she found a way to harness her love of fashion to make a political statement. Following in the footsteps of Madeleine Albright, the first female US Secretary of State – a woman Bishop says she "admired enormously" – she tried her hand at "brooch diplomacy" for a while "but I found that the use of colour was even more powerful". Bishop began to help drive the fashion industry contributing approximately $13 billion to the Australian economy at the time, with the invaluable help of Vogue Australia editor Edwina McCann. "I have come to accept that there are different standards applied to female politicians as opposed to male politicians but I use that, I think, to the advantage of Australia," she tells 9Honey. "I was representing Australia overseas. So I deliberately chose Australian fashions that were notable and appropriate to send a message that necessarily meant that there would be media focus on my clothes, so I could hardly complain about it. "But there were times when my promotion of Australian fashion was the subject of criticism. I believe that came about because of ignorance." "My critics ridiculed me by calling me the Minister for Fashion [but] little did they realise that I absolutely revelled in that and wore it as a badge of honour." "I felt vindicated every time a young designer said to me, 'Julie, when you wear one of my outfits on the world stage, I've made it. Suddenly the orders come in. Suddenly, people want to know me.' That was my vindication." Image credits: 9Honey

Beauty & Style

Steve Martin discusses his love for Indigenous Australian art

Comedian and actor Steve Martin has long been an avid art lover and collector. After making onto ARTnews Top 200 Collectors list several times in the 1990s, he has recently turned his attention to Indigenous Australian art and its deep cultural history. With his wife Anne Stringfield, he’s bought works by Indigenous artists such as Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Timo Hogan, Carlene West, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, and Doreen Reid Nakamarra, among many others. His love for these works began almost 10 years ago, as he shared with <a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/actor-steve-martin-on-the-joys-and-the-difficulties-of-collecting-contemporary-indigenous-australian-art-1234644806/">ARTnews</a>. He said, “It all started with one picture by this artist, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri. I just really liked it, bought it, and hung it in our house for several years. I really didn’t know that there was a whole big funnel going back this way of its history.” “I hadn’t really seen anything like this before. And they were available, which is an aspect of the art world now that is the opposite—most things are unavailable. And I loved them. I thought they were great.” He said his collection, which includes over a hundred works, is “hard to improve” when dealing with art pieces that are increasingly rare. Some of the works he owns have been displayed in non-selling shows at Gagosian locations in New York and Beverly Hills, California, with Steve saying he “loves just getting these pictures seen” by like-minded art fans. Image credits: Getty Images

Art

"A lot of distress": Rebel Wilson discusses being "outed" by media outlet

Rebel Wilson has opened up about her "pain" and distress" over being outed by a Sydney Morning Herald reporter. The publication was condemned by the Australian Press Council for “outing” her relationship with girlfriend Ramona Agruma, prompting Rebel to break her silence on the ordeal. The actress slammed the “grubby” behaviour of the journalist in question, sharing the “pain” of having to announce her new relationship prematurely. The 42-year-old announced her relationship with the American fashion designer Agruma in June, one month after publicly revealing she was “happily in a relationship”. After making the announcement, Sydney Morning Herald gossip columnist Andrew Hornery called out the actress who “opted to gazump the story”. Horney claimed he contacted the actress and gave her two days to comment before he would out her and publish a story on her same-sex relationship. The Sydney Morning Herald have since removed the article, calling it a "big mistake" to publish the article. Wilson stayed silent until the Australian Press Council condemned the publication, stating that the article was “likely to cause substantial offence and distress”. “Just seeing the news that the Australian Press Council has condemned the Sydney Morning Herald and their journalists for their recent grubby behaviour in trying to out my same-sex relationship,” Wilson began in an Instagram post. “And while I didn’t personally ask for any action to be taken I am glad that this has been officially recorded and recognised.” “Their actions did cause Ramona and I a lot of distress and while we’ve remained classy, there are still pains from having to rush this news publicly which we are dealing with,” she continued. “We move on, focusing on all the absolutely amazing new things in our life though! Sending love to everyone 💗 #loveislove,” her post ended. The ruling from the Australian Press Council deemed that the publication had breached the council’s principles. “The tenor of the publication’s communications with Ms Wilson concerning a deeply personal matter, and the associated commentary on a matter which had no apparent connection to her public activities, intruded on her reasonable expectations of privacy,” a statement said, published on the Herald’s website. Image credits: Getty Images

Relationships

Daniel Johns discusses Silverchair shooting tragedy

In 1995, a 16-year-old boy in the state of Washington, aided by his friend, opened fire and killed both his parents and brother. When the shooter was apprehended, they were allegedly playing Silverchair’s Israel’s Son, which was released the same year and boasts controversial and hateful lyrics. Now, 27 years on, Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns has opened up about the tragedy. “It’s pretty devastating to write a song when you’re a teenager and then have lives taken because apparently it influenced the people to murder someone — that’s too much,” Johns told American radio personality Megan Holiday on In The Mind of Daniel Johns docuseries. An in-depth report on the murders published by Spin magazine in their September 1996 issue cited evidence that the shooter pulled a blood-spattered cassette out of his father’s hand, shrieking “That’s my f***ing tape!” It was Silverchair’s debut album Frogstomp. The shooter’s friend alleged that he put the tape in the stereo and rewound it to the track Israel’s Son. The witness’s version of events, which unfolded at his trial in January 1996, had his friend kicking the deceased bodies of his parents as the song played. The shooter’s lawyer Tom Copland would cite the lyrics of Israel's Son at an evidentiary hearing: “Hate is what I feel for you/I want you to know that I want you dead’. They petitioned the court to be allowed to play the song in his opening statement, as he claimed the song’s lyrics were “almost a script” for the killings. Johns, who was just 16 at the time, said he internalised his trauma after hearing the horrific news. “It affected me, but I had to act like it didn’t,” he said. “I couldn’t acknowledge it, I guess that was part of the patterns.” The Aussie rocker said he didn’t want fans to look to him for meanings or “guidance”. “I don’t like that people look to me for guidance in the songs. I don’t like it,” he said. Image credits: Getty Images

Music

Prince Harry discusses his mental health journey in candid interview

Prince Harry has shared a rare insight into his mental health journey in a candid interview. The interview, which has been published on YouTube for Silicon Valley tech start-up BetterUp, shows the Duke of Sussex taking on the role of interviewer as he declared "we all have greatness within us". "Mental fitness helps us unlock it. It's an ongoing practice, one where you approach your mind as something to flex, not fix," Prince Harry said. Harry joined BetterUp in March last year as its chief impact officer, in what is believed to be one of the duke's first paying roles in his new life of "financial freedom" away from the royal family. "Throughout the years of travelling around the world, what I saw was the similarities of experiences of trauma, of loss, of grief, of being human," Prince Harry said in the clip. "That building up of resilience is absolutely critical." Prince Harry spoke with Olympic gold medallist snowboarder Chloe Kim, BetterUp member Blu Mendoza and psychologist Adam Grant in the video, as he quizzed them about building their own “mental fitness”. "What does the term mental fitness mean to you?" Harry asked. Grant said, "Everyone is aware that if they don't take care of their bodies, that their functioning is going to suffer. I don't think we have the same awareness around mental fitness." Speaking to Grant, Harry asked: "How can we create more resilience for people, not just a better version of themselves at work but a better version for their partners, their families and their whole community?" "We all want to grow, but it's hard to do that on our own," Grant said. The interview was given as part of his work for BetterUp, with Harry saying the world was on the cusp of a "mental health awakening" and people are realising they should resign if their work "didn't bring them joy". You can check out the entire interview below. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iW65lB1IuSM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Image credits: YouTube - BetterUp

Mind

Simon Baker discusses his "difficult" relationship with his father

Simon Baker has shared emotional family secrets and details of the strained relationship with his father on the SBS hit series Who Do You Think You Are? The Aussie actor agreed to do the show after being approached for many years, “despite my mum, sister and kids saying ‘you should do it’.” Eventually he decided to take part in the show, saying “I thought, I’ll just see what kind of adventure it is and where it will all take me.” He discussed the early days of his life after he was born in Launceston in 1969 to his father Barry Baker and mother Elizabeth. “And soon after, my parents moved to the highlands of New Guinea, with two kids, to a remote area,” he says. In the show he summarises the family’s brief time there, saying “They went on this incredible adventure – and they didn’t come back together.” He explains how his young mother went on to remarry, but his father remained in his life under a different persona. “I didn’t know he was my dad. He was a family friend, Uncle Barry. I’ve struggled with that.” A reunion between the two finally took place when Baker was 18 years old, but in the meantime, the family moved to the northern NSW beach community of Lennox Head. “It was a small community and back then it was an idyllic place to live,” Baker says. “I felt a really strong sense of belonging in that place and still do. It was a phenomenal childhood in that regard – but the personal family life was difficult.” Before he appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?, Baker “looked back at my immediate family as this sort of mess,” he says. “But the truth is, families have many different forms and I think if you can look at your own past and the past of your ancestors with compassion, you can carry that forward with you with a little bit more wisdom.” He admitted that revealing the story of his parents was "challenging", and likened his difficult childhood to why he became an actor. “I’m pretty shy … But there is a kind of psychological reason in why I became an actor. The initial desire when I was young was about connecting with people, the idea of seeing someone in a story on a screen that you could identify with, and it could help you understand feelings inside you that you didn’t necessarily know how to articulate. When I watched certain episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?, I felt a connection to that person – and with that, you don’t feel as alone.” Image credits: SBS

Family & Pets

Bon Scott’s brother discusses AC/DC frontman’s death for the first time

For the first time since the rockstar’s untimely death in 1980, Bon Scott’s closest friends and family have spoken out about his success and reliance on vices. Bon’s brother Derek said while Bon’s devil-may-care attitude was a key part of his public persona as a rockstar, it would eventually lead to his downfall as his penchant for risk-taking would backfire. Bon Scott, lead singer of AC/DC, was found dead in a car in London in 1980 after a night of heavy drinking, drug use and partying at just 33 years old. Bruce Howe, a close friend of the rockstar, said he would rely on dangerous vices while on the road, specifically when boredom would set in. “That‘s when he would start taking risks, doing wild things,” Howe said on the ABC’s Australian Story. “On days when he was bored, there was no future, there was only now.” “He didn‘t give a bugger about whether he lived or died the next day. He’d try anything — magic mushrooms, marijuana, alcohol — and he would take risks on his motorbike.” “I said, ‘You are going to f***ing kill yourself. Do something about it!’” Speaking for the first time on the death of his brother, Derek Scott said Bon’s alcoholism had always worried those closest to him. “He did get bored very quickly,” he said. “That was the biggest problem. When he got bored, he drank.” “He never worried about tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day.” When Bon Scott joined AC/DC and rose to international fame, his stardom became another vehicle of self-destruction. “Within the next 12 months, they were expected to be one of the biggest acts on the planet,” Murray Engleheart, author of the book AC/DC Maximum Rock and Roll, said. “The next album was going to be the one that was really going to kick them over the goalposts.” But after barely five years of AC/DC becoming a global act, the Bon Scott era was over. “Bon’s passing as he did, on his own in a car in the freezing cold, after all his hard work and all his heartbreak getting there, was just an incredibly sad, lonely and unglamorous way to go out,” Mr Engleheart said. Mr Howe said he was gutted by the news of his death, but knew deep down that an early death was always a possibility for his friend. “He drank far too much,” Mr Howe said. ”I did wonder if he would push it too far one day. And sadly, he obviously did.” Image credits: Getty Images

Music

Tom Walker discusses carols performance with Kate Middleton

Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker has discussed his "top secret" rehearsal with the Duchess of Cambridge ahead of their performance together at the Royal Carols in December. Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Tom said Kate Middleton is "fantastic" and a "really talented musician". Kate played piano for Tom for his emotional performance of the song For Those Who Can't Be Here at the carols event at Westminster Abbey, surprising royal fans with her musical talent. "We had a rehearsal together, a 'top-secret' rehearsal, just to make sure we were both comfortable with playing with each other and so she could get her head around the arrangement of the song," he explained. Walker explained that the rehearsal took place at London's Metropolis Studios, and how he was sworn to secrecy. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CX6kRgzhTCb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CX6kRgzhTCb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Tom Walker (@iamtomwalker)</a> </div> </blockquote> "I'm sure I'm allowed to say that at this point. At the time it was very top secret," he continues. The duchess, who also hosted the event, wrote on Instagram, "Together at Christmas brought together so many inspirational individuals for a night of wonderful carols and music. "But above all, it was about celebrating the goodwill, acts of kindness, love, empathy, and compassion which have helped people come through these difficult times. "Thank you to all involved for making this happen." In an interview with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/17149039/tom-walker-owes-kate-middleton-big-time/" target="_blank">The Sun</a>, Tom said his performance with the duchess was a "wonderful experience" and described her as "so warm". "She made the effort to thank all the musicians but it was us who felt so grateful to be part of something so special," he explains. Royal fans were stunned by Kate's hidden talent, with one person writing on social media, "She plays the piano too? Now I love her even more." Check out the performance below. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yw95R0Vl4_c" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Image credits: Instagram @iamtomwalker

Music

"Disgusting to witness": Lisa Wilkinson discusses Karl's divorce

Lisa Wilkinson has discussed her former Today co-host Karl Stefanovic's public divorce from Cassandra Thorburn. In her new memoir, It Wasn't Meant To Be Like This, Lisa recounts how Karl was treated by the paparazzi after finalising the split from his wife in October 2017. Lisa recalled a particular incident at an airport where Karl was "goaded" by a pap about the reasons he and Cassandra had parted ways after 21 years of marriage. "At one airport, as we came through the security doors, I heard a pap continually goading him, 'Hey Karl, why did you leave your wife?'" she wrote. Despite tensions between Lisa and Karl, she applauded Karl for his composure. "It was disgusting to witness, but Karl didn't flinch; he just kept walking. He refused to give them what they wanted – a blow-up." "His restraint was extraordinary." Lisa wanted to defend her co-host against the rude paparazzi, but Karl told her to calm down. "I, on the other hand, wanted to yell at them to back off, and it took every bit of strength I had in me not to." "Sensing my fury, Karl just mumbled under his breath next to me, 'Don't react.'" Karl met his current wife, shoe designer and former model Jasmine Yarbrough, just five months after his very public split from Cassandra in 2016. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRgGAJRlPGB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRgGAJRlPGB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Lisa Wilkinson (@lisa_wilkinson)</a> </div> </blockquote> Image credits: Getty Images / The Project

Relationships

"My dear late husband": Queen Elizabeth discusses Prince Philip in climate speech

As the COP26 Climate Change Conference commenced in Glasgow, the Queen delivered a powerful speech. Speaking via video message, Her Majesty spoke from the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle to world leaders gathered at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. She encouraged people to work "side by side" to help combat the global effects of climate change, as she referenced her "dear late husband" Prince Philip, who was also passionate about the cause. “I am delighted to welcome you all to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference; and it is perhaps fitting that you have come together in Glasgow, once a heartland of the industrial revolution, but now a place to address climate change,” the Queen said in her message. “This is a duty I am especially happy to discharge, as the impact of the environment on human progress was a subject close to the heart of my dear late husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.” Her Majesty recalled Philip's passion for protecting the planet, as she said how proud she was of his legacy. “It is a source of great pride to me that the leading role my husband played in encouraging people to protect our fragile planet, lives on through the work of our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William. I could not be more proud of them.” Speaking to the challenges of the climate emergency, the Queen said that "none of us underestimate the challenges ahead." “History has shown that when nations come together in common cause, there is always room for hope. Working side by side, we have the ability to solve the most insurmountable problems and to triumph over the greatest of adversities.” She went on to say how important fighting the climate crisis is for future generations, as she noted "none of us will live forever": a poignant statement from the 95-year-old monarch how was unable to attend the summit in person due to health reasons. Image credits: Getty Images

International Travel

Monica Lewinsky discusses her mental health during the Clinton scandal

Monica Lewinsky became a household name after she famously had an affair with President Bill Clinton during the 1990s while interning at the White House. In a recent <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/axe-files?episodeguid=b0c4a76a-a89d-47ce-becf-adb3002a2a6a">podcast interview with CNN</a>, Lewinsky discussed how the investigation into the scandal, along with the global pressure from the media, drove her to have suicidal thoughts. "I just couldn't see a way out. And I thought that maybe that was the solution," she said, explaining how she had asked lawyers working for then-independent counsel Ken Starr about what would happen if she died. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> At the worst moment of her life, when she was seized by the FBI, questioned about her affair w/Bill Clinton & threatened W/prison, <a href="https://twitter.com/MonicaLewinsky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MonicaLewinsky</a> couldn’t see a way out. “What if I die?” she asked the lawyers interrogating her. New <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AxeFiles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AxeFiles</a>! Pod here👉<a href="https://t.co/6gfKHZOtJ7">https://t.co/6gfKHZOtJ7</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Yqq2pZygW">pic.twitter.com/4Yqq2pZygW</a> — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidaxelrod/status/1443565658575409153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2021</a></blockquote> Thinking back on her experience, she asks, "How was there not a protocol?" to deal with a unique situation like hers. "That's a point where you're supposed to bring a psychologist in or, you know, something," she said. The interview comes as new light is being shed on the affair in a dramatised FX series called <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-08/monica-lewinsky-impeachment-american-crime-story-how-to-watch/100436458">Impeachment: American Crime Story</a>, for which Lewinsky is a producer. Monica told the interviewer that after being dismissed by Ken Starr, she began seeing a forensic psychiatrist that helped her get through the ordeal. "I think a lot of people who have ever had suicidal ideations find themselves in a moment where it's just – it's a moment of grace, like, you know, two roads diverged in the woods," she said. "And the forensic psychiatrist picked up the phone. And so I was, you know, pretty, pretty lucky." In an essay published by <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2014/05/monica-lewinsky-speaks">Vanity Fair in 2014</a>, Monica said she had never attempted suicide but that she had "strong suicidal temptations several times during the investigation and one or two periods after." Monica told the podcast that she constantly had to fight to not be defined by the affair after her views of the situation changed in the wake of the #MeToo movement. "My narrative was stolen and then I lost it by trying to recede, trying to run away from everything that had happened for many years," she said, adding that part of "the work" she had to put in was accepting that she would have to face her past. She said that through working on the series, she was able to reclaim her story in the eyes of the public. "This story is about real people and I'm involved in it, but it's also about something bigger. It reflects something bigger in our society. And so as our society changes, there are different ways that this story feels relevant," Lewinsky said. Check out the trailer for the series here: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rtipQ3EsGWo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Image credits: Getty Images

Mind

“Scary to talk about”: Changing discussions around breast cancer and sex

As one of the most common cancers in Australian women, the challenges of breast cancer are experienced by thousands of women each year. But one of the areas some say isn’t talked about enough is the impact of breast cancer on women’s sex lives and body image. “Health professionals are comfortable and used to talking about the side effects of chemotherapy like nausea and vomiting to patients, but many do not feel comfortable discussing the other side effects of treatment, and how these may impact intimate relationships,” says Kate White, a professor of cancer nursing from the University of Sydney Nursing School. “[Doctors] often wait for the patient to bring it up, rather than proactively explaining it as another potential side effect.” Medical oncologist Dr Belinda Kiely agrees that changes in the conversations around breast cancer and sex need to come from doctors. “We, as doctors, are very good at asking people about their pain, or their nausea or their constipation, but another line of questions should be ‘what’s happening with your sex life?’ or something along those lines,” she says. “I think we could do a better job of bringing it up and not relying on women to bring it up when it is a bit scary to talk about.” Dr Kiely also points out that changes in physical and mental symptoms can impact the sex lives of patients in various ways. Professor Fran Boyle agrees, noting that issues surrounding intimacy can arise when any serious illness is diagnosed. But, there are some issues unique to breast cancer patients when it comes to getting intimate with a partner, such as hormonal changes due to breast cancer treatment. “Breast cancer also affects a part of the body which is important for many women for arousal as well as body image, and, when sore or numb post-surgery, women may not wish to be touched on the breasts,” she says. “Hair loss from chemotherapy can also affect body image and relationships.” Other issues can include low libido, vaginal dryness or soreness, as well as hot flashes and sleeping problems, which Professor Boyle says can have an “impact on the desire for closeness”. A gap in the discussion Rebecca Angus was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33, and her eventual journey to recovery impacted her life in countless ways. In her experience, Rebecca found that discussions around sex with medical practitioners focused on medical aspects, leaving the effects on mental health unspoken. “Sex is explored at the beginning of chemotherapy education. However, it mainly focuses on fertility preservation, ovarian suppression and contraception during treatment,” Rebecca says. As Rebecca recovered, fatigue from treatment and medical restrictions on how she could engage in sexual activity had dramatic effects on her sex life. “You’ve got this cancer in your body that has tried to kill you, so you don’t have the best relationship with your body at that stage,” she says. “There are a lot of rules around when and how you can have sex as well. Your body for a while is not your own, it belongs to health professionals.” Though her experience may not be universal, Rebecca says, “Having a good sex life within a relationship is so valuable for anyone with cancer”. She also hopes to normalise conversations around these more sensitive topics so that women can obtain the help they need. “You can get help from your psychologists, gynaecologists and oncologists - your specialists are there to help you.” Professors White and Boyle will be appearing alongside Dr Kiely and Rebecca Angus for a Q&A all about breast cancer and sex on Thursday, September 30. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844487/qa.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0a06a22ca4574d9481ca358a26eeab95" /> Image: Supplied Let’s Talk About Sex is a free Q&A session run by The Breast Cancer Trials and moderated by journalist Annabel Crabb that offers the chance for anyone to ask questions about this important issue. The online event will take place between 5pm and 6.30pm, and attendees can register <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/qa-events" target="_blank">here</a>. Image: Getty Images

Body

Wippa tears up discussing mental health struggles

Michael “Wippa” Wipfli, co-host of Nova FM’s Fitzy & Wippa show, opened up about his mental health while discussing the devastating impact of the pandemic on Aussies’ mental health. In an emotional discussion on-air in honour of R U OK Day?, Wippa spoke about how Aussies have been faring during the pandemic, saying the mental health crisis is “at a level we’ve never seen before”. “You can feel a heavy weight hanging over us at the moment. There’s a cloud and it’s getting harder,” he began. “Every day in the news there is a new headline of somebody taking their own life.” While he mentioned the toll of Australians of every age, he highlighted how teenagers have been especially affected. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffitzyandwippa%2Fvideos%2F290302545759679%2F&show_text=false&width=476&t=0" width="476" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> “The impact of lockdown over the past two years has had a devastating effect on mental illness,” he said. “All ages, but growingly the more, more heartbreaking on our teenagers.” Starting to read from a post he recently found on social media, Wippa had to visibly collect himself before continuing. <img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843952/capture.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2a6fa733de6a47ea8a5396ef6dc3766c" /> Image: Fitzy & Wippa “Our neighbour’s son tried to take his own life a few nights ago. He’s now in a coma,” Wippa read out in the clip. “Last year, we lost six kids from the one school, and another this week. They were all 14 and 15. “My friend’s a funeral director. She’s taken six weeks off. She said how hard it was seeing so many teenagers take their own life. My friend’s a paramedic, who attended an 11-year-old…” Wippa choked up, unable to finish what he was reading. “The reason we’re talking about it today is to help people that are struggling, but also to help those who are around those people that might be struggling to offer help and [are] feeling helpless. “We just need to reinforce for anybody that’s going through that, that there is care here for you. People want to be here for you.” The conversation then became personal, as Wippa was asked if there were moments where someone reached out to him when he was struggling. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CSoYM3yJJAS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CSoYM3yJJAS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Michael Wipfli (@wippa1)</a> </div> </blockquote> The host said someone had, and spoke about how he copes with low periods. “I can see it coming in more detail these days, I just notice patterns within myself if I’m starting to get caught on thoughts, or if I can’t clear my mind as easy, I’m very alert and aware of that, so I don’t go down and spiral further,” he said. He also shared how he copes while feeling triggered, saying he stops drinking alcohol and tries to exercise as much as he can. Wippa ended the conversation with a message for those struggling, emphasising that they aren’t alone. “People become so low, so low, they dip their toe in the deep end of this darkest place, and they think to themselves ‘it would be far better off for my friends and my family if I wasn’t here anymore’. And that’s wrong,” Wippa said. “Everybody needs you here, but your depression and your mood, the swings can be exaggerated outside of the normal emotion, and that is the very, very dangerous place to be. “And it might be caused by an event, it could be triggered by something in particular, over a period of time, it could be genetic, but they swing to that point of emotion where they feel like it would be better if they weren’t here. “And if you’re swinging in that way, please know that you’re wrong, we want you here.” Image: Fitzy & Wippa If you or anyone you know is suffering, please contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14.

Mind

Want to start a book club? Here’s how

Finding fellow readers Ask around your existing personal networks, including neighbours, friends, social media, or a community noticeboard. Once you mention you want to start a club, you’ll be surprised how many people may want to come along. Ask at your local bookshop and library for ideas – many run regular reading groups and can point you in the right direction for good books. Identify what common interests you and your group have and use these to help draw like-minded people. Once you start looking, you’ll find book clubs for men or women, seniors, sci-fi lovers, teenagers or cookery buffs. The time, the place Once you have a group, agree on how often you want to meet – typically clubs meet monthly, though the time-poor may want to make it bi-monthly. For many clubs, meeting at home works best as you don’t have to get dressed up, and noisy public venues can make talking hard. If members bring a plate of food or a bottle, it takes the pressure off the host. But try rotating your meeting location as this will help to stimulate fresh thoughts. Be inspired Tailor your venue according to the book’s subject matter. The Light Between the Oceans by M.L. Stedman was discussed over fish’n’chips by one club, while The Red Tent by Anita Diamant was chewed over at a Middle Eastern restaurant. Here’s how to get your book club off to a flying start. Size matters According to Christine Callen, a book club veteran of 15 years, you need a minimum number of people per meeting to make it interesting. “Seven is the magic number – fewer and there’s not enough for healthy debate,” she says. “You can have ten people in the club – not everyone will be able to make it every time – seven provides enough opinions.” Choosing the books If you’re the club instigator, it’s easier if you pick the first book. Seek out book reviews in good magazines and newspapers and at bookshops. The flavour of the books you choose will be largely dictated by the personalities attending – you might like to have a wide range of genres from sci-fi to romance to travel epics. Or stick to one genre, such as history books. Decide on a strategy and a time frame – say five to 12 books across the year – then review how everything appeals to the majority. Take turns to come up with a list of four or five titles, then circulate the list via email shortly after your last discussion. Members can then vote on their preferred next book and meeting time. The member scheduled to host the next meeting coordinates the responses to decide the title and date most voted for. Starting discussion Callen recommends beginning by asking all members to briefly give their opinion on the book. “Everyone arrives and has a drink to loosen up,” she explains. “Then we take it in turns to go around the room and each give the book a mark out of ten, saying in a few sentences what we liked or disliked about it. This gives everyone a chance to speak early in the night and stops one person dominating the conversation from the start.” Written by Jenny Byrne. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/articles/book-club/want-to-start-a-book-club-heres-how">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Books

White first: Former chess rep slams ABC for racism discussion

Former Australian chess representative John Adams has lashed out at the ABC as the public broadcaster’s radio show prepares a segment to discuss whether the popular board game is racist. Adams said he received a phone call from a Sydney-based ABC radio producer seeking his comment for James Valentine’s Wednesday afternoon program. The economist was asked whether the game was racist because white always moves first. “They are seeking comment from a chess official as to whether the rules of chess need to be altered!” Adams wrote on Twitter. “With all the drama resulting from COVID-19, I am amazed that the ABC is broadcasting on irrelevant topics!” He told the Daily Telegraph: “They said with everything going on, they wanted to have a conversation about white going first - and the racial context of whether white should go first. “People are struggling with the economy, with their health, with the lockdown. They don’t want their money wasted on bulls**t.” Chess expert Kevin Bonham, who is a part of the Australian Chess Federation council, said the rule is not as influential in the lower levels of the game. “The funny thing is that at social to even lower club level, having white or black makes zero difference to average results,” Bonham said. “The advantage starts kicking in around middling club level and becomes stronger at the highest levels.” The rule that white moves first became a convention in the late 1800s. White has been widely believed to have an inherent advantage, although some chess players dispute this view. In 2019, grandmasters Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri played against the rule to make the player with the black pieces begin as a part of the United Nations’ campaign for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Today, we made a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MoveForEquality?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MoveForEquality</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/anishgiri?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anishgiri</a> and I broke a rule and black started instead of white. Through chess, we can give a new perspective to the worldwide discussion about how we can build a world where opportunity is equal. <a href="https://t.co/0rAuQH6uNK">pic.twitter.com/0rAuQH6uNK</a> — Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MagnusCarlsen/status/1108662247860199424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2019</a></blockquote> The Move For Equality said the rule was not established based on prejudice. “This campaign is merely a symbolic gesture to highlight what happens when you step away from the board, where a fair world is not a reality for many, and the dream of having perfect equality between races and people is still far from coming true.”

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Simon Baker discusses his "difficult" relationship with his father

Bon Scott’s brother discusses AC/DC frontman’s death for the first time

Tom Walker discusses carols performance with Kate Middleton

"Disgusting to witness": Lisa Wilkinson discusses Karl's divorce

"My dear late husband": Queen Elizabeth discusses Prince Philip in climate speech

Monica Lewinsky discusses her mental health during the Clinton scandal

“Scary to talk about”: Changing discussions around breast cancer and sex

Wippa tears up discussing mental health struggles

Want to start a book club? Here’s how

White first: Former chess rep slams ABC for racism discussion

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Karl Stefanovic discusses acting debut alongside Sean Penn

Jelena Dokic's candid discussion about mental health

Gastro or endometriosis? How your GP discusses uncertainty can harm your health

Ray Martin discusses interviewing “arrogant” senior royal

Frequent flyer discusses the biggest sins of travelling

Julie Bishop discusses the power of fashion in a male-dominated government

Steve Martin discusses his love for Indigenous Australian art

"A lot of distress": Rebel Wilson discusses being "outed" by media outlet

Daniel Johns discusses Silverchair shooting tragedy

Prince Harry discusses his mental health journey in candid interview

Simon Baker discusses his "difficult" relationship with his father

Bon Scott’s brother discusses AC/DC frontman’s death for the first time

Tom Walker discusses carols performance with Kate Middleton

"Disgusting to witness": Lisa Wilkinson discusses Karl's divorce

"My dear late husband": Queen Elizabeth discusses Prince Philip in climate speech

Monica Lewinsky discusses her mental health during the Clinton scandal

“Scary to talk about”: Changing discussions around breast cancer and sex

Wippa tears up discussing mental health struggles

Want to start a book club? Here’s how

White first: Former chess rep slams ABC for racism discussion

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