Neil Mitchell Asks Why

What would you do, if you were 'King of the world' for a day?

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's a question I often ask my guests on this podcast... and it's a good one to reflect on as the year comes to an end.  In this final episode of...

Blanche D'Alpuget; The real story behind the most hated woman in Australia

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why winning is 'the best feeling in the world'; With the 'golden girls' of Australian swimming

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I speak to sisters Cate & Bronte Campbell, two of the best swimmers Australia has ever produced, with a combined 7 Olympic gold medals between the...

How good is your life? A guide to finding happiness

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I speak to Dr. Tim Sharp, AKA Dr. Happy, about why money really won't buy you happiness and how to really find it. Dr. Tim Sharp is the Chief Happines...

One of the last ever interviews with the legendary ALLAN MOFFAT

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Back in 2017, I was lucky enough to record one of the last sit down interviews with legendary racing driver Allan Moffat. Here is that interview again...

How AI will lie to you and steal your job

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I speak to Professor. Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist of the AI Institute UNSW, to discuss his most recent book; The Shortest History of AI.  See omn...

The concussion crisis; What every parent needs to know

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Professor Owen White, a neurologist developing tech to better diagnose, manage and prevent concussion in sport.     See...

Comedy, trolls & rock 'n' roll; With BEN ELTON

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I chat to comedy legend Ben Elton about his writing process, The Beatles, comedians & why you can’t satirise Donald Trump.  Ben Elton's...

Bill Shorten on politics, education & where Australia's heading next

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I chat to former opposition leader Bill Shorten about his career in politics, the challenges facing our Universities and why the country 'needs to mov...

How your relationship with the internet is about to change

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Professor Lisa Given to discuss how changes to the way we search for information and use social media will impact us all. Lisa is a P...

Shane Warne 'used me and I used him' | Peter Ford's wild career in entertainment

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with entertainment reporter Peter Ford for the inside stories behind Kylie Minogue, Shane Warne, Hugh Jackman, Bert Newton, Joan Rivers and...

How Australia should manage Trump

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with US journalist and commentator James Kirchick to discuss Trump's world and Australia's place in it.   See omnystudio.com/list...

Fast cars, the world's best croissant & anorexia; With Kate Reid

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What do Formula 1 racing, baking and anorexia nervosa have in common? Nothing - except for Kate Reid.  In this episode, I sit down with the creat...

What we got wrong during Covid; With Professor Brett Sutton 

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Brett Sutton was at one time the most revered and the most reviled man in the country. In this episode, Brett Sutton tells me what we got wr...

‘I'm the biggest pacifist on the planet’; With SAS veteran Harry Moffitt

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Moffitt is not your ordinary soldier. The SAS veteran has been deployed 11 times to war zones around the world, but he's also a thinker. He's an...

My dad the genius; By John Clarke's daughter

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian, satirist, intrinsically silly, genius; John Clarke died far too young. In this episode, I sit down with John’s daughter, Lorin Clarke,...

' No guts, no glory'; The inimitable life of Derryn Hinch

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with the legendary Derryn Hinch to talk about his life, loves, mistakes and everything in-between.     See omnystudio.com/li...

How and why we should abolish death

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I speak to Dr. Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston about re-defining death and living forever. You can find out more about Dr. Ariel's work in his book, 'The Fu...

Crime crisis: 'People are fighting back'

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Australia & Israel should both be ashamed, real meaning of China's internet outage and the citizen respo...

‘Through fear and fire’; The career of a bomb squad veteran

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with John Taylor, bomb squad and special ops veteran to chat about the biggest cases of his career, and his new book; 'Through fear and fir...

Why the AFL has 'lost it's moral compass'

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news; Why critics of Snoop are being labelled 'casual racists' and Anthony Albanese's decision to recognise Palest...

The unbelievable life of a diplomat, party girl & saint; With Geraldine Cox

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Geraldine Cox AM about her extraordinary life from Aussie diplomat, seducing her way across the globe, to founding children's charity ...

The plan to give your dog more rights than your partner

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news; Protestors gone feral, mysteries in the Aussie bush, pets & the WFH backflip.  Tell me what you thi...

Secrets, conspiracy & cover-ups; Searching for the Tassie Tiger

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I chat with documentary maker Tim Noonan about his search for the Tasmanian Tiger, manhood and why he thinks truth is the most valuable commodity we h...

The 'huge change' coming in work culture

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: The truth about a sugar tax, young people are driving massive change in work culture and the Aussie company ...

Why no kid is beyond help; With The Reach Foundation

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I sit down with Alison Wright, CEO of the Reach Foundation & Fergus Watts, Chairman of Reach, to talk about the challenges facing...

Why our leaders are failing in the face of anti-Semitism; With Linda Dessau

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Hon. Linda Dessau has one of the most impressive CVs in the country. Jurist, former Governor of Victoria, former AFL commissioner & a proud Je...

We're ignoring one of the most crucial issues mankind will ever face

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Time for Australia to get comfortable with killing kangaroos and the world needs to wake up to the dangers o...

The life lessons from massive failure; With Ian Baker-Finch

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Baker-Finch is a legendary golfer & sports commentator, who was struck down by one of the worst cases of the yips in golf history. Ian's fall ...

Why it's time to increase GST

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: It’s time to seriously look at tax reform, solving 'intergenerational injustice' & the new educati...

Why house prices are fuelling an intergenerational war

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I speak with Dr. Nicola Powell, Chief of Research and Economics at Domain, and Scott O'Neill, property investor and author of Rethink Property Investi...

Where Australians spend their money & why

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Non-essential spending habits, ghost stories & it's time for Australia to join the campaign against Iran...

Why ghosts exist; A scientist explains

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Vladimir Dubaj is a neuroscientist with a Ph.D. in biomedical instrumentation. He also believes in ghosts, the afterlife and a dimension of dead pe...

Why Kane Cornes is trying too hard

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in the news: Why its time to seriously reform the health system,  sports reporting has become a bloodspot, anoth...

How not to be scammed & why the police don’t care if you are

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I chat to criminal investigator Ken Gamble about how fraud is becoming the number one income crime across the planet, and why Australians are the most...

Why Australia needs 'dad lessons'

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in the news: Loyalty is eroding in all areas of society, world is on a war footing, Australia needs to pay attention ...

Why China is a threat to Australia: With Cheng Lei

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's been over a year since Australian journalist Cheng Lei was released from wrongful detention in a Chinese prison cell. Arrested on bizarre, trumpe...

Why Albo needs to make a stand on machetes

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in the news: Machete ban needs to be National, farmers tired of political squabbling over climate change & why Vi...

How Australia's food security is under threat

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I sit down with farmer Emma Germano, advocate and former President of the Victorian Farmers Federation to talk about drought, food se...

Victoria is going down the gurgler

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in the news: Victoria's disastrous state budget, the bush is up in arms, a rebel Catholic Priest and what I think abo...

The outspoken priest & his to-do list for the new Pope

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Years ago, I found myself at war with the Catholic Church. Now, as it continues to grapple with allegations of sexual abuse, a new Pope has been elect...

New leader for the Libs, education system failing & a forgotten drought

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why the drought is a problem for every Australian, not just the farmers - and The Libs have a new leader... here's what she needs to do.  Tell me...

The kids aren't bad... our schools are

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I chat with Sylvia Arotin, woman of the year & founder of 'Guide & Grow' about the Montessori method, why the public school system is failing ...

Albo's choice: A great Prime Minister or party hack

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ELECTION OUTCOME: The charade of politicians and how they need to win back our trust. And why you should need a license to own a dog.  Tell me wh...

The uplifting side to life's last moments

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Julian Kingma photographs people who have chosen to access voluntary assisted dying in this country, capturing them in the final weeks, days and secon...

AI has taken a huge step towards running the world

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Amy Scott a real life Australian hero, how AI has found a new way to con the world & summarising the fin...

The insiders explain how you’ve been conned this election

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we enter the final week of election campaigning, I sit down with Sarah Abo from the Today Show and Paul Sakkal, federal political correspondent for...

How a 'weird' Australian professor became a global hero

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Professor Arnold Dix, the 'nerdy' Australian flower farmer, barrister, scientist and engineer who saved 41 people trapped in a collaps...

The 'wacky' procedure that saved 12 year old Noa's life

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode for the Good Friday Appeal, I sit down with 13 year old cancer survivor Noa Ognall, her mum Dalia and Dr. Stewart Morrison, the ...

Why both political parties are keeping you in the dark; With Zoe Daniel

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Zoe Daniel, Independent MP for Goldstein, who is defending one of the most fiercely contested seats in this election. We talk about he...

The US Senator saying what Albo won’t

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: More needs to be done for victims of scams, the narrow winner from the PM / Dutton debate and the US senator...

Moss piglets in space & Elon's plan for colonising Mars

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I speak to Dr. Gail Iles (rocket scientist, former astronaut instructor, ex-British Army, Zero-G medal holder & Associate Prof. at RMIT University...

My take on an empty election campaign, robots & Shane Warne

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: We’re in an age of cynicism fueled by un-inspiring politicians, election campaign launches with a splu...

Every conspiracy theory you’ve ever heard

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I chat to Professor Jolanda Jetten, Head of the School of Psychology at the University of QLD about conspiracy theories and why we love to fall for th...

2025 Budget Breakdown: 'It won't win the election'

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the 2025 Federal Budget.  Tell me what you think:  EMAIL: [email protected] X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell See omn...

Liar, conman, street thug, artist; Vincent Fantauzzo’s bizarre life

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Vincent Fantauzzo to talk about art, violence and his new memoir 'Unveiled'. Get in touch:   EMAIL: [email protected]...

Why elections are a $1 billion farce

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Australians are embarrassed by their own country, why elections have become a billion dollar farce and it's ...

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with opposition leader Peter Dutton and discuss his plan for managing a volatile Donald Trump, nuclear energy and how he thinks he can win ...

How Australia can fight youth crime

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Trump tariffs are bizarre & wrong - Australia's response needs to be smart, Victorian Government stuff u...

Novels, drugs and the world of medicine: With Prof. Jim Nicklin

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Jim Nicklin is a high achieving doctor turned novelist. In this interview, I find out why an extremely well regarded medical professional wo...

Tattoos, Trump & Trudeau

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news. Tattoos could kill you, the lunacy of the Trump / Trudeau trade wars and what I learnt from my interview wit...

John Setka: My side of the story

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I don't think there's ever been a more controversial union official than John Setka. This is his side of the story.  Get in touch:   EM...

How Albo can win this election

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is what my 90 minute interview with Anthony Albanese reveals about the upcoming election, will Trump stand with us and why you should never go to...

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and find out why he thinks you should vote for him.  Get in touch:   EMAIL: neil.mitche...

Why Usman Khawaja should stay out of politics

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

My advice to Usman Khawaja, interest rates have been cut but we're still missing out and why Kylie Minogue is an Australian hero.  Tell me what y...

Inside Australia's illicit tobacco wars

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rohan Pike is a former AFP officer & superintendent of the fraud and anti-corruption division, who later ran the tobacco strike team for the Austr...

Sam Kerr should not be sacked; She should quit

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Sam Kerr should step down, a plea from victims of juvenile crime and the horrifying anti-Semitic rant from t...

The secret world of Australia’s spies: An insider's view

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I speak to Dr. David Wright-Neville, Former Intelligence Analyst, about Trump’s America, the Middle East, terrorism and international espionage....

My message to Kyle Sandilands

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Bianca Censori & Kanye stunt, my message to Kyle Sandilands as he faces life changing surgery, Phil Brad...

NEW EPISODE: Sarah Abo and her dad explain how migration can work

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I chat to Sarah Abo, co-host of the Today show, and her father, Fouad Abo, about their family’s escape from Syria in 1990 and how they've come t...

The 'horrifying' Trump decision nobody seems to have noticed

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A recap on everything you missed in the last few months: Neale Daniher awarded Australian of the year  The Tony Jones & Novak Djokovic stous...

Best of 2024: 'Bikies are misunderstood'; Former Comanchero boss tells all

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As a young man, Jay Malkoun went to jail for 10 years for trafficking heroin. He survived the notorious Pentridge Prison and went on to become preside...

Best of 2024: The thing 'people don't realise' about Michael Klim

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Klim is one of the most physically imposing athletes in Australian history, as well as being one of our greatest swimmers. In this episode Mic...

Best of 2024: The battle to control outer space

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Who controls space will control Earth. What happens up there impacts every aspect of modern life: Satellites, GPS, power grids. And there are some wei...

Best of 2024: Lives of true crime; With Andrew Rule & John Silvester

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Rule and John 'Sly' Silvester are the odd couple of crime. One can write, the other can talk. They've built their careers writing, and talking,...

Best of 2024: Why AI has no conscience and what is means for humanity

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's no denying AI will shape the future of human life: How we work, live and communicate. In this special highlight episode, I speak to Australia'...

Best of 2024: Why FUNGI will change the world

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I dive into the unexpected, unassuming world of fungi - and what I've found is astounding. I speak to Mycologist Dr.Teresa Lebel and discover fungi ha...

This is what I think will matter in 2025

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

These are my predictions for 2025: Cost of living crisis won't go away, debt set to soar, ABC is in for a shake up and no clear winner of the federal ...

Why Moira Kelly is willing to sacrifice anything

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Neil Mitchell Asks Why, humanitarian Moira Kelly reveals how she saved her adopted daughter, one of the famously conjoined twi...

This is why I don't recognise my own country

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Attack on Synagogue must be a line in the sand. Tell me what you think:  EMAIL: [email protected]....

After 50 years fighting for animal rights, has Peter Singer won the battle?

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Peter Singer has been called the father of veganism, the most influential philosopher of the last 50 years and the world's most moral man. I...

What I think... 'Australia is effectively standing with Hamas'

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: All banks are still bastards and Australia's decision to back UN Israel / Palestine resolution is wrong and ...

TRAILER: Neil Mitchell Asks Why

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm back for a new season of interviews, debates and editorials in 2025.  Get in touch:  EMAIL: [email protected] X: x.com/3AWNeilMitchell  ...

This is what I think... 'the plot has been lost'

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Convicted killer should not be granted leave for IVF treatment and new poll shows doubt over the direction A...

This is what I think... about Alan Jones

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone else has expressed their view on Alan Jones - now it's my turn.  And why it's time to re-think Christmas.  Tell me what you think:  EMAIL:...

What a 'government efficiency department' could look like in Australia

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: We're on the brink of a boredom epidemic fueled by technology and why the Trump presidency could be a templa...

US ELECTION: This is why it matters in Australia

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Others will tell you the outcome of the US election doesn't matter to Australia - It does. This is why.   T...

This is what I think... Upgrade Albo: ‘PM has lost public trust’

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: The PM has shown he’s become inept at handling basic political crises, Covid report proves the plot was lo...

This is what I think... 'Lidia Thorpe went too far’

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: The Senate needs to condemn Thorpe’s outburst at Charles & Camilla, Royal media coverage was outdated...

This is what I think... 'This property is a bad look' for Albo and his tin ear

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Anthony Albanese is entitled to buy any property he chooses - but he's losing a sense of what people really ...

Why one of Australia's most influential TV producers won't go to Hollywood

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Ayres is arguably the busiest TV producer in Australia. His company Tony Ayers Productions, and the company he co-founded, Matchbox Pictures, has...

This is what I think... media is 'all but finished'

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My take on the last week in news: The media is struggling and losing credibility, questions raised around the Andrews' car crash need to be answered a...

Why one trip convinced a professional cynic the world is dying

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Garry Linnell has built a name and career out of being a professional cynic. He's an award-winning journalist, author and former director of news and ...

This is what I think... Australian voters would choose Harris

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My take on the last week in news: Victoria is in the process of losing everything it's worked so hard to build, Kamala Harris trumped Donald in the de...

The thing 'people don't realise' about Michael Klim

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Klim is one of the most physically imposing athletes in Australian history, as well as being one of our greatest swimmers.  In this episode M...

This is what I think... Raygun needs to go away quietly

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My take on the last week in news: Albanese could find himself to be a one term PM and if Raygun wants to play the celebrity game, she should prepared ...

How Peter Dutton will target young voters and win the election

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Opposition Leader says he doesn't care about popularity - but Peter Dutton has a plan to win the next election, and in this episode he tel...

This is what I think... Greens could 'effectively demolish' Australia

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

My take on the last week in news: The Greens are living in a fantasy land and we need a fresh approach to tackling the road toll.  Tell me what you t...

Meet the man who terrifies Australia's most dangerous crooks

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In my view, Nick McKenzie is the best investigative journalist in the country.  In this episode, Nick tells me how the pressure of his job follows hi...

This is what I think... Kamala Harris 'may well be vacuous'

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is my take on the last week in news: Politicians need to wake up to cost of living crisis,  right to disconnect laws will spell trouble and fick...