Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for BOOKED IN
NewsSociety & CultureEducation

BOOKED IN

NewsByHil

Whatever is happening in the news right now, there's a book diving deep into the topic. As a journalist I love following the latest headlines, but wanted to take my depth of knowledge to the next level. Join me as I speak to experts - mostly authors - on the topics they have spent extensive time researching and reporting on. The topics may vary, but the conversational tone stays the same.


https://www.instagram.com/newsbyhil/



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play
Open in
  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 41 min
  • English

Episodes 20

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
  • S2 · E13
    June 10 · 46 min

    MIKE FINKEL: The Art Thief

    Over the course of eight years, a man called Stephane Breitwieser stole more than 300 objects and pieces of art. In total, they were worth an estimated $1.4 billion. He is now widely considered the most prolific art thief in history, but he was never motivated by money - just a love for art. The fascinating true crime story was documented in the 2023 best seller, 'The Art Thief'. Author Mike Finkel kindly granted me a rare interview to chat about the book, and the crime itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E12
    June 3 · 44 min

    CHRISTOPHER LAMB: American Hope, Pope Leo, President Trump & A War of Words on Iran

    Pope Leo is the first American Pope in history, yet remarkably he has not yet had a conversation with President Trump. They did, however, get into a war of words in April, after Pope Leo criticised the Trump administration's mass deportation policies. Things escalated further when Pope Leo said Trump’s threat to destroy “a whole civilisation” in Iran was “truly unacceptable”. CNN’s Vatican Correspondent, Christopher Lamb, has written a timely book called ‘American Hope, and spoke to me all about the Chicago born pontiff and his impact on the international stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E11
    May 26 · 53 min

    PROF OMER BARTOV: Israel, What Went Wrong?

    Professor Omer Bartov is a leading scholar on the Holocaust, and history of genocide. He is also a man who was born and raised in Israel, served in the IDF during the Yom Kippur war in 1973, and was raised in the country just a decade after the end of World War II and the Holocaust - in the beginning years of the establishment of the state. In July 2025, Bartov wrote a piece in The New York Times entitled; ‘I’m a Genocide Scholar, I Know It When I See It’. In it, he wrote about reaching the ‘inescapable conclusion’ that Israel was committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. He recently spoke to me about his recently published book called ‘Israel: What Went Wrong?’, where he argues Zionism in its current form is beyond repair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E10
    May 19 · 48 min

    CHRISTINA HILLSBERG: Women in the CIA, Agents of Change

    What is it like to be a female spy in the CIA? It’s a mysterious world we as members of the public have very little access to. However, Christina Hillsberg - herself a former agent - has written a fantastic book called Agents of Change. It explores the untold stories of some of the most revered and respected women to have worked for the intelligence agency despite the significant challenges a life in espionage often presented to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E9
    May 16 · 42 min

    RICHARD CHAMBERS: Make Ireland Great Again

    They say that about a tenth of Americans proudly claim Irish ancestry, but how do American lawmakers view Ireland these days? That’s the question journalist Richard chambers explored in his new documentary Make Ireland Great Again - a documentary that touches on White House visits, economic ties, geopolitical differences and questions around defence. It airs this Wednesday May 20 on Virgin, but in advance of its release I got an exclusive look at the documentary and had a nice little chat with Richard all about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E8
    April 28 · 46 min

    ISABEL VINCENT: RFK Jr, The Fall & Rise

    Robert F Kennedy Jr is undoubtedly one of the most polairisng political figures in the US right now - some say his comments on vaccines are dangerous misinformation, others applaud him for sparking a conversation about nutrition in America. From a political dynasty deeply intertwined with the Democrat party, to President Trump’s Health Secretary - RFK Jr has lived an unusual, extraordinary, colourful life - however you want to describe it! Much of his personal life before becoming a cabinet member has been documented by reporter isabel vincent, in a fascinating new book, RFK Jr, the fall and rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E7
    April 21 · 36 min

    DOMINIC MCGREGOR: I'm Never Drinking Again

    Dominic McGregor is the more private of a very successful duo. He and his co-founder, Steven Bartlett, set up the Social Chain and were immensely successful in their early twenties. However, it was also a time of huge pressures for Dom, who turned to alcohol to numb his emotions. In his book, I'm Never Drinking Again, he very bravely lays out some of the lowest moments that led to a lasting change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E6
    April 14 · 44 min

    ELIE HONIG: Nixon to Trump, The White House & The DOJ

    When you come at the king, you best not miss. Over the past decade it seems the US Justice Department has generated as many headlines as the White House. To understand the political landscape in America, it is vital to understand the law, and how it works. Elie Honig, CNN’s senior legal analyst, provides captivating insight to it all with a book that looks at each administration from Nixon to Trump, and everything in between. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E5
    April 7 · 38 min

    DR BROOKE NEWMAN: The Crown's Silence, British Monarchy & The Transatlantic Slave Trade

    Over the course of more than 350 years, an estimated 12 to 15 million people were forced on transatlantic slave ships from West Africa to the Americas. In a recent symbolic vote, the UN passed a landmark resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade “the gravest crime against humanity”. I spoke to Dr Brooke Newman about her recently published book, The Crown’s Silence, a deeply researched account of the British monarchy’s involvement and financial gain from the slave trade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E3
    March 17 · 35 min

    JANE FERGUSON: No Ordinary Assignment

    Jane Ferguson is without a doubt one of the most accomplished and respected war correspondents of our generation. In her memoir, No Ordinary Assignment, she documents with extraordinary candour how a difficult upbringing in Northern Ireland during The Troubles led her to some of the most dangerous front lines around the world. As The New York Times review noted, it is "a brutally honest exploration of what it means to be a war reporter". She is a woman I have immense respect for, and I was honoured to chat with her recently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E2
    March 10 · 35 min

    JAMES LONGMAN: The Inherited Mind

    James Longman, as ABC's Chief International Correspondent, is used to telling the deeply personal stories of people from around the world. But last year he published his book, The Inherited Mind, and it hit much closer to home. In it, James explores the history and impact of mental illness in his family, including - and I must warn you - depression, schizophrenia, and suicide. It is an incredibly candid book, and while James confronts his family's history he intertwines it with fascinating research and science and delivers a book that, unlike what you might expect, feels incredible hopeful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S2 · E1
    March 3 · 34 min

    ANDREW LOWNIE: The Entitled Former Prince

    Andrew Lownie is the author of 'Entitled', a damning look at the former Prince Andrew. After four years of research, Lownie was one of the first to say the King's brother could be arrested for misconduct in public office - a point he was making about the disgraced royal months before the recent release of the Epstein files. During our conversation, he also made the explosive claim that Andrew could one day face charges of treason. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E23
    Nov 6, 2024 · 24 min

    TRUMP WINS THE ELECTION

    Donald Trump is on his way back to the White House, and I thought it warranted a special overview. Normally I chat to an author on this podcast about the book they've written - but I felt there is so much content, and so much information out there since Donald Trump was announced the winner of the election - that I felt the best use of an episode today would be to almost filter through the most helpful information I've come across. It looks at where the latest developments, historical context, where Trump's legal challenges currently stand, Biden's legacy, and an insight into what diplomacy might look like for a second Trump term. No matter how you feel about this election, let's be real - it's going to be discussed at your work, with your friends, in social settings etc over the coming days and weeks. I have no interest in telling anyone how to feel today, I only care that I'm a helpful source of impartial analysis and context - so I hope you find today's episode helpful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E22
    Oct 29, 2024 · 37 min

    RASHID KHALIDI: The Hundred Years' War on Palestine

    Rashid Khalidi is the author of a bestselling book called 'The Hundred Years' War on Palestine' - looking at the tumultuous century from the Balfour declaration in 1917 up until 2017. This book is not just a historical overview - it is also a deeply personal look at the author's family roots in the region. We spoke about his perspectives - as a Palestinian, an American, and a historian - on everything from the establishment of Israel, the unwavering bond it shares with America, and the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • S1 · E21
    Oct 22, 2024 · 33 min

    ANDREW LOWNIE: Lord Mountbatten

    Lord Mountbatten was a great grandson of Queen Victoria and an uncle of Prince Philip. During his marriage to Countess Edwina, he famously said they spent all their married lives "getting into other people's beds". In 1979, he was murdered by the IRA off the coast of Sligo in one of the most significant moments of The Troubles. Yet, decades after his death, he made headlines once again in 2022, when a man accused him of sexually abusing him when was an 11-year-old boy. Author Andrew Lownie has written the most comprehensive biography of this complex figure, and was generous enough to chat with me about his research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes