Eyes & Ears

Books and podcasts to enjoy while you’re travelling with Journey Beyond.

The Secret of Secrets Dan Brown (Penguin)

Robert Langdon returns for a high-stakes chase through Prague, London and New York, with codes, art and big philosophical questions in tow. Brown’s latest is an unashamed page-turner, engineered for those delicious, uninterrupted stretches of travel time. Expect sly twists, museum-night atmospherics and that signature, cinematic momentum Dan Brown is known for.

The 1% Good Club Cooper Chapman (Wiley)

Ex-pro surfer and Good Human Factory founder Cooper Chapman distils mental fitness into 14 minutes a day, or more precisely, 1% of your day. Part story, part science, it’s a friendly toolkit – gratitude, breathwork, habit cues – for those who want rituals that actually stick. Filled with small, repeatable practices to anchor busy days on the road, from sunrise to lights-out daily.

Broke Road Matthew Spencer (Allen & Unwin)

Detective Rose Riley is called home to the Hunter Valley, where boutique cellar doors rub against mining towns and a murder stirs up old loyalties and newer grudges. Taut, grounded and distinctly Australian, this thriller pairs perfectly with a sunset glass of shiraz. With clipped prose and moral greys, it’s country noir with grit, heart and dust-hazed horizons. Be prepared to stay up late reading this whodunnit.

Things Will Calm Down Soon Zoë Foster Blake (Allen & Unwin)

Kit Cooper – hair stylist, single mum, reluctant influencer – builds a beauty brand while life refuses to slow down. But despite having it all, she can’t help asking: what’s next? Sharp, funny and very modern, Zoë Foster Blake’s novel captures the juggle with empathy and fizz. It’s a breezy, big-hearted reminder to laugh, pivot and find joy in the chaos – and the too many school WhatsApp messages.

Australian Summer

The ultimate Australian summer playlist: classic rock, indie grooves and modern hits for beach days, road trips, sunsets and pure Aussie summer vibes.Dreaming of heading to Parkes Elvis Festival with Vintage Rail Journeys? These Elvis tracks are made for scenic swooning.Travel the great expanse of this wild and wonderful country with these tunes that inspire wilderness wanderings.

Rabbit Hole

Ever wondered what is the internet doing to us? Kevin Roose traces one man’s slide from gaming clips to radical content, then zooms out to examine algorithms, influence and our own online habits. Meticulous, unsettling and oddly compassionate, this eight-part series sits with the grey areas rather than easy answers.

Friends With Money

Plain-spoken money chats from Money Magazine, Australia’s longest-running personal finance title. From mortgages to markets, each episode brings a timely topic and a specialist who explains it without jargon. Smart, useful and practical advice to strengthen budgets, demystify decisions, and build confidence between paydays and beyond.

Hold The Moment Podcast

Gentle, clear-eyed stories from people living with dementia and those who love them. Created by Dementia Australia, the award-winning series balances science with lived experience, finding dignity, humour and hope in the everyday. A moving listen that lingers long after the credits.

Good Weekend Talks

The magazine, in your ears. Weekly conversations with the people shaping Australian culture. From authors and athletes, to politicians and outliers, conversations are guided by the country’s best journalists. It’s thoughtful company for a coastal drive or unhurried evening. Episodes unpack big stories with nuance, generous listening and context, leaving you smarter, gently entertained.

Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer

A cultural autopsy of 90s daytime TV, told by Leon Neyfakh (Slow Burn). Through archival tape and sharp reporting, it asks what Springer’s circus said about us, and what echoes remain in today’s outrage economy. Propulsive, surprising and ultimately reflective, it’s less tabloid, more time capsule.

Good Hang With Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler invites funny, fascinating friends for precisely what the title promises: a good hang. No life hacks, no homework, just stories, shared enthusiasms and the kind of laughter that makes an hour disappear. Occasional musical detours, behind-the-scenes comedy lore, and delightful tangents that feel like eavesdropping over coffee. Get to know the likes of Kristen Wiig and Tina Fey in a new light.