Mike Ladd is a poet, essayist and reviewer. He has published ten collections of poetry and prose, including the natural history haibun Karrawirra Parri, Walking the Torrens from Source to Sea (2012) and Dream Tetras (2022) an experimental collaboration with visual artist Cathy Brooks. Mike worked for ABC Radio for nearly forty years and was the editor of Radio National’s Poetica program. His new and selected poems Now Then (2025) is published by Wakefield Press.

Hosted by Tyler Jackson Chappell

This conversation was recorded on the land of the Karuna people of the Adelaide plains.

Links:

Mike at Friendly Street Poets

https://friendlystreetpoets.org.au/poetry/sample-of-poets/ladd/

Poetica

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/poetica

Signs of Life

https://www.iangibbins.com.au/projects/signs-of-life-bowen-street/

Mike’s Books:

Dream Tetras

https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product/dream-tetras/

Invisible Mending

https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product/invisible-mending/

Now-Then

https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product/now-then/

Karrawirra Parri

https://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product/karrawirra-parri/

Chris Summer is a self-taught contemporary artist who specializes in hyper-realistic still-life compositions, often focusing on natural subjects like feathers, shells, and urchins. He now lives and works on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, having relocated from London. His works are known for fine detail and can take up to 200 hours to complete. Chris has been recognized in prestigious prizes including 2026 - Winner: 'City Of Victor Harbor' Award at the Victor Harbor Art Show, he’s represented by Art Images Gallery and Artworx Gallery.

Chris appreciates the balance between creativity and commerce, recognizing that embracing the commercial side of art allows him to continue creating. While his creative process is meticulous, he sees each piece as a learning experience. This synergy allows his work to reach collectors who appreciate both the craftsmanship and the connection to everyday beauty.

Hosted by Tyler Jackson Chappell

This conversation was recorded on Ngarrindjeri/ Ramijndjeri land.

Links:

Chris’s website -

https://www.chrissummer.com.au/

Chris’s instagram -

https://www.instagram.com/chris_summer_art?igsh=MTc3a3JyNWw2NGtyNQ==

Art Images Gallery -

https://artimagesgallery.com.au/pages/exhibitions

Artwork Gallery -

https://www.artworxgallery.com.au/artworx-artists/chris-summer

Insubstantial - https://www.chrissummer.com.au/portfolio-feather?lightbox=dataItem-m3c5cm9l1

Chris’s Portfolio -

https://www.chrissummer.com.au/portfolio

Olivia De Zilva is a writer based in Kaurna Yerta (Adelaide). Her novel Plastic Budgie was released in July 2025 by Pink Shorts Press. Her novella Eggshell was released by Spineless Wonders in November 2025. Her fiction and essays have appeared in The Guardian, SBS, The Saturday Paper, Mascara Literary Review and many other publications. Olivia's writing has been shortlisted by the Richell Prize, The Kat Muscat Fellowship, The Deborah Cass award and recently, was the inaugural winner of the AAWP Novella Prize.

Hosted by Tyler Jackson Chappell

This conversation was recorded on Ngarrindjeri/ Ramindjeri land.

Links:

Olivia’s website -

https://oliviadezilva.com/

Olivia’s instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oliviadezilva/

Opinionated Bookclub instagram - https://www.instagram.com/opinionatedclub/

Plastic Budgie - https://www.pinkshortspress.com.au/books/p/plastic-budgie?srsltid=AfmBOooOFw5Yssla4snXZg5HdMxVJIi3EFQgrcmeSGK1u0XgZgDV3eiC

Eggshell -

https://shortaustralianstories.com.au/product/eggshell/

Olivia on The Guardian -

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/aug/28/olivia-de-zilva-the-10-funniest-things-i-have-ever-seen-on-the-internet

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/dec/03/the-moment-i-knew-i-watched-him-nurse-our-pet-rabbit-to-health-and-i-felt-at-peace

Pink Shorts Press -

https://www.pinkshortspress.com.au/

Matt Hooton’s book Everything Lost, Everything Found - https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460765869/everything-lost-everything-found-perfect-for-readers-of-the-midnight-watch-and-the-last-painting-of-sara-de-vos/

Splinter Journal -

https://splinterjournal.com/