James and Ashley Stay at Home

James and Ashley Stay at Home

James McKenzie Watson and Ashley Kalagian Blunt

Episodes 129
Avg. Duration 42m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (1)
Since Jun 2020
Latest Episode May 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
64%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

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About This Podcast

Through discussions and interviews with writers, artists and health professionals, author friends James McKenzie Watson and Ashley Kalagian Blunt explore the big questions: how do books get written? How do people navigate life with chronic illness? And just what ARE you reading? Hosted by James McKenzie Watson, winner of the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize, and Ashley Kalagian Blunt, author of 'Dark Mode.'

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Recent Episodes

130 How to be a career author with JP Pomare, author of The Gambler

May 26, 2026 57m

Bestselling crime author JP Pomare joins us to discuss his latest novel The Gambler, and reflects on how his writing process has changed since his debut in 2018. He discusses his start as a sandwich…

129 | Claudia Karvan joins Ashley & James at the Sydney launch of Like, Follow, Die, recorded live

Apr 28, 2026 56m

In March, Ashley launched her new thriller 'Like, Follow, Die.' In episode 129, hear a live recording of the very special Sydney launch event at Gleebooks, Glebe, where James interviewed Ashley and…

128 | Invisible and insidious with Susan Francis, author of Revelation Beach

Mar 26, 2026 53m

In episode 128, author Susan Francis joins James and Ashley to share the insidious ways invisible illness and ageism have impacted her sense of self and forced her to reframe her thinking. At 65…

Upcoming events! A national book tour and a very special Sydney launch

Feb 24, 2026 4m Bonus

A bonus episode to announce Ashley's upcoming national book tour for the launch of Like, Follow, Die, plus a very special Sydney launch event! Upcoming events: James is speaking at Fresh Voices:…

127 | 'I don't think I'll ever write another book like that' with author and publisher Anita Heiss

Feb 17, 2026 32m

It's been 30 years since award-winning author Anita Heiss made her debut on the Australian literary scene. She reveals the moment she finally felt she'd made it in the industry and why her powerful…

126 | How to keep readers hooked with Christian White, author of The Long Night

Dec 16, 2025 45m

In episode 126, internationally bestselling author Christian White describes, in graphic detail, how he thinks of his readers as lobsters. He also shares how his grandmother convinced him to fear…

125 | An early Christmas present - what we've read in 2025

Nov 11, 2025 1h 12m

It's that time of year again! (Well, almost … it's actually a bit early.) Collected here is a varied selection of 2025's 'What Are You Reading' book recommendations, nice and early so you can get…

124 | How nature can heal your brain with Darryl Jones, author of (Be)Wilder

Oct 07, 2025 37m

In episode 124, urban ecologist and past guest Darryl Jones returns to discuss the power of nature to heal your brain and other topics from his latest book, (Be)Wilder, which delves into elephants in…

123 | How to sell a million copies with Matt Rogers, author of 'The Forsaken'

Sep 16, 2025 41m

How do you write thirty-five novels in a decade and sell a million copies while doing it? Bestselling author Matt Rogers is here to share his secrets. Matt began writing fiction at age six, then…

122 | Bonus ep! How to be a fictional character with Felix Shannon

Sep 02, 2025 28m Bonus

In episode 122, Ashley asks fellow crime fiction fan and podcaster what it's like to find yourself as a fictional character in a new novel from one of your favourite authors. Felix 'Flex' Shannon…

121 | The crucial element is not panicking with Sulari Gentill, author of 'Five Found Dead'

Aug 26, 2025 45m

When bestselling author Sulari Gentill was diagnosed with stage four cancer, she decided to write the ending she wanted. In episode 121, she joins James and Ashley to discuss her seventeenth novel,…

120 | If society collapses, head to the beach with Michelle Prak, author of 'Barren Cape'

Aug 05, 2025 33m

In episode 120, bestselling author Michelle Prak discusses how she set her latest thriller against the backdrop of Australia's housing crisis and why she writes flawed, sometimes rash characters. …

119 | Becoming a stranger to yourself with Nathan Dunne, author of 'When Nothing Feels Real'

Jul 08, 2025 38m

In episode 119, debut author Nathan Dunne joins us to discuss his memoir, When Nothing Feels Real, which shares the story of his onset of severe depersonalisation and his quest to find a diagnosis.…

118 | Cybercrime, murder and audiobooks - behind the scenes on 'Like, Follow, Die'

Jun 24, 2025 28m

Ashley's brand new thriller Like, Follow, Die is out now as an audiobook exclusive from Audible! In episode 118, Ashley discusses the book's unique development and what it was like working with an…

117 | Writing towards your greatest fear with Melanie Cheng, author of 'The Burrow'

Jun 11, 2025 44m

Award-winning author Melanie Cheng joins James and Ashley to discuss her writing practice, her pet rabbit, and The Burrow, her 'most personal book' and its many parallels to her own life. She also…

116 | Bonus ep! 'Cold Truth' Live with Ashley & James

May 27, 2025 1h Bonus

If you missed hearing Ashley and James live in conversation at the launch of Cold Truth, we've got the full event recording for you here, complete with fake nazi invasions, terrifying cybercrime…

115 | Where's my 'Menopause: What's Happening to Me?' book with Jay Martin, author of 'Boom Town Snap'

May 13, 2025 47m

How did Jay Martin go from an award-winning memoir to a fiction manuscript she ultimately abandoned? And what did she learn that helped her craft her debut novel, Boom Town Snap? Jay talks with…

114 | Bonus ep! Winter Writing Retreat with Lynne Ainsworth

Apr 29, 2025 24m Bonus

Lynne Ainsworth is the founder of Writers at the Woolshed, an emerging writer, and a person who 'loves hanging out with people who read and write'. She loves it so much, she not only created a pop-up…

113 | Rewriting your stalker with Pip Drysdale, author of 'The Close-Up'

Apr 15, 2025 37m

How does having a stalker change your life? We talk with bestselling novelist Pip Drysdale about her latest novel 'The Close-Up,' its real-life inspirations, and how surviving a stalker shifted her…

112 | Choosing to have children as a creative with Dinuka McKenzie and Lee Kofman

Mar 11, 2025 52m

What considerations come into choosing to have a baby for creatives? And once baby enters the picture, how do you balance parenting with your creative practice? We ask Dinuka McKenzie and Lee…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does James and Ashley Stay at Home have?

James and Ashley Stay at Home has published 129 episodes since June 2020, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is James and Ashley Stay at Home still active?

James and Ashley Stay at Home is currently highly active with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 42m.

How do I contact James and Ashley Stay at Home for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for James and Ashley Stay at Home, including email and social media links.

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