The Share Plate is a publication and podcast for people who care about the world but are tired of headlines, hot takes and hopelessness. Every fortnight, Tegan and Lizzie sit down with a writer from the current issue for a conversation built like a dinner party — a Starter, a Main, a Dessert. The twist: guests never discuss their own writing.

In this episode, comedian Fergus Neal joins hosts Tegan and Lizzie for dinner, with a stacked menu:

• Starter: When was the last time you belly laughed?
• Main: Who convinced you? by Tegan Lerm — how online platforms manufacture the feeling that everyone already agrees, why nuance never travels as far as outrage online, and why real influence comes from the people who trust you, rather than a follower count.
• Dessert: Which utopia would you build? by Naomi Bourne — five versions of the future, from rewilding the planet to working less to leaving Earth altogether, and the trade-offs that come with each one.

Subscribe to The Share Plate wherever you listen, so you don't miss a fortnightly seat at the table — and read the full pieces discussed in this episode, Who Convinced You by Tegan Lerm and Which utopia would you build by Naomi Bourne, free on our Substack now: https://theshareplate.substack.com/

Then do the thing we asked Fergus to do: put your phone down and go talk to someone!

Chapters:

0:00 — Welcome to the table

1:25 — Starter: when was the last time you properly belly laughed?

3:34 — Main: Who convinced you? by Tegan Lerm

26:16 — Dessert: Which utopia would you build? by Naomi Bourne

47:44 — What are you taking home, and who are you sharing it with?

Fergus Neal is an Australian comedian, writer, podcaster and content creator known for his sharp social observations, high-energy storytelling and quick wit. Fergus's own article, Reaching across the aisle, publishes to The Share Plate Substack on Monday 9 November, and Tishiko King unpacks it with Tegan and Lizzie in an episode live on Tuesday 10 November.

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

The Share Plate is a publication and podcast for people who care about the world but are tired of headlines, hot takes and hopelessness. It comes from Tegan Lerm and Lizzie Hedding, the co-founders of Build a Ballot — the viral election tool and civic education platform built to help Australians navigate elections with confidence and vote in line with their values.

Before Season 1 begins, Tegan and Lizzie sit down to explain what The Share Plate is, and how it'll work. Every fortnight they sit down and share a meal with a writer from the current issue: a Starter question to get things going, then a Main, then a Dessert. The twist is that guests never discuss their own writing. They're handed someone else's piece and asked what they think. What happens next is the show.

Season 1 kicks off on Tuesday September 1st, with comedian Fergus Neal.

Where to find us:

Substack — https://theshareplate.substack.com (free: two new pieces every fortnight / paid: the full issue the moment it's published)

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/theshareplate_

YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@theshareplate

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