Luka Lesson // Podcast

Season 1: Episodes

  • Interview: L-fresh the Lion // Mother Tongue

    Born and raised in South West Sydney, L-FRESH The LION is one of Australia’s most important Hip Hop artists. Luka ends this episode of the podcast with a new rap verse entitled ‘Mother Tongue’.

  • Interview: Kimberley Moulton // Living Artefact

    Kimberley Moulton is a Yorta Yorta Sovereign woman currently residing in Melbourne and is the Senior Curator for South Eastern Aboriginal Collections at Museums Victoria. This podcast episode ends with Luka performing 'Living Artefact'.

  • Interview: Nardean // Church

    Nardean is an artist with a rich, intelligent voice who takes pride in being the outsider. This episode of the podcast concludes with Luka Lesson reading a previously unreleased triptych entitled: Church.

  • Interview: Dr Neal Hall // Economic Violence

    Neal Hall is a graduate of Cornell and Harvard Universities. An internationally acclaimed poet, he has performed readings throughout the U.S. and the world. Luka responds to their conversation with a poem entitled: ‘Economic Violence’.

  • Interview: Damon Gameau // What Will Become of Us?

    Damon Gameau is a documentary filmmaker and climate activist. His films include ‘That Sugar Film’, ‘2040’ and ‘Future Council’. The end of this episode includes a poem by Luka entitled ‘What Will Become Of Us?’.

  • Interview: Michele Grace Hunder // Amber Lights

    Michelle Grace Hunder is a one of Australia’s most revered live music photographers. Her works ‘RISE’, and ‘Her Sound, Her Story’ (with Claudia Dalimore) both deeply impacted both the music industry respectively. This episode ends with Luka reciting: ‘Amber Lights’.

  • Interview: Joe Williams // Stereo. Type.

    Joe Williams is a proud Wiradjuri/Wolgalu, First Nations Aboriginal man who had successful careers in rugby league and boxing. During his sporting career, Joe battled with suicidal ideation. Now, Joe helps others through his organisation: The Enemy Within. Luka ends this episode with a poem entitled: ‘Stereo. Type.’

  • Interview: Tamica Wilder // Love Made This

    Tamica Wilder is the co-founder of ‘Neosoma’ and founder of ‘Orgasmic Mama’. Tamica helps people attune to the innate wisdom of their bodies and magnify their authentic sexual expression. The end of this episode features Luka’s poetic response: 'Love Made This'. 

  • Interview: Hala Abdelnour // A Letter To My Daughter

    Hala Abdelnour is the CEO of the Institute of non-violence, based in Melbourne, Australia. Hala has worked in the family violence and anti-racism sector for many years and recently collaborated with Luka Lesson to create 'A Letter To My Daughter' a poetic piece of art focussed on the relationship between men and women in today's world. See www.ionv.com.au/engage for more information. 

Season 2: Episodes

  • From Third Culture Kids to 'Amber Lights'

    Luka’s poem about migration, loss & youth inspires a conversation about racism, Third Culture Kids and fatherhood.

  • Acapella or to the Music: 'Eros'

    A new poem called ‘Eros’ from Agapi & Other Kinds of Love kicks off a conversation about writing poetry for music vs acapella performances.

Luka is a poet, rapper, Australian Poetry Slam Champion and Ancient History buff who can’t keep his hands off the classics. Luka has toured extensively throughout the world and is often bouncing ideas off Athenian columns and global politics as he finds his way, giving commentary on life and writing as a modern philosopher, performer and full-time poet.

Luka Lesson draws on his creative powers to either create new poetry inspired by conversations with guests from across the planet, or do a deep dive into his own catalogue of poetry and rap verses, using them as a sounding board for new conversations. His own Greek heritage and the histories of the people he speaks to often filter through, as well as his love of story, mythology, social change and visions for the future.

Guest Appearances

  • Authentic Audience with Krista Ripma

    'Amplify Your Voice with Luka Lesson' on the Authentic Audience Podcast

    Luka provides insights into his writing process and describes the role that critical thinking plays in the creation of his poetry.

  • 'Two Villages': A poetic essay commissioned by the BBC & Red Room Company

    Travel with Luka Lesson through the story of his Great-Grandmother the midwife in her village in Greece, all the way to a new kind of village in Australia where he has laid new roots. A story of matriarchy, childbirth, cultural loss and belonging. ‘Two Villages’ was recorded in front of a live audience for Poetry Month, at Sydney Theatre Company.