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Many readers encounter Robinson Crusoe long before they ever think about its author, Daniel Defoe — a distant, almost mythical figure from the early eighteenth century.

Yet while we know the story of the castaway, the life of the author is far more intriguing. Defoe was known as a political trouble-maker, pamphleteer, journalist, wheeler-and-dealer and eventually a prisoner.

Author Marc Mierowsky joins Late Night Live to talk about Defoe's life not as a novelist, but as a spy who moved through Scotland in the tense years before its union with England.

So what kind of writer is formed by a life lived in disguise?

Also this week, have a listen to Jason Di Rosso's conversation with acclaimed Australian actor and producer Cate Blanchett. The pair discuss her latest film Father Mother Sister Brother, and the ideas driving the characters.

And on The Economy, Stupid Peter Martin discusses what we might expect to see in the upcoming budget. Given that it's just weeks away and we're in the midst of a crisis almost anything could be on the table.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Robinson Crusoe may be famous, but its author Daniel Defoe led an even more fascinating life as a political agitator, journalist, and spy.

His secretive and turbulent experiences raise an intriguing question: how does a life of deception influence creativity?

Cate Blanchett on the joy of working with Jim Jarmusch again in Father Mother Sister Brother.

The war in Iran has aroused worldwide fears: what happens if a country runs out of oil? Because of severe US restrictions, Cuba has faced that reality, having been without oil for three months.

You know what they say about a crisis: suddenly, all sorts of things become possible. With the federal budget just weeks away, what may be in store?

It was one of the deadliest diseases known to humankind. And just 50 years ago it was officially eradicated. But there's someone missing from the story of smallpox.

The recent expedition from Artemis II has reignited an age-old question: Is there extra-terrestrial life out there? And if there is, what should we do about it?