Breaking up is hard to do Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:00:01 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590050 en-au © 2026 Breaking up is hard to do yes 840c0be9-5ca6-591f-92b8-3cafda1c313f m.brown@mbfamlaw.com.au Michael Brown episodic false Breaking Up Is Hard To Do is a podcast about the human drama behind family law — and the court system that is asked to manage it. Hosted by Michael Brown, a Sydney solicitor with decades of experience, the series explores love, separation, parenting disputes and property battles, alongside the bigger story of how Australia’s Family Court and family law have evolved over the last fifty years. Each episode mixes legal history, real-world insight and thoughtful conversation to examine what really happens when relationships end — and how the law tries (and sometimes struggles) to deliver justice. 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Michael Brown m.brown@mbfamlaw.com.au https://storage.buzzsprout.com/nwvphmky2qz4fxxrwtim9mcqu92i?.jpg Breaking up is hard to do https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590050 Islamic Law and Family Law part 1 Islamic Law and Family Law part 1 Michael Brown Buzzsprout-19409502 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +1000 2761 full false Chief Justice Elizabeth Evatt and the dream of the helping court Chief Justice Elizabeth Evatt and the dream of the helping court In this episode of Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, Michael Brown speaks the Hon Elizabeth Evatt, first Chief Justice of the Family Court about the creation of the court, the introduction of no-fault divorce, and the social changes that reshaped Australian family law. Justice Evatt reflects on being the first woman to lead an Australian court, the original vision of the Family Court as a less adversarial “helping court,” and the challenges of balancing legal reform with public resistance and limited resources.

The conversation also explores the traumatic Family Court bombings of the 1980s, the impact they had on the judiciary, and Justice Evatt’s broader work on women’s rights, equality, and social reform through the Royal Commission on Human Relationships. 

]]> In this episode of Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, Michael Brown speaks the Hon Elizabeth Evatt, first Chief Justice of the Family Court about the creation of the court, the introduction of no-fault divorce, and the social changes that reshaped Australian family law. Justice Evatt reflects on being the first woman to lead an Australian court, the original vision of the Family Court as a less adversarial “helping court,” and the challenges of balancing legal reform with public resistance and limited resources.

The conversation also explores the traumatic Family Court bombings of the 1980s, the impact they had on the judiciary, and Justice Evatt’s broader work on women’s rights, equality, and social reform through the Royal Commission on Human Relationships. 

]]> Michael Brown Buzzsprout-19264480 Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +1000 2880 1 4 full false Lionel Murphy: Heresy to Orthodoxy — Michael Kirby Reflects Lionel Murphy: Heresy to Orthodoxy — Michael Kirby Reflects In this episode, I speak with The Hon Michael Kirby about the life and legacy of Lionel Murphy—architect of no-fault divorce and a transformative figure in Australian law.

Murphy’s role in creating the Family Law Act 1975 reshaped how Australia understands marriage and separation. His judicial philosophy, once seen as radical, helped redefine the place of rights, equality, and social change in the law.

Justice Kirby, who knew Murphy personally, reflects on his reforming vision, the controversies that followed him, and his lasting influence. 

]]> In this episode, I speak with The Hon Michael Kirby about the life and legacy of Lionel Murphy—architect of no-fault divorce and a transformative figure in Australian law.

Murphy’s role in creating the Family Law Act 1975 reshaped how Australia understands marriage and separation. His judicial philosophy, once seen as radical, helped redefine the place of rights, equality, and social change in the law.

Justice Kirby, who knew Murphy personally, reflects on his reforming vision, the controversies that followed him, and his lasting influence. 

]]> Michael Brown Buzzsprout-19101760 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +1000 2901 full false Lionel Murphy part 1- reformer, judge and rabble-rouser Lionel Murphy part 1- reformer, judge and rabble-rouser In this episode, we examine the life and career of Lionel Murphy — from barrister and Labor senator to Attorney-General in the Whitlam Government and later a Justice of the High Court.

The episode covers his role in major legal reforms of the 1970s, including the introduction of no-fault divorce and the creation of the Family Court, as well as the controversies that emerged later in his career.

Featuring interviews with Cameron Murphy MLC  and academic Dr Ryan Kernaghan.

Join us next month for an interview with the Hon Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, about his friend and mentor, Lionel Murphy.

]]> In this episode, we examine the life and career of Lionel Murphy — from barrister and Labor senator to Attorney-General in the Whitlam Government and later a Justice of the High Court.

The episode covers his role in major legal reforms of the 1970s, including the introduction of no-fault divorce and the creation of the Family Court, as well as the controversies that emerged later in his career.

Featuring interviews with Cameron Murphy MLC  and academic Dr Ryan Kernaghan.

Join us next month for an interview with the Hon Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, about his friend and mentor, Lionel Murphy.

]]> Buzzsprout-18768172 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +1100 2685 1 2 full false In the beginning - the creation of the Family Court In the beginning - the creation of the Family Court In 1976, Australia conducted a quiet social revolution.

The doors of the newly created Family Court of Australia opened for the first time, and with them came a radical idea: that marriage should end without blame.

No fault. No moral inquest. No public humiliation.

But did that make breaking up any easier?

In this opening episode, Michael Brown  takes listeners back to 6 January 1976, the beginning of Australia’s bold experiment in modern family law.

This episode begins a broader series examining  Family Law  — its history, its social context, its  ideals, its critics, its unintended consequences, and the deeply human stories that unfold when love ends and law begins.

Because breaking up is still hard to do.



]]> In 1976, Australia conducted a quiet social revolution.

The doors of the newly created Family Court of Australia opened for the first time, and with them came a radical idea: that marriage should end without blame.

No fault. No moral inquest. No public humiliation.

But did that make breaking up any easier?

In this opening episode, Michael Brown  takes listeners back to 6 January 1976, the beginning of Australia’s bold experiment in modern family law.

This episode begins a broader series examining  Family Law  — its history, its social context, its  ideals, its critics, its unintended consequences, and the deeply human stories that unfold when love ends and law begins.

Because breaking up is still hard to do.



]]> Michael Brown Buzzsprout-18764372 Sat, 28 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +1100 2741 1 1 full false