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ABC Australia

Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met. Journey into their world, joining them on epic adventures to unfamiliar places, back in time to wild moments of history, and into their deepest memories, to be moved by personal stories of resilience and redemption.

Hosted by Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski, Conversations is the ABC's most popular long-form interview program. Every day we explore the vast tapestry of human experience, weaving together narratives from history, science, art, and personal storytelling.

Conversations Live is coming to the stage! Join Sarah Kanowski and Richard Fidler for an unmissable night of unforgettable stories, behind-the-scenes secrets, and surprise guests. Australia’s most-loved podcast — live, up close, and in the moment. Find out more at the Conversations website.

Conversations

Writer Tanya Heaslip on swapping life on an Alice Springs station for the fairytale streets of Prague, and the remarkable parallels she found between these two magical worlds.

Tanya was in a pub in London in 1989 when she watched on the television as the Berlin Wall came down.

She was the tail end of a solo backpacking trip, which didn’t quite live up to what she’d imagined it might be as a little girl growing up on a remote cattle station near Alice Springs.

But Tanya booked to go to Berlin the very next day, beginning an obsession with learning about what life was like behind the Iron Curtain.

Several years later she would return to Europe, this time to the East, to the Czech Republic.

There in fairytale Prague, not long after the Velvet Revolution, Tanya would fall in love with the city and into a relationship with an older man.

And she would draw unexpected parallels between the magic and isolation of Prague and that of Central Australia – their people and their stories.

Tanya has written several memoirs about her life from the great expanse of the Northern Territory, to the cobbled streets of Prague.

Alice to Prague, An Alice Girl and Beyond Alice are published by Allen & Unwin.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores country Australia, rural Australia, boarding school, Northern Territory, mustering cattle, expat Australians, Eastern Europe, Soviet Union, Fall of the Wall, travelling Australians, falling in love, grief, grieving, relationships, love for country, central Australia, Adelaide, bullying, studying law, working in the legal system, teaching English abroad.

When the magical worlds of Alice Springs and Prague collided

The late Widjabul Wieybal woman of the Bundjalung Nation Rhoda Roberts lived through great loss and grief, in the midst of becoming one of Australia's most influential cultural leaders in the arts (R). Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that this episode of Conversations includes the names and voice of someone who has died, used in accordance with the wishes of their family.

Aunty Rhoda Roberts AO, a guiding force in Australia's arts scene and the woman who coined the term "Welcome to Country", died in March at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Rhoda grew up with the lessons her father taught her and her siblings about ignoring racism in their town and not allowing themselves to become victims.

Rhoda is a member of the Bundjalung nation, Widjabul clan of Northern New South Wales and South East Queensland; and her father grew up on a mission near Lismore, where his family fought to maintain their language and culture.

Rhoda had a twin sister called Lois, but their relationship was shattered just days before their 21st birthday, when Lois was left with a brain injury in an horrific car crash.

Rhoda went on to become an actor, journalist, broadcaster, director and festival programmer.

It was during her role as creative director of the Awakening segment of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony that her sister Lois went missing.

Six months later, Rhoda's fears were realised when a hiker found a body in the bush.

Originally broadcast in September 2016.

Listen to Rudi Bremer's episode of Awaye about the legacy of Rhoda Roberts.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Pam O'Brien.

It explores grief, death, tragedy, traumatic brain injury, TBI, First Nations, Aboriginal Australians, racism, prejudice, fathers and daughters, sibling relationships, losing a sister, performing arts, Aboriginal arts, race relations, family trauma, Lismore, Northern Rivers.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Encore: Remembering cultural leader and storyteller Rhoda Roberts

Nick Orchard on how a tough childhood, mental health issues, couch surfing and hip hop have helped him learn how to help others recover from burnout and impostor syndrome.

When Nick was growing up, his mum struggled with her mental health and when he was on a date as a teenager he got the worst call of his life, and went to be with his mum when she needed him most.

Nick turned to the Melbourne hip hop scene for a sense of community and purpose.

It’s also where Nick would go looking for a couch to sleep on after he found himself with no permanent home to go to.

Just when things hit rock bottom, a call from a stranger helped turn his life around.

Nick eventually landed a very big job in government, but that imploded in burnout and he found himself in a different, despondent place - driving 130km down a deserted road, with no memory of how he got there.

That experience flicked a switch in him, and today he uses what he has learned to help others as a burnout coach.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores mental wellbeing, executive burnout, bouncing back, mental health, mental illness, childhood trauma, boxing, purpose, meaning, life, counselling, boxing, professional coach, senior management, anxiety, impostor syndrome, leadership.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Burnout and the 'Bureaucrapper' — how Nick went from the edge of homelessness to helping others

Melina Marchetta grew up in Sydney in a close-knit Sicilian family, but she never wanted to be seen as 'that Italian girl'. Years later, she drew on her story to write an Australian classic (R).

Growing up, Melina lied about the fact she was forbidden to go out on the weekends, and instead told her friends she had to attend lots of weddings.

At 19 years old, she visited Italy for the first time and met her great aunts, still grieving the siblings who had left for Australia decades earlier.

Melina was working in the Commonwealth Bank when she began writing the novel inspired by her family's story.

Looking for Alibrandi was rejected five times before it was published some years later.

Then it became an Australian classic.

Originally broadcast in April 2019.

Melina's latest novel The Place on Dalhousie was published by Penguin in 2019.

And her latest children's book in the What Zola Did series, was published in 2022.

This Conversation was produced by Nicola Harrison. Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.

It explores Australian literature, writing, books, memoir, semi-autobiographical, novels, youth literature, teen literature, romance, coming of age, migrant stories, Italian-Australian stories, movie adaptation, Pia Miranda, Kick Gurry, Anthony LaPaglia.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Encore: The real life story behind 'Looking for Alibrandi'

Tracy Drain is Chief Engineer of the Europa Clipper, a NASA spacecraft currently travelling to Jupiter on a journey that will take six years.

Europa is one of Jupiter’s four largest moons, and scientists believe there could be an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust.Having water would make Europa one of the best places to look for signs of life in the solar system.

Tracy Drain has worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab for more than two decades.

She is also a National Geographic Explorer and was in Australia for the World Science Festival in Brisbane.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the executive producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores NASA, robotic space travel, Jupiter, Jupiter's moons, Europa, The Europa Clipper, mechanical engineering, NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, Star Trek, Nichelle Nichols, Uhura, solar system, mechanical engineering, AI, Mars Reconnaisssance Oribter, Keiper Project, Alien life, Earth-like planets, asteroids, moon landing, the space race, SpaceX, Elon Musk.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The giant spacecraft on its way to Jupiter's icy moon

Together with his husband, Vinko Anthony runs a matchmaking agency for gay men looking for the type of enduring commitment and love that they found. As part of his role as matchmaker, Vinko shares what he's learnt about love and listening through the ups and downs of his own relationships.

Vinko grew up on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, where he spent a lot of his childhood with his Nonna.

The two of them would walk together for hours in silence, listening deeply to the birds, the waves and the wind.

Then, when they got home and sat down to eat, VInko and his Nonna would listen to each other.

Vinko took these lessons in listening and love very seriously, and he brought them with him when his family migrated to Australia and also into his vocation as a matchmaker.

When Vinko finally got the courage to tell the love of his life a secret he had been hiding for five years, he had to trust that all that love and listening would be gracefully given back to him.

Vinko has written a book about his love story and his matchmaking business. It's called All In: How to Make Love Stick.

Vinko and his husband, Andrea, co-founded a dating agency called Beau Brummell Introductions, for gay men in Australia, the US, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores dating, online dating, homosexuality, growing up gay, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Italy, Puglia, travel, STI, living with HIV, falling in love, relationship advice, dating agency, matchmaking, masculinity, affair, love, listening, how to date, finding true love, travel, business, falling in love, family, coming out, mardi gras, love at first sight, building a business with your partner, HIV/Aids, Prep, communicating in relationships, commitment, long-term relationships, how to communicate with your partner, reactivity, how to listen, accepting yourself, how to find love, dating apps, tinder, hinge, bumble, grindr, feeld.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The secret life of a matchmaker—love, listening and telling the truth

Stephanie Wood was new to online dating when she met a sweet man named Joe. But within weeks, she realised 'farmer' Joe was not who he claimed to be (R).

Stephanie was a successful and well-travelled journalist when she met a sweet man named Joe online.

They spent many romantic weekends away and discussed a future where they would live together in the country.

But after months of his last minute cancellations and no shows, Stephanie finally ended the relationship.

What she discovered next was a shocking tale of deceit and manipulation.

Once she began telling her story, Stephanie realised there were hundreds of other women, and a few men just like her.

Fake is published by Penguin

Since Sarah first spoke with Stephanie in 2019, her story has been turned into an acclaimed TV series starring Asher Keddie.

Stephanie's newsletter Vamp is available on Substack.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison. Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.

It explores online dating, dating apps, catfishing, the Tinder Swindler, betrayal, deceit, love, relationships, modern dating, grief, dating for women, manipulation, narcissism, is my partner a narcissist, gaslighting, is my partner gaslighting me, ripped off, lies.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Encore: falling in love with a charming fake farmer

Charles Lomu on being privileged to see love in action in his grandparents, how a spiral into grief and anger led him to periodic detention, and how cutting hair today helps him steer young men away from a dark path (R). 

When Charles was born, he was lovingly given to his grandparents, in the Tongan adoption custom of pusiaki.

He lived a gentle, religious life in Tonga, and saw love in action through his grandparents' care.

The family moved to Australia, where Charles grew to be an up-and-coming Rugby League player.

When grief shook his family, Charles turned down a dark path, which ended in periodic detention in jail.

Originally broadcast July 2022.

This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan and the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.

This episode of Conversations explores masculinity, love, boyhood, manhood, toxic masculinity, mentoring boys, family life, sports, men in sports, grief, trauma, trauma response, manosphere, Louis Theroux, HSTikkyTokky, Waller, Sneako, men for boys to look up to, recidivism, incarceration, criminal justice system, repeat offending, turning your life around, father figures, grandfather.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Encore: The barber who helps boys become good men

Benjamin Gilmour describes the hectic work of saving lives, and what it's like to bring people back from the brink of suicide. (R)

Ben was been a paramedic for twenty six years and was based in inner Sydney for more than a decade.

A regular working week for Bondi's ambulance crews would see them called out to cardiac arrests, drug overdoses, domestic disputes, and to suicides.

Their patch included a notorious cliff known as 'The Gap', where it would often be Ben’s job to convince people to come back from the edge.

Content Warning

This episode deals directly with suicide, and may be distressing for some people.

Please do seek help if you need it. There is always someone who can talk with you.

If you or anyone you know needs help

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

BeyondBlue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

Further information

Originally broadcast January 2020.

The Gap was published by Penguin.

Listen to Benjamin's conversation with Sarah on directing his feature film, Jirga, in Afghanistan (2018).

This episode was produced by Michelle-Ransom-Hughes and the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.

It deals with suicide, mental health, mental illness, PTSD, mateship, colleagues, work friends, The Gap, cardiac arrest, first on the scene, front line workers, ambos, ambulance, paramedics, emergency, 000.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Encore: After triple zero — a paramedic's tale

When Anna Ferguson was a little girl she was badly hurt in a roller coaster accident. Although she made a full physical recovery, emotionally everything was different, and for many years she couldn't understand why she remained either angry or numb.

Anna was 10 years old when she went with her family to the Melbourne Royal Show.

Anna was excited to ride a roller coaster for the first time, but something went wrong on the ride, and Anna and her sister were trapped for hours.

Both of them needed major medical treatment, and while they made a fully physical recovery, overnight Anna changed from a happy, outgoing little girl into a child carrying a lot of anger and resentment.

As the years went on, Anna realised she was still carrying the legacy of that accident in her nervous system.

So she set about bringing her nervous system back into balance, first through becoming a champion Muay Thai fighter, and then by going to university to study psychology. 

Anna is now a counsellor who specialises in teaching people practical ways to get regulate their nervous system - whether that's by calming or by energising it.

Anna's latest book, 21 Days To A Less Anxious You is published by HarperCollins.

You can read more about Anna's work at her website.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores mental health, mental wellbeing, dysregulation, neurodivergence, cancer, terminal cancer, brain tumour, parenting, regulated parenting, vagus nerve, trauma, PTSD, childhood trauma, how to regulate yourself, breath work, meditation, tapping, yoga, Anna the anxiety coach, depression, fight, flight, freeze, fawn, the wellness industry, psychology, Muay Thai, boxing, fighting, exercise for mental health, carers, caring for a spouse, the NDIS, therapy, overwhelm.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Encore: The barber who helps boys become good men

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