Secrets We Keep
LiSTNR
Each season, Secrets We Keep investigates a different Australian secret.
Secrets We Keep: Uncovered (Season 9): takes you inside some of the most important investigations of our time, with our expanding network of journalists and sources from around Australia and beyond. Every week, Uncovered pulls back the curtain on the stories powerful people hoped would stay buried, by speaking directly to those who lived and breathed them.
Jailbreak (Season 8): Journalist Tim Elliott details the extraordinary story of Darko Desic, a fugitive who lived for 30 years on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
Lone Actor (Season 7): Joey Watson traces the radicalisation trajectory of the Christchurch terrorist, asking the question - did he really act alone?
By Any Means (Season 6): An investigation into the modern fertility landscape, confronting complex questions about consent, identity and human rights.
Should I Spit? (Season 5): The origin story of the multibillion dollar consumer DNA industry. From police hoping to solve cold murder cases, to one of the most powerful churches in the world, everyone seems to want a piece of what makes you, you.
Pray Harder (Season 4): investigative journalist Richard Baker uncovers the unbelievable and compelling true story of Australia’s oldest and most hard line Pentecostal Church, the Geelong Revival Centre.
Baghdad Nights (Season 3): Richard Baker takes you inside Australia's biggest corruption scandal, finding out how Australia funded a dictator in the lead up to the Iraq War.
Nest of Traitors (Season 2): Joey Watson is pulled into the world of espionage, attempting to track down an Australian spy who turned to work for the enemy during the Cold War.
Shame Lies & Family (Season 1): A mystery photo of Amelia Oberhardt’s mum exposes the practice of shotgun marriages, forced adoption, and quiet abortions carried out in Australia until the 1980s.
Secrets We Keep: Uncovered (Season 9): takes you inside some of the most important investigations of our time, with our expanding network of journalists and sources from around Australia and beyond. Every week, Uncovered pulls back the curtain on the stories powerful people hoped would stay buried, by speaking directly to those who lived and breathed them.
Jailbreak (Season 8): Journalist Tim Elliott details the extraordinary story of Darko Desic, a fugitive who lived for 30 years on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
Lone Actor (Season 7): Joey Watson traces the radicalisation trajectory of the Christchurch terrorist, asking the question - did he really act alone?
By Any Means (Season 6): An investigation into the modern fertility landscape, confronting complex questions about consent, identity and human rights.
Should I Spit? (Season 5): The origin story of the multibillion dollar consumer DNA industry. From police hoping to solve cold murder cases, to one of the most powerful churches in the world, everyone seems to want a piece of what makes you, you.
Pray Harder (Season 4): investigative journalist Richard Baker uncovers the unbelievable and compelling true story of Australia’s oldest and most hard line Pentecostal Church, the Geelong Revival Centre.
Baghdad Nights (Season 3): Richard Baker takes you inside Australia's biggest corruption scandal, finding out how Australia funded a dictator in the lead up to the Iraq War.
Nest of Traitors (Season 2): Joey Watson is pulled into the world of espionage, attempting to track down an Australian spy who turned to work for the enemy during the Cold War.
Shame Lies & Family (Season 1): A mystery photo of Amelia Oberhardt’s mum exposes the practice of shotgun marriages, forced adoption, and quiet abortions carried out in Australia until the 1980s.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 30, 2024 • 37min
Pray Harder – Episode 1 – Noel's War
A story too big to ignore is drawing journalist Richard Baker back to his home town of Geelong. The chosen people of a strict Pentecostal church claim to have seen miracles happen, and expect to be among the few saved when Armageddon comes. But for some, the Geelong Revival Centre has brought the opposite of salvation. Ex-members are speaking out about the pain, control, and heartbreak they’ve endured under the rule of Pastor Noel Hollins, the leader of the church for the past 50 years. Richard meets some of these brave ex-members, many who are speaking out for the first time, as they share what it’s like to grow up in the GRC. The interviews in this series were recorded during Pastor Noel Hollins leadership of the Geelong Revival Centre. During production, Pastor Noel died. The experiences and allegations raised do not relate to the current leadership of the GRC Do you know more? Get in touch secretswekeep@sca.com.au Lifeline 13 11 14 Credits: Producer and reporter - Richard Baker Series Producer - Romy Sher Assisting producer - Ed Gooden Executive Producers - Emma Lancaster and Belinda Lopez Sound design - Darcy Thomson Fact check - Bension Seibert Additional production assistance and theme vocals - Mathew Dwyer. Head of Factual and Drama for LiSTNR Original Podcasts - Jennifer Goggin. Special thanks to Story consultant Kate Cole Adams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 21, 2024 • 4min
Introducing Pray Harder
The end of the world is coming for members of a Geelong Church. It’s been looming for over 50 years. And only the chosen few will be saved. Follow investigative journalist Richard Baker as he returns to his home town to investigate one of Australia’s most hardline Pentecostal churches and the man who led it. This series goes deep inside the secretive group and the disturbing doctrine of Pastor Noel Hollins. Richard Baker has received hundreds of hours of audio recordings that reveal the inner teachings of the doomsday group. He speaks to ex-members who have managed to escape, many who are sharing their stories for the first time. They speak of a brutal place where men must be obeyed, children must be punished and the solution to every problem is to pray harder. This special LiSTNR nine part investigation uncovers how an Australian church, with charity status, has impacted the lives of vulnerable people for generations - without repercussions. Until now. Listen to the full series now on LiSTNR https://play.listnr.com/podcast/secrets-we-keep Episode 1 available everywhere December 1. The interviews in this series were recorded during Pastor Noel Hollins leadership of the Geelong Revival Centre. During production, Pastor Noel died. The experiences and allegations raised do not relate to the current leadership of the GRCSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 30, 2024 • 21min
Baghdad Nights - Bonus - The Tigris matter
In December 2005, Richard Baker published a story about an obscure oil company called Tigris Petroleum, and its ties to Iraq. A few weeks later, Tigris would be linked to the AWB at the Cole inquiry. In this bonus episode, Richard revisits the story, and finally gets some key documents about Tigris released. Featured: Michael Long Alexander Downer Ross Fusca Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 23, 2024 • 30min
Baghdad Nights – Episode 9 – G’day Mr Howard
Richard Baker interviews former Prime Minister John Howard, to find out why Australia went into the Iraq War, and ask how much his government knew about the AWB’s dealings. Featured: John Howard Caroline Overington Alexander Downer Trevor Flugge Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 16, 2024 • 32min
Baghdad Nights – Episode 8 – Shut it down and shred
The Cole inquiry recommends the AWB be investigated, and the Australian Federal Police set up a taskforce. Richard Baker speaks to former AFP officer Ross Fusca and finds out the taskforce mysteriously disappeared. The corporate regulator, ASIC, also attempts to hold the wheat men to account. Featured: Darryl Hockey Ross Fusca Michael Long Trevor Flugge Rod McLeod (voicing Mark Emons) Dan Mullins (voicing lawyer) Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 9, 2024 • 30min
Baghdad Nights - Episode 7 - Absolute nong
It’s Trevor Flugge and Michael Long’s turn in the witness box, though it couldn’t have come at a worse time. The media is fixated on photos of the pair in Baghdad holding guns, looking like cavalier cowboys. But they won’t be the only powerful men called to give evidence. Featured: Trevor Flugge Michael Long Nonee Walsh Kelvin Thomson Alexander Downer Darryl Hockey Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 2, 2024 • 25min
Baghdad Nights - Episode 6 - Every man for himself
The Australian government announces an inquiry into the AWB, with the lawyers hoping to prove the AWB knew it was breaching sanctions. A whistleblower fronts the inquiry to give evidence... in secret. Featured: Trevor Flugge Darryl Hockey Michael Long Anwar Al-Rawi Rod McLeod (voicing Mark Emons) Dan Mullins (voicing lawyer) Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 26, 2024 • 31min
Baghdad Nights - Episode 5 - Life, death and deals
Saddam Hussein has been found, weapons of mass destruction have not. The reason for the Iraq invasion crumbles, and the world’s attention is turned to corruption in the United Nations Oil For Food Program. The AWB’s dealings in Iraq are about to come under scrutiny from an international investigation. Featured: Darryl Hockey Alexander Downer Caroline Overington Mark Pieth Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 19, 2024 • 27min
Baghdad Nights – Episode 4 – Wars within wars
The US invades Iraq, and good old Australia has joined. The Australian wheat men are on the ground a month later, and the secret mission begins – protect Australia’s lucrative wheat market. Featured: Robin Raphel Trevor Flugge Michael Long Lieutenant Colonel Paul Wright Alexander Downer Alan Tracy Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 12, 2024 • 33min
Baghdad Nights - Episode 3 - A hidden agenda
The drums of war are beating, and the Australian Wheat Board’s multimillion-dollar trade with Iraq is at risk. Lucky for them, powerful sources promise to keep the AWB informed of any signs of war, while the public hears something different. Featured: Trevor Flugge Darryl Hockey Alexander Downer Anwar Al-Rawi Michael Long Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
