Conversations

How Michael Pollan 'shook the snowglobe' of his mind by investigating the therapeutic effects of psychedelic substancesIn 2006 writer Michael Pollan became aware of new research into the therapeutic effects of psychedelics.He found that drugs such as LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) can help to alleviate depression, anxiety and addiction.Then he met terminally ill patients who administered large doses of these substances, and who then found themselves to be happy and at peace. Michael was nearly 60 when he took LSD for the first time, and some time later he smoked the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad.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.Further informationFirst broadcast July 2019How to Change Your Mind is published by Penguin

Brendan James Murray on the elusive copper-coloured snake species which terrorised post WWII North Queensland (R)

Sharonne Zaks was working as a dentist when an encounter with a patient named Anna led her to develop a radical new branch of dentistry (R)

Throughout the 1930s and 40s, Arthur Stace rose before dawn to write a one-word sermon in chalk on the footpaths of Sydney. Writer Roy Williams unearthed the truth about Arthur Stace's life story with the help of those who knew him personally (R)

Leigh went through an event in 2014 which changed her profoundly. She was left questioning how we cope when the unimaginable happens (R)

The frontman of You Am I on his life in music, his Kalgoorlie childhood, and his battles with anxiety (R)

Glennon made a big name for herself in the US as a ‘Christian mommy blogger’ with her candid and often hilarious writing when she fell wildly in love with U.S Women's Soccer star Abby WambachAlongside her blackly funny posts about the challenges of parenting, Glennon wrote about her recovery from alcoholism and bulimia.She encouraged her growing tribe of followers to feel their feelings rather than numbing them.Glennon then used her platform to create an all-women-led non profit organization.Together Rising has raised $27 million for women, families, and children in crisis.A few years ago Glennon's husband Craig confessed he'd been unfaithful to her for years.She decided to stay in the marriage and fight for it.In 2017 Glennon was at a conference launching her book Love Warrior about recommitting to her marriage.When she saw US women’s soccer star, Abby Wambach, Glennon immediately fell madly in love.She upended her life to be with her, and had to rethink many of her ideas about marriage and motherhood in the process.Further informationUntamed: Stop Pleasing and Start Living is published by VermillionLearn more about Together RisingTo 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, singers, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Writer Deborah Feldman grew up inside the claustrophobic world of an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect in Brooklyn, and as a teenager she was married off to a man she barely knew. In her 20s she fled to Berlin to make an entirely new life

Lawrence Ryan grew up in a dilapidated Victorian-era homestead called Monte Cristo. From when he was young, he knew he'd grow up to become a professional stuntman, jumping his motorbike over cars, buses and planes

Matt Norman's late uncle Peter won a silver medal at the 1968 Olympics, then was notoriously cast out of Australian sport (R)