Conversations

At the age of 2, Rebekah Robertson's son George calmly explained to his mum that he was a girl. After years of turmoil in the family, Rebekah began devoting much of her life to helping Georgie be herself. In the process, she changed history

How Clare overcame grief she'd stored away since childhood, found a way to manage anxiety, and embraced a joyful, messy life

Frank Dikotter on the common personality traits of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Mao and other twentieth century dictators

The story of two men who fought for different sides on the western front, and an unexpected friendship between their descendants (R)

Gisela Kaplan fell under the spell of birds when hand-rearing a magpie nestling. After it learned to speak, she was so intrigued she switched careers and began her research into avian behaviour. Her many books on Australian native birds have been ground-breaking.Many assumptions about the nature of birds and their behaviour are completely wrong when applied to Australian birds.Gisela Kaplan was a professor of sociology when a magpie nestling she was hand raising bonded closely with her, followed her about, and learned to speak.Her curiosity about birds became so strong she switched careers to become a field biologist and animal behaviourist.Based in Armidale NSW, Gisela has conducted extensive research into avian behaviour. Her second PhD was a study of the songs of Australian magpies.Gisela's many books on Australian native birds have changed the way these creatures are understood.Along with her teaching, writing and research in ornithology, Gisela has been a wildlife carer for 25 years, raising countless birds of all ages.Further informationBird Bonds: sex, mate-choice and cognition in Australian native birds is published by MacmillanGisela's earlier books include Bird Minds, Tawny Frogmouth, and Australian MagpieGisela is Emeritus Professor of animal behaviour at the University of New England 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, singers, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

After both her parents died young, Charlotte Wood grew up believing she would never grow old. When she reached her 50s, she began to ask some big questions about aging

Physiotherapist Sky Fosbrooke’s stint as a volunteer health worker led to a deep attachment to the people of a small South Santo village

When David McAllister was a little boy growing up in Perth he would tuck tea towels into his undies and dance around in front of the TV.He watched his own reflection, as he twirled, and leapt around the lounge room.At 7, David went to his first ballet class at a suburban scout hall, and loved it right away.But doing ballet was a kind of social death for a boy, in the 1970s in Western Australia.David says the torment he went through at school helped to spur him on to become one of the best dancers of his generation.After winning at place at the Australian Ballet School, he joined the Australian Ballet company in 1983.One artistic director told him his nose was all wrong and he would never be cast as a prince, but he eventually danced many principal roles.David was named as the Artistic Director in 2001, and he's been the longest-serving director of any in the Australian Ballet.Next year he will retire after 37 years with the company.Further informationLearn more about the Australian Ballet's 2020 seasonTo 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.

The outrageous story of a group of financiers from a poor and damp island on the outer rim of Europe, who created a private company that became the biggest military and political power in all of India

Archie tells of writing Took the Children Away and playing it in public for the first time, of his belated reunion with his siblings, and his love story with Ruby HunterWidely admired for his powerful lyrics and the grace of his pin-drop performances, Archie has overcome blow after blow throughout his life.He was just two years old when he was taken from his Aboriginal mother and given to the Cox family to raise.His foster family brought him up with love, in a house filled with music. But when he discovered the truth about his birth family, Archie's world shattered.Years later, his song, Took the Children Away, would become an anthem for the Stolen Generations.As a teenager, Archie found his way to the streets, where he found solace in alcohol, and eventually, met his great love, Ruby Hunter.So many of the stories of Archie's life have become songs, starting with his debut hit record, Charcoal Lane (produced by Paul Kelly), and they're listened to all over the world.Writing and performing have helped Archie endure many sorrows, as well as celebrate the strength of his culture.Along with multiple awards for his music, Archie is a Member of the Order of Australia, and is the 2020 Victorian Australian of the Year.Further informationTell Me Why: the story of my life and my music is published by Simon and SchusterThe accompanying CD is also entitled Tell Me WhyArchie Roach Foundation