Conversations

Former AFL player turned commentator and children's book author Tony Armstrong discusses overcoming failure, transitioning careers, and finding fulfillment in writing George the Wizard. He reflects on his journey from football to commentary, challenges faced, and unexpected nominations for a Gold Logie.

Lea Firth shares her family's exile story from West Papua to Australia, their return journey, and the bittersweet homecoming. The podcast explores the musical legacies of Auguste Roem Warappen and the blend of metal, soul, and island music. It delves into family roots, political resistance, cultural identity, first haircut tradition, missing out on family dynamics, standing up against bullying, emotional journey of loss, and legacy building through multilingual music.

Writer Lily Brett shares her personal journey of visiting Auschwitz, her parents' survival in the death camp, and her emotional connection to the place. She reflects on her novel 'Too Many Men', the movie adaptation, Lena Dunham's influence, growing up in a displaced persons camp, learning German, and the impact of family history on identity.

I Was Actually There is a new ABC podcast featuring gripping stories told by people who witnessed history first-hand. Hear what it was like to be a police sniper tasked with handling the gunman at the Port Arthur massacre; how it felt to be a teenager seeing The Beatles during their record-breaking 1964 Adelaide visit; and how one man survived being trapped 1km underground for 14 days, after the Beaconsfield mine collapse.Follow the I Was Actually There podcast on ABC listen.In this episode, Rebekah Giles and her boyfriend were enjoying a last-minute Christmas holiday in Thailand when the deadliest tsunami in recorded history struck. Rebekah recounts her remarkable survival, from the moment a torrent of water blew apart her beachfront hut on Phi Phi Island.

Monte Punshon was 103 years old when she was crowned the world's oldest lesbian, but that wasn't how she summed up her extraordinary life. Historian Tessa Morris-Suzuki charts Monte's adventures through underground bars and secret clubsAt 103 years old, Ethel May Punshon, who was variously known as Miss Montague, Mickey and Monte, was crowned the 'world's oldest lesbian'.However, that wasn't how she summed up her extraordinary life.Historian Tessa Morris-Suzuki has researched Monte's long, mysterious and adventurous life.Monte worked in children's theatre at the turn of last century, frequented underground drag parties in the 1930s, and made trailblazing trips to Japan.Throughout her life, Monte was driven by her unrelenting curiosity and a simple motto: don't be afraid.Further informationA Secretive Century: Monte Punshon's Australia is published by MUPTo 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.

Winnie Dunn shares her empowering journey from western Sydney to Tonga, embracing her cultural identity through writing. She explores family heritage, Tongan traditions, and cultural discoveries, finding strength in familial relationships and self-discovery. Uncovering a diary from her birth mother sparks a passion for writing and deeper connections to her roots.

Blind journalist Nas Campanella shares her inspiring journey from radio to TV, breaking barriers, overcoming challenges, and embracing her identity. She discusses family traditions, memory strategies, journalism career, advocacy for the disabled community, and balancing motherhood with her work.

Dr Aaron Camens, paleontologist, discusses Australia's extinct megafauna and the impact of human arrival. Topics include diprotodon migration, fossil footprints, giant kangaroos, and Thylacoleo evolution. Explore the prehistoric landscape and unique insights from preserved fossils.

Artist Michael Kelly's younger sister was born with intellectual disabilities in the 1950s, and went into care. The family lost touch with her until Michael decided it was time to find her again.Michael Kelly has been an artist all his life. When he was a young boy living in Brisbane, his younger sister was born with intellectual disabilities. She was institutionalised and the family eventually lost contact with her.That severed connection was a wound for the whole family, and followed Michael where he went.Over the years he’s lived in family squats, stayed in a decommissioned mental asylum, and in a van.Eventually he made his way to art school, where everything fell into place.All this time, he’s kept meticulous sketchbooks as a way to keep track of his artwork, dreams, ideas and sketches of a changing world. And his path back to his sister.Further informationMichael Kelly has an retrospective exhibition at the Frances Keevil Gallery in Double Bay, running from 7 August to 25 August.You can also see a selection of Michael's sketchbooks in the State Library's Amaze Gallery, until 1 December 2024. Learn more about that exhibition here.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.

Janty Blair is a Butchulla, Mununjhali and Woppaburra woman who, after a lifetime of nursing and midwifery, discovered her funny bone in her late 50s, after a serendipitous Bumble date