Conversations
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 23, 2024 • 52min
Brigitte and the seven peaks
Brigitte Muir shares her inspiring journey of conquering the highest mountains on every continent, from caving in Belgium to climbing challenging peaks. The podcast dives into the emotional struggles and triumphs of high-altitude climbing, including a harrowing experience in darkness and empowering women in the Himalayas.
Feb 22, 2024 • 53min
Our hormones and our minds: Jayashri Kulkarni
Exploring the impact of estrogen on women's mental health, the role of hormones in behavior and emotions, empowering women through hormone therapy, transitioning from emergency medicine to psychiatry, cultural challenges of an Indian family in 1960s Melbourne, and navigating identity and love in a multicultural upbringing.
Feb 21, 2024 • 52min
From ploughs to cash cows: a short history of economics
Exploring the evolution of economics from hunter-gatherer societies to modern transactions, highlighting the role of trust and government intervention. Discussing historical events' impact on economic development, including the resource curse and Industrial Revolution. Delving into quirky tales like building a toaster from scratch and analyzing immigration's economic effects.
Feb 20, 2024 • 52min
A matter of trust
A tale of deception and betrayal unfolds as Jeanne falls for a mysterious Irish professor, only to discover discrepancies and questionable behavior. Delving into themes of trust, relationships, and betrayal, the narrative explores the complexities of rebuilding trust after betrayal and the impact of trust on personal fulfillment.
Feb 19, 2024 • 53min
The magnificent history of the Huxleys
Explore the fascinating history of the Huxley family, from Thomas Huxley's scientific contributions to Aldous and Julian Huxley's literary and academic achievements. Dive into the evolution of human understanding, Thomas Huxley's agnostic views, and the family's legacy in science and literature. Witness their struggles with mental illness, discussions on human-primate relations, and fascination with altered realities and other planes of existence.
Feb 16, 2024 • 1min
The bookbinder's luck
Dominic Riley, who had a life-changing encounter with a bookbinding monk, talks about his journey in bookbinding, forgiveness, challenging job prospects in London, a book about a magical house, and the significance of the Kilmskott Chaucer in the Arts and Crafts movement.
Feb 15, 2024 • 49min
Paul Kelly and the poetry
Paul Kelly, the renowned songwriter, discusses his love for poetry, the influence of Catholicism and the Bible, exploring the poem 'A Letter of Recommendation,' his early poetry writing experiences, and the perception of poetry in Australia.
Feb 14, 2024 • 51min
The calligraphy of the outback: the art and life of David Rankin
Artist David Rankin discusses his turbulent early life as the son of a bootmaker, his unexpected path into painting, and his passionate love story with writer Lily Brett. They delve into painting landscapes, childhood memories, the calligraphy of the natural landscape, formation of a poetry alliance, the journey to the first exhibition, complex love and loss, living in the Lower East Side of New York, and repairing a long-standing friendship.
Feb 13, 2024 • 52min
Crossing Australia with a camel named Delilah
Experienced explorer Sophie Matterson shares her five-year journey preparing to trek across Australia with five camels she caught and trained herself. Topics include encountering camels and their unique characteristics, preparations for the journey, the transformative power of rain in the desert, unexpected encounters and a tarot card reading, transitioning from stress to enjoyment, and the emotional response to the long walk.
Feb 12, 2024 • 51min
Nick's land of lizards
Nick Clemann, Australia's leading lizard expert, shares his unconventional path into research after years as a tradie. The podcast explores the diversity and beauty of Australian lizards, the critically endangered gothiger skinks, and the fascinating lifestyle of giant burrowing frogs. It also discusses Nick's journey from a factory worker to university student and the method of catching lizards in the desert using a slip noose made of dental floss.
