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A magical life — escapologist and illusionist Arthur Coghlan May 25, 2021

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Arthur made his name escaping from a locked 44-gallon drum in a pool of pool of sharks. His death-defying escapes in the late 1970s earned him the title of 'Australia's Houdini', and he was magician in residence at the Magic Castle on the Gold Coast. At 89 years of age he is still performing

Christiaan Van Vuuren's fully sick life May 24, 2021

Show notes

While confined to hospital with a rare form of tuberculosis, Christiaan found love and an entirely new path (R)

The girl who ran away to sea — the making of Kathryn May 21, 2021

Show notes

Working as a deckhand on a fishing trawler became the refuge Kathryn Heyman needed from the wreckage of her early life. Hitchhiking to Darwin, then working in the Timor Sea, far from her old life, helped her remake herself (CW: Sexual assault)

Let them ring — Paul Livingston on making a great big noise May 20, 2021

Show notes

Paul is a musician, author and performer best known for his comedic alter-ego, Flacco. In recent years he's joined an eclectic band of people who ring the bells at his local church tower in inner Sydney. He's also been working as a volunteer, listening to and writing down the stories of people at the end of their lives

Jessica Cottis — inside the colour of sound May 19, 2021

Show notes

Jessica is an orchestral conductor and also a synesthete who 'sees' colour in her mind's eye. As an organ virtuoso she performed in some of Europe's great cathedrals. When forced to retire, Jessica re-trained as a conductor, making her debut at the BBC Proms. Australian born, she returns often, to work with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra

The mystery of broken-hearted syndrome May 18, 2021

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Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp reveals how emotional shock can be fatal (R)

Henry Reynolds and the truth May 17, 2021

Show notes

One of the foremost historians of black and white Australia, Henry says now is the time to acknowledge how the country was founded. Frontier violence, the myth of peaceful settlement, and the failure of the British to make treaties with the First Nations have led to consequences we still live with today (CW: material might be distressing to ATSI listeners)

How a doctor's suicide broke the silence May 14, 2021

Show notes

Gastroenterologist Andrew Bryant's active, social and positive exterior gave no hint of the depression he was suffering. Days after his tragic death his wife Susan wrote an email making it clear she and her adult children were not ashamed of the way he died. It went viral (CW: suicide)

New York, Oenpelli, the Village People and me May 13, 2021

Show notes

Allen Murphy was raised in New York and grew up to become a drummer for The Village People. When he arrived in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory he fell in love with Indigenous culture and music, and knew he'd found home (CW: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode includes the name of a person who has died.)

A Renaissance scholar on love, power, Florence and folly May 12, 2021

Show notes

Dale Kent is a Professor of Italian history who grew up in Australia. Rejecting her Christian Science upbringing, Dale forged an unapologetic life of her own design. She lived and worked in Europe and then in the US where she taught at the University of California for 25 years

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