Conversations

Latest Episodes:

George Saunders on life lessons from Russian writers Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Writer George Saunders says stories by Russian writers Chekhov, Turgenev, Gogol and Tolstoy can guide us as to 'how we are supposed to be living down here'

Stan Grant on a world of crisis and hope Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

With countries in lockdown, the showdown with China accelerating and the rise of white supremacy, the planet stands on a precipice. Journalist Stan Grant looks at a possible way forward

The male midwife working in remote Arnhem Land Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Midwife Christian Wright with tales of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities in Arnhem Land, helping Yolŋu women birth their babies

Christian lives in the tiny town of Nhulunbuy right on the tip of the Northern Territory.

His job there is an unusual one.

Christian doesn't work in the mines like most of the whitefellas in town.

He's a midwife, working with the Indigenous women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.

Further information

Learn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birth

Discover the program to train women as Djakamirr, to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country

Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia

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.

My brother, our farm, and seeking the source of consciousness — Mark Solms Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

When he was a young boy in South Africa, Professor Mark Solms watched his older brother fall from a roof and crack his skull.

His brother survived but was greatly changed by the injuries to his brain. The incident planted in Mark a deep desire to understand how a person's brain shapes them. CW: contains description of a medical procedure

Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller — Broadway and me Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Jeffrey tells stories of grit, brilliance and tragedy behind the making of the smash hit musicals 'Rent' and 'Hamilton'

Robina Courtin — listening to prisoners on death row Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

In 1978 Australian Robina Courtin became one of the first westerners to be ordained as a Buddhist nun. Then a letter from a young prisoner in a California jail began a huge change in her own story (R)

Rachael Maza's tale of three islands Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Palm Island, Mer Island, and Australia are the cornerstones of Rachael's work as an actor and a director (R)

Pandemic nurse Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

Simone Sheridan on working at the coalface of Australia's Covid-19 pandemic

The Admiral and the Ecstasy Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

When Admiral Chris Barrie retired as the Chief of the Defence Force, he became increasingly concerned about life for veterans with PTSD. Then he discovered certain psychedelic drugs were being used to literally change minds

Chris Barrie was 15 when he joined the Royal Australian Navy.

He spent 41 years in the navy, and eventually rose to become Chief of the Australian Defence Force, a role he held when 9/11 happened.

Since retiring Chris has become increasingly concerned about veterans suffering from PTSD.

A few years ago he discovered that psychedelic drugs are being used in other countries to successfully treat it.

Chris is now convinced that the Australian Government should legalise the clinical use of specific psychedelics to help veterans recovering from trauma.

To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversation 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 information

Learn more about the work of FearLess

A very vulnerable year Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

After Rick Morton was unexpectedly diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder he set out on a year-long mission to rediscover love

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected