Conversations

Latest Episodes:

Anne Summers on taking centre stage Oct 26, 2018

Show notes

Anne has worked in the midst of power on both sides of the Pacific, as a prominent journalist, policy advisor and magazine editor

North Korea from the inside Oct 25, 2018

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Veteran reporter Jean Lee did the seemingly impossible from within Pyongyang

Blade runner Dave Henson: after the blast Oct 24, 2018

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After losing both legs to an IED, veteran and Paralympian Dave Henson is applying his unique insight to developing advanced prosthetics

Inside the mind of a bomber Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

Bruno Guevremont was working in a bomb disposal team in Afghanistan when he was called to dismantle the vest of a live suicide bomber

Dr Munjed Al Muderis restores mobility with robotic limbs Oct 22, 2018

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How a doctor's brave escape led him to Australia, and extraordinary medical advancements for amputees (R)

The other Tuscany Oct 19, 2018

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In 1957, Moreno Giovannoni's family left Tuscany for Australia. Twelve years later they returned to San Ginese, but struggled to make it their home

Artist Ben Quilty on Syria's children, and witnessing war Oct 18, 2018

Show notes

Exploring the drawings of children who've survived Syria's conflict. Australian artist Ben Quilty has made several visits with World Vision to camps in Greece, Lebanon and Serbia, housing refugees from the Syrian conflict.

On his first visit to Lebanon’s Bekka Valley, Ben asked the children there to draw for him.

The power of their pictures, expressing what they’d seen before fleeing their homeland, was immediate.

Ben has since made a number of visits back to the camps, often holding drawing workshops for the children, and has collated their artwork in a book.

Further information

Home: Drawings by Syrian Children is published by Penguin

(Proceeds from the book go directly to World Vision's work with children in the Middle East)

This conversation was recorded at the Brisbane Powerhouse

Listen to Ben Quilty's 2014 conversation with Richard Fidler

Live events with Ben Quilty and Richard Flanagan (for the School of Life):

Melbourne: Wednesday 28 November; Goldfields Theatre, MCEC 7pm

Sydney: Tuesday 27 November; Wesley Conference Centre 7pm

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.

The pavlova in the suitcase Oct 17, 2018

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Michelle Garnaut created one of the world's most famous restaurants in Shanghai

How Lawrence Levy turned Pixar's fortunes around Oct 16, 2018

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Pixar was $50M in the red when Lawrence was hired (R)

David Astle's brain on puzzles Oct 15, 2018

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David's is the first mind in the world to be tested on an MRI machine while solving cryptic clues