Conversations

Latest Episodes:

The creativity of language, storytelling and the great language recovery by Dr Ray Kelly Snr Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

When Ray Kelly Snr's grandfather was asked to translate "telephone" into Gumbayngirr, he responded with “muuya barrigi”, or flying breath (CW: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners please be advised this program contains discussion of people who have died. Please take care when listening)

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.

Theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama on making peace and living in poetry Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

Pádraig Ó Tuama survived conversion therapy and exorcism as a young gay man in a church in Ireland, then became a leading peace negotiator and a poet (R)

Carly-Jay on dying, living, and learning to breathe Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Carly-Jay Metcalfe lives with cystic fibrosis, and has faced a double lung transplant, a rare cancer and other huge medical challenges. But through it all humour and hope have fuelled her survival (CW: this story discusses organ transplant and donation, drug use and self harm)

A portrait of Peter Dutton Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

Writer Lech Blaine on Peter Dutton, the former policeman who became the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia

The secret life of slime mould Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Scientist Tanya Latty on how a single-cell organism, slime mould, can solve complex problems in some remarkable ways (R)

Bettany Hughes takes you to the hottest sightseeing spots of the ancient world Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

What was on the "must-see" lists for tourists in 200 BCE? From the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to the Great Pyramids at Giza, historian Bettany Hughes is your tour guide through the seven wonders of the ancient world

Finding a new version of family Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

Journalist Marina Kamenev on the changing story of our families in the 21st century (CW: discusses donor conception)

Louise Milligan on justice, family and Ireland Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

The investigative reporter reflects on her beloved Ringsend relatives and what drives her work holding powerful organisations to account (CW: discussion of suicide and confronting material)

Tom Gleeson: the hard man of Australian comedy Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Tom Gleeson discovered and honed his distinctively caustic, laconic style of humour in some unlikely places (R)

Jellyfish, sharks, grease and goggles: the life of a marathon swimmer Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Dean Summers became a long-distance swimmer in midlife. Now he swims with sharks, jellyfish and bioluminescence in wild oceans around the world