Conversations

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Society & Culture
**Conversations**

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.

Latest Episodes:

Richard E. Grant and his pocketful of happiness Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

The actor on the late love of his life, his wife Joan Washington, and the final message she left him (R)

Kira and the real King Kong Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Dr Kira Westaway has been on a ten-year mission to solve the mystery of how, why and when a giant ape called Gigantopithecus Blacki became extinct, and why nothing remains of this beast but thousands and thousands of teeth

The making of Nazeem Hussain Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Nazeem Hussain honed his comedy in Melbourne's suburbs in the 1990s. After his father left the family, his fearless mother taught Nazeem how to use humour to get bullies off his back

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.

The toilet warrior Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Mark Balla was on a business trip to India when he met two young men on a train. They invited him back to see their home, one of the world's biggest slums. This meeting changed the course of Mark's life

She farms, she flies, she castrates bulls Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

Dr Ameliah Scott pilots herself around remote NSW to take care of animals and have a cuppa with their owners.

Trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) and me Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

As a teenager Adele Dumont started pulling out her hair from the root.

Eventually she created a bald spot the size of a 20-cent piece at the crown of her head.

Adele would sometimes enter a trancelike state, covertly sitting on her bathroom floor, picking at her scalp for hours on end.

The urge to pull at her hair was uncontrollable, and secret.

When Adele finally put a name to her behaviour, she learnt that trichotillomania has a complex history and psychological understanding, much of which remains unknown.

Further information

The Pulling is published by Scribe

Some helpful resources on trichotillomania include Trich Stop and The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours

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.

Jackie goes to Space Camp Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

After feeling burnt out, Jackie Carpenter spontaneously applied for NASA's Space Camp. She was the first Australian accepted, and it was the most transformative experience of her life

Julia Baird's search for grace Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Julia Baird has been sustained through hard times by acts of "moral beauty". In a world marked by division, these gestures have the power to restore our shared humanity

Robert Waldinger's good life Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

Dr Robert Waldinger on what it takes to live a happy life

Aunty Ruth Hegarty’s life of defiance Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

The hardship, cruelty and loneliness of the mission system during the Great Depression didn't crush Aunty Ruth Hegarty's spirit. She found her voice, God and her family.

In 1929 during the Great Depression, Ruth Hegarty travelled with her mother and grandparents to Barambah, later known as Cherbourg Aboriginal Mission. After being told someone there would help them find a new home, they soon discovered they weren't allowed to leave.

At 4 years of age, Ruth was separated from her family. She grew up as a dormitory girl, and was sent out to work as a domestic servant when she turned 14.

But the cruelty and loneliness of the mission system didn't crush Ruth's spirit.

Ruth found her voice, she found God, and she became a matriarch to five generations of descendants.

Content warning: this episode contains discussions about abuse, family violence, and Stolen Generations

Further Information

Ruth's books Is that you, Ruthie? and Bittersweet Journey are published by University of Queensland Press.

Ruth's life story has been adapted into a play written and directed by Leah Purcell.

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