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Conversations

Conversations


Conversations

ratings:
Length:
146 episodes
Language:
English
Format:
Podcast

Description

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.

Whether it's an exploration of Australian and American politics, the intricacies of mental health, or the mysteries of ancestry and origin stories, our episodes offer a conversational approach that brings topics to life.

We uncover epic tales of war and peace, the complex dynamics of relationships and family, and the profound impact of grief and loss.

Follow Conversations for thought-provoking discussions, heartfelt stories, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.

Conversations explores the meaning of life, history, relationships, motherhood and fatherhood, love, religion and the origins of human life through a contemporary and conversational Australian lens.

From distinctive accounts of crime, mental health, ancestry, cults, grief, family and parenting, to discussions about science, books, art, music, war, spies and economics, Conversations traverses myriad topics.

Our interviews focus on pioneers of the natural world, wildlife, oceans, fungi, archaeology, palaeontology and megafauna.

Our guests speak about geopolitics, being a refugee and the experience of migration. They come from all walks of life — First Nations, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples, CALD communities and ancestors of Australia's first fleeters. We explore Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu faith traditions, among other beliefs, including atheism.

We look at social history as well — close encounters with the ancient world, the Stolen Generations, and adventurers on an explorative odyssey.

In a Conversations interview, you will hear personal stories of secrets, lies, adoption, and living with disability, neurodiversity or chronic illness.

We traverse a person's life story, full of human interest topics, including redemption, love at first sight, spirituality, poverty, having children, family dynamics and even hidden families.

We hear from individuals who have struggled with drug addiction, jail, family violence, political imprisonment, persecution, abuse, depression, anxiety and mental health issues.

Conversations also speak to the public figures of Australian and international society — leaders, artists, politicians, authors, sports stars, actors and musicians.

A writer, a builder, a neurologist, a Paralympian, an Olympian, an amputee, a historian, a comedian, a funeral director, a bird photographer, an ethicist, a doctor, a spy, a pilot, a choreographer, a firefighter, a bookseller, an astrophysicist, a martial artist, a principal, an oud virtuoso, an ecologist, a carer, a demographer, a chess master, a forensic archaeologist, a biologist, a chef, a surfer, a button shop owner, a costume and set designer, a boxer, a drummer, a conductor, a dog behaviourist, an AFL player, a longevity expert, a barber, a Matilda, and a psychologist have all appeared on our program.

Stories make us who we are. Join Conversations for an hour of diverting listening, to transport, touch and uplift you. Our guided storytelling will teach you something new, introduce you to someone extraordinary and take you away to a different place or time in history.

After almost 20 years of digging into the lives, stories and worlds of thousands of people, Conversations continues as the ABC's most popular podcast, providing Australians with a social history of our country and paying close attention to the small, personal details that make up a life.
Language:
English
Format:
Podcast

Episodes1 - 10 of 146 episodes

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Upside down in Bass Strait

Ocean racing navigator Will Oxley first learned his trade through celestial navigation,...

53 minutes
May 26, 2022

The caving time lord

Dr Kira Westaway is a geochronologist who places modern and ancient humans in context b...

50 minutes
May 24, 2022

The hunt for Hitler's horses

Art detective Arthur Brand met neo-Nazis, billionaire collectors and underground art de...

52 minutes
May 23, 2022

Building a school for the world’s poorest children — Gemma Sisia's story

A donation of land and $10 was all Australian-born Gemma needed to establish The School...

55 minutes
May 13, 2022

The audacious athletes who cheated their way to the top

From dodgy marathon runners to table tennis stars who 'dope' their paddles, there are f...

51 minutes
May 10, 2022

Teddy Tahu Rhodes and the letter that changed his life

He's one of the world's most acclaimed opera stars, but Teddy Tahu Rhodes did everythin...

51 minutes
May 06, 2022

The hunt for the world’s largest owl

Wildlife biologist Jonathan Slaght on his adventurous quest to save the rare, shaggy fi...

51 minutes
May 05, 2022

Maggie Dent — helping teenage boys grow into good men

Maggie grew up around boys, then raised four sons of her own. Now she helps parents und...

52 minutes
May 04, 2022

Two spoons and a dugout canoe — the story of Jock McLaren

Tom Gilling with the story of how a Scottish-born soldier named Jock McLaren became one...

51 minutes
Apr 25, 2022

Di Morrissey and the tragedy on Lovett Bay

Di Morrissey grew up in a tiny village on the water, only accessible by rowboat, with f...

52 minutes
Apr 20, 2022