Conversations

A podcast by ABC listen

Categories:

1429 Episodes

  1. Classic: From Yugoslavia to Australia — Jelena Dokic on tennis and the truth

    Published: 24/01/2025
  2. How a teen father used the local skate park to change the world

    Published: 23/01/2025
  3. 43 carolling magpies, CPR on a blue tongue lizard and Claire's animal ambulance

    Published: 22/01/2025
  4. Bite Club: Surviving a shark attack, and the aftermath

    Published: 21/01/2025
  5. Voicing velociraptors and capturing the dawn chorus

    Published: 20/01/2025
  6. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Shanelle Dawson

    Published: 17/01/2025
  7. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Tony Bull

    Published: 16/01/2025
  8. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Sue Ellen Kusher

    Published: 15/01/2025
  9. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — John Prine

    Published: 14/01/2025
  10. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Peter Lalor

    Published: 13/01/2025
  11. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Ken Faulkner

    Published: 10/01/2025
  12. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Gisela Kaplan

    Published: 9/01/2025
  13. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Robyn Davidson

    Published: 7/01/2025
  14. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Archie Roach

    Published: 6/01/2025
  15. Sarah's Most Memorable Guests — Brendan James Murray

    Published: 5/01/2025
  16. Richard's Most Memorable Guests — Peter Hoysted

    Published: 3/01/2025
  17. Richard's Most Memorable Guests — Gill Hicks

    Published: 1/01/2025
  18. Richard's Most Memorable Guests — Ross Gittins

    Published: 31/12/2024
  19. Richard's Most Memorable Guests — Gregory Smith

    Published: 30/12/2024
  20. Richard's Most Memorable Guests — Uncle Jack Charles

    Published: 29/12/2024

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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.

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