Conversations

Journalist Hedley Thomas grew up knowing that his grandmother Gladys had vanished in the sea off Sydney in the 1950s. The mystery of what happened to Gladys helped to inspire his hit podcast 'The Teacher's Pet'.Hedley has had a storied career in journalism which has seen him win many Walkley Awards and expose a lot of corruption and dodgy dealings.But it has also placed Hedley and his family in harm's way. In 2002 Hedley and his wife Ruth were at their home when bullets were fired into their bedroom. The shooter was never found, and Hedley grappled with PTSD after the event.A couple of decades later Hedley returned to a story which had stayed with him for years.It was the about a woman named Lynette who had gone missing from her home in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Hedley's podcast about her story became a massive hit. Five years after 'The Teacher's Pet' began, Lyn's former husband Chris Dawson was convicted of her murder. Despite his recent appeals, Dawson will spend the rest of his life in jail for Lynette's murder.Recently, Hedley has started talking about the family secret which helped inspire the podcast when it first began.Further informationHelp and support is always available. Beyond Blue provides 24/7 support on mental health issues.Hear Sarah's conversation with Lynette's daughter, Shanelle Dawson.The episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison, the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.It explores family, journalism, domestic violence, police investigation, murder, The Teacher's Pet, true crime, true crime podcast, Lynette Dawson, Chris Dawson, Shanelle Dawson, PTSD, home invasion, secrets, prison, Northern Beachers of Sydney, mothers, grandmothers, Walkley awards, justice, cold case.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

British writer Ben Macintyre on the eerie history of Colditz Castle which the Germans used as a prisoner of war camp during World War II.Since the Middle Ages, Colditz Castle has existed in some form, perched on the edge of a cliff in eastern Germany.Colditz has served as a royal hunting lodge, a madhouse, and most famously as a prisoner of war camp during World War II.It was said to be inescapable, but that didn't stop the English officers from trying to escape the nightmare of this gloomy fortress, and the clutches of the Germans.Ben Macintyre tells the full story of Colditz and the men imprisoned there, who were as flawed as they were heroic legend.Further InformationColditz: Prisoners of the Castle is published by PenguinThis episode of Conversations explores history, World War 2, prisoners of war, Colditz Castle, Germany, allied soldiers, the officer class, escape, prison, solitary confinement, heroes, the middle ages, research, first hand accounts.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Who are the Kennedys, really? And what has made the legacy of America's political dynasty so famous, divisive and enduring? The Kennedys are often described as the closest thing the United States has to a royal family, with fiercely competitive and divisive figures taking up space in American political and public life for generations.Even now, the influence of the Kennedy family continues to persist with RFK Junior, who is serving as the U.S. secretary of health and human services.There have been Kennedys who thrived with fame and power, and those who struggled greatly with that burden, with tragic consequences.The sunniest images of this famous family come from when they gathered at their rambling seaside compound in Cape Cod in the summers.One particular summer, in 1944, changed everything for the Kennedy clan, according to historian Leigh Straw, who is an internationally recognised expert on the Kennedy family and their legacy.It was the final year of World War Two—Jack, the future president, had become a war hero but his health was ailing; his brothers Bobby and Teddy were there, but their eldest brother Joe Junior was in England, preparing to embark on his final wartime mission. Their sister Rosemary was out of the picture altogether, hidden away from public and never spoken of.This was the year, Leigh says, when personal tragedies and public heroics began to shape the Kennedy legacy.The Kennedys at Cape Cod, 1944: The Summer That Changed Everything is published by Bloomsbury.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggiei Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores American politics, the United States, family dynasties, Trump, federal elections, JFK, John F Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, RFK Jr, Covid, Rosemary Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, family trauma, mental health, intellectual disability, war, veterans, assassination, car crash, accidental death, grief, Hyannis Port, modern history, American history, who were the Kennedys, why are the Kennedys famous, Maria Shriver, nepotism, nepo babies, nepo baby, political elite, conspiracy theorists, vaccines, political scandals, Jacqui Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Monday Morning Cooking Club's Merelyn Chalmers her family's story of survival, and piecing together hundreds of treasured family recipes from Jewish communities around the world, including her mother's top-secret yellow cake recipe.Merelyn grew up tied to the apron strings of her mother, an Hungarian Jew who had survived Auschwitz and eventually ended up in Western Australia.In Perth, she met a man who had his own remarkable World War Two survival story, after fleeing Poland and being conscripted into the Polish regiment of the Red Army.For the couple, Perth became their Garden of Eden, where they raised Merelyn and her older brother in peace.From her mother, Merelyn learnt how to make the perfect pastry in her pyjamas at midnight; how to fry schnitzel properly; and how to make a succulent roast for Shabbat. And from her father, Merelyn learnt how to appreciate both an Aussie barbecue of snags and steaks, as well as the acquired taste of Gefilte fish.Years later, Merelyn would join a group of women who decided to raise money for charity by putting together a cookbook filled with treasured family recipes from Jewish communities in Australia and around the world.As a member of the Monday Morning Cooking Club, Merelyn finally convinced her mother to share her secret recipe for yellow cake, a chiffon cake that had become famous in suburban Perth.A Year of Jewish Cooking is published by Simon & Schuster.You can find out more about the Monday Morning Cooking Club online.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores cooking, cookbooks, holiday cooking, Jewish cooking, stories of survival, origin stories, Bondi, Shabbat, Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Pesach, Hanukkah, family recipes, secret recipes, charity, books, writing, Shoah tapes, Holocaust, Auschwitz, refugees, migration, first generation Australians, Kosher kitchen, Judaism, religion, cultural identity, children of immigrants, Communism, Stalin, Hitler, Soviet Union, Spielberg.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

For writer Richard Flanagan, the political belief that white Australians do not belong in this land is wrong and it's damaging any progress we might hope to make as a collective people.Richard has spent the last 30 years writing award-winning pieces of fiction and non-fiction, tackling the climate crisis, the meaning of art, free speech and the stubborn necessity of hope.Threaded through all of Richard's writing is a contempt for power and its acolytes, and a great tenderness for human struggle and goodness.Richard says that while writing novels is an introspective process, and journalistic writing is very much outward-looking, they share the same fundamental purpose - telling the truth.His latest book is a collection of speeches and opinion pieces that assembled in order to contextualise and define the rest of his oeuvre as fiercely Australian.Because Richard says the story Australia tells itself as a nation must change, to include all of us as profoundly belonging to its land and history.For Richard, the political belief that white Australians do not belong in this land is wrong and it's damaging any progress we might hope to make as a collective people.Heresies is published by Penguin.This episode of Conversations was recorded live at the Byron Writers Festival in August 2026. It was produced by Jennifer Leake. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores white history, black history, Australian history, Indigenous, non-Indigenous, Aboriginal Australia, writing, books, politics, climate crisis, black arm band view of history, colonialism, settlers, invasion, national identity, bushfires, natural disasters, early onset dementia, incorrect medical diagnosis, monoculture, multiculturalism, One Nation, fedpols, federal politics, Pauline Hanson, First Nations identity, the Voice Referendum.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Raising girls in an age of smartphones and early sexualisation is tough and in this complex arena, parenting educator Maggie Dent says we can't leave these lessons to chance.Growing up Maggie was a tomboy and noticed when she was treated differently from little boys, who were allowed to be their exuberant selves when she was not.She can clearly recall her indignation at being made to wear a dress as a little girl.The process of raising girls has changed since Maggie was a child, but there are new challenges today like smartphone usage and unwanted sexualisation of young girls, among others.She says there are core lessons we can learn to face these challenges and raise confident and well-adjusted girls.Further informationThis episode of Conversations was first broadcast in 2022.Girlhood: raising our little girls to be healthy, happy and heard is published by Pan MacmillanThis episode explores parenting, daughters, young girls, raising girls, smartphones, early sexualisation, psychology, emotions, mothers, fathers, aunties, friends, teachers, attention, focus, listening, guidance, self-esteem, anxiety, bullying, teenagers, support.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Melissa Redsell was in Year 12 when her doctor told her she was going to have a baby. After her baby was born, she was told she had 'ruined her life'. Then she set out to prove all her doubters wrong.When Mel broke the news to her parents, they were disappointed and at school, the Principal instructed her to not expect any special treatment.At 7 months pregnant, Mel graduated, and a little while later, her beautiful baby girl Breanna was born.Six weeks later, Mel moved out of home into a share house.All her friends were partying, and she was in the thick of the sleepless nights and nappy changes. So, a few months later she decided to make a big change.Further informationFirst broadcast in 2023Learn more about Mel's charity, A Brave LifeHelp and support is always available1800RESPECT is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a weekThe episode of Conversations was produced by Nicolar Harrison.It explores pregnancy, childbirth, teen pregnancy, families, divorce, education, independence, doctors, Year 12, surprise pregnancy, charity, babies, newborns, nappies, feeding, childcare, share house, domestic violence, getting help, family support, starting over, motherhood.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Guitarist and engineer Josie Scott battled crippling gender dysphoria for decades before finally deciding to live openly as a trans woman in her 60s.In 1984 in Adelaide, two brothers formed a pioneering alternative rock band called The Mark of Cain.They wanted to make music that was heavy and intense with lyrics about war, and death, and being misunderstood.Over the years the band gained an international following and plenty of fans at home in Australia.Earlier this year, one of the band's two founders, Josie Scott, announced on the band's website that she was a trans woman.At the age of 63, Josie wrote that she had finally decided to 'embrace rather than endure who she is'.And her decision to go public with her story was met with a huge and loving response from fans of the band.Help and support is always availableCall QLife on 1800 184 527 for LGBTIQA+ peer supportLifeline is available on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis supportKids Helpline on 1800 551 800 is available for young people aged 5 to 25. This episode was produced by Jen Leake and the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores gender identity, music, Australian music, living authentically, transgender issues, male to female transition, drug abuse, substance abuse, addiction issues, romance, love, relationships, mother child relationships, heavy metal, Adelaide's music scene.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Mark Woodland is an unexpected CEO — he started his career in the Army as a tribute to his late brother, then went on to revolutionise his mum's paper-based childcare company.As a young man Mark Woodland was at a loss with what to do with his life.After years of moving around, the family — headed by Mark's single mum — settled in Ipswich, Queensland, where Mark showed himself to be a playful and enthusiastic boy, but school wasn't his first priority. When he graduated, Mark was most interested in driving around with his friends, playing music loudly with the windows down. When he needed money to fill the tank, Mark found a job at McDonald's.His younger brother was a new recruit to the Army when he was killed in a car accident. Ben was just 18.Mark decided to honour his brother by keeping Ben's wish alive, and so Mark joined the army, and served for 10 years.He left to help his mum run her childcare business, and Mark revolutionised the business' administrative system, moving from paper to a digital world.Today Mark is the founder and CEO of tech healthcare company Kismet.Further informationRead more about the short film, Versa.This episode was produced by Meggie Morris. The Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It covers infant loss, NDIS, digitisation, childcare subsidy, daycare, family business, Army, Navy, not giving up, not quitting, car accident, morgue, Ipswich, Brisbane, Puckapunyal, Albury-Wodonga.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

After a catastrophic car crash in the parking lot of her hospital, Dr Olivia Ong became a paraplegic. But her obsession with learning how to walk again was stronger than her incomplete spinal cord injury.When Olivia Ong was 28 years old, she had the world at her feet.She had recently qualified as a doctor, something she had dreamed of since she was a child growing up in Malaysia.She had married a man she loved deeply, and they were busy building their future together.Then, everything changed after a car crashed into her in the parking lot of the hospital she worked in.Olivia now refers to herself as a 'walking paraplegic'.She spent years working hard to walk again, using simple exercise therapies she discovered in the United States.Back On My Feet: From Doctor to Patient is published by HarperCollins.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores medicine, university, love, faith, spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, car crashes, from doctor to patient, marriage, love, motherhood, pain specialist, rehab specialist, California, Project Walk, exercise therapy, surgery, wheelchair user, people living with disability, parenting with disability, accessibility.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Steve Biddulph spent decades working to understand what children need as they grow, but then in his mid-50s, Steve gained an insight that shifted almost everything about how he saw himself.Steve likes to remind us that humans are 'big sensitive mammals' with needs for connection and self awareness.As a psychologist (now retired) and parent educator, he has been at the forefront of an evolving conversation about masculinity, emotional intelligence, caring for our children and making sense of our own childhoods.His best-selling books include The Secret of Happy Children, Raising Boys, Raising Girls and Manhood.But it wasn't until he was in his mid-50s that Steve gained an insight into a huge facet of his own story.He was having a lunch with a friend, a psychiatrist, who began asking him a series of pointed questions.That conversation shifted almost everything about how Steve saw himself.This episode of Conversations was first broadcast in 2021 The producer was Nicola Harrison and the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.Further informationFully Human: A New Way of Using Your Mind is published by Pan Macmillan

Colleen Gwynne led the investigation into the murder of the British backpacker and eventually confronted his killer in prison.In 2001, Peter Falconio and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were ambushed on a remote stretch of road in the outback and Peter was shot dead.Colleen was working as a cop in Alice Springs when she was asked to take over the complex murder case.With help from the F.B.I, her work saw Bradley John Murdoch arrested and charged.She confronted him in prison, and refused to be intimidated, despite his intense aggression towards her.Murdoch was sentenced to life imprisonment and died in 2025.After leaving the police force, Colleen took up another challenging job.She became the Northern Territory Children's Commissioner, tasked with protecting vulnerable children.Colleen's own story mean she brings a unique understanding to the work.This episode was first broadcast in 2018 The producer was Nicola Harrison and the Executive Producer was Pam O'Brien.

Gardening Australia's Hannah Moloney on the heartwarming and heartbreaking reasons humans continue to lovingly tend to their gardens — for healing, beauty and joy.For thousands of years, tending to a garden or a small farm meant human survival. But now, with massive commercial farms, genetically modified crops, refrigerated freight and modern irrigation, we don't need to tend to our own gardens to survive.So why, then, do so many of us still lovingly plant, water and cultivate flowers, fruits and vegetables? Or watch 'lawn porn' to relax?It's a question that Hannah Moloney has asked thousands of gardeners from around the world.Hannah is a permaculture educator, landscape designer and the Tasmanian presenter for ABC TV's Gardening Australia. Gardening is in Hannah's blood, having grown up in a herb nursery run by her green-thumbed father in the Brisbane suburbs.For Hannah, gardening remains a lifeline, a way to bond with her family and a joyful act of protest.Why We Garden is published by Simon & Schuster.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores gardening, hobbies, outdoor activities, mental health, grief gardening, why we like being outdoors, gardening as meditation, the beauty of our gardens, Australian native gardens, vegetable patches, how to grow your own vegetables, fruit trees, family origin stories, losing a parent, pregnancy, motherhood, postpartum depression, gardening for healing, creative inspiration, human history, horticulture, climate change, global warming, food scarcity, food supply, drought, flood, famine, Costa Georgiadis, green thumb, meditation.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, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.