Conversations: Psychology & Relationships

For journalist Kate Halfpenny, moving to a beachside town during Melbourne's lockdowns seemed like the perfect way to unwind and escape her huge mortgage. Then she had to contend with the triple whammy of perimenopause, her husband's alcoholism and distance from family and friends.For the first time in her life, Kate had an empty house, no job commitments and no city life to distract her.She was able to indulge daily in her love of boogie boarding and surf-side walks with her dog, Maggie.One day at the beach, Kate saw her elderly father struggling in the surf.Kate's husband Chris was in the water next to him, but was acting strangely and couldn’t manage to haul him out of the dangerous water.That evening, Chris confessed his alcoholism to Kate and the couple faced the inevitable decisions they would have to navigate, together and apart.Further informationBoogie Wonderland is published by Affirm Press.This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan.Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations deals with good divorce, Melbourne covid lockdowns, seachange, addiction, alcoholism, supporting an alcoholic, women in media, perimenopause, midlife, being alone, boogie boarding and relationships.

Loneliness is a universal experience, for each of us at some point in our lives. Journalist Ros Thomas travelled the world to investigate, and find the antidote. 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.Ros spent a year travelling around the world to research something all of us have experienced — loneliness.She met an old man who had learned to thrive through crushing grief with the help of a small, desktop robot.Ros visited a share house in Sweden where pensioners live with young asylum seekers, who care for each other like grandparents and grandchildren.And she explored her own early and devastating experience of loneliness — when her father abandoned the family when Ros was a tiny child.This episode of Conversations touches on loneliness, isolation, being a friend, social connection, community modern history, life story, fatherhood, absent fathers, personal stories, family dynamics, fathers, solutions to loneliness, the loneliness epidemic, Churchill Fellowship and connection.

Jelena Dokic overcame adversity, poverty and violence to rise to the top of the tennis world. Years later, her revelations about her father's abuse stunned the world. (CW: discussion of domestic violence and coercive control).Jelena Dokic overcame adversity, poverty and violence to rise to the top of the tennis world. Years later, her revelations about her father's abuse stunned the world. (CW: discussion of domestic violence and coercive control).After arriving in Australia with her family as a refugee, Jelena Dokic became a tennis champion while still a teenager.But her father’s drunken outbursts at Jelena’s tournaments got even more headlines than her playing.What the world didn’t know was that Jelena’s father was also violently assaulting her and had been since the day she first picked up a tennis racquet.Jelena finally found the courage to tell the truth about what happened to her, but she discovered that was only the first step in escaping her father.Further informationThe documentary Unbreakable is out nowHelp and support is always availableYou can call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732Lifeline on 13 11 14Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673Content warning: this episode of Conversations contains discussion about domestic violence and coercive control.This episode of Conversations also talks about sport, training, family, origin stories, parenting, relationships, childhood trauma, sports commentary, online trolls, refugees, security, control, family violence, therapy, mental health, identity, disordered eating, books, documentary film, reflection, culture, meaning, Australian, counselling, conversational story, and memoir.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.

When psychologist Ariane Beeston started having delusions after the birth of her son, and hallucinating that he was a dragon, she had to learn how to become the patient.Ariane Beeston thought that when her son was born, she would feel that immediate rush of love that everyone told her to expect, and that motherhood would come naturally to her.But that's not what happened.Instead, Ariane started having delusions about her own death, she became paranoid that social services would take her child away from her, and she hallucinated that her baby boy was actually a dragon.For months, Ariane hid her symptoms, afraid and ashamed of what she was feeling and seeing.When she gathered the courage to ask for help, Ariane, a trained psychologist, had to learn how to become the patient, as she navigated a diagnosis of postpartum psychosis.Further informationBecause I'm Not Myself You See is published by Black Inc. BooksResourcesCOPE: Centre of Perinatal ExcellenceSupport lines and resources recommended by COPEPANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 — available Monday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm, Saturday, 9am to 4pm AEST/AEDT.PANDA: Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia post natal psychosis informationPregnancy Birth Baby information on postpartum psychosis (Australian Government website)Gidget Foundation Australia (focuses on emotional wellbeing of expectant parents)Postpartum psychosis fact sheet from COPEPostpartum psychosis information (Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne)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.

Professor Ian Hickie has spent decades trying to understand clinical depression. Where does it come from? What role do genes play? And most importantly – what works to release its chokehold?Ian Hickie has spent his career trying to help people at their darkest times. He's a psychiatrist who is particularly passionate about taming the black dog of depression.Depression is not a simple puzzle to solve. Ian has seen how the right medical treatment can lift someone out of even the worst depression; but he has also tried to answer some of the most important questions about clinical depression.Is it genetic? Is it caused by trauma? What role do the seasons play? Why is long COVID a risk factor in developing depression? And most importantly – what works to release its hold on someone?Further informationThe Devil You Knew is published by Penguin Random HouseTo 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.

Coalminer turned broadcaster Craig Hamilton was in his 30s when he had a psychotic episode on Broadmeadows train station. In the aftermath, his life was completely changed (CW: mentions suicide)Craig Hamilton began his working life as a coal miner in Newcastle north of Sydney. He worked deep underground, knocking down walls and digging through tunnels through the inky blackness. One day after many years in the mines, Craig got a chance to be on the radio for 5 minutes talking about cricket. He found he was a natural - and it began an entirely new chapter in his life. He was talented scouted by the ABC, and after working part-time in various broadcasting jobs while he also worked underground, Craig won a full-time job. It was a huge moment in his life, as for many years he'd believed he didn't have a way out of the mining industry. His career as a sports broadcaster took off quickly, and he was chosen to be commentary team for the Sydney Olympics.As he was travelling to the Olympic stadium one day, Craig was on Broadmeadows train station when he had a psychotic episode. He was handcuffed and taken by the police to a locked ward in Newcastle Hospital.After he was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Craig knew he had to be part of the solution in mental health. He began to give public talks about his own story. Help and support is always availableYou can call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14Phone and online counselling is available through MenslineFurther informationWatch the trailer for the documentary The PromiseLearn about Craig's work as a public speaker and mental health advocateTo 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.

Sian Prior with the story of the years of longing and loss which marked her quest to become a mother, and what happened when she found herself childless at the age of 50For many years Sian Prior desperately wanted to have a baby.Her longing to be a mother played havoc with her relationships and her body.It never happened, and Sian had to decide what to do with the freedom that was hers.Further informationChildless is published by TextTo 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.

David Heilpern with stories of drama, crime and heartache from his 21 years as a country magistrate (CW: references to drug use and sexual assault)For 21 years David Heilpern was a country magistrate in towns including Dubbo, Brewarrina and Lismore.This meant he was the Coroner, the Children's Court Judge, and the person handling all the domestic violence, assault, robbery, drug and driving offences.The workload was intense, and life on the bench could be lonely. On Monday morning, he might have 90 people lined up outside his courtroom waiting for him to administer justice.During his time in the job David endured death threats, people trashing the courtroom after being refused bail, and some who addressed him as 'Your Majesty'.David was a magistrate well known for his compassion. He would often challenge the police, or stand up for victims of domestic violence.In Dubbo in 1999 he dismissed a charge against a man who allegedly told a policeman holding the handlebars of his bike: 'get your f--king hands off' it.More recently he took a stand over tough drug driving laws in NSW, which see many people lose their licence.David also spoke out during his time on the bench about the vicarious trauma he experienced in having to examine some of society's most terrible crimes.Further informationHelp and support is always available.Lifeline is available for 24 hour crisis support at 13 11 14If this conversation has been difficult to hear you can also contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or chat to them via their websiteTo 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.

Midwife Christian Wright with tales of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities in Arnhem Land, helping Yolŋu women birth their babiesChristian lives in the tiny town of Nhulunbuy right on the tip of the Northern Territory.His job there is an unusual one.Christian doesn't work in the mines like most of the whitefellas in town.He's a midwife, working with the Indigenous women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationLearn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birthDiscover the program to train women as Djakamirr, to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own countryChristian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous AustraliaTo 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.

Glennon made a big name for herself in the US as a ‘Christian mommy blogger’ with her candid and often hilarious writing when she fell wildly in love with U.S Women's Soccer star Abby WambachAlongside her blackly funny posts about the challenges of parenting, Glennon wrote about her recovery from alcoholism and bulimia.She encouraged her growing tribe of followers to feel their feelings rather than numbing them.Glennon then used her platform to create an all-women-led non profit organization.Together Rising has raised $27 million for women, families, and children in crisis.A few years ago Glennon's husband Craig confessed he'd been unfaithful to her for years.She decided to stay in the marriage and fight for it.In 2017 Glennon was at a conference launching her book Love Warrior about recommitting to her marriage.When she saw US women’s soccer star, Abby Wambach, Glennon immediately fell madly in love.She upended her life to be with her, and had to rethink many of her ideas about marriage and motherhood in the process.Further informationUntamed: Stop Pleasing and Start Living is published by VermillionLearn more about Together RisingTo 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.

Esther is a therapist who spent years studying intimacy, monogamy and sexuality. She became the world's most well-known expert on modern loveWhen Esther was a teenager she was voraciously curious about human behaviour.She thought she'd become a journalist or a translator, but instead she grew up to become the world's most famous contemporary psychotherapist.Esther became known around the world after the release of her podcast "Where Should We Begin?" in which she counsels real-life couples who are on the brink of marital breakdown.In her sessions she's often exploring the tension between the need for security in a relationship, and the need for some distance and a sense of adventure, to keep the spark alive.Esther says when you choose a partner you choose a story, and by doing so, you're often recruited for a part you never expected to play.Further informationThe State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity is published by Yellow Kite BooksListen to the podcast Where Should We Begin?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.

Jessica Grisham is a clinical and research psychologist at the University of New South Wales.

Ross Fitzgerald hasn't touched alcohol for many years now. But it has been on his mind a lot recently, having co-written a fascinating account of alcohol in Australia. It's a relationship that's both lively and volatile.His new book is titled Under the Influence: a history of alcohol in Australia. Authors - Ross Fitzgerald and Trevor L. Jordan.Cressida Campbell is famous for her distinctive woodblock paintings and prints.The book that caused her so many sleepless nights (literally!) is simply titled The Woodblock Painting of Cressida Campbell.Broadcast date Tuesday 1st September 2009To 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.