Conversations

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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. 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.

Recent Episodes
  • Listening to a mountain to save workers trapped underground
    Apr 23, 2025 – 0:50:18
  • The physics and feeling of floating — why Angelica learnt to swim
    Apr 22, 2025 – 0:42:30
  • Encore: Grief, loss and the healing power of the natural world
    Apr 18, 2025 – 0:50:18
  • The epic escape story of four ANZAC POWs — through the Italian Alps to freedom
    Apr 17, 2025 – 0:50:06
  • Made in Burnie — Justin Heazlewood on swapping fame for his hometown
    Apr 16, 2025 – 0:52:00
  • From Manila to Sydney — how Loribelle found family, love and her art
    Apr 15, 2025 – 0:52:00
  • Encore: The poker-playing cardiologist
    Apr 11, 2025 – 0:52:30
  • Miles Franklin's secret life as a 'boy sober' undercover maid
    Apr 10, 2025 – 0:48:30
  • The life-changing power of a choir
    Apr 9, 2025 – 0:51:06
  • The wisdom of an ancient Pencil Pine
    Apr 8, 2025 – 0:52:12
  • Encore: A daring escape from Vietnam to the halls of prestigious American universities
    Apr 4, 2025 – 0:50:48
  • How Vincent Fantauzzo's life was saved by love and painting
    Apr 3, 2025 – 0:52:00
  • 'Mistakes were made' — a live storytelling experience
    Apr 2, 2025 – 0:52:22
  • Two sisters, Dod and Brattle - the lesbian poet, and the evangelical Christian
    Apr 1, 2025 – 0:54:18
  • Encore: Doctor Koppe — PTSD and me
    Mar 28, 2025 – 0:52:06
  • Shaking — escaping the grip of a lifelong tremor
    Mar 27, 2025 – 0:51:18
  • Loneliness — it's not only you
    Mar 26, 2025 – 0:52:18
  • The fearless Kate McClymont — weathering death threats and court cases for work
    Mar 25, 2025 – 0:53:30
  • Encore: Krystyna Duszniak and Poland's lost histories
    Mar 21, 2025 – 0:52:04
  • Life on the lam — how Peter escaped from under his fugitive father's shadow
    Mar 20, 2025 – 0:53:00
  • Martha, baby Michael and the police officer who cried
    Mar 19, 2025 – 0:49:00
  • Undercover hitmen, shady drug deals and covert surveillance — life as a top cop
    Mar 18, 2025 – 0:53:00
  • Encore: Andy Paschalidis on the death on the football pitch which changed everything
    Mar 14, 2025 – 0:48:30
  • Tim Winton on staying alive, in extremis
    Mar 13, 2025 – 0:47:24
  • Love, death and duels — Marie Curie's radioactive life
    Mar 12, 2025 – 0:53:54
  • Could you live forever? The neuroscience behind brain preservation, consciousness and death
    Mar 11, 2025 – 0:50:18
  • A life in the law, on the Glitter Strip
    Mar 10, 2025 – 0:50:48
  • Encore: A restaurant named Parwana — Afghan treasure in Adelaide
    Mar 7, 2025 – 0:47:36
  • How Geraldine Brooks learned how to live again through grief
    Mar 6, 2025 – 0:52:18
  • Singing for her life: Camille O'Sullivan on Ireland and her dearly departed friends
    Mar 5, 2025 – 0:44:12
  • Finding my dad, and myself — unravelling a family's secret
    Mar 4, 2025 – 0:49:48
  • Encore: Let them ring — Paul Livingston on making a great big noise
    Feb 28, 2025 – 0:47:42
  • Gabor Maté on transforming trauma
    Feb 27, 2025 – 0:48:30
  • My Moroccan matrescence
    Feb 26, 2025 – 0:52:24
  • Gus Worland on the men who made him and Australia's male suicide epidemic
    Feb 25, 2025 – 0:52:12
  • Encore: Brigitte and the seven peaks
    Feb 21, 2025 – 0:51:18
  • David Whyte on writing poetry the world loves
    Feb 20, 2025 – 0:52:12
  • Translating adolescence and speaking Teenage Girl
    Feb 19, 2025 – 0:51:12
  • The Bark Petitions — how Yolngu tradition changed democracy
    Feb 18, 2025 – 0:51:30
  • Encore: the life of songwriter Jimmy Webb
    Feb 14, 2025 – 0:42:30
  • Surviving bombs and starvation on a Mediterranean island paradise
    Feb 13, 2025 – 0:47:36
  • How tiny crystals reveal the secret history (and future) of volcanic eruptions
    Feb 12, 2025 – 0:46:00
  • Birtles, Brown and Bean: Warren's madcap world tour, in a vintage car
    Feb 11, 2025 – 0:50:42
  • Encore: The making of Nazeem Hussain
    Feb 7, 2025 – 0:52:30
  • Drug bazaars, hitmen and hackers — why Eileen went deep into the dark web
    Feb 6, 2025 – 0:50:00
  • The family secret that inspired 'The Teacher's Pet'
    Feb 5, 2025 – 0:52:30
  • Lucinda Light on MAFS, living with ADHD, and her search for love
    Feb 4, 2025 – 0:44:00
  • Encore: The Toilet Warrior's origin story
    Jan 31, 2025 – 0:51:36
  • The spy who kept secrets for the self-made man
    Jan 30, 2025 – 0:53:00
  • Dressing drag queens in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
    Jan 29, 2025 – 0:50:18
Recent Reviews
  • Crocodilian
    Interesting guests and a terrific interviewer
    . . . Everyone and their brother is on the internet doing podcasts and interviews these days - Richard Fidler gets points for the rarest thing- skill in talking to people. Deceptively simple, but pushes the story a long to the good bits and worth studying how he makes it look easy.
  • nyc to oz
    Conversations
    I absolutely love this program. Great stories well researched and very often completely surprising. A must podcast
  • Bolloncreek
    Click go the shears boys
    Great program on the shearer from Bollon, Cunamuulla n the west. Such people do make a difference n great giving them a voice and hearing of their achievements. Hearing from the everyday people brings sanity to the stillness that we are exposed to daily. The two interviewers of this podcast make Conversations worth listening to.
  • Unheardinsf555
    A break from Amuhrica
    The interviewers are intelligent, thoughtful, cheeky, and empathetic. They are curious and engaged in others’ stories without applying their own personal morality like we do in the USA. Thanks for showing a different way to be and for keeping me sane over here in the US!
  • Isaiah Bryant
    Nice
    This is a awesome podcast. Please keep up the good work. Also I am listening to your podcast from the United States, Ohio
  • nataliakowalska
    Excellent
    Listening to media in the US without suicidal thoughts has become impossible. Thank you for keeping me sane!
  • Farshad iPhone
    One of my favorite podcasts
    Conversation is a fresh breath of air for those of us who live in United States of toxic media and redundant boring topics. My wife and I can’t wait for the next episode of year show. Keep up the good work and thank you. Tony E. Los Angeles
  • Twocatsintheyard
    The armchair traveller
    Widen your horizons; interesting stories with interesting hosts. Substance over showbiz.
  • Purrtini
    Love this pod!
    I’m in the US, but I visited Australia in 2000- 2001. I started listening to this pod because I’m an Australophile and missed it but after the 1st 2 episodes I was hooked! The various interview subjects are fascinating and I learn so many things about people I would have never heard of. The questions and conversation are great and I look forward to each episode! Thank you & keep up the excellent work!
  • Basilthewonderdog
    Don’t miss The Apartment on Memorial Drive
    Excellent deep interview with a treasure of an American poet.
  • ModPodMillennial
    Aussie Gold
    Unique stories told with the help or warm engaging hosts in a similar vein to “Australian Story”.
  • RN Diehard
    5 Stars for Richard but Sarah?
    Richard is engaged, and engaging. Sarah K, however, is like toast without butter. She needs to understand that a 45 minute + interview needs spirit . The ABC should warn when Sarah K is at the helm.
  • AliMcG1961
    Best friend
    Richard doesn’t know it but he is my old friend whom I’ve known for years and who lifts me out of myself and helps me to forget I have MS. He also shares his friends with me and they are all fascinating and delightful!
  • Buzzo's Fro
    delightful
    This is one of the most intelligent and relaxing podcasts that I listen to.
  • Angelaxnchen
    Australia Day
    The conversation with Stan Grant, so thoughtful, heartfelt and measured. I really enjoyed it!!
  • Nick and Ross
    Armistice Series
    Richard and his team are leaders is Australian journalism, and cleaned a small window into aspects of that hideous war, 100 years ago. Their effort showed great empathy for their topic and left the listener with new found knowledge. It was wonderful, and showed how classy this ABC unit is. Thank you, profoundly.
  • trisha f.
    5 stars
    Great topics covering varied interests. Living in the US I can keep up with whats going on! Thank you!
  • JessEliB
    Intriguing
    Love this show- but really enjoyed one of the latest shows featuring the war corespondent! Ideas and viewpoints you don’t always consider. Subscribed!
  • clint wolf
    Great
    A fantastic, very interesting podcast.
  • Trillian108
    New favorite!
    fantastically interesting and perfectly produced, I love learning from this show!
  • AugustErin
    American Erin
    I really like this podcast. The host asks great questions, like really gets in there with some of the guests. I just listedn to the episode with Andrew Harper, who does long treks across Australia with pack camels and it was just lovely. The conversations are educational, sometimes hilarious, and often deep. I don't know most of the people on here as I'm an American, but I know a great podcast when I hear it. Truly beautiful.
  • Wiggle9
    Fabulous, interesting and Varied
    This was the first podcast I ever heard, a few years back, and set a high standard for all others. I love the variety of guests and topics. I've learned so much about the world. Thanks , Richard! My family would love to meet you some day.
  • tazamcwaza
    its always the ones you least expect
    We love listening to conversations with Richard Fidler. we are always surprised by the amazing stories different people have to tell. The best stories and the ones you find your self inthralled in seem to always be the ones you weren't going to download because they didn't seem as exciting as some others. Richard does a fantastic job getting people to open up.
  • MahatmaCoy
    This is the most entertaining podcast on the web.
    And no, this is not Fidler's cousin writing. As a good Jesuit trained skeptic, seeker of wisdom, truth, knowledge and apple pie, I am loathe to admit it, but either this Aussie knows more than I do, or he is the quickest study since Noah was a life guard. His collection of guests is as varied as the English speaking world itself. From Tony Blair to an ex-motorcycle gang thug from Philadelphia, most of whom are flogging books or other media, no matter who it is, Fidler is the consumate pro. He talks their talk and knows their "stuff". His conversational manner, whether serious or humorous, is so easy going that it puts him in your living room with your friends, Good on ya, mate!
  • Patient-wolf
    Exceptional nourishment for the heart and mind!
    This is a fantastic podcast. Richard is an exceptional interviewer and as someone who often must interview people as part of my career as a filmmaker, I find myself taking many lessons from his example. I also appreciate the variety of subjects in this podcast and am learning a tremendous amount of social, historical, and cultural information. It's been a source of inspiration to me as well; An absolute gem!
  • Dave in Columbus
    Brain food!
    Great guests, brilliantly interviewed! You can tell the host loves his job, and the show is a delight.
  • CDDavanzo
    "Conversations" gets me in every time!
    This is one of my favorite podcasts because Richard Fidler is such a great interviewer, and he finds such interesting people to have on the show. He treats them respectfully but not too formally, and asks questions that really challenge them to explain themselves. Non-Aussies will also enjoy this thoroughly, because the stories are so human and accessible.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.