All The Best: Recent Episodes
FBi Radio
All The Best is for new Australian storytelling. Hear from a Melbourne-based cannibal, how the Australian Wallabies used theatre workshops to improve their game, anxiety attacks in a Tantric sex class, and what the shopping centre Santa Claus is really thinking, all on All The Best.
We're a weekly radio show and podcast produced at FBi Radio in Sydney in association with SYN and Triple R in Melbourne, and broadcast nationally via the Community Radio Network. We’ve been telling stories in a variety of forms since 2011, picking a theme each week and using short form documentary, personal narrative, interviews, and spoken word to bring you the best from across Australia.
Is there a spot near a body of water that feels like home to you? You know, like a stream, a lake or a river?
This week is a reminder that these natural spaces that we come to value are our responsibility and we have to protect them.
Flying Fox by Thomas Phillips
A flying fox colony roosts in the trees by the banks of the Yarra. Meet the scientist trying to understand them.
Produced by Thomas Phillips.
It was originally commissioned and aired on BBC’s Short Cuts
If I have to see it, you have to see it too by Mel Bakewell
An aquatics instructor, caravan park manager, citizen scientist, community advocate - Lochie Cameron has worn many hats living by the coast that grew him up. His latest one has him pocketing seawater samples in the race to understand the cellular algae devastating the oceans and marine life along the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia.
Production, sound design and field recordings by Mel Bakewell.
Featuring: Lochie Cameron
*Music by Blue Dot Sessions.*
This story was shortlisted for the 2026 HearSay Audio Prize.
A creek love story by Rob Law
A symphony of voices guide us along the tributaries of Campbell’s Creek, on Dja Dja Wurrung country.
Produced, sound production, field recordings and music by Rob Law
Featured voices: Steve Higgins, Aunty Kath Coff, Ian Higgins, Otto and Ralph Maguire-Law, Cassia Read, and Rob Law.
This story was recorded on location on Dja Dja Wurrung land.
This story was also shortlisted for the 2026 HearSay Audio Prize.
All the Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Episode Tile: Jennifer Ibe
SFX: Rock-pool by the Ocean by Mings -- https://freesound.org/s/172512/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
And a special shout-out to all our volunteers!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is about observation, self-awareness and awareness of the world, of course, surveillance.
A special shout-out to the audio unit of the University of Melbourne.
Bird Watching by Lewis Weir
In our first story, we are immediately reminded that there are many ways to experience the world. Jack O'Leary teaches us in this next story that bird watching is more than what you can see.
Produced, written and edited by Lewis Weir
Supervising Producer is Daniel Semo.
Interviewee is Jack O’Leary
Team Selection by Harry Robertson
Sometimes you are the one that is being watched, or in the case of this story, being scrutinised. Harry takes us into the anxious world of team selection by the Fitzroy Football Club.
Produced by Harry Robertson
Music by Cherly Kacherly
Interviewees were Gus Conheady, George Reed, Sam Buckley, Hamish Adams, Annabel Phillips, Jack Dalton, Tim Butler, Tom Butler, James Butler, Sophie Arnold.
Watching Over Those Sleeping Rough by Matt Melia
Surveillance can sometimes be transformed from a weapon into an act of care.
Grassroots activist group Footscray Community Response has been vocal in its advocacy, countering what they see as the punitive, surveillance-centric approaches of local authorities with acts of community and solidarity in addressing homelessness.
Producer Matt Melia
Supervising producer Thomas Phillips
Interviewees: Monty Green & Matt
Kelp Restoration by Theoné van der Merwe
In our final story, we continue this idea of surveillance as an act of care. Theoné van der Merwe heads out onto Port Phillip Bay to follow Victoria's first golden kelp restoration project and meet the people working to bring these underwater forests back to life.
Producer: Theoné van der Merwe
Interviewees: Prue Francis, Scott Breschkin, Chris Gillies
Music by Purple Planet
All the Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Cover Tile: Jess Lobb
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week is all about reducing your screen time and taking a look around your local.
This could just be observing the places and things around you, or trying to hold onto memories of what was.
Roaming David by Nili Javid
Roaming David, follows a local legend of North Melbourne, @roaming_david on Instagram, who documents the small but fascinating quirks of North and West Melbourne.
Production and sound design by Nili Javid
Supervising Production by Mark Yin
Music by Moby Gratis and Finally Punk
SFX: Yarra trams
On the ground by Cappy Hall
This one is all about being grounded.
Cappy revisits a place from their past, a place they go all the time, and a place that they miss.
Production and sound design by Cappy Hall
special shout out to the audio unit a the University of Sydney and Danny Stewart.
Music: Phase Purple by Blue Dot Sessions
SFX: Wind Chime Noise and Wind Chime Ambience Extended via Pixabay; Dog Bark 1 and Dog Bark 3 by AtoMediaDesign; Dog Bark 2 by jess90; Dog Bark 4 by TheKingOfGeeks; Dog Pant byJKata; Dog Pant 2 byTrashcan_Studios; Neighbour Party by AlienXXX; Bathhouse by George_Papargyris; Korean Bank Ambience by tweeterdj via Freesound
All the Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week is a fit check. Sort of ...
This week is all about the ways that we choose to present ourselves to the world. Whether we are looking for affirmation or planning to go against societal expectations.
Bring a hat by Sam Elkin
Our first story was originally Performed as part of QueerStories live storytelling event in Mparntwe last year.
Sam explores a space between gender affirming care and hair … or hair loss.
Written and performed by Sam Elkin
Special thanks to NTWF and 8CCC 102.1fm. You can hear more performances from the night by checking out the NTWF podcast.
The Clippers by Mel Bakewell
Sometimes hair as a social symbol is just a little too much to bear, and maybe its better to go against expectations and just chop it all off.
Produced by Mel Bakewell
Music: Myrian by Blue Dot Sessions
The Subtle Art of Chill Guy Nicknames by Jay De Leon Lagman
But it's not just all about who has hair and who doesn’t. Sometimes it's just the way you present yourself to the world. And the way the world lays claim to you in response with ancient art of nicknames.
You know the whole Romeo-and-Juliet-whats-in-a-name thing? Well for Jay a name, or at least a nickname, can be everything.
Writer, illustrator: Jay De Leon Lagman @saturjaysunjay
Sound Designer: Matthew Forbes
That story was recorded live as part of an All The Best x Read To Me live storytelling event, ExtraOrdinary Tales in 2025, supported by the City of Sydney.
All the Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beyond the Bars was a co-production between Race Matters, All The Best and 3CR, and we extend our thank you to all those involved for letting us share on the fbi airwaves.
This episode features excerpts from the interviews conducted at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre for Beyond the Bars on 3CR in greater Victoria. This broadcast was hosted by Shiralee Hood, Tash Norris and Nayuka Hood.
And an extra special thanks to the labour and love of Juliet Fox, Michaela Stubbs and the 3CR team, Samantha Haran and Shareeka Helaluddin from the Race Matters team for their hard work and planning.
You can find out about Beyond the Bars here: https://www.3cr.org.au/beyondthebars.
For the full experience listen to the full broadcast: https://www.fbi.radio/programs/beyond-the-bars--race-matters--all-the-best/episodes/beyond-the-bars-race-matters-and-all-the-best-12th-july-2026
Race Matters X All The Best Credits
Hosted by Gabriella Accaria and Leya Kim
Produced by Kwame Slusher, Prinita Thevarajah and Samantha Haran.
Graphics by Malaak
ACAB Betty and Piggy Patrol by Rubyrose Bancroft @rubyrosebancroft
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This one is for the rebels and the rule breakers!
If you like to stick it to the man or you just like testing boundaries, then this one's for you.
This episode looks at pirate radio, a case of kite smuggling and bookmarks that should be illegal.
Pirate Radio by Lindsey Vassallo
Lindsey takes us through pirate radio history; sailing through sound waves and evading the authorities.
Produced by Lindsey Vassallo
This audio essay was produced as part of an AFTRS radio unit.
Kite Festival by Lachlan A’Court
The Kite Festival had one rule … One Rule. Lachlan does the one thing he’s not supposed to at a kite festival. Produced by Lachlan A’Court
This piece was originally produced for the comedy community radio show and podcast Sydney Tonight , which broadcasts on 2ser. https://www.2ser.com/programs/sydney-tonight
Things That Fall Out Of Books by Anne-Marie Middlemast
This final story is the kind that would drive a librarian to peer at you over their glasses. Anne-Marie learns about some of the strangest things that people might use as a bookmark.
Written and performed by Anne-Marie Middlemast
This story was produced as part of a live storytelling night held at the State Library of New South Wales: Special Collections in March 2026.
This story originally featured in the podcast Meet Me At The Library produced by Anne-Marie Middlemast with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. https://meetmeatthelibrary.podbean.com/
All the Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Music credit: Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word iconic?
This week we explore this idea of ‘iconic’! Whether it's a grimy underground club, a 120-year-old train station or a photo that became viral for a really interesting reason.
David & Goliath by Lou Walsh
Lou’s takes us to Brunswick in Melbourne to tell the tale of a tiny little bistro.
Producer: Louis Walsh
Featuring: Hannah Garvan; Tanzer
Music: Tanzer - Deep Fried Disco
To join the fight for the Moreland Hotel, head to the GoFundMe.https://www.change.org/p/save-the-iconic-moreland-hotel-bistro
Do you know Arthur Stace? by Rynn Hwang
Rynn takes us to the Central station in Sydney! A significant social hub where commuters inevitably leave footprints or some kind of mark. And she asks a simple question, ‘Do you know Arthur Stace?’
Producer: Rynn Hwang
Featuring: Rowan Kemp; Gary Deirmendjian
Tutor: Brett Van Heerekeren
This is an introductory episode to the podcast Perhaps, Eternity - explore with us. It examines the concept of Eternity as a hope to share with those who are going through mental illness and difficult times.
We really love getting stories from USYD!
This story was produced as part of a podcasting unit at USYD. An extra special thanks to Lea Redfern.
Unbelievably Viral by John Thomas
Level with me.
How do you feel about things going viral?
John takes us all the way back to the olden times (2007), to revisit a photo that went viral for reasons that you might not expect.
Production and sound design by John Thomas
Featuring Murray McKean
Supervising Production by Jeannine Baker
This story was produced as part of a media unit at the University of Newcastle – special thanks to Dr Jeannine Baker.
You can find more stories like this here: https://hunterstories.podbean.com/
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Episode Artwork: Jessamine Lobb
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Pride!
While Pride shouldn’t just be confined to a month, one of our audio producers described this time of year as “ ... a breath let go that you didn't know you were holding.”
This episode is for everyone, but especially for those who have been waiting to exhale and looking forward to living every day with pride.
It's about resistance and being seen in a time when queer and trans communities are being targeted.
Our two stories this week come from the Queer Stories podcast.
They were performed and recorded on the 8th of September, 2025, on Arrente land as part of the Northern Territory Writers Festival.
Special thanks to Queer Stories, Maeve Marsden, Northern Territory Writers Festival, and 8CCC Radio.
Patooki by Winnie Dunn
Award-winning writer and first-ever published Tongan-Australian writer Winnie Dunn performs a story that traces the history of some other remarkable firsts for Tongan women in her family.
Winnie Dunn is the winner of the Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist Award 2025 and the Kathleen Mitchell Award 2025 for her debut novel, Dirt Poor Islanders by Winnie Dunn.
Written and performed by Winnie Dunn
Shrewdly Innocent by Daniel Browning
Daniel Browning is a Bundjalung and Kullilli award-winning writer, journalist, and broadcaster. Daniel muses on all of these things, being First Nations and queer, as well as struggling with a complex medical diagnosis.
Written and performed by Daniel Browning
These pieces were performed and recorded on 8 September 2025 in Mbantua, Alice Springs, on Arrente land as part of the Northern Territory Writers Festival. Special thanks to Queerstories, Maeve Marsden, Northern Territory Writers’ Festival, and 8CCC Radio.
You can find out more about Queer Stories at maevemarsden.com/queerstories
Looking for more queer stories? Then check this episode out!
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unlike your favourite rom-com, dating and romance can be messy and complicated.
Recently, the amazing Danni Stewart, producer, artist, and member of the All The Best family (because no one ever really leaves ATB, right?), launched a new podcast called Crip Love, focused on the intersection of disability and love.
… initially it was gonna be a much more conventional, traditional kind of podcast, but along the way it transformed into something else. It kind of evolved into what I think of as more of an art project, than a podcast… – Danni
This week, we play four clips from this beautiful and heartfelt art project, which seeks to challenge stereotypes about people with disabilities.
Ava and Mei Lin Interview
In this first clip, we follow Ava and Meilin, whose shared passion for art, their little quirkiness and mutual admiration blossomed into a beautiful love story.
Eva and Dick Interview
When Eva swore off dating and agreed to one last Tinder date, she didn’t expect to meet Dick. Refusing to hide who they were, both embraced radical honesty about their lives, identities, and trauma from the very beginning.
“ I was at that point where I realised that you’ve got to be a million percent yourself. And I didn’t want to pretend that I’m somebody I’m not, ’cause I was sick of people expecting me to be somebody different, especially being neurodivergent.”
Erin and Lee Interview
It all started with a university party and a webcam striptease.
Sixteen years later, the fling they thought might not last is still going strong.
Today, Erin and Lee share the responsibilities of daily life in ways that work for them: Erin takes on much of the household’s mental load, while Lee handles physical tasks, which can be difficult for Erin as a wheelchair user.
Together, they’ve built their own version of a happily ever after.
Plum and Cherry interview
From horror games, Pitbull lip-sync performances and an 18-hour Discord call, Plum and Cherry’s relationship grew from the very differences that first set them apart.
This story is not only a testament to how opposites can attract, but also how taking a chance on someone unexpected can be the key to finding the Cherry to your Plum.
The clips you heard in today’s episode were produced by Danni Stewart.
The Music was by Breanna Jones and Paul MacAdam from Library Siesta.
This series was produced with the support of Create NSW.
You can listen at https://criplove.net where there will be captions, and you will also see the beautiful artwork of Emma Pham … or listen wherever you get your podcast.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week its all about hobbies!
Tessa joins her mom for a bell-ringing class, and Mike shows us just how collecting honey can be about a lot more than having a sweet tooth.
The bells by Tessa Crozier
“And you don't pull the rope hard; you pull it gently, but firmly, and get a feel for when it's about to leave on its journey around the frame”
As the years pass, our parents might get more time to take on new hobbies. You know - gardening, mahjong, reformer pilates, ceramics. When Tessa’s mum retired, she got really into…bellringing. Tessa takes us up into the bell tower.
Producer: Tessa Crozier
Supervising Producers: Zacha Rosen, Felicity Weaver, Mel Bakewell
Interviewee: Jeanne Crozier
100 Jars of Honey by Mike Williams
Mike’s dad is really into bees. He started a curious collection of honey. In this story, Mike cracks the lid on the collection and offers us a taste.
Written, produced and performed by Mike Williams.
This story was originally performed as part of a live storytelling night All The Best held at the State Library of New South Wales as part of the series The Library That Made Me.
Support ATB
If you love what we do, you can donate to the show to support the next generation of audio storytellers. Head to https://allthebestradio.com/donate
to make a tax deductible donation before EOFY.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy Pride!
In this episode, we look at the shame and discrimination that women and people who menstruate encounter for just existing.
Reproductive Healthcare Leave: A Workplace Issue. Period. by Kate Everest
Menstruation affects half the population, yet the pain, stigma, barriers to healthcare, and workplace discrimination remain largely invisible.
Featuring the voices of those living with reproductive health conditions and those advocating for change, this story explores the barriers, stigma, and workplace challenges they face, alongside the growing push for recognition, support, and reproductive healthcare leave in Australia.
If the sight of blood gushing from any part of the body is enough to alarm us and a muscle injury is enough to leave one immobilised and requiring days for recovery, why do we expect one who is bleeding, enduring excruciating body pain, wrestling with hormonal chaos and mood swings — all at once — to carry on as if nothing is wrong?
Produced by Kate Everest
Supervising Producer: Craig Garrett.
Featuring: Emma Hardy, Writer; Carolyn Dunbar, Women’s Team at the Victorian Trades Hall Council; and Tom Hvala, PhD candidate at Melbourne Law School.
Emma Hardy’s memoir Periodic Bitch : A memoir of menstruation, madness and monsters is out now.
Cycling Analogy by Felicity Weaver
Through the metaphor of a cyclist navigating hostile roads, this story examines the exhaustion and fear of moving through a world that was never designed with women in mind.
“But you know it can be better. You've heard of places where this exists, where you are just a vehicle.”
Produced by Felicity Weaver
More than a pad by Wing Kuang
For many people, a disposable sanitary pad is an everyday convenience.
But in rural India, where menstruation remains heavily stigmatized and access to menstrual products can be limited, a simple pad can mean confidence, opportunity, and dignity.
“ When girls are empowered, they can change the world”.
Produced by: Wing Kuang
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager
Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager
The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell
Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee
Mixed & Compiled by Emma Higgins
And a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers
Shining Bird composed our theme music
Annie Hamilton designed the artwork
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is all about the truths that we can find in stories.
And on that topic of finding truth in stories, All the Best would like you to take a moment to recognise National Sorry Day, because all good stories are a kind of truth-telling.
A House by Katie Stefankowski
In this story, a Lutruwita urban legend lures you into the mystery of a datura plant.
Was the house really haunted? If not, where did the noises come from? Were the people really poisoned?”
Through interviews with locals, writers, and media researchers, the piece explores why unverifiable stories continue to spread and what they reveal about fear, place, and collective imagination.
“ Even if it isn't true, can there be any kind of meaning in a fake story?”
Produced by: Katie Stefankowski
Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman
The Sound of Adventure by Benjamin Chubb
In this story, a thrill-filled adventure for gamers.
A journey into the imaginative world of Dungeons & Dragons, where creativity, role-play, and storytelling collide through the eyes of a passionate dungeon master.
After all, who wouldn’t want to fight dragons and their own friends’ terrible decisions all in one night?
Produced by Ben Chubb
Featured Angus Dunk
Special thanks to Lea Redfern
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager
Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager
The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell
Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee
And a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers
Shining Bird composed our theme music,
Annie Hamilton designed the artwork
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do libraries mean to you?
All The Best partnered with the State Library of NSW to mark 200 years and to celebrate 60,000 years of storytelling. The live storytelling event was the Special Collections: A night of live storytelling at the Library Bar at the State Library of NSW.
We heard so many beautiful stories on the night from the storytellers and the audience!
This is just part 1! Look out for part 2!
History or Hoarding? by Rachael Cusick
In this first story, Rachel Cusick tells us about the whispers from the library quarters that go beyond the books you see on the bookshelves.
That story was performed live by Rachel Cusick.
What's really cool about this is that it was also a sneak peek into a new ABC podcast hosted by Annabel Crabb.
You can listen to the first few episodes of the podcast here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/history-or-hoarding-with-annabel-crabb
Three Poems by Nathan Mudyi Sentance
Award-winning Wiradjuri poet Nathan Mudyi Sentance returns to the site of his first job to read some poems that were connected to his time working there, where he noticed how libraries record and can rewrite culture.
The poems were We Refuse to Be Shooed, The Diary That Lied and Too Quiet for the Living
Written and performed by Nathan Mudyi Sentance. https://archivaldecolonist.org/about/
Write a letter by Rania Omar
Libraries are not just passive places; they are places to act.
In this last story, we hear from another poet, Lebanese-Australian storyteller and activist Rania Omar, who urges us to etch ourselves into the personal and political page.
Written and performed by Rania Omar
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager
Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager
The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell
Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee
Patrick McKenzie writes our newsletter, and a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers
Shining Bird composed our theme music, and Annie Hamilton designed the artwork
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you hold on to the ones that you love? Is it through shared experiences or through objects?
This week, we hear about a grandad’s love for Christmas, we sit in the garden with Pappou, listen to a mum deciding where to put her grandma’s inherited item, a granddaughter remembering moments with her grandmother, and the small things that remind a granddaughter of her grandma.
Between the stories, some of the All the Best team share their own grandparent memories. (You have to listen! No Spoilers!)
Papou’s Garden by Olivia Thoma
Olivia walks and talks with her Papou through his garden, and she sees how it helped him to make a new home.
Producer: Olivia Thoma
Featuring: Yiangos Thoma, with contributions from Andreas and Chloe Thoma
I’ll Always Remember by Rae Zhang
Sometimes it's not objects or recipes but ... a song.
When her grandmother's memory starts to fade, Rae realises that that its okay for her grandmother to forget, because she will always remember.
Producer: Rae Zhang
Featuring: Jing Xiang
Translation: Haozhen He
These stories were produced as part of a media unit at the University of Sydney - special thanks to Lea Redfern.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager
Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager
The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell
Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee
Patrick McKenzie writes our newsletter, and a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers
Shining Bird composed our theme music, and Annie Hamilton designed the artwork
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As adults, we think we’re too old for fairytales… but they hold such important lessons about strength, transformation and compassion.
In this episode we listen to modern fairytales… a modern rendition of the ugly duckling, and a transformation in an enchanted forest.
Water Off a Swan’s Back by Persephone Waxman
In a modern retelling of an ugly duckling, Persephone reminds us that its all just water off a swans back.
Written & Produced by Persephone Waxman
Sound design and score by Julian Smith Gard
The Voice Actors were Persephone Waxman as Swanathon; Gabrielle Angelone as Sweenie; Sofia Morreale as Diana; Thomas Von Rein as Duckworth; Marceline Di Bartolomeo as Dr Ribbit; Mark Spencer as Geese 1; Alex Clouston and Thomas Khulmann as Geese 2 and 3
This story was produced as part of audio fiction collective Script Roulette, who are based in Naarm and want you to make radio plays with them. Check out https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2026/festivals-and-series/play/script-roulette-podcast or their on their insta @scriptroulettepodcast
Where The Water Knows Your Name by Luca Gambirasio/Sound Commons Project
A wanderer takes a sip from a magical forest stream and wakes up in someone else’s feathers.
Because we all need to be taken care of sometimes, because really, we are all just reflections of one another.
That story was produced by the Sounds Common Project Find more of their work
Writer, voice over, and composer Charity Rosario
Producer and composer Luca Gambirasio
This story was produced as part of All The Best’s 24 Hour Radio Race back in November 2025.
Check out some previous episodes on the radio race https://allthebestradio.com/featured/617-beneath-the-surface/ , https://allthebestradio.com/featured/676-mirrored/ and the second story, Hook, Line & Sinker in https://allthebestradio.com/featured/622-sunburned/
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Firsts by Kwame Slusher
There are some firsts that not everyone shares, like going to an almost abandoned kafeneio in Marrickville, or being a chopper pilot.
Sometimes, we just need a little adrenaline rush and a little courage to step outside ourselves and see what surprises await.
Produced by: Kwame Slusher
Dobrinja by Dan Semo
For some, home is filled with laughter; for others, it brings tears, or memories of the people who shaped us.
But for Dan, returning to his childhood home after 30 years, it felt distant and unrecognisable, its history revealed only in fragments.
“Room tour, old stories, fresh raspberries … there was no blood, only a small mark ect straight to the heart.”
Produced by: Dan Semo for Audio Flux Circuit 04.
The First Test by Phoebe Steley
We often imagine high school girls’ drama as something straight out of Mean Girls: petty, gossipy, and a little vengeful. Sometimes, we expect resolutions to look like the movies, too: tearful confessions, heartfelt apologies, maybe even a closure.
In this story, Charlotte and Izzy show us how conflict can be very different and how it brought them closer.
Often, the other person values the friendship just as much as you do…
Produced by: Phoebe Steley
I am the first by M. Cristina Marras
Marble stairs echo. Voices fall silent. A great hall looming over.
The family stood in rows of chairs, uneasy, the girl advanced as her world and their slowly widening.
“I cannot tell them that it's okay, that they are legit, that they do not have to hide behind. I am the first person in my family to be awarded a university degree.”
Produced by: Cristina Marras for Audio Flux.
Meet me at the punchline by Ramon Briant
The recipe for a good laugh is a good punchline.
The question is: how can you make your punchline punching when it is in another language?
In this story, a successful first attempt to crack a joke in Spanish.
Note: This won’t make you a foreign-language punchline master, but you’ll get a few dad jokes - just as worthy for a laugh.
Produced by Ramon Briant
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager.
Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager
The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell.
Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee,
Patrick McKenzie writes our newsletter, and a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers
Shining Bird composed our theme music, and Annie Hamilton designed the artwork.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From maintaining traditional handcrafting techniques to dressing up in the metaverse, to the evils of the fast-fashion industry.
Digital Fashion by Ariana Rigazzi
Could online fashion shows be a sustainable future?
As the line between our physical and virtual lives continues to blur, a new world of fashion is starting to emerge ... and it exists entirely online
Produced by Ariana Rigazzi
Supervising Producers: Persephone Waxman & Dan Semo.
Produced as part of a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, the Science Gallery and All The Best in 2025. Special thanks to Louisa Lim.
Can traditional handicraft survive fast fashion? by Zhian Zhou
Leanne O’Sullivan is the founder of Kimono House in Melbourne. While living in Japan, she fell in love with traditional Japanese handicrafts like Sashiko and Boro.
Produced by Zhian Zhou
Supervising Producer: Persephone Waxman.
Forced Fashion by Natalie Yeoman
Natalie explores the forced fashion industry by following the production of one hoodie, from China to Bangladesh, and back home to Australia, and the exploitative work practices that come with it.
Produced byNatalie Yeoman
This story was made as part of USYD’s Radio and Podcasting unit. Special thanks to Lea Redfern.
Want more from All The Best? Check out our Substack for a little bit of BTS!
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Don’t talk about the water by Alissar Seyla
In this episode, we look at the concept of the homeland and diaspora.
That tension between familiarity and unease.
A young woman reflects on experiences in her homeland, Lebanon, and abroad, and struggles to find safety in either of those places amid escalating war.
Now, it is time to talk about the water.
Written and produced by: Alissar Seyla
Sound Design by: Tala Issaoui
This story was originally commissioned by Debris Magazine for Issue 06: No! The co-editors were Jon Tjhia and Cher Tan. You can find out more about Debris Magazine here.
You can also check out the previous episode featuring the co-editors, John and Cher, here, featuring other excerpts from Issue 6.
Want more from All The Best? Check out our Substack for a little bit of BTS!
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Conservation Champion for Cheetham by Sandra Wilson
Bernie McCarrick, a former Parks Victoria ranger and site manager of Cheetham Saltworks, reflects on his role in transforming a former industrial site into a thriving wetland ecosystem. Alongside insights from Dr Mike Weston, the story reveals how careful water management and decades of on-the-ground knowledge sustain critical bird habitats.
Produced by: Sandra Wilson
Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman.
Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper by Ruijie Tang
In this story, the matchstick grasshopper’s grand comeback.
Following efforts led by Ary Hoffman to rediscover and protect the matchstick grasshopper — a species thought to have disappeared from Victoria after decades of habitat loss — his team draws on historical records and fieldwork to track the insect to a surviving population and begin the delicate process of rebuilding its numbers through conservation and translocation.
Produced by: JJ Tang
Supervising Producer: Thomas Phillips
Special thanks to Louisa Lim.
Water Trial by Renate Millonig
Amid a devastating algal bloom along South Australia’s coast, Renate shares a haunting poem capturing the grief of witnessing mass marine death.
“ In every breath we share, in every drop we drink.”
Written and Read by: Renate Millonig
Recorded by: Mel Bakewell.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
Protest_Zara_Day_22-03-2009.wav by eraylik -- https://freesound.org/s/69954/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Stone, A Knife, A Flame by Joshua Santospirito
Washing, scrubbing, rinsing, drying, wiping, wetting, drying. These mundane acts led Joshua to reflect so much more.
Through his kitchen, the everyday collides with resistance and violence, as he invites us to question what it means to act in the world.
Tip: Listen to this while washing your dishes for the immersive thought process.
That story was written and performed by Joshua Santospirito as part of a graphic storytelling event run by Papercuts Comics Festival on Kaurna Land in 2025.
Crime of Ration by Miles Mazzocato
Putting pressure on ourselves to be perfect is a common thing…sometimes at the expense of yourself and those around you.
In this story, an apprentice’s obsession with being a perfect cook quietly begins to take over everything else.
Remember, sometimes it takes more than techniques to make a perfect steak an enjoyable meal.
Written by Miles Mazzocato.
Performed by Chloe Spanos and Helen Grimley.
Sound design by Miles Martignoni.
Recorded by Ewan Maccoll at Extra(ordinary) Tales, a live storytelling collaboration between All The Best and Read To Me supported by the City of Sydney.
Story 3: Lentil Tahini Stew by Snack Syndicate
Need dinner ideas? A Tahini lover? You are at the right place.
In this story, a recipe becomes a love language in this warm, sensory piece from Snack Syndicate, where lentil tahini stew is more than just a dish—it is a joint creation shaped by two lovely voices.
Time to get some tahini.
That story from the archives was produced by Snack Syndicate. It was originally commissioned by Debris Magazine for their issue The Urge To Know.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sometimes moving forward is all about realising that you’ve got the power to write your own narrative.
This week you’ll hear stories about people facing down their own internal narratives that threaten to keep them quiet and small.
Like a Preacher by Idayat Jinadu
As a young girl, Idayat is scared to speak her mind. She stutters. But as she becomes an adult, she grows to realise her stutter isn’t an impediment, and that it’s time she claimed her voice, like a preacher.
Produced by Idayat Jinadu.
Sound design by Mel Bakewell
The Supervising Producer was Evana Ho.
Ayla by Carey Scheer
This next story is from the amazing Purple Orange podcast that centers narratives around people living with a disability.
Ayla Regione spent years hiding her deafness, trying to “keep up”, and pushing through without asking for what she needed. When barriers got in her way, she blamed herself.
Produced by Carey Scheer
And an extra special thanks to Ayla Regione for sharing their story.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we focus on Khaled’s story, which offers insight into hope amid conflict. From Yemen to Tasmania, Khaled recalls his journey through university study and creative pursuits in a very different environment from the one he once called home.
Khaled from Yemen by 177 Nations
That story was from the 177 Nations Podcast. 177 Nations is produced by Mark Thompson from Lutruwita, so-called Tasmania.
Edits for this episode were by Ruijie Tang and Mel Bakewell.
You can hear more episodes of 177 Nations wherever you get your podcast, or by checking out Mark’s site here.
If you want to know more about what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a round-up of all our activities ... with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to all our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, lots of jumping, diving, falling and some bold decisions.
On your bike! by Jeffrey Khoo
In this story, your ultimate bike tutorial (absolutely not!)
Trying something new in one’s adulthood may feel like a fish out of the water. Jeffrey felt the same way, too.
From curving out chaotic zigzags in the grass, tipping over, giving up and back-pedalling through self-doubt, the bicycle has become the love of his life.
Now the fish knows how to bike — just in time for Amsterdam’s bike lanes and Berlin’s questionable late-night decisions.
Produced by Jeffrey Khoo
Supervising Producers Evana Ho and Mel Bakewell.
Just jump by Alannah Vidic-Worth
In this story, Matt overcomes his acrophobia as he jumps off a waterfall in Samoa during a study trip.
All it takes is a leap and perhaps… a scream off a Samoan waterfall.
Produced by Alanna Vidic-Worth.
Special thanks to Janak Rogers and Dan Semo.
In the Deep End by Catarina Fraga Matos
After being dragged out by a rip at a dangerous Australian beach, Craig avoids the water for 15 years.
Then, a move to Timor-Leste pushes him back into the water.
Sometimes the scariest water leads you straight to the most beautiful reefs.
Produced by Catarina Fraga Matos
Supervising producer Mel Bakewell
And a special thanks to Craig Garrett for sharing his story.
Nathan’s Comedy Failings by Nathan Roach
Nathan went in search of a comedy duo and found a community instead.
Produced by Nathan Roach
If you want to know more about what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a round-up of all our activities ... with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to all our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we go analogue by exploring how to document memory through physical media. And to pull back to back from the interconnected digital world and just ... sit with art.
You get to hear why some of our friends at fbi.radio are stepping back from digital. Also fbi.radio is awesome. Please give a little love by being a supporter.
Special thanks to Tommy, Benny, Jasmine, Lindsey and Catarina for being a part of this episode.
The Analog-ish Revolution by Kwame Slusher
Kwame even made a 7 minute story about paring back the digital and going analog ... ish.
Produced by Kwame Slusher
Tintypes by Maya Fawaz
In an age where everyone has a high-quality camera in their pocket and a cloud claiming their photos, people are going even more analogue than a digicam. And then some people - like Cole Caswell - are going even further than that.
Produced by Maya Fawaz
Supervising Producer was Persephone Waxman.
Year 2537 by Sepehr Jamshidi Fardi and Eugenia Zoubtchenko
This one is from the archives!
On his shelf in Sydney, Sepehr has a camera from the future. Sepehr's father’s camera allows him to reflect on a pivotal moment from the past of the country he was born in … Iran.
That story was produced by Sepehr Jamshidi Fardi and Eugenia
If you want to know more about what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a round-up of all our activities ... with a little bit of BTS.
And the deadline for our first Audio Club challenge is on 23 March. And we plan to have a little listening party. 🎉 🥳 🎈
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to all our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we explore stories from the coastline.
The Beach That Grew by Joanna Beard
Have you ever been to your favourite beach and noticed that a rock face, or a dune, looks different?
This story explains how erosion isn’t just about loss, but about shifts and transformation, and how this change makes a beach into a resilient landscape that sustains itself.
Produced by Joanna Beard.
Supervising Producer was Craig Garrett.
Special thanks to Tito Ambyo, one of Joanna’s lecturers at RMIT, who helped shape the story focus for this piece early on.
Trepang by Bridget Chappell
Bridget Chappell interviews Yolngu cultural leader Timmy Burarrwanga of Yirrkala about his community’s connection to Makassan sailors from Sulawesi, Indonesia, connected through the sea cucumber, or trepung trade, that began in the early 1700s.
Produced by Bridget Chappell
Supervising Producer Mell Chun.
If you want to know more about what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a round-up of all our activities ... with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to all our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ring ... ring ...
Would you answer a call from a number you don't recognise?
What if it was a wrong number? Would you keep talking?
I'm Just Gonna Listen by Emma Lehman
Olive Brazill starts receiving calls from strangers who just want someone to listen. And she does.
But it’s not just a random connection with strangers. Ten years earlier, Jack - someone Olive once knew - had received the same kind of calls as a social experiment.
Producer: Emma Lehman
Supervising Producer: Lawrence Bull
Audio Club
If you’re in Sydney, don’t miss our upcoming in-person Audio Club at fbi.radio on the 23rd February.
Substack
If you want to know more about what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
.... And Happy Lunar New YearI 🐎
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to all our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Love is in the air … Or at least it's in the airwaves.
In this episode, we are going to be playing two stories about love, whether it's love overcoming language barriers or love helping us to overcome physical barriers and how to make the most out of the little things.
Love In Translation by Katie Stokes
So for this first piece, you’ll be taken on a journey through the complexities of a multilingual love story. You’ll hear Ellie and Lucas navigate learning about each other, meeting each other's families and a little extra challenge of a communication barrier that makes it that much harder.
Produced by Katie Stokes
Supervising Producer was Mark Yin
It’s the little things by Carey Scheer
This next piece explores love shaped by disability. From catching the train from Campbelltown together, to sitting in marshland together, Trudy and Chris explore how they’re connected by life’s ordinary ... explore the intimacies of touch and talk … and ultimately … their love for one another transcending life together.
Produced by Carey Scheer from the Purple Orange Podcast**. Def worth a listen!
And your All The Best host, Kwame, passes the mic on to your new host, Gabriella Accaria! Hurray! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Listen to the episode to learn a little bit more about your new host!
Audio Club
If you’re in Sydney, don’t miss our upcoming in-person Audio Club at fbi.radio on the 23rd February.
All The Best Credits
Host: Gabriella Accaria & Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Production Manager: Kwame Slusher
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we continue our literary theme with part two (See part one here) of a showcase of the stories that came out of a collaboration between All the Best and WestWords.
This week's stories in this episode deal with space beyond and within us.
Whether it is literally outer space or the complexities of navigating an emotional space.
Here by Siham Dalila
Our first story begins with navigating the complexity of inner emotional spaces. It features a woman trapped somewhere between reality and a dreamscape. And she is forced to make a decision about which reality she wants to stay in and which one she wants to escape from.
Written and performed by Siham Dalila
Production and Sound Design by Felicity Weaver.
From Beyond the Karman Line by Myra A
Our second story takes us to outer space.
When the first female astronaut to undertake a solo mission is sent to the moon, she finds solace in recording her own voice clips. But alone and far from earth, she is forced to confront a haunting past.
Written and performed by Myra A.
Produced by Kwame Slusher
Sound Design by Thomas Lu.
Octo by Tabitha Laffernis
Our third and final story takes us into that space of unrequited love.
Too many legs. Too many eyes. Too many feelings. Unrequited love hurts, but interspecies unrequited love hurts harder.
A spider falls for her housemate, hoping that one day her housemate will see her.
Written and performed by Tabitha Laffernis
Produced by Mel Bakewell
Sound Design and original composition by Suzanne Derry
If you'd like to get involved this month, we are having our first Audio Club meetings for the year!
All skill levels are welcome!
And if you want to keep what is happening behind the scenes at All the Best, check out our Substack.
All The Best Credits
Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to all our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall ...
This week, we have three stories from the 24 radio race in November of last year.
The way it worked is that the audio producers received a prompt a week out from the radio race.
On the day, there was a little bit of a brainstorm. And then the audio producers had 24 hours, working alone or in teams, to complete their stories.
The theme for this year was ‘mirrored’.
The theme for the 2025 Radio Race was mirrored in this episode, producers themselves mirrored in other people, imagining what would happen if your own reflection took over your life, or all the ways that we might actually fail to recognise our own reflection.
R2 Detour by Ramon Briant
Our first story is from Ramon Briant. You’re probably familiar with all the use cases or how AI will supposedly make our lives more … efficient. But what are you willing to sacrifice for this efficiency?
Producer: Ramon Briant
It's Meant To Be! by Aya Salah and Mohammed Samir
Do you find new social situations stressful?
Maybe you are caught up in how anxious you are that you miss the fact that other people around you might feel the same way.
Aya Salah and Mohammed Samir tell a story of what you might find if you can get over that awkwardness.
Producer: Aya Salah and Mohammed Samir
A Polished Tale by M. Cristina MarrasThis is a tale about self-reflection, or you being able to recognise your own reflection.And just in case you're not familiar with Cristina’s work, she has a way of taking listeners to places they never expected to be.
Producer: M. Cristina Marras
All The Best Credits
Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Mixed & Compiled: Ramon Briant
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clatter Tongue by K.A Ren Wyld
You’ll hear a live reading of a short story written by Ren Wyld and performed by Katie Becket for Story Saloon – a live storytelling show and podcast. The story itself comes from the First Nation Anthology of speculative fiction, titled This All Come Back Now, edited by Koori and Lebanese writer Dr Mykaela Saunders.
This interplay between voice and voicelessness. The juxtaposition of the fantastic with the real world. Tackles the larger question of empowerment and disempowerment.
Written by K.A Ren Wyld,
Read by Katie Beckett.
It was performed at the Vanguard in 2025 for StorySALOON, a live storytelling show and podcast that combines Australia’s best written storytelling with electrifying live reads.
StorySALOON’s executive producer is Jane Messer, audio recording by Martin Gallagher at Echidna Audio.
Find out more by heading to storysaloon.com.au
Also, a link to the last time we featured a StorySALOON live reading.
All The Best Credits
Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the Editorial to Debris Magazine Issue 06, editors Jon Tjhia and Cher Tan write, "Everywhere you look, the word is no—a word that stakes a powerful foothold as it pushes the walls closer around you. No time for ambivalence or ambiguity. No! And then you wake up."
This episode features three excerpts from the Debris Magazine Issue 06: NO!
No Dogs by Luca Demetriadi
Luca's story is about a town that bans dogs after an incident, and how that changes the town forever.
Written and read by Luca Demetriadi
Sound design by Mel Bakewell
Grand Theft Autism by Alex Creece
Alex Creece is openly neurodivergent, but their poem is not interested in confirming your suspected Autism diagnosis.
Written and read by Alex Creece
Sound design by Felicity Weaver
Personal by Claire Cao
An actor’s personal assistant wades through the blurred boundaries of life, work and performance on the day she’s going to quit.
Written and performed by Claire Cao
Sound design by Catarina Fraga Matos
Substack
f you want more of what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, we dive into the archives to learn about the long history of pianos, a very unique guitar and maybe why we should start thinking of record stores as more than just places to buy music, but to be a part of a community.
Donmo by Benjamin Erin
It’s not quite the Delta … but our first story takes us to South Australia to meet Don Morrison… to talk about guitar making and why it’s so hard for musicians to break the pub ceiling.
That story was produced by Benjamin Erin in 2019 for the Transom Travelling Workshop. Special thanks to the CMTO.
Greg by Thomas Matijevic
Our next story takes us into the story of a particular record shop in Naarm. Thomas speaks to Greg, owner of Hub 301 Records and the founder of the Now Legendary Rhythm and Soul, about how the culture of consuming music has changed.
That story was produced by Thomas Matijevic. Special thanks to Dan Semo and Janak Rogers.
Joe Leaver by Olivia RosenmanIn our next story, we are asked to see that instruments are more than just things to be used to make music, but they have their complicated histories.
The next story is about pianos and a man who has made a career of tuning and restoring them.
Substack
If you want more of what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy New Year, and here is our second ‘best of’ episode. But this time it’s the All the Best staff picks.
Cockroach by Jin Hien Lau
Kwame’s first pick comes from #659 Extra(ordinary) Tales – Part One.
What begins as a chance encounter with a cockroach on an escalator spirals into a wild story of movie nights, pop culture, and a swarm of roaches bursting out of a DVD case.
Kwame loves this story for its humour and cockroach-themed 90s nostalgia.
Produced by: Jin Hien Lau
Sound design by: Gregory Thorsby
The audio corpse
Cat’s fav was the #641 The audio corpse.
This piece is part of The Exquisite Audio Corpse, an ambitious international collaboration between 75 audio makers from around the globe run by Audio Club, creating a series of seven sonic “corpses” inspired by the surrealist game exquisite corpse.
Cat loved seeing the individual styles of storytelling.
The sample was from M. Cristina Marras and storytellers in that episode were Lezak, Pierre & Florence, Yhane, Ali, Darien, Arielle, Valdez & Hazel, Ellie, Cole & Claudia.
The Love Game by Wing Kuang
Mel’s pick was from #661 The Love Game.
Wing Kuang guides us through a love story of two gamers —one in Melbourne and one in Shanghai —navigating the complexities of long-distance relationships and the bureaucracy of Australia’s immigration system.
This story came from the Jesse Cox Fellowship 2025, and Mel enjoyed seeing Wing explore how to include elements of bilingual storytelling and gamification.
Produced by Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: M. Cristina Marras
Window by Danni Stewart
Kwame’s second pick comes from #633 Small Audio Art.
It came from a Small Audio Art challenge, and Danny’s story, The Window, follows a parasocial relationship with a neighbour.
Produced by Danni Stewart
Just Breathe by Ben Haywood
Our final pick is Mel’s second pick. It’s another one from the Jesse Cox Fellowship 2025. This time it’s #662 Just Breathe Man.
Ben suffers from depression after knee surgery. Searching for ways to heal online, he finds himself trapped in toxic ideas of masculinity. It’s only when a friend takes him to his breathwork class that he finally breaks down and begins to heal, learning that recovery can come through friendship, community, and space to breathe.
Mel said ’This story started out when Ben first pitched to the fellowship as a completely different idea. He had a kind of couple of story false starts in the making of this, and then yeah, sort of turned his audio story in on himself and the time that he was going through.’
Substack
If you want more of what’s happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It’s a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2025 is almost over, and it’s the time of year when everyone is sharing their ‘best of’s, ‘wrappeds, ‘rewinds’ or recaps of the year.
In this episode, our amazing volunteers at All the Best share the stories that really resonated with them.
Second Hand Bandit by Ramon Briant
Episode #640 The Second Hand Bandit was all about community and second-hand op-shops, or in Patrick’s words, it was about those ‘comrad vibes’. Ramon’s story focuses on how a second-hand shop community came together to solve a string of thefts.
Produced by Ramon Briant
Weaving Ancestral Voices by Shareeka Hellaludin
Sue chose Weaving Ancestral Voices from #629 Ancestral Voices, and the episode focused on that theme of connection and reconnection. The story is about the Shraeeka’s journey to reconnect the different parts of her identity. For Sue, it was the delicate panning, whispered textures, and ‘really subtle shifts in tone’ that Shareeka uses in the piece.
This story was produced by Shareeka Helaluddin. The Supervising Producer was Mell Chun, with support from John Tjhia.
Wanted: Dunnart Alive by Xanthe Smith
This comes from #660 Wanted: Dunnart Alive. This is one of Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship Stories for 2025.
Lindsey’s choice is all about looking for that elusive thing. Xanthe revisits her childhood memories of meeting ecologist Sue Churchill, whose stories of the rare marsupial stayed with her for decades.
She chose this story because ’…the amount of effort it takes, even finding something so small.’
Produced by Xanthe Smith
Supervising Producer was Karla Arnall
All The Best turned 15 this year! And as part of our b-day party showcased stories from the JCAF fellows.
Tubig Lang by Merlinda Bobis
Ray’s choice is the first story in #653 Tubig Lang (Just Water). This takes us to the Philippines and explores what a typhoon looks like in the eyes of a child.
He chose this story because ‘Even though these episodes moved through world typhoons … What stayed with me were the quieter, more personal details that shape how each person makes sense of the chaos’.
It was originally commissioned by Debris Magazine issue five, Prismatic Joy, and the sound design was by Tala Issaoui. The supervising producer was Phoebe Adler Ryan.
The Great Dingo Debate by Andrea Dixon
Our final pick comes from Imogen! And her choice came from the #623 Humanimal.
Andrea shares her love for Taz, a rescued dingo living on her family’s property in Hawkesbury, Darug country.
For Imogen, it represented a perspective she hadn’t heard before.
The producer was Andrea Dixon.
The Supervising Producer was Thomas Phillips.
All The Best Credits
Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our Stories Our Flats
I've lived in Carlton, in the Carlton Public housing estates for 30-plus years. So I know it like the back of my hand and I've come across very interesting people and I thought it would be important for me to, um, leave a document behind.
Ayan Shirwa
This episode is all about community—specifically, the importance of community in public housing.
Ayan Shirwa from 3CR is a longtime resident of the Carlton Public Housing and, in response to the Victorian government's decision to demolish the flats in 2023, decided to record the stories of residents for future generations.
This is the first episode of Our Stories, Our Flats, but you can listen to the full series on 3CR.
Produced and written by Ayan Shirwa
Narrated by Raven
Substack
If you want more of what's happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It's a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Program Manager & Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Slow Death
Our first story comes from our Westwords and All the Best collaboration. Westwords in the centre for creative writing based in Parramatta, where a small group of writers were paired with producers and sound designers to bring their stories to life. Lee Mckerrecher was one of these writers.
For our first Westwords episode, you can click here.
A story that shows what happens when we ignore those who have protected the environment for thousands of years.
Written and Performed by Lee McKerrecher
Sound Design by Ramon Briant.
Keep Moving
We've all faced some form of impostor syndrome. Or maybe struggled to finish something because we felt it could just be a little better than it is. Catarina figures out how to just keep moving.
Produced by Catarina Fraga Matos
Teresa
Sometimes there might be something that slows you down and makes it hard to keep moving. Teresa had a lung transplant, and Beth follows her journey to recovery.
This story was created as part of an audio storytelling course for regional community radio producers. It was delivered in collaboration with the CMTO, with thanks to the generous support of Creative Australia.
Produced by Beth Baillie
Supervising Producer was Maddy Macquine.
Mending More Than Things: The Heart of Ringwood Repair Café
When was the last time you had something fixed? And have you ever heard of a repair cafe? One Saturday afternoon, Boya Yang takes a trip to the Ringwood Repair Cafe.
Produced by Boya Yang.
A special thanks to the University of Melbourne, Louisa Lim, Dan Semo and Thomas Phillips.
If you want more of what's happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It's a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In many cultures around the world, water is sacred.
In this episode we see bodies of water as conduits for memory, history and, of course, stories.
Pitjantjatjara and Gurintji man talkin’ stories by the river
Think of the anatomy of a river. Our first story is the upper course. Caleb and Orlando reflect on history, their own lives and the families while sitting by a river on Gurintji land.
Produced by Caleb Doolan and Orlando Rubuntja
Supervising Producer: Helene Thomas
Interview conducted by Brenton Woods
When I Lived
Our next episode meanders into the middle course. Indigenous Papua New Guinean writer and organiser Lungol reflects on a history of colonial violence, and looks forward to a revolutionary future.
Written and Read by Lungol Wekina. You can find more of his work here.
Sound design and Original Composition by Danni Stewart.
Bodies of Water
Our final story is the lower course of the river. It's where everything slows down. Campbell recreates what life was like along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River). He demonstrates the way thoughts flow together through time.
This story was initially a comics installation and can read the original comic here.
Written and performed by Campbell Whyte.
Sound design by Ryan Pemberton
If you want more of what is happening at All the Best, check out our Substack! It's a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The act of rebellion can take many forms.
Sometimes resistance can be found in the music we listen to and the way we present ourselves to the world.
The Vanishing Culture of Saigon
Our first story deals directly with music, censorship and the history of Vietnam. Ray finds a story resistance in the history of 'yellow music'.
Produced by Ray Vo
Supervising Producer: Thomas Lu
Pedal to the Metal
Our next story takes us to Croatia, when it was still part of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It's a journey including long hair, the love metal, military service, family and immigration to Australia.
Produced by Allison Chan
If you want more of what is happening at All the Best, check out Substack! It's a roundup of all our activities with a little bit of BTS.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Caterina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lagpas Tao by Neen Ramos
When a storm surge swallows a coastal town in the Philippines, a daughter in Sydney receives a shaky phone call from her mother calling from a patchy Wi-Fi.
The floodwaters would recede, but they can’t take away a daughter’s worry from thousands of kilometres away.
“ I've been so worried about you. I guess what I really want is to be there, even if I don't know how to say it out loud.”
Produced by Aswathi Matthews
Written and performed by Neen Ramos
Mother voiced by: Liza Caliao
Special thanks to Amanda Caliao, who generously recommended her mom to voice this piece.
Rapture by Christopher Sammut
After losing his job, a young man in Sydney ends up working at his uncle’s chicken farm, where the daily violence of slaughter and the weight of family expectations trigger a crushing anxiety attack. His only comfort comes from Lorenzo, a Sudanese coworker who offers faith, hope, and an unexpected kind of tenderness in a place built on brutality.
The smell he’s trying to escape isn’t on his clothes - it’s in his bones.
Produced by: Persephone Waxman
Written and performed by Christopher Sammut
Sound design by Lana Lusina
My childhood is split into Inside Outside by Cathy Stirling
What are the small, ordinary moments when you feel safe enough to connect with your body, with others, with place?
Cathay’s childhood is split between two worlds: the fear-soaked “inside,” where her father’s rage fills the air, and the bright “outside,” where magpies call, bare feet hit the grass, and the rhythm of games, laughter, lizards, and sunshine offer a taste of freedom.
And with every step between inside and outside, she begins to realise that light can live in her too.
Production and sound design by Catarina Fraga Matos
Written and Performed by Cathy Stirling
Mark Williamson voiced ‘Dad’
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programming & Community Coordinator: Caterina Fraga Matos
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Cover Art: Ray Vo
Special shout-out to our volunteers: Sue, Sharon, Lindsey, Andrew, Ash, and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week’s episode is all about suspending your disbelief! Whether you're dressed for a Renaissance Fair or watching a magician and their assistant on stage.
A Lady Knight by in Kryal Castle by Persephone WaxmanIn our first story, you will follow the Knight, Lady Molly, into the heat of battle just 10 minutes outside the Ballarat CBD in Victoria. Produced by Persephone Waxman alongside Supervising Producer is Mark Yin.
$5 Magic Show by Mel BakewellWith just a recorder and $5, Mel Bakewell will not actually pull a rabbit out of a hat, but instead a story of magic in Adelaide. Produced by Mel Bakewell
If you love audio stories, the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2026 is now open until November 18. That's next week! An opportunity to take a deep dive into a story idea you are passionate about for six months, with access to mentors and a range of workshops related to all things audiocraft.
All The Best Credits:
- Host: Kwame Slusher- Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell- Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie- Theme Music composed by Shining Bird- Cover Art: Ray Vo
- A Special shout-out to our volunteers: Sue, Sharon, Lindsey, Andrew, Ash, and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Has a friend ever told you they think you have ADHD?
In this episode of Peer Review Diagnosis, host Felicity Weaver explores the humorous yet heartfelt world of “peer-reviewed ADHD”. Through personal stories and insights from psychiatrist Dr. Mohsen Mirzaie, she explores the role casual, “peer-reviewed” observations can play alongside formal diagnosis, and how greater awareness can foster understanding rather than offense.
Sometimes, your friends might spot your ADHD before your doctor does - but no, you still can’t try their meds.
Produced by: Felicity Weaver
Supervising Producer: Shelby Traynor.
The other voices that you hear in the story are Maya, Geronimo and Dr Mohsen Mirzaie.
Cop A Wist by Evie Hilliar
In this story, what begins as a funny story about worsening eyesight unfolds into a vulnerable exploration of sincerity, shame, and the layers we build to protect ourselves. Both tender and irreverent, it’s a rallying cry to strip away the armor, face your fears, and as the speaker dares - “flash them your truths and tell them to love you.”
Performed by Evie Hillier
Recorded by Zacha Rosen
The Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2026 is open until 18 November. An opportunity to take a deep dive into a story idea you are passionate about for six months and you will have access to mentors and a range of workshops related to all things audiocraft.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers: Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew, Ash, and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Halloween.
A time when many when mischievous spirits are going from door to door saying 'trick or treat?'.
This week is not a trick, but a treat of three haunting audio stories that might just keep you up at night.
Almost A Ghost Story by Yebu ji
There is always good reason to carefully research a place before you there. Our first story, its not just an apartment you have to worry about, but even a blog or a reddit thread can be a haunted space.
That story was produced by Yebu Ji
Editor was Sayre Quevedo
The Weeping Wall by Mel Bakewell
Our second story definitely falls more into the unexplainable category. Be wary of those recurring stains that seem to defy explanation.
Produced by Mel Bakewell
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
Highway to Hell by Felicity Weaver
Driving in big cities can be pain. Sydney is not exception. If you drive, or have driven in Sydney then you can probably relate with having to deal with confusing street signs, or the stress of missing your exit ... but this story takes a bit of a diabolical turn.
Produced by Felicity Weaver
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers: Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew, Ash, and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Just Breath Man by Ben Haywood
This story is a step closer to embracing men’s tears and a step away from toxic masculinity.
Ben suffers from depression after knee surgery. Searching for ways to heal online, he finds himself trapped in toxic ideas of masculinity. It’s only when a friend takes him to his breathwork class that he finally breaks down and begins to heal, learning that recovery can come through friendship, community, and space to breathe.
Sometimes, not all healing comes with words.
Sometimes it’s in the silence between breaths, in the rise and fall of your chest, as the world eases and the universe reminds you: you’re safe.
Produced by: Ben Haywood
Supervising producer: Sam Loy
Music: Blue Dot Sessions
This story was made possible by the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship.
For over six months, Ben worked with an industry mentor and got access to guest workshops on audio craft.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2025, and a very special thank you to Jesse Cox’s family and friends, and to the incredible legacy he left
A very special thank you to our mentors, Karla Arnall, Sam Loy, Cristina Marras, and Miles Martignoni.
And thank you to our guest facilitators Belinda Lopez, Jay Gasser, Jesse Lou Lawson, Michelle Macklem, Claudia Taranto, Karishma Luthria, Mike Williams, Dan Semo, Tiffany Dimmack and Cinnamon Nippard.
Applications to the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2026 are live! Apply here. Applications close November 18.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers: Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew, Ash, Emma and Miles.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
So what do gaming and immigration have in common?
The Love Game by Wing Kuang
In our second story from the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2025, Wing Kuang guides us through a love story of two gamers, one in Melbourne and one in Shanghai, navigating the complexities of long-distance relationships and the bureaucracy of Australia’s immigration system.
Produced by Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: M. Cristina Marras
This story was made possible by the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship.
For over six months, Wing worked with an industry mentor and got access to guest workshops on audio craft.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2025, and a very special thank you to Jesse Cox’s family and friends, and to the incredible legacy he left
A very special thank you to our mentors, Karla Arnall, Sam Loy, Cristina Marras, and Miles Martignoni.
And thank you to our guest facilitators Belinda Lopez, Jay Gasser, Jesse Lou Lawson, Michelle Macklem, Claudia Taranto, Karishma Luthria, Mike Williams, Dan Semo, Tiffany Dimmack and Cinnamon Nippard.
Applications to the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2026 are opening up soon! Watch this space!
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers: Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew, Ash, and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wanted: Dunnart Alive by Xanthe Smith
This week, a story about searching, both for the elusive Sandhill Dunnart and for a long-lost connection.
Xanthe revisits her childhood memories of meeting ecologist Sue Churchill, whose stories of the rare marsupial stayed with her for decades. From Sue’s years of digging pitfall traps in the desert to becoming the world Dunnart expert, their conversation explores Australia’s fragile biodiversity, the politics of conservation, and the search for something in the unknown - something you might never even find.
Produced by Xanthe Smith
Supervising Producer was Karla Arnall
This story was made possible by the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship.
For over six months, Xanthe worked with an industry mentor and got access to guest workshops on audio craft.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2025, and a very special thank you to Jesse Cox’s family and friends, and to the incredible legacy he left.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout-out to our volunteers: Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew, Ash, and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, some beef, friendship, and strange run-ins with some humans and creatures.
Magpie by Millie Jones
In this story, a stroll through suburban Mudgee turns into an encounter with the swooping monarchs of the blue gums.
Here’s your ultimate how-to-survive-magpies manual.
Tip: If you cross paths with a magpie, skip the two-hands-above-your-head surrender - just give a friendly nod and keep walking with dignity.
Produced by: Millie Jones
Sound design by: Ramon Briant
Gordons Bay by Lucie Towers
Gordon’s Bay was a beach under the rule of a fearsome “King of Crabs.”
Among the seaweed and tide-washed rubbish, Lucie scavenged for lost toys and trinkets, treasures in her eyes.
Today, the bay is pristine and beloved.
Watch out, King Gordon may still be lurking.
Produced by: Lucie Towers
Sound design by: Hethre Contant
Cockroach by Jin Hien Lau
In our third story, what begins as a chance encounter with a cockroach on an escalator spirals into a wild story of movie nights, pop culture, and a swarm of roaches bursting out of a DVD case.
It’s proof that even cockroaches can steal the show and your pizza.
Produced by: Jin Hien Lau
Sound design by: Gregory Thorsby
Raindrop Tiara by Giddy Pillai
In this story, a rainy-day memory becomes a fairytale when a stranger shares his umbrella and walks the narrator home.
To the stranger with the umbrella: we hope you enjoyed Giddy’s song and know that you’ve been great.
Special thanks to the City of Sydney for supporting this event.
Event producers were Phoebe Adler-Ryan, Evie Hilliar, Fionn McCabe, Gabe Clark, and Patrick McKenzie.
These stories were from the live storytelling event Extra(Ordinary) Tales, presented by All The Best and Read To Me. It's a storytelling night that brings together audio and visual artists to explore the magic, humour, heartbreak and mystery hidden in everyday life.
And a special thanks to the City of Sydney for their support for this event.
And we have another free Extra(Ordinary)Tales at the Greensquare Library on the 14th November.
Get your tickets here!
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout out to our volunteers, Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew, Ash and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dome Sweet Dome by Year 8 students
In this story, Year 8 students imagine a world where meteors poison the skies and zombies spread from Bankstown to Campbelltown. Trapped inside a glass dome with zombies banging on the walls outside, they piece together what makes life worth living.
And in the end, humanity is saved by Kendrick Lamar’s zombie-proof backboard and a slam dunk from LeBron James.
Written by: Year 8 students
Produced by: Year 8 students and Philip Wilcox.
Sound design and production by: Milku.
Apocalypse, Then ? by Jake Dean
In our second story, the world collapses the day before Henry’s short story is published in The New Yorker. Henry, a jaded Adelaide teacher, embarks on one final mission: to find proof his masterpiece exists. Joined by Felix, a naïve but enthusiastic survivor, they sail amidst chaos, navigate a turbulent friendship, and grasp at fleeting glimpses of hope in a post-apocalyptic time.
Literary glory, baked beans, and not killing the man who saved your dictionary - the ultimate survival guide for a writer at the end of the world.
Written by: Jake Dean
Performed by: Adam Dunn.
Produced by: Jane Messer.
Audio engineer: Martin Gallagher.
It’s part of a fabulous live storytelling show and podcast called StorySALOON
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout out to our volunteers, Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew, Ash and Emma.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Black people can be disabled: breaking the cycle of disability stereotypes - Khadija Gbla by Carey Scheer
From surviving a civil war in Sierra Leone to classrooms in Australia, Khadija carried chaos in her body long after the bombs stopped.
Her autism was dismissed as a cultural difference by white Australians, scorned as “not Black enough” within her community, and punished by chronic pain no one believed. For years, the world told her she was broken — until her diagnosis gave her the power to name who she had always been.
Now, as she raises her autistic son, she also heals her younger self — creating a better world for them both, and for others yet to come.
Perhaps, the real danger was never their difference, but a world that refused to see it.
Produced by: Carey Scheer
Featuring: Khadija Gbla
For more stories like Khadija’s, check out the Purple Orange podcast.
Untitled by Keras Marszalek
“ Growing up, gay and Muslim felt like oil and water, two parts of himself that were never meant to mix, but he carried both at school, at home, and in prayer.”
This story follows Kaan’s journey navigating the clash between his Turkish Muslim upbringing and his identity as a gay man. From hiding behind humour and secrecy to finding the courage to come out, his story reveals both the weight of religious guilt and the relief of honesty.
“Faith told him who he was supposed to be. His heart told him who he already was.”
Perhaps, faith guided Kaan in his prayers, but truth set him free.
Produced by: Keras Marszalek
Special thanks to Janak Rogers.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork by Annie Hamilton
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout out to our volunteers Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew and Ash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week’s episode is one of those love stories that spans years and countries.
177 Nations of Tasmania: Ana From Panama
First, Ana fell in love with ballet at her home in Panama City.
This passion for dance will take her all over Cuba in the Caribbean, where, at an arts college, she would meet her second love, Elias.
This beautiful story will take you from the closed borders and cancelled flights of COVID to seeing Anna as a young mother in Tasmania trying to make a new life while preserving her culture and identity.
This story was originally published on 177 Nations of Tasmania, produced by Mark Thomson. To hear the full episode, head to www.markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 Nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.
With additional editing by Jespher Wen.
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork by Annie Hamilton
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout out to our volunteers Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew and Ash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, two adventures into the uncharted seas of life.
Serendipity 海上的人 by Sharon Wongosari
After her lupus diagnosis, Sharon lost what she once held most precious: career opportunities, productivity, and the efficiency that once defined her. Yet in losing them, she discovered a self beyond those qualities and began to reclaim her life.
She now credits her friends, family, and her spiritual guide - Mazu, the Taoist ocean goddess she prays to.
As red crescent blocks strike the ground, fortune poems are revealed, and prayers are answered.
We are all 海上的人 (people on the ocean), drifting through uncharted seas, carried by chaotic waves of serendipity.
Produced by: Sharon Wongosari
Supervising Producer: Dan Semo
Antarctica by Dylin Hardcastle
At 17, Dylin faced her first psychotic episode, learning too early that life is both fragile and finite.
Then writing became her vessel, carrying her from psych wards to Antarctica, where she witnessed glaciers breaking, whales surfacing, and history dissolving into the sea.
Her story is a reminder that even at the edge of endings, the tide always carries us toward more life.
Written and performed by Dylin Hardcastle
music by Elizabeth Jigalin
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Events and Partnership coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork by Annie Hamilton
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout out to our volunteers Ray, Sue, Sharon, Lindsay, Andrew and Ash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about what’s going into your mouth.
Avocado by Michael Sun
This story follows Michael’s bizarre coming-of-age journey - stuffed with avocados, awkward dates, and complicated moments with his mom. Born with a big mouth and having a “stronger-than-average immune system”, he went on to claim a Guinness World Record by devouring 20 avocados in a minute - and then so much more.
So, are you ready to devour 21 avocados in a minute?
Produced by Michael Sun
Supervising producer was Allison Chan
Sound design by Mia Hull
Eating and Order by Rania Omar
This story traces Rania’s journey through a lifelong struggle with eating disorders, shaped by racism, sexism, and impossible beauty standards.
From childhood fears of food as an enemy, to panic attacks in the snack aisle, to a bowl of shish barak she made for herself, Rania slowly learns to reclaim her plate, her body, and her joy.
You are not just what you eat, you are who you are.
Produced by Rania Omar
Supervising producer was Sophie Ellis
Additional mixing by Zac Pennington.
Dark Cherry, Limestone and Meat by Eugenia Zoubtchenko
This is a story with lots of fermenting, sipping, and the drinkers ‘ahhhh’.
Navigating the vineyard with Eugenia, we witness the magic as each barrel brews fermented potions of raspberries, dark cherries, smoky earth, and even fairy floss.
P.S Next time, if a friend accuses you of being an alcoholic, be sure to tell them you are just ‘oenophilic’.
Produced by Eugenia Zoubtchenko
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programs and Community Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ruijie Tang
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Special shout out to Ray, Sue, Lindsay, Andrew and Ash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week’s episode takes us through a war and typhoons in South East Asia and the Asia Pacific.
This week’s episode takes us through a war and typhoons in South East Asia and the Asia Pacific. We learn what a typhoon looks like through the eyes of a child and how even a story of war can be used to talk about the ones we love.
Tubig Lang
The first story takes us to the Philippines, where Merlinda sits down with her brother’s children—her niece and nephews —and learns to see the destructive power of typhoons through their innocent eyes.
Written and Performed by Merlinda Bobis
Supervising Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Sound Design by Tala Issaoui
We Are Gathered Here Today
In our second and final story, Annabella helps her mother reach back through time to (re)member and retell her story of the Vietnam War.
Written and Produced by Annabella Luu
Supervising Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Sound Design by Ramon Briant
All The Best Credits
Host: Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programs and Community Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ruijie Tang
Photo: Children survivors of superstorm Yolanda or Haiyan. At the Cabalawan Transitional Shelter, Tacloban, Philippines, 2015
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week’s episode asks us to pause. To pay attention to the world around us and to think of the power that nature has to heal damaged and abandoned spaces.
Would they survive without humans?
The first story is about resilience. Not human resilience, but about the persistence of trees growing in places that you might not expect. Raihanah takes us on a journey to toxic places reclaimed by trees.
Produced by Raihanah Raihanah as part of a collaboration between All the Best, the University of Melbourne and the Science Gallery.**
Supervising Producer Persephone Waxman.
The Forest and the Trees
Have you heard of Shirin-Yoku? Ruth, who volunteers in palliative care, by helping people record their stories, learns about the therapeutic benefits of listening to trees from a certified forest therapy guide, Mayu Kataoka.
Produced by Ruth Melville,
Supervising Producer Sarah Mashman.
Between nature and the sound of the guqin
So far, we’ve heard about the resilience of trees and the way nature teaches us to live fully in the moment. In our final story, Jiaen Pan teaches us about Guquin
Produced by Jiaen Pan, another collaboration between All the Best, the University of Melbourne and the Science Gallery.**
Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programs and Community Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ruijie Tang
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our stories this week look at this dissonance between thinking of COVID-19 in the past tense, while also knowing that it is still a very real threat to many vulnerable people in our community. Just becasue it isn't in the news isn’t giving us a count of Covid infections anymore doesn’t mean that it's gone away.
Hug
In our first story, Cristina talks about the desire and the danger of touch with the lingering threat of COVID-19
Produced by Cristina Marras for Audio Playground.
All We’ve Got
In our second story, Laura looks at how COVID-19 is still impacting many people today, even though the world seems to have forgotten about it.
Produced by Laura Pettenuzzo
Supervising Producer Persephone Waxman
Horror Story: Dawn of the Covid
In the final story, David channels his inner George Romero and digs deep into the classic horror genre to tackle the real-life terrors of COVID-19 and his own MS diagnosis.
Written and Performed by David Maney
Produced and Composed by Ben Keene.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Programs and Community Coordinator: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we get outside and get our hands dirty as we take a closer look at the world around us, whether that involves rethinking the uses of the land or trying to protect it. This week's stories don't just call on us to pay attention to the environment around us. It's also a cautionary tale of what can happen when we don't.
The Weedy One
Are weeds just misunderstood? Society has been conditioned to think about what's good and bad in our gardens. But the what of those surprise guests in our flowerbeds is useful.
In our first story, Diego encourages us to strip away our preconceptions and look at weeds differently.
Produced by Catarina Fraga Matos.
The conservation and community of Merri Creek
In our second story, we head to Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Maxine Forde follows the Friends of the Merry Creek, who worked hard to rehabilitate spaces around the waterway.
Produced by Maxine Ford
Supervising Producer Persephone Waxman
Special thanks to Dan Semo and Louisa Lim.
Martha
Our final story was a recording of a live performance at a Read to Me event in March this year. It is an elegy to the last passenger pigeon, Martha, who died in the United States in 1914. You can find out more about Read to Me here.
Performed by Zoe Sadokierski
Recorded by Zacha Rosen
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week’s episode, we continue with stories from the students at the University of Melbourne and explore the idea of having a sustainability mindset – not just when it comes to the environment around us, but also when it comes to activities that bring communities together or online platforms that try to divide us.
What if nothing matters?
With all the crises happening, many young people feel helpless and become nihilistic, thinking life as meaningless. Sometimes, I have a similar feeling. Am I nihilistic, or as many people said, pessimistic?
Through chatting with the author of The Romanticism of Contemporary Theory: Institution, Aesthetics, Nihilism, Associate Professor Justin Clemens, and my Gen Z friends, we discuss what nihilism could be for young people, and our way pursuing the “meaning of life”.
Produced by Tin Yan Wong
Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips
Sharing the city with possums
As cities continue to expand, more native wildlife have to adapt to urban life. The possum is one of the most familiar urban wildlife species in Australia. In this story, reporter Peiyao Xu has “a conversation with a possum” to explore residents' views on possums, and an interview with Dr Kylie Soanes to understand the living situations of urban possums and explore the future of people and urban wildlife as “neighbours”.
Produced by Peiyao Xu
Supervisign Producer Persephone Waxman
Gender Online Debate
Young men and women are getting increasingly socially and politically engaged online – but seemingly in opposing ways. Ava Morrison investigates, by speaking to a digital communications expert and a feminist TikToker, about incels, feminism, and online hostility.
Produced by Ava Morrison
Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips
Beyond the Needle
The tattoo industry in Melbourne is facing a complex challenge. While the city remains a hub for ink culture, artists are grappling with a growing demand for sustainability in a sector dominated by single-use plastics and strict health regulations. As artists innovate and clients become more conscious of their environmental impact, the industry is at a crossroads. Can tattooing evolve without compromising safety? Preeshita Shah reports.
Produced by Preeshita Shah
Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips
Forest Food Gardens
According to the Foodbank Australia Report, 3.5 million households are experiencing food insecurity. While climate change and social disconnection deepen the crisis, Melbourne Skyfarm transforms a rooftop car park into an urban farm to grow food and build community. So far, it has produced 3.4 tonnes of food worth $118,000, directly to food relief charity OzHarvest.
Our reporter Cheuk Lam Li spoke to project leader Zarah Copeland and urban farmer Dario Rivero on how Melbourne Skyfarm is bringing changes in these challenging times and why it matters.
Produced by Cheuk Lam Li
Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Mixed and Compiled by Ramon Briant
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re hearing about climate crises and what we can do about them, from students at the University of Melbourne.
All of them challenge us to rethink our relationship to the land, plants and animals around us. It also asks us to consider the impact that the changing climate is having on our health.
Water Is More Than a Resource
Dr Clint Hansen is fighting to protect the cultural and ecological values of water in sites affected by coal seam gas mining in Central Queensland. Clint asks us to reflect on the conflict between ownership and stewardship when thinking about one of our most precious resources: water.
Produced by Ruby Perryman
Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips
Original Music by Sammy Perryman
Helmeted Honeyeaters
Qian Dong takes us on a journey to save the species that emits a sound between a song and a chirp.
Produced by Qian Dong
Supervisign Producer Persephone Waxman
Harvesting Harmony
David wants us to rethink farming’s relationship with nature and farm in a way that improves biodiversity.
Produced by Xianghan Meng
Supervising Producer Thomas Phillips.
Asthma and the Impacts of Climate Change
Have you thought about the impact of climate change and health? In our next story, Daniel looks at the impact of the changing climate and asthma.
Produced by Daniel Gawne
Supervising Producer Persephone Waxman
Bug Appetit
Would you let your pet eat bugs? In our final story, we look at how we can feed our pets in an environmentally sustainable way …so … instead of meat, your little furbabies … it's insects.
Produced by Kelli Li
Supervising Producer Persephone Waxman
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Mixed and Compiled by Ramon Briant
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we are celebrating NAIDOC Week with an audio drama originally written as a short story by Marcus Woolombi Waters, titled 'No Going Home'.
It's a story set in early colonial Australia that explores the disruption caused by invasion and family conflict.
Content Warning: This drama includes themes of mass murder and genocide. Please listen with care and always put yourself first.
No Going Home written by Marcus Wollombi Waters
Adapted by Blayne Welsh
Directed by Colin Kinchela and Martin Gallagher.
Produced by Pariya Taherzedah
Originally Published by Spineless Wonders Audio.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Mixed and Compiled by Ramon Briant
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's story is streaked with the glittering rainbow of magical realism.
Atul Joshi queers the fabric of reality in Sydney on the 40th anniversary of Mardis Gras by opening portals and cruising paradise for another state of being.
That story was written and performed by Atul Joshi, with sound design by Ramon Briant and production assistance by Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Mixed and Compiled by Ramon Briant
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we dive into the All the Best archives, we march alongside the largest lesbian football club in the world, learn about the not-so-secret lives of drag kings, and … and hear about the challenges of living with … fake gay clout?
Secrets and Confessions
In our first story Jared challenges our assumptions by confessing a shocking secret.
That story was written and performed by Jared Richards
Bats and Balls
In our next story, we learn about the largest lesbian soccer team in the world.
That story was produced by Tegan Nicholls in 2018.
Drag Kings
Madhura Prakash looks behind the curtain at the lives of drag kings.
This story was produced by Madhuraa Prakash
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Mixed and Compiled by Ramon Briant
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We continue our celebration of June as Pride month with more live performances from Maeve Marsden's Queerstories.
This week’s continued celebration of queer stories is about finding love … or realising that you just want to be loved … whether that’s through a niche television show and a whale obsession or being the only trans woman at a straight sex party in Coolangatta.
Straight People At The Sex Party
Sean tells us about wanting to truly be seen and to be more than just a stepping stone for someone else to discover their queerness.
Written and Performed by Sean Dowling
Psychics, Ocean Girl and Falling in Love
Chloe lets us know that finding love can be as momentous as spotting a humpback whale from the beach.
Written and Performed by Chloe Mills
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's June! Which means that for Pride Month we are celebrating queer stories and queer storymakers!
In this episode, we tackle the gender binary and explore gender identity.
One of da boiiz
How far did you go to fit in when you were in high school? Nico takes us all back to those awkward moments of high school when we might have faked it just to fit in.
And he asks, "How far would you go to sit with the boiz?"
And a warning, there are swear words in this story.
Produced by Nico Bruni
Originally produced for Maeve Marsden's Queerstories in collaboration with Western Sydney University.
Danny's Story
Danny takes us on a journey of gender exploration with the joys and heartbreaks of becoming more of who they are meant to be.
Produced by Duncan Stephen
Sound Design by Persephone Waxman
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Lindsey Vassallo
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sydney is full of hidden stories.
Lindsey Vassallo guides us to one of those stories hidden under Hyde Park in the Sydney CBD and investigates the mystery of the Travellator.
Travelator
Lindsey takes a deep dive into Sydney’s most forgotten and strangest landmark, hidden right under the grounds of Hyde Park. The travelator spans almost 700ft and is accompanied by an equally long mural, which has its own fascinating history. For Lindsey, it’s a place surreal enough to feel like it can only appear in dreams.
This is a story complete with world records, controversy, mystery, love and a courtroom drama.
Produced by Lindsey Vassallo
Supervising Producer: Persephone Waxman
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Lindsey Vassallo
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to a very special episode of All The Best. Today, we delve into the surreal and cinematic world of Corpse 5—a dark, sci-fi-tinged journey through sound, story, and imagination.
This piece is part of The Exquisite Audio Corpse, an ambitious international collaboration between 75 audio makers from around the globe run by Audio Club, creating a series of seven sonic “corpses” inspired by the surrealist game exquisite corpse. Each contributor only hears a sliver of what came before them, crafting their own piece in response—leading to unpredictable, haunting, and often beautiful results.
Special thanks to Cristina Marras, who suggested that we do a corpse in the first place and whose amazing story kicked everything off; to Aswathi Matthew for coordinating half-a-dozen time-zones, and to Ray Vo for the amazing artwork for the challenge.
The amazing audio makers who participated in the corpse we featured today are: Lezak, Pierre & Florence, Yhane, Ali, Darien, Arielle, Valdez & Hazel, Ellie and Cole & Claudia.
Discover SIX more audio corpses on the All The Best Substack.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ray Vo
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The thing about op shops is that they're filled with stories. In this week's episode to mark National Volunteer Week, Ramon Briant joins us in the studio to share his tale of the op-shop thief, The Second Hand Bandit.
The Second Hand Bandit
When a local op shop becomes the target of a string of mysterious burglaries, the shop’s community is pushed to its limits in the face of adversity, but ultimately bands together and investigates to crack the case.
Produced by Ramon Briant.
Supervising Producer: Mel Bakewelll
Music: Original score and sound design by Ramon Briant.
The Glebe Community Op Shop credits (2018 - archive)
In the inner city suburb of Glebe, there’s an op shop run by volunteers that’s more than just a shop for second-hand goods.
Produced by Karishma Tanvi
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Music: ‘People Everywhere (Still Alive)’ by Khruangbin, ‘Steady’ by Fujitsu
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Ramon Briant
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Content Warning: This week's stories contain references to a war zone and to gambling.
This week, stories that explore how we find joy in dark and challenging times.
Acidic Cuts
During her trip to Ukraine, Kiera searches for the harmony of the tradition, and tries to avoid the discordance of fear and air raid sirens.
Written and performed by Kiera Brew Kurec. This piece featured recordings captured by Kiera in the Ukraine, in 2024.
Sound design by Lana Lusina, find more of her work at https://lanalusina.carrd.co/.
Note/Correction:
A MiG can launch a hypersonic missile which takes only minutes to reach Lviv. A TU-95 launching a cruise missile from the Caspian Sea would take longer to reach Lviv.
St Elaine
In our next story, George’s narrative follows Elaine, who finds joy through a prismatic vengeance on pokie machines.
Written and performed by George Haddad. Find more of George's work at https://georgehaddad.net/.
With sound design by Zac Pennington.
Debris Magazine Issue V Launch
These stories are from Edition V of Debris Magazine. You heard the voices of co-editors Jazz Money and Mariam Ella Arcilla.
Head to Debris’ website to purchase the latest issue, and for information on their Sydney launch and appearance at the Melbourne Art Book Fair, as well as international launch details in Istanbul and Paris.
Melbourne NGV Book Fair
Debris, and their latest issue, have a stall at the Melbourne Art Book Fair (NGV). 16-18 May, 10 am-5 pm.
https://artbookfair.melbourne/
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: By Lindsey Vassalo
A Young Girl Riding a Bicycle by Vladyslav Huivyk
Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine
https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-young-girl-riding-a-bicycle-12144038/
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is nothing that compares to making that decision to leave everything you know behind. To choose to make a home in a foreign place. And while you might have some pre-conceived ideas … you might even have done your research…none of it will quite compare to the experience itself.
In our story this week, Michael’s journey is more than about moving from place to place, but also a journey through different stages of his life.
177 Nations of Tasmania: Micheal from Benin
Since arriving in Tasmania about a year ago, Michael has got somewhat accustomed to people questioning whether Benin is a real country - an indication of how little known his homeland is in Australia.
Benin is a small country in West Africa, squeezed between the much larger Nigeria and Togo. It was formerly part of a much larger Kingdom of Dahomey and was also one of the centres of the Atlantic slave trade. A legacy of this is seen in places like Haiti, Cuba, Brazil and New Orleans, where Voodoo is still practised, a belief system originating in Benin. In western culture this has become associated with pushing pins into dolls, but in Benin it is still a very much accepted bona fide religion.
Michael's story is remarkable other ways though. From a tough time as a child at a boarding school in Nigeria, to University studies in Ghana, where he'd secretly hoped to further his soccer career, he eventually got a scholarship to study agriculture in Israel. During his year in Israel he fell in love with a Filipina, and she was the eventual inspiration for him to come to Tasmania.
This story was originally published on 177 Nations of Tasmania, produced by Mark Thomson. To hear the full episode head to www.markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 Nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.
With additional editing by Jespher Wen.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork: Mark Thomson, 177 Nations of Tasmania
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories of democracy, dreams, and things happening in and out of the ballot box.
Elections Elsewhere by Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Have you ever wondered how elections operate in other corners around the world?
In our first story, ATB takes you on a ‘election tour’ of different countries as our volunteers - from China, Vietnam, some with connections to the US - gather to talk about what voting is like in their country.
Can you vote in your country? What does voting mean to you?
Featuring Lindsey Vassalo, Patrick McKenzie, Ray Vo and Sue.
Counting the Vote by Grace Gooda
Next story brings you into the Australian ballot box.
In this story, we step inside election day through the eyes of an AEC worker - where impartiality, integrity, and counting replace the usual political buzz. From securing ballot bins to missing out on the ‘democracy sausage’, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the quiet work that keeps Australia's democracy ticking.
Welcome to a day in the life of a ballot counter.
That story was produced by Grace Gooda in partnership with the Centre for Advancing Journalism and The Yarn from Melbourne University.
Young Yarners by Micah Kickett
Our third story explores the Young Yarners Program, a new initiative tackling voter disengagement in First Nations communities. From Parliament House workshops to local projects back home, young leaders from the program are building knowledge, breaking down barriers, and making sure Indigenous voices are heard loud and clear at the ballot box.
That story was produced by Micah Kickett for The Wire.
Young Matters by Ruby Perryman
In this story, we hear from a young voter navigating life on Centrelink, housing insecurity, and the growing feeling that dreams like home ownership are slipping away. As the election approaches, it's not grand promises that shape her vote - it’s the urgent need for real support in an anxious, uncertain future.
That story was produced by Ruby Perryman in partnership with the Centre for Advancing Journalism and The Yarn, from Melbourne University.
Hope for the future by Catarina Fraga Matos and Kwame Slusher
Confusion, curiosity, excitement to frustration. Young Australians paint a vivid palette of emotions as they face their first vote.
Whether it’s dreaming of climate action, fairness, or just finally being heard, these young Australian voters have big hopes, even if the path to the ballot box is still a little messy.
Hear them out.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Artwork Design: Lindsey Vassalo
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To mark Earthday we’re playing two stories that explore how we can use disruption to effect change and save the environment around us.
In our first story, Meagan takes us journey on the Murray-Baaka River that led to the Menindee fish kill in 2019.
In Murky Waters
Produced by Megan Williams (they/them).
The supervising producer was Richard Dinnen. It was produced as part of the National Features and Documentary Series back in 2020.
Further Notes from Megan
This story was produced after the mass fish kills in 2018/2019 that occurred during the drought. It's estimated 1-2 million fish died in this event and it was a very rude shock to the local community (and the world) as the program details. However, there were much bigger mass fish kills in the flood of 2023 (20-30 million fish).
Following the 2023 mass fish kills, NSW has taken a number of steps to better mitigate risk of fish kills, active management to maintain dissolved oxygen at critical times, the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer have published an independent investigation into the 2023 mass fish kills, there was a connectivity expert panel report published last year and there is now more transparent updates on the work that NSW Department of Climate Change Energy Environment and Water is doing.
For a recap on the baaka, tune in to Water Watch Radio's program:
https://www.waterwatchradio.com/podcast/episode/31983821/episode-92-restoring-our-darling-baaka
What Democracy Looks Like (Archive)
This story was produced by Ryan Pemberton, back in 2019. The supervising producer was Zacha Rosen.
Since then, anti-protest legislation has been creeping in - over the last five years. New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland have all passed anti-protest laws that impose significant fines, and even imprisonment, for protesting.
https://www.hrlc.org.au/news/2024/07/03/protest-peril
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Image Credit: Lindsey Vassalo
Mixed and Compiled by Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does heartbreak sound like to you? This week’s stories are about heartbreak… whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loss of who you once were…or a relationship that didn’t work out.
Sounds of Heartbreak
In our first story, Lee explores the sounds of different kinds of heartbreak and whether they can become sounds of healing.
Produced by Lee Chan.
The Supervising Producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan
If you have a heartbreak story to share with Lee, submit it here.
Kobi Dog
Fionn explores the different ways one can cope with the loss of a pet.
Written and performed by Fionn McCabe at live graphic storytelling night Read to Me, on 9 March 2024 at Sydney Town Hall.
Musical accompaniment by Martin Peralta.
Recording by Zacha Rosen.
Find more info about Read to Me by visiting their insta @readtome_ and more of Fionn’s work at https://www.fionnmccabe.com/
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Image Credit: Lindsey Vassalo
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can you think of a moment when things fell short of your expectations? A book or a movie you’ve been looking forward to. Maybe you’ve met one of your idols … and … wish you hadn’t. Maybe it was something bigger … maybe it’s your own country … a conflict of values around democracy and justice. In this episode, we explore the gap between a citizen and their country.
Interview with Louisa Lim
First, journalist Louisa Lim addresses how democracy has been changing in the indelible city.
Louisa is a journalist and the author of the book, Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong, and wrote and reported for the podcast King of Kowloon (ABC).
Discover Louisa's book Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong.
When Justice Falls Out
Then, we hear from Peter - a Hong Konger now living in Naarm. In his ‘20s, he joined the Hong Kong police force, He soon realised justice looked a lot different than he’d thought.
Produced by Wing Kuang. The supervising producer was Lawrence Bull.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Image Credit: Unsplash, Ryan Kwok
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, the artist collective Small Audio Art founded by Phoebe McIndoe invites us to contemplate the possibilities of windows…
Interview with Phoebe McIndoe
Are you creatively stuck, a worried novice audio-maker, or just feeling a little lonely?
Don’t worry, Phoebe McIndoe feels you.
Establishing Small Audio Art—a 6-month playful, low-stakes project inviting creators to craft stories inspired by everyday objects—the Berlin-based journalist and radio maker welcomes you into her little paradise of quirkiness, randomness, and heaps of laughter. (Shhh… there’s also a listening party with party poppers after each submission round).
Next prompt: “clocks” (or any timekeeping device).
Submissions can be up to 10 minutes, in MP3 format. Photos or poems welcomed.
Jump on the bandwagon. Let your story chime in.
Matters of Windows by Jane Lee and Dan Semo
In our first story, a reflective monologue on the passage of time, missed opportunities and life choices.
“We rush through life pretending we have all the time in the world, but the window is always getting smaller.”
Soggy Window by Martin Zaltz Austwick
Next up, Martin makes a song out of the squeegee.
Time to wipe your windows.
Lumi by Andrea Kristinsdottir
In our third story, Andrea leaves a window open - and someone escapes.
A wholesome search for a cheeky little thing. Meow.
The Window by Danni Stewart
Through our final window...
A ‘part-time’ shirtless guy. Unsolicited flowers. Her window and his window.
“The next time I looked at the window, everything was gone.”
“I never even spoke to him. So why do I miss him? I don't know.”
Thank you to Phoebe McIndoe and all of the audio artists who shared their stories.
Follow Small Audio Art and keep an eye out for their next prompt on instagram https://www.instagram.com/smallaudioart_/
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Host Kwame Slusher
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Image Credit: Lindsey Vassalo
Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's stories call on us to humble ourselves before nature…and consider whether maybe …there are some things that animals know that we don’t.
The Great Dingo Debate by Andrea Dixon
In our first story, Andrea shares her love for Taz, a rescued dingo living on her family’s property in Hawkesbury, Darug country. As tensions rise between farmers, conservationists, and First Nations communities, the dingo emerges as a symbol of both conflict and kinship. Through cultural advocacy and calls for legislative change, Andrea and many others envision a future of respectful coexistence with dingoes.
‘Wild is not something to be feared’.
This story featured Steve Trist, Djirabitty: www.djirabittyptyltd.com.au
Sonya Takau, Dingo Culture/Defend the Wild: https://www.dingoculture.com/ | www.defendthewild.org | (IG) @dingoculture |(IG) @defendthewild
To learn more about the parliamentary inquiry into dingo management, NSW visit:
defendthewild.org/dingo-inquiry-nsw
The producer was Andrea Dixon.
The Supervising Producer was Thomas Phillips.
Special thanks to Barry Traill, Phoebe Adler-Ryan and the team of volunteers at fbi & Dingo Den Animal Rescue.
That moose shook me to my core by Seb and Sale
An impromptu conversation between two friends at the end of a public storytelling event at the Powerhouse Museum in 2023 involving a cottage in the woods and an encounter with a moose.
After all, who’s the wild one here?
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Community Coordinator: Patrick McKenzie
Theme Music composed by Shining Bird
Artwork by Minna Leunig
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The experience of exploring childhood memories can vary greatly from person to person. Sometimes, this emotional excavation can be painful, bringing up unwanted memories that you might not be ready to face. But it can also be a beautiful experience, allowing you to rediscover with fresh eyes the places or people you knew ... or thought you knew ... as a child.
In this episode, we explore two very different stories about revisiting places and memories.
Frequency by Kwame Slusher
In our first story, host Kwame speaks with his Dad about HAM Radio and some of the ways they always seemed to be on different frequencies...
Produced by Kwame Slusher.
The Supervising Producer was Thomas Lu.
Tacos by Dan Semo
Producer Dan Semo is back in the city he grew up in. A city he hasn’t been back to for over twenty years. And he’s in search of a really good taco.
Produced by Dan Semo.
This piece is from the third season of Dan's project 14 Days, where he produces a short audio story every day, over two weeks. Check out his work here: https://www.danielsemo.com/14-days-cdmx
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Kwame Slusher
Mixed & Compiled by Emma Higgins
Artwork by Lindsey Vassalo
Community Coordinator Patrick McKenzie
Social Media Manager Sue Hong & Lindsey Vassalo
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode features voices from the story collection Povo edited by Adam Novaldy Anderson and produced by the Sweatshop Literacy Movement.
Australia is often referred to as The Lucky Country — a land of economic opportunity and vast natural resources. But how does this myth square up against the true experiences of Indigenous and culturally diverse Australians living in our nation’s most densely populated regions?
Please listen with care as some of these stories feature swears.
This episode features performances by Adam Novaldy Anderson, Sarah M Saleh, Adrian Mouhajer and Victor Guan Yi Zhou, recorded at the Blue Mountains Writers Festival 2024.
Povo is available through Sweatshop Literacy Movement. Visit www.sweatshop.ws/povo for details.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Kwame Slusher
Recordist: Rylee O'Keefe
Mixed & Compiled by Emma Higgins
Artwork by Sweatshop
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, three stories about connection: connection to the land and the sea, connection to history, connection to the divine and to ourselves.
Weaving Ancestral Voices by Shareeka Helaluddin
In our first story, Shareeka reconnects to faith and identity through the voice of the singer Sheila Chandra.
Growing up in an interfaith household, Shareeka was immersed in a diverse sonic landscape of Islamic recitations, Hindu chants, Bollywood, folk, and Western music.
It wasn’t until Sheila Chandra’s drone-based singing resonated deeply within her that she found solace in voice.
“Songs that weave through past and present, a voice that pierces through discordance and uncertainty. An immersive journey of glossolalia and spiritual vocal gateways, reckoning with - and returning to - faith; all bound together by the voice of Sheila Chandra.”
This story was produced by Shareeka Helaluddin. The Supervising Producer was Mell Chun, with support from John Tjhia. The artwork was provided by Rekha Dhanaram who can be found @rekha.dhanaram on instagram. The story features the voices of Aarti Jadu and Sheila Chandra, on instagram @thesheilachandra.
Our next two stories are recordings from the Red Dirt Poetry Festival, an annual showcase of spoken word and poetry from Mparntwe, Central Australia.
Black Pearl of the Desert by Marie Ellis
In the first story, Marie takes us into the very heart of the desert.
The Black Pearl’s coming - timeless and untamed.
Red Dirt by Melanie Mununngurr
In the second story, Melanie confronts colonial violence, systemic oppression, and cultural erasure.
Through the enduring strength of saltwater people and the unbroken connection between land, water, and ancestry, we celebrate the resilience and defiant song of those who refuse to be forgotten.
The water remembers all—carrying echoes of ancestors, the weight of sorrow, and the rhythm of survival.
Black Pearl of the Desrt and Red Dirt were performed and recorded at the Red Dirt Poetry Festival, a celebration of spoken word and poetry from Mpartnwe, Central Australia. You can check them out over on their their YouTube or at their website reddirtpoetryfestival.com/
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Kwame Slusher
Mixed & Compiled by Emma Higgins
Artwork by Rekha Dhanaram
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, two evocative stories exploring the notion of divinity through history and poetry.
These stories were commissioned by guest editors Hasib Hourani and Adalya Nash for Issue 04: Illuminated Manuscript of Debris Magazine.
The Crystal World by Bella Li
There was, on the island of St John, a commonly sighted mirage, appearing to those afflicted by an excess of light: a sea of glass like unto crystal.
In our first story, an enchanting, meditative venture into the realm of lost knowledge, ancient civilizations, and the luminous mysteries of gemstones. From the emerald mines of Cleopatra to Galileo’s forbidden observations, truth is preserved, distorted, and rediscovered - on repeat.
Like light through stained glass, knowledge bends, fractures, and reemerges in unexpected colours.
Bella Li’s ‘The Crystal World,’ was also selected as part of Unesco's Reading the City of Literature, a snapshot of Melbourne's literary activity over the span of a year. Discover Bella's most recent book Theory of Colours.
Sound design by Tala Issaoui. Discover Tala's work here.
God is Trans by Lou Garcia-Dolnik
In our second story, a divine journey unfolds—like a whispered incantation. Against the weight of grief, through the landscapes of identity and remembrance, pain transforms into transcendent beauty; the fluidity of existence defies rigid confines, and despair metamorphoses into a luminous, boundless realm of self-discovery.
Sound design by Zac Pennington.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Kwame Slusher
Mixed & Compiled by Emma Higgins
Artwork by Bella Li.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"That’s the nature of movement, isn’t it? We are pulled from one thing to another and these things themselves transform into something else. In that vein, I’m once again moving on from something I love dearly to somewhere else my passions lie. It’s time for me to say goodbye to hosting All The Best and to you all." - Madhuraa Prakash
This week, a farewell to our multi-talented host, Mads.
Then, two stories about “moving(literally)’, as we all look forward to hopeful beginnings.
To Kwame Slusher, our new host, the baton’s now yours!
Dance is my Salvation by Catarina Fraga Matos
To Cheryl, Salsa is not just an art but a straw she clutched to.
Surrounded by the glamour of her parents’ dance studio in Sri Lanka, Cheryl grew up with music in the air and a privileged life beneath her feet. Everything took a downturn after migrating to Australia, where her mother (then herself) had to navigate single parenthood. Through Catarina’s interview with Cheryl, we trace Cheryl’s journey from a dance studio in 1960s Colombo, to finding identity and transformation in the rhythm of salsa.
Beneath the tapping heels and the booming salsa tunes is a childhood reminisced, a life reshaped, and the salvation Cheryl seeked.
Produced by Catarina Fraga Matos.
The supervising producer was Shelby Traynor.
Thank you to the Sydney Dance Company and Arthur Murray Inner West for allowing Catarina to record sound during their dance classes.
Doug’s Hill by Jacqui Pham
Jacqui goes for a run up a hill with a trail runner waiting for a knee reconstruction.
This story was produced by Jacqui Pham (FAM) as part of the Transom Travelling Workshop in 2019, in partnership with the CMTO.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash & Kwame Slusher
Mixed & Compiled by Zac Pennington
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about how ADHD can impact a person’s life, relationships and identity.
Partners In Time by Felicity Weaver
Are you a Type A, always-on-time kinda person? Or are you the one who is always last to arrive at a social gathering?
In our first story, often-late Felicity speaks to her slightly frustrated husband about how ADHD has impacted their relationship dynamic. Through a cheeky husband-and-wife exchange, Paul recalls Felicity’s lateness and disorganization, while she finds relief (and soon self-compassion) in her ADHD diagnosis. The episode also highlights the complexities of living with ADHD, the challenges of support, and the impact of societal misconceptions.
Studying Abroad with ADHD by Shixin Wang
In our next story, experiences of ADHD from students in the Chinese community.
Through accounts of three Chinese young adults, we navigate late ADHD diagnoses caused by cultural stigma, treatment barriers, the emotional toll of self-blame - and the hope for a more inclusive future.
"Embrace ADHD, your future is full of hope."
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, a specifically Australian take on magical realism weaving a mystery involving a baby, a potentially poisonous mushroom, and the mysterious disappearance of a friend, Chia.
Through rich symbolisms and tension, this episode explores truth, lies, friendship, and vulnerability.
Shhh…Listen. Banksia’s tell two truths, one lie. The game starts now.
Written and read by Leo Alder.
Composition and sound design by Suzanne Derry.
With production support by Zacha Rosen & Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Recorded at Echidna Audio.
This story was originally published by Spineless Wonders. Special thanks goes to Bronwyn Mehan.
Meet the Author Leo Alder: https://shortaustralianstories.com.au/meet-the-slinkies-leo-alder/
Cover Art by Ashleigh Green.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we're sharing stories performed at our live storytelling night (Un)Intended Consequences last October with live music composed and performed by Matthew Forbes.
Explore influential encounters, moments and ideas - and if you're eager for more, you can find three more stories in our 'Part I' Episode.
Highly Strung - 'Neverland'
Emily Suine and Oliver Durbidge are part of the lively puppeteering group Highly
Strung. Together, they tell a comical fantasy about the emotional waves of puberty.
Along this whimsical journey, the dashing boy from Neverland becomes our guide
through this tumultuous period of life.
Ruth Melville - 'Americana'
Ruth Melville is a nurse by trade and a literary artist by heart. She has published
numerous stories enriched with interpersonal details and it is here that she shares
one of these stories. A tale combining the enchanted wonder of Disney movies and
the unfiltered facets of reality. All in one big queer American road trip.
Jumaana Abdu - 'Children Go Straight to Heaven When They Die'
Jumaana Abdu is an award-winning writer exploring the friction between Islamic and
Australian culture. Through the reading of one of her short stories, Jumaana details
the bloody ordeal of adult prejudice and its impact on two childhood friends.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Special thanks to the City of Sydney for helping us pay the artists involved, and to Knox Street Bar for hosting us!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, words by First Nations people on January 26, Sovereignty and Identity.
'Australia Day'
In our first story, people at the 2012 Yabun festival speak about what so-called ‘Australia day’ means to them.
That story was produced by Lauren Carroll Harris, with interviews gathered by Lauren Carroll Harris, Carly Anne Kenneally & Jesse Cox.
Unwelcome to Country by Dominic Guerrera
Written and performed by Dominic Guerrera, with production by Mel Bakewell. Unwelcome to Country is featured in a poetry and story collection co-edited by Dominic and Karen Wyld, called The Rocks Remain, available through Wakefield Press.
Music: Submerging Green by Podington Bear.
Murrumu - Selena Shannon
Produced by Selena Shannon in 2015. Murrumu’s goal was to return to his Country, return to his Elders, and to the law of Yidindji Nation. In many ways he has been successful, and as of 2023, there were 200 citizens of Yidindji Sovereign Nation.
Finally, a piece about lost language and the difficulty of reconnecting to culture.
Bigger than School Stuff - Declan Furber Gillick
Written and performed by Declan Furber Gillick in 2020. Sound design was by Ryan Pemberton.
All The Best is recorded on stolen Gadigal land and we pay our respects to Gadigal elders past and present and also recognise that the area where fbi.radio is situated, Redfern, has long been a place of storytelling, strength, resistance and resilience for First Nations communities.
Yabun Day Broadcast
Bigger than ever, Yabun Festival is back January 26 live from Victoria Park, Gadigal Country.
This year, fbi radio is teaming up with Koori Radio, National Indigenous Radio Service, One Mob Radio, and the Community Radio Network to bring you a special live broadcast of the largest community led, one-day festival of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Join us from the Yabun main stage to hear knockout performances from Barkaa, Electric Fields, Miss Kanina, JK-47, Dameeela and many more.
Yabun Festival, live on-air! This January 26 from 12pm on fbi radio.
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories that delve beneath the surface of the summer heat.
Sunburned
First up, Phoebe heads back to school to learn about workshops educating teens on sun safety and the lifelong risks of skin cancer - which affects two in three Australians. Through stories from survivors, students, and insights from experts and volunteers, she highlights the urgent need for prevention, behaviour change, and prioritising sun safety education.
What you do under the sun today is a step toward a safer, brighter tomorrow.
This story was produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan with Supervising Production by Shelby Traynor.
Special thanks goes to Susan Collins, Simon Board, Dr. Philip Tong and the team at Dermscreen, Kirstie Fitzpatrick and the students and teachers at Inner Sydney School.
Educate yourself about sun safety and skin cancer by heading to: https://conqueringcancercampaign.com/conquering-skin-cancer/
Music featured:
Nuisance - 'We live in gardens' & 'Flourescene' [Free Music Archive]
Howard Harper-Barnes - 'The Light from Within' [Epidemic Sound]
Sindrandi - 'Summer in November' [Epidemic Sound]
Hook Line and Sinker
Then, Kwame and Ramon dive into the surprising world of fishing, uncovering its appeal among young people from diverse backgrounds who find it both relaxing and thrilling. Whether passed down through family, inspired by social media, or propelled by a need to escape, fishing is more than a hobby—it’s a blend of freedom and connection.
Beneath the surface, it’s not just about catching fish; it’s about finding peace, purpose, and a tug on the line that feels like life itself.
Produced by Ramon Briant and Kwame Slusher, featuring B Fung Ling.
The story was made in Audio Club's 24 Hour Radio Challenge in November 2024, you can hear the other works produced in our episode Beneath the Surface.
Do you have an idea for your own audio story?
We're currently accepting pitches and everyone is welcome to apply.
Find the full details here!
Support emerging producers, artists & creatives by hitting follow or subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts.
Make, meet and learn with All The Best - follow our Substack for audio workshops, events and pitching opportunities.
All The Best Credits:
All The Best is hosted by Madhuraa Prakash.
Executive Producer is Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Editorial Producer is Mel Bakewell.
Compiled and mixed by Emma Higgins.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the final instalment of Sink or Swim, we look to the future and explore how we can survive the hotter summers that lie ahead for all of us. Blacktown is facing increasingly extreme urban heat, but locals are coming up with their own solutions. We visit two cool refuges where we discover ordinary citizens and local leaders who are shaping the communities they want in the places where they live.
You’ll hear from Maryam Zahid, a community leader creating spaces for newly arrived women to learn skills like swimming, and Emma Bacon, who is campaigning for community-led heat responses.
And you’ll find out – will Angelica and her swimming classmates reach their goals this summer? Will they sink or swim?
Sink or Swim is a UTS Impact Studios production. You can listen to the full series at Impact Studio’s official website: https://impactstudios.edu.au/sinkorswim/
It is written and produced by Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis and Britta Jorgensen.
Audio editing by Britta Jorgensen and Celine Teo-Blockey.
Additional support from Jane Curtis and Tamson Pietsch.
The executive producers are Olivia Rosenman and Sarah Gilbert.
Sound design by Melissa May.
The theme song is Beaming by Friday.
Podcast artwork and graphic design by Alexandra Morris.
Research by Jackie May.
All The Best Credits:
All The Best is hosted by Madhuraa Prakash.
This episode was mixed by Zac Pennington.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Angelica has decided: this is the summer she finally takes the plunge. Go with her as she joins an adult swim class for beginners, and realises that there are plenty of other adults who share both her trepidation and her determination.
Angelica’s home of Western Sydney is heating up faster than nearly anywhere else, making swimming an essential survival skill – not just for staying afloat, but for staying cool. She talks to local doctor Kim Loo to learn what extreme heat can do to the human body, and to urban planning and heat researcher Professor Sebastian Pfautsch, who explains how the new homes and suburbs we build – without the community’s input and without an eye to our hotter future – are exacerbating the discomfort and the risk.
Sink or Swim is a UTS Impact Studios production. You can listen to the full series at Impact Studio’s official website: https://impactstudios.edu.au/sinkorswim/
It is written and produced by Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis and Britta Jorgensen.
Audio editing by Britta Jorgensen and Celine Teo-Blockey.
Additional support from Jane Curtis and Tamson Pietsch.
The executive producers are Olivia Rosenman and Sarah Gilbert.
Sound design by Melissa May.
The theme song is Beaming by Friday.
Podcast artwork and graphic design by Alexandra Morris.
Research by Jackie May.
All The Best Credits:
All The Best is hosted by Madhuraa Prakash.
This episode was mixed by Zac Pennington.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sydney holds a strong identity as the capital of sandy shores, ripper waves and the
finest swimmers in the world. But this idealistic depiction of a devoted swimming
culture doesn’t connect to many locals like Angelica who has never learned how to
swim.
Come and join Angelica on her personal quest to overcome the deep blue waters.
Along the way, she talks with her local community of Blacktown. A part of Sydney
that lacks the postcard beaches whilst the limited swimming spots fail to meet the
growing demand.
This week’s episode of All the Best is the first episode of a 3-part series called “Sink
or Swim”. A podcast hosted by Angelica Ojinnaka Psillakis and produced by Impact
Studios, located at UTS. You can listen to the full series at Impact Studio’s official
website: https://impactstudios.edu.au/sinkorswim/
Sink or Swim is a UTS Impact Studios production.
It is written and produced by Angelica Ojinnaka-Psillakis and Britta Jorgensen.
Audio editing by Britta Jorgensen and Celine Teo-Blockey.
Additional support from Jane Curtis and Tamson Pietsch.
The executive producers are Olivia Rosenman and Sarah Gilbert.
Sound design by Melissa May.
The theme song is Beaming by Friday.
Podcast artwork and graphic design by Alexandra Morris.
Research by Jackie May.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we journey back in time to look at Sydney’s music scene through the eyes of three different women.
You can hit it as loud as you can
First up, we hear from musician and music mentor turned academic, Hannah Fairlamb, about rock boot camps and gender equity.
Produced by Mel Bakewell, with music by Ferus Cut Blue Dot Sessions.
You can learn more about Rock Camp here.
What About Her?
Frances Swan co-wrote What About Me (A Moving Pictures Song), the 1982 classic Australian anthem, during a decade often described as a boy’s club. Christa Hughes rejected gender expectations in the late 90s and early 2000s, touring with Machine Gun Fellatio. Today, up-and-coming Milly McPherson has been making waves in a rock and roll circuit, inspired by the women who came before her.
Join your host, Zara Upfold, as she explores the expectations and successes of these incredible women, the sadly predictable reactions of a male dominated music industry, and asks What About Her?
Frances Swan played her original music live in front of an audience for the first time on the 25th of November. Milly McPherson is currently raising funds to re-released Milly's song under her own name, alongside a new album and a short film. Finally, Machine Gun Felatio have recently reunited and Christa Hughes has been performing in the band for the first time in 20 years.
Produced by Zara Upfold, with support from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Evana Ho.
Songs Played (in Chronological Order)
What About Me, Gary Frost & Frances Swan - Frances Swan
Beer Drinking Woman - Christa Hughes, Dick Hughes
Mutha Fukka On A Motorcycle - Machine Gun Fellatio
Milly’s Song (Live Recording) - Milly McPherson
Blue Moon - Frances Swan
Sound Effects
ES_Digital, Call On Speaker, No Answer, Russian Voicemail, Plastic, Modern, Office - Epidemic Sound.wav from Epidemic Sound.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell
Host Madhuraa Prakash
Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Image credit: Lindsey Vassallo
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re playing stories from our 24 hour radio challenge, in which producers are tasked with creating audio stories from scratch in a day!
This year we had people participating in Sydney here at fbi but also down in Naarm and even overseas as far as Italy and the UK.
1 - Cristina Marras takes us into a recurring dream.
2 - Keyari Page constructs a radio drama about the road to perfection.
3 - You know when you keep texting someone but they just..don’t reply? Linda Gao, B Fung Ling and Kaspar Visser weave a tale through voice notes about a secret and a lie wrapped up in sushi.
4 - Finally, Jac Hope delves into an underground community that subverts expectations.
Congratulations to all of the makers who took part. We’ll be playing more stories from our 24 hour radio race in upcoming episodes.
Can’t wait? Come hang out with us early for an online listening party on 11 December at 8am Eastern Standard time. You can register via the humanitix link here.
And you can always support the show by hitting subscribe or follow if you're listening to the podcast, or tuning in to your weekly broadcast on fbi radio at 9.30 am on Sunday or the Community Radio Network.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell
Host Madhuraa Prakash
Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Image credit: Lindsey Vassallo
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re diving deep into the world of lost media, and in particular the mystery of - Australia's most intriguing missing song - which you might just be able to help solve!
The Most Mysterious Song in Australia: A Lostwave Story by Strange Australian
In January 2024, Strange Australian was browsing Reddit looking for some obscure lost media, when he came across a thread about something they weren't really expecting to. A mysterious Australian song. A Lostwave. This pop-punk song has been unidentified since 2019, and is connected to a Sydney suburb.
Through Reddit, Discord and other conversations and research, he learned an incredible story. It is about a song, and it's also about community. So sit back and let us tell you the story about the most mysterious song in Australia-The Chatswood Youth Unknown Song.
You can discover the full documentary on Strange Australian's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeGemmNlo6U
A Lost Media Deep Dive
In this episode, we also speak to the caretakers of this great search - Lindsey Vassallo and Strange Australian to discover more about the world of lost media, archiving practices and the latest updates in the search for Austalia's most mysterious song!
Produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan featuring an audio documentary on The Chatswood Lost Tape by Strange Australian with the support of Lindsey Vassallo.
Featured music 'Just Be Curious' by Jerry Lacey on Epidemic Sound
Do you have a lead on the Chatswood Lost Song? Reach out to us at All The Best (pm@allthebestradio.com) or reach out to the Lost Wave Community: https://lostwaves-finest.fandom.com/wiki/Woo_Hoo
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell
Host Madhuraa Prakash
Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Image credit: Lindsey Vassallo
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about reclaiming public spaces.
Demon Derriere by Azrielle de Vor
Azrielle interviews an absolute icon of the local arts scene here in Sydney. Demon Derriere is a mesmerising performer and host, and the creator of Big Thick Energy.
Produced by Azrielle de Vor with mentorship from Danni Stewart. It was produced as part of the Community Media Training Organisations’s Audio Ability program.
Audio Ability is currently open for applications for their 2025 cohort, head to www.cmto.org.au to learn more and apply!
Out here by Angelina Mazza
Producer Angelina explores queers reclaiming the hiking trail in New York City. She investigates how the policing of public spaces has made it hard for queer and trans people to access the outdoors.
Riis Beach by Danni Stewart
During New York Pride last year Danni took their Zoom recorder to Riis Beach.
For generations Queer New Yorkers have come to Riis but it’s a space that is constantly under threat.
This moment in time was contentious for the future of the space as the abandoned hospital building behind it had just been demolished, with property developers and conservative council members eyeing off the space for development.
Produced by Danni Stewart.
Have an idea for your own story?
If you have an idea for your very own ambitious audio documentary, think about applying for the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. Successful applicants will get access to monetary support as well as individualised training and mentorship to help realise their ideas. Applications are open until November 27, head to www.allthebestradio.com
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell
Host Madhuraa Prakash
Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Image: Danni Stewart
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do you think I look like?
Is that a weird question? Probably. But I do have a point, stay with me.
In a perfect world we’re all moving away from judging a book by its cover, I don’t think we can say we’ve achieved this quite yet.
This idea is unpacked in our stories this week which delve into growing into our own skin, against the grain of social expectations.
Dating when different by Carey Scheer
In our first story, Daniella Biagi shares the challenges of dating with physical differences. From traumatic encounters, malicious body-shaming to numerous not-so-happy dates, Daniella finds healing, growth, and resilience, as she leads us through a quest for genuine connection—with others and herself—in a world too quick to judge.
Remember, you are worthy of love just as you are—the right person won’t need you to have Snow White’s beauty, or Cinderella’s glass slippers to see the princess you’ve always been.
This story was produced by Carey Scheer with additional production by Mel Bakewell.
You can discover more of Carey's work at Purple Orange podcast.
Comfortable by Samuel Luke
In the second story, Samuel reflects on his transition journey of coming out as transgender and the emotional weight of his first year on testosterone. Through recalling vivid memories and emotions, Samuel explores the dissonance between his evolving body, the long-held feelings of discomfort, alongside the slow, surreal process of self-acceptance.
It’s not just about becoming—it’s about relearning how to exist, to heal, and to finally see oneself in a body that feels like home.
Find more of Samuel's work on Instagram @samuellukeart or at samuellukeart.com.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell
Host Madhuraa Prakash
Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Image: Liz Ham lizham.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about the things we sometimes need to do to get a decent bite to eat.
Table Diving by Patrick Mckenzie
In our first story, Patrick explores the odd temptation and social taboo of "table-diving"—taking leftover food from strangers' plates. Through his inner thoughts and expert interviews, the episode delves into themes of etiquette, hygiene, and practicality behind the peculiar act of table-diving.
To take or not to take—would you dare snatch that chip? Don’t worry, human pigeon, your secret’s safe with us.
Produced by Patrick McKenzie with Supervising Production by Mark Yin.
Big Rat by Miles Mazzocato
In the next story, Miles tells a story of confronting a community of rats: a symbol of the sacrifices needed for survival. As one weighs the cost of economic stability against the value of joy, the harsh reality of their choices becomes painfully clear.
When the pasta is cold, wet, and rosemary can’t fix it, maybe it’s time to question if survival alone is worth the taste.
Around the back by Danielle O’Neal, Inger Kviseth, Doreen Lee and Christina Lu
In our third story, Charlie, a performer, shares his weekly adventures of dumpster diving with his partner, Jenny, uncovering treasures like Dutch chocolates and olive oil. Highlighting systemic inefficiencies and hypocrisy of supermarket chains, the story exposes the paradox of food abundance and waste in a worldfacing hunger.
Dumpster dive, gourmet finds; a treasure hunt worth a try.
Would you like to get involved in audio storytelling?
Audio Club
Come along to Audio Club to meet other makers and collaborate on fun, low-stakes creative challenges. In November we're running a 24-hour radio challenge! Details here: https://forms.gle/yYWyxaibKvmrbsnf8
The Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship
Or, if you're already a budding maker, make sure you take a look at the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. We're supporting four emerging audio producers with some cash, tailored mentorship and workshops in 2025. Full details here.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell
Host Madhuraa Prakash
Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
Cover Art by Miles Mazzocato
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, a podcast fiction story that examines the media industry and an interview about the artistic process behind it.
B Fung-Ling and Derek Dao are the hosts of the Licensed Poetics podcast and extremely passionate about supporting emerging artists.
All The Best Exec Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan sat down with the duo to talk about the story they created for us and their artistic process delving into audio fiction for the first time.
A Literary Podcast Origin Story
Two literary critics are tasked with writing a book review at Big Media Company. It’s their first real job where their opinion will carry influence, but things go wrong even before they can select a book. Receiving little help from their dysfunctional Editor, the young writers are stuck between personal interest and intellectual integrity. What is the duty of a critic? Whom do they serve? And in the age of AI, is it even worth it?
That story was produced by Derek Dao and B Fung-Ling. B Fung-Ling also directed the piece. Voice acting by Derek Dao, Eva Chen and Angela Wu. Postproduction by Ivy Xu and artwork by Sofi Sun.
The Supervising Producer was Persephone Waxman.
You can follow B Fung-Ling @licensedpoetics, Derek Dao @daonationspls, Eva Chen @eva0765, Angela Wu @li_vermin_li, Sofi Sun @afterclasstourist and more of Ivy Xu's work at www.31atlarge.com
Would you like to get involved in audio storytelling?
Audio Club
Come along to Audio Club to meet other makers and collaborate on fun, low-stakes creative challenges. In November we're running a 24-hour radio challenge! Details here: https://forms.gle/yYWyxaibKvmrbsnf8
The Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship
Or, if you're already a budding maker, make sure you take a look at the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. We're supporting four emerging audio producers with some cash, tailored mentorship and workshops in 2025. Full details here.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, a story about connection through theatricality and a night at the circus.
For Persephone, La Clique is both home and family. She shares childhood memories spent in circus cabaret wings, sketching and watching performers she now calls colleagues.
The episode also features Harley Mann, custodian of Na Djinang Circus, a First Nations led contemporary troupe. Blending Indigenous themes with Western circus traditions, Harley explores “identity” and how “failures", both choreographed and accidental, bring authenticity to circuses, blending superhuman feats with human vulnerability.
Ending the episode is David Bates, Persephone’s father and founder of La Clique. Walking down the memory lane of La Clique’s past and its iconic Spiegel tent, the father-daughter look toward the future of circus and cabaret, celebrating its ever-evolving nature and its power to bring joy, and provoke thoughts.
Under the circus lights, we are all part of the act—each gasp, each clap a heartbeat in the night; a legacy that pulses wonder across generations.
This story was produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan. With special thanks to Harley Mann, David Bates and Persephone D'Arbela Bates for sharing their stories.
You can see La Clique at the Sydney Opera House until November 17.
Find out more about Na Djinang and their next tour dates at: https://www.nadjinang.com.au/
Music Credits
This story featured Kotoba, Usufruct, Primordial by Nuisance from the Free Music Archive.
And music from La Clique including Hurry On Down by Madam And The Rent Party, Curtain Call by La Soirée and the La Clique Trailer theme.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, a story and an interview about resistance, dissent and the power of storytelling as an act of protest.
Where to from here? by Isabella Lee
In this episode, Isabella speaks with Marto, a Pro-Palestinian cyclist, and Annie, an emerging writer. Reflecting on the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, they express their feelings of helplessness as they struggle to find impact in their efforts. Together, they explore how movements foster solidarity and how small, creative actions can ignite lasting change and sustain long-term activism.
Remember, all it takes is a little compassion and creativity to shed light where it’s needed most… because often, “the most important light is the one you cannot see”.
Music credits
Nuisance - Qanisqineq (Instrumental)
Dan Warren - Restoration (Instrumental)
Nuisance- Burnt Orange and Burning
Nuisance - Cabbage Moth (Instrumental)
Sara Saleh & Hasib Hourani
Host Mads speaks with two of the staunchest voices for Gaza in our local community, Sara Saleh and Hasib Hourani. We spoke about resistance through storytelling and finding solace and inspiration from one’s own community.
Hasib Hourani's debut book is now in bookshops, rock flight can be purchased here. The fourth edition of Debris Magazine is also available now, co-edited by Hasib Hourani and Adalya Nash Hussein.
You can buy The Flirtation of Girls and Songs of Dead and the Living here. Sara Saleh's poetry anthology is also on its way and you can catch her at writing events, including at the upcoming Blue Mountains Writers Festival - tickets here.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, All the Best Radio invites you to grab a drink and maybe a snack and settle down, as we hear stories that explore influential encounters, moments and ideas from ‘(Un)Intended Consequences’, a live storytelling event we held recently at Knox Street Bar.
That Time I Was Visited By An Angel by Pat Morrow
In our first story, Pat tells the story of his encounter with the Archangel Gabriel, who arrives not with soft words of comfort - but with life-shattering news. This story is about an unexpected visit and the futile, yet comedic, attempt to wrestle an angel.
Spoiler alert: No amount of heavenly cologne will save you from the angel’s bad news.
Turbo Kick by Tanya Vavilova
Next up is Tanya’s story. A swim squad becomes captivated by a new swimmer, Olga, whose unconventional style and mysterious “turbo kick” spark a wave of imitation. As the group adopts her fashion and technique, they grow increasingly obsessed—until Olga discovers they’ve been copying her unique, double-jointed kick. When she leaves, they continue the trend, forgetting how it even started.
As you can see, it only takes one turbo kick…to spark a full-blown swimming group revolution.
Serena Hor's Story
In our third story, Serena reflects on her struggles with speech and deafness, navigating between the hearing and deaf communities while juggling societal expectations and her own self-acceptance. After enduring bullying, parental pressure, and a challenging quest for a sense of belonging, she learns to embrace her unique voice. Because, in the end, sometimes the voices we’ve been ashamed of, turn out to be the most beautiful of all.
From Serena to her teenage self, “I'm deaf and sometimes I sound weird, but that's okay with me now.”
And from us to her bullies and her terrible teachers, “Thank you, next”.
Thank you to the City of Sydney for funding this beautiful storytelling night, to Knox Street Bar for hosting us and to the wonderfully talented team of volunteers who helped us put on a wonderful show!
Keep an ear out for the next three stories in a future episode...
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay author, storyteller and performer dedicated to the making and sharing of culture.
This week, we hear Nardi Simpson’s keynote address from the 2023 Mick Dark Talk For the Future.
This episode takes listeners on an enchanting journey to understand how Yuwaalaraay ideas represent the spirit, natural order, and guiding principles of life and connection to the land.
Through Nardi Simpson’s poetic prose and vivid imagery, we are guided through spiritual reflections on the inner self, the majestic grandeur of nature, and captivating tales of renewal, sacredness, and the duty to live in harmony with the land—stories of our ancestors who sought to leave a lasting, beautiful legacy for the world we live in.
This is an invitation to reflect on our past, our present, and how we might all look to the future. Let the magic sink in.
Thank you to the Blue Mountain's Writers Festival
The Mick DarkTalk for the Future is an annual keynote address on the environment that honours the legacy of Mick Dark, who in 1989 gifted Varuna, the National Writers’ House to the writers of Australia.
The 2024 Talk will take place at the Blue Mountains Writers Festival on November 3rd. You can find tickets for the festival here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week: two stories about matriarchs in the Mediterranean and the lingering presence of lineage in the present day.
The birth of honoured peasant
In our first story, Peter Polites tells us the story of Midwife Friday who assisted in the birth of his mother in a small village in Greece.
Through the eyes of Midwife Friday, the story beautifully captures the harsh realities of village life, her resilience shaped by war and loss, and the enduring strength of a community bound by tradition and survival.
Pigeons, cats, rosegardens
In our next story, a mother and her children have a heartfelt conversation about their fragmented past, trying to piece together their connection to Greece and Istanbul, Turkey. Through anecdotes passed down from their mother about their grandparents—some factual, some hearsay—coupled with exchanges of their own imagined stories, they grapple with gaps in their family history, confronting questions of identity and lineage.
Sometimes… we just need a little fantasy… to bring the past back to life.
All The Best Credits
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What do you do when all of your stories fall through the day before you go to air?
A. Run repeats
B. Make a whole new show in 24 hours...
In today’s special episode we’re taking you back to the wonderfully chaotic early days of All The Best, to reflect on the legacy of Jesse Cox, a visionary audio storyteller and the co-founder of All the Best, who passed away in 2017.
Through a combination of personal stories, archived audio, and reflections of friends and past colleagues, this episode celebrates Jesse's groundbreaking contributions to Australian radio, as we pay tribute to his fearless creativity.
This episode also marks the re-launch of Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. Established in 2020 in his honour (briefly paused in 2022), the fellowship was designed to support aspiring audio storytellers, inheriting Jesse’s mission to “strengthen the Australian audio community, push storytelling boundaries, and amplify underrepresented voices.”
From 2025, each recipient of the fellowship will receive $1000 to create an ambitious audio feature story, supported by an individualised learning program and national broadcast outcome.
Apply to the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2025
Applications are now open for the 2025 Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. Click here to apply. Applications close at 5 pm on Wednesday November 20th 2024.
We are indebted to Eliza Sarlos, Belinda Lopez,, Miles Martignoni, Zacha Rosen, Louise Cox and Jesse’s family for their contributions and help telling this story.
Special thanks also go to the JCAF and FBi Radio teams for helping to make All The Best the new home of the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Compiled and Mixed by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, stories about making sense of your past - from our Audio Club, and host Mads has some special guests in the studio!
Audio Club is a community of audio makers.
It was created to encourage new storytellers and to inspire those who are more experienced. Audio club meetups both online and in person have been places for people to discuss story ideas, audio editing, and other aspects of creating a story.
So far we’ve had seven challenges, and in this episode we want to share some stories from our most recent one, ‘making sense of your past'
Audio Club regulars Felicity, Kwame and Ramon shared the stories they made in response to this challenge and why they love working with the audio medium.
Understanding My Love of the Sea
Felicity Weaver explores her past to understand her love of swimming in the sea. This poetic soundscape takes us with her as she reminisces about her childhood and what gifts her parents gave her, what she gave her children, what she has lost and what she receives when she swims in the sea.
Produced by Felicity Weaver, with support from Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
You can find more of Felicity's work at www.felicityweaver.com.au or on Instagram @felicityweavermedia
Childhood and Hurricanes
In early July, a massive hurricane formed in the Atlantic Ocean ripped through the Caribbean. When it formed, it occurred to Kwame, he couldn't actually remember what it was like to experience one, despite growing up with them. So Kwame seeks out his Mum to find out what we remembers about living through hurricanes and storms.
Produced by Kwame Slusher.
Music Credit to En La Playa by Julias H. from Pixabay.com
Thanks to mum, Lyn Slusher, who is one of best storytellers I know. And thanks, to the Know Your Caribbean Instagram page for always being a font of wisdom.
And you can find more of Kwame's work at: https://kwameslusher8.wixsite.com/mysite
Until You Are No Longer Here
In 2020 Ramon was living overseas in Argentina with his partner Nadia. They had decided to separate so that Ramon could return to Australia, when COVID hit. They were stuck - separated but confined to the same room every day for a whole year. This is the story of Ramon speaking to Nadia to help make sense of this strange and confusing time.
Produced by Ramon Briant.
This story was produced and recorded on the lands of the Eora and Pampa people.
The background music used are instrumental covers of the songs: Gracias A La Vida and Alfonsina Y El Mar by Mercedes Sosa.
The photographic series spoken about in the piece Mientras Estés Acá by Nadia Soledad Pinochetti can be found here
https://nadiapinochetti.myportfolio.com/mientras-estes-aca
Many thanks to the team at all the best for their knowledge guidance and fbi.radio for their support of the project
Interested in making some audio stories?
If you’re interested in making some stories of your own, we’d love to see you at our next Audio Club Meet Up! Everyone’s welcome, regardless of experience.
We bring you a new prompt each month, host online workshops and in-person audio excursions.
You can find out more about audio club on our website: www.allthebestradio.com
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Compiled and Mixed by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, a feature length audio-documentary about Matildas Mania.
Please note this story contains some swears!
The Matildas Express
The Matildas Express is a journey to the historic semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2023, and how our women’s football team inspired the nation.
One year ago, on a cold winter night, Australian sports witnessed a historic moment. The Matildas, playing on home soil, defeated France in a nail-biting penalty shootout, earning their spot in the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup. This was not only Australia’s best run at any World Cup but also a defining moment for women's football in the country. The nation erupted in joy, and the Matildas became national icons, capturing the hearts of millions and solidifying Australia’s passion for football.
It takes a team to play football, and it no doubt takes a team to create an audio documentary…
Produced by Kaspar Visser - @kaspar.visser
Audio Engineer Roy Hayoon - @iloveroyki
Supervising Producer - Shelby Traynor
With special thanks to Mel, Eric, David, Drew and Beattie Goad.
Featuring music by Blue Dot sessions and Podington Bear.
Image Credit: Kaspar Visser
This piece was recorded from Wurundjeri to Gadigal lands and pays respect to all the indigenous communities along the journey from Naarm to Warrane.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, stories about weird and wonderful hobbies and what drives us to them.
Hobbies
In our first story, a university student dissects recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data suggesting a gender gap in time spent on hobbies.
Molly Frew produced the story, which featured postdoctoral research fellow August Harrington, a psychology expert from the University of Melbourne.
Gaming
In our second story, imagine trying to fit into the online gaming world with angry humanoid figures with scary eyes who may rant about entitled women ruining their hobbies. This piece reveals a female perspective on gender discrimination when gaming.
This story was written and produced and written by Arshia Anand.
Lego
In our third story, after finding the Lego clubroom, an innkeeper from the club informs that the assortment of coloured bricks “can be used as a tool for mindfulness and relaxation.”
This story was written and produced and written by Georgie Preston.
Boxing
In our fourth story, “Ding Ding,” boxing training is used to relax and distract some from muscle soreness and a waring body or mind.
This story was written and produced and written by Yuanyuan Zhang.
LARPing
Our final story involves escaping into the narrative of characters dressed up in armoured gear all in the name of Live-Action Role-Playing, also known as LARPing.
This story was written and produced and written by Olivia Tan.
Today’s stories were produced as part of a collaboration between All The Best, the University of Melbourne and the Science Gallery. Unimelb Masters of journalism students created audio works relating to the theme of ‘distraction’. Special thanks to Louisa Lim, Mell Chun, Dan Semo and Corey Martin and to All The Best mentors Persephone Waxman, Thomas Philips, Lisa Divissi and Melanie Bakewell.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, beautiful and bilingual stories about family.
Content Warning: These stories contain references to people experiencing cancer, passing away and detailed descriptions of war. They may be considered to be emotionally intense for some. Please listen with care.
Sirius and the Moon
In our first story, While weaving between English and Mandarin, Sharon shares an emotional conversation with her brother about surviving cancer.
This story was Written and Produced by Sharon Wongosari thanks to Lea Redfern.
We Are Gathered Here Today
In our second story, a young woman Annabella reflects on her relationship with her mother during the Vietnam War. This story is introduced in Vietnamese and then in English.
This story was written and produced by Annabella Luu in collaboration with sound designer Ramon Briant. The supervising producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Annabella Luu
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, apocalyptic audio stories.
Apocalyptic Radio Fiction
In our first story, Producer Phoebe speaks with audio fiction producer Ian Walker about the process of creating new Australian audio fiction.
Produced by Phoebe Adler Ryan in conversation with podcast producer Ian Walker. With special thanks to Bronwyn Mehan.
You can listen to The Next Five Minutes wherever you get your podcasts or visit www.shortaustralianstories.com.au/.
An Alien Sends Home a Status Report from the West
In our second story, an alien returns to his homeland to report what it's found on a postcard containing odd human rituals and habits.
Written and read by Antoinette Luu, with sound design by C.L Hughes & ealing. You can find further work from C.L. Hughes on their Insta page @ealing_ealing, and from Antoinette at @annette_luu_art.
Apocalypse Story
Our third story explores two women on their third date discussing the apocalypse.
Written and performed by Mira Schlosberg. Originally broadcast on FBi's audio fiction program, "Or It Didn't Happen." Mira’s work can be found at miraschlosberg.com or on insta @homotaschen. With special thanks to Zacha Rosen.
The Perfect Human
Our final story explores what it looks like to be born as the perfect human in the modern world.
Written and performed by Niki Bañados, with sound design and composition by Suzanne Derry. The piece was initially performed in the illustrated live storytelling event "Read To Me." Find more of Niki's work at @stickwriter on Instagram.
With sound design and composition by Suzanne Derry. If you're interested in working with Suzanne, you can reach her at: s.derry@yahoo.com
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Niki Bañados
Make your own Audio Fiction!
If you're keen to make some audio fiction of your own, come along to our online Audio Fiction workshop hosted by Script Roulette on September 24th. Reach out to phoebe@allthebestradio.com or make sure you're subscribed to our monthly newsletter to receive the details: https://allthebestradio.com/
Audio Fiction Recommended Listening
Batman: The Audio Adventures
The Next Five Minutes
Welcome to Nightvale
Soft Voice by QCODE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, stories about fighting violence against women.
Content Warning: These stories contain references to gendered violence, including those of a domestic, family or sexual nature. Please listen with care.
The Park (4.35)
In our first story, Jasmyn, on a wet rainy night, investigates after hearing someone in distress at a local park.
Produced by Jasmyn as part of an audio walking tour collaboration between Outloud Arts Bankstown and All The Best.
You can complete the audio walking tour at: https://outloud.org.au/projects/stories-from-here-an-audio-tour-of-bankstown/
We Stand Surviving (7.40)
In our second story, Sarah shares a suite of poems about patriarchy and sisterhood.
Content Warning: This work includes references to sexual assault.
This story was written and read by Sarah Dee with production support from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and sound design by Tala Issaoui.
Find more of Sarah’s writing on instagram where she’s @detailednoodle.
And more of Tala’s sounds, she can be found at @tala.the.creative on instagram.
Helen, and the Spirit of Woman (11.33)
In our third story, Helen Oxenham, speaks about her experience fighting against violence since she was a child.
Produced by Tiarne Cook with the support of Transom and the Community Media Training Organisation. To learn more about the trailblazing life and work of Helen Oxenham, visit spiritofwoman.com.au/.
If these stories raise any concerns or distress, support is available to you:
- 1800 RESPECT - that’s 1800 737 732.
- Men’s Referral Service - 1300 766 491
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline - 131 114
- 13 YARN - 13 92 76 (First Nations 24/7 helpline)
- Qlife - 1800 184 527 (LGBTQIA+ 24/7 phone line)
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Sarah Dee
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, stories about fighting violence against women.
Content Warning: These stories contain references to gendered violence, including those of a domestic, family or sexual nature. Please listen with care.
The Park (4.35)
In our first story, Jasmyn, on a wet rainy night, investigates after hearing someone in distress at a local park.
Produced by Jasmyn as part of an audio walking tour collaboration between Outloud Arts Bankstown and All The Best.
You can complete the audio walking tour at: https://outloud.org.au/projects/stories-from-here-an-audio-tour-of-bankstown/
We Stand Surviving (7.40)
In our second story, Sarah shares a suite of poems about patriarchy and sisterhood.
Content Warning: This work includes references to sexual assault.
This story was written and read by Sarah Dee with production support from Phoebe Adler-Ryan and sound design by Tala Issaoui.
Find more of Sarah’s writing on instagram where she’s @detailednoodle.
And more of Tala’s sounds, she can be found at @tala.the.creative on instagram.
Helen, and the Spirit of Woman (11.33)
In our third story, Helen Oxenham, speaks about her experience fighting against violence since she was a child.
Produced by Tiarne Cook with the support of Transom and the Community Media Training Organisation. To learn more about the trailblazing life and work of Helen Oxenham, visit spiritofwoman.com.au/.
If these stories raise any concerns or distress, support is available to you:
- 1800 RESPECT – that’s 1800 737 732.
- Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline – 131 114
- 13 YARN – 13 92 76 (First Nations 24/7 helpline)
- Qlife – 1800 184 527 (LGBTQIA+ 24/7 phone line)
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Sarah Dee
The post #600 s a f e appeared first on .
This week, stories about connections transcending through our mortal plane, from the spirit world to our ancestral past.
To start us off, host Mads takes us to Colombo, Sri Lanka, where her grandmother seeks to impart the wisdom of Hindu astrology.
Ancestral Echoes
In our second story, Xueyi reconnects to the tradition of ancestor worship that her family has long upheld. She connects to this on a meaningful level during one of their culture's traditional Spring Festivals.
Content Warning: Please listen with care. This story contains references to paranormal phenomena and death that may be distressing for some listeners.
This story was produced/narrated by Xueyi Zhang and features Shuang Zhang Shuang, Xueyi Xuejian Xuejian, and Zhengying Zou.
Mid-autumn Mooncakes
In our third story, Elieen experiences an incredible connection through food to the people of her culture and their kin.
Produced by Eileen Chong. This story originally aired on the FBi radio fiction program, Or It Didn't Happen.
Pang
Finally, Claire's questions about her ancestors intertwine with a supernatural event at her primary school.
Produced by Sarah Mashman, with contributions from Lea Redfern.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Xueyi Zhang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
https://omny.fm/shows/all-the-best/thats-the-spirit/embedThis week, stories about connections transcending through our mortal plane, from the spirit world to our ancestral past.
To start us off, host Mads takes us to Colombo, Sri Lanka, where her grandmother seeks to impart the wisdom of Hindu astrology.
Ancestral Echoes
In our second story, Xueyi reconnects to the tradition of ancestor worship that her family has long upheld. She connects to this on a meaningful level during one of their culture’s traditional Spring Festivals.
Content Warning: Please listen with care. This story contains references to paranormal phenomena and death that may be distressing for some listeners.
This story was produced/narrated by Xueyi Zhang and features Shuang Zhang Shuang, Xueyi Xuejian Xuejian, and Zhengying Zou.
Mid-autumn Mooncakes
In our third story, Elieen experiences an incredible connection through food to the people of her culture and their kin.
Produced by Eileen Chong. This story originally aired on the FBi radio fiction program, Or It Didn’t Happen. Special thanks goes to Zacha Rosen.
Pang
Finally, Claire’s questions about her ancestors intertwine with a supernatural event at her primary school.
Produced by Sarah Mashman, with contributions from Lea Redfern.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Xueyi Zhang
The post #599 That’s The Spirit appeared first on .
This week, stories about how hard it is to stay focused these days.
Dumb Phones by Sam Irvine
Our first story this week follows this line of thinking, with a personal experiment using old technology.
A Close Shave by Jining Wen
Next up, a barber experiences a time crunch.
Cooking as Distraction by Kepuyan Wu
Then, Kepuyan explores cooking as a form of positive procrastination.
Proustian Memory by Siyi Chen
Next, a story about the power of smell to transport to a different time and place.
Apps That Help You Focus by Yeting Gao
Our final story explores using modern methods to help with focus.
These stories were produced as part of a collaboration between All The Best, the University of Melbourne and the Science Gallery.
University of Melbourne Masters of Journalism students created these audio works relating to the theme of ‘distraction’.
Special thanks to Louisa Lim, Mell Chun, Dan Semo and Corey Martin and to All The Best mentors Persephone Waxman, Thomas Philips, Lisa Divissi and Melanie Bakewell.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about the burden of expectations and the triumph of defying them.
The Burden of Low Expectations
In our first story, Esther navigates different cultural expectations of disability when she migrates to Australia via Uganda and Sudan.
Content Warning: A note that this story contains examples of discriminatory attitudes towards disability.
This story was made by Carey Scheer for the Purple Orange Podcast. Purple Orange is a South Australian organisation that aims to create a fair world for people with disability. Find out more by visiting their website.
Fashion Liberation
In our second story, Zeb moves back to their home state of Tasmania, and wants to find the right clothes.
Content Warning: Please listen with care as this story contains references gender based violence.
Produced by Sarah Mashman, with contributions from Lea Redfern.
This is an extended version of a story originally produced for the KCRW 24 Hour Radio Race.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about the burden of expectations and the triumph of defying them.
The Burden of Low Expectations
In our first story, Esther navigates different cultural expectations of disability when she migrates to Australia via Uganda and Sudan.
Content Warning: A note that this story contains examples of discriminatory attitudes towards disability.
This story was made by Carey Scheer for the Purple Orange Podcast. Purple Orange is a South Australian organisation that aims to create a fair world for people with disability. Find out more by visiting their website.
Fashion Liberation
In our second story, Zeb moves back to their home state of Tasmania, and wants to find the right clothes.
Content Warning: Please listen with care as this story contains references gender based violence.
Produced by Sarah Mashman, with contributions from Lea Redfern.
This is an extended version of a story originally produced for the KCRW 24 Hour Radio Race.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
The post #579 Great Expectations appeared first on .
This week we’re bringing you the second half of All The Best’s collaboration with Outloud Arts, working with young people in Bankstown to make an audio walking tour about the places that matter to them.
For those who aren’t familiar with Sydney, Bankstown is a suburb located in the South-West Sydney region. Due to the multicultural immigrant demographic and the presence of housing commission properties, certain people characterise the area as being rough, dangerous and downtrodden.
But if you live in Bankstown you know that the suburb can’t be reduced to narrow stereotypes. Through these stories, the young people of Bankstown invite you to discover their home in their own words.
You’ll hear stories from Jack Miller, Areebah Armani, Maithly Dhawan, Amy Wong (aka Tofu Pants) and Danielle Lam.
The participants were mentored by director-dramaturg Finn Ó Branagáin and local author Kavita Bedford. The audio stories were recorded by Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Ramon Briant. Editing and sound design by Thomas Phillips. With support from Outloud Arts Creative Producer Nicole Issa.
Go to www.outloud.org.au and find the ‘Stories from Here’ page to finish the audio walking tour. You’ll find the full set of stories and a digital walking tour map.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
The post #596 Bankstown II: Stories of Sanctuary appeared first on .
This week, we’re bringing you more bird stories.
i love birds
First up, Matt Cooper explores his neighbourhood’s relationship to birds and learns a thing or two.
Produced by Matt Cooper, with special thanks to Lea Redfern.
Mothercluckers
Then, Dione Green investigates the politics of free range chickens.
This story was produced as part of the 2020 National Features and Documentary Series, with support from the Community Media Training Organisation and the CBAA. The supervising producer was Hamish Sewell.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The traditional owners of this land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, have a connection to and understanding of country that is thousands of years old.
Right now we’re living in a time of climate change and natural disasters, of warmer winters and colder summers and it often feels like our understanding of mother nature and her seasons falls short.
And so, it makes sense to turn to insights from First Nations people whose knowledge of the country is deep and all-encompassing.
In fact, it’s essential to listen to First Nations understandings of the land if we want to learn how to live in harmony with country, rather than fight against it.
Today we’re lucky enough to bring you some of this knowledge.
The Six Seasons
First up, a conversation with Elder Aunty Munya Andrews accompanied by soundscapes, detailing the cyclical patterns of weather, plants and animals from a First Nations perspective.
Produced by Ramon Briant, with Aunty Munya, an Elder from the Kimberley region of Western Australia and author of the new book, Ask Auntie: Seasons – An Introduction to First Nations Seasons.
Find out more about Aunty Munya’s work at Evolve Communities website. And find Ramon’s work at @therealram0n on instagram or at his website.
The supervising producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Noongar Climate Memory
In our next story, we hear about First Nations memory of the last ice age through conversation with Noongar academic Dr Cass Lynch. This story was adapted from an interview originally recorded for Scitech’s Elements podcast.
Produced by Danni Stewart.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Charmaine Ledden Lewis
The post #594 Knowledge of Country appeared first on .
This week we’re bringing you stories that question and expand this national identity.
A content warning, this episode contains racial slurs, racism, and violence so please listen with care.
The Ocean and the Desert Flower
In our first story, Zeinab shares the things she loves about her home, and ruminates on the various contradictions involved within the so-called Australian identity.
This story was produced by Zeinab Mourad as part of Season 1 of Braided, a project by Artful Dodgers Studios in Naarm.
The supervising producer was Bethany Atkinson-Quinton.
You can listen to more stories by Braided by visiting www.braidedpodcast.com
Navigating the Shire
Our next story explores the legacy of the 2005 Cronulla Race Riots - where over 5000 people spread across suburbs descended upon Cronulla to spout Anti-Arab and Anti-Immigration sentiment. While this story was recorded in 2018, parts still feel relevant today.
This story was written by Rohan Simpson.
The supervising producer was Allison Chan.
The story was originally published in the USYD student paper, Honi Soit
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you another feature from our partnership with the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. In this podcast, host and producer Mark Thomson aims to interview subjects from each of the 177 nationalities represented in Tasmania’s last census.
This story belongs to Anne from Papua New Guinea. She enthusiastically shares her childhood traveling all around the island, and the ins and outs of PNG family life.
To hear the full episode head to Markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Anne
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
https://omny.fm/shows/all-the-best/177-nations-anne-from-papua-new-guinea/embedThis week we’re bringing you another feature from our partnership with the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. In this podcast, host and producer Mark Thomson aims to interview subjects from each of the 177 nationalities represented in Tasmania’s last census.
This story belongs to Anne from Papua New Guinea. She enthusiastically shares her childhood traveling all around the island, and the ins and outs of PNG family life.
To hear the full episode head to Markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Anne
The post #592 177 Nations: Anne from Papua New Guinea appeared first on .
Please listen to this week's episode with care as it includes accounts of displacement and detention in Palestine.
Last week, we heard about Amal's everyday life growing up in Aida Refugee Camp, in the West Bank Palestine. We heard stories of regular young people, living between wars, with hopes for the future.
Amal no longer lives in the camp, so this week she tells us about yearning to return to her homeland. She shares what it’s like to visit and how she holds onto connection to her family’s land.
Amal also tells us about her brother, Anas, a community leader and young father who was taken into Administrative detention late last year. That‘s Israel’s term for being arbitrarily imprisoned.
The person is taken to military court, with a military judge. There is no fair trial, no charge, no disclosure of evidence and no assurance of the actual length of their sentence. Anas is one of around 3 thousand 5 hundred administrative detainees in Israeli Occupation Prisons. These include children. As of February 24, they have detained over 6,500 Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
So Amal doesn’t know when she’ll see her brother again.
Throughout Amal’s contemporary reflections are stories from Radio Lajee made in the mid 2000s, all about strength in knowing your land and where you come from.
The stories you will hear include:
My Nakba by Amaja El-Ozzo, Layan Al-Azza & Pernille Sørensen where you’ll hear grandchildren interview their grandparents, about memories of this violent land and property seizure by Zionist militias in 1948 that displaced and dispossessed over 700,000 Palestinians.
Why I read Ghassan Kanafani by Athal Al Azza. This story is about a Palestinian author and politician who inspires young people to feel pride in being Palestinian today. He was assassinated by car bomb in Beirut, Lebanon, by Israeli special intelligence on 8 July 1972.
On Gaza, while this story isn’t about Gaza today, it sounds to us like it could be. In this radio story from 2009, you’ll hear the reactions of young people from Aida camp, to what is known as Operation Cast Lead – a 22 day military assault on the Gaza Strip that began on 27 December 2008. It was the first time Israel used white phosphorus, and their actions resulted in 1400 deaths, many of them children. In a now familiar story, a UN fact-finding mission sent in the aftermath found numerous breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Special thanks to Amal Abu Srour and Daz Chandler. You can listen to more stories from Radio Lajee at www.radiolajee.com.
Further Resources:
-
APAN: https://apan.org.au/resources/
-
PARA: https://para.org.au/give-support/
-
Calls To Action Palestine Toolkit: https://palestinetoolkit.org/
-
ADDAMEER: https://addameer.org/
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Daz Chandler at Aida Refugee Camp
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
https://omny.fm/shows/all-the-best/palestine-resistance/embedPlease listen to this week’s episode with care as it includes accounts of displacement and detention in Palestine.
Last week, we heard about Amal’s everyday life growing up in Aida Refugee Camp, in the West Bank Palestine. We heard stories of regular young people, living between wars, with hopes for the future.
Amal no longer lives in the camp, so this week she tells us about yearning to return to her homeland. She shares what it’s like to visit and how she holds onto connection to her family’s land.
Amal also tells us about her brother, Anas, a community leader and young father who was taken into Administrative detention late last year. That‘s Israel’s term for being arbitrarily imprisoned.
The person is taken to military court, with a military judge. There is no fair trial, no charge, no disclosure of evidence and no assurance of the actual length of their sentence. Anas is one of around 3 thousand 5 hundred administrative detainees in Israeli Occupation Prisons. These include children. As of February 24, they have detained over 6,500 Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
So Amal doesn’t know when she’ll see her brother again.
Throughout Amal’s contemporary reflections are stories from Radio Lajee made in the mid 2000s, all about strength in knowing your land and where you come from.
The stories you will hear include:
My Nakba by Amaja El-Ozzo, Layan Al-Azza & Pernille Sørensen where you’ll hear grandchildren interview their grandparents, about memories of this violent land and property seizure by Zionist militias in 1948 that displaced and dispossessed over 700,000 Palestinians.
Why I read Ghassan Kanafani by Athal Al Azza. This story is about a Palestinian author and politician who inspires young people to feel pride in being Palestinian today. He was assassinated by car bomb in Beirut, Lebanon, by Israeli special intelligence on 8 July 1972.
On Gaza, while this story isn’t about Gaza today, it sounds to us like it could be. In this radio story from 2009, you’ll hear the reactions of young people from Aida camp, to what is known as Operation Cast Lead – a 22 day military assault on the Gaza Strip that began on 27 December 2008. It was the first time Israel used white phosphorus, and their actions resulted in 1400 deaths, many of them children. In a now familiar story, a UN fact-finding mission sent in the aftermath found numerous breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Special thanks to Amal Abu Srour and Daz Chandler. You can listen to more stories from Radio Lajee at www.radiolajee.com.
Further Resources:
– APAN: https://apan.org.au/resources/
– PARA: https://para.org.au/give-support/
– Calls To Action Palestine Toolkit: https://palestinetoolkit.org/
– ADDAMEER: https://addameer.org/
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Daz Chandler at Aida Refugee Camp
The post #591 Palestine: Resistance appeared first on .
A content warningfor this episode, we’re going to be talking about the past and present of Palestine, which may be difficult for some listeners to hear. Discretion is advised.
Over the next two weeks, we’re playing stories from a radio project from the Aida Refugee Camp in the West Bank, Palestine. It’s called Radio Lajee.
It began in 2008, when Australian media worker Daz Chandler visited the camp and equipped young people with the recorders and the skills to create radio.
You’re going to hear from Amal, one of the young people who made a story with Radio Lajee back in 2008. Amal will speak about her life growing up in the camp.
Throughout her interview, we’ve interwoven stories from Radio Lajee - first stories about the everyday, and then next week we’ll hear stories about history and resistance.
In order, you'll hear:
The Camp, Way Back When by Layan Azza
This story features a Palestinian man’s memories of being forcibly displaced from his village in 1948 during the Nakba, and his arrival at Aida Refugee Camp. He is being interviewed by his granddaughter, who still lives in the camp. He describes the initial temporary nature of the camp, and it’s original population of 160 refugees.
Four generations of Palestinians have since lived in the camp. The tents have given way to concrete housing and infrastructure. And a population of over 5000 people.
This story mentions UNRWA. UNRWA was established in 1949 as a dedicated UN entity to support over 700,000 Palestinians displaced by the 1948 Nakba. UNRWA continues to provide education, health, and social support services to Palestinian refugees.
A Day In The Life by Saja Ajarma
Amal’s Kitchen by Amal Abu Srour
The Cats and the Wall by Mohammad Waleed
This last story features descriptions of the apartheid wall, built by Israel in 2005. In 2004 the ICJ issued an advisory opinion that the wall’s construction was contrary to international law, deviating from the former boundary established after the 1967 war.
Next week, we have more stories from Radio Lajee and Amal about Palestinian Storytelling as remembering and resisting - hit subscribe, follow or tune in next week wherever you listen to All The Best to hear their stories.
Special thanks to Amal Abu Srour and Daz Chandler. You can listen to more stories from Radio Lajee at www.radiolajee.com or look out for Daz’s article in Overland at www.overland.org
Further Resources:
-
APAN: https://apan.org.au/resources/
-
PARA: https://para.org.au/give-support/
-
Calls To Action Palestine Toolkit: https://palestinetoolkit.org/
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Daz Chandler at Aida Refugee Camp
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we embrace the strange, and delve into those open, uncomfortable parts of life - and death.
The Coffin in the Garage
First up, Miles and his family get into a sticky situation regarding his grandfather’s coffin.
Written and read by Miles Mazzocato, with production support from Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Ghost Girlfriend
Next, the highs and lows of love can feel supernatural, at least, they do when your girlfriend is a ghost.
Written by Rachel Ang.
The recordist was Kirby with support from Jordan Fennell.
This story was originally aired on FBi’s audio fiction program, Or It Didn’t Happen. You can find more of Rachel’s work at drawbyfour.com.
Funeral Trees
In our next story, cartoonist Fionn goes looking to find the tree sapling that best represents his late father.
That story was by Fionn McCabe and recorded at Read To Me - a live storytelling event for cartoonists and graphic artists - check their socials for upcoming events @readtome_.
MURDERER!
In our final story, our protagonist mulls over the unexpected death of a friend.
That story was by Zacha Rosen, and recorded for FBi Radio’s audio fiction program Or It Didn’t Happen. Thanks to Krishtie Mofazzal.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the past few months, All The Best has worked with local young people in Bankstown to make an audio walking tour about the places that matter to them.
Stories From Here is an audio walking tour of Bankstown featuring recorded monologues written by local young people aged 16-24 about their experiences in the area and the places that matter to them. The artists have been mentored by local author Kavita Bedford and director-dramaturg Finn Ó Branagáin. The stories were recorded by All The Best.
In this episode, you'll hear from:
Finn Ó Branagáin - Introduction to the Project
Safa Al-bekaa aka Azraq - Bankstown Central
Maithly Dhawan - Bankstown Gospel Hall
Rania Omar - Bankstown Library
Zara Hashmi - Bankstown Train Station
Find the complete audio walking tour at Outloud's Website: https://outloud.org.au/projects/stories-from-here-an-audio-tour-of-bankstown/
These stories were recorded by Phoebe Adler-Ryan and Ramon Briant.
With sound design and editing by Thomas Phillips.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you had to tell the story of your life, what moments would you share?
This week we hear from people who have lived well and have the yarns to prove it.
Silence of the Irish
In our first story, Grace brings to light a deeply held secret of her Irish Catholic grandparents.
Produced by Grace Macpherson.
The supervising producer was Eugenia Zoubtchenko.
Story of Your Life
Death prompts people to reflect on the lives they’ve had, but they aren’t always able to share their stories with those around them. Annie is a volunteer biographer at a palliative care centre and listens to the residents stories, changing her (and storymaker Lee Robinson’s) understanding of death in the process.
Produced by Lee Robinson.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Mixed by Emma Higgins
Image Credit: Rachel Macpherson
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, tales of open water swimming - from the beauty of plunging into parkland ponds to the freedom of venturing into wild waves.
Wild Swimming
In our first story, Corey needs a swim, and finds themselves wading through British cultural norms to find one.
This story was written, recited and produced by Corey Green.
Jasmin Alavuk was the Story Editor and special thanks goes to E Coffey and Phoebe Adler-Ryan for production assistance.
Thanks for sound recordings from: Kangaroovindaloo, Bonnyorbit, Kyles, Brunoauzet, Rthijs. Philbrice, Carlvus, 16GStepankovaS, Nature Notes UK, Kerouac21, jorickhoofd, Nielstii, Mlteenie, Robinhood76, NLM, Nagwense, Joedeshon, anthonyec, strongbot, klankbeeld, Philipmill6, Sageturtle
To find these and many more check out freesound.org and aporee.org
Open Waters
Up next, we’re wading back into local waters. Pat interviews his Aunt and Uncle about their interest in ocean swimming and the sublime, humbling and breathtaking beauty that can be discovered in the deep blue.
This story was produced by Patrick McKenzie.
Featuring interviews with Annette and Peter McKenzie.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, tales of open water swimming – from the beauty of plunging into parkland ponds to the freedom of venturing into wild waves.
Wild Swimming
In our first story, Corey needs a swim, and finds themselves wading through British cultural norms to find one.
This story was written, recited and produced by Corey Green.
Jasmin Alavuk was the Story Editor and special thanks goes to E Coffey and Phoebe Adler-Ryan for production assistance.
Thanks for sound recordings from: Kangaroovindaloo, Bonnyorbit, Kyles, Brunoauzet, Rthijs. Philbrice, Carlvus, 16GStepankovaS, Nature Notes UK, Kerouac21, jorickhoofd, Nielstii, Mlteenie, Robinhood76, NLM, Nagwense, Joedeshon, anthonyec, strongbot, klankbeeld, Philipmill6, Sageturtle
To find these and many more check out freesound.org and aporee.org
Open Waters
Up next, we’re wading back into local waters. Pat interviews his Aunt and Uncle about their interest in ocean swimming and the sublime, humbling and breathtaking beauty that can be discovered in the deep blue.
This story was produced by Patrick McKenzie.
Featuring interviews with Annette and Peter McKenzie.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Corey Green
The post #586 Wild Swimming appeared first on All The Best.
This week we feature two Australian-Turkish writers, who ruminate on the topic of belonging, home and immigration.
In their distinctive creative ways, Ela Pinar and Eda Gunaydin unpack the confusion of feeling homesick for a land that was never truly ‘home’ to begin with.
1.10 - In This Version of Home
First, Ela tells the story of her journey to Turkey, a place she does and doesn't call home.
Find Ela’s artist page on instagram at @elapinar__
This story was written, recited and produced by Ela Pinar
Sound design was by Ramon Briant
The Supervising Producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan
This story features music by Koray Kiliç
20:16 - Discussions on ‘Root and Branch’
Then, host Mads speaks to award-winning essayist and scholar Eda Gunaydin, to explore her understanding of home and homeland.
You can find Eda’s work in the Sydney Review of Books, The Age, Meanjin and elsewhere. Her book ‘Root and Branch: essays on inheritance’ is an incredible read we recommend you seek out at your local bookshop.
Follow Eda and keep an eye out for her next work at @edapresents
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Laura Luck
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about breaking the rules of modern society.
And just a heads up - it’s the punk episode - so there might be some swears.
Please Come to My Show
In our first story, we’re gonna hear from five people looking back at their young, punk selves, and how the politics, music, and spirit of this community has continued to shape their lives.
That story was produced by Mel Bakewell with production assistance by Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Thank you to all of the contributors to that piece, including Tim Steward.
A shout out to Charlie Fern and Jasper Craig-Adams, hosts at FBi Radio. You can catch Charlie on the Sunday Overhang and Jasper on Real to Reel Wednesdays.
The Ballad of Gary Bamford
Sometimes we encounter people who are like a portal to another world, who show us a completely new way to be. In our next story, Laura shares how a chance encounter with a man at a grocery store changes her life unexpectedly.
That story was produced by Laura Luck. Find more of her work at lauraluck.com
The Supervising Producer was Dan Semo.
Featuring music by Gary Bamford.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Laura Luck
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do you remember your first heartbreak? This week, three storytellers take us through their break up journeys and the sometimes strange and unexpected ways we move on.
Traffic
Our first story explores the way that memories of a relationship can replay in your mind, over and over, on loop.
Traffic was produced and performed by Bea.
With sound design by Gregory Thorsby.
The supervising producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Find more of Bea’s work by following them on Instagram bybea_._
Self Storage
Then, E looks to escape the echoes of a past relationship by ridding themselves of their last physical reminder.
Self Storage was written and performed by E Coffey.
With sound design by E Coffey and Gregory Thorsby.
E played Alex, Gregory played Paul & Pikachu Man and J. Chaplin played the ex.
The supervising producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
12 Parties Without You
In our final story we hear a break up across twelve parties.
12 Parties Without You was written and produced by Zacha Rosen, and read by Bethany Atkinson-Quinton,
With music by Dave Goldschmidt.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Music: Axl Audio
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week our storytellers compare their youthful expectations of life and love, to their less naive realities.
Rom Coms Ruined My Life
In our first story, Danni revisits the movies they loved as a teenager, and finds they don’t quite hold up to modern day scrutiny.
Produced by Danni Stewart.
Byron Bay, A Time and Place
Then, Holly shares the story of how she fell in love with Byron Bay, and the other loves she encountered on the way.
Written and performed by Holly English at Read To Me. Keep up to date with Read to me events on their instagram @readtome_ and see more of Holly’s work at www.hollyenglish.com.
Special thanks to Journey Green and Ramon Briant for recording the event.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Holly English
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about the bewitching power of cats, from spiritual companions to catalysts of chaos!
Running After Lulu
In our first story, Mike answers a call to adventure, or rather, makes one himself.
Produced by Mike Williams. This story was originally commissioned by transom.org. For more stories by Mike visit mikewilliams.com.au.
Meow To Be by Wing Kuang
The first time when Wing saw Alexander, she knew she was meant to meet him. They had a great time together, but it was also their destiny to farewell each other. Would it still be counted as a fate, if it was just temporary?
Producer: Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Sound Design: Mell Chun
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we're bringing you stories from a gathering of comics and cartoonists, known as Read to Me.
Millenial Falcon - Evie Hilliar
First up we hear from Read To Me co-producer Evie Hilliar about what makes Read To Me so special, before reading her tale Millenial Falcon. Find more of Evie's work at yeevz_ on Instagram.
The Blue Whale - Fionn McCabe
Then, we take you into the Knox Street Bar in Sydney to experience the vibes of this special community as Gabe Clark warms up the audience. You'll hear Read To Me co-founder Fionn McCabe delivering his brand new story, The Blue Whale.
If you're curious to see the beautiful visuals that accompanied Fionn's tale, you can find the graphic version published in the upcoming edition of The Suburban Review.
A Very Special Star - Thomas Crowe
Finally, animator Thomas Crowe takes us on a galactic journey of self-discovery with his piece, A Very Special Star.
A huge thank you to our contributors and the Read To Me team for sharing their stories with us - we can't wait for the next event in May and we hope to see you there too. Follow Read to Me on instagram at readtome_
If you have a creative community whose stories deserve to be broadcast far and wide, we'd love to hear about it! Reach out to us at www.allthebestradio.com
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Recording: Journey Green
Event mixing: Ramon Briant
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we're taking you into the artists’ studio, sharing the stories of artists that weren't always celebrated by traditional Australian art institutions…until recently.
By venturing into the studio, we discover personal stories and the way these artist's encourage us to interrogate our ways of thinking and spark new self-awareness or insight.
William Yang
First we’re meeting William Yang, a photographer known for capturing Sydney’s gay scene, investigating Chinese heritage and more.
If you’re interested in seeing some of William Yang’s work, it will be showing from 9th March to 10th June as part of the AGNSW Biennale exhibition.
Produced by Nicholas Adams-Dzierzba
With additional production by Mel Bakewell
Olana Janfa
Then, we head to the studio of Naarm-based artist Olana Janfa. Olana shares how his journey, inspirations and experiences as an Ethiopian immigrant has shaped his career path and personal perspective as an artist.
Produced by Mel Bakewell with music by Podington Bear.
You can see more of Olana’s work on his Instagfram, @janhf_bless or at his website https://www.olanajanfa.com/about
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we're bringing you a feature length piece about the Country Women’s Association and the F Word...that's right, Feminism!
The CWA is at the heart of rural traditional values, so when a young, urban feminist comes knocking on their door, will there be a place for her in the organisation?
Find out as Alice Ansara gives us a personal insight into a woman’s place in a small country town.
Produced by Alice Ansara of 2EAR, Eurobodalla.
Supervising production by Sharon Davis.
It was originally produced as part of the CBAA’s 2019 National Feature and Documentary Series.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we explore … silence...through a feature length experimental audio piece.
Audio Club
If you haven’t already seen our socials, All The Best has started an audio club. Each month we're sharing a new prompt and this time it's the ‘sound of silence'.
First up we hear an Audio Club story from Ramon Briant about the beautiful things we can discover when we pay attention to the spaces in-between sounds.
You can learn more and get involved with Audio Club here.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Drive
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Drive ventures into the abstract where memory becomes a shattered mirror of intangible realities. A deconstruction and reconstruction, the audio weaves together disparate threads of voices and experiences into a tapestry of disjointed narratives.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Drive was created as a fourth year media project at the University of Sydney.
It was recorded and produced by Jenae Madden in 2023.
Photo Credit: Jenae Madden
Content Warning: This story contains reference to involuntary psychiatric treatment.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re taking you back to a special event that took place in October 2023 - the Sydney Poetry Slam Championships.
A content warning, the stories include references to struggling with mental health, self harm and suicidal ideation.
These poems are written and performed by: Sarah Lock, Anastasia, Andrew Cox, Sabine, Danielle, E3, Maddy Godfrey, Ifeoma and Sonia.
The recordist was Stewart Geddes.
A big thanks to the Word Travels team for making this episode possible.
You can find out more about Word Travels at: www.wordtravels.info
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As we settle into the new year, whether it’s back to the office or the classroom, we’re bringing you some stories from the All The Best Archives.
A heads up, this episode contains some swears.
The Eyebrow Incident by Alyssa Bermudez
The popular girls, increased body hair and mortal embarrassment — these are the necessary elements for a preteen drama.
Sound Recordist: Michael Brydon
This story was recorded at Read To Me Hobart, which was organised by Joshua Santospirito. Read To Me is a live visual storytelling event and you can check out their Facebook page @readtomereadtome to be in the loop for their upcoming events.
That Time I was in Detention by Danni Stewart
School rules can be hard to follow. So, for some of us, this means we end up in detention.
Music: ‘Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2’ by Pink Floyd, ‘Les sports imaginaries’ by Charlene Darling, ‘Tik Tok’ by Kesha (cover by Avril Lavigne), ‘Smells LIke Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana (cover by Patti Smith), ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ by Simple Minds
Additional sound design: Pip Leason
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan with Erin Dick
Growing Pains by Sapphire Sheedy
Sandy and Sapphire spent a day beyond the bars of the school gates. It was filled with feasts, adventures through scrubland and a tame horse. But something didn’t smell right.
Music: ‘Noahs Stark’ by krackatoa, ‘The First of the Year’ by CJ Lavoire, ‘Angela Climbs a Boulder at Horn Creek, the Sun Sets, the Bat Flies By’ by Aaron Ximm, ‘Isma Roktar’ by Thiaz Itch, ‘Here She Comes Now’ by Velvet Underground
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Secret Superstars by Yichen Wu
Performing for the whole class causes some people stage fright. But not this particular student.
Special thanks to Gretchen Miller and Tina Matolov for their production guidance and feedback.
—
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mixer and Compiler: Elina Godwin
Host: Samantha Groth
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
SYN Community Coordinator: Erin Dick
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Daiga Ellaby
Music: ‘High School Hero’ by Wharves
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re bringing you a piece that explores Chilean diasporic constellations between grandmother, mother and grandchild.
‘Grandmotherland’ follows Jasmine’s journey to her grandmother's homeland and her exploration of ‘diasporic dysphoria’ or an indefinable sense of dislocation from cultural heritage.
Grandmotherland
‘Grandmotherland’ is an exploration into music and it’s influence on memory and cultural belonging. For Jasmine, Chile is her maternal homeland—the country where her mum and her mum’s family were born—though it has always felt impossible to claim. Since immigrating to Australia, her family’s memory of Chile is Jasmine’s closest connection to her culture.
A 30-year-old tape of her grandma singing with friends reignites Jasmine’s curiosity, and she and her mum, Gilda, travel to Chile for the first time in September 2023. Through their travels, they encounter people, places and music that bonds them closer to Chile and the memory of their family.
Producer: Jasmine Alavuk
Supervising Producer: Thomas Lu
Music:
Si Vas Para Chile by Silvia Infantas y Los Condores
Arriba en La Cordillera by Patricio Manns
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
Interviewee: Jasmine Alavuk
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you stories about food, cooking and the richness it brings to our lives.
Food warms bellies, embodies memories and generates some pretty great stories!
Discovering Koshari
First up, Shivika Gupta, our resident food expert here at FBi Radio, tells us about one of her all-time favourite culinary delights - Koshari.
You can hear more foodie stories from Shivika by tuning into 'Snack Time', a segment on 'Up For It' every Wednesday mornings on FBi Radio.
Plus, follow her instagram handle ‘The Hungry Sprouts’ for community-focused and vegetarian tips on where to dine in Sydney.
Patricia from Paraguay
Then, we share the story of Patricia from Paraguay. Patricia invites us into her world of culinary delights and shares her remarkable journey of embracing her love for cooking and starting a small food struck business called Salsa Sol, in Tasmania.
This story was originally from 177 Nations of Tasmania, a podcast by Mark Thomson.
To hear the full episode head to www.markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 Nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you some yarns from SPUN stories, an event held in the northern territory in front of a live audience. These stories are all about mothers.
A Mother's Love
First, Eileen, aRembarrnga Ngalakan woman from Central Arnhem Land, shares her experience of being stolen from her mother as a child of the stolen generations.
Written & Performed by Dr Eileen Cummings.
Seeing My Mum...
Then, Donelle, an Aboriginal Education Worker, tells stories of her mother - from a few moments of mischief to the many moments of strength.
Written & Performed by Donelle Dingo.
All The Best Credits
Mix & Compile by: Sebastien Fijac
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Image: Dr. Eileen Cummings
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There’s no one universal story of COVID times. As much as it was a global pandemic, it was also a local story. For the town of Bega, the impacts of Covid on a local scale were intertwined with the devastation of bushfires.
This story comes from an episode of ‘Hope Loss Resilience’ a podcast series produced by local audiomaker Craig Garrett as part of the Bega Valley Shire Library’s Talking Together oral histories project.
Listen to further episodes: Hope Loss Resilience Podcast
Craig's collaborated with organisations including the Migration Museum and Speaking Volumes (UK); the CBAA (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia); the Digital Writers’ Festival (Melb); Ranu Welum (Indonesia); the QLD Poetry Festival, Vulcana Women’s Circus and House Conspiracy (Bris); and Noted Festival (Canberra).
The Talking Together project was funded under the joint Australian Government–NSW Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 through the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
All The Best Credits
Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, connecting to the natural world through birds.
This episode explores ideas of how we can be more mindful of our surroundings, that there is beauty in the Natural world everywhere you look. It also encourages us to take action in protecting the landscapes we love in order for the natural world to thrive.
Rainforest
First we hear a beautiful soundscape featuring birdsong.
This project builds on previous research interest in topics such as soundscapes, spatial audio, and health and well-being.
The first piece is entitled 'Rainforest', we also hear a segment from the second piece 'Beach'.
Produced by Sebastien Fijac.
Guess Hoo
Powerful Owls are the ghost birds of the Sydney cityscape — you’d be lucky to spot one without help. And even then, the bird-watching community likes to keep Powerful Owl locations on the down low to protect them.
Amelia, a self-confessed “bird nerd”, has never seen any type of owl in the wild but maybe that is all about to change.
Produced by Amelia Mertha
Supervising Producer Maddy Macquine
Featuring interviews with Graeme Robinson, Stephanie Chambers, Louise Turnbull, Areebah Mirza and Steve.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re playing two more stories from the Black Snapper International Audio Competition.
First up, a college email catastrophe...
The Bello Tolls for Thee
On 9th October 2014, students at University College, London, received an email from their provost via the all-students list.
It consisted of a single word: “bello!”. Soon students discovered that everyone was able to reply all to the initial email, and have their message sent to UCL’s 40,000 strong student body. Unsurprisingly, chaos ensued.
Produced by Nadia Mehdi.
Amongst the Sheep
What does it mean to be autistic? Our second story explores this question.
Kieren was diagnosed as an adult, and is finding it a difficult question to answer. In this feature Kieren sits down with family and friends to try to make sense of his past, and discover what it means to be autistic in an unforgiving, neurotypical world.
Produced by Kieren Davis.
Find out more about the Black Snapper International Audio Competition and discover a playlist with more shortlisted entries at www.blacksnapper.org
All The Best Credits
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you two stories from our regular partner Queerstories.
Safe House by Patrick Abboud
First up after a wild night of partying among fellow closeted friends, Patrick nearly loses the safe haven he has carefully created.
A warning that this story includes some swearing.
Slut by Steven Oliver
A heads up that this story contains swears, references to drug use and sex. Steven has so many slutty stories to tell – but somehow he whittles it down to three…
All The Best Credits
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On December 14th, All the Best set up an audio storytelling installation at the Powerhouse Museum’s after-hours event ‘Powerhouse Late’.
We invited attendees to take the mic and share the things they’ll never forget from 2023, and their hopes and aspirations for 2024.
First up, Nat shares how a medical diagnosis that left them feeling a bit lost, led to the discovery of a new passion. Then, Elise shares the rollercoaster series of events that unfolded on her holiday.
Turning to 2024, Marie shares her dream travel plans for a special birthday.
Also looking to the new year, Trey and Theo drew on their creative practices to write letters to their future selves.
Poet Ying shared a reading of her beautiful work 'Bloom' traversing the climate anxiety that shrouds our present and future.
Finally, FBi Radio volunteer and All the Best Community Coordinator Patrick, who shared his New Year's ritual.
Thank you to all of our story contributors and to the team at the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo for facilitating this night of story-making and telling.
All The Best Credits
Recordist: Harvey O'Sullivan
Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Story Factory is a not-for-profit creative writing center that engages hundreds of young people in under-resourced communities across Sydney and NSW every year.
They are a champion for young writers and as a program that values emerging audio creators, we are so excited about this partnership!
In this episode, you’ll hear an eclectic mix of prose and poetry - from love-song mashups to tender reflections on personal identity. From tales of the sparkling vista of Rio de Janeiro, to the buzzing LED-lights of nightclub bathrooms.
The readings took place at Story Factory Parramatta in October 2023. You'll hear:
Antoinette Luu - “Dinner Talk”
Hayden Field - “Consumed”
Christos Floratos - 'Body of Water' and 'Kookaburras'
Aamina Musthafa - “Let Me Be”
Saarah Gierdien - “Love songs”
Israa Merhi - “Generational Ingredients"
Annabella Luu - “After Sounds”
Bea - “DJs had us falling”
Atoc Malou - “Rio de Janeiro”
Isaiah T Soares - “Cabramatta House"
Interview with Richard Short - Storyteller-In-Chief, Story Factory
Thank you to Story Factory and congratulations to the truly wonderful storytellers published in Platform.
You can find even more writings from young artists and get involved with Story Factory programs, at www.storyfactory.org.au.
A copy of 'Platform' can be purchased here.
All The Best Credits
Recordist: Lana Lusina
Mix & Compile by: Sebastien Fijac
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you another feature from our partnership with the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’.
This week’s story belongs to Ali from Lebanon. Ali spent his childhood in Beirut, a city that was once a pearl of the SWANA region torn apart by violence. However, it wasn’t the war but a series of unexpected events that led Ali all the way to the other side of the world to raise a family in Tasmania…
Ali paints a vivid picture of Beirut in the 1980s and the changing fortunes of Lebanon in the 20th century.
Content Warning: This story involves descriptions of war.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager, Mix & Compile by: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Black Snapper International Film Festival is the first festival of its kind in Australia. This year they’re also hosting a landmark international student audio competition.
All the Best are partnering with the team at Black Snapper to bring you a couple of stories that we believe are great examples of the art of audio storytelling.
The Sound of Silence
The Sounds of Silence is an audio documentary by Phan Dieu Linh To, also known as Liz, focusing on the real-life experiences of war victims in Vietnam. The piece is an evocative soundscape that mixes history and memory in an act of defiance against media manipulation and the suppression of human voices in depictions of war.
Liz, is currently pursuing her Master's degree at Macquarie University in Australia and works as a visual designer in Sydney, with a focus on graphic design, layout design, film, and video production.
Written & produced by Phan Dieu Linh To.
A Moonlight Memory
In this vivid soundscape, Salma travels back in time to an evening in her childhood, growing up in Kano, Nigeria in the 1970’s. Coming home from Christian Missionary school as the sun sets, Salma walks up the garden…
Featuring Salma Ahmed Caller
Sounds from YleArkisto, reinsamba, Benboncan, Julius_galla, Straget, FaireDesVagues and SoundLover16 on freesound.org
Produced by Taqwa Sadiq
This story was originally produced for Short Cuts, a Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager, Mix & Compile by: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing stories about coastal creatures.
We’ll meet a couple of underwater explorers and discover some of the unexpected ways we’re all interconnected.
Looking for Blueback
Follow Amelia on a wild fish chase! She's embarking on a quest to fulfil a childhood dream - meeting a Blue Groper.
Produced by Amelia Mertha
Sharks, Microbes & Me
This week is Coastcare week - an annual campaign that recognises the Australians actively restoring and protecting our coastline.
We had the joy of meeting one of these wonderful people - Sian Liddy - a marine ecologist currently completing her PhD on the ecology of sharks at the University of Sydney.
Sian shared a day in the life of a marine ecologist, why sharks have a PR problem and some of the ways we can help protect our beautiful coastal environment.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager, Mix & Compile by: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, the story of an investigation into the inter-country adoption process in South Korea.
Since the end of the Korean War, over 200,000 South Korean babies and children have been adopted overseas under one of the largest and longest running inter-country adoption programs in the world. Many of these adoptees are asking questions about the systems and practices that have shaped the course of their lives.
Paper Orphans
This piece was produced as a two-part series for the 2023 Signal Boost feature series.
Produced by Kelly Bartholomeusz.
Mentoring support provided by Karishma Luthria.
The Signal Boost Podcast is presented by the Wheeler Centre and made possible by the generous support of the Ian Potter Foundation.
You can find out more at www.wheelercentre.com/signal-boost.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing the second part of Strong Stories of the Weak. A live storytelling event we put on with Word Travels for their 2023 Story Week, featuring live music from local composer Elizabeth Jigalin.
In a Heartbeat
Have you ever messed up so badly you just wanted to sink into the floor and disappear? Our first storyteller has….
Ruth’s a professional writer, oral historian and a nurse. Tonight her story takes us into the life-and-death arena of the operating theatre!
Written and performed by Ruth Melville.
Pressure
Writer, performer and artist of Indigenous Papua New Guinean heritage Lungol Wekina reflects on the strength we can find in the face of adversity and the way this intersects with Indigenous identities.
Written and performed by Lungol Wekina.
Beyond Goodbyes
Storyteller of Darug and Quechua heritage Lucy Norton reflects on grief and loss.
Written and performed by Lucy Norton.
All The Best Credits
Composer and Musician: Elizabeth Jigalin
Recordist: Harvey O'Sullivan
Strong Stories of the Weak Creative Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Strong Stories of the Weak Project Manager: Patrick McKenzie
Compiled and mixed by Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Photo Credit: DefinitelyDefne Photography.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing the stories recorded at Strong Stories of the Weak. A live storytelling event put on with the help of Word Travels for their 2023 Story Week.
Six people with powerful stories let us into their foibles, moments of vulnerability and minor catastrophes, with stunning scoring by local composer and artist Elizabith Jigalin.
We’re bringing you three tales this week, and you’ll be able to catch the rest next week in part two.
Cry Baby President
First up, All the Best host Madhuraa kicked off the night with a personal narrative of self-discovery.
Written & performed by Madhuraa Prakash.
Cover Story
Jared weaves a fictional tale about the glare of fame and the toils of being the least popular member of a boy band.
Written & performed by Jared Richards.
Antarctica
Dylin Hardcastle opens up and shares a true story of the journey that led them to Antarctica.
Written & performed by Dylin Hardcastle.
All The Best Credits
Composer and Musician: Elizabeth Jigalin
Recordist: Harvey O'Sullivan
Strong Stories of the Weak Creative Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Strong Stories of the Weak Project Manager: Patrick McKenzie
Compiled and mixed by Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re re-sharing this episode from our archives for two reasons.
Firstly, because it’s Halloween season.
Secondly, because the horrors depicted, especially that of Islamophobia and racism, are sadly extremely relevant today.
The stories come from a variety show called 'Horror of the Everyday' by producers from Refugee Art Project and New Moon artist collective. These stories were made with support from inner west council and co-produced by Mike Williams.
A content warning for this episode, the stories will contain discussions of racism, Islamophobia and sexual harassment.
Street Harassment
Eleni discusses street harassment in Cyprus with Eleni and her friend Fatima.
Produced by Eleni Christou from New Moon Artist Collective.
Everyday Racism
Zeinab ponders the impacts of racism on a question as old as Shakespeare - what’s in a name?
Produced by Zeinab Mir from the Refugee Art Project.
Hazeen
An interview with members of Hazeen, an anti racist Muslim death metal band.
Produced by Safdar Ahmed from the Refugee Art Project.
A message from All the Best <3
Are you a fan of All The Best and want to support our work sharing unheard stories from around the country? Head to your podcast app and hit subscribe or give us a rating or review. Not only does it help others discover All the Best, but it also gives us a chance to hear from you!
All The Best Credits
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They say home is where the heart is...but is it ever that simple? This week we follow a couple's dramatic attempts to get a foot on the property ladder, then a heartfelt reflection on saying goodbye to a family home.
On The Ladder
Our first story explores young people navigating the housing market.
Written and edited by Lucy Bailey.
Supervising Producer Evanna Ho.
Voice acting by Nicole Alcantara, George McMillian, Echo Lyu and Lucy Bailey.
Our House Breathing
In our next story, when selling their house of almost 30 years, Tiarne’s family reflect on their memories of the place they called home, and face the uncertainty of their futures.
Produced by Tiarne Cook.
Supervising Producer Eugenia Zoubtchenko.
All The Best Credits
Compiled and mixed by Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we're bringing you stories from stellar wordsmiths at the Sydney Final of the Australian Poetry Slam Competition 2023 - hosted by Word Travels.
Through months of heats – Mt Druitt to Double Bay, Northern Beaches to Newtown – these lyricists gathered at Customs House to compete for the crown of Sydney Slam Champion.
We’ve selected some of the highlight performances from the evening for your enjoyment.
You'll hear performances by Andrew Cox, Maddy Godfrey, Lily, JMO and E3. And music by John Maddox.
Content warning: The stories include references to struggling with mental health, self harm and suicidal ideation.
Credits
Produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan.
Compiled and mixed by Darcy Allen.
The recordist was Stewart Geddes.
A special thanks to the Word Travels team for making this episode possible.
You can find out more about Story Week and the Australian Poetry Slam Championship at: www.wordtravels.info
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's episode is all about animals. First up, the heroic efforts of the Community Cat Carers and their work on the streets of Sydney turning the lives of cats and kittens around. Next, Elina explores the complex and intricate matriarchy of bees.
Content Warning: This story contains some talk of harm to animals.
Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Music: Original Score by Ryan Pemberton
Additional Music Sourced from Blue Dot Sessions.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY CAT CAREERS, DONATE AND SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AT https://community-cat-carers-inc.raisely.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you another yarn from Bla Mela Stori, a program by Katherine Regional Arts.
Robin Rogers
Robin Rogers describes the huge cultural shifts he has witnessed in his lifetime.
Produced by Ernest Junior Daniels.
Bla Mela Stori aim to empower young Indigenous people from remote areas to produce audio stories meaningful to them.
It was made as part of the Bla Mela Stori project, a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territories.
Stories in this program were produced with the support of the Australian Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund (RISE).
All The Best credits:
Compile and mixed by Sebastien Fijac
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about people’s connection to their homeland.
Chasing an 8pm Bedtime by Rosealee Pearson
In our first story, Rosealee shares her exciting life as a dancer touring internationally and the events that lead to her return home.
A warning that this story contains some swears and references to struggling with mental health.
Story byRosealee Pearson
Bosnia and the Blue Light Disco by Lari Gadza
Lari talks about growing up in Darwin and travelling the world, somehow always skirting the one place that had broken her father's heart.
This story contains brief references to sex and teenage pregnancy.
Story by Lari Gadza
These stories were originally performed at SPUN, a live storytelling night held in Darwin. To hear more pieces from SPUN head to spunstories.net
Hometowns across the globe // Hometowns across Australia
We head into the All the Best archives to hear sounds and stories from various contributors and their hometowns.
Sound recording for these pieces were by Ange Glindemann, Lee Yee, Selena Shannon, Zacha Rosen, Bec Fary and Allison Chan.
ALL THE BEST LIVE: STRONG STORIES OF THE WEAK - OCT 3RD
FBi Radio’s All The Best teams up with Word Travels to present a night of vulnerable storytelling in front of a live audience with Strong Stories of the Weak, part of Story Week 2023 – Be Heard. Be Seen.
Featuring performances by Dylin Hardcastle, Madhuraa Prakash, Jared Richards, Ruth Melville and more, with live music from Elizabeth Jigalin.
Happening on October 3 at East Sydney Community Centre in Darlinghurst. Tickets available from Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/strong-stories-of-the-weak-story-week-2023
Use the discount code SWCOMMUNITY for an All The Best discount.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is a dark matter, to you? Darkness is so dependent on the individuals perception.
This week, we are once again bringing you stories inspired by ‘dark matter’ from the Masters of Journalism students at the University of Melbourne.
A warning that one of our tales contains themes of child abuse and slavery.
Story One - Anaesthetics
Anaesthetics was first used in the 1840s and has become a super common medical procedure. But it’s hasn’t always been widely understood. But as scientists and researchers uncover the deep mysteries of what happens to our brain under anaesthetic, turns out there’s may dark side to the practice that’s effecting elderly people.
Professor Bruno (he/him) is a research fellow at the University of Queensland who completed his PhD in evolutionary and population biology.
Produced by Valentina Boulter
Story Two - Child Marriage
Our next story shares the lives of two women from China who were forced into child marriage and have courageously chosen to speak about their experiences. A warning that this story contains themes of child abuse and slavery.
Produced by Yan Li
Story Three - Melbourne's Past
Next up, a deep dive into an aspect of Melbourne history that isn’t regularly spoken about and a reflection about its relevance in the world today.
Produced by Timothy Evetts
Story Four - Biphobia
This next story shares the origins and impacts of biphobia in both Australian and Chinese cultural contexts.
Produced by Nuoxin Li
Story Five - Astrology
For our last story we’re sharing a look into the pre-colonial roots of astrology and its importance in certain South Asian cultures.
Produced by Filament Ho
All The Best credits:
Compiled & Mixed by: Sebastian Fijac
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Supervising production for all of today’s stories were by Sami Shah, Daniel Semo and Mell Chun.
Join the Team!
All The Best is hiring! Check out the role descriptions & how to apply at https://allthebestradio.com/join-the-team/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we hear from two incredible entertainers about the extraordinary women they have known.
A Tale of Two Women - told by Eddie Ayres
In our first story, Eddie Ayres (also known as Ed Le Brocq) looks to the past to share stories of bravery from queer women in the 1960s.
Eddie is a musician and writer known for presenting a popular radio program on ABC Classic FM.
If this story has brought up anything for you, help is available. Call lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for 24 hour support
To My Mother - told by Fahad Ali
Then, Fahad remembers what it took for his mother to finally meet one of his boyfriends.
Fahad Ali is a molecular biologist, science educator, and writer. He is a member of the Palestinian diaspora, a co-founder of the Queer Solidarity Film Festival and the Muslims for Marriage Equality campaign group, and a community advocate and organiser. He performed this piece at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta then again at the Sydney Opera House for All About Women.
Today's stories come from the Queerstories podcast, the recorded version of the live LGBTQIA+ storytelling night. To hear more or learn about the upcoming Queerstories book, head to www.queerstories.com
UPCOMING QUEERSTORIES EVENT
Oct 5 2023
The next Queerstories event is October 5 at The Grand Electric featuring Narelda Jacobs, Anna Piper Scott, Kirly Saunders, and more to be announced. Keep an eye out for details at maevemarsden.com
JOIN THE ALL THE BEST TEAM!
Recruiting Supervising Producers
📣 All The Best is recruiting new Supervising Producers! This is a part-paid, part-volunteer mentorship role with heaps of flexibility.
If you, or someone you know, is passionate about mentoring and shaping new opportunities for the Australian audiomaker community, send a CV to Mell at em@allthebestradio.com.
Details are at: https://allthebestradio.com/join-the-team/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we hear from two incredible entertainers about the extraordinary women they have known. A Tale of Two Women – told by Eddie Ayres In our first story, Eddie Ayres (also known as Ed Le Brocq) looks to the past to share stories of bravery from queer women in the 1960s. Eddie is a […]
The post #552 Queerstories: The extraordinary women in my life appeared first on All The Best.
This week we’re bringing you stories from students at the Western Sydney University. The students have been studying the fundamentals of podcasting, giving them the expertise needed to produce their own podcast feature.
Each story involves a unique topic and perspective but are all linked by an exploration about the way we as people relate to each other and the world around us...
The cost of the cost-of-living
First, we face up to a discussion about how the cost of living crisis in Australia is impacting young people both at the moment and in the future.
Produced by Riley Birt.
One of da boiiz
Have you ever tried to fit-in so badly that you've made some questionable choices? Up next we hear the unexpected sacrifices Nico made as a young queer trying to fit in with his heterosexual classmates.
Produced by Nico Bruni.
The Heart and Soul Podcast
In our final story, Chris interviews friends and reflects on his life as part of a quest to find spiritual solitude.
Produced by Chris Mallas.
These stories are student works, made for the subject Pitch: Podcasting Essentials at Western Sydney University facilitated by Dr Roger Dawkins, with special thanks to Tegan Nicholls for being the tutor in 2023.
Find out more by searching for “2047 Pitch: Podcasting Essentials” at the Western Sydney Uni website.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Unheard Story Pitches
Interested in making a story with All The Best? We've extended the deadline for "Unheard story" pitches until September 11th. Apply here: https://forms.gle/4ShMB5SAsPTJJpTS8
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's stories about birds and beetles will bring you up close and personal with some critters and creatures.
The Retirement
You probably think you’re too good for beetles. Algernon has lived underground for so long that his body is completely numb. The only part of his body that can sense is the inside of his mouth, through which he experiences all things. His world is texture, flavour, heat, vibration. In confidence, he tells us about his life.
Written and produced by Zoe Le Marinel
Sound design by Lana Lusina. Discover more of her work here lanalusina.carrd.co
Voice acting by Peter Lloyd
Supervising Producer by Phoebe Adler-Ryan
A warning for misophonia as there are sounds like lip smacking in this story, a bit of disturbing imagery and a lot of detailed insect talk.
This is an immersive story that comes to life through headphones. So if you have some nearby, we recommend that you plug them in when having a listen.
The Nightingale Man
When Selena moved from sunny Sydney to the dark depths of Swedish winter, she sometimes asked herself why she decided to migrate, even for only 6 months, to a place where the night never really transitions into day. But her experience and her perspective changed when she followed The Nightingale Man to Berlin...
Produced by Selena Shannon
Thanks to Zacha Rosen and Bec Fary for their feedback.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Unheard Story Pitches
Interested in making a story with All The Best? We've extended the deadline for "Unheard story" pitches until September 11th. Apply here: https://forms.gle/4ShMB5SAsPTJJpTS8
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we're bringing you stories that consist of a leap of faith.
Pulpit to Plinth: There's power in blood
In our first story Matthew recounts his journey from a youth of worshiping a terrifying and charismatic God to an adulthood worshiping glitter and revelry.
This story was told by Matthew van Roden.
That story was told by Matthew van Rodden as part of SPUN, a live storytelling night based in Darwin. To hear more head to www.spunstories.net
'Does my bum look big in this?'
If you needed to strip in front of your mates, could you do it? Casual nudity in female-identifying friendships is taboo and rooted in imposed societal expectations. This story is about the awkwardness and empowerment of learning to be vulnerable in front of your galpals – all while stark naked.
Produced by Millie Roberts.
The Supervising producer was Sara Mashman.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you stories that consist of a leap of faith. Pulpit to Plinth: There’s power in blood In our first story Matthew recounts his journey from a youth of worshiping a terrifying and charismatic God to an adulthood worshiping glitter and revelry. This story was told by Matthew van Roden. That story […]
The post #549 – A Leap of Faith appeared first on All The Best.
This week we're sharing another yarn from Bla Mela Stori from Grant Thompson. Grant works at the Ngukurr Language Centre to save his endangered Indigenous language - Ngandi.
Language Man
In this story Grant explains why it's so important to keep language strong and how he went about revitalising Ngandi.
This story was produced by Angelina Joshua.
It was made as part of the Bla Mela Stori project, a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territories.
Stories in this program were produced with the support of the Australian Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund (RISE).
Image from the Ngukurr Language Centre.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best, stories about family - the messy, complicated and gorgeous humans who make us who we are.
Sounds of Family by Michael Everitt
Our first story is an exploration of the sounds that a new parent encounters in everyday life. The story’s producer, Michael, calls it a love letter to mark the arrival of his daughter.
This story was produced by Michael Everitt.
Daniel Semo was the supervising producer.
No such thing as normal by John Price
Our next story takes another look at family and parenthood, illustrating how community care can stand in for family structure.
John grew up in Geelong as the middle child in a family of seven. His home was always full of people coming and going. One evening, at a party in Katherine, a dark-haired woman caught his eye and almost two decades on, John has his own story about big family...
This story was told by John Price in August 2017 at SPUN’s Darwin Festival themed 'Home'.
SPUN is a live storytelling event showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory. You can listen to more at www.spunstories.net
‘Migrant Mums: Far From Ordinary’ by Heidi Tai
Growing up, Heidi always thought that her mum was ordinary. She never finished high school, never went to university, and held the same job in the same industry for over 30 years.
Heidi shares the challenges of migration and how, through all the struggles, she was able to learn that her mum was far from ordinary.
That story was produced by Heidi Tai.
Allison Chan was the supervising producer.
Sound design was by Gregory Thorsby.
Become an All The Best Storymaker!
FBi Radio's premier storytelling programme All The Best is looking for its next round of UNHEARD stories and everyone is welcome!
Selected story-makers will receive $200, the support of an All The Best Supervising Producer Mentor, access to resources to make an audio story and the opportunity to have your finished work nationally broadcast.
All levels of experience and story-genres are welcome.
Applications close on Monday August 28th - apply here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing the story of Jenny Williams from Slovakia. Jenny is an author who has written multiple books of her experiences growing up in and later fleeing from what was then known as Czechoslovakia.
This story was originally from 177 Nations of Tasmania, a podcast by Mark Thomson.
To hear the full episode head to www.markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 Nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here.
Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing a couple of pieces from iconic LGBTQI+ Storytelling night ‘Queerstories’. Hosted and curated by Maeve Marsden, Queerstories is a place where you’ll find true stories told by queer and trans people from all over the country all about their lives, loves and losses.
Cry-baby President
First, you’re going to hear All The Best host Mads! This is the story of the trials she went through as president..….of a University United Nations Society.
Story read by Madhuraa Prakash
The Pipe Masters
Then, Bobuq shares their experiences of an eat-pray-love-style trip to Hawaii, that leads some unexpected lessons about humans and queerness.
Story read by Bobuq Sayed
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Upcoming Queerstories Event!
The next Queerstories live show is going to be at The Grand Electric in Redfern on the 3rd of August.
Go get your tickets on the moshtix website, just search ‘queerstories’.
To learn more about Queerstories or listen to the podcast you can head to queerstories.com.au
All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here.
Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing a couple of pieces from iconic LGBTQI+ Storytelling night ‘Queerstories’. Hosted and curated by Maeve Marsden, Queerstories is a place where you’ll find true stories told by queer and trans people from all over the country all about their lives, loves and losses. Cry-baby President First, you’re going to hear All […]
The post #545 Eat, Pray, Gay – Queerstories Special appeared first on All The Best.
‘Dark matter’ is a component of the universe that scientists say encompasses 80% of its makeup.
It doesn’t emit light and is therefore invisible and it cannot be detected by electromagnetic or other means.
Scientists say dark matter exists, not because they’ve encountered it but because it doesn’t make sense for the rest of the universe to exist without it.
The students of the Master of Journalism at the University of Melbourne were tasked with creating an audio story using the term ‘dark matter’ as inspiration. As part of All the Best’s annual collaboration with these students we have chosen some of our favorites to share with you.
1 - Psilocybin
Amelia investigates Australia’s journey into legalising psychedelic assisted therapies, where MDMA and magic mushrooms could be used to treat severe PTSD and depression.
Produced by Amelia Costigan
2 - Taboo
Our next story focuses on the idea of ‘taboo’, a term that has a long history from ancient religious societies. But despite this history are taboos still relevant in contemporary society? Or they just a way for families to maintain control?
Produced by Li Guangao
3 - New Parents
Post-natal depression and anxiety is a common issue suffered by new parents, but is rarely talked about in the mainstream. Our next story explores the toll this isolating feeling can take on the people bringing new life into the world.
Produced by Angelina Maroulis
4 - A Light in Dark Times
Our final piece is the story of Sarah Chien. Sarah is an international student from Taiwan who used her creativity and connection to culture to create a light for herself in the darkest of times.
Produced by Chung-Yun Hsu
Supervising production for these stories were by Sami Shah, Daniel Semo and Mell Chun.
Music: Dark Matters by Leftfield
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here.
Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
‘Dark matter’ is a component of the universe that scientists say encompasses 80% of its makeup. It doesn’t emit light and is therefore invisible and it cannot be detected by electromagnetic or other means. Scientists say dark matter exists, not because they’ve encountered it but because it doesn’t make sense for the rest of the […]
The post 544 Dark Matter – Melbourne Uni Stories appeared first on All The Best.
This week, our final instalment from our partnership with Debris Magazine.
We began our relationship with Debris last year after featuring some of the recorded pieces from Issue #2.
This year our relationship has expanded with All the Best pairing our volunteer sound designers with writers from the magazine. We love the result of this partnership and we hope it continues into the future.
Julia Flaster Interview with host Madhuraa Prakash
First, host Mads speaks to Debris co-founder and creative director Julia Flaster about the effects of bringing written pieces to the audio realm.
'Dad Odyssey' by Scott Limbrick
Then, our final debris submission from issue #3. In this piece, a young man protagonist embark on a quest to rescue his father from a spiral of military history fanaticism.
Editing and sound design were by Reuben Ryan.
You can check out more of Scott’s writing at scottlimbrick.com
Content Warning: This story contains some swears.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Audio is a great medium to use for fictional storytelling. It can be used to heighten feelings of escapism or to tell a story in ways that cannot be done through video or the written word.
It’s always a joy to share the creative contributions of our audio fiction producers, and these ones embody the oddly familiar...
And if you’re interested in producing experimental audio, keep an ear out as we may have a workshop coming up that would be perfect for you!
‘Fish’ by Cristina Marras
Sometimes an image in a dream feels important. You wake up feeling compelled to write it down before it slips away amidst your morning thoughts.
Cristina recalls a menacing fish, nightmares from when she was a child and fragments of cartoons that mix up with images of friends, lost or out of reach. She, like everybody else, tries to come to terms with a new reality that makes it impossible to move freely.
Producer: Cristina Marras
Music: ‘Last energy for the day’ by Loyalty Freak Music, ‘Creepy bell music #1’ by Magmi.Soundtra, ‘Lonely v26bb-3’ by Setuniman, ‘Haunting 2’ by joaonts.
‘Employee Concerns Hotline’ by Rowen Midello and Ollie Krusec
Strange things happen on night shifts.
In this story inspired by The Uncanny and late capitalism, a supermarket employee calls up the internal complaint hotline and is met with a cheerful automated message. But the events of the night shift are far from cheerful.
Writer: Rowen Midello
Sound designer: Ollie Krusec
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Performed by Rowen Midello, Ollie Krusec, Meg Kelly and Paul Waxman
Music: ‘Hold Music’ by Steven Combs
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
FBi Volunteer Story Call Out
Met the love of your life through a mutual love of FBi? Been listening to the station all day, every day, since 2003?
This year for FBi’s 20th birthday, All the Best wants stories about how FBi Radio has impacted YOU. We’re looking for any kind of novel, weird or exciting experience that involves FBi. Reach out by emailing production manager Phoebe at pm@allthebestradio.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
An emulsion is a mixture of two liquids that are usually immiscible, that is, unable to be mixed - like oil and vinegar. An emulsion can be beautiful or functional, but at the same time slightly wrong and in some cases, like when milk is split, off putting. This week’s stories bring you this contradiction.
Dissolution
Our first story is from Jumaana Abdu, 2023 Dal Stivens Award winner and runner-up for the Peter Carey Short Story Award. In it, she presents a dark satire of love, an emulsion of aspiration and envy.
Written by Jumaana Abdu
Read by Amalia Fernandez
Sound Design by Chiara Minotto
Tahini Lentil Stew
Our second story is the sharing of a recipe. Enjoy the unexpected moments that lie in the warm embrace of a Lentil Tahini Stew.
Produced by Snack Syndicate. A creative duo comprised of Andrew Brooks and Astrid Lorange. Find more of their work on their website snacksyndicate.net
We’re bringing you more stories from our series of audio features from Debris Magazine Issue Three, The Urge To Know. You can read these pieces and others by buying a copy at debrismag.com
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories of justice and power from regional Australia.
The case that transformed me
In our first story, personal injury lawyer Sally Gearin speaks about seeking justice for a client whose courage to overcome her tragedy inspires Sally to this day.
Sally originally shared this tale at SPUN, a live storytelling event from the Northern Territory. SPUN is now held at Browns Mart on Larrakia land. Since 1972, Browns mart has been championing new work and new voices through residencies, creative developments and presentations.
You can find more SPUN stories here.
Hum - Bread, leggings, helicopters
Then we hear from Gomeroi poet, writer and law academic Alison Whittaker.
This poem was written and read by Alison Whittaker and originally performed for ‘When Breath Meets Air,’ an event curated by Tina Huang for the Boundless Festival.
You can find Alison on Twitter @AJ_Whittaker.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Upcoming free audio events!
Do you want to meet and get to know fellow emerging audio makers? Join the All The Best team at The Eveleigh Hotel from 6pm on Monday June 26 to network, share ideas and — most importantly — have some fun!
If you aren’t based in Sydney, you can join us online the following night - Tuesday June 27th, for our winter pitch workshop and seminar on adapting written work to audio.
You’ll be hearing from All the Best Editorial Manager, journalist and radio educator Mell Chun as well as award winning poet Tim Loveday. Everyone is welcome!
Go to www.allthebestradio.com to find the event details.
See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories of justice and power from regional Australia. The case that transformed me In our first story, personal injury lawyer Sally Gearin speaks about seeking justice for a client whose courage to overcome her tragedy inspires Sally to this day. Sally originally shared this tale at SPUN, a live storytelling event from the […]
The post 540 Power & Justice appeared first on All The Best.
This week we’re bringing you stories from The Wheeler Centre's Signal Boost programme, supported by the Ian Potter Foundation. Find out more at www.wheelercentre.com/signalboost.
Daltabyo (Nostalgia)
Told from the view of five Somalis now in Australia, our first story illustrates the diversity in Somali diaspora. By sharing unique migration journeys and relationships to heritage, it’s a reminder that people from the same cultural background are not a homogeneous entity.
Sound effects from Free Sound Dot Org and Music from Free Music Archive
Produced by Najma Sambul. Supervising producer Karishma Luthria.
I’ll Dink You Home
Then, Miks speaks with his late father Ken who was diagnosed with dementia. Together they explore the lasting impacts of memories from childhood and how sometimes the smallest stories have the most impact, as they shape and live on through family.
Produced by Michael Everitt.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Upcoming free audio events!
Do you want to meet and get to know fellow emerging audio makers? Join the All The Best team at The Eveleigh Hotel from 6pm on Monday June 26 to network, share ideas and — most importantly — have some fun!
If you aren’t based in Sydney, you can join us online the following night - Tuesday June 27th, for our winter pitch workshop and seminar on adapting written work to audio.
You’ll be hearing from All the Best Editorial Manager, journalist and radio educator Mell Chun as well as award winning poet Tim Loveday. Everyone is welcome!
Go to www.allthebestradio.com to find the event details.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bla Mela Stori is a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territory. It’s focus is enabling young Indigenous people in remote communities to produce and share audio stories with their community. All The Best is partnering with Bla Mela Stori and will be playing some of the stories from the project over the […]
The post #538 Bla Mela Stori: Tammy & Augie appeared first on All The Best.
Bla Mela stori is a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territory.
It’s focus is enabling young Indigenous people in remote communities to produce and share audio stories with their community.
All The Best is partnering with Bla Mela Stori and will be playing some of the stories from the project over the next few months.
In this episode, host Mads speaks to Tom Danks from Katherine Regional Arts to learn more about the program and its impacts.
Then you'll hear one of the stories that was produced as part of the program. In this story, Tammy and Augie share the ins and outs of the card games culture in the Ngukurr Community.
Produced by Tammy Daniels and Olga Daniels.
Stories in this program were produced with the support of the Australian Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund (RISE).
Content Warning
A heads up for this story, there are mentions of gambling and tobacco smoking.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Upcoming free audio events!
Do you want to meet and get to know fellow emerging audio makers? Join the All The Best team at The Eveleigh Hotel from 6pm on Monday June 26 to network, share ideas and — most importantly — have some fun!
If you aren’t based in Sydney, you can join us online the following night - Tuesday June 27th, for our winter pitch workshop and seminar on adapting written work to audio.
You’ll be hearing from All the Best Editorial Manager, journalist and radio educator Mell Chun as well as award winning poet Tim Loveday. Everyone is welcome!
Go to www.allthebestradio.com to find the event details.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the last couple of years Melbourne has been experiencing a spike of heroin-related fatal overdoses. Consequently, the Victorian Government has been looking to put another safe injecting room in Melbourne CBD, with most recent talks suggesting Flinders Street Station could be the location.
Melbourne’s first injecting room in Richmond has helped save 63 people in the last 4 years. However, despite this evidence of effectiveness, there has been significant community backlash to the idea of a safe injecting room in the heart of the city.
That’s why this week, we wanted to share a story from the All The Best Archives. Originally airing in 2019, this story explores the community impact of the Richmond injecting room.
That story was originally made for CBAA’s 2018 National Features and Documentary Series was produced by Aoife Cook. Georgia Moodie was the supervising producer.
Content Warning
A warning that this episode contains conversations about drug use, overdose and addiction.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week's story, Darcy Hytt crafts an ode to Indigeneity, the memory of their grandmother and the knowledge held in one’s body as they attempt to untether knowledge from knowing.
All the Best are collaborating with the Editors and Writers of Debris to turn their written work into audio storytelling. Debris is a story-driven literary magazine spanning Naarm to Paris where the contributors live, work, and write.
We’re featuring pieces from issue three of the mag, which includes nonfiction, fiction, poetry, reviews and even recipes. You can read and purchase the magazine on their website debrismag.com
This piece was written and read my Darcy Hytt and recorded by Halfpenny Music Production.
Content Warning
A heads up that this week’s episode involves mention of colonial violence and generational trauma as well as mention of family members who have passed away. There are also some swears in this story.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Music: "Memory I" by Sophie Hutchings
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you a story from the sex workers behind the Decrim Queensland Movement.
Just a heads up, this story contains a derogatory term for sex workers and discussions of non-consent, as well as police violence.
This story was produced by Queenie (they/them) for Decrim Qld.
You can find more of their work on the Intro Room, an online sex worker storytelling night. And you can follow Decrim Qld on @Decrim QLD on twitter and instagram.
Find out more: https://respectqld.org.au/decriminalise-sex-work/
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For the past seven years, All the Best has collaborated with the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism and the Science Gallery to mentor students in my Audio Journalism class and to provide audio editorial training. These produced narrative podcasts that have been used in the Science Gallery’s shows and broadcast on All the Best. This collaboration has allowed students to produce work for broadcast for a public audience for the first time.
This year's theme is 'Dark Matter' and All The Best mentors are currently working with students on a brand new batch of stories to fit this theme. You can keep an eye out for those in June, but in the meantime here are some of our favourites from previous years.
You’ll hear the stories as they were first aired, so get keen to hear voices from hosts of All the Bests' past!
Grandpa Delivers The Eulogy At His Funeral by Julia Bergin 2017
Three years prior to his death, Grandpa and father began formal discussions for his funeral. Whilst they disagreed over size and music, there was consensus that Grandpa should speak on the day of his departure. In March this year, the funeral planning committee’s recommendations took effect; Grandpa addressed the congregation from his casket, delivering the eulogy at his own funeral.
Supervising producer: Jordan Fennell.
More Than a Pad by Wing Kuang, Chang He and Inderpreet Kaur 2019
Australians are pretty used to disposable menstrual products. But for Indepreet, growing up in India, cloth pads have always been the norm.
Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko.
Brown and Happy by Dilpreet Kaur 2018
“You have dark skin and a fat nose,” said the 60-year-old neighbour to a 12 year-old girl. A whole decade later, this girl is still fighting the stereotype of being a woman of color and the lack of privilege of not being white. Does she give in?
Supervising Producer: Jordan Fennell.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
https://omny.fm/shows/all-the-best/spun-special-food-fumblesThis week on All the best, tales about food-related fumbles. They were originally told at SPUN Stories, a live story-telling night held in Darwin on the land of the Larrakia people.
A Full Belly or Smelly Pits?
First up this week, Clare shares a story about Christmas leftovers filled with excitement, adventure, and some potent olfactory descriptions.
Story by Clare Callaghan.
Rebel without a Wok
In our second story, Ange shares her experience with the challenges and wonders involved when cooking food in a Chinese immigrant household.
Story by Ange Wu.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Music: Polite Rebellion by Salary
The post #533 SPUN Special: Food Fumbles appeared first on All The Best.
https://omny.fm/shows/all-the-best/the-case-of-the-stolen-bike-milk-bar-datesThis week we’re bringing you stories from our archives about making the best of difficult situations.
Bike Noir by Cherese Sonkkila
Cherese Sonkkila was just an ordinary person until the day her bike got stolen. That’s when Chelsea Stone showed up; a hardboiled alter-ego who would stop at nothing until she solved the case. This is a true story infused with film noir fantasy.
Featuring: David Maney, Rosanna Dunlop, Oliver Coleman and Aaron Lam.
Producer: Cherese Sonkkila
Supervising Producers: Max Rowley and Mell Chun
Milk Bar Dates by Ruth Melville
Ruth takes us into the confessions booth at a catholic girls school in the 70s.
Ruth’s fiction and non-fiction writing has been published in Island, Tirra Lirra, Meanjin, the Big Issue and The Australian.
This story is from a previous All The Best Live!, a live storytelling event we put on with help from the City Of Sydney. The theme for the night was Secrets and Confessions.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
The post 532 Bike Noir & Milk Bar appeared first on All The Best.
https://omny.fm/shows/all-the-best/wetland-warriorWetland Warrior
This week we’re bringing you the story of how Carole went from Social Worker to ‘Wetland Warrior’.
Carole was one of 300 people arrested during the campaign against the Roe 8 extension of Roe Highway in Western Australia. A campaign that was successful in stopping the planned destruction of wetlands in the area.
Produced by Nicky Page, featuring poetry by Nandi Chinna.
It was originally aired as part of the show ‘packed lunch’ on Radio Adelaide.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
The post #531 Wetland Warrior appeared first on All The Best.
If laughter is the best medicine, do we all have access to the same medicine cabinet? Yes, this is a terrible joke. Thankfully, this episode features professionals who genuinely make people laugh.
Hear Me Laugh by Lauren Klein
When Lauren Klein started doing stand up comedy, she couldn’t help but notice the lack of gender parity in comedy rooms.
Lauren goes behind the comedy curtain to find out why there aren’t more women doing stand up comedy.
Supervising Producers: Beth Gibson, Selena Shannon and Bec Fary
Music: ‘My Shining Hour’ by John Coltrane, ‘Curiosity’ by Lee Rosevere, ‘All The Colours in the World’ by Podington Bear, ‘Good Times’ by Podington Bear.
This story was first played in May 2017.
Funny Voices by Sarath Chandra
It’s a really interesting time in Australian comedy. Sarath Chandra speaks with two comedians, Lizzy Hoo and Suren Jayemanne, about being the minority and making the majority laugh.
Supervising Producers: Allison Chan and Olivia Rosenman
Many thanks to Neilesh Verma
Music: “Free lunch” – Isaiah Rashad, “Easily” – Bruno Major, “Long as I Live” – Tony Braxton, “ Whistlin” – Mocky, “4 Moms” – A Tribe Called Quest, “Angles” – Mick Jenkins
This story was first played in June 2018.
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
SYN Community Coordinator: Erin Dick
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Oscar Keys
The post #530 Funny Business (Repeat) appeared first on All The Best.
If laughter is the best medicine, do we all have access to the same medicine cabinet? Yes, this is a terrible joke. Thankfully, this episode features professionals who genuinely make people laugh.
Hear Me Laugh by Lauren Klein
When Lauren Klein started doing stand up comedy, she couldn’t help but notice the lack of gender parity in comedy rooms.
Lauren goes behind the comedy curtain to find out why there aren’t more women doing stand up comedy.
Supervising Producers: Beth Gibson, Selena Shannon and Bec Fary
Music: ‘My Shining Hour’ by John Coltrane, ‘Curiosity’ by Lee Rosevere, ‘All The Colours in the World’ by Podington Bear, ‘Good Times’ by Podington Bear.
This story was first played in May 2017.
Funny Voices by Sarath Chandra
It’s a really interesting time in Australian comedy. Sarath Chandra speaks with two comedians, Lizzy Hoo and Suren Jayemanne, about being the minority and making the majority laugh.
Supervising Producers: Allison Chan and Olivia Rosenman
Many thanks to Neilesh Verma
Music: “Free lunch” – Isaiah Rashad, “Easily” – Bruno Major, “Long as I Live” – Tony Braxton, “ Whistlin” – Mocky, “4 Moms” – A Tribe Called Quest, “Angles” – Mick Jenkins
This story was first played in June 2018.
—
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
SYN Community Coordinator: Erin Dick
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Oscar Keys
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recently, All the Best Production Manager Phoebe headed to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to interview some of the participants of ARTEXPRESS – the gallery’s exhibition of outstanding artworks from the HSC.
It’s rare that old cultural institutions platform young, diverse and radical voices and that’s why ARTEXPRESS is such a great initiative.
Meet the artists, hear the powerful stories behind their work and discover why this special exhibition – now in its 40th year – attracts more visitors than any other to the gallery.
Produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Contributors
Louise Halpin, Education program producer and ARTEXPRESS curator
Sabry Beshir Mohamed – Artist (ARTEXPRESS 2023)
Mayra Kelly – Artist (ARTEXPRESS 2023)
Elli Cox – Artist (ARTEXPRESS 2023)
Freda Chiu – Artist (ARTEXPRESS 2007)
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Freda Chiu
The post #529 ARTEXPRESS appeared first on All The Best.
This week we’re bringing you stories about the transformative power of something many of us take for granted: the clothes we wear.
Ori’s Wardrobe
In our first story, Tiarne goes behind the scenes at the ABC and explores the amazing wardrobe of fashion designer Oriana Merullo.
This is an edited version of a story that was originally broadcast on Radio Adelaide’s ‘Background Sound‘. Listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts.
A History of Suits
Then, in an intimate reflection, Teddy Dunn recalls the suits of his life.
Teddy first told this story for Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ storytelling project, curated by Maeve Marsden. To hear more you can search for Queerstories wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
The post #528 The Clothes We Wear appeared first on All The Best.
Goodbye <!--3
Danni first came to All The Best many years ago, working on the show as a baby contributing producer. She then took on the role of Community Coordinator, then Production Manager and finally Host.
The show has been a huge part of Danni’s life, and Danni a huge part of the show for a long time.
But all good things must come to an end and it’s time for me to wrap up and make way for the next generation of audio storytellers to come through.
But before Danni says goodbye, for her final episode as host, this week, she’s sharing some of her favourite stories with you.
Kinder Surprise
This story is about Hooman and his quest to be recognised by Guinness World Records.
Produced by: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Supervising producer: Danni Stewart
Peter and Sonny
There’s been a lot of love stories featured on the show over the years. But this next one stands out for how extraordinary it is. Like any good love story it features an epic twist of fate.
Produced by: Conor Sweetman
Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo
From Home to Heal
A poem by Lungol Wekina. In this poem he tells the story of his people, reflecting on times of peace, colonial violence and looking forward to a revolutionary future.
Lungol is an Indigenous Papua New Guinean writer and organiser.
The post #527 Farewell Danni appeared first on All The Best.
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Goodbye <!--3
Danni first came to All The Best many years ago, working on the show as a baby contributing producer. She then took on the role of Community Coordinator, then Production Manager and finally Host.
The show has been a huge part of Danni's life, and Danni a huge part of the show for a long time.
But all good things must come to an end and it’s time for me to wrap up and make way for the next generation of audio storytellers to come through.
But before Danni says goodbye, for her final episode as host, this week, she's sharing some of her favourite stories with you.
Kinder Surprise
This story is about Hooman and his quest to be recognised by Guinness World Records.
Produced by: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Supervising producer: Danni Stewart
Peter and Sonny
There’s been a lot of love stories featured on the show over the years. But this next one stands out for how extraordinary it is. Like any good love story it features an epic twist of fate.
Produced by: Conor Sweetman
Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo
From Home to Heal
A poem by Lungol Wekina. In this poem he tells the story of his people, reflecting on times of peace, colonial violence and looking forward to a revolutionary future.
Lungol is an Indigenous Papua New Guinean writer and organiser.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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https://omny.fm/shows/all-the-best/life-changing-libraries-picture-book-politics/embedThis week, the importance of creating accessible spaces for children’s stories.
Picture Book Politics
“Children’s books are permission slips for children to be and imagine themselves and each other and think radically.” – Tess
Up first, All The Best Editorial Manager Mell chats to Tess about her new children’s publishing company Slingshot.
Produced by Mell Chun
Interviewee, Tess, Founder of Slingshot Books
You can follow slingshot on Instagram @slingshotbooks and keep an eye out for their upcoming publications.
All the Libraries in my Life
In our second story, Cristina shares her ode to libraries and reflects on the colorful and constant presence books have had in her life.
Produced by Cristina Marras
You can find more of her work at cristinamarras.com
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Slingshot
The post #526 Children’s Books appeared first on All The Best.
This week, the importance of creating accessible spaces for children’s stories.
Picture Book Politics
“Children’s books are permission slips for children to be and imagine themselves and each other and think radically.” - Tess
Up first, All The Best Editorial Manager Mell chats to Tess about her new children's publishing company Slingshot.
Produced by Mell Chun
Interviewee, Tess, Founder of Slingshot Books
You can follow slingshot on Instagram @slingshotbooks and keep an eye out for their upcoming publications.
All the Libraries in my Life
In our second story, Cristina shares her ode to libraries and reflects on the colorful and constant presence books have had in her life.
Produced by Cristina Marras
You can find more of her work at cristinamarras.com
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Slingshot
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of this country’s best qualities is its diverse and beautiful fauna. This week, we meet unknown creatures and learn unknown facts about familiar ones.
Giant Cuttlefish
Fans of the cephalopod, Dan and Indigo, venture to Whyalla to see a Giant Cuttlefish in the flesh.
Producer: Mel Bakewell
This story was originally broadcast on Radio Adelaide’s ‘Background Sound’.
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets are in distress but the cause of this is a mystery to many. Cody investigates the problem facing these beautiful native birds.
Producer: Cody Giunta
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome Project
Mental health resources to assist frontline animal carers.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Minaliza
The post #525 Ecological Wonders appeared first on All The Best.
One of this country's best qualities is its diverse and beautiful fauna. This week, we meet unknown creatures and learn unknown facts about familiar ones.
Giant Cuttlefish
Fans of the cephalopod, Dan and Indigo, venture to Whyalla to see a Giant Cuttlefish in the flesh.
Producer: Mel Bakewell
This story was originally broadcast on Radio Adelaide's 'Background Sound'.
Rainbow Lorikeets
Rainbow Lorikeets are in distress but the cause of this is a mystery to many. Cody investigates the problem facing these beautiful native birds.
Producer: Cody Giunta
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome Project
Mental health resources to assist frontline animal carers.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Minaliza
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Every LGBTQIA+ individual knows the profound value of finding and spending time with the people that make us feel safe and seen.
This week special host and All the Best Trainee Madhuraa Prakash takes us into the realm of World Pride 2023, sharing stories about the value of community.
Drag Kings
First up, Madhuraa takes us to Mardi Gras Fair Day to showcase the Drag King community and challenge some assumptions along the way.
To find out more about the Drag Kings featured in this story, check out their instagrams - and support your local Kings!
@k.ngwoody
@lawofaus
@freddie_merkin
This story was produced by Madhuraa Prakash.
Danny's Story
Later in the show, we revist Danny's Story. A tale from the archives about finding your people and why it’s so important for those of marginalised gender identities.
Produced by Duncan Stephen with sound design by Persephone Waxman.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Madhuraa Prakash
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Music: Set Mo - I Belong Here feat. Woodes
Image: Freddie Merkin
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, FBi Presenter Deb is bringing us to one of their poetry nights.
She’s recently started a poetry collective that meets once a fortnight. It’s a small and intimate space and in this episode Deb and her friends have brought their poetry into the studio to share with us.
You’ll hear from Tyler, Max, Deb and Ana as they share their poems, a bit about each their very different connection to the medium – and the group creating a poem together live!
This story was produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan with sound design by Mell Chun.
Music: Ok Morning by Surdsie: https://soundcloud.com/surdsie/ok-morning
My Head Is Full Of Sadness by Latex Pets: https://latexpets.bandcamp.com/track/my-head-is-full-of-sadness
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Nicolas Messifet
The post #523 Poetry Night appeared first on All The Best.
World Pride celebrations are going to be happening all around Sydney from 18th February to 5th March. In honour of this, All The Best is going to be sharing a couple of episodes that are focused on themes that are of significance to the LGBTQIA+ community.
This week, since it's also Valentine's Day, we're sharing stories of queer love. A love that often looks different to the cis-heteronormative version that we see reflected in mainstream media.
Lil + Lore
In our first story, we hear a real life love story that sounds as if it came out of a queer romance novel.
Produced by: Mell Chun
To Build A Home
In this story, Nevo shares a love story which reflects a queer experience that is common, but not often spoken about.
Narrated by: Nevo Zisin
This story was originally shared as part of Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ storytelling project curated by Maeve Marsden.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: 24 Carrot Productions
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Adel : Born in Baghdad, spirit in Palestine, living in Tasmania
This week we’re bringing you another story from the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. 177 Nations is the creation of Mark Thompson, who started the project during Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 after reading the Australian Census and discovering that there are 177 different nationalities represented in Tasmania.
This story features Adel, son of an Iraqi mother and a Palestinian father. Hear Adel speak of the lasting legacy of colonisation on Palestinian land and his journey first from Iraq to Tasmania and then to visit his father's village in Palestine.
Produced by Mark Thompson.
Listen to more of 177 Nations of Tasmania here.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image Credit: Ahmed Abu Hameeda on Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Good morning, Καλημέρα, Good night, Καληνυχτα
Mel and Tiarne - two friends who booked parallel trips to Greece - one month apart.
This week we're bringing you the voice notes that Mel and Tiarne sent to each other, documenting their trips to Greece in September and October of 2022.
Join us for an intimate portrayal of travelling in this time, to this place.
Produced by: Mel Bakewell and Tiarne Cook
This story was originally broadcast on Background Sound - an audio storytelling program from Radio Adelaide, 101.5fm.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Pixabay: fietzfotos
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to 2023! We hope your summer has consisted of moments of joy and rest. This week we're bringing you some stories that were generously shared with us during the summer holidays.
We start the episode with All The Best host Danni Stewart taking us to the rainforest.
The Konditorei
In our first story Phoebe visits her grandmother to learn about the stories and the cakes from her great-grandmother's kitchen.
Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Nudist Holiday Park
Next, Mell and her partner spend their summer revealing the true nature of an unconventional holiday spot.
Producer: Mell Chun
Listener Postcards
Finally we close the show with audio postcards from a couple of our listeners.
We start with Evrim, taking us to the streets of Turkey.
Then, Caroline shares a part of Inn Echo's set at the Woodford Folk Festival.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Ylanite Koppens
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The team at All The Best is taking a summer break! Don’t worry, we won’t leave you empty-handed: over the next few weeks we’ll be revisiting some of our favourite episodes from this year. New episodes will resume at the end of January.
Whether your summer holiday involved travel or not, we think you’ll enjoy this episode about the surprising treasures you can find when travelling out of your comfort zone.
This week, stories about people leaving the city to find something beautiful in the country.
Transcript is available here.
Lightning Ridge
Twins Matilda and Sam visit their father in Lightning Ridge, a trip that exceeds expectations.
Producer: Sam Elliot, Matilda Elliot
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
From Darlinghurst to Darwin
Daniel visits Darwin to escape from his life in Darlinghurst, but finds more than he expected when he gets there.
Speaker: Daniel Alderman
Daniel first told this story at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search SPUN STORIES on your favourite podcast app.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
The post #523 Getting Out of the City (repeat) appeared first on All The Best.
The team at All The Best is taking a summer break! Don’t worry, we won’t leave you empty-handed: over the next few weeks we’ll be revisiting some of our favourite episodes from this year. New episodes will resume at the end of January.
This week, we’re bringing you ‘Ghost Town’, an exciting exploration of spooky places around the country.
CW: Reference to abuse.
Have you ever visited a place that really gave you the creeps? This week we’re going on a road trip, sharing stories of spooky places around the country.
Our first stop is Jenolan where MJ and her sister had the worst sleep of their lives.
Producer: MJ Bakewell.
Up next we’re stopping off in Mudgee where Danni stayed at the oldest house in town.
Producer: Danni Stewart
For our third stop we’re heading to Glenrowan where Daniel saw a very cursed animatronics show.
Producer: Daniel Semo
Image credit: Glenrowan Tourist Centre
We’re ending our spooky road trip in Canberra, Sam’s hometown, which she discovered has a very haunted history.
Producer: Samatha Groth
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Music: ‘Spooky Outro’ by Transient, ‘Strange Dog Walk’ by Blue Dot Sessions, and ‘Arlan Vale’ by Blue Dot Sessions.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
The post #522 Ghost Town (repeat) appeared first on All The Best.
The team at All The Best is taking a summer break! Don’t worry, we won’t leave you empty-handed: over the next few weeks we’ll be revisiting some of our favourite episodes from this year. New episodes will resume at the end of January.
For many people the summer season is a reminder of the natural disasters that have devastated places across the country in years past. This week we’re bringing you an episode from this year that explored these events and the community coming together in their aftermath.
In our recent Federal Election, Climate Change was a bigger agenda item than it has ever been before, and it’s no wonder. In the last four years, more Australians have been directly affected by Climate related disasters than ever before. This week we are bringing you two stories from producers Sarah Mashman and Lisa Burns. They made these stories for All The Best from extra material gathered for the podcast series From The Embers.
Lismore
New South Wales Northern Rivers region understands flooding. Flood markers line sections of the roads and the town of Lismore- dissected by two major rivers has irregular inundations. But early in 2022, Lismore was hit by two major floods only weeks apart, the first trapping people in ceiling cavities and on roofs for hours overnight.
Produced by Sarah Mashman and Lisa Burns
Music by KPM
If you want to help those affected by flooding, you can donate to the Koori Mail Go Fund Me
Photos: Sarah Mashman
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is an oasis for native wildlife and plants. In the summertime, goannas lay their eggs and little penguins start to moult old feathers before their voyage out to sea. However, In the summer of 2019/2020, the island’s inhabitants witnessed the biggest fires ever seen. And a content warning, this feature contains stories of animals in distress.
Produced by Lisa Burns and Sarah Mashman
Music by KPM
Find out more about Margi Prideaux’s Wild Politics
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
The post #521 Fires and Floods (repeat) appeared first on All The Best.
The team at All The Best is taking a summer break! Don’t worry, we won’t leave you empty-handed: over the next few weeks we’ll be revisiting some of our favourite episodes from this year. New episodes will resume at the end of January.
This week we’re going back to Love and Injustice, an affecting episode about role love can have when healing the wounds caused by injustice.
Love can be a powerful force, a call to action that unifies us and empowers us in the most difficult of circumstances.
Sunny and Peter by Conor Sweetman
Sunny and Peter led parallel lives. One in Ireland. The other in the United States. They both suffered injustice and tragedy. Then they found each other, and their healing could finally begin.
Producer: Conor Sweetman
Supervising Producer: Dan Semo
Music: Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound
For The Love of Blackfullas by Chelsea Watego
“It has always and only ever been love that binds us to each other and which fuels the fights we are forced to take up” says Chelsea Watego. This week we are talking about love and injustice, and it’s hard to talk about injustice without addressing the injustices in our own country, especially those faced by Aboriginal people in our own flawed legal system.
Our second story is an essay by Munanjahli and South Sea Islander academic and writer Chelsea Watego on the power of Black love.
CW: This story includes descriptions of racism and the names of people who have passed.
Written and read by Cheslea Watego
Edited by Mell Chun
This piece was originally written and recorded for The Sunday Paper
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
The post #520 Love and Injustice (repeat) appeared first on All The Best.
The team at All The Best is taking a summer break! Don’t worry, we won’t leave you empty-handed: over the next few weeks we’ll be revisiting some of our favourite episodes from this year. New episodes will resume at the end of January.
For many people, the summer holidays are a time for family and a time of religious significance. This week’s episode is a look at the differing relationships grandparents and grandchildren can have with religion.
This week, stories about young people trying to understand their grandparents’ lives and why religion is so important to them.
First off, Danni chats to Madhuraa about her Grandfather Mr Sri, who has changed religions several times during his life.
Devotion
Next, Tanya investigates her grandparents’ lives as church leaders, and the decisions that lead them to become so involved in the church.
Produced by Tanya Bonnie Rae
Early Morning Great Bell
In our last story, Emma looks to connect with her grandma by learning more about her deep devotion to Buddhism.
Produced by Emma Pham.
Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo
Image: Raimond Klavins/ Unsplash Images
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
The post #519 My Grandparents Faith (repeat) appeared first on All The Best.
This week we’re sharing a collection of poetry from Curate, a new spoken word event combining poetry with visual art.
Later in the show we’ll hear some readings, but first All The Best Editorial Manager Mell had a chat with Curate organisers Matcho Cassidy and Tim Loveday about the project.
You will hear readings from Matcho Cassidy, Tim Loveday, Josh Cake, Hasib Hourani, Ren Alessandra and Eloise Grills.
You can find out more about Curate Poetry on Facebook and Instagram as well as grab tickets for their upcoming Naarm show on eventbrite.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
International Day of People with Disability was on the 3rd of December, so this week we wanted to bring stories centred around experiences of people with disability. People’s lack of knowledge about disability and society’s overall lack of accessibility are both elements that contribute to this experience, something we should be aware of when supporting disability justice.
We begin with words from All The Best Host Danni Stewart, on her experience as an autistic person and the way she relates to the world.
Under the Surface
For our first story we have a conversation between All The Best Production Manager Phoebe and her friend Sam Brewer where they discuss stories from his life as a person with vision impairment, from assumptions made by other people to the ‘seen’/’unseen’ disability binary.
Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Chronic Pain
Jess shares information about the causes and symptoms of chronic pain as well as details about what it is like for a person who lives with chronic pain.
Producer: Jess Laven
Warning: This episode includes visceral descriptions of pain & some swearing.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Host: Danni Stewart
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Image credit: Pexels: Cameron Readius
The post #517 Seen and Unseen appeared first on All The Best.
Last Saturday marked International Day of People with Disability and in this episode we’re sharing stories that challenge perceptions of what disability looks like. As well as recognising the grinding reality of being disabled in an inaccessible society. A reality that is often not acknowledged and poorly understood.
First up, All The Best production manager Phoebe speaks to her friend Sam Brewer about his experience working as an actor with impaired vision and the complexity of the seen/unseen disability binary.
Then, Jess Layven explores what it means to live with chronic pain.
All The Best Credits
Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Production Manager, Episode Mix & Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re bringing you stories of distorted memories, both accidental and intentional.
Phenomenon
Amy explores how false memories can occur on a mass scale.
Written by: Amy Wright
Supervising Producer: Roger Dawkins
Beneath the Mask
Ruth investigates a family story, and discovers a reality totally different to what she first thought.
Produced by: Ruth Melville
Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo
All The Best Credits
Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Production Manager, Episode Mix & Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash
Music: Agatha Chang by Eels
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recently, the 2022 World Cup has brought attention to the persecution of the LGBTQIA+ community in Qatar.
As players around the world call for the decriminalisation of queer relationships, we’re taking a moment to remember how important it is to be able to love regardless of gender and sex.
We hear the stories of beautiful queer weddings that have taken place since marriage equality was legalised in Australia, five years ago.
Our first story is by Salvin Kumar and was originally read this story at Queer Stories. A national LGBTQI+ storytelling project curated by Maeve Marsden.
Queer stories isn’t just an event it’s also a podcast and book. You can find out more at: https://maevemarsden.com/queerstories/
Our second story was produced by Hank Paul and is an excerpt from their new podcast, First Look.
You can listen to the whole series at firstlookpodcast.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Home is more than just the house we live in. This week on All The Best, what home means for different people.
The post #514 Home appeared first on All The Best.
With Elon Musk taking on the mantle of Twitter CEO, there has been a renewal in conversations about the future of social media and the uses of platforms like Twitter. As a result, we wanted to take the time to bring back this exploration of online identity.
The post #513 Online Identities (Repeat) appeared first on All The Best.
This week we’re bringing you a story from the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. 177 Nations is the creation of Mark Thompson, who started the project during Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 after reading the Australian Census and discovering that there are 177 different nationalities represented in Tasmania.
We’d like to note that the interview we are featuring was recorded in early 2021.
Melika From Iran
Melika shares the story of her and her husband’s decision to emigrate to Australia and the different ways she has fallen in love with Tasmania.
In this episode of the podcast Mark hopes to challenge people’s preconceived notions about Iran and its people.
Producer: Mark Thomson
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we're bringing you stories from Critical Disdain. They're a newsletter that describes themselves as 'A weekly newsletter of new work from nobodies'.
Bad Dad Christmas by Caitlin O'Connor
In our first story listeners are taken through a guided meditation where they'll experience Christmas from a paternal point of view.
Written by: Caitlin O'Connor
Read by: Zara Gudnason
Make My Day by Isabella Wilcock
For our next story, an exploratory piece about the pervasiveness of grief and death within the mundanities of life.
Written and read by: Isabella Wilcock
The Taste of Lead by Luke Piva
Our final story is a piece about the places a man may go when driven past his limits.
Writing and music by: Luke Piva
Luke Piva Twitter
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week we're bringing back an episode that aired in 2021, 'Age of Activism'. Coal mining is still a much-discussed topic around the country, with flooding and other natural disasters showcasing a need for climate action. In 'Age of Activism' we hear directly from protestors at Adani's Carmichael coal mine, focusing on a pair of unexpected but incredibly staunch activists.
Grandparents Rae and John are fighting for climate action. Since their retirement, they’ve ditched the caravan for the picket line and have participated in more non-violent direct actions than they can count.
‘Age Of Activism’ By Jordyn Beazley
Inspired by the youth climate strike, there is a new growing cohort of people joining the climate fight – our grandparents. Gifted with the golden years of time and wealth for some, many older Australians are using their retirement to become full-time climate activists. But there is much more to these grey nomads turned activists than waving signs at protests. In this story, Jordyn Beazley follows two grandparents on an epic protest mission to barricade one of the most infamous sites in Australia’s climate crisis debate – the Adani Carmichael Coal mine.
Producer: Jordyn Beazley
Supervising Producer: Rachel Fountain
Additional Supervising Production: Mell Chun
Music: Pulsating Brain, Lobo Loco – Sourced from The Free Music Archive.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Images: Provided by Jordyn Beazley
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we're sharing stories from a collaboration with The Bold Source, a magazine led, curated and designed by creative young people in the city of Brimbank.
My Beautiful Mind by Haylee Bisset
In our first story, Haylee reads a powerful poem about her mind and shares the inspiration behind it.
Producer: Haylee Bisset
Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec
Media Representation of Young People by Lani & Shani
In this story, Lani and Shani explore the negative ways young people are represented in the media, and what they're doing to change this.
Producers: Shani and Lani Nguyen
Supervising producer: Mell Chun
Lavish by Lauri Pavlovich
Lauri reads a poem about the importance of self care, and the radical nature of that act.
Written by: Lauri Pavlovich
This collaboration was supported by a quick response grant from the City of Melbourne.
Issue Three of the Bold Source is our now.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week an episode that aired in 2018, ‘Work In Progress’. This week much of the country observed the Labour Day public holiday. Also known as May Day, Labour Day was created to celebrate the achievements of the labour union movement and the evolution of worker's rights. This episode, characterising the worker experience from a couple of viewpoints, felt like a perfect choice.
Today workers across the country are still taking important industrial action against things like wages not increasing with inflation and the rising cost of living. Standing in solidarity with the Labour Union movement is still as important as it was when Labour Day was first celebrated.
As we get to work, you’ll hear about our previous work experience and our ability to remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
‘Dodgy Jobs’ by Angela Moran
When Sarah arrived in Melbourne from Belgium on a working holiday visa she was told it would be easy to find a good part time job. Instead she found a thriving environment of underpaying cash-in-hand jobs with little to no security. Lucky she’s got a good sense of humour and was willing to share a few stories from her unsuccessful attempts to earn a decent crust.
Supervising Producers: Nina Enever and Bec Fary
Music: ‘Mountain’ by Text Me Records/Bobby Renz, ‘Beer Belly Blues’ by John Deley, ‘Jazz Organ Trio Cool Blue’ by Doug Maxwell/Media Right Productions, ‘Travel Light’ by Audionautix .
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‘Brunching Above My Weight’ by Lee Robinson
Working in the hospitality industry involves more than just serving smashed avo on toast. Erin McConchie is a writer and comic artist who began drawing her most cringeworthy customer moments.
Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman
Music: ‘Retro Soul’ by Bensound, ‘Kobo Cafe’ by Uncan, ‘Enigmatic’ by Bensound, ‘Coffee Morning’ by Olga Scotland, ‘Torture’ by VYVCH
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Mixer and Compiler: Jess Meier
SYN Community Coordinator: Victor Mims
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week we’re bringing you ‘Coast to Coast’, an episode that first aired in September 2012. For many people, the ocean rouses a sense of excitement and adventure, a chance to do something that hasn’t been done before. Enjoy these stories, inspired by the place where the land meets the sea.
Stories ahoy! All the Best brings you intriguing tales from the high seas. A South American geologist’s rough-and-tumble journey on a raft to Australia leads to a life-changing encounter with Gough Whitlam. And, the real Puberty Blues: a young girl tries to join the blokey surf culture of the 1970s- but an initiation rite in the water goes terribly wrong.
That Summer of ’75
Forget the TV series and the book: the real Puberty Blues started in the summer of 1975. Shé Hawkes was 14, and had begun doing something absolutely outrageous on the beach. Shé- a girl- had started to surf. It wasn’t something that the other surfers were going to let her get away with.
These days, Shé is a writer and academic: read her piece about women breaking into the surf culture of 1970s Australia, and a fictionalised version of her summer of ’75.
Interview, recording: Kate Montague
Edited by Belinda Lopez
Music credits: Room with a view (Jahzzar) / CC BY-SA 3.0; Instrumental – Restoration (Dan Warren) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; Instrumental – The Buddha (Dan Warren) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Sea Hitchhiker
In 1970, Gabriel Salas had just finished his universitystudies in Chile and thought he’d try and hitchhike around South America. But what was meant to be your average graduate road trip turned into an adventure across the sea. It also led to a fateful meeting with Gough Whitlam, just as Chile turned from democracy to dictatorship.
See photos and read more about Gabriel’s Salas’ adventure in this blog post by Zacha Rosen.
Produced by Zacha Rosen
Music credits: Jupiter The Blue (gillicuddy) / CC BY-NC 3.0; Opening Doors (Jamie Evans) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; El barzón (Los Amparito) / CC BY-NC-SA 2.5; Spring Rain (Aaron Ximm) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Presenter: Georgia Moodie
Features Executive Producer: Belinda Lopez
Executive Producers: Giordana Caputo, Eliza Sarlos, Jesse Cox
Picture Credit: Gabriel Salas’ La Balsa raft after being located and towed into Mooloolaba Boat Harbour, Mooloolaba on 5 November 1970. Courtesy of Heritage Library, Sunshine Coast Council
Music credit: Skitzin by Shining Bird. Free download here.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For many people, the ocean rouses a sense of excitement and adventure, a chance to do something that hasn't been done.
The post 500 Retrospective: Coast to Coast appeared first on All The Best.
The workings of the animal kingdom are foreign to many of us. This week we bring you stories that delve deep into the hidden world of cats and later in the episode, the hidden world of bees.
The post #509 Animal Rescue appeared first on All The Best.
This week we’re bringing you ‘Endometriosis’, an episode that first aired in March 2020. Reproductive health for people with uteruses is still an area that is under-researched, with people still finding it difficult to have their symptoms taken seriously and diagnosed.
The post 500 Retrospective: Endometriosis appeared first on All The Best.
This week, in a world of true stories that sometimes feel surreal, we're bringing you some surrealist sci-fi audio fiction.
The post #508 Dolphins, Vultures and Eagles appeared first on All The Best.
In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week we’re bringing you ‘Vanishing Voices’, an episode that first aired in 2020. Over centuries, language has played an important role in connecting people, especially minorities, to community and culture. For refugees and immigrants in a Western country or First Nations people dealing with the consequences of colonisation, work must be put in to avoid losing language. This eternal work is explored in the stories from this episode.
Stories about how language is passed between generations, and people working to keep languages alive.
‘Speak The Language’ by Wing Kuang
In July, parents at Footscray Primary School were notified that from next year, the school would replace the 23-year-old Vietnamese Bilingual Program with Italian. The decision has raised concerns among parents and the local Vietnamese community, and they’re fighting hard to keep the program going.
Producer: Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: Evana Ho
Music: ‘Checkered Blue’, and ‘Basketliner’ by Blue Dot Sessions
‘Bigger Than School Stuff’ by Declan Furber Gillick
Before invasion, this continent was home to about 250 languages, with different dialects within each. Many of those languages have been taken away systematically or stamped out by shame. In this story, playwright, artist and educator Declan Furber Gillick considers how people can turn that shame around.
Written and performed by Declan Furber Gillick
Sound design by Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Slow Dial’ and ‘A Simple Blur’ by Blue Dot Sessions
This story was published in ‘Guwayu – For All Times’, a collection of First Nations poems commissioned by Red Room Poetry. You can purchase the collection and read this story with Arrernte translations at redroomcompany.org.
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, an exploration on coping with and processing trauma through the creation of art.
Before being brought to Australia, refugee Kazem Kazemi was detained on Manus Island for six years. The ordeal was brutal, dealing with abusive guards, friends passing away and more. Throughout it all, the ability to play and listen to heavy metal music is what kept him afloat.
Safdar Ahmed, someone similarly bolstered by heavy metal, tells this story and describes the connection he made with Kazem through music.
Find Out more about anti-racist Muslim death metal band, Hazeen here.
Hazeen's Bandcamp
Refugee Art Project
Featured: Safdar Ahmed and Kazem Kazemi
Producer: Mike Williams
You can find more stories by Mike plus details for his upcoming live shows at mikewilliams.com.au
All The Best Credits:
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we're looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week we're bringing you 'Life After', an episode that first aired in 2017. From a global pandemic to natural disasters, grief and loss have followed us all in the last few years, and now is a perfect time to reflect on these, often ignored, feelings.
What does life feel like in the wake of death? How do we cope, who do we turn to, and what can we do to make it better when we’re left behind?
This week we’re looking at life after loss.
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‘Where the sky meets the sea’ by Bethany Atkinson-Quinton
When you stare at a mountain, the sheer enormity of nature stares back.
Our first story this week is the final piece from our recent listening party in Sydney, where we played a collection of nocturnal stories about sex, worry, midnight adventures and, finally, the darkness of grief.
In a culture where death and grief are tucked away from conversation and rarely understood, Bethany Atkinson-Quinton unpacks how our emotional pallet shifts with the tides and echoes in the wind.
If you can, we recommend you listen to this one with headphones, in a quiet, calm, space.
Made in loving memory of Daniel.
Music: fran_ky – Bell Bowed with Grief, Brian Eno With Daniel Lanois & Roger Eno – Landscapes with Haze, Bing & Ruth – Flat Line_Peak Color, Rafael Anton Irisarri – Waking Expectation, New Dawn – The Power Of You, New Dawn – Organza, Brian Eno With Daniel Lanois & Roger Eno – The Water Farden
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‘Last man standing’ by Joshua Garlepp
Every year Josh’s mum, who doesn’t have extended family of her own, drags Josh to a different family’s house for Christmas. Josh is from WA, and for the last three years, he and his mum have spent Christmas with the same family in Bunbury, Southwest of Perth. The Barretts.
The first year, Josh spent a lot of time with Adrian Barrett, the young dad of the family. On the drive home after Christmas, Josh asked his mum what Adrian does for a living. Turns out he’s part of one of the oldest businesses in Western Australia and it was in no way what Josh expected…
Music: “Still Trying” – Nathaniel Rateliff, “Plastic People” – Four Tet, “Milk & Honey” – Arcade Fire
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If this week’s stories brought up any difficult feelings, you can talk to someone by calling lifeline on 13 11 14, or get support online at eheadspace.org.au
~
Executive Producer: Selena Shannon
Vic state coordinator: Bethany Atkinson-Quinton
SYN production manager: Beth Gibson
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Host: Jessica Hamilton
Episode Compiler: Tegan Nicholls
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about people leaving the city to find something beautiful in the country.
Lightning Ridge
Twins Matilda and Sam visit their father in Lightning Ridge, a trip that exceeds expectations.
Producer: Sam Elliot, Matilda Elliot
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
From Darlinghurst to Darwin
Daniel visits Darwin to escape from his life in Darlinghurst, but finds more than he expected when he gets there.
Speaker: Daniel Alderman
Daniel first told this story at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search SPUN STORIES on your favourite podcast app.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week, an episode that aired in 2011 about ‘The Block’, an area of social housing in Redfern that was a hub of culture and community for First Nations people. The area was controversially redeveloped as part of ‘The Pemulwuy Project’, and as this episode was aired, the project was just beginning to take place.
While some praised the change, others condemned the destruction of an important area and the displacement of First Nations people. Now in 2022, the effects of the project are clearer. There is a severe lack of housing security for Aboriginal people in the area, especially as the redevelopment of social housing in Waterloo begins. See below for actions and information related to The Block and the legacy of the Pemulwuy Project.
As of 2nd August 2022, plans have been made to close Redfern’s National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE). This is a place of community that has employed many First Nations people and provides accessible facilities for children to learn and play. The closing is devastating to many in the community. Read more about it here and follow the Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation for updates on actions.
The Block in Redfern: filled with stories of family and passing travellers, of death, loss of faith and redemption – All The Best take you to one of Australia’s most talked about addresses.
Introduction
Produced by Kath Lim
Yvonne Phillips
Produced by Madeleine James
Shane and Lionel
Produced by Kath Lim
Redfern Gym
Produced by Jesse Cox
St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church
by Gina McKeon
Mick Mundine
Produced by Jesse Cox
Presenter: Eliza Sarlos
Supervising Producer Gina McKeon
Features Executive Producer: Jesse Cox
Technical Producers: Antonia Gauci & Damian Enemark (repeat)
Executive Producers: Jesse Cox, Brigitte Dagg, Eliza Sarlos
Music credit:
Image Credit: Lauren Carrol-Harris photo essay ‘The Block’
The following are links to stories from First Nations people, actions and information that support the significance of The Block and Redfern, and the consequences of commercial redevelopment:
Aboriginal Housing Company – Redfern Oral HistoryAction for Public Housing – Facebook PageEviction, hardship, and the housing crisis – Tenants’ Union reportHands Off Glebe – Public Housing Advocacy GroupThere Goes Our Neighbourhood – ABC Documentary (2022)There Goes The Neighbourhood Audio Project – Radio Skid Row
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we're looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week, an episode that aired in 2011 about 'The Block', an area of social housing in Redfern that was a hub of culture and community for First Nations people. The area was controversially redeveloped as part of 'The Pemulwuy Project', and as this episode was aired, the project was just beginning to take place.
While some praised the change, others condemned the destruction of an important area and the displacement of First Nations people. Now in 2022, the effects of the project are clearer. There is a severe lack of housing security for Aboriginal people in the area, especially as the redevelopment of the housing commission apartments in Waterloo begins. See below for actions and information related to The Block and the legacy of the Pemulwuy Project.
The Block in Redfern: filled with stories of family and passing travellers, of death, loss of faith and redemption – All The Best take you to one of Australia’s most talked about addresses.
Introduction Produced by Kath Lim
Yvonne Phillips Produced by Madeleine James
Shane and Lionel Produced by Kath Lim
Redfern Gym Produced by Jesse Cox
St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church by Gina McKeon
Mick Mundine Produced by Jesse Cox
Presenter: Eliza Sarlos Supervising Producer Gina McKeon Features Executive Producer: Jesse Cox Technical Producers: Antonia Gauci & Damian Enemark (repeat) Executive Producers: Jesse Cox, Brigitte Dagg, Eliza Sarlos Music credit: Image Credit: Lauren Carrol-Harris photo essay 'The Block'
The following are links to stories from First Nations people, actions and information that support the significance of The Block and Redfern, and the consequences of commercial redevelopment:
Aboriginal Housing Company - Redfern Oral HistoryAction for Public Housing - Facebook PageEviction, hardship, and the housing crisis - Tenants' Union reportHands Off Glebe - Public Housing Advocacy GroupThere Goes Our Neighbourhood - ABC Documentary (2022)There Goes The Neighbourhood Audio Project - Radio Skid Row
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From dissent to disrespect, this week, we bring you stories that explore the diverse consequences of food waste.
Around the Back
In our first story, a re-framing of the practice of dumpster diving.
Producer: Danielle O’Neal, Inger Kviseth, Doreen Lee and Christina Lu
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko and Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘Funky Suspense’ by Benjamin Tissot, ‘Tomorrow’ by Benjamin Tissot (bensound.com)
Once Were Foreigners
In our next story, poetic justice is served, with a side of cassava and yams.
Written by: Ita Marie Ralago for Debris Magazine
Sound Design: Mell Chun
Music: ‘Let us break bread’ by Les Petits Chanteurs de Montigny (Free Music Archive), ‘Waltz for Zacaria’ (Blue Dot Sessions), ‘Redemption Song’ (Acoustic Version) by, empresss1n3 (Youtube), ‘Go Down Moses Reprise’ by Dee Yan-Key (Free Music Archive), ‘Childhood Days by Universal Jubilaires (Free Music Archive)
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In honour of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we are looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today.
This week, ‘That Girl’ an episode from 2014 that had women speaking on their experiences with abortion. Note that as this is an episode from a few years ago the language around abortion is not inclusive of everyone who may have an abortion.
“I didn’t want to be That Girl Who Had An Abortion, because I’m not… When you look at the statistics, there are many of those girls”
We have so many conversations about abortion, but most of the time they’re abstract and political, they’re not about the lived experiences and choices of women who’ve terminated a pregnancy. A lot of the time it’s because those women are reluctant to put their head above the parapet. This week on All The Best we wanted to create a space for those conversations, a space for doubt, for relief, anger and even humour. A space for women’s stories.
Produced by Heidi Pett
Supervising Producer Kate Montague with assistance from Jess Bineth and Jess O’Callaghan
Music Credits: ‘Cauliflower Jack’ by Caitlin Park, ‘How’s Your Wife?’ by Caitlin Park
Presenters: Michaela Morgan and Michael Brydon
Community Coordinator: Pip Rasmussen
Executive Producer: Giordana Caputo
Features Executive Producers: Heidi Pett & Jess O’Callaghan
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, for NAIDOC Week, stories that acknowledge the continued need for dissenting action by First Nations people.
Charlie King
In our first story, a father and daughter tell the stories of three generations of proud Gurindji resistance and rebellion.
Storytellers: Charlie and Emma King
Producer: Kylie Stevenson
Charlie and Emma first told this story at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search Spun Stories wherever you listen to podcasts.
Our Shared Resistance
Next, an essay reflecting upon the similarities in the fights faced by both Palestinian people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in response to the lasting effects of settler-colonialism.
Read by: Gomeroi writer, Alison Whittaker
Written by: Darumbal/South Sea Islander journalist, Amy McQuire
Amy first wrote this piece for the Sunday Paper, an independent publication centering Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Palestinian people working to resist settler-colonial occupation.
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories about young people trying to understand their grandparents’ lives and why religion is so important to them.
First off, Danni chats to Madhuraa about her Grandfather Mr Sri, who has changed religions several times during his life.
Devotion
Next, Tanya investigates her grandparents’ lives as church leaders, and the decisions that lead them to become so involved in the church.
Produced by Tanya Bonnie Rae
Early Morning Great Bell
In our last story, Emma looks to connect with her grandma by learning more about her deep devotion to Buddhism.
Produced by Emma Pham.
Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo
Image: Raimond Klavins/ Unsplash Images
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Anusha Rana
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing more stories produced by Melbourne Uni audio journalism students as part of our special collaboration with the Science Gallery. Each student will be sharing their take on the theme “Breaking The Binary”
Aania Tandon
In our first story, the obstacles an interfaith couple faces on their journey to marriage.
Produced by Aania Tandon
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Qinyuan Zhang
Next, Qinyuan explores the way K-pop fans are breaking down gender binaries in response to artists who do the same.
Produced by Qinyuan Zhang
Supervising producer: Danni Stewart
Xin Meng
Up next is the story of Xiang and her experience being a trans woman living in China.
Warning, this story includes descriptions of transphobia, suicide and sexual assault.
For crisis support you can call lifeline on 13 11 14, for LGBT+ specific support you can call Qlife on 1800 184 527 or if you’d rather chat online head to Qlife.org.au
Produced by Xin Meng.
Supervising Producer Mell Chun
Zhixin Zhang
In our next story, June speaks about balancing her Chinese identity and pro-democracy beliefs, inspired by the city of Macau.
Produced by Zhixing Zhang,
Supervising producer Mell Chun
Sean Ruse
In our final story, Sean investigates the concept of prosocial lying and whether lying is morally wrong or just part of being polite.
Produced by Sean Ruse
Supervising producer: Daniel Semo
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the next two weeks we’ll be playing stories produced by Melbourne Uni audio journalism students as part of our special collaboration with the Science Gallery. Each student made a short story based on the theme “Breaking The Binary”
Death Doula
In our first story, Sasha Gattermayr explores life and death and how for some, these concepts aren’t as disparate as we may first assume.
Produced by Sasha Gattermayr.
Supervising producer: Ollie Krusec.
Music from Purple Planet
Indigenous Design
In our next story, Anaiwan person Nick Doyle on reclaiming space for Indigenous knowledge systems and incorporating connection to country in the built environment.
Produced by Nick Doyle.
Supervising producer Mell Chun.
My Self and My Homeland, Similarly Divided
Malta is a country heavily influenced by Catholic identity, so what happens when choose a different religion? Serena Raza speaks about the abrupt shift she faced when she converted to Islam.
Produced by Serena Raza.
Supervising producer: Mell Chun.
Sexism in Football
AFL is publicly known as a sport of growing inclusivity, with more participation of women and gender diverse people now than before. Angus delves into AFL behind the scenes, which differs from public perception.
Produced by Angus McIntyre.
Supervising producer: Danni Stewart.
Falling for a virtual boyfriend
In our final story, Gwen introduces us to a modern romance, and describes a relationship some may deem unconventional.
Produced by Gwen Lui.
Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo
Music from Blue Dot Sessions
All The Best Credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re celebrating a pretty huge milestone, our 500th episode!
All The Best was created by founding executive producers Jesse Cox, Eliza Sarlos and Bridgette Dagg in 2010. A time when there were no podcast apps and before storytelling podcasts were the phenomenon they are today.
This week, our host Danni chats to former EPs Jess O’Callaghan, Giordana Caputo, Heidi Pett and Allison Chan on the magic of storytelling, collaboration, community and more.
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In our recent Federal Election, Climate Change was a bigger agenda item than it has ever been before, and it’s no wonder. In the last four years, more Australians have been directly affected by Climate related disasters than every before. This week we are bringing you two stories from producers Sarah Mashman and Lisa Burns. They made these stories for All The Best from extra material gathered for the podcast series From The Embers.
Lismore
New South Wales Northern Rivers region understands flooding. Flood markers line sections of the roads and the town of Lismore- dissected by two major rivers has irregular inundations. But early in 2022, Lismore was hit by two major floods only weeks apart, the first trapping people in ceiling cavities and on roofs for hours overnight.
Produced by Sarah Mashman and Lisa Burns
Music by KPM
If you want to help those affected by flooding, you can donate to the Koori Mail Go Fund Me
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is an oasis for native wildlife and plants. In the summertime, goannas lay their eggs and little penguins start to moult old feathers before their voyage out to sea. However, In the summer of 2019/2020, the island’s inhabitants witnessed the biggest fires ever seen. And a content warning, this feature contains stories of animals in distress.
Produced by Lisa Burns and Sarah Mashman
Music by KPM
Find out more about Margi Prideaux’s Wild Politics
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Donny Janks
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The scariest part of falling is not knowing what happens after. This week we bring you stories of people getting back up again.
Nose Dive by Thomas Phillips
In our first story, a conversation with David who does a rapid nosedive from 8000 feet in the air.
Producer: Thomas Phillips
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubchenko
Backwards Forwards by Angela Glindemann
In our next story, Ange has decided to learn rollerskate, but anxiety complicates what is more than a simple hobby.
Producer: Angela Glindemann
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Sound designer: Lee Yee
Music: Ben Burnes
Getting Back On The Horse by Gladys Docking
After Gladys’ daughter suffers a brain injury, both mother and child fight against medical expectations.
Storyteller: Gladys Docking
Gladys first told this story at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search Spun Stories on your favourite podcast app.
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Thomas Phillips
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is part two of stories compiled from All The Best LIve!, a live storytelling event we put on with help from the City Of Sydney. The theme for the night was Secrets and Confessions.
First, we hear from Jared Richards, who is sharing a confession about his identity.
Jared is a queer critic based in Sydney, who has written for The Guardian, NME, The Big Issue and more, but he’s best known for his Drag Race recaps for Junkee. He also runs an irregular LGBTIQ+ reading night across Sydney, which doesn’t have a name because he can’t land on one.
Next up, Ruth Melville takes us into the confessions booth at a catholic girls school in the 70s.
Ruth’s fiction and non-fiction writing has been published in Island, Tirra Lirra, Meanjin, the Big Issue and The Australian.
Ruth has a keen interest in oral history, and is currently working with the Life Biography program at Sydney’s Sacred Heart Hospice.
Also Ruth’s story Beneath The Mask aired on All The Best last year – you can listen back on our website.
In our final story, Olivia Costa explores the complicated landscape of altered states. And a content warning, this story contains descriptions of substance use, death and swears.
Olivia is a writer and filmmaker interested in work that is poetic and affecting, often straddling the fine line between absurdism and reality, intimacy and distance.
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
Sound Recordist: Harvey O’Sullivan
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re sharing stories recorded at All The Best Live! A live storytelling event we put on with help from The City Of Sydney.
Our lineup of amazing storytellers took to the stage and performed work on the theme of secrets and confessions. We’ll be delivering the stories from the night in two parts with part two coming out next week.
In our first story, Wing discovers why so many people are attending grave sweeping day at her grandfather's grave. Wing is a journalist and audio producer in Sydney who spends too much time on watching cat videos. She is also the host of Chinese-ish, a new SBS podcast about young Chinese-Australians for young Chinese-Australians.
In our next story, Lungol shares a story of unrequited love. Lungol is an Indigenous Papua New Guinean storyteller and podcaster currently living and creating on Bidjigal land. You can experience his debut work ‘a body is all that remains’ at the Everything but the Kitchen Sink Festival this week and hear him every Friday on his podcast ‘Pasifikally.’
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
Sound Recording: Harvey O'Sullivan
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, stories of people finding their community.
Danny’s Story
Danny shares their experience of gender exploration. And finding support and safety at Jets, a youth arts facility in Bundoora.
CW: This story has a mention of gender dysphoria.
Producer: Duncan Stephen
Sound Design: Persephone Waxman
Punk Rock in a Bottle
Rosie Wu experienced severe culture shock when she moved from the Northern Beaches to a boarding school in China. She still travels to China regularly but feels like she doesn’t have much in common with her family. But then she found her tribe.
Producer: Mike Williams
Music: Cultural Revolution Ballet music, Cui Juin – Nothing to my Name, Midnight Oil – Surf’s Up Tonight, Tand Dynasty – The Sun, Chinese National Anthem, Zhou Yung Peng – Child of China (protest song), Boring Army – Long Live Punk, Backstreet Boys – Everybody, Yung Fang de Zhao Huan – A Call from Afar, The Beatles – Help, Bob Dylan – The Hurricane, The Police – Message in a Bottle, Mongolian Nine Treasures – Fable of Mangus, Shanren – Three Decades (Yunnan folk rock), Xu Wei – Unknown, Ajinai – Grass
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Donny Janks
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans and animals have interacted since forever, and anyone who has a pet will tell you that they make our lives better. But they also have lives, communities and feelings of their own that we’ll never fully understand. This week we bring you some cute, quirky and wholesome stories of humans getting close to animals.
Mr. Hernandez the Miracle Fish
First up, Mell suspects her cat has eaten her fish, but she is about to discover there is a lot more to Mr Hernandez the Betta fish than pretty fins.
Story by Mell Chun
Sound design by Tom Phillips
Something to Gaggle About
Most people don’t risk going anywhere near the geese at Centennial park, but then, Tom isn’t most people.
Producer: Tom Denham
Music from Epidemic Sounds
You can find more of Tom’s audio projects at tom-denham.com
Jeff The Turkey
When you’re in your early 20s and living in a share house, you can find yourself living with a party animal that gobbles. This is a story about friendship, feathers, and most of all, the love between a young man and his turkey.
Producer: Angela Moran
Supervising Producers: Jordan Fennell and Allison Chan
Music: ‘Shooting Stars’ by Bag Raiders, ‘Givin’ Up’ by The Darkness, ‘Rough River’ by Rough River, ‘Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time’ by The Darkness
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Tom Phillips
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Everyone loves a four day weekend! This week we’re joining in a birthday celebration, Easter egg hunts, a belated Lunar New Year dinner and creative backseat antics on family road trips. This episode is a repeat from 2018 when Samantha Groth was the host.
‘Are we there yet?’
In our first story we discover how Jordan and her family make it through a six-hour road trip.
Producer: Jordan Fennell
‘We’re going on an Easter egg hunt’
The Easter long weekend wouldn’t have been complete without an Easter egg hunt.
Producer: Britta Jorgensen
‘Made in a hurry’
We celebrate Passover and endure a character building exercise in the pursuit of a story.
Producer: Zacha Rosen
Music: Ave Roma Sonatori Te Salutant by Armando Trovaioli, The Lutz Police Militia by Alexandre Desplat, Jálale [Instrumental] by Mexican Institute of Sound
Thanks to Newtown Erskineville Anglican Church for letting Zacha cover their graveyard tour. Even though he lost all the tape.
Thanks to Joseph Ware, Samantha Groth, Karishma Tanvi, Angela Moran, Martyn Reyes and Yvonne Lam for their recordings of their long weekend.
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Host: Danni Stewart & Samantha Groth
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Tegan Nicholls & Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shakespeare called it the 'main course in life's feast' and Edgar Allen Poe thought of it as 'a little slice of death'. Some people love sleep, some find it difficult and some walk around and do weird stuff in their sleep without even realising.
While You Were Sleeping
In our first story, a conversation with a friend prompts Terri to ask her father about her childhood sleepwalking habit. She discovers some funny and spooky stories about her younger self, and figures, we must know more about the science of sleepwalking these days, right?
Producer: Terri Cowley
Supervising Producer: MJ Bakewell
Music and Sound Effects: Freesound.org
Sleep Tight
In our second story Paige deliberately deprives herself of sleep to understand more about the experience of insomnia and how it affects the brain. Don't try this at home!
Producer: Page Leacey
Supervising Producer: Bec Fary
Music: Sleep Tight (drone stem and synth stem), Quantum Sleep (light version), Soft Wired (light version) all sourced from Extreme Music.com, ‘Souls of Mischief (instrumental)’ by 93′ Til Infinity
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Lochie Stevens
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Love can be a powerful force, a call to action that unifies us and empowers us in the most difficult of circumstances.
Sunny and Peter by Conor Sweetman
Sunny and Peter led parallel lives. One in Ireland. The other in the United States. They both suffered injustice and tragedy. Then they found each other, and their healing could finally begin.
Producer: Conor Sweetman
Supervising Producer: Dan Semo
Music: Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound
For The Love of Blackfullas by Chelsea Watego
“It has always and only ever been love that binds us to each other and which fuels the fights we are forced to take up” says Chelsea Watego. This week we are talking about love and injustice, and it’s hard to talk about injustice without addressing the injustices in our own country, especially those faced by Aboriginal people in our own flawed legal system.
Our second story is an essay by Munanjahli and South Sea Islander academic and writer Chelsea Watego on the power of Black love.
CW: This story includes descriptions of racism and the names of people who have passed.
Written and read by Cheslea Watego
Edited by Mell Chun
This piece was originally written and recorded for The Sunday Paper.
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Niko Plaskas
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best we’re exploring the inner workings of the human mind.
AIMI makes a Podcast by Danni Stewart
AIMI is the host of a new podcast called Deep Meditations but she’s not your regular podcast host. Ryan set out to make a podcast produced entirely by Artificial Intelligence and AIMI is the result.
Producer: Danni Stewart
Subscribe to Deep Meditations wherever you listen to podcasts.
Lucid Dreaming by Peter Quattrocelli
Is it possible to control your dreams while you sleep? And if you could, what would you do? In this story, Peter finds out how wearable devices can help us harness our sleep in the hopes of achieving both the practical and the fantastic.
Producer: Peter Quattrocelli
Music: Epidemic Sounds
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In books and films, trains are the setting for great journeys, romantic encounters and perilous adventures, but in our daily lives, they are just public transport; dirty, noisy and crowded. This week we have stories about trains and the very different places they hold in our imaginations.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes some heavy content and reference to suicide. Please listen with care.
If you need support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the suicide callback service on 1300 659 467.
'Sidelines'
In our first story, Selina describes the scenes she witnessed on the Wynyard to North Ryde train line.
Producer: Selina Springett
'Steam Trains and Small Trains'
Our editorial manager, Mell, was in regional Victoria over the weekend, and encountered a handful of trains and train enthusiasts.
Producer: Mell Chun
'At The End Of The Rail'
In our last piece, Tim walks the tracks with his father and unpacks Australian mythology, masculinity, land and violence from a child's perspective. This poem is the opening to Tim's forthcoming verse memoir, ‘your father was a bastard’. You can find more of his work at timloveday.com
Written and Read by Tim Loveday
Sound Design: Mell Chun
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Lochie Stevens
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on All The Best we’re exploring why we crave touch from each other and how that connection can be like a kind of therapy.
‘My Pre-COVID Cuddle’ by Lee Robinson
The lockdown rules last year left many feeling disconnected and devoid of physical contact. Now more than ever, some of us just want a hug.
Before COVID was a thing, Lee Robinson paid a visit to cuddle therapist Sarah Belle to explore the benefits of platonic touch in a 1-on-1 cuddle session.
This story was made as part of a series exploring Australians with interesting jobs, called Do Quit Your Day Job.
Producer: Lee Robinson
Supervising producer: Evrim Şen
Music: ‘Peacoat’, ‘Astrisx’, ‘Slimheart’ and ‘Diatom’ by Blue Dot Sessions
The Power Of Touch With Ms G by Jess Nitties
Jess gives us a glimpse into the work of dermal therapist Geraldine Healy professionally known as Ms G Skinlife. Ms G highlights the power of connection through human touch and tells us about how she opens her doors to treat people with cancer for free each week.
Producer: Jess Nitties
Music composed by Jess Nitties (pka Sparrows) @sparrowstunes
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Sebastien Fijac
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we're cooking up a feast. Homemade noodles, thick and stretchy, boiled in lamb broth. Fresh egg tarts with warm, silky smooth custard, all washed down with a good glass of wine.
Dark Cherry, Limestone and Meat by Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Eugenia explores the rich universe of wine tasting
Music: ‘Corkscrew’ by Oren Ambarchi
Releasing Steamby Karen Cheng
Karen, a self-proclaimed cooking enthusiast, realises she doesn't know how to make food from her home country of Hong Kong. She enlists her dubious dad to teach her some of his favourite recipes.
Producer: Karen Cheng
Supervising Producer: Lea Redfern
Music: Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul and Mary, Seven Years by Norah Jones and Lee Alexander, Sunrise by Norah Jones and Lee Alexander.
You can listen to the full version of Karen's story here.
Rewind, Replay by Claire Cao
Adult siblings make hand-pulled noodles for their parents. And as they pull and stretch the dough, the daughter reflects on her family, her hopes and her fears.
Storyteller: Claire Cao
Sound design: Persephone Waxman
Claire first told this story at Boundless festival of Indigenous and culturally diverse writers. You can listen back to All The Best episode #481 to hear more performances from the festival.
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Donny Janks
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mardi Gras Season is upon us so this week on All The Best we're asking the question, 'what does queer liberation look like?'
Our first story is a rerun from early 2018. In the months following the marriage equality plebiscite Ange talks to different LGBT+ people about their relationship with labels.
'Call Me Ange' by Angela Glindemann
Producer: Angela Glindemann
Supervising Producer: Bec Fary
Sound design: Lee Yee and Amy Hanley
Our next story comes from SPUN, a live storytelling event in the Northern Territory.
'My Birthday' by Teddy Suphannabutt
Written and performed by Teddy Suphannabutt
Supervising producer: Johanna Bell
All The Best credits
Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we sadly bid farewell to our wonderful host Helenna. To round off her time at All The Best, Helenna is sharing of her favourite stories with us.
'Get Behind Me Satan' by Mark Yin
In our first story, Mark asks the question 'Is Satanism a religion'? and finds out about the politics and misconceptions surrounding this organisation along the way.
Producer: Mark Yin
Supervising Producer: Evana Ho
Music: Winking Fox Music, GeriArt, and Sscheidl.
'Jellyfish' by Amalyah Hart
In this next story, Amalyah describes the weird and wonderful world of jellyfish and what warning signs they hold for our environment.
Producer: Amalyah Hart
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Music: Peloton and At the Crown/City Whistle by Merriware (Used with permission). Additional sound sourced from BBC Sound Archive.
'Exploration of Darkness' by Cristina Marras
In this last story Cristina explores the meaning of darkness through a series of conversations with friends.
Producer: Cristina Marras
Music by Epidemic Sound
Image from Unsplash
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Thomas Phillips
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever visited a place that really gave you the creeps? This week we’re going on a road trip, sharing stories of spooky places around the country.
📍 Our first stop is Jenolan where MJ and her sister had the worst sleep of their lives.
Producer: MJ Bakewell.
📍 Up next we’re stopping off in Mudgee where Danni stayed at the oldest house in town.
Producer: Danni Stewart
📍 For our third stop we’re heading to Glenrowan where Daniel saw a very cursed animatronics show.
Producer: Daniel Semo
📍For our final stop we’re ending our spooky journey in Canberra, Sam’s hometown which she discovers has a very haunted history.
Producer: Samantha Groth
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last week marked the start of the Lunar New Year. It’s the year of the tiger, a symbol of bravery and strength, something it feels like we all need right now to face an uncertain world. Due to easing restrictions in Australia, many were able to celebrate the Spring Festival with family again, but with international travel still difficult, some are spending yet another year a long way from home.
Hotpot by Yimin Qiang
Yimin has been separated from her family for 3 years, she finds herself longing for the food that reminds her of her life in China. When Yimin decides to make Hotpot for her Australian family, she finds a new way to connect to her home away from home.
Produced by Yimin Qiang
Supervising producer: Mell Chun
Music from Blue Dot Sessions
Tin Valley by Mell Chun
Prompted by the rise in anti-Asian racism around the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, Mell set out to research the Chinese history of Tasmania and made some surprising discoveries. By telling the stories of Chinese-Tasmanian families, Mell hopes to discredit the myth upon which so much racism feeds, that Australia is, or ever was, White.
This is a shortened version of the first episode. You can listen to the full episode here or subscribe to Tin Valley anywhere you get podcasts.
Produced by Mell Chun
Music by Ben Cannings
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Australia has two of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. Due to COVID-19, the once busy streets have now become quiet, awaiting their revival. This week we have two stories about the past and present of Chinatowns in Sydney and Melbourne.
Time Machine by Wing Kuang
Two years ago, Wing flew to Sydney from Melbourne with the purpose of seeking an untold history of Sydney Chinatown, and she found the answer from a wooden board inside a church in Haymarket.
Producer: Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Music: Piano Moment by ZakharValaha
Night Market by Yiwen Wang
In Melbourne's Chinatown, a night market is regularly held for people to hunt for street food. What makes people in love with the night market atmosphere? Yiwen goes for a look.
That story was produced by audio journalism student Yiwen Wang as part of All The Bests 2021 collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the Science Gallery.
Producer: Yiwen Wang
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Music by Bluedot Sessions
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re excited to be bringing you a collection of stories, poems and songs performed live at Boundless Festival of Indigenous and Culturally Diverse writers.
Boundless is presented by Writing NSW and Bankstown Arts Centre and is made possible with the support of Create NSW, the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund and the Australia Council for the Arts. For more information about Boundless Festival, you can click here.
In this episode we're sharing sharing three beautiful performances from the Boundless Program. The first two come from 'When Breath Meets Air,' a performance event curated by Tina Huang which aims to showcase the power of the spoken word and to highlight why– as Eileen Myles writes, we should “believe in sound.” Why we should believe in the tiniest shakings, in the smells dispersing, in the tingling moments between breath and between air.
First we hear from Gomeroi poet, essayist and law academic Alison Whittaker. You can find Alison on Twitter @AJ_Whittaker.
Next we hear from human rights activist, poet and writer Sara Saleh. Sara is the daughter of migrants from Palestine, Egypt and Lebanon and is currently living on Gadigal Land. Her work has been published in English and Arabic in various national and international outlets and anthologies. Sara was the first poet to win the Peter Porter Poetry Prize and the Judith Wright Poetry Prize, she is currently developing her first novel. You can find her @SaraSalehOz on Twitter and @instasaraade on Instagram.
To close our episode, we have a poem performed by Nicole Smede as part of 'Empty City, Lonely Girl,' also curated by Tina Huang this performance event featured stories of loneliness and connection. Nicole is a multi-disciplinary artist of Worimi and European descent and uses language, song and poetry as a form of connection. Her voice can be heard on award-winning film scores, and poetry in visual and sound works, and publications including Guwayu: for all times, and 20x20x12 Sensing Place. You can find her @nicolesmede on Twitter and @nicole.smede on Instagram.
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we have a story about the passion of people who are dedicated to saving some tall and beautiful trees. It's also FBi Radio's Radiothon so you'll hear some of our team talk about their passion for community radio.
Flowering Giant by Evan Wallace
Did you know that the world’s tallest flowering trees can be found just an hour outside of Melbourne? Evan wasn’t familiar with them either, but thanks to a successful match on Hinge and a need for relief in lockdown, these threatened trees now shape his sense of home.
Producer: Evan Wallace
Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman
Music by Corey Walker
~ FBi's Radiothon ~
As a community radio station, FBI relies on listener support and an incredible team of volunteers to make what we do possible. This week, we’re reaching out to all our listeners who are interested in supporting financially. You can sign up to be a supporter at fbiradio.com/support.
As an FBi Radio Supporter you’ll be eligible to win giveaways like vinyl, movie tickets, gigs and more every single week. Plus if you sign up by November 19th you’ll go in the draw to win one of our 5 Radiothon major prizes which include a years worth of beer from Young Henrys and a year of coffee from Single O.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Emerging from lockdown, do you feel like you're returning back to the old ordinary life, or like you're entering a new world? This week's stories are about finding meaning in darkness and seeking joy in things around us.
Exploration of Darkness by Cristina Marras
There is no generic description that captures the essence of darkness. In this story, Cristina talks to some friends about how they think of darkness.
You can find more of Cristina's work here.
Music by Epidemic Sound
Preston Market by Zoltan Fecso
When there's not a lot you can do for fun in lockdown, even a simple trip to a local market can be full of excitement. In this story, Zoltan records his shopping trip and creates a time capsule of lockdown life.
Recording, music, narration & production by Zoltan Fecso
Image Credit: Bryce Padovan
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From listening out for the sweet songs of a healthy frog pond, to being woken up in the middle of the night by the screeches of an unwelcome guest, this week we have stories about animal sounds and interactions with nature, for better or worse!
🐍 Fact Check: The intro to this episode includes a line about carpet snake bites never healing. We've done some research and we're not sure that's 100% true. Probably best to steer clear of them anyway though! 🐍
When The Frogs Go Silent by Jacinta Bowler
Frogs have been suffering through their own pandemic. In the last few months, scientists have been rushing to understand a huge mass die off of green tree frogs. Jacinta investigates what’s happening, how it all started and how we can help all help by going for a walk without headphones.
Producer: Jacinta Bowler
Supervising Producer: Maddy Macquine
Music: Avenoir by Mathilda Skonare Karlsson
Image: Stephen Michael Barnett, creativecommons.org
Find out more about Frog ID, an initiative of the Australian Museum, and you can download the app on any app store.
If you see a dead or sick frog, please record the with locality and photo if possible and email calls@frogid.net.au
Blood Guts and a Dead Animal by Gaye Lawrence
Gaye hears the cries of a wild animal and she’s forced to do something she never thought she'd do.
This story was told as part of the Pine Creek Gold Rush Festival. You can find this story and more at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.
Written and read by Gaye Lawrence
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plastic tombstones, spooky skeletons and jack-o’-lanterns are popping up in front yards, the closer we tick towards October 31st. Halloween is soon approaching and this week on All The Best, we’re celebrating the coming of the Spooky Season.
The Barn Yip by Scott Haller
A wandering man seeks shelter in an old empty barn but finds it’s not quite as empty as he’d like.
Written and read by Scott Haller.
Producer: Mell Chun
You can find more of Scott’s work here.
Sound effects: Freesound.com
Witch Please by Connie Khoo
Growing up Connie loved watching Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Charmed and Bewitched. After her interest in Witches was recently reignited by WitchTok (Witch TikTok) Connie set out to understand more and discovered that Witchcraft is actually nothing like what we see in Movies and on TV.
Producer: Connie Khoo
Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Ollie Krusec
Host: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever seen a performance that blew your mind? That left you wondering how that person became so skilled? This week, we’re going behind the curtain and hearing the story of a juggler and a balloon performer.
The Balloon Man by Wing Kuang
When Johnson Hsu flew to Australia from Taiwan, he wanted to become a better street performer. Now, known as ‘The Balloon Man’, he is one of the most iconic buskers in Melbourne. With COVID-19 slowing the usual flow of tourists on Melbourne streets, things have changed for Johnson.
Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec
Music: The Way Home by GoodBMusic; Crazy Frog by Axel F; Goodbye Stress by Lesfm; Moon Acoustic Vibe by Lesfm
I’ve Been Learning To Juggle In Lockdown by Ryan Pemberton
In March 2020 as everyone started getting crafty with new lockdown hobbies, Ryan began learning how to juggle and documented his journey with audio diaries. In July 2021 as Sydney was plunged into another lockdown Ryan stated juggling again and then things got weird.
Music: Blue Dot Sessions
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re getting nostalgic this week and revisiting memories from childhood.
55 Years Of Playschool by Tom Denham
Play School has been inspiring children for 55 years, but what is the true winning factor that has helped it stand the test of time? Tom speaks with the early education team from Play School to find out why they take the time to explore enriching teaching points that have helped raise generations of Aussie kids.
Music: Playschool Theme sourced from the ABC and additional music from Epidemic Sound.
Pulling Out All The Stops by Hannah Pembroke
Some kids dream of a playstation, some a mountain bike, some a dog, all Hannah wanted was a Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake. The fact that Hannah’s family lived on a tiny boat sailing around the world made this dream seem impossible. That was until Hannah’s tenth birthday when she finally figured out a way to get her dream Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake.
Producer: Hannah Pembroke
Sound Design: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Cran Ras’, ‘Gin Boheme’, ‘Lowball’, ‘Laisse Valse’ by Blue Dot Sessions
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we're sharing two stories about injustice, persistence and freedom.
Hanif's Story By Mell Chun
Now that the Taliban once again have control of Afghanistan, one of the groups that have the most to fear are the Hazara people. Mell speaks to Hanif, a Hazara man who fled persecution and ended up in Australia.
Producer: Mell Chun
Music: Blue Dot Sessions
We Shall Overcome By Zahara Jithoo
In 1948 racial inequality was officially codified under the system of Apartheid. Zahara's dad ,Sanjay, was born into Apartheid and fled when he was 20 years old. Now 20 years old herself, Zahara talks to Sanjay about his turbulent experiences and how he created his own freedom.
Producer: Zahara Jithoo
Supervising Producer: Zoe Ferguson
Music: Freesound.org
All The Best credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
Feature Image by Mell Chun
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever tried writing a bio with one sentence? Sometimes it can be tricky to find the right word to describe yourself. This week, we're sharing two stories about languages, identity and home.
My Mother Tongue by Shuying Miao
Shuying grew up speaking her hometown dialect in China with her grandmother. As she reflected on the memory of her hometown, she also found many young people in China were losing their ability to speak their home language.
Producer: Shuying Miao
Supervising Producer: Zoe Ferguson
Evolution of Self Understanding by Carey Scheer
Before meeting Leanne in person, Carey scrolled through her Instagram account, where a post of Leanne standing in a doorway caught her attention. In this story Carey speaks to Leanne about her journey to the moment that photo was taken.
Producer: Carey Scheer
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With each sunrise comes light breaking through the darkness. This week’s stories are about destruction, devastation and darkness but also the healing that comes after.
Then Came The Birds by Sarah Mashman
When the bushfires in 2020 hit her home, Alice Ansara had to evacuate three times over six weeks through still burning forests and bypassing melting roads. She shares her story of walking through the smokes, ashes and tears.
You can hear more of Alice’s story in the CBAA series From the Embers.
Producer: Sarah Mashman
Music: Fearfully Dashing by Blue Dot Sessions, Gilroy by Blue Dot Sessions, Levanger by Blue dot sessions.
Sounds by Tegan Nicholls
Photo: Sarah Mashman
When I Lost My Mind to Find My Heart by T’ara
T’ara was sitting on the bus when her mind started to run again, syncing into the depths of an ocean of dark pondering that annually flood her head.
T’ara originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.
Writer and Performer: T’ara Cole
Producer: Alex Edmonson
When I Lived By Lungol Wekina
Indigenous Papua New Guinean writer and organiser Lungol tells the story of his people, paying homage to times of peace, reflecting upon a history of colonial violence, and looking forward to a revolutionary future.
Writer and Performer: Lungol Wekina
Sound Design and Original Music Composition: Danni Stewart
You can find more of Lungol’s work at Lungol.com.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
All The Best Supervising Producer Daniel Semo recently came home to Australia from Japan. Finding himself stuck in Hotel Quarantine for two weeks, he decided to make a new audio story every day.
14 Days by Daniel Semo
This episode features clips from Daniel's first seven days. You can listen to all the stories in full at danielsemo.com/14days
Music and sound design by Daniel Semo
Artwork by Vanessa Norlander
All The Best Credits
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we’re featuring the first episode of A Fluorescent Feeling. A project about pain and our bodies, how we talk about them and live inside them.
Content Warning: This podcast touches on some heavy themes, if you or someone you know require assistance, contact one of the following 24/7 crisis support services: Lifeline (13 11 14), beyondblue (1300 22 4636), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), eheadspace (1800 650 890), or QLIFE (1800 184 527). If you would like to read more about pain science visit Tame The Beast, Pain Australia and Chronic Pain Australia.
A Fluorescent Feeling by Georgia Mill, Michelle Macklem and Beth Atkinson-Quinton
Over Three million Australians live with chronic pain. Being in pain can be lonely, boring, scary and frustrating. But what if it could also be beautiful, colourful and textual? What if we could share it with others?
A Fluorescent Feeling encourages listeners to look at pain differently: asking questions about how we might record pain in new ways, how pain intersects with power and how pain and intimacy are related.
A Fluorescent Feeling is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
Producers: Georgia Mill, Michelle Macklem and Beth Atkinson-Quinton and the Broadwave Team
Find out more and listen to part 2 and 3 on Broadwave's Website or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our episode this week is dedicated to exploring how trade unions have been a powerful advocate for LGBTQI+ rights in Australia.
Pride Prejudice and Pink Bans by Rhiannon Soliman-Marron
When Jeremy Fisher was kicked out of his university dorm for being gay, a militant trade union of construction workers stepped in and said it wasn't right. Almost five decades later, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Australia still wears on, but are unions still on the frontline?
Producer: Rhiannon Soliman-Marron
Supervising Producer: Eurydice Aroney
Background info: Liz Ross
Music: The Tides 'Dream Escape', Wayne Jones 'Brain Trust', Puddle of Infinity 'Armchair Stellar Crossing', Loopop 'Subharmonic', Emily A. Sprague 'Bug Catching', The Tides 'Somnolent', The Almanac Singers 'Solidarity Forever'
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You know that feeling of forcing your brain to do something it just doesn't want to do? Whether it's trying to remember study notes for exams, or the protagonist's name from that book you read two years ago. Getting your brain work with you can be tricky! This week's stories are all about trying to hack your brain.
Chronicle of Darkness by Daniel Semo
In order to pass a Japanese language test, Daniel tried to “hack” his brain using various memorisation techniques, from the ancient to the modern. In the process, he also learned about his place in Japan and what it takes to really know another language.
Producer: Daniel Semo
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Music: “Tuck and Point” by Blue Dot Sessions and all other music and sound design by Daniel Semo.
Elevator Love by Gus Macdonald
Gus has an elevator crush. He's only known his crush for seconds, they've barely spoken, but still he imagines falling in love with this total stranger and the long, happy life they could have together.
Producer: Gus Macdonald
Supervising Producer: Helen Wolfenden
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Many of us across the country are currently under stay at home orders and only allowed to leave the house for essential reasons. This week, we’re peeping through the window into houses that have now become preschools, schools, universities and workplaces. From the sound of an alarm clock to tossing and turning at 1am. We’re taking you through a day in lockdown.
This episode was arranged by Danni Stewart and featured recordings from Mike Williams, Emma Pham, Lidiya Josifova, Narnie, Anna Wilson, Luke Stewart and Mell Chun.
If you find yourself struggling in this difficult time, lifeline is a safe space to be heard. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re taking you back to Ancient Greece with a story you probably didn’t read about in your school textbook.
The Bacchae by Jake Neville
You’d think that a story about a sexy, naked, lesbian forest cult and their gender-bending queer leader who destroy the patriarchy by dressing the nation’s head honcho in drag would be a very modern kind of story, right? You’d be wrong. Jake and Liam revisit the bloody story of Dionysus and the Bacchae and discover just how little has changed since 405 BC.
Find out more about the upcoming short film via instagram – @thebacchaeshortfilm
Producer: Jake Neville Supervising producer: Evana Ho Featuring: Liam Fitzgibbon
With special thanks to Ruby Ellam, Brodie Healy and Chelsea Pataki.
Music by Petros Tabouris Ensemble – public domain arrangements Music by Nik Navy – owned by Jake Neville
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, for our final instalment of the ‘swarm’ series, we explore the link between jellyfish blooms and climate change, increasing surveillance in our major cities, the world of dating apps and more!
Each of these stories were produced by Melbourne University Audio Journalism students as part of a special collaboration with the Science Gallery.
Content Warning: This episode contains sexually explicit content and mention of sexual harassment.
Bec Pridham
Why do bees swarm? Is there any rhythm or rhyme? Bec Pridham chats with local Adelaide beekeepers, unpacking swarming behaviour and how it is changing.
Sound sourced from BBC Sound Effects.
Producer: Bec Pridham
Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim
Clancy Balen
Do you ever get the feeling that you’re being watched? Or followed? Tracked, maybe? Well, these days we are. We all are. Private actors, or local governments, here in Australia someone’s always watching.
Music: Pat Telfer, The Elevator Bossa Nova by Ben Sounds, Marche funèbre d’une marionette by Charles Gounoud and original composition.
Producer: Clancy Balen
Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec
Amalyah Hart
Jellyfish blooms are a captivating sight, with thousands of the creatures massing together in groups that can be kilometres wide. But these blooms are also linked to pollution and climate change, because jellyfish thrive in the kinds of conditions that can kill most other marine creatures.
Music: Peloton and At the Crown/City Whistle by Merriware (Used with permission). Additional sound sourced from BBC Sound Archive.
Producer: Amalyah Hart
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Josh Nevett
The popularity of dating apps is soaring, producing stories that are unique to the digital age. Josh Nevett brings us two of those stories, begging the question… should you join the swipers, or is it best to avoid keyboard intimacy like the plague?
Music: ‘Sexy Lounge’. Sourced from Adobe Stock.
Producer: Josh Nevett
Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec
Julie Barman
Have you ever peacefully sat down in public transport, or happily danced to your favourite songs in a nightclub only to feel someone coming too close to you without your permission? Julie Barman talks to young women about their experiences of sexual harassment on a night out.
Producer: Julie Barman
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Ollie Krusec
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week is part two of our showcase of work from Melbourne University Audio Journalism students responding to the theme ‘swarm.’ In this episode we explore ‘swarm’ through the context of bats, mice, robots and activism.
Front Yard Fox by Danni Stewart and Helenna Barone-Peters
An increasing number of foxes have been taking over the streets and shorelines of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Danni and Helenna discuss the council’s failed attempts to get rid of them.
Music: Clarence Carter – Looking For A Fox
Die Hu
More and more Grey-headed flying foxes have been coming to Melbourne due to a loss of habitat in New South Wales and Queensland. Die Hu takes us for an evening stroll along the nature trail to the bat colony living in the Yarra Bend Park.
Producer: Die Hu
Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim
Find out more about Micro Bats of Melbourne, Bat Boxes and Fly By Night.
Maya Pilbrow
A lot of companies in Australia make their money through the production and sales of security and defense technology. In other words, weapons. Maya Pilbrow talks to activists dedicated to exposing the role of Australian-made weapons in human rights abuses in West Papua.
Producer: Maya Pilbrow
Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart
Find out more about Wage Peace and Make West Papua Safe.
Angus Thomson
Right now, parts of New South Wales are enduring their worst mouse plague in decades. Angus Thomson revisits the horrors of 1984 to find out why these plagues keep happening, and how it all ends.
Producer: Angus Thomson
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Jiayi Yin
Imagine you’re staying at a hotel and the whole time you’re there you don’t need to interact with another soul. Would you miss talking to the concierge? In China’s hotel industry, robots are increasingly replacing people in customer service roles. Jiayi Yin looks into this rise of robots and asks if they can really replace people.
Producer: Jiayi Yin
Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart
Music: The Beauty of Technology by Night Light.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Josh McKay
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over the next three weeks, we’ll be playing stories produced by Melbourne University Audio Journalism students as part of a special collaboration with the Science Gallery. Each student will be sharing their take on the theme “swarm.”
Matthew Hall
Matthew speaks with the director of science organisation Cesar about approaches to pest management, and how reimagining our relationship with creepy crawlies might be the answer.
Producer: Matthew Hall
Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec
Nyima Lhamo Wangchuk
Rural-urban migration is one of the most urgent challenges Bhutan is facing. As people swarm to urban settlements leaving rural villages empty, a cultural void arises. Nyima explores how this demographic shift also has a cultural impact.
Producer: Nyima Lhamo Wangchuk
Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec
Yue Jiang
Yue looks at how the arrival of European fast-fashion brand Brandy Melville has negatively impacted young women in China.
Producer: Yue Jiang
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Harry Sekulich
Harry unpacks common misconceptions about Australia’s beloved marsupial, the kangaroo, speaking with motorists about their run-ins with roos on the road.
Producer: Harry Sekulich
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Julie Mae Fenwick
Julie’s mum and auntie reflect on the time when her uncle became the leader of a cult.
Producer: Julie Mae Fenwick
Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producer: Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're taking a break and playing your some of our favourite stories from the All The Best Archives. We'll be back with new stories next week!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're taking a break over the next few weeks and sharing some of our favourite stories from the All The Best Archives.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week is Refugee Week, so we’re revisiting two stories about the treatment of refugees who’ve come to Australia by boat. For the team at All The Best, this week is a time for reflection about what it means to live on stolen land, in a place where people are incarcerated for seeking safety.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're taking a break for the next few weeks and sharing some of our favourite stories from the All The Best Archives.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're taking break for the next few weeks and sharing some of our favourite stories from the All The Best archives.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two amateur detectives take a mystery into their own hands.
Bike Noir by Cherese Sonkkila
Cherese Sonkkila was just an ordinary person until the day her bike got stolen. That’s when Chelsea Stone showed up; a hardboiled alter-ego who would stop at nothing until she solved the case. This is a true story infused with film noir fantasy.
Featuring: David Maney, Rosanna Dunlop, Oliver Coleman and Aaron Lam.
Producer: Cherese Sonkkila
Supervising Producers: Max Rowley and Mell Chun
Music: Night on the Docks, Bass Walker, Deadly Roulette, Cool Vibes, Cool Vibes, Cool Vibes and Cool Vibes by Kevin MacLeod, Noire #1 by Music By Pedro, The Black Cat by Aaron Kenny, Flor Vjell, Ervira, Illa Villardo, Uncertain Ground and Bivly by Blue Dot Sessions. License: CC BY 3.0 https://goo.gl/Yibru5
The Wahls Protocol by Thomas Phillips
When Sam discovers a cryptic note nestled in his deceased grandma’s hand the day before her funeral, he questions everything he thought he knew about her.
Producer: Thomas Phillips
Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart
Music: Kern Pkl by Blue Dot Sessions, Single Still by Blue Dot Sessions.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We look at learning as a way to upskill, to earn more, to improve ourselves. This week's stories are a rejection of those notions, about the joys of learning for learning's sake.
Australian Cultural Library by Nic Huntington
Steve Towson and his partner Vanessa Glenn have an obsession with Australian folk music that rivals local libraries, so they decided to start their own.
Producer: Nic Huntington
Supervising Producer: MJ Bakewell
Miro’s Project by Mell Chun
Mell talks to her 10-year-old nephew Miro about Kanton, a South Pacific island that he is captivated by, and the surprising things he’s learnt through his curiosity.
Producer: Mell Chun
Sound Design: Ben Cannings
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Web Producer: Conor Hughes
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leaving a sure thing for the unknown is undoubtedly scary. These stories are about taking chances, and how going out on a limb can lead to a surprising, if unexpected pay-off.
Central Desert Enigma by Miks Everitt
Ali runs away from her old life in Melbourne to work in the Northern Territory, and unexpectedly finds a fresh start waiting for her in the heart of Australia.
Producer: Miks Everitt
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
How I unravelled my life by Alex Edmondson
On Alex’s 34th birthday, her career as a filmmaker was hanging by a thread, she was living with her parents and she was questioning her sexuality. Then she received the news that she was facing premature infertility.
Story by: Alex Edmondson
Alex originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory.
SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Web Producer: Conor Hughes
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A faded memory from childhood and a false story that becomes a family memory. A yearning for reconnection and resolution drives this week’s two stories.
I am a Podcaster by Cristina Marras
Cristina is fluent in three languages but unable to communicate with her illiterate grandmother, who only spoke Sardinian, and found herself mourning the loss of culture and familial connection this bizarre situation brought.
Produced by Cristina Marras
All music from Epidemic Sound Library.
Beneath the Mask by Ruth Melville
All that Ruth Melville knew about her great-aunt Agatha was that she was institutionalised because she refused to wear a mask during the 1919 influenza epidemic. That was until she set out to investigate.
Producer: Ruth Melville
Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo
Music from Peter Dasent and Blue Dot Sessions
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Web Producer: Conor Hughes
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Based on memories pushed through a romantic lens, nostalgia is a feeling that is comfortable to sit in, yet often factually incorrect. It can be hard to reconcile the things that made us so happy in the past, that we now know really weren’t helpful, or perhaps even harmful.
Rom Coms Ruined My Life by Danni Stewart
Recently, Danni went on a nostalgic rom-com binge and discovered the movies she loved so much as a 14 year old left her with some problematic ideas about love.
Producer: Danni Stewart
All music used is from Blue Dot Sessions
Love Letter by Wing Kuang
David Hourigan loves old buildings. He sends love letters to old shops in Sydney and Melbourne. But instead of writing his passion on paper, he makes miniatures of them.
Producer: Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: Olivia Krusec
Find out more: David’s Instagram
All Music from freesound.org
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Oliver Duke
Host: Mell Chun
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Web Producer: Conor Hughes
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We can never really understand how somebody wishes to be seen and understood in the world unless we listen. Sometimes they want to inform and educate from their marginalised viewpoint, other times they simply want to share.
Story of Your Life by Lee Robinson
It’s often in the silences that someone will say more to you. When it comes to penning an end-of-life biography, the process can have unexpected consequences for both biographer and client.
Producer: Lee Robinson
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Find out more: www.epc.asn.au
All music used is from Blue Dot Sessions
Nice, But Not Really by Carey Scheer
Harmful language is regularly directed at the disability community. But it’s not just slurs or insults. It’s also the other “I” word - inspirational.
Producer: Carey Scheer
This story originally appear on the Purple Orange Podcast
All Music from premiumbeat.com
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Web Producer: Conor Hughes
Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week’s stories, we’re diving headfirst into the darkness and discovering that sometimes through the darkness we find a sense of freedom.
Get Behind Me, Satan! by Mark Yin
Is Satanism a religion or a cult? Does it exist to annoy Christians or is it really devil worship? Mark Yin spoke to a professor of religious studies, as well as Noosa’s most infamous Satanist, to find out.
Producer: Mark Yin
Supervising producer: Evana Ho
Music: Winking Fox Music, GeriArt, and sscheidl.
Horror Story: Dawn of the Covid by David Maney
A pandemic, the memory of a medical diagnosis, and a monster in the mind turn David Maney into the director of his own horror movie. What is lurking in the shadows?
Written and performed by David Maney
Produced and composed by Ben Keene
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Josh McKay
Host: Helenna Barone-Peters
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Web Producer: Conor Hughes
Community & Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stories of two hobbies that, if not extreme in nature, are being pushed to extreme lengths by passionate individuals.
Kinder Surprise by Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Hooman’s house is what you’d get if a clown car swerved into a museum - fun, wacky, educational, and with the implied rule that you must not touch the T-Rex fossil. The two-metre tall glass display case filled with Kinder Surprise toys is his crown jewel, and today he’s going for a World Record.
Producer: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart
Suburban Stargazing by Andrew Grey
As one of the Territory’s only amateur astronomers, Andrew is used to solitary stargazing... except for the time word got out about his obsession after he helped Brian Cox discover a new solar system.
Story: Andrew Grey
Producer: Johanna Bell
Andrew originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory.
SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Helenna Barone Peters
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Web Producer: Conor Hughes
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we’re saying goodbye to our superstar host of the past two years Maddy, but we’re also saying Hello to our new host Helenna. To mark this huge moment we’re bringing you stories about endings and new beginnings, from refugees starting life post detention to a poem about the last strands of a one-sided romance and the a love of leaving places.
The Value of Freedom - by Matilda Fay
Thanush and Ramsiyar are refugees who were detained offshore. After eight years in detention, they are finally free and living in the Australian community. But with temporary visas and no financial support, it’s difficult for them to rebuild their lives.
Producer: Matilda Fay
Music: Roadside Bunkhouse, Dolly and Pad, Taoudella.
Find out more: Refugeeaction.org.au
Endgame - by Vivian Tran
In this poem we hear a story of one-sided love that lasted three years. A crush placed on a pedestal so high, that every red flag was ignored.
Find more of Vivian’s Poetry on her Instagram.
Poet: Vivian Tran
Producer: Danni Stewart
For The Love Of Leaving by Mell Chun
Mell loves leaving places. After highschool she packed up everything and traveled around Australia for 9 months before landing in Wollongong for a while, then Tasmania almost broke her geographical non-monogamy. Now she's settled in Naarm/Melbourne but wonders when the she'll get that feeling again, that desire to pack up everything and leave to start somewhere new.
Producer: Mell Chun
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Hosts: Maddy Macquine and Helenna Barone Peters
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham
Image: Woodleywonderworks via https://commons.wikimedia.org/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, outgoing host Maddy shares some of their favourite All The Best stories.
Mouthfeel by Jared Richards
It was an accident when Jared first used his housemate’s toothbrush. If he’d known how much he liked doing it, he would’ve done it ages ago.
Sound design and original music composition: Pip Leason
Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Additional thanks to Subbed In, where Jared first read a draft of ‘Mouthfeel’
Music: ‘Femme Fatale’ – The Velvet Underground & Nico (performed by the Vitamin String Quartet), ‘Sunday Morning’ – The Velvet Underground (performed by the Vitamin String Quartet)
Howdie Doo by Papa Grumbus
Upon starting an observational experiment as a strange New Years resolution, Papa Grumbus discovers how absurd their interactions are with those closest to them, and how little they actually know about the world surrounding them.
Producer: Papa Grumbus
Recordist: Zacha Rosen
This story was originally read at Read to Me, a comics reading night in Sydney. Find out more on their Facebook.
Public Defecation Act by Concetta Caristo
Most people like to edit out the most embarrassing parts of their lives. Not Concetta. She wants to tell you exactly what happened when her Mum found her blind drunk in the gutter on Norton St.
Written and performed by Concetta Caristo
Instagram: @concettaworldwide
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Airliner’ by Podington Bear, ‘The Confrontation’ by Podington Bear
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Oliver Duke
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As Tiarne says goodbye to her family home and Rawah reflects on the huge family that raised her they both discover that home isn’t just a physical space but a collection of memories, smells, conversations and people.
Our House, Breathing by Tiarne Cook
After almost 30 years Tiarne’s family home had to be sold when her parents split and with the final goodbye, it really felt like she was farewelling much more - a lifetime of memories, as well as her old family dynamic. So where does home go when it’s no longer a physical place we can visit? And can we ever get it back?
Producer: Tiarne Cook
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Special Thanks to The Cook family - Chris, Laurence, Hayley for taking the time to be interviewed.
Music: Delion, Sketchbook 2, Drizzle, Cafe Nostro, Trenton Channel, Reflections by Blue Dot Sessions.
An Introvert’s Guide To Surviving An Arab Family of Extroverts by Rawah Arja
Rawah sometimes wonders if people think her family, a 25-strong Lebanese clan, are a cult. They live in three houses side-by-side on the same street in Punchbowl, south western Sydney, roaming freely onto each other’s properties, with detached fences and no clear boundaries. Despite what anyone on the outside might think of this her family’s arrangement, Rawah wouldn’t have it any other way. In this story, Rawah reflects on her huge family and the village that raised her.
In this episode Rawah Arja presents an essay on family life at her home in Punchbowl, Western Sydney.
Read Rawah’s essay ‘An Introvert’s Guide to Surviving an Arab Family of Extroverts’ here on the SRB.
Find more of her work at her website: rawaharjaauthor.com and follow her on Instagram @rawaharja.
Writer and Reader: Rawah Arja
Producers: Catriona Menzies-Pike and Allison Chan
Composer and sound designer: Elina Godwin
This piece was originally recorded for the Sydney Review of Books podcast. You can also read Rawah’s essay on the Sydney Review of Books website.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Josh McKay
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of racism and sexual harassment.
When we think of horror we tend to imagine zombies, ghosts, unexplainable sounds in the night. But how about the horrors we experience as we go about our day to day? The real and impending everyday horrors that leave us tense with anxiety, chills down our spine and emotionally exhausted.
This week, we hear stories of everyday horrors produced by New Moon Collective and Refugee Art Project, all artists in residence at Thirning Villa, Ashfield.
Street Harassment by Eleni Christou
As women’s marches take place across the country this week, Eleni discusses street sexual harassment with her friend Fatima, a social worker based in Cyprus.
Everyday Racism by Zeinab Mir
Dealing with everyday racism leads Zeinab to take on a different name and reflect on the connection between name and identity.
Hazeen by Safdar Ahmed
We hear from the members of Hazeen, an anti-racist Muslim death metal, black metal band committed to addressing the themes of racism and Islamophobia in Australian society.
These stories were from their variety show called 'Horror of the Everyday' - made with support from inner west council and facilitated/co-produced by Mike Williams. To hear more stories go to newmooncollective.co/projects or find new moon or the refugee art project on instagram.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Maddy Macquine
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of racism.
This week we hear about the fight to make wrestling more inclusive and from a dedicated football fan whose club hasn’t had a win in years.
The Real Fight Behind Australian Pro Wrestling by Eugene Yang
In 18 years of pro-wrestling, Joel “The Smash Hit” Bateman never wore the Indigenous flag on his tights, and kept an important part of his identity away from his in-ring character because he never felt safe from the racism he heard from the stands and the problematic storylines. But, then 2020 came. The pandemic forced the wrestling community into a moment of reflection while Black Live Matter rallies around the world opened their ears to what Joel and other diverse wrestlers had been trying to say. This path has led to Deathmatch Downunder, a promotion Joel co-founded, where he finally feels safe and ready to bring his whole self into the ring.
Producer: Eugene Yang
Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson
Music: “HIghway 430” by Truck Stop from Blue Dot Sessions: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions, “Kvelden Trapp” by Fjell from Blue Dot Sessions: Kvelden Trapp by Blue Dot Sessions, The Bulwark from Blue Dot Sessions Kvelden Trapp by Blue Dot Sessions
Why Root For The Losing Team by Luke Fennech
Why do fans turn up week in and week out to support their team, even if they aren’t winning? Why don’t they just support another team? Well there’s a lot more to fandom than you might think.
Music: Running Waters by Audionautix, Ellies Home Stretch by The Great North Sound Society and The Quiet Aftermath by Sir Cubworth.
Producer:Luke Fennech
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Maddy Macquine
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Warm & cuddly or slippery & slimy we rely on our cute animal friends to bring us comfort and companionship. This week a story about snails and one very special cat.
Learning To Go Slow by Ivy Shih
The COVID-19 pandemic left Ivy feeling sluggish and withdrawn. Even after lockdown restrictions began to ease in Sydney, she found herself still reluctant to interact with the outside world. Then Ivy came across a project about tracking snails, and decided to take part.
Find more info about the The snail homing project and share your stories on Urban Field Naturalist.
Producer: Ivy Shih
Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson
Music:‘Picnic March’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘The Poplar Grove’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Imagery’ by Xylo-Ziko, ‘Inside the paper crane’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Crystals’ by Xylo-Ziko
Meow To Be by Wing Kuang
The first time when Wing saw Alexander, she knew she was meant to meet him. They had a great time together, but it was also their destiny to farewell each other. Would it still be counted as a fate, if it was just temporary?
Producer: Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: Mell Chun
Sound Design: Mell Chun
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Josh McKay
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week we hear two childhood stories about big food related dreams.
Pulling Out All The Stops by Hannah Pembroke
Some kids dream of a playstation, some a mountain bike, some a dog, all Hannah wanted was a Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake. The fact that Hannah’s family lived on a tiny boat sailing around the world made this dream seem impossible. That was until Hannah’s tenth birthday when she finally figured out a way to get her dream Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake.
Producer: Hannah Pembroke
Sound Design: Ryan Pemberton
Rebel Without a Wok by Ange Wu
In Ange Wu’s childhood home, the kitchen was completely off limits. Ange never understood why she did everything she could to try and get inside. Years later, when her brother was bringing home an engineering degree, Ange was busy conjuring the perfect food van, a dream that would take her all over the world and back in time to her grandmother’s kitchen in Taipei. It’s there that Ange discovered the truth about her rebel roots.
Ange originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory.
SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Host: Maddy Macquine
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last November we shared an episode about the important link between language and culture. Today, we’re continuing that conversation with two stories from the CBAA National Features and Documentary Series.
Never Gonna Let The Language Go Away by MJ Bakewell
What does ‘justice’ even mean if no one speaks your language? There are over 17 Aboriginal languages spoken in and around Mparntwe Alice Springs – but there’s only been an Aboriginal interpreter service since the year 2000. MJ Bakewell looks to the past, and one Yankuntyjatjara man’s legacy, to see how far we’ve come to ensure Aboriginal language speakers have the right to understand, and be understood.
Music: Trail runner by Blue Dot Sessions, Algorithms by Chad Crouch, Passed Tense by Anne van Schothorst, Low Coal Camper by Blue Dot Sessions, 4th Chair by Blue Dot Sessions.
Producer: MJ Bakewell
Supervising Producer: Belinda Lopez
Produced for the 2020 CBAA National Features and Documentary Series.
My Mother Tongue by Bernadette Nguyen
They say that to speak a language is to take on a world, but for people from different cultural backgrounds living in Western spaces it’s easier said than done. Bernadette Nguyen speaks to her mother, a young Korean migrant, and a Wiradjuri woman, to find out how much of the world multilingual people can take on in My Mother Tongue.
Music by Jerome Blazé and Gemma Navarrete
Producer: Bernadette Nguyen
Supervising Producer: Celeste Macintosh
Produced for the 2020 CBAA National Features and Documentary Series.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Grandparents Rae and John are fighting for climate action. Since their retirement, they’ve ditched the caravan for the picket line and have participated in more non-violent direct actions than they can count.
'Age Of Activism' By Jordyn Beazley
Inspired by the youth climate strike, there is a new growing cohort of people joining the climate fight - our grandparents. Gifted with the golden years of time and wealth for some, many older Australians are using their retirement to become full-time climate activists. But there is much more to these grey nomads turned activists than waving signs at protests. In this story, Jordyn Beazley follows two grandparents on an epic protest mission to barricade one of the most infamous sites in Australia’s climate crisis debate - the Adani Carmichael Coal mine.
Producer: Jordyn Beazley
Supervising Producer: Rachel Fountain
Additional Supervising Production: Mell Chun
Music: Pulsating Brain, Lobo Loco - Sourced from The Free Music Archive.
All The Best credits:
Production Manager: Danni Stewart
Editorial Manager: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Images: Provided by Jordyn Beazley
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
State borders are opening up. Restrictions are easing. And many of us are eager to travel, after a long wait, to see friends and family.
For our last episode of the year, we hear the stories of people who are still left in limbo—refugees and asylum seekers held in indefinite detention, and Australian citizens unable to return home.
'It's Not Over 'Til It's Over' by Max Rowley and Navin Sam Regi
For months, activists blockaded a makeshift detention centre in inner-city Brisbane, demanding more than 100 refugees and asylum seekers be set free. The activists slept in their cars, held up signs to passing motorists, and served as a support system for the men inside.
Then the blockade stopped. Was it all for nothing? What happens next?
Producers: Max Rowley and Navin Sam Regi
Supervising producer: Mell Chun
Music: 'Li Fonte' and 'Arctic Draba' by Blue Dot Sessions
'Every Assistance And Protection' by Daniel Semo
Exorbitant ticket prices. Cancelled flights. Expired visas. Perhaps worst of all—the feeling that your country no longer cares about you.
Since Australia started placing weekly caps on the number of people who can enter the country, tens of thousands of its citizens have been left stranded overseas, trying to get back in. Some are in dire situations, in dangerous places, stuck there through no fault of their own.
Producer: Daniel Semo
Supervising producer: Sarah Mashman
Original sound design and music by Daniel Semo
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Max Rowley
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You know what's unhelpful? Having depression and being told happiness is a choice. Or having chronic pain and being asked if you've tried doing yoga.
This week, because unsolicited advice from people who don't understand you sucks, we have two stories of sharing support and solidarity with people who do.
We meet a group of temporary visa holders unable to return to Australia, and a bookclub championing gender equity in STEMM fields. Both communities are helping each other through common challenges. Both stories are reported by producers who know what it's like to be in their shoes.
'STEMMinist' by Ivy Shih
There is a movement that is aiming to break down barriers for women in research one book at a time.
Welcome to STEMMinist, a bookclub where scientists gather to discuss not just their love for science books but share solutions and solidarity about the current challenges for women working in research - over glasses of wine, cups of tea and gin in teacups.
Producer: Ivy Shih
Supervising producer: Britta Jorgensen
Music: Delamine, Hedgeliner, Slimheart by Blue Dot Sessions
'Locked Out' by Killian Keating and Fiona Mayers
You travel back home to see your family... or maybe to attend a funeral. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hits and Australia closes its borders.
Suddenly, you’re stuck outside, away from your home, your work and your belongings.
From 6HFM in Perth, Fiona Mayers and Killian Keating talk to the people locked out of Australia.
Producers: Killian Keating and Fiona Mayers
Supervising producer: Lynda McCaffery
Music: 'Gale', 'Maisie Dreamer' and 'Toothless Slope' by Blue Dot Sessions, 'Ready Lets Go' by Boards of Canada
This story was produced for the CBAA's National Features and Documentary Series, with training from the CMTO.
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Adam Niklewicz via Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feeling lost? Ill at ease?
This week, we have stories to guide you through: troubled waters, flooded plains, and a malfunctioning waterslide.
'Guided Meditation' by Bethany Gargett
Meditation is for everyone, no matter who you are or what you’re going through. Why not dip your toes in the water and give this short guided meditation a go? It’s very calming.
Produced by Bethany Gargett
Music: ‘Relaxing’ by Benjamin Tissot
A genuinely calming guided meditation, led by Bethany's brother.
'sweet smoke' by Jazz Money
"This poem is dedicated to the humbling work of the Djab Wurrung Embassy, with their blessing. It was written last year in 2019 as people gathered on Djab Wurrung Country and while watching from a distance, I was filled with a certain kind of hope."
Written and performed by Jazz Money
This poem was written on the lands of the Darug and Gundungurra. It is dedicated to the Djab Wurrung people and their fight for Country. This piece came runner up in the Nakata Brophy prize 2020.
Jazz's poem was published in Overland. You can read it there.
'Elephant in the Waterslide' by Gus Macdonald
A story about punks, catastrophes and brain magic. Sometimes waterslides are as dangerous as they look.
Written and performed by Gus Macdonald
Sound design by Gus Macdonald
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Judy is a Dickslap’ by Belle & Sebastian, ‘The Magic Flute Overture’ by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, ‘Silent Descent’ by Eugenio Mininni, ‘I just need love’ by Arulo (CC also from mixkit)
'Bodies of Water' by Campbell Whyte
Bodies of Water is a comics installation that draws on Campbell's memory of growing up along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River). Trying to make visible the way thoughts flow together, past, present, future. The physical world around us and the internal world blurring and connecting. Bodies of Water is a work that tries to connect Campbell's life on this land with the life in the land.
You can read the comic here.
Campbell read this story at Read To Me, a live comic-reading night held at Knox St. Bar in Sydney.
Written and performed by Campbell Whyte
Sound design by Ryan Pemberton
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Julian Wan
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Daniel Jensen via Unsplash
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's a fact of life that you can't always get what you want. But you can always try for the next best thing.
This week, stories of people finding substitutes for what they're missing.
'Big Dad Energy' by Marlee Jane Ward
Who’s your daddy? For Marlee Jane Ward, the answer’s a bit more complex and fantastical than you’d think.
This piece was published by Kill Your Darlings. And you can read it here.
Written and performed by Marlee Jane Ward
Sound design by Ryan Pemberton
Music: 'Ranch', 'A Little Powder', and 'True Shape' by Blue Dot Sessions.
‘Maharal – מהר"ל’ by Olivia Shenken
A Jewish folktale retold as a spooky story about creation, the power of words, and delicious home cooked meals.
Maharal was written for Voiceworks, a national literary journal featuring new Australian art and writing. You can read Olivia's piece in glorious print form in Voiceworks Issue #119: Butter.
Written and performed by Olivia Shenken
Sound design by Mell Chun
Music: 'Palms Down', 'Warm Fingers', 'The Crisper', 'Chafftop', 'Are We Loose Yet', 'Dowdy' by Blue Dot Sessions.
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: meme
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gus Fitzgerald, a surfer and swimmer and commercial diver, describes a life of lessons learnt from the man who taught him to swim. And Timmy Burarrwanga tells the history of pre-colonial contact between Makassarese of Indonesia and the Yolngu people of Arnhem land -- a history rooted in sea cucumber.
This week, knowledge gained and bonds formed by the ocean.
'In The Deep' by Gus Fitzgerald
Many of life’s lessons Gus learnt in the sea. But his dad's cancer diagnosis when Gus was only a small child meant a father-son relationship in the shadow of loss; one that would eventually teach Gus the most important lesson of all. How to stay afloat when you lose the people you love the most; how to survive in the deep.
Gus told his story live in May 2018 at SPUN at Garrmalang Festival at Darwin Entertainment Centre.
You can subscribe to the SPUN Stories podcast, and find out more about the SPUN storytelling project by visiting spunstories.net. You can also look for Spun Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
If you need support after listening to this story, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Storyteller: Gus Fitzgerald
Producer: Sam Carmody
'Trepang' by Bridget Chappell
Bridget Chappell interviews Yolngu cultural leader Timmy Burarrwanga of Yirrkala about his community’s connection to Makassan sailors from Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Producer: Bridget Chappell
Supervising producer: Mell Chun
Music: 'Djäpana: Sunset Dreaming' by Yunupingu, ‘Trepang: an Indigenous Opera’, ‘Gapala Bawaka’, songline sung by Timmy Burarrwanga
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: The Mulka Project.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stories about how language is passed between generations, and people working to keep languages alive.
'Speak The Language' by Wing Kuang
In July, parents at Footscray Primary School were notified that from next year, the school would replace the 23-year-old Vietnamese Bilingual Program with Italian. The decision has raised concerns among parents and the local Vietnamese community, and they're fighting hard to keep the program going.
Producer: Wing Kuang
Supervising Producer: Evana Ho
Music: 'Checkered Blue', and 'Basketliner' by Blue Dot Sessions
You can follow the campaign "Save Viet Bilingual at FPS" on Twitter.
'Bigger Than School Stuff' by Declan Furber Gillick
Before invasion, this continent was home to about 250 languages, with different dialects within each. Many of those languages have been taken away systematically or stamped out by shame. In this story, playwright, artist and educator Declan Furber Gillick considers how people can turn that shame around.
Written and performed by Declan Furber Gillick
Sound design by Ryan Pemberton
Music: 'Slow Dial' and 'A Simple Blur' by Blue Dot Sessions
This story was published in ‘Guwayu - For All Times’, a collection of First Nations poems commissioned by Red Room Poetry. You can purchase the collection and read this story with Arrernte translations at redroomcompany.org.
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Mell Chun
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Recurring nightmares, hold music, the ticking of the clock - stories about the repetitive and unsettling experiences of our everyday lives.
"Fish" by Cristina Marras
Sometimes an image in a dream feels important. You wake up feeling compelled to write it down before it slips away amidst your morning thoughts.
Cristina recalls a menacing fish, nightmares from when she was a child and fragments of cartoons that mix up with images of friends, lost or out of reach. She, like everybody else, tries to come to terms with a new reality that makes it impossible to move freely.
Producer: Cristina Marras
Music: ‘Last energy for the day’ by Loyalty Freak Music, ‘Creepy bell music #1’ by Magmi.Soundtra, ‘Lonely v26bb-3’ by Setuniman , ‘Ripple extended hose’ by Pawsound, ‘Wind’ by Nelstayade, ‘Birdwingflap’ by nicStage, ‘Flapping thud w13s61’ by Setunimann, ‘Heart Beat’ by thenudo, ‘Haunting 2’ by joaonts.
"Employee Concerns Hotline" by Rowen Midello and Ollie Krusec
Strange things happen on night shifts.
In this story inspired by The Uncanny and late capitalism, a supermarket employee calls up the internal complaint hotline and is met with a cheerful automated message. But the events of the night shift are far from cheerful.
Writer: Rowen Midello
Sound designer: Ollie Krusec
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Performed by Rowen Midello, Ollie Krusec, Meg Kelly and Paul Waxman
Music: 'Hold Music' by Steven Combs
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Gemma Lipman
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
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Stories about finding pockets of calm in the chaos.
'A Love Story About Death Metal' by Mell Chun
Mell has spent most of her 20s in Tasmania and now it’s time to leave. She recounts her relationship to the landscape, the people she met and her emotional journey through the lens of death metal.
Producer: Mell Chun
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: 'Slaughter of the Soul' by At the Gates, 'A Metaphysical Western' by Sanctify The Serpent, 'A Return to the Earth below' by Oceans of Slumber, 'Endless Wandering' by Psycroptic, 'Row Row' by Zeal and Ardor, 'Lethe' by Dark Tranquility, 'Atoma' by Dark Tranquility, and 'The Space For This' by Cynic.
'Big Weather Calling' by Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne has always loved big weather but it took many years and a few detours before he found his way to the Bureau of Meteorology. Tropical weather can be pretty unpredictable and as we'll hear in Jackson's story, so too can life.
Jackson’s story was told at a SPUN event at Darwin Festival on 14 August 2016.
You can subscribe to the SPUN Stories podcast, and find out more about the SPUN storytelling project by visiting spunstories.net. You can also look for Spun Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
If you need support after listening to this story, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Storyteller: Jackson Browne
Producer: Johanna Bell
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Josh McCoy
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Mell Chun
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For Claudia, the discourse surrounding the murder of George Floyd was hard to stomach. The responses of white Australian media pundits were nauseating, and the social media takes from well-meaning acquaintances left her feeling all the more alienated.
In this extended episode of All The Best she explores global Black Solidarity and compares ongoing Bla(c)k Civil Rights movements in the USA and Australia.
Content warning: Anti-Black Racism, Police Brutality, Racial Slurs, Suicide Mentions, Slavery, Distressing Imagery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this work contains images and names of people who have died.
Written and performed by: Claudia Chinyere Akole
Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Claudia Chinyere Akole is an exhibiting artist, freelance illustrator, cartoonist, designer, animator, and educator based in Sydney, Australia (unceded lands of the Gadigal and Wangal Peoples of the Eora Nation). She works as a graphic designer in TV broadcast, as a freelance illustrator, and creates comics and illustrations in her personal practice. She's an art hag who bleeds pink.
"Why Black Lives Matter Resonates With Black People All Over The World: An Open Letter to Australians" is a comic originally published digitally on Going Down Swinging in August 2020. Charity zines are available for purchase, with profits split between the Aboriginal Legal Service and 71 US-based bail funds, mutual aid funds, and activist organisations via ActBlue.
All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
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Ever wished you could climb inside someone else’s head? To understand them better? Or to escape?
This week, storytellers volunteer to be figuratively trepanned, and we take a peek inside their inner worlds. Some, it turns out, are pitch black.
We speak with Professor Adam Zeman about aphantasia — the inability to visualise. You can learn more about aphantasia and take the Vividness of Visual Imagery Quiz here.‘The Great Beautiful Ball’ by Rachel Ang
Spare a thought for all the single lonely people across Victoria who have not felt the touch of another human in many moons. What if we were to harness that energy to create a giant orb of power? What then?
This story comes with beautiful pictures, which Rachel drew. You can see them here.
Written and performed by: Rachel Ang
Sound design: Ryan Pemberton‘Natural Connection’ by the All The Best Editorial Team
Sarah Allely describes how she used nature to help her recover from a mild traumatic brain injury.
Sarah created a podcast about her experience, called Brain On Nature. Season 2 is currently in the works. You can support the production on their website.
This story was produced by the All The Best editorial team at the 2020 Audiocraft Festival.‘I Once Had a Dream’ by Georgia Lowden
Shutdowns and social distancing have left many of us isolated and left at the mercy of our scattered minds. Escape to a dreamscape filled with strange and foreign places.
Producer: Georgia Lowden
Special thanks to Lea RedfernAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Sandra Strait via Flickr
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When we first went into lockdown in March, people were spending a lot less time outside, which meant spending more time online.
In this episode, stories reflecting on our pandemic-imposed retreat into digital spaces, made by radio and podcasting students at the University of Sydney.‘Does my phone know: we’re in a pandemic?’ by Veronica Lenard
Our phones know a lot about us, from our music preferences to daily planning, but how much do they know about the world around us? The COVID-19 pandemic left many with unexpected gaps in our schedules and struggling to tell the days apart, so, how did we fill it? This is a story about what we tell our phones and what they can tell us.
Producer: Veronica Lenard
Music: ‘Entwined Oddity’ and ‘The Poplar Grove’ by Blue Dot Sessions‘Emily’ by Jenae Madden
Emily lost her father a year ago. Now, in his memory, Emily’s father is immortalised in a space where she can visit him forever.
Producer: Jenae Madden
Music: ‘Sad Phantos’ and ‘8 Bit Adventure Time’ by Breakmaster Cylinder, ‘Animal Crossing Main Theme’ and ‘K.K Condor Theme’ by Kazumi Totaka‘Kaye’s Castle’ by Violet Hull
If your everyday digital media use was a home, what would it look like? Violet brings you on an unconventional house tour.
Image supplied by Violet Hull
Producer: Violet HullAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Gemma Lipman
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Ars Electronica via Flickr
Special thanks this week to University of Sydney lecturer Lea Redfern and tutors Sarah Mashman, Tegan Nicholls and Zoe Ferguson.
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We could all use a hug right about now. It seems like a cruel joke, that now is also a time when we need to be distancing from each other.
In this episode, we explore the importance of physical touch, and lie down with a professional cuddler (back in a time when snuggling up with strangers didn’t mean blatantly disregarding health advice).‘What’s up with cuddles?’ by Elsa Silberstein
Who doesn’t love a cuddle? Well, if you think about it, it’s kind of a strange thing for us to do. Two adults, wrapping their bodies in amongst the other, and lying there. In the age of the sanitized hand and the elbow bump, we’re getting less up in each other’s grills. This is the story of the humble cuddle, and why we do it.
This story was made for Elsa Silberstein’s podcast, The Done Thing.
Producer: Elsa Silberstein
Music: ‘Box of Frogs’ by Dave James, ‘Kaleidoscopic Imagination’ by Flouw, ‘Oh Please’ by Matt Goodman, Kate Rawlings and Tom Leigh‘My Pre-COVID Cuddle’ by Lee Robinson
The lockdown rules in Victoria have left many feeling disconnected and devoid of physical contact. Now more than ever, some Victorians just want a hug.
Before COVID was a thing, Lee Robinson paid a visit to cuddle therapist Sarah Belle to explore the benefits of platonic touch in a 1-on-1 cuddle session.
This story was made as part of a series exploring Australians with interesting jobs, called .Do Quit Your Day Job
Producer: Lee Robinson
Supervising producer: Evrim Şen
Music: ‘Peacoat’, ‘Astrisx’, ‘Slimheart’ and ‘Diatom’ by Blue Dot SessionsAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Julian Wan
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Kristina Alexanderson via Flickr
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David finds himself with no choice but to trust a group of strangers to keep him alive. Esther tries to buy a dog online, and it all goes wrong.
This week: what leads us to trust people? And what happens when we discover that trust was misplaced?Dogfishing by Dan Semo
The lockdown has been a lonely time for a lot of us. At one point, Esther Semo decided to look for another dog to help keep her company during the lockdown. Finding a new pet during coronavirus, however, did not go according to plan.
Gertie. Photo supplied by Esther Semo.
Follow Gertie on Instagram.
Producer: Dan Semo
Original sound design and music: Dan Semo
Supervising producer: Mike WilliamsRelying on Strangers by David Pears
Dave Pears is a mariner who found himself on a remote Kimberley island relying on the care of strangers after placing his hand on something potentially life threatening in the shallows.
David Pears. Photo supplied by Helen Orr.
This story was first told at SPUN, a live storytelling night presented by StoryProjects in the Northern Territory.
You can subscribe to the SPUN Stories podcast, and find out more about the SPUN storytelling project by visiting spunstories.net. You can also look for Spun Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
Storyteller: David Pears
Producer: Lori UdenAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Gemma Lipman
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Esther Semo
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A former nurse, who witnessed discrimination against HIV patients she treated, contracts the disease and begins experiencing discrimination herself. And a science journalist becomes the subject of her own bushfire reporting.
In this episode, boundaries between the professional and personal realm are completely dissolved.‘Role Reversal’ by Thomas Phillips
Jan Waddell, a former nurse, contracted HIV through a needle stick injury in 2002. She had been treating HIV patients since the early ‘80s and had always been troubled by the amount of stigma they faced. When she began experiencing discrimination herself, she became an HIV educator and vocal anti-stigma advocate.
Producer: Thomas Phillips
Supervising producer: Lee Robinson
Music: ‘MDP 5’ by Skee Mask, ‘Never Rhythm Game’ by Nathan Micay, ‘Made of Air’ by Grouper, ‘Gra-Hovedvei’ by Blue Dot Sessions.‘Our Backyard is on Fire’ by Ivy Shih
Science journalist Bianca Nogrady is no stranger to bushfires. But one year Bianca’s professional and personal life suddenly collided – when a bushfire arrived on her doorstep.
Producer: Ivy Shih
Supervising producer: Sarah Mashman
Bianca recommends the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma, which has excellent mental health advice and resources for journalists on how to report on difficult topics, including natural disasters.
Visit: https://dartcenter.org/
Music: ‘Semilanceata’ by Dr. Doctor , ‘Liquor Files-Pastel’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘1’ by Johnny Haway, ‘Aveu’ by Kai Engel, ‘Headwaters (Instrumental)’ by Chad Crouch, ‘Angle of light’ by David Hilowitz. All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Julian Wan
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Tatters via Flickr
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This week, stories of uncovering ancestry.‘Australia’s First Social Enterprise’ by Eddy Diamond
It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that Ash Walker discovered that La Perouse Aboriginal community, of which he’s a member, founded one of Australia’s first social enterprises.
Before the protectionism era, the La Perouse Aboriginal community successfully engaged in the Australian economy. Partnering with prominent colonial families and securing income for their community. They are working towards reclaiming their past position as a valued part of the Australian economy.
Producer: Eddy Diamond
Assistant producer: Sally Walker
Supervising producer: Sarah Mashman
Thanks to Ashley Walker, Sally Walker and Ray Ingrey from the Gujaga Foundation for telling this story.
Music: ‘Blank Page’ by Air Space Ark, ‘All Hands Bury the Dead’ by Wilson Tanner‘Karanam’ by Sarath Chandra
Sarath Chandra learns he’s not actually the first lawyer in his family — he descends from a long line of village adjudicators, called Karanams.
Producer: Sarath Chandra
Supervising producer: Allison Chan
Music: ‘Something about us’ by Chilly Gonzalez, ‘Shankaram’ by Veena Jayanthi, ‘Jumma Chumma’ by Kavita Krishnamurthy and Sudesh Bhosle, ‘The Raiders March’ by John Williams, ‘Holi Festival’ by Nitin SawhneyAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: John Thompson via State Library of New South Wales
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As Melbourne went into stage four lockdown, we put together these stories about connecting to friends and family from a distance — by sharing music, memories and ramen.‘Culinary Memory’ by Lidiya Josifova
Cooking is like a delicious time machine. It takes you back, to places you’ve been and people you’ve seen. With recipes from friends, even moving home mid-pandemic means you can take those memories with you.
Producer: Lidiya Josifova
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: “Svela Tal”, “Flor Vjell”, “Velda Talllow”, and “Cicle Clavis Textile” by Blue Dot Sessions.‘Nehemiah’ by Lawrence Hamilton
Nehemiah lived a great life in Liberia, then the Civil War came.
Producer: Lawrence Hamilton
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: “White Filament”, “Guinea”, “Indirect”, and “DRCH”, by Blue Dot Sessions.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Nuno Antunes via Unsplash
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Stories of people reaching in, to find the right words, and reaching out, to start a difficult conversation.‘The Shape of Sadness’ by Bridget Judd
Bridget Judd lives in a world of language. As a journalist, her public role is to survey the events of our world and give them shape through words. But when her beloved father took his own life, Bridget found herself in silence: surrounded by a community afraid to talk of what had happened, and for once herself unable to find the words.
Bridget Judd. Photo supplied by Helen Orr.
This story was first told at SPUN, a live storytelling night presented by StoryProjects in the Northern Territory.
You can subscribe to the SPUN Stories podcast, and find out more about the SPUN storytelling project by visiting spunstories.net. You can also look for Spun Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
Storyteller: Bridget Judd
Producer: Sam Carmody‘Lips’ by Prue Dawson
Lips, lips, lips… Labia are everywhere once you start looking.
Image supplied by Katie Lloyd.
Producer: Prue Dawson
Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Sound design by Martha Dawson
Music: “Lost City” by XYR, “Typical Girls” by The Slits, “Jasper of static Entropy” by Arcane Waves, “Parlour Palm” by Greenhouse, “For you I try” by Acopia, “Just fine” by Acopia, “Innermost Lustre” by Ylang Ylang.‘In A Loop’ by Danni Stewart, Dan Semo and Ryan Pemberton
Sophie wouldn’t wish OCD on anyone. But she wishes people understood it better, and stopped perpetuating harmful stereotypes and stigma.
Producers: Danni Stewart, Dan Semo and Ryan Pemberton
Original music by Danni Stewart
Additional music: “Gra Landsby’ and “Villa” by Blue Dot Sessions.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Photo: Devin Avery via Unsplash
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In the early days of coronavirus restrictions, a common refrain of celebrities and politicians was “we’re all in this together.” In reality, the pandemic amplified some of the starkest differences of privilege in our communities.
In this episode, a look at the pre-existing social inequality highlighted by Covid-19.‘The upside of this terrible horrific thing that’s happening’ by Carey Scheer
Not only are many people living with disability feeling really well equipped to handle the pandemic, but for some, there has been a surprising silver lining.
Ricky Buchanan. Photo supplied by Ricky Buchanan.
Visit Ricky’s website here.
Producer: Carey Scheer
This story was produced by Carey Scheer for JFA Purple Orange. You can find out more about work they do, and hear more stories like this one, on their website.
Music: “Happing Inspiring Acoustic” by DmytroIgnatov from audiojungle, “Slow” from audiojungle, “Unusual Story” by Adigold from Envato Elements, “Reminiscing” by StudioMonkey from Envato Elements.‘Regular Apocalypse Living’ by Sophia Melika
Going to work during a purported apocalypse is weird. People seem to think you’re really important, even though they apparently still hate you as much as ever. You get a lot of thank you videos. But mostly you’re just alone on buses and get bored a lot. Trust you have to work during a boring apocalypse.
Written and performed by Sophia Melika
Sound designer: Ellie Freeman
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: “The Late Hour” by Kevin Elkinson, “Amai Gokamashi” by Joseph Veneziani, “Some Clarity” by Danny Trachtenberg “Forever and Ever” by David Schmidt.‘To Be Supplied’ by Jenanne Ibrahim
Some dealers provide drugs, others provide toilet paper.
Set in late February 2020 and based on true events, this satirical audio story centres around Sydney’s toilet paper shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. It playfully explores the realities of Western Sydney’s menacing coronavirus hysteria and panic-buying, featuring real-life stories and interviews.
Producer: Jenanne Ibrahim
Supervising producer: Lea Redfern
Music: “Stronger” by MGJ Beats, “Wake Up” by Kronicle.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Image: Erik Mclean via Unsplash
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True stories about travelling through time.
Sepehr picks up a camera made in the year 2537, Honey Child brings her past to the present through cooking and Julia’s grandfather delivers the eulogy at his own funeral.Year 2537 by Sepehr Jamshidi Fard and Eugenia Zoubtchenko
On his shelf in Sydney, Sepehr has a camera from the future. It reminds him of a pivotal moment of the past of the country he was born in – Iran.
Producers: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard and Eugenia ZoubtchenkoGrandpa Delivers The Eulogy At His Funeral by Julia Bergen
Three years prior to his death, Grandpa and father began formal discussions for his funeral. Whilst they disagreed over size and music, there was consensus that Grandpa should speak on the day of his departure. In March this year, the funeral planning committee’s recommendations took effect; Grandpa addressed the congregation from his casket, delivering the eulogy at his own
funeral.
Julia’s grandfather. Photo by Julia Bergen.
Producer: Julia Bergen
Supervising producer: Jordan FennellHeritage Cooking by Sarah Mashman and Lea Redfern
Tracing family history through time can be a shifting search through newspaper records or mailing off some hair for genealogy testing. Toni Burnett- Rands traces her heritage through cooking, through the recipes and traditions that she learnt from her Grandma Wilma and Granny Ivy as a child, and they learnt from their grandma’s before her.
Producers: Sarah Mashman and Lea Redfern
Music (from Blue Dot Sessions): “Flatlands” by Flatlands, “Villa” by Castro “Clay pawn shop” by Castro, “Domina Transit” by Pecan Grove.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran
Image: Jeremy Thomas via Unsplash
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Part two of our colloboration with Master of Journalism students at the University of Melbourne. 10 stories, responding to the theme “mental”.‘Nosedive’ by Thomas Phillips
In 1976, David Phillips lost consciousness at the worst possible time – while piloting a jet 8,000 feet in the air.
Producer: Thomas Phillips
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Music: ‘Water Maze’ by Stenny, ‘Saliva’ by Rrose, ‘Moons’ by Shanti Celeste.‘The Dog’ by Wanzhi Deng
By sharing his darkest experience, Chris hopes to call on people to raise awareness of cyberbullying.
Producer: Wanzhi Deng
Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson
Music: ‘Loss’ by Kevin MacLeod, ‘Inspirational piano’ by Veaceslav Draganov‘Lifeguard Mental Health’ by Edan Runge
Tim Allan, a pool lifeguard from Melbourne successfully resuscitated a drowning six-year-old girl while on duty. The experience took a toll on his mental health and shows the psychological challenges lifeguards face. This is his journey to recovery.
Producer: Edan Runge
Supervising Producer: Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘The Healing’ by Sergey Cheremisinov‘The Brightside of Sad Songs’ by Gladys Serugga
Ever felt so good after belting out the lyrics to your favourite sad song? In this story, Gladys tries to find out why listening to sad songs feels good.
Producer: Gladys Serugga
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Original music by Gladys Serugga.‘In Case I Forget’ by Mariah Padadopoulos
The human memory is as confusing as it is fascinating. We don’t remember our first few years, and towards the end of our lives things might start to get hazy. Somewhere in between, we have an opportunity to make sense of things. But what happens when you walk into a room, and your loved one doesn’t recognise your face?
Producer: Mariah Padadopoulos
Supervising Producer: Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘The Healing’ by Sergey Cheremisinov, ‘Airy Melancholic Synth Pad’ from orangefreesounds.comAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Elina Godwin
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Vlad Tchompalov via Unsplash
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Over the next two episodes, 10 producers present their takes on the theme “mental”, with stories tackling stigmatised sources of joy and pain.
These stories were produced by Master of Journalism students at The University of Melbourne.Fan Girls by Fia Walsh
When you think of fangirls, what words come to mind? Cringey? Un-hinged? Hysterical? Fia Walsh explains why fangirls might not be as crazy as you think.
Producer: Fia Walsh
Supervising Producer: Britta Jorgensen
Music: ‘(You Drive Me) Crazy’ by Britney Spears, ‘(You Drive Me) Crazy Instrumental’ by Britney Spears: ‘You and I (live at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2014)’ by One Direction, ‘Roads’ by Portishead, ‘Fear of the Dark – Live ‘01’ by Iron Maiden, ‘Boys in the Band (boy band anthem)’ by New Kids on the Block.Exposure by Ashleigh Barraclough
Ashleigh moved interstate. Lucy watched videos of people vomiting. These are stories of young Australians confronting their anxieties. They say you can die from exposure, but can it also make you stronger?
Producer: Ashleigh Barraclough
Supervising Producer: Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘Life on the Shore’ by David Celeste.Vinyl Lovers by Yangfan Xu
Yangfan shares his lifelong passion for collecting vinyl records.
Producer: Yangfan Xu
Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Music: ‘Just Like Your Tenderness’ by Tsai Chin, ‘No Regrets’ by Faye Wong, ‘Remember by Earth’ by Wind & Free, ‘Golden Hour’ by Kacey Musgraves.Ornithophobia by Xiao Zhu
Joshua has Ornithophobia. He is living in a village with his grandparents. They feed two hens in the backyard, and it’s like his nightmare.
Ornithophobia is an abnormal and irrational fear of birds. Sufferers from ornithophobia experience undue anxiety about encountering birds, although they may realize their fears are quite irrational.
Producer: Xiao Zhu
Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson
Music: ‘Mad Summer’ by Joe Hisaishi, ‘Stay With Me’ by 찬열, 펀치 CHANYEOL, PUNCH, ‘Summer’ by Bensound.Happy State of Mind by Prealene Khera
During her childhood, Prealene’s mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune neurological disease. While the sickness festers in her brain and chains it down, Prealene knows her mother’s mind will always be free.
Producer: Preleane Khera
Supervising Producer: Britta Jorgensen
Music: Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head by B.J. Thomas.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Mika Baumeister via Unsplash
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Meet the messengers of the climate emergency.
This episode originally aired in December of 2019.What Democracy Looks Like by Ryan Pemberton
In September, 4 million protesters gathered to demand action on climate change. A few weeks later, Extinction Rebellion staged a global act of civil disobedience. Who are the organisers of the movement? And what impact are the protests having?
Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Supervising producer: Zacha Rosen
Music: ‘Our Digital Compass’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Copley Beat’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Waterbourne’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Saver’ by Podington BearOff-Off-Grid by Alice Allen
Some things aren’t easy to broadcast – to your nearest and dearest, or to the general public. Michael Mobbs shares how he became “The Off-Grid Guy”, and why he’s giving up the home that helped him make his name.
Note: Michael Mobbs mentions that 60-80% of food production depends on bees. Around 75% of crops benefit from pollination from bees, but don’t neccessarily depend on it.
Producer: Alice Allen
Supervising producer: Ryan PembertonAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Kym Chapple
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Things are not okay. Everything seems up in the air.
People finding ways to empower themselves, in the face of profound uncertainty.
This episode originally aired in March.‘Cleaning, Waiting, Wishing’ by Josie Steele
Cathy has a job cleaning homes and offices all over Melbourne, every day of the week. But she’s not your average cleaner, and it’s not your average job. Cathy’s cleaning while she waits for something, something important.
Producer: Josie Steele
Superivising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Lamb Drop’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Caprese’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘4 Point Path’ by Blue Dot Sessions.‘We Need To Talk About Sex’ by Carey Scheer
Christine Priest knew she wanted to experience sex, but didn’t think she ever would. She didn’t even know if she could, but she also couldn’t bring herself to discuss any of this with anyone, because no one in her 35 years of life had ever raised the subject of sex. Christine had to reach her own breaking point, before breaking through the stigma and assumptions that prevented her from seeing herself as a sexual being. Now she’s sharing her story, with that hope that others will feel empowered to discuss their needs.
This story was produced by Carey Scheer for JFA Purple Orange. You can find out more about work they do, and hear more stories like this one, on their website.
Producer: Carey ScheerAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Collins Lesulie via Unsplash
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True stories rarely end with everything tied up in a neat little package. These are stories of people trying to fix their own personal plot holes.No Relation by Lisa Parr
Lisa tries to fill the empty spaces in her father’s history, but finds more empty spaces.
Writer: Lisa Parr
Performers: Lisa Parr and Carlo Ritchie
Production and sound design: Ryan Pemberton
Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic SoundA Voice in the Dark by Rhys Blinco
With his brother on a flight to America, Rhys has the house to himself. It’s all fun and games until the sun sets, and he hears a familiar voice outside his window…
Producer: Rhys Blinco
Sound design: Ryan Pemberton
Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic SoundThere Once Was a Man by Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Overhearing the human condition over brunch.
Producer: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Music: Gnossiennes by Eric SatieAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Annais Gallos
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: kbetart via Flickr
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Travelling to India alone and getting naked in front of (platonic) friends: these are the ways people overcame the things holding them back, and found the freedom that comes from that.
This episode originally aired in February of 2020.‘Does My Bum Look Big in This?’ by Millie Roberts
If you needed to strip in front of your mates, could you do it? Casual nudity in female-identifying friendships is taboo and rooted in imposed societal expectations. This story is about the awkwardness and empowerment of learning to be vulnerable in front of your galpals – all while stark naked.
Producer: Millie Roberts
Supervising producer: Sarah Mashman‘‘ by Carey ScheerClaiming Your Right To Risk When You Live With Disability
When Ellen Fraser-Barbour was 19, she decided to travel on her own to India. Everyone told her it was a bad idea.
“You are crazy,” they said. “It’s too risky!”
“You are deaf! You are blind! You can’t travel on your own!” But Ellen decided that was their anxiety. It wasn’t her anxiety. So she persevered with her plan.
This story was produced by Carey Scheer for JFA Purple Orange. You can find out more about work they do, and hear more stories like this one, on their website.‘Time Poor to Time Rich’ by Saskia Black
When Saskia moved to Australia from London, she hoped it would change her hectic lifestyle. It did, but not in the way she was expecting.
Producer: Saskia BlackAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton and Josh McCoy
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo credit: Jay Joslin via Flickr
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‘Endometriosis’ by Erin Dick
When Erin was told she had an incurable illness, the diagnosis came as a relief.
Endometriosis is an illness that affects 1 in 10 Australian people. Tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found where it shouldn’t be. It’s often painful, can cause infertility, and it can take years to receive a diagnosis. Endo is a chronic illness with no cure.
Erin shares her story about living with endo, from diagnosis and surgery, to the day-to day of chronic illness.
This story originally aired in March of 2020.
You can find out more about endometriosis by visiting Endometriosis Australia’s website, or their Facebook page.
Producer: Erin Dick
Supervising Producer: Britta Jorgensen
Music: ‘Stillness’, ‘Alchemical’, ‘The PI Sleeps’, ‘White Filament’, ‘Felt Lining’ by Blue Dot Sessions. All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Ed Uthman via Flickr.
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I Am Preethi by Karishma Luthria
At 16, Preethi had an arranged marriage. Soon after, Preethi fell pregnant and couldn’t complete university. Instead, she raised 3 daughters, the eldest Sheena, Sonia and the third, Karishma who might not have made it.
Karishma shares the intergenerational story of the women in her family.
Producer: Karishma Luthria
Supervising Producer: Lea Redfern
Music: everyday (11-03-16) tanpura layers by Standing Wave, Brahms Lullaby by Wunderkind Classic, Swarmandal meditation music by Lotus Relaxing Music.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Karishma Luthria
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There are two kinds of rebels: those with a cause and those without one.
This episode is about the first kind. We have two stories of people going against rules and expectations, to do what they believe is right.‘Civilly Disobedient’ by Tim Piccione
The nausea from the chemo was intense, so Timothy’s Mum sought out a prescription for medicinal cannabis. When she was unable to procure any through legal channels, she had to step outside the law.
Photo credit: Tim Piccione
Producer: Tim Piccione
Music: ‘Gambrel’ by Blue Dot Sessions‘Live Like A King’ by Charlie and Emma King
Veteran broadcaster Charlie King learnt a lot from his parents. His father’s strange odyssey north on a Malvern Star put him in the path of his mother, a proud Gurindji woman who was part of the Stolen Generation. Their relationship was unconventional at the time, but set Charlie up for a life of standing up for what he believed in. And he’s not the only one – the family’s rebellious spirit has been passed on to his daughter Emma.
Photo credit: Helen Orr
Storytellers: Charlie and Emma King
Producer: Kylie StevensonAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Miguel Bruna via Unsplash
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In these difficult times, we’ve been finding comfort in dark and graphic media. Assuming that it’s not just us, we put together these tales of blood, death and lost appendages.‘Finger of Love’ by Gillian Langford
Dating is hard. Sometimes by opening yourself up to someone, you risk losing a part of yourself. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Maybe they could reattach it?
Producer: Gillian Langford
Supervising Producer: Erin Dick
Music: ‘Crush’ by Bad Bangs, ‘Broken Finger Blues’ by Richard Swift ‘Ferus-cut’, ‘Kalsted’ and ‘Ghost Byzantine’ by Blue Dot Sessions. ‘Starburst Days’ by Claire Cao
A group of Chinese-Australian kids stumble upon something small and vulnerable in the undergrowth.
Writer and Performer: Claire Cao
Producer: Danni Stewart
Sound Designer and Composer : Ellie Freeman
Music: ‘Bliste’ by Blue Dot Sessions, and original composition by Ellie Freeman.‘Rat Killer’ by Ryan Pemberton
Ryan and his housemates have a rat in the house. They try every way they can to catch it without killing it, and fail spectacularly.
Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Editing by: Eugenia Zoubtchenko and Sarah Mashman
Music: ‘On Early Light’, ‘Solear Interlude’, ‘Vengeful’, ‘Periodicals’, ‘Undying’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘A Life of Devotion’ by David Celeste, ‘Secret Admirer’ by T. Morri.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Thomas Shultz
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In this episode, stories of people taking action to support their communities through the pandemic.
We look at how the arts industry has been responding to isolation restrictions. And the residents of an apartment block prepare to go on a rent strike.‘Where Do The Artists Turn?’ by Danni Stewart
It’s hard to survive as an artist or someone working in the creative sector at the best of times, and now the arts are one of the hardest hit industries by this crisis. We’re all turning to art to entertain and comfort ourselves in isolation, but what support is being provided for the artists?Initiatives mentioned in this story:
Moogahlin Performing Arts
You can find performances from Dobby and a whole lot more on the Moogahlin Performing Arts Facebook page.
First peoples keen to perform can get involved here.
Distance Between Us
Check out the #distancebetweenus program to organise a spirit lifting, moral boosting, mind soothing live performance to take the edge off zoom meetings.
Create or Die
Create or Die’s livestream performances are streamed on their Facebook page. You can tune in to Queer and Loud TV every Friday night and Create or Die Live sessions every Saturday.
Hot Mess
payitforward and buy a ticket for a future season of Courtney’s play.
‘Hot Mess’ is years in the making and is bound to bring you much needed comedic relief, post-lockdown. The show revolves around stories, secrets and scandals that are revealed in the forced intimacy of a female toilet.
Producer: Danni Stewart
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Music: ‘Ode to a.D.’ by Dobby (Sydney), Moogahlin Performing Arts BN Live performance from Dobby, ‘Anxiety Wars’ by Gelareh Pour (Melbourne), ‘Songlife’ by Steve Spacek (Sydney), ‘I’m Every Woman’ by Chaka Khan, ‘A Song For The Artists’ By Martin Ingle and Sheldon Jadamson (Brisbane), and original music composition by Danni Stewart.‘A Socially Distanced Stairwell Picket Line’ by Matilda Fay
The government has put a moratorium on evictions, but is that enough to protect tenants? For Rachael and her neighbours, joining together in collective action was a game changer.
Producer: Matilda Fay
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Cinema Pathetic’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Low Light Switch’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Louver’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Home at Last’ by Blue Dot Sessions.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Josh McCoy
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Snezhana Hulak via Unsplash
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None of us planned for this. Now we’re all dealing with the impact of having our plans delayed, cancelled, or radically altered.
What do you do about the big jewish wedding you had planned? How do you prepare for the worst?
This week, stories of how our plans have changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.‘Love and Ruach’ by Eddie Goldsmith
Less than three hours ago there was no wedding planned for today. Less than three hours ago there was no certainty of a wedding at all. So what happened?
Producer: Eddie Goldsmith
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Giving It All’ by Be Still The Earth, ‘Sage The Hunter’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Cutting Teeth’ by Ben Noble, ‘Lamprey’ by Blue Dot Sessions.‘Waiting for it all to start’ by Zacha Rosen
If you knew you wouldn’t see your friend for months, maybe a year, just before isolation started: what would you ask them? Our producer, Zacha Rosen, gets advice.
Check out Anna’s website: http://www.likeafox.consulting/ She hesitates to describe her career, but will happily go with ‘Fundraising and Story Consultant’ while she’s thinking about that.
And we highly recommend checking out Zacha Rosen’s fiction podcast Or It Didn’t Happen.
Music: ‘Allegro’ by Laurent Petitgand (Faraway, So Close! soundtrack), ‘Heaven Help Me’ by Lizzo.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: congerdesign via Pixabay
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A firefighter is blamed for starting the very fires that he’s fighting. A writer investigates a myth behind the closing of Australian diving towers, and asks whether trying to make swimming pools safer is putting kids at greater risk.
In this episode, people act with the best of intentions, and face the unforeseen consequences.‘Burning Season’ by Dan Semo
Northern Thailand is in the middle of what is commonly referred to as “Burning Season”, a period between January and April every year when local mountain farmers burn their surplus crops. This releases incredible amounts of smoke and haze that cover up entire cities and can health problems for locals and visitors. Many farmers in the area feel like they have no choice but to burn their crops in order to make a living.
Peter Ferdinand is an Australian engineer who moved to Thailand 6 years ago and has made it his mission to try to solve the fire problem.
Image credit: Peter Ferdinand
Producer: Dan Semo
Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson
Special thanks to: Nian Choti for providing translation for Loong Tie, Michael Shafer and Evelind Shecter for helping organise the interview with Loong Tie, Pappunkorn Pojantuek for helping record samples of Thai instruments
Music: ‘Tiny Water Glass’ by Blue Dot Sessions, and original composition by Dan Semo.‘Don’t Jump!’ by M Harper Harrington
Did you ever hear about the kid who died jumping into your local swimming pool? As diving towers disappear from the suburban landscape, has art imitated life?
Image credit: ArchivesACT
Writer and Producer: M Harper Harrington
Audio Producer: Elodie Oxenham
Music: ‘Just Remembering’ by Thomas LaymanAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Josh McKay
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Music: ‘Milo Tin’ by Tiny Little Houses, ‘ Josh McKay and Lester Chan
Photo: Peter Ferdinand
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Adjusting to isolation has been difficult. We’re all dealing with it in different ways. In this episode, we share some of ours, and you share some of yours.
Music in this episode: ‘U Can’t Touch This’ by MC Hammer, ‘Wash’ by Bon Iver, ‘Frequent Flyer’ by Chromeo, ‘Funky Town’ by Lipps Inc, ‘Work It’ by Missy Elliot, ‘Cosy in the rocket’ by Psapp, ‘Pulse’ by IDER, ‘Way To Be Loved’ by TOPS, ‘Want You In My Soul ft. Stee Downes’ by Lovebirds.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: visuals via Unsplash
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Professional Zoom meetings in a ten-year-old’s bedroom, bouldering on the side of the house, and recreating a roller disco in the hallway – these are some of the things we’ve been up to in self-isolation.
In this episode, we get together to share our experience of being apart.
Danni’s recommends MINCE TV to anyone looking for a virtual boogie.
Eugenia recommends dancing to reggaeton.
Maddy recommends Ms Nina.
Ryan recommends investing in a crash mat before climbing the side of your house.
Lee recommends the pad see ew (and calling your sister).
Allison recommends naps.
Music in this episode: ‘Only One Night’ by the Hurricanes, ‘Perreo Sobredosis’ by Dalmata, ‘Tu Sicaria’ by Ms NinaAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Dallas Reedy via Unsplash
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When we hear a new song, or try a new food, we know in an instant if we like it or not. It happens automatically. Those same snap judgements can apply to people too. But, we have a choice — we can choose to hold onto those judgements, or we can let them evolve by getting to know someone better.
These are stories of people who were judged and dismissed based on the superficial impressions of others. Hear them out.by Sepehr Jamshidi FardPlucking a Pear in a Guitar-shaped World
Sepehr plays the setar. Not to be mistaken with the indian sitar. It’s a pear-shaped long-necked lute from Iran. It can be tricky sometimes; learning an instrument 8000 miles away from its place of origin. Over here, everything is shaped like a guitar!
Producer: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Supervising Producers: Allison Chan and Ryan PembertonTransformation by Bilha Smith
By the time Bilha was six, she knew she was different, but it would be years before she could make the changes to transform her life.
In the meantime, Bilha discovered a freedom in performance before her move to Darwin where she found a new kind of chemistry.
Image Credit: Aaron Burton
This story was first told at SPUN, a live storytelling night presented by StoryProjects in the Northern Territory.
You can subscribe to the SPUN Stories podcast, and find out more about the SPUN storytelling project by visiting spunstories.net. You can also look for Spun Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
Storyteller: Bilha Smith
Producer: Johanna BellAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Josh McKay
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Joel via Flickr
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‘Endometriosis’ by Erin Dick
18 months ago, Erin was told she had an incurable illness. Unexpectedly, the diagnosis came as a relief.
Endometriosis is an illness that affects 1 in 10 Australian people. Tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found where it shouldn’t be. It’s often painful, can cause infertility, and it can take years to receive a diagnosis. Endo is a chronic illness with no cure.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month – Erin shares her story about living with endo, from diagnosis and surgery, to the day-to day of chronic illness.
You can find out more about endometriosis by visiting Endometriosis Australia’s website, or their Facebook page.
Producer: Erin Dick
Supervising Producer: Britta Jorgensen
Music: ‘Stillness’, ‘Alchemical’, ‘The PI Sleeps’, ‘White Filament’, ‘Felt Lining’ by Blue Dot Sessions. All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Ed Uthman via Flickr.
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Things are not okay. Everything seems up in the air.
In this episode, people finding ways to empower themselves, in the face of profound uncertainty.‘Cleaning, Waiting, Wishing’ by Josie Steele
Cathy has a job cleaning homes and offices all over Melbourne, every day of the week. But she’s not your average cleaner, and it’s not your average job. Cathy’s cleaning while she waits for something, something important.
Producer: Josie Steele
Superivising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Lamb Drop’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Caprese’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘4 Point Path’ by Blue Dot Sessions.‘We Need To Talk About Sex’ by Carey Scheer
Christine Priest knew she wanted to experience sex, but didn’t think she ever would. She didn’t even know if she could, but she also couldn’t bring herself to discuss any of this with anyone, because no one in her 35 years of life had ever raised the subject of sex. Christine had to reach her own breaking point, before breaking through the stigma and assumptions that prevented her from seeing herself as a sexual being. Now she’s sharing her story, with that hope that others will feel empowered to discuss their needs.
This story was produced by Carey Scheer for JFA Purple Orange. You can find out more about work they do, and hear more stories like this one, on their website.
Producer: Carey Scheer‘The Mask’ by Jordan Fennell
When bushfire smoke blanketed Australia’s capital cities it sent people into a panic. For one woman flying back into Canberra, the struggle to find a face mask became a serious ordeal.
Producer: Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘And Behold’ by Awlee, ‘Quietly Tense’ by Martin Moses.All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo: Collins Lesulie via Unsplash
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Having an obscure passion can make you feel like a bit of an outsider. Until you find a tribe of people who love the thing you’re into, just as much as you do.
This week, we’re examining the obsessive minds of canary fanciers and Nerf fanatics, and the communities that surround them.‘Nerf Wars’ by Shelby Traynor
Nerf blasters are colourful and unassuming, but some are being modified for hundreds of dollars to shoot further and faster.
Since the early 2000s, what started out as a toy for children has become the weapon of choice for hundreds of people around the world.
And some of these battles are playing out at a local park near you…
Producer: Shelby Traynor
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Diamond Veins’ (feat. Sarah Rebecca)(Kid Francescoli Remix) by French 79 ‘The Perfect Bird’ by Melanie Bakewell
There’s a lot more to canaries than them being yellow and good whistlers. Just ask Nick. He joined his local Canary Club to help him breed better birds. And now he’s dead-set on breeding the most perfect types of canaries you didn’t even know existed.
Producer: Melanie Bakewell
Supervising Producer: Evana Ho
Music: ‘Chainlink Melody’ by Podington BearAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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Last year, psychologist Rachel Menzies put on a series of workshops for clinicians, providing them with tools to help their clients manage their fear of death. Knowing that we’re going to die, and we don’t know when, can be debilitating for some. But even for those of us who can easily put aside our fear of death to get on with the day-to-day, reminding ourselves about death can be clarifying. When faced with knowing that we could die at any moment, how do we want to spend our time? What really matters?
In this episode, our host and executive producer share an app that has been reminding them of their own mortality. Then, two stories about contempating death and grief. It’s dark, but it might be good for you.‘Pang’ by Claire Cao
A girl grows up in a household that has a steadfast belief in the ghosts of their ancestors, all buried overseas. She can’t find it in herself to truly believe—until she witnesses a supernatural ritual at her primary school.
Producer: Claire Cao
Sound design by Danni Stewart
Social media image by Johan Larsson‘Miasma’ by Devana Senanayake
On her first trip to America, Devana Senanayake encountered a strange sight: a dead body outside of Central Park. During the trip, this sight continued to haunt her.
Writer and Producer: Devana Senanayake
Sound design by Talisse Desiderio
Supervising Producer: Ryan PembertonAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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Travelling to India alone and getting naked in front of (platonic) friends: these are the ways people overcame the things holding them back, and found the freedom that comes from that.‘Does My Bum Look Big in This?’ by Millie Roberts
If you needed to strip in front of your mates, could you do it? Casual nudity in female-identifying friendships is taboo and rooted in imposed societal expectations. This story is about the awkwardness and empowerment of learning to be vulnerable in front of your galpals – all while stark naked.
Producer: Millie Roberts
Supervising producer: Sarah Mashman‘‘ by Carey ScheerClaiming Your Right To Risk When You Live With Disability
When Ellen Fraser-Barbour was 19, she decided to travel on her own to India. Everyone told her it was a bad idea.
“You are crazy,” they said. “It’s too risky!”
“You are deaf! You are blind! You can’t travel on your own!” But Ellen decided that was their anxiety. It wasn’t her anxiety. So she persevered with her plan.
This story was produced by Carey Scheer for JFA Purple Orange. You can find out more about work they do, and hear more stories like this one, on their website.‘Time Poor to Time Rich’ by Saskia Black
When Saskia moved to Australia from London, she hoped it would change her hectic lifestyle. It did, but not in the way she was expecting.
Producer: Saskia BlackAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton and Josh McCoy
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo credit: Jay Joslin via Flickr
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Stories of escaping the chaos. Fleeing from a war zone. Going on a meditation retreat, and looking for ways to retreat from the retreat.‘Enlightenment Now’ by Evana Ho
When Evana Ho went on a week-long silent meditation retreat, she wasn’t really sure what she wanted. Inner peace? Maybe. An interesting experience – certainly. She got more than she bargained for.
Evana is the creator of the Love, Canberra: a podcast of intimate conversations about love, sex and relationships, from the capital of Australia.
Producer: Evana Ho
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Sound design: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Introspection’ by Red Dictionary, ‘Meditation Acquatic’ by 369, ‘Betawaves for Concentration’ by Joseph Beg, ‘Setting Pace’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘The Cornice’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Lovers Hollow’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Night Light’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘It’s Late’ by Queen, ‘Dance Me To The End Of Love’ by Leonard Cohen, ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen‘The Safest Place’ by Sara Mir
This is a story about aerial bombardment and its long term traumatic effect.
Sara is one of the organisers of the Refugee Art Project, which runs art workshops for refugees and asylum seekers at the Villawood detention centre.
This story is a reading of Sara Mir’s comic ‘The Safest Place.’ It was recorded at Read To Me, a live storytelling night in Sydney.
Storyteller: Sara Mir
Sound design and original composition: Elina GodwinAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo credit: Sara Mir
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There’s bad luck, then there’s bad judgement. This week, stories of people receiving ample warning that something isn’t right, and ignoring it at their peril.‘Butt Stuck’ by Maddy Macquine
Some of us are prone to tripping over, or rolling our ankles, or walking into glass doors. Laura is prone to butthole related disasters.
Producer: Maddy Macquine
Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Gymnopedies 2’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘The Crisper’ by Blue Dot Sessions‘The Fossil Hunt’ That Almost Killed Me
In his work as a taxidermist, naturalist and curator of history at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Jared Archibald has been all over Australia but there’s one place that looms big in his mind, a river – one that holds secrets so rare, he’ll do anything to try and get them.
Image credit: Sarah Mackie
This story was first told at SPUN, a live storytelling night presented by StoryProjects in the Northern Territory.
You can subscribe to the SPUN Stories podcast, and find out more about the SPUN storytelling project by visiting spunstories.net. You can also look for Spun Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
Storyteller: Jared Archibald
Producer: Johanna BellAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Photo credit: Daniel Lincoln via Unsplash
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Back in February 2014, a coal mine in Morwell caught fire. The entire town was covered in ash. Residents were told to evacuate, the council was giving out masks while the rest of the state worried that they would lose power.
The Hazelwood Power Corporation, which owns the mine, has since been found guilty of putting staff and the public at risk. The fire had significant health impacts on residents.
Now, as large sections of Australia burn and are blanketed in smoke, it felt particularly relevant to revisit this episode when toxic smoke blanketed the town of Morwell, as a direct result of the fossil fuel industry.
Steve Szabo
The mine fire is all south of the train tracks that run through Morwell but the bushfire that sparked the disaster began just north of the tracks on Toners Lane near Steve Szabo’s Golf Driving range.
Produced by Michael Brydon
Deb Hollis
Deb Hollis is a mother and a carer for her autistic son. She talks to Sally Whyte about the ways the ash and smoke from the fire effected her family.
Produced by Sally Whyte
Simon Ellis
Simon Ellis watched the fires start from his veranda. He shows Sally where they came in, and tells her about the effect the fire has had on his life and family.
Produced by Sally Whyte
Councillor Christine Sindt
We travelled to Morwell was the day the EPA said that the air quality was safe for residents to return. A lot of Morwell, especially south of the railway tracks, have relocated to neighbouring towns, or Melbourne. Councillor Christine Sindt was one of the many residents who evacuated South Morwell.
Produced by Sally Whyte
Friends of the Garden
Morwell might be covered in ash and smell like smoke, but it is still full of roses. On the roundabouts, in people’s front yards and in the town’s rose garden. Del Matthews, Elizabeth Stewart and Karen Cooper tell Michael that the mine fire may have had an unintended beneficiary.
Produced by Michael Brydon
Music credit: Clinging To The Almost by Bell Garden OrchestraAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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This is the last part in our summer series, we hope you’ve enjoyed the trip down memory lane. We’re back with new episodes in two weeks.Secret Theatre Secret by Sapphire Sheedy
There’s also nothing like seeing musical theatre for the very first time, especially if your name is Sapphire Sheedy and you’ve grown up avoiding cow patties.
This story was told at Read To Me, a live storytelling night in Sydney, which we love. It was recorded by Zacha Rosen.Looking Forward by Lee Robinson
On Friday evenings, Genamarie catches two trams in peak hour traffic to get to her tennis club. It can be a long journey but it’s all worth it. She plays a particular type of tennis.
Music: ‘Cue 1 – Emotive-Beautiful-Building (Gaia)’ by Soulaflair, ‘Tennis Court’ by Lorde
Supervising Producer: Jordan FennellQueen B by Elina Godwin
There are very good reasons why the Queen Bee, is the Queen.
Original Sound Design and Composition: Elina GodwinAll The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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We’ve been taking a break from making new episodes over summer, so we’re rebroadcasting some of our favourite All The Best stories. We’ll be back in two weeks.
Public Defecation Act by Concetta Caristo Most people like to edit out the most embarrassing parts of their lives. Not Concetta. She wants to tell you exactly what happened when her Mum found her blind drunk in the gutter on Norton St.
Written and performed by Concetta Caristo
Instagram: @concettaworldwide
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Airliner’ by Podington Bear, ‘The Confrontation’ by Podington Bear
Light at the end of the tunnel by Karishma Tanvi For years now, Karishma has known something wasn’t right… down there. She can’t get to the bottom of it, and apparently no one else can either. Until one day she’s scrolling through her phone on the bus, and she comes across an article…
Music: ‘Fly on the Wall’ by Joey Pecoraro, ‘Late night tale’ by Steve Baker, ‘Straight outta vagina’ by Pussy Riot and ‘Shiny Thing’ by Ben Parker
Supervising producer: Selena Shannon
Independent Browse Time Sometimes the most beautiful moments with our loved ones are spent in complete silence.
By Matilda Fay
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
Music: “This Must Be The Place” by Talking Heads, “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths, “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground, “She’s My Best Friend” by Lou Reed
Record scratch sound effect: “record_scratch_short.wav” by Halleck via Freesound
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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We’ll be back with brand new episodes in February. While you wait, here’s some of our favourites from the All The Best archive.
Swipe Right, Think Twice by Hongnan Guo Can dating apps help with social anxiety and the search for true love?
Special thanks to Gretchen Miller and Tina Matolov for production guidance and feedback. Additional production support by Allison Chan.
Music: ‘Am-trans’ by Podington Bear, ‘Classic Rose’ by Vibe Mountain, ‘Start as you mean to go on’ by Daniel Birch, ‘Creeper’ by Daniel Birch, ‘Elephants on Parade’ by Podington Bear, ‘The Longshoreman’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Temple’ by Daniel Birch.
George and Lola by Eugenia Zoubtchenko What’s it like to watch the city change from your living-room window? George and Lola are in their 90’s and still live in one of Melbourne’s oldest buildings – a ramshackle cottage in Melbourne’s CBD. Lola’s lived there for nearly a century, and in that time the house has been a theatre, a tea shop and a historic home on the verge of collapse.
Supervising producer: Bec Fary
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Erin Dick
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Alex Martinez via Unsplash
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We’ll be back with new episodes in a few weeks. Until then, here are some stories we really like. Hope you like them too.
A Magical Place by Erin Dick, Maddy Macquine and Lee Robinson Kevin is used to being the one hidden up the back, not being seen — he’s been a movie projectionist for 40 years. But soon his whole profession will be disappearing for good.
There Once Was a Man by Sepehr Jamshidi Fard Overhearing the human condition over brunch.
Producer: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Music: Gnossiennes by Eric Satie
To Jeffery by Bernadette Nguyen How do we deal with the death of a pet?
Bernadette talks to her friends and family about the (senior) boy she loves the most – her dog Jeffery.
Producer: Bernadette Nguyen
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Hawaii’ by Blackbird Blackbird (Niva Remix), ‘I Miss You’ by Ta-ku, ‘Reprise’ by Gold Panda (T Hemingway Remix), ‘Aquarium’ by Nosaj Thing
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Elina Godwin
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Erin Dick
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Josh Rakower via Unsplash
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All The Best is taking some time off to rest and recuperate, and to produce new stories for 2020. While we’re away, we’re replaying some of our favourite stories. See you in a few weeks.
Allergies by Danni Stewart The things you love can also hurt you the most. Same goes for Danni and the food she loves.
Producer: Danni Stewart
Supervising Producer: Erin Dick, with help from Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘Feel’ by Hiroshi Yoshimura, ‘Flamin Hot Cheetos’ by Clairo, ‘Allergies’ by Paul Simon
Austin, Seattle by Sidney Shaw Frolicking through Tinder for the first time ever has the potential to be:
a) Just as bleak as causing a scene on an airplane
b) A window into discovering how many single men in Melbourne are named ‘Dimitri’
c) The most serendipitous thing to ever happen to you
or d) All of the above.
This is a personal reflection about what can happen when you least expect it.
Producer: Sidney Shaw
Sound design and original composition: Elina Godwin
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, Atmosphere by Joy Division, Rushin’ Back (Siobhan James Remix) by Xanza, Residual Feelings ft. Consul by VIDA
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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We’re busy working on new episodes for 2020 and working on our suntans. Please enjoy these fine selections from the All The Best archive.
Politics by Angela Moran It’s time to start caring about things. Angela decides to figure out the Australian electoral process, in time for the upcoming Federal Election.
Supervising Producer: Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’ – Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, ‘Black Shuck’ – The Darkness, ‘Nighttime Stroll – E’s Jammy Jams‘, ‘The Truth Is No Words’ – The Music, ‘It’s Up To You (1999 Remaster) – Gene Krupa’, ‘We’ve Got A File On You’ – Blur, ‘Flutter’ – Bonobo, ‘Politics of Love’ – Alex Cameron
Finding Harmony by Nial Hosken and Suzanne Derry Two people are drawn to the layered sounds and ancient traditions of musical communities that are not their own.
Original music composition and sound design: Suzanne Derry
Supervising Producers: Riley McCullagh and Allison Chan
Additional thanks to Tina Matolov and Lloyd O’Hanlon, who supplied field recordings from Georgia.
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Elina Godwin
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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We’re taking a few weeks off while we get ready for new episodes in 2020. So we’ve picked some of our favourite stories to play over the summer.
Mouthfeel by Jared Richards It was an accident when Jared first used his housemate’s toothbrush. If he’d known how much he liked doing it, he would’ve done it ages ago.
Sound design and original music composition: Pip Leason
Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Additional thanks to Subbed In, where Jared first read a draft of ‘Mouthfeel’. Jared also co-presents Sleepless in Sydney on FBi Radio.
Music: ‘Femme Fatale’ – The Velvet Underground & Nico (performed by the Vitamin String Quartet), ‘Sunday Morning’ – The Velvet Underground (performed by the Vitamin String Quartet)
A Bird in Hand is Worth Two in the Grave by Patrick Lenton Stepping up in life meant that Patrick Lenton was on his way to being a grown up. But then a puppy and an uninvited bird confronted his assumptions of adulthood.
Original Music Composition and Sound Design: Suzanne Derry
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan with help from David Rutledge
Dick Psychic by Chloe Gillespie John Edwards is a psychic medium. Katie Cunningham is a dick psychic. John Edwards speaks to those who have passed. Katie can read dicks.
Producer: Chloe Gillespie
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Podington Bear.
Illustration by Shani Downing
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Elina Godwin
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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We’re going on break for a few weeks. So here are some of favourite stories from the All The Best archives.
Chamber Pot Opera by Tegan Nicholls The Queen Victoria Building bathrooms in Sydney are a throwback to a time when women would powder their wigs, paint their faces and slide a tip into the attendant’s pocket. Throw an opera into the mix and it’s the complete package.
Only this isn’t any opera, and it’s far from Victorian when it comes to the women involved. Tegan Nicholls brings us this one about an opera in a bathroom.
Music: Original performances from the Chamber Pot Opera
Jeff The Turkey by Angela Moran When you’re in your early 20s and living in a share house, you can find yourself living with a party animal that gobbles. This is a story about friendship, feathers, and most of all, the love between a young man and his turkey.
This story also contains fowl language.
Supervising Producers: Jordan Fennell and Allison Chan
Music: ‘Shooting Stars’ by Bag Raiders, ‘Givin’ Up’ by The Darkness, ‘Rough River’ by Rough River, ‘Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time’ by The Darkness
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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Meet the messengers of the climate emergency.
What Democracy Looks Like by Ryan Pemberton In September, 4 million protesters gathered to demand action on climate change. A few weeks later, Extinction Rebellion staged a global act of civil disobedience. Who are the organisers of the movement? And what impact are the protests having?
Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Supervising producer: Zacha Rosen
Music: ‘Our Digital Compass’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Copley Beat’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Waterbourne’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Saver’ by Podington Bear
Off-Off-Grid by Alice Allen Some things aren’t easy to broadcast – to your nearest and dearest, or to the general public. Michael Mobbs shares how he became “The Off-Grid Guy”, and why he’s giving up the home that helped him make his name.
Note: Michael Mobbs mentions that 60-80% of food production depends on bees. Around 75% of crops benefit from pollination from bees, but don’t neccessarily depend on it.
Producer: Alice Allen
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Kym Chapple
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This episode is about those first few moments after we wake up. What we do with them can set us up for the rest of the day. That is, when all goes to plan.
That Night in Chippendale by Pat Grant Pat takes a drunken snooze in the back of his van, and has a rude awakening.
This is a story from the suburb of Chippendale, back in the early 2000’s. If you weren’t there at the time you wouldn’t recognise it. The CUB brewery was still churning out Carlton Draught and Resch’s Pilsner. It made the whole neighbourhood smell like weetbix and cast a shadow of late-industrial despair over the place.
Storyteller: Pat Grant
This story was originally read at Read to Me, a comics reading night in Sydney. Find out more on their Facebook.
Morning Person by Monisha Rudhran What makes someone a morning person? Aren’t we all people in the morning anyway?
From Miracle Mornings and meditation, to Minecraft and makeup: we get ready with three strangers, each following a very different routine, and explore everything that happens before you see someone sit down at their desk.
Producer: Monisha Rudhran
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: Key by C418, Minecraft by C418, Subwoofer Lullaby by C418, The Dustbin by Blue Dot Sessions
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Heather Ford via Unsplash
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This is part two. Find part one here.
Patricia by Luke Cartwright Sometimes fate brings the right people together, in the right place, at the right time. And then there’s the near-misses. What happens when the stars don’t align?
A scripted drama based on a collection of bugged phone calls – Patricia is the story of two people meeting at a tragically inopportune time, told through overheard phone conversations.
Writer and director: Luke Cartwright
Producer and sound designer: Ryan Pemberton
Cast:
Nic English – Redacted Male
Kate Coates – Redacted Female
Lauren Clair – The Accomplice
Carlo Ritchie – Higgins
Jessie Hoeschle – The Sister
Ari Mattes – Riley
Ryan Pemberton – The Guy At The Pizza Place
Luke Cartwright – Alex from Liquor Express
Music: ‘Mr. Bojangles’ by Sammy Davis Jr. ‘View From My Window’ by Hiroshi Yoshimura
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Orkhan Farmanli via Unsplash
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This is part one. Find part two here.
Patricia by Luke Cartwright Sometimes fate brings the right people together, in the right place, at the right time. And then there’s the near-misses. What happens when the stars don’t align?
A scripted drama based on a collection of bugged phone calls – Patricia is the story of two people meeting at a tragically inopportune time, told through overheard phone conversations.
Writer and director: Luke Cartwright
Producer and sound designer: Ryan Pemberton
Cast:
Nic English – Redacted Male
Kate Coates – Redacted Female
Lauren Clair – The Accomplice
Carlo Ritchie – Higgins
Jessie Hoeschle – The Sister
Ari Mattes – Riley
Ryan Pemberton – The Guy At The Pizza Place
Luke Cartwright – Alex from Liquor Express
Music: ‘Mr. Bojangles’ by Sammy Davis Jr. ‘View From My Window’ by Hiroshi Yoshimura
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Ryan Pemberton
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Orkhan Farmanli via Unsplash
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One person’s idea of a good time is another person’s idea of torture. Some enjoy waiting in line at the airport, some like to be covered from head to toe in clothes pegs by a woman in a g-string and corset. Whatever floats your boat, right?
Meditation, Masochism and Mental Health by Lakshmi Krishnan Are dominatrixes kink doctors? And can there really be pleasure in pain? There is a deeper side to kinky bedroom activities, and it may even be good for your mental health.
Producer: Lakshmi Krishnan
Supervising producers: Ryan Pemberton and Jordan Fennell
Social media image via Sophie Dituri on Flickr
Music: ‘Neon Drip’ by Radiopink, ‘Stipple’ by Marisala, ‘Burrow Burrow’ by Little Rock, ‘Golden Vice’ by VIDA, ‘Paradigm’ by Walter Saint, ‘Emersed’ by ISY ISY.
Surviving The Dungeon by Leah Potter Leah Potter has recently returned to her home town of Darwin and has already made waves in the community with thanks to her weekly soup kitchen. Her aim in life these days is to help reduce humiliation for people but before this, Leah found herself in a bondage dungeon.
This story was first told at SPUN, a live storytelling night presented by StoryProjects in the Northern Territory.
You can subscribe to the SPUN Stories podcast, and find out more about the SPUN storytelling project by visiting spunstories.net. You can also look for Spun Stories on Facebook and Twitter.
Content Warning: This story contains references to domestic violence. If you’re in need of assistance, please call the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732.
Storyteller: Leah Potter
Producer: Tamara Howie
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Elina Godwin
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: fran hogan via Unsplash
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True stories rarely end with everything tied up in a neat little package. These are stories of people trying to fix their own personal plot holes.
No Relation by Lisa Parr Lisa tries to fill the empty spaces in her father’s history, but finds more empty spaces.
Writer: Lisa Parr
Performers: Lisa Parr and Carlo Ritchie
Production and sound design: Ryan Pemberton
Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound
A Voice in the Dark by Rhys Blinco With his brother on a flight to America, Rhys has the house to himself. It’s all fun and games until the sun sets, and he hears a familiar voice outside his window…
Producer: Rhys Blinco
Sound design: Ryan Pemberton
Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound
There Once Was a Man by Sepehr Jamshidi Fard Overhearing the human condition over brunch.
Producer: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard
Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko
Music: Gnossiennes by Eric Satie
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Annais Gallos
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: kbetart via Flickr
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There’s an elephant in the room. It’s lonely and terrified of the knowledge that one day it will die. Let’s talk about it.
Death Over Coffee Producer: Elsa Silberstein
Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton
Music: ‘Into My Arms’ by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, ‘Just Do It ‘by Paul Mottram
Human Kneads Moana’s disability prevents him from getting out of the house as much as he used to. But he’s finding new ways to reach out and connect. He wasn’t expecting sourdough to be a part of that.
Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Supervising producers: Allison Chan and Jordan Fennell
Music: ‘Lamprey’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Halflight’ by Podington Bear, ‘Respite’ by Blue Dot Sessions
All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton
Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Episode Mix and Compile: Elina Godwin
Host: Maddy Macquine
Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart
SYN Community Coordinator: Erin Dick
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
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