Conversations

Aged 17, Chris 'Brolga' Barns was meant to be the 'bird guy' at a new zoo in Broome. A cough in his keeper's house alerted him to a kangaroo joey called Josie, who needed four-hourly feeds and help with the toilet. From then on he was hooked.Brolga knew early on he wanted to make a living working with animals.After meeting Josie he began to rescue other joeys left alive in their mothers' pouches after the large animals had been hit by cars.Word spread about his passion for orphaned joeys, and he started an education centre in an old double-decker bus.In 2013 the BBC made a documentary about Brolga, Kangaroo Dundee, which became a worldwide hit.Brolga and his wife Tahnee now run a hospital and rescue centre outside Alice Springs.Further informationOriginally broadcast October 2018.Read more about Brolga's Kangaroo Sanctuary.2025 update: since Sarah's original conversation with Brolga, the mighty Roger has passed away, at the age of 12.A new Australian movie, Kangaroo, based on Brolga's life and the sanctuary, is due for release in September.Standout story – Belinda TerryHear Belinda Terry, ‘Nocka' Peoples, Cheryl Thompson, Elizabeth 'Thumper' Clark in a special night of storytelling from Muttaburra.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/muttaburra-stories-conversations-in-the-shearing-shed/7788918You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784This episode was produced by Nicola Harrison. The Executive Producer was Pam O'Brien.This episode of Conversations touches on kangaroos, wildlife care, Alice Springs, orphaned joeys, kangaroo joeys, epic life stories, origin stories, zoos, roadkill, outback Australia and the outback.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The veteran Wiradjuri journalist spent his first year living in the wreck of a Model T Ford on a NSW mission. He has reported from China and North Korea, covered Nelson Mandela's release, the death of Princess Diana, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and reported from outside Osama bin Laden's house after he was killed.His father was a hard man and an itinerant sawmiller who taught Stan the lessons he would need to survive and thrive as he grew older.On the surface, Stan seemed disinterested in his studies, but he memorised everything he learned and gathered his knowledge for the future.The family moved to Canberra when Stan was a teenager and suddenly the world opened up for him.Further informationOriginally broadcast May 2013.This episode was produced by Michelle Ransom-Hughes and the Executive Producer is Carmel Rooney.You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784This episode of Conversations touches on Indigenous family, Wiradjuri country, tabloid TV, racism, fatherhood, fathers, origin stories, personal stories, epic life stories, family dynamics, First Nations, news reporting and international news and journalism.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Sarah and Richard give you a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Conversations Live Tour, Adelaide edition.Legendary sports broadcaster, Bruce McAvaney was one of the special guests who appeared on stage to share some photos close to his heart, and the stories attached to them.Further informationTo see Bruce's photos for yourself, head to the ABC Conversations Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/abcconvos/To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Sarah and Richard give you a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Conversations Live Tour, Adelaide edition.London Bombing survivor, Gill Hicks was one of the special guests who appeared on stage to share some photos close to her heart, and the stories attached to them.Further informationTo see Gill's photos for yourself, head to the ABC Conversations Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/abcconvos/To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Longtime TV casting agent, Kirsty de Vallance was 16 when Police searched the house and arrested her father on serious drugs charges. Throughout her teen years she had to navigate the complexity of having a parent in prison. The family went into freefall and a short time later Kirsty's mother died.Her two older sisters raised Kirsty and she stayed in touch with her father until his release from prison.The effects on the family were far-reaching and devastating and as a result, Kirsty volunteers with children who find themselves in a situation like hers — with parents in jail.For many years Kirsty ran a successful casting agency with her husband and together they found contestants for TV shows including Masterchef and Project Runway.Further informationFirst broadcast June 2015.2025 update: Kirsty continued working in TV casting up until recently, but now she and her husband focus on the wellbeing side of production. Their company ‘Strength on Set' looks after the health and wellbeing of cast and crew on shows like ‘Farmer Wants a Wife' and ‘The Bachelor'.Kirsty has also returned to studying, and is completing a Diploma in Counselling.Standout story: Nicholas HammondYou can hear Richard's full conversation with Nicholas Hammond on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/nicholas-hammond-the-sound-of-music-cinderella-julie-andrews/14069188You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784The Executive Producer of this episode of Conversations was Pam O'Brien.This episode of Conversations explores parents in prison, kids with a parent in prison, drugs charges, heroin, early death, mentoring, prison, jail, Ireland, TV casting agent, Farmer Wants a Wife, Masterchef and Project Runway.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Male midwife, Christian Wright tells stories of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities, helping Yolŋu women birth their babies.Growing up South of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself.At the age of nine he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.In the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory, Christian worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationFirst broadcast March 2021.2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.On the first day of their honeymoon as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled. Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he may not walk again.Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.He and Caroline now have a baby boy.Learn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birth.Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784This episode of Conversations explores birth, midwifery, Yolŋu country, First Nations birthing, the fourth trimester, active labour and a male midwife.

Male midwife, Christian Wright tells stories of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities, helping Yolŋu women birth their babies.Growing up South of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself.At the age of nine he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.In the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory, Christian worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.Further informationFirst broadcast March 2021.2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.On the first day of their honeymoon as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled. Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he may not walk again.Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.He and Caroline now have a baby boy. And yes, Christian did deliver the baby!Learn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birth.Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.Standout story – Nigel NewtonYou can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts.https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784This episode of Conversations explores birth, midwifery, Yolŋu country, First Nations birthing, the fourth trimester, active labour and a male midwife.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The co-creator of Absolutely Fabulous says her remarkable career as one of the world's funniest women is all down to a series of happy accidents. When she and her great pal Dawn French were making their first series, French & Saunders, they were given complete freedom by the BBC, including the freedom to fail.Despite a few mishaps along the way and a battle with breast cancer, Jennifer now says that early freedom, risk-taking and random opportunities were the best things that could possibly have happened to them.Further informationFirst broadcast in April, 2014.You can hear Sarah's full conversation with Timothy Spall on the ABC Listen App, or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.This episode of Conversations explores memoir, books, writing, TV comedy, Ab Fab, celebrity memoir, battling cancer, survival stories, breast cancer, British humour, dark humour, Black Books, the Comic Strip, Friends, Roseanne, Adrian Edmondson,  Edina Monsoon, Joanna Lumley, Patsy Stone, Muppets, Spice Girls, Top Gear.

When Judy Sharp was told by doctors that her son would never communicate or learn to love, she refused to believe it and set about to secure a brilliant life for her neurodivergent son, Tim.Judy's eldest son, Tim, was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old.When Judy was told Tim would never communicate or be able to love she refused to accept those limitations.As a mother, Judy took many risks to secure a good life for both of her sons, including escaping an abusive marriage.Her risks paid off.As a grown man, Tim became a renowned artist and his popularity continues to grow.Laser Beak Man, Tim's cheeky cartoon super-hero, has taken Tim and Judy as far as Broadway, where he was the central figure of a musical.Further informationFirst broadcast in February, 2016.2025 update: Tim and his artwork have been included in the book celebrating 50 years of the Sydney Opera House, about 50 famous Australian artists.Judy is now a sought-after speaker and spends much of her time speaking at conferences. A film based on Judy's memoir is in development, hopefully starting production in 2026. You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.This episode of Conversations explores parenting children with autism, ADHD, neurodivergence, communication, Asperger's, mothers of sons, spousal abuse, brothers, ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Austin.

Sharonne Zaks is not your average dentist. After treating a patient named Anna, Sharonne saw the power relationship with her patients differently. She developed a new branch of dentistry to help care for survivors of sexual assault.Sharonne grew up in a family of dentists, and when she too became a dentist, she developed an empathetic relationship with her patients, never judging them even if they'd avoided the dentist for years.A patient named Anna profoundly changed Sharonne's understanding of a patient's experience in the dentist's chair.Sharonne realised that for those who have been through a sexual assault or trauma, the extreme powerlessness of being treated at the dentist can be highly triggering.Sharonne undertook study into the area, and began a new regime to treat survivors in her own practice.She then began explaining what she'd found about the power dynamic between dentist and patient, to her own colleagues.Further information2025 update: Sharonne regularly presents on trauma-informed care to groups across the dental profession and beyond, including lawyers, nurses, doctors and carers.Trauma-informed dental knowledge and skills have recently been made core competencies for all newly qualified dentists by the Australian Dental Council.You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.This episode of Conversations explores dentistry, Maxillofacial surgery, fear of the dentist, overcoming fear of the dentist, sexual trauma, power dynamics, tooth pain, tooth ache, root canal, medical industry, helping patients, fear of medicine, oral hygiene, avoiding the dentist, dental appointment, finding a dentist who cares, empathetic dentist, pain free dentist.

In the swinging 60s, Anthony 'Ace' Bourke and John Rendall bought a lion cub from a luxury department store. They eventually released him to his natural habitat in Africa. Footage of their emotional reunion in the wilds of Africa nearly broke the internet, decades later.In 1969, Anthony 'Ace' Bourke and John Rendall bought a lion cub for just under £300 from Harrods Department Store.They named the cub Christian, and lived with him as a pet in their Chelsea flat, above a furniture shop.Eventually, Ace and John met the renowned conservationist George Adamson, who agreed to introduce Christian to his natural habitat in Africa as he was quickly outgrowing their inner city pad.Several years later John and Ace went to visit Christian in the wilds of Kenya.The fully grown lion remarkably remembered the men, and was filmed leaping up to embrace them.Some 40 years after that event, footage of their reunion was uploaded to YouTube, and brought the story to a whole new audience.Further informationFirst broadcast April, 2009.John Rendall continued to actively support the The George Adamson & Tony Fitzjohn Wildlife Trust until his death in 2022. Ace Bourke has been a committee member of Australian-based charity, Working for Animals for many years and is writing a memoir. You can hear Richard's full conversation with Ken Wyatt on the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.This episode of Conversations explores viral videos, conservation, charismatic animals, safari, wildlife trade, 1960s, Kora National Park, Kenya, East Africa, travel, animal welfare, epic story, unbelievable story, memoir, books, writing.

Bryan Brown has played more than 80 roles on stage and screen. Raised in working-class Sydney, his talent, hard work, and unmistakable presence have been his ticket to the world.Now in his late 70s, Bryan has had more film and television acting roles than he's had birthdays, and is an instantly recognisable figure on screens around the world.From Breaker Morant and Newsfront to Two Hands and Sweet Country, a huge number of classic Australian films feature Bryan, a testament to his talent, popularity and work ethic. Bryan also spent a period working in America, starring most notably in Cocktail and Gorillas In The Mist, before ultimately choosing Sydney over Hollywood.In the 1980s, working on the American-made series The Thorn Birds utterly changed Bryan's life. He and British co-star Rachel Ward fell in love and married soon after.Their creative partnership has been enduring and they worked on one of Bryan's most recent films, Palm Beach, together - with Rachel directing and co-writing, and Bryan also co-producing.Palm Beach was inspired by a reunion of friends in later life, and a health scare that rocked Bryan's confidence for several years. Further InformationOriginally broadcast August, 2019.You can hear Richard's full conversation with Hank Harlow on the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.You can also read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.This episode of Conversations explores acting, Australian cinema, classic movies, Australiana, Australian kitsch, film history, fatherhood, love, rags to riches, Hollywood,, anxiety, mental health, amateur theatre, theater, Red Dog, men's mental health.

Henrietta Lacks was the first human being that we know of to get close enough to 'immortality' to touch it. She died more than 50 years ago but her cells live on.'HeLa' cells were the first human cells to be grown for research, and have been vital in medical advances since the 1950s.But what fascinated science major Rebecca Skloot the most about these cells, was how little was known about the woman behind the name.So she set out to discover who Henrietta Lacks really was.Further informationFirst broadcast in July, 2010.The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is published by Picador.Rebecca's book was turned into a film starring Oprah Winfrey.You can learn more about Henrietta online.You can also hear Richard's full conversation with Helen Macdonald on the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.This episode of Conversations explores science, science communication, weird science, female scientists, modern history, medicine, medical history, medical research, cells, cancer, curing disease.

Adventurous spirits take us way out into the world's wild places — stories from across 20 years of Conversations. Travel high in the mountains with Kazakh eagle hunters. Join an endurance horse race across the Mongolian steppe.Feel the edge of darkness, paddling a kayak solo across the Great Australian Bight. These tales of wild landscapes and creatures, of courage and awe, invite you to share the adventure along with some of our many intrepid guests: Palani Mohan, Bonnie Hancock, Chris Watson, Campbell Costello, Sally Henderson and Andrew Harper.This episode of Conversations was produced by Michelle Random-Hughes, Pam O'Brien, Jenna Koda and Meggie Morris. The Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney. Story editing by Michelle Ransom-Hughes. Sarah Kanowski and Richard Fidler present.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Memories, motivation and life lessons from those at the front of the classroom - stories from across 20 years of Conversations.Teachers share stories from their life's work.Facing up to challenging students, sitting alongside a young person in turmoil, making lifesaving decisions for an entire school, and the simple joy of seeing knowledge take root. We celebrate the dedication found in schools across the country by featuring some extraordinary principals and teachers.Content warning:Sergio Rosato's story (from 8-25 minutes) deals with bushfire survival.Brendan James Murray's story contains a mention of self-harm that is not explicit (55-56 mins).Listen to the full episodes from featured guests Manisha Gazula, Sergio Rosato, Lynne Hinton, Eddie Woo, Sarah Donnelly and Brendan James Murray.This episode of Conversations was produced by Stefanie Collett, Pam O'Brien, Jenna Koda, Nicola Harrison and Meggie Morris. Story editing by Michelle Ransom-Hughes. The Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney. Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski presented this interview.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The secret lives of parents — stories from across 20 years of Conversations.Espionage, Hollywood scandal, a second family, daring wartime missions, and a deadly weapon — revelations unearthed by adult children delving into the lives of parents long gone.Familial mysteries are some of the most spellbinding in our archives, and this collection features life stories from around the globe, revealed in the hunt for answers.Further informationListen to the full episodes from featured guests Paul Carter, Darleen Bungee, Nadia Mahjouri and Jane Eales.This episode was produced by Anna Priestland, Pam O'Brien, Alice Moldovan and Jenna Koda. The story editor was Michelle Ransom-Hughes and the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney. Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski presented the interviews.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Our chefs and cooks and the food that made them — stories from across 20 years of Conversations.Unforgettable sensory moments from childhood are behind the devotion of some of Australia's most well known chefs.From Gary Mehigan's grandfather's secret chocolate stash, to the aroma of the traditional Cantonese broth, made by Hetty McKinnon's mother, wafting from her morning kitchen. This tasting plate of stories about food and cooking also includes stories from Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, Hetty McKinnon, Josh Niland, Jimmy Shu, Maggie Beer and Poh Ling Yeow.This episode of Conversations was produced by Pam O'Brien and Nicola Harrison. The story editor was Michelle Ransom-Hughes. The Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney. It was presented by Sarah Kanowski and Richard Fidler.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

A collection of some of the best moments from actor and writer William McInnes — celebrating 20 years of Conversations.The voice of actor William McInnes is unmistakable, whether in larger than life TV roles; or as himself, telling true stories. A firm favourite of Conversations' listeners, this episode is a collection of highlights from his many appearances on the program.You'll enjoy William's rendition of a Perry Como classic; hear him wax lyrical about the mayhem and magic of family life in Australian suburbia, circa the mid-to-late 20th Century; and be drawn in by his hilarious and heartfelt shaggy dog stories about raising his children as a single dad, after the death of his wife Sarah Watts. Listen to William's full episodes on fatherhood, Australianisms and Christmas.This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison and Michelle Ransom-Hughes. The Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

When Mick Doleman was a boy, all he wanted to do was to go to sea. At 18 years old, he got his chance, crewing on a freighter called the Blythe Star. But within hours, he was shipwrecked in the freezing, wild Southern Ocean off Tasmania with no chance of rescue. 50 years later, he's telling his story.

Writer and journalist Daniel Nour on the pressures of his vivacious Egyptian-Australian family, and 'inviting people in' instead of 'coming out'.Daniel grew up in Sydney's Sutherland Shire, the only son of Egyptian migrants.He dearly loved his parents, who taught him how to stand up to bullies, drove him to Tournament of the Minds competitions, and helped him buy his first car, but he could never be his whole, true self around them.For most of his life, Daniel was in denial about being gay, despite his raging crushes on handsome film characters like cartoon Aladdin and the Scorpion King, played by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Daniel even very briefly contemplated life as a priest in order to escape the familial pressure to marry a woman and give his parents grandchildren.But after a confidence-boosting trip to Egypt, and then an embarrassing, dishonest appearance on national television, Daniel was finally honest with himself.Further informationHow to Dodge Flying Sandals and Other Advice for Life: An unreliable ethnic memoir is published by Simon and Schuster.Daniel is a member of Sweatshop Literacy Movement, you can keep up to date with his work at his website.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris, executive producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores migrant stories, multiculturalism, coming out, Coptic Orthodoxy, protestant church, faith, religion, homosexuality, Arab-Australians, racism, first generation Australians, growing up in Sydney, Cairo, writing, books, family dynamics, body image, male body image, masculinity, gym culture, diet culture, memoir.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

Sister Clare Nolan was the head of nursing at St Vincent's Hospital when the HIV/AIDS epidemic reached Australia. She met with politicians, brothel workers and gay activists in the same room to work out how to save the men under her care in Ward 17 South.Clare was 21 years old when she entered the convent, against her mother's wishes, joining the Sisters of Charity novitiate to prepare for life as a nun.Clare had already completed her training as a nurse, and so she didn't want to join a contemplative order, closed off to the rest of the world.Clare wanted to take care of the sick and marginalised as a nurse, and as a nun, and so she became a 'walking sister'.Sister Clare quickly rose up the ranks, becoming the director of nursing at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, right as the HIV/AIDS epidemic reached Australia.Clare found herself in meetings with politicians, immunologists, brothel workers, gay activists and Catholics, working together to figure out how to save the hundreds of patients who came under her care in Ward 17 South - the first and only dedicated HIV/AIDS ward in the country.Further informationYou can learn more about the Sister's of Charity of Australia and St Vincent's Health Australia online.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

When there's a plane crash, a bomb blast, a flood or a pandemic, Lucy Easthope's phone starts ringing. This is how she stays cheerful and trusts her gut in the face of never-ending disasters. (R)When Lucy was 10 years old, she was at home with her dad watching a Liverpool Football Club match when all hell broke loose.The Hillsborough Disaster, as it came to be known, was a fatal crowd crush that killed almost 100 people and as Lucy and her dad watched it all unfold on the television, she remembers him shouting, "Someone needs to sort this!"That formative experience inspired Lucy to go on to become what's called an 'emergency planner' or 'disaster specialist'.When a plane crashes, a bomb explodes, a city floods or a virus spreads across the planet, Lucy's phone begins to ring and she springs into action.Lucy's speciality is the care and return of personal items to grieving families, through which she's learned that a cup of tea and truthfulness are as important as DNA testing.Further informationWhen the Dust Settles is published by Hodder & Stoughton.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris, executive producer was Carmel Rooney.It explores natural disasters, floods, famine, starvation, plane crashes, train crashes, mass death, tsunami, Bali, Japan, tube bombing, stadium crush, mass panic, disaster relief, survival, mental health, coping mechanisms, high cortisol, adrenaline, Grenfell, pandemic, terrorism, terror attack, Lismore, tornado, covid, ebola.

Felicia Djamirze grew up in the criminal underworld, then became a beauty queen. But her life outside the pageant circuit was mired in the world of drugs, bikie gangs and violence (CW: graphic discussion of domestic violence and crime) Felicia Djamirze is a counsellor, an advocate for women's justice, a three-time Miss Australia winner and a convicted drug trafficker.Felicia grew up surrounded by drug abuse and crime in a rough part of Sydney. Her family was marked by addiction and connections to the criminal underworld.As she got older, Felicia attracted a lot of attention for her looks, eventually finding the world of beauty pageants, which she thought was her way out.But behind the scenes, Felicia's life was far from glamorous.While living with a partner who was in a bikie gang, she survived severe domestic violence. Then, during her next relationship she was caught up in an horrifically violent encounter with the Queensland Police when they burst into her home to arrest her partner for dealing meth.Felicia admitted her involvement and was convicted for drug trafficking. In the aftermath, she retrained as a counsellor and mental health advocate. She now aims to use her experiences to help others find a way out of the justice system and re-enter, unashamedly, into the real world.Further informationContent warning: this episode of Conversations contains descriptions of domestic violence. Help and Support is always available.If you are experiencing Domestic Violence 1800 Respect is available 24 hours a day on 1800 737 732.For support with PTSD in Australia, Lifeline (13 11 14) and Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) offer crisis support.Felicia's book Accessory is published by Affirm Press.This episode of Conversations was produced my Meggie Morris, executive producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores crime, conviction history, police brutality, bikies, meth, substance abuse, epic origin stories, family dynamics, relationships, prison, outlaw motorcycle gangs, arms dealing, ice, Russian mafia, Hells Angels, Bandidos, Rebels, Comancheros, Finks, and Mongols.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

Matt Dun left school at 17 to join the Australian navy as a submariner and later finished his high school certificate as an adult attending TAFE at night.He then trained in biomedical science and was researching childhood leukaemia when his family received some devastating news, their little daughter Josie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.Matt turned all his energy and expertise into searching for treatments to help Josie and other children like her.He found running was one thing that helped him cope with the stress and pain of his daughter's illness, and with his wife founded the charity, RUN DIPGFurther informationThe charity founded by Matt and Phoebe Dun is RUN DIPGFind out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, executive producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores childhood brain cancer, biomedical science, grief, family, DIPG, drug trials, research, submarines, the Australian Navy, running.

Singer Lisa Simone is the only person in the world who can call Nina Simone 'mommy'. Lisa was the beneficiary of Nina's incredible talent and her affection, but she was also at the mercy of her mother's erratic moods. Lisa is the only child of the legendary singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist Nina Simone.As a little girl, Lisa loved trying on her mum's stage costumes and singing with her at the piano at home.But after her parents divorced, Nina's moods became erratic, and Lisa was often the target of her mother's violent outbursts.Lisa escaped back to New York, then into the United States Air Force, and then onto Broadway, finally launching her own musical career.It was only after she had her own daughter that Lisa found a way to reconnect with her mother on her own terms.Further informationLisa is on tour in Australia at the moment with her show, A Daughter's Tribute to Nina SimoneShe is performing at the QPAC in Brisbane on Wednesday 23 July and at Adelaide's Her Majesty's Theatre on Saturday 26 July.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris, executive producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores family dynamics, jazz music, motherhood, therapy, songwriting, mental health, mental illness, bipolar, performance, Dublin Jazz Festival, mother daughter relationships, epic origin stories, the military, the US military, veterans, musical theatre.

David Goodwin spent years working the graveyard shift at his local service station in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. The grungy work quickly took over his life (R).He took the job to support his university studies, but working overnight made study impossible and soon the work took over.From his brightly lit perch behind the anti-jump wires, David saw a collection of very strange people come through the auto-doors.There was the man dressed as a giant bee, a woman who offered to pay for her fuel with a half-eaten pizza, and a psychotic man covered in blood. There were self-appointed wizards and speed-addicted truckies, as well as football hooligans who loved singing. The unusual work changed David from a shy and naive teenager into someone with more street smarts, but it also thwarted his true ambitions for years. Further informationSERVO is published by Hachette. Content Warning: This episode of Conversations contains discussion of drug use.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris.It explores gritty cities, grungy, writing, books, dreams, psychedelics, shrooms, mushrooms, travel, strange jobs, odd jobs, Melbourne's underbelly, memoir, origin story, finding yourself, young men, growing up, raising boys, forging your own path, shiftwork, student job.

As a boy, Dr Rangan Chatterjee saw his Dad work day and night as a doctor before he succumbed to severe auto-immune disease. After his father's death in 2013, Rangan had an epiphany about his own futureLearn more about Rangan's books and podcast at his website.Rangan is currently touring Australia, speaking in Sydney on Thursday 17 July and Brisbane on Wednesday 23 July.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris and presented by Sarah Kanowski, the executive producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores health, doctors, GPs, lifestyle medicine, Gabor Mate, Schwartz, IFS, therapy, stress, anxiety, success, family, overwork, modern life, diet, nutrition, exercise, simple medicine, glucose, lupus, grief.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

Novelist Emma Pei Yin ran away from Hong Kong as a teenager to start fresh in Australia. But she found herself repeatedly drawn back home whenever she put pen to paper.Emma grew up in England and Hong Kong. But her life in Hong Kong wasn't so much about the neon skyscrapers as it was about her family's ancestral village, tucked away in the New Territories.Emma spent her school holidays there with her grandparents, learning how to take care of the family cemetery and joining in Chinese Festivals.Sometimes her grandfather would share his memories of the Second World War, when the Japanese military invaded and occupied Hong Kong.As Emma became into a teenager, her relationship with her parents deteriorated. She eventually decided to leave them and Hong Kong, coming to Australia to make a life for herself as a writer.But whenever she wrote, Emma found herself drawn back to Hong Kong; to the hundreds of islands, the fishing villages on stilts, the mountains, woodlands and beaches – all the things that tourists who think of Hong Kong as a city of neon lights and free Wi-fi don't know about.Content warning: This episode of Conversations contains discussion about sexual assault.Further informationWhen Sleeping Women Wake is published by Hachette.Help and support is always available. You can call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris, the executive producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores family dynamics, multiculturalism, China, Hong Kong, modern history, writing, books, literature, historical fiction, Japanese occupation, World War 2, assault, victim-blaming, abortion, filmmaking, black sheep, family honour, London, forgiveness.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

Zach was still a teen when he was scouted by the AFL in Ireland, beginning a great adventure in Australia, where he fell in love and unexpectedly became a dad. On his way home from training, a 24-year-old Zach would have to pull over on the side of the road to cry before he got home to his young family.Zach Tuohy was just 17 years old when he was scouted by the Carlton Football Club at a Gaelic football tournament in his home country of Ireland.He did two trials for the club before taking the plunge, leaving his family behind in Portlaoise and moving to Australia to become a professional footballer, first for Carlton and then for the Cats in Geelong.By the time Zach retired from the AFL in 2024, he had accumulated an astonishing 288 games, a premiership title, a loving Aussie wife and two beautiful sons.But Zach's great Irish-Australian adventure wasn't always a dream run.He struggled as a young, first-time dad, and didn't know who to turn to.On the way home from training, Zach would feel compelled to pull over on the side of the road and cry, alone in his car before coming home to his young family, pretending everything was ok.Further informationThe Irish Experiment is co-authored by Catherine Murphy and published by Simon and Schuster.Keep up to date with Zach's post-footy exploits on his Instagram page.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris and presented by Sarah Kanowski. Executive Producer is Nicola HarrisonIt explores the AFL, Carlton, Geelong Cats, Premiership, Grand Final, West Coast Eagles, fatherhood, post postpartum depression, postnatal depression in men, young fathers, migration, Irish in Australia, Aussie Rules, hurling, grandma's love, relationships, raising children, life after sport, professional athletes, Sydney Swans, Grand Final, footy.

After a lifetime of nursing and midwifery, Janty Blair discovered her funny bone in her late 50s, following a serendipitous Bumble date (R)Janty's father, Bob, was a staff sergeant in the Australian Army, and so she grew up moving around the country.Home for Janty, a Butchulla, Mununjhali and Woppaburra woman, was really Hervey Bay in Queensland, where she would go on trips every year to visit her aunties, uncles, cousins and grandparents, all of whom were stomach-achingly funny.While Janty loved performing in the school musicals, she was quite a serious child and didn't find her funny bone until later in life.Instead of following her childhood dream of becoming an actress, Janty became a nurse and then a midwife.But in her 50s, Janty went on a serendipitous date.Two days later, she was performing in her first stand-up open mic night, and just a few months later she was crowned the winner of the biggest First Nations comedy competition in the country.Further informationYou can keep up to date with Janty's tour schedule by visiting her website.Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations explores NAIDOC week, comedy, black comedians, military life, the Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, Wayne Blair, hospital, medical profession, health industry, birthing, motherhood, military family, Aboriginal, Indigenous, First Nations, online dating, dating in your 50s, Byron Bay, bumble, Sapphires, Jessica Mauboy, deadly funny, blak humour.

Leah Purcell grew up in a small town caring for her mum Florence. Her options after graduation were nursing or working at the meatworks. But after a push from her meatworks boss, Leah defied her own expectations for herself (R)Leah is now an acclaimed actor, playwright, and stage and film director.She grew up in the Queensland country town of Murgon. Although she came from a big family, it was just her and her mum for most of her childhood.Her dad lived in town, but didn't acknowledge her as his daughter.Leah's mum Flo was well respected. For a time she was the only Aboriginal woman allowed in the lounge area of the pub, which was a whites-only zone.Leah grew up with her Aunties and Uncles yarning around the kitchen table, and became a vivid storyteller herself.When she left school, it was expected she would go to work in the local meatworks, or become a nurse.But one of Leah's bosses at the meatworks refused to give her a permanent position, because he'd seen her in the local high school musical. When he told Leah she had a real talent, it helped change Leah's idea of herself.And so after her mum passed away, Leah left her small town.In Sydney she set off on her path to becoming an actor, a playwright and eventually a film director.Her first play 'Box the Pony' was inspired by her mother and grandmother's life story, and it became a huge hit.Today Leah is recognised as one of Australia's most important voices in the performing arts.Further informationLeah was awarded an Order of Australia in 2021 for her services to the performing arts. She released her feature film, The Drover's Wife in 2022. Leah played the lead role and also wrote and directed the film.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations explores parentification of children, children raising parents, mixed families, racism, rural Australia, family dynamics, writing, books, plays, theatre, Andrew Denton, fathers and daughters, NAIDOC, Aboriginal, Indigenous, talent, film industry, acting, love, origin stories, life story.

Bundjalung man, Jack Manning Bancroft's scholarship to a prestigious Sydney University college showed him a rarefied world that shocked him, and he used his childhood grit to channel his energy into a world-changing project.Jack's mother is Bundjalung artist, Bronwyn Bancroft. Growing up in inner-Sydney, he was intimidated by her artistic drive and threw himself into sport, because that was the only way a young Jack thought a man could have influence in the world.When he was ten the family moved to Bundjalung country to spend time with his mum's side of the family. The local kids refused to accept that Jack was Aboriginal. He escaped into fantasy books and wrote long letters home to his dad, Ned Manning, in Sydney.Jack received a scholarship to St Paul's College at the University of Sydney and vowed to use his opportunity to increase the number of Indigenous kids at university.The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) was born and Jack has since used his position to forge connections between communities to foster understanding across the world.Further informationWatch Australian Story featuring Jack and his partner, Yael Stone on iview.Listen to Jack's dad, Ned Manning, on Conversations in 2022.This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan. Conversations Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. The presenter was Rudi Bremer.This episode of Conversations touches on Aboriginal culture, mentoring, changing the world, personal story, epic life story, family dynamics, Aboriginal excellence, grief, loss, depression, failure and painting.

Yvonne Orley grew up on Aboriginal missions in NSW as the child of the matron and manager, before the family moved to Brisbane where Yvonne became a nurse. Only much later did Yvonne learn that she had deep ties to the place and the people where she spent her childhood.Although her mother had tried to hide this part of the family story, it turned out that Yvonne herself was a Kamilaroi woman and this was her mother's traditional country.Yvonne's life took another unexpected turn 25 years ago when her sister asked if she would allow a group of high needs mentally disabled adults move into her home, and Yvonne said yes.Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. This episode was produced by Jennifer Leake.This episode of Conversations touches on Aboriginal missions, migration to Australia, racial prejudice, grief, family secrets, family history, secrets, caring for people, supported accommodation, disability care, Aboriginal identityFind out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

Lech Blaine with the strange true story of his childhood, shaped by love, religious zealotry, and four wildly different parents. CW: descriptions of foster care and child removal. Lech grew up in a big family in country Queensland, where his dad Tom ran pubs for a living. He had six older siblings, who had come to the family as foster kids before he was born.It was a happy, knockabout, sports-obsessed childhood. But in the midst of all the love and warmth, Lech's mum Lenore lived with a creeping sense of dread.She knew that one day, the troubled biological parents of three of the children in the family would appear in their lives.Michael and Mary Shelley were Christian fanatics wandering from place to place, in and out of jail and psychiatric hospitals, and notorious for stalking politicians and judges.One evening, when Lenore was at home with some of the children, Mary Shelley knocked on her door, changing the family's life forever.This episode of Conversations explores family, origin stories, adoption, foster care, religion, Christianity, mental health, mental illness, family dynamics, parenting.Further informationAustralian Gospel is published by Black Inc.Help and support is always available. You can call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison and presented by Sarah Kanowski.It explores family dynamics, origin stories, adoption, foster care, religion, Christianity, mental health, mental illness, parenting, blended families, biological children, adoption, Australia, books, writing, journalism, memoir.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

Lech Blaine with the strange true story of his childhood, shaped by love, religious zealotry, and four wildly different parents. CW: descriptions of foster care and child removal. Lech grew up in a big family in country Queensland, where his dad Tom ran pubs for a living. He had six older siblings, who had come to the family as foster kids before he was born.It was a happy, knockabout, sports-obsessed childhood. But in the midst of all the love and warmth, Lech's mum Lenore lived with a creeping sense of dread.She knew that one day, the troubled biological parents of three of the children in the family would appear in their lives.Michael and Mary Shelley were Christian fanatics wandering from place to place, in and out of jail and psychiatric hospitals, and notorious for stalking politicians and judges.One evening, when Lenore was at home with some of the children, Mary Shelley knocked on her door, changing the family's life forever.This episode of Conversations explores family, origin stories, adoption, foster care, religion, Christianity, mental health, mental illness, family dynamics, parenting.Further informationAustralian Gospel is published by Black Inc.Help and support is always available. You can call Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison and presented by Sarah Kanowski.It explores family dynamics, origin stories, adoption, foster care, religion, Christianity, mental health, mental illness, parenting, blended families, biological children, adoption, Australia, books, writing, journalism, memoir.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

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

Hannah Diviney made history in 2022 when she became the first person with a disability to film a sex scene for Australian television. Then she went viral when she confronted both Lizzo and Beyonce over an ableist slur in their song lyrics.When Hannah was growing up, the only people she saw on TV who used a wheelchair like her were Paralympians or in Road Safety ads.Hannah spent a lot of her childhood feeling lonely and left out, though she was sure she wanted to be a writer when she grew up.She was still at pre-school when she realised that names on the front of books belonged to the people who had written them.It was also around this time when Hannah became aware that her body didn't work in the same way as her friends at childcare.Hannah has since started the Krazy Kosci Klimb, which supports young people with Cerebral Palsy to climb Australia's highest peak.Hannah always knew representation was important for young, disabled people like her to be reflected in pop culture and to belong.So she wrote to Disney, requesting they create their first princess who uses a wheelchair.That petition secured Hannah's first job in journalism with Mamamia — at the age of 15.She has since made history, becoming the first person with a disability to film a sex scene for Australian television.in 2022, Hannah went unexpectedly viral for confronting musician Lizzo about an ableist slur in her song lyrics.Several weeks later, Beyonce used the same slur, and Hannah realised she had to take on the biggest pop star in the world.Further informationHannah's collection of autobiographical essays, I'll Let Myself In is published by Allen & Unwin.This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan.Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

Hollywood actor Tim Pocock was tricked by his dying, devout mother into undergoing gay conversion therapy. After she died, Tim finally learned how to be himself, without fear and self-loathing.Tim grew up under the thumb of his charismatic, pious mother.He went to a school with links to the controversial, secretive and conservative Catholic organisation, Opus Dei.There, he desperately tried to hide his sexuality, and was ruthlessly bullied for his musical and stage talents.Despite Tim's success in Australian opera, television, and in Hollywood blockbusters, he continued to harbour many secrets about himself and his family.One day his mother, who loved Tim deeply in her own way, and who was dying from ovarian cancer, convinced her only son to come with her to therapy. Instead of finally being able to talk about his struggles, Tim found himself being tricked into gay conversion therapy.For the last few months of his mother's life, he went to be hypnotised by a 'Catholic psychologist' every week, until eventually she died, and Tim was set free to learn how live by and for himself.Further informationThe Truth Will Set You Free: Growing up gay in Opus Dei is published by Hachette.You can stream the Four Corners report into schools with ties to Opus Dei, which features Tim, on ABC iview.The Pared Foundation's full responses to questions from Four Corners can be read here.Opus Dei Australia provided Four Corners with this statement.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris and presented by Richard Fidler. The executive producer is Nicola Harrison.This episode explores sexuality, LGBTQI+, homophobia, family dynamics, books, writing, mother-son relationships, shame, the Church, infidelity, cancer, death, grief, losing a mother, acting, a career in acting, memoir, epic life story, origin story, Marvel, Wolverine, Cyclopse, Dance Academy, Tangara, Redfield.

American novelist Ann Patchett reflects on Frank, Mike and Darrell, the men who made her, going a year without shopping and her power to make herself invisible (R)Ann Patchett is an acclaimed American novelist and the owner of an independent bookstore in Nashville.Ann has had three fathers — Frank, Mike and Darrell, who have each provided her with material or motivation for her writing.In 1974 Frank signed up for a subscription to the “100 Greatest Books of All Time” from the Franklin Library, every page complete with gilded edges, and a sewn-in satin-ribbon bookmark.Once all three fathers had died, Ann could finally see what they had given her throughout her life — strength, adoration and acceptance.In her new book, Ann weaves the stories of her fathers into a book of essays about going a year without shopping and becoming dear friends with Tom Hanks' assistant.Further informationThese Precious Days is published by Bloomsbury.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations explores fatherhood, fathers and daughters, male role models, writing, Tennessee, growing up, origin stories, personal stories, parenting, life story, family dynamics, America, United States, grief, death, loss of a parent, writing, books, bookstores.

In April 1980, a group of armed men invaded the Iranian Embassy in London, taking hostages, and issuing demands in the name of a cause almost no one had ever heard of.The 'Group of the Martyr', a collection of Iranian Arabs, wanted independence for their province of Iran, but their demands were impossible for the British Government to meet, and so the then-little known Special Air Service (SAS) were told to plan an invasion of the building to rescue the hostages.They had taken 26 people hostage, including staff, visitors and a police officer named Trevor who was guarding the building at the time of the attack.What followed was a six-day siege, that was eventually broken by the SAS.Their storming of the embassy galvanised the world, as people watched it all unfold on live television.Historian and author Ben McIntyre takes a deeper look at this dramatic siege and rescue operation, uncovering the real, powerful story of ordinary people responding as best they could to lethal jeopardy.Further informationThe Siege is published by Penguin Random House.This episode was recorded live at the 2025 Sydney Writers' Festival.It explores Iran, Tehran, terrorism, violence, threats, diplomacy, rescue missions, epic history, western democracy, dictatorship, foreign affairs, global politics, east vs west, occupation, war, civil war, BBC, journalism, live television, media ethics, Afrouz, MI5, Hyde Park, surveillance, Stockholm Syndrome, Mustapha Karkouti, Syria, Operation Nimrod, Jassim Alwan al-Nasiri, Abbas Lavasani, murder, execution, Saddam Hussein, Iraq, Iran-Iraq War, the Middle East, history books, writing.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.

China's cultural revolution was murderously violent and culturally devastating; millions of people, artefacts and ideas went up in smoke. So what's fuelling today's Neo-Maoist movement and nostalgia for that period?In 1966, the Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong went to war against his own government.What followed was ten years of murderous violence and utter insanity, until Mao's death in 1976.Children were urged to denounce their parents, teachers were beaten to death in front of howling mobs, youths were 're-educated', the economy was ruined, and so much of the precious cultural heritage of a great, ancient society went up in smoke.The 'Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution' left such deep scars on China, that subsequent leaders have tried to bury its memory.But, still some young Chinese people — 'Neo-Moaists' — have a sense of nostalgia for the violent revolution they didn't even live through.In order to understand what's going on in China today, you need to know what happened in those strange and terrifying years, and how it affected President Xi Zinping, who had a front row seat to the terror.Further informationBombard the Headquarters is published by Black Inc.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations explores political violence, revolution, propaganda, China, Asia, totalitarianism, Farewell my Concubine, Asia Pacific, Lenin, Marxism, Socialism, civil war, the long march, neo-Maoist movement, great leap forward, political upheaval, class warfare, status quo, drain the swamp, mass murder, infanticide, conspiracy theories, Tiananmen Square, red guards, coup, dictatorship, nostalgia.

Liz Cameron was 18 years old when a stranger approached her in a book shop. It was the beginning of her induction into a cult, and it was an experience Liz barely survived.The process of brainwashing happened gradually, first came the love-bombing and the allure of finding a new purpose in life. Then came the isolation from friends and family, along with sleep deprivation, overwork and sexual manipulation.Liz was one of the many women chosen to become a kind of bride for the leader of an infamous Korean religious group.It wasn't until she became critically ill, that her family were able to get the help she needed to escape and to begin the process of being deprogrammed.Liz Cameron's memoir is called Cult Bride: How I was brainwashed and how I broke free.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. This episode was produced by Jennifer Leake.This episode of Conversations touches on cults, brainwashing, religious groups, eating disorders, sexual manipulation, deprogramming, sexual assault, sleep deprivation, family, recovery, healing, trauma, biography, psychology, Providence, JMS, Jesus Morning Star, Pastor Joshua, Jung Myung-seok.