Grand Gestures

Singer-songwriter Jem Cassar-Daley dives into her rich artistic lineage in this final episode of Grand Gestures. She shares the love story that brought her dad's parents together, reflects on her nan's influential country music collection, and introduces you to her grandmother Dell - Jem's first piano teacher and the artist behind the cover of her latest EP.

Comedian, writer and actor Suren Jayemanne shares the life lessons he learned on school drop-offs with his urbane and worldly grandparents - his Sri Lankan Siya and Atchi, who moved halfway across the world to Melbourne to help raise their grand kids.

Presenter and podcaster Linda Marigliano introduces you to her Malaysian-Chinese grandparents and her Italian grandmother in this episode of Grand Gestures. Hear about the core values that tie both sides of the family together.

Author Nadine J. Cohen became her Nanna's carer after her parents passed away. She speaks about their bond and recounts the long shadow of the traumas her Nanna faced as a young Jewish girl during World War II.

Comedian Emo Majok's journey from Sudan to suburban Perth via a Kenyan refugee camp is a testament to the power that his family draws from the resilience of his grandmother, Martha.

Singer Deni Hines introduces you to her grandmother, Esmerelda McPherson, sharing the story of how Esme moved from Jamaica to the US and eventually to Australia, to raise two generations of Hines women at once.

Warnindhilyagwa singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara takes you back to her childhood on idyllic Groote Eylandt and introduces you to two of the women who made her who she is today: her Lola and Gagu. By day, young Emily would be learning her Gagu's dreamtime stories on the beach, before heading to her Filipino Lola's house for karaoke parties at night. Hear how these artistic women inspired Emily's music career and taught her what matters.

Journalist Pat Abboud tells the wild story of his parents' marriage, which his Lebanese grandparents – his Teita and Gedo – desperately tried to prevent. He also explains how his relationship with his beloved Teita changed when he learned to speak Arabic, picking up new words and phrases as they cooked together.

Growing up, actor Pia Miranda would spend her weekday afternoons watching footy and drinking green cordial with her Irish-Australian grandparents. On weekends, she'd be baking and enduring exorcisms with her Sicilian Nonna. The Looking for Alibrandi star chats with Lizzy Hoo about how her grandparents' stories shaped her life, holding onto tradition, and how attitudes to Italians in Australia have changed over the generations.

Cookbook author and food educator Alice Zaslavsky introduces you to her Georgian grandparents – her babushkas and dedas – and shares the story of their tumultuous journey to Australia. Hear what Alice has learned about food, family and resilience from their example. This is the first episode of Grand Gestures, hosted by Malaysian-Australian comedian Lizzy Hoo. It's a series about how our grandparents have made us who we are, both as individuals and as a nation.

Comedian Lizzy Hoo dives into the memorable moments, family folklore and cultural traditions of your favourite Australians and their grandparents in this new podcast from SBS Audio.