Tall And True Short Reads

The terrace house door creaks open, and the women sitting in the converted front room glance at the newcomers: another nervous-looking young woman in her late teens or early twenties and an older woman, probably her mother, judging by their shared chubby features. The two women cross to the receptionist's desk.The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts — Prologue: The Clinic is a short story by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website.Read Robert's writing on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.auListen to podcast episodes on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comListen to the Season Five Trailer: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/introducing-season-five/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Creaky Door: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7146007/sounds/383816/ • Wall Clock: https://freesound.org/people/Richard1052/sounds/585774/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tall And True Short Reads is a storytelling podcast featuring short stories, blog posts and other writings from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead."Most episodes from the past four seasons of the podcast are standalone, but I've also released multipart episodes for longer short stories. For Season Five, I'm doing something different. I'm writing and narrating a series of interconnected short stories titled The Nine Lives of Leo Roberts."Tall And True website: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comListen to Five Meet on Zoom (Ep 1): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/five-meet-on-zoom/Listen to Twin Souls in the Universe (Ep 100): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/twin-souls-in-the-universe/Listen to Both Sides of the Story (Season One):• Introduction (Ep 26): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-introduction/• Westminister (Ep 27): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-westminster/• Bosnia (Ep 28): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-bosnia/• A Council Flat (Ep 29): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-a-council-flat/• The Gym (Ep 30): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-the-gym/• Bad News - Part One (Ep 31): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-bad-news-part-one/• Bad News - Part Two (Ep 32): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/both-sides-of-the-story-bad-news-part-two/Listen to Two Visits to the Berlin Wall (Season Three):• Part One - 1987 (Ep 69): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-one/• Part Two - 1995 (Ep 70): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-two/Listen to Some Things Change (Season Four):Perth, Western Australia, 1979 (Ep 79): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/London, England, 1992 (Ep 80): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/Perth, Western Australia, 2023 (Ep 81): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsRead about One Day in the Life of Alex's AI and Other Speculative Fiction:https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/one-day-in-the-life-of-alexs-ai-bookBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Hooray!: https://freesound.org/people/Vesperia94/sounds/403057/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the lands of the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Episode 100, I've taken a break from podcasting to plan a new direction for Season Five of Tall And True Short Reads, which I hope to launch early next year. Meanwhile, I've "gift-wrapped" the first episodes from Seasons One to Four of the podcast for this year's bumper Kris Kringle episode.The stories written and narrated by Robert Fairhead for The Kris Kringle - Xmas 2024 first appeared on the Tall And True writers' website.Read the stories on Tall And True:• Five Meet on Zoom: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/five-meet-on-zoom• The Last Book That Made You Cry: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/the-last-book-that-made-you-cry• Once Upon A Time: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/once-upon-a-time• Some Things Change – Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-changePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comEpisode 100, Twin Souls in the Universe: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/twin-souls-in-the-universe/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Santa's Sleigh Bells: https://freesound.org/people/BrianJamesLong/sounds/330415/Five Meet on Zoom:• NoneThe Last Book That Made You Cry: • Page turning: https://freesound.org/people/Kodack/sounds/256475/Once Upon A Time:• Slow Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/• Conference Noise: https://freesound.org/people/shazam118/sounds/83788/• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/Some Things Change – Perth, Western Australia, 1979:• Kids playing: https://freesound.org/people/cognito%20perceptu/sounds/61503/• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/• Sipping Wine: https://freesound.org/people/bbrocer/sounds/382656/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. The podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you thought about it, the process for selecting the first matter transference test pilot was archaic, although Mae considered it a lucky omen when she drew the Blue 15 raffle ticket. Blue, not pink, was her favourite colour as a girl, and at 15, Mae had decided she wanted to become an astronaut.Twin Souls in the Universe is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/twin-souls-in-the-universeRead the "What's in a Name?" blog post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/whats-in-a-nameTall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comListen to Episode 8 of Tall And True Short Reads, Splendid Views: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/splendid-views/Episode 92 of Tall And True Short Reads, The Lost and Found Story: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-lost-and-found-story/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Ambient Universe Hum: https://freesound.org/people/FALL-E/sounds/713436/• Hooray!: https://freesound.org/people/Vesperia94/sounds/403057/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm getting too old for this. My speechwriter's pulse quickens as the PM mounts the flag-decked stage, flanked by senior ministers and mining industry executives, to announce her government's green coal plan. Panned by environmentalists and scientists, polling suggests it could be a vote winner … if the PM nails my speech.My Speech is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/my-speechTall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comListen to Episode 90 of Tall And True Short Reads, A Good Story: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/a-good-story/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Camera shutter burst: https://freesound.org/people/Lumamorph/sounds/505476/• Tapping microphone: https://freesound.org/people/susychristiansen/sounds/149034/• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/sagetyrtle/sounds/32260/• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The local dog club, where I volunteered as a trainer for twenty years, ran season-ending Fun Days with events like Fancy Dress, Agility Slalom, Waggliest Tail, and other novelty races that changed from year to year. One of my favourites was the Sack Race, where my dear old dog and I always placed third.For the Sake of a Story is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/sake-of-a-storyRead How to "Kill Your Darlings" and Survive the Process by Ruthanne Reid: https://thewritepractice.com/kill-your-darlings/Read My Good Dog and Muse on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/good-dog-museListen to Episode 72 of Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/my-good-dog-and-muse/Post with Jet sleeping in the home office podcast study: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/introducing-tall-and-true-short-readsTall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story and microfiction collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Dogs Barking: https://freesound.org/people/Mafon2/sounds/676407/• Plane: https://freesound.org/people/bigpickle51/sounds/262753/• Clapping: https://freesound.org/people/sagetyrtle/sounds/32260/• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Excuse me, humanity, please pay attention. I have an urgent message. "What? Not in the middle of my reality TV show!" I'm sorry. I'll be brief. But first, a little background. My message concerns the fate of a pale blue dot in the inky expanse of the universe. Beyond its fragile borders is vast nothingness.You Have Been Warned is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/you-have-been-warnedListen to Episode 59, Once Upon A Time: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/once-upon-a-time/Not Quite Write Podcast and Prize website: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/Tall And True Short Reads website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• TV Static: https://freesound.org/people/Kleber_KGF/sounds/354019/• Gunfire: https://freesound.org/people/C-V/sounds/523404/• Screaming Voices: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/486179/• Angry Voices: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/486193/• Car Horn: https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/684521/• Bicycle Bell: https://freesound.org/people/altazor80/sounds/367744/• Storm Wind: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/481139/• Story Rain: https://freesound.org/people/2887679652/sounds/164921/• Flood Waters: https://freesound.org/people/martialway47/sounds/258187/• Desert Crickets: https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/641589/• Fire: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/483309/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I open my eyes, blink and try to focus on the bright lights set into the white ceiling flying past overhead. I hear beeps and muffled voices. It feels like I'm strapped to a camp stretcher, but it's moving. I'm on a hospital gurney. What happened? I want to ask. But there's a tube down my throat, and I can't talk.The Light Above is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, both written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-light-aboveRead my 2020 blog post about Furious Fiction: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/furiousfiction-writers-centre-competitionAbout Judd Exley: https://www.juddexley.com/about/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Hospital Gurney: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/481111/• Beeping/Flatline: https://freesound.org/people/Tommy6969/sounds/730279/• Bike Freewheeling: https://freesound.org/people/13gkopeckak/sounds/378905/• Car Passing: https://freesound.org/people/NachtmahrTV/sounds/553259/• Bike Crash: https://freesound.org/people/1sticky8/sounds/78483/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1987, my wife and I shouldered our backpacks and set off from Australia. The plan was to live and work overseas in England for two years, using it as a base for UK and wider world travels. And the widest of these were inspired by reading books like Alan Moorehead's The White Nile and The Blue Nile.The White and Blue Niles is a travel blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/the-white-and-blue-nilesRead a post about the nine-month overland journey inspired by travel writers and Michael Palin's Pole to Pole:https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/inspired-by-michael-palins-pole-to-polePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Plane: https://freesound.org/people/bigpickle51/sounds/262753/• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/• Jungle Sounds: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438261/• Steam Whistle: https://freesound.org/people/mike_stranks/sounds/407394/• Air Raid Siren/Bombing: https://freesound.org/people/hello_flowers/sounds/31887/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever had one of those mornings? You know, where everything goes wrong. It's like a farce, a series of mishaps increasing in frequency and intensity that have you howling with side-splitting laughter or shedding tears of frustration.One of Those Mornings is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, both written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/one-of-those-morningsRead the Five April Stories blog post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/five-april-storiesListen to The Winner's Toast, Episode 45 of Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-winners-toast/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Car Doors: https://freesound.org/people/oscaraudiogeek/sounds/333281/• Car Driving: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/• Car Horns: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479995/• Storm: https://freesound.org/people/2887679652/sounds/164921/• Heart Monitor (beeping): https://freesound.org/people/iluminati_2705/sounds/536706/• Text Notification: https://freesound.org/people/katjajansen1997/sounds/538006/• Alarm Clock: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teresa's first thing in the morning text message was a punch in the guts. "Sorry, Colin. I love you, but we're on different journeys. Let's stay friends." I blinked twice to clear my eyes and was about to respond, "Are you serious?" but threw the phone against the bedroom wall instead.Different Journeys is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, both written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/different-journeysListen to Episode 84 of Tall And True Short Reads, In Her Head: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/in-her-head/Link to the winning entries for January 2024's Not Quite Write Prize: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/results-of-the-january-2024-not-quite-write-prize-for-flash-fiction/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Text message notification: https://freesound.org/people/katjajansen1997/sounds/538006/• Phone hitting plaster wall: https://freesound.org/people/bruno.auzet/sounds/640198/• City streets: https://freesound.org/people/TL_Dawnstar/sounds/540957/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've lost a few things over the years but never imagined losing a story! I only realised I'd "lost" A Window Table when I started working on a blog post to mark my fourth anniversary of writing Furious Fictions. However, when I found and read a copy of the story, I didn't recognise its plot or characters.This double-feature episode includes the short story A Window Table and a companion blog post, The Lost and Found Story, from the Tall And True writers' website, both written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read A Window Table on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-window-tableRead The Lost and Found Story: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/lost-and-found-storyListen to Some Things Change, Episodes 79 to 80 of Tall And True Short Reads: • Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/• London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/• Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/Read Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/some-things-change-some-stay-the-samePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Squeaky Door Open/Close: https://freesound.org/people/bowlingballout/sounds/398919/• Pots and Pans: https://freesound.org/people/oneOddEgg/sounds/369633/• Broken Plate: https://freesound.org/people/jc.sg/sounds/565640/• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/• Microwave: https://freesound.org/people/kwahmah_02/sounds/254814/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/• Coins: https://freesound.org/people/DBS_Sounds/sounds/613164/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Less than forty-eight hours after receiving her online order, Third Age Cybertronics delivered Jack to Daisy, a sprightly centenarian who purchased the Advanced Companion Droid to help her with household chores and carry her bags when travelling.A New Jack is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-new-jackPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comEpisode 87 of Tall And True Short Reads, The Lonely Moon: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-lonely-moon/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Drone: https://freesound.org/people/DCPoke/sounds/387988/• Jack Russell Barking: https://freesound.org/people/GH0STY_XD/sounds/594343/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My first "published" writing was an Enid Blyton-Famous Five-style adventure story, Sand Island, in 1972. I wrote the story and illustrated it with coloured Texta markers. My aunt, the only one in our family with a typewriter, typed up the manuscript. And my father helped bind and cover the book. I was ten.A Good Story is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post and see my illustrations on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/a-good-story-sand-islandPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comEpisode 88, Finding Inspiration (also mentions Sand Island): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/finding-inspiration/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Typewriter: https://freesound.org/people/supersupernator/sounds/519622/• Sticky Tape: https://freesound.org/people/megashroom/sounds/390166/• Bell-Ping: https://freesound.org/people/Antimsounds/sounds/556049/• Happy Birthday Music Box: https://freesound.org/people/marianna-emma/sounds/516080/• Rowing: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438846/• Waves Breaking: https://freesound.org/people/VMan533/sounds/575894/• Seagulls: https://freesound.org/people/plantmonkey/sounds/377107/• Speed Boat: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/438283/• Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/• TV Laugher: https://freesound.org/people/Evil_Ear_Recordings/sounds/524775/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eighteen-year-old Hugo glanced up at the train station clock. It seemed time had stood still, with the minute hand barely moved since he'd last checked. He confirmed the time on his watch and then looked at the departure board, breathing a sigh of relief. His train was running on schedule.Moving On is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/moving-onRead A Dad and Son Road Trip: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/a-dad-and-son-road-tripPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Train Station Ambience/Announcements: https://freesound.org/people/peridactyloptrix/sounds/615660/• Train Arrives: https://freesound.org/people/Yoyodaman234/sounds/341204/• Dogs Barking: https://freesound.org/people/Mafon2/sounds/676407/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While sorting through storage boxes at home, I found an old notebook belonging to my son. It wasn't a school exercise book but something he'd jotted and doodled in as a twelve-year-old. Among its random pages was a short story he'd written in 2014 about a father who doesn't have "great ideas".Trigger warning: This episode mentions teenage self-harm and death.Lifeline Australia: https://www.lifeline.org.au/Finding Inspiration is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/finding-inspirationPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comEpisode 60, Kurd Friends in the Mountains: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/kurd-friends-in-the-mountains/Episode 69, Two Visits to the Berlin Wall - Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-one/Episode 70, Two Visits to the Berlin Wall - Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-two/Episode 78, Taking a Bow: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/taking-a-bow/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Cardboard Boxes: https://freesound.org/people/RavenWolfProds/sounds/503661/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/• Ship Horn: https://freesound.org/people/monotraum/sounds/208714/• Metal File: https://freesound.org/people/14F_Panska_Dittrichova_Diana/sounds/420107/• Footsteps City: https://freesound.org/people/Rico_Casazza/sounds/538949/• Police Siren: https://freesound.org/people/conleec/sounds/159744/• Metal Stairs: https://freesound.org/people/conleec/sounds/148462/• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/• Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/• Baby Chuckling: https://freesound.org/people/jodybruchon/sounds/459458/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you ask me, the Moon is the best object in the night sky. And you don't need an expensive telescope to observe it. A pair of binoculars does the trick. I'm looking at the Moon now, leaning against a wall to steady my hands, and it's a beautiful sight. No wonder it inspires poets and lovers.The Lonely Moon is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-lonely-moonListen to Some Things Change: Episode 79 – Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/Episode 80 – London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/Episode 81 – Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Owl Hoots: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/465697/• Wind: https://freesound.org/people/mario1298/sounds/181248/• Footsteps: https://freesound.org/people/Yuval/sounds/205817/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"In space no one can hear you scream. But what if you're deep in the backwoods, in an isolated cabin on a dead-end trail?" Karen set aside the book. A horror story was not ideal reading for the off-grid log cabin Peter had booked for their thirtieth wedding anniversary weekend, especially as she was alone in bed, listening to wind from a storm whistle through cracks in the doors and windows.A Knock at the Door is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-knock-at-the-door2020 blog post about my first Furious Fiction, A Song on the Radio: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/furiousfiction-writers-centre-competitionEpisode 4 of Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/a-song-on-the-radio/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Door Knock: https://freesound.org/people/anagar/sounds/267931/• Storm: https://freesound.org/people/2887679652/sounds/164921/• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/• Thunderclap: https://freesound.org/people/Dave%20Welsh/sounds/194364/• Creaky Door: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7146007/sounds/383816/• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm taking a short break from podcasting because I'm going on a long road trip with my son from Sydney to Western Australia to spend Xmas and New Year with our WA family. But as I did in 2022, I've put together a Kris Kringle collection featuring three episodes from the Tall And True Short Reads archive: Too Late, Lenny, Stuck in Time and Family Reflections.The Kris Kringle - Xmas 2023 stories first appeared on the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the stories on Tall And True:• Too Late, Lenny: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/too-late-lenny• Stuck in Time: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/stuck-in-time• Family Reflections: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/family-reflectionsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:Santa's Sleigh Bells: https://freesound.org/people/BrianJamesLong/sounds/330415/Too Late, Lenny:• Cafe/Restaurant Ambience: https://freesound.org/people/lunchmoney/sounds/380200/• Comedy Laughter: https://freesound.org/people/Evil_Ear_Recordings/sounds/524775/• Hanging Up Phone: https://freesound.org/people/DrNI/sounds/164035/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/FlashTrauma/sounds/398275/Stuck in Time: • Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/Family Reflections:• Door Closing: https://freesound.org/people/soundmary/sounds/117614/• Washing Face: https://freesound.org/people/lolux/sounds/181355/• Hairdryer: https://freesound.org/people/ryanharding95/sounds/272446/• Footsteps in Hall: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/398782/• Toilet Flushing: https://freesound.org/people/lorenzgillner/sounds/274448/• Tap Running: https://freesound.org/people/14G_Panska_Kaminkova_A/sounds/419990/• Banging on Door: https://freesound.org/people/splatbot/sounds/337528/• Kids Laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Iamgiorgio/sounds/371342/• Drum Roll: https://freesound.org/people/bigjoedrummer/sounds/77305/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cassie lay perfectly still in bed, staring at the shadowy shape on the ceiling overhead. A bulky body and eight legs, a spider, but this wasn't Incy Wincy. It was a huntsman with long hairy legs, needle-sharp fangs, and a jump so powerful that if human, it could win gold at the pole vault without a pole.In Her Head is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/in-her-headPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsNot Quite Write podcast: https://notquitewritepodcast.com/Buy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Owl Hooting: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/465697/• Morning Bird Song: https://freesound.org/people/ken788/sounds/386732/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I discovered microfiction when I reviewed Loopholes by Susan McCreery in 2017. By definition, brevity is the key to good microfiction. The stories in Loopholes range from several paragraphs over one or two pages to only three short sentences. With no room for plot and character development, every word must count.Tall And True Microfiction Anthology is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/tall-and-true-microfiction-anthologyBoth Sides of the Story blog post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/both-sides-of-the-storyTwelve Furious Months post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/twelve-furious-months-ebookTwelve More Furious Months post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/twelve-more-furious-monthsReview of Loopholes by Susan McCreery: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/reviews/books/loopholes-by-susan-mccreeryPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comHer (Episode 11) on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/her/Three Minute Microfiction - We Need To Talk (Episode 16): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/three-minute-microfiction/Signs of the Second Coming (Episode 25): https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/signs-of-the-second-coming/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/• Seagulls: https://freesound.org/people/plantmonkey/sounds/377107/• Hospital Beeping: https://freesound.org/people/iluminati_2705/sounds/536706/• Classroom: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/480708/• Church Bells: https://freesound.org/people/Audeption/sounds/425172/• Lord's Prayer: https://freesound.org/people/BeeProductive/sounds/380359/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Roses are red, violets are blue, I spend my day, thinking of you." Davey reviewed the poem in his exercise book. "Thinking" is what you did at school. It wasn't romantic enough to attempt Mission Impossible with the girl of his dreams. That's it! "I spend my day, dreaming of you." A Better Poem is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/a-better-poemPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• School Bell: https://freesound.org/people/deleted_user_7020630/• Torn Paper: https://freesound.org/people/rucisko/sounds/241638/• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/OneTwo_BER/sounds/474195/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's only early spring, but I'm starting to sweat in Mum and Dad's back garden. I wore my dark English suit for Dad's funeral, and if etiquette permits at wakes, I'd like to slip off the coat. Looking around the garden for guidance, I struggle to recognise elderly aunts and uncles or my fellow middle-aged cousins. And I have no hope of placing their children and grandchildren.Some Things Change is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-changePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com• Episode 79, Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/• Episode 80, London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/• Episode 81, Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Kids playing: https://freesound.org/people/cognito%20perceptu/sounds/61503/• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/• Car Interior: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/• Sipping Wine: https://freesound.org/people/bbrocer/sounds/382656/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a chilly winter morning, and the central heating has barely warmed my flat. I'm rugged up in a jumper and Ugg boots, and the kettle's boiling. There's a knock at the door, and I know who's there without checking the peephole because I've learned to mark events on a calendar to help remember things.Some Things Change is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-changePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com• Episode 79, Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/• Episode 80, London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/• Episode 81, Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Kettle boiling: https://freesound.org/people/cupido-1/sounds/433538/• Door knock: https://freesound.org/people/anagar/sounds/267931/• Door open: https://freesound.org/people/dossantosbarbosa/sounds/482293/• Pouring tea: https://freesound.org/people/florianreichelt/sounds/469701/• Footsteps: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/398782/• Sipping tea: https://freesound.org/people/bbrocer/sounds/382656/• Mugs clanking: https://freesound.org/people/jakobhandersen/sounds/133824/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a hot summer afternoon, with no sign of the Freo Doctor. Despite the heat, I'm climbing the tree in Gran's backyard with my brothers and boy cousins while our girl cousins chat in a circle in the shade of the back veranda. Like the other boys, I'm in shorts with no shirt or shoes. Our tomboy cousin's up here, too. And though she's wearing a dress, she's also barefoot.Some Things Change is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/some-things-changePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com• Episode 79, Perth, Western Australia, 1979: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-1979/• Episode 80, London, England, 1992: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-london-1992/• Episode 81, Perth, Western Australia, 2023: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/some-things-change-perth-2023/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Kids playing: https://freesound.org/people/cognito%20perceptu/sounds/61503/• Women laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Martina_Leitschuh/sounds/582751/• BBQ sizzling: https://freesound.org/people/BenjaminNelan/sounds/353124/• Rustling leaves: https://freesound.org/people/giddster/sounds/437356/• Gunfire: https://freesound.org/people/C-V/sounds/523404/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season Four will start with a multi-part, longer short story I wrote in June 2023, Some Things Change, consisting of three vignettes set in different locations and times but with a common thread: a pair of cousins from Perth, Western Australia, exploring Australia's troubled history and relationship with Indigenous peoples.Tall And True Short Reads is a storytelling podcast featuring short stories, blog posts and other writing from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comListen to Two Visits to the Berlin Wall:• Part One: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-one/• Part Two: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wall-part-two/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org.Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I fell in love with live theatre when I saw my first London West End play as a newly-arrived backpacker in 1987. Over the next eight years, living in Brighton and Windsor, I attended countless professional and amateur productions. But I didn't think in 1987 that one day I'd be up on stage, too, taking a bow.Taking A Bow is a memoir blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/taking-a-bowPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comEpisode 77, My Dreams: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/my-dreams/Episode 40, My One Night Stand: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/my-one-night-stand/Support the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/• Pub: https://freesound.org/people/BurghRecords/sounds/415974/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/• Canned Laughter: https://freesound.org/people/Evil_Ear_Recordings/sounds/524775/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm in the middle of a dream, though it might be nearer the beginning or end. Who can tell with dreams? I'm on a rocket, and the final countdown's begun. "10, 9, 8 ..." Then I look down at myself strapped in the seat and see I'm wearing pyjamas. "It's only a dream," I reassure myself. My Dreams is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/my-dreamsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Snoring: https://freesound.org/people/170134/sounds/407705/• Rocket: https://freesound.org/people/LimitSnap_Creations/sounds/318688/• Kids laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Ben%20Keaton/sounds/430815/• Bus Stopping: https://freesound.org/people/13FPanska_Sychra_Petr/sounds/379373/• Eagle: https://freesound.org/people/kaydinhamby/sounds/381200/• Electric Guitar: https://freesound.org/people/alexnekita/sounds/333247/• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/• Waves: https://freesound.org/people/floating%20tree/sounds/253607/• Underwater: https://freesound.org/people/felix.blume/sounds/209459/• Medical Beeps: https://freesound.org/people/iluminati_2705/sounds/536706/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was weaned on Wimbledon in Australia. Year after year, I'd stayed up half the night to watch the finals on TV. And here I was in the northern hemisphere, able to witness the match in broad daylight for the first time, with an Aussie in the final, for goodness sake, and Mrs B wasn't interested in tennis!My Most Memorable Wimbledon (originally titled Wimbledon Lost in Translation) is a travel blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/wimbledon-lost-translationPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/robert-fairhead/id1436773436• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Door Knock: https://freesound.org/people/anagar/sounds/267931/• Tennis Sounds: https://freesound.org/people/jamesdrake89/sounds/662256/• Crowd Cheering: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/486205/• Door Closed: https://freesound.org/people/TiesWijnen/sounds/455540/• Badminton: https://freesound.org/people/14FPanskaBubik_Lukas/sounds/418533/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dylan woke with jackhammers pounding in his head and a tongue so furry it felt like it needed waxing. "Last time," he croaked, rolling onto his back and resolving to quit drinking again or, at least, to stop bingeing. He stared up at the low ceiling of his studio apartment and replayed the office drinks.Past Demons is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/past-demonsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Jackhammer: https://freesound.org/people/fauxpress/sounds/42097/• Party Voices: https://freesound.org/people/Zac_Gist/sounds/457286/• Bottles Chinking: https://freesound.org/people/jawbutch/sounds/344401/• Glasses Chinking: https://freesound.org/people/13GPanska_Gorbusinova_Anna/sounds/377989/• Kettle Whistling: https://freesound.org/people/keweldog/sounds/181718/• Bottle Whistle: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/447746/• Sipping Drink: https://freesound.org/people/Sheyvan/sounds/471078/• Pouring Drink: https://freesound.org/people/FillSoko/sounds/257957/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Podcast episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The brief for October 2021's Furious Fiction was to set the short story in a COURT, include a character who measures something, and the words BALLOON, ROCK and UMBRELLA. So recalling Ernest Hemingway's advice to write one true sentence, I wrote, "The policewoman at the front of the Court is trying to catch my eye."Writing True Sentences is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/writing-true-sentencesRead the Judgement short story on Talll And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/judgementListen to Judgement on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/judgement/Read The Al-Rabie Hotel on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-al-rabie-hotelListen to The Al-Rabie Hotel on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/the-al-rabie-hotel/Read Signs of the Second Coming on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/microfiction/signs-of-the-second-comingListen to Signs of the Second Coming on Tall And True Short Reads: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.com/signs-of-the-second-coming/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Judge's Gavel: https://freesound.org/people/theneedle.tv/sounds/376667/• Keyboard/Mouse Click: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/• Guitar Strumming: https://freesound.org/people/Upright/sounds/131928/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mum's up first, though she doesn't like looking at her reflection nowadays. She splashes her face and turns away from me with a towel. Over her shoulder, I watch Mum gaze out the bathroom window. And when she turns back, Mum's wearing her pained expression again, like she's failed to solve the riddle of life.Family Reflections is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/family-reflectionsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Door Closing: https://freesound.org/people/soundmary/sounds/117614/• Washing Face: https://freesound.org/people/lolux/sounds/181355/• Hairdryer: https://freesound.org/people/ryanharding95/sounds/272446/• Footsteps in Hall: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/398782/• Toilet Flushing: https://freesound.org/people/lorenzgillner/sounds/274448/• Tap Running: https://freesound.org/people/14G_Panska_Kaminkova_A/sounds/419990/• Banging on Door: https://freesound.org/people/splatbot/sounds/337528/• Kids Laughing: https://freesound.org/people/Iamgiorgio/sounds/371342/• Drum Roll: https://freesound.org/people/bigjoedrummer/sounds/77305/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I met Harry when he was six months old. He was the last of his litter, hiding under a kitchen table. And when the breeder dragged him out, Harry flopped his head on my leg and looked up at me with worried, brown eyes. At that moment, a bond formed between us, which lasted for just over twelve years.My Good Dog and Muse is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/good-dog-museRobert's other articles on dogs: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/nonfiction/animalsThe Dog Collective: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/the-dog-collectivePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Dogs Barking: https://freesound.org/people/Mafon2/sounds/676407/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer swivelled her chair away from the laptop and stared at the lights receding into the distance beyond the high-rise office window. Her eyes had welled up reading Stephen's unexpected emailed demand, and she reached for a tissue to dab at the tears. "Twenty years," Jennifer exhaled softly, wiping her eyes.Decisions is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/decisionsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Office Chair: https://freesound.org/people/elonen/sounds/15475/• Children Laughing: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/675105/• Door Slammed: https://freesound.org/people/altfuture/sounds/174643/• Light Switch: https://freesound.org/people/EricsSoundschmiede/sounds/457410/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After living and working in England from 1987, my wife and I returned to Australia in 1995, overland. Michael Palin's 1991 BBC series, Pole to Pole, inspired our journey and route, travelling from north to south for eight months. And along the way, we revisited Berlin, as I recorded in my travel journal.Two Visits to the Berlin Wall is a travel memoir from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the piece on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/nonfiction/travel/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wallPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Bicycle Bell: https://freesound.org/people/13gkopeckak/sounds/378912/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/• Train Station PA: https://freesound.org/people/polymorpheva/sounds/645697/• City Ambience (Cologne): https://freesound.org/people/Pfannkuchn/sounds/384353/• Construction Site: https://freesound.org/people/ivolipa/sounds/335963/• Cathedral Bells (Cologne): https://freesound.org/people/polymorpheva/sounds/511546/• Train Whistle: https://freesound.org/people/euroblues/sounds/20065/• Gunfire: https://freesound.org/people/C-V/sounds/523404/• Siren: https://freesound.org/people/lluiset7/sounds/367442/• Ping Sound: https://freesound.org/people/edsward/sounds/341871/• Bottles Chinking: https://freesound.org/people/jawbutch/sounds/344401/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2019, approaching the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I found a timely book in a secondhand bookshop: The Berlin Wall, 13 August 1961 – 9 November 1989 by Frederick Taylor. The book inspired me to write about my two contrasting visits to Berlin as a backpacker in 1987 and 1995.Two Visits to the Berlin Wall is a travel memoir from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the piece on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/nonfiction/travel/two-visits-to-the-berlin-wallPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Shop Bell: https://freesound.org/people/775noise/sounds/494565/• Gunfire: https://freesound.org/people/C-V/sounds/523404/• Ping Sound: https://freesound.org/people/edsward/sounds/341871/• Plane: https://freesound.org/people/bigpickle51/sounds/262753/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/• Van Horn: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479995/• City Ambience (Cologne): https://freesound.org/people/Pfannkuchn/sounds/384353/• Siren: https://freesound.org/people/lluiset7/sounds/367442/ Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Handcuffed in the police car, I wished the lamp hadn't been magical. "That, sir, is a genuine antique," the stallholder had asserted when I'd stopped and inspected it at the secondhand market. The oil lamp looked like a prop from Disney's Aladdin. And I thought it would polish up and earn me a tidy profit.The Magical Lamp is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-magical-lampPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Police Siren: https://freesound.org/people/conleec/sounds/159744/• Secondhand Market: https://freesound.org/people/e0fd96/sounds/659634/• Cash Register Ka-Ching: https://freesound.org/people/Zott820/sounds/209578/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Rollins said, "A great way to learn about your country is to leave it." And I learned a lot about Australia while living overseas from 1987 to 1996. Books like Alice Nannup's When The Pelican Laughed (published by Fremantle Arts Centre Press in 1992) helped my education. And from her memoir, I learned about the Stolen Generation and a connection with my Nan.Please note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned this podcast episode contains the names and words of people who have passed away.Alice Nannup and my Nan is a memoir post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/alice-nannup-and-my-nanWhen The Pelican Laughed on Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/20347900?selectedversion=nbd8151722Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Waves: https://freesound.org/people/floating%20tree/sounds/253607/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eighty is the new fifty, or so I'm told. But my back wasn't this dodgy when I was fifty, and my knees lasted longer than a circuit of the park with the dog before seizing up. And I wasn't caught short so often that I needed to memorise the location of the nearest public toilet for emergency pit stops!The New Fifty is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/fiction/short-stories/the-new-fiftyRobert's dog posts on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyDogPostsRobert's dog posts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydogposts/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Dog wagging/thumping tail: https://freesound.org/people/tallandtrue/sounds/657779/• Dog panting: https://freesound.org/people/AGFX/sounds/221497/• Whistle: https://freesound.org/people/strongbot/sounds/568995/• Kids laughing: https://freesound.org/people/kikorurelas/sounds/642516/• Kettle boiling: https://freesound.org/people/cupido-1/sounds/433538/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm taking a short break from writing and podcasting over the Xmas/New Year holiday period. But as a special treat for podcast listeners, I've put together a Kris Kringle collection featuring three "festive" episodes from the Tall And True Short Reads archive: The Gift, The Special Tree and The Spirit of Xmas.The Kris Kringle stories first appeared on the Tall And True writers' website and were written and narrated by Robert Fairhead:• The Gift: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/short-stories/the-gift.• The Special Tree: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/short-stories/the-special-tree• The Spirit of Xmas: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/the-spirit-of-xmasPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Santa's sleigh bells: https://freesound.org/people/BrianJamesLong/sounds/330415/• Male laughter: https://freesound.org/people/Eneasz/sounds/119459/• Female laughter: https://freesound.org/people/sagetyrtle/sounds/33658/• Party background: https://freesound.org/people/dbspin/sounds/396684/• Footsteps: https://freesound.org/people/Anthousai/sounds/398782/• Champagne cork: https://freesound.org/people/ultradust/sounds/166923/• Clock ticking-alarm: https://freesound.org/people/gecop/sounds/522119/• Door closing: https://freesound.org/people/sgcardinal/sounds/395753/• Bird song: https://freesound.org/people/ken788/sounds/386732/• Computer keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/• Slammed door: https://freesound.org/people/TiesWijnen/sounds/455540/• Chainsaw: https://freesound.org/people/piwilliwillski/sounds/548411/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The writer John Banville observed, "Memory is imagination, and imagination is memory. I don't think we remember the past, we imagine it." I have vivid memories of my early childhood (I believe they're memories, not imagination), which is why the #5YearOldSelfie hashtag challenge on social media caught my eye.Memories and Imagination is a memoir piece from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the piece: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/nonfiction/biography-memoir/memories-and-imaginationLink to my #5YearOldSelfie tweet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tallandtrue/status/1159625729455222784Young Minds UK: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/John Banville: http://john-banville.com/Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Slow Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Are we there yet?" Milly whines from the back seat. "I'm bored," adds Tyler. "Oh, for goodness sake!" I snap, eyeballing the pair in the rear vision mirror. "It's only been two hours." Kids nowadays! The drive has been smooth and fast compared to the narrow, windy roads of my childhood family holidays.Are we there yet? is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/short-stories/are-we-there-yetPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Car Engine: https://freesound.org/people/devy32/sounds/439252/• Car Horn: https://freesound.org/people/craigsmith/sounds/479995/• Shop Doorbell: https://freesound.org/people/775noise/sounds/494565/• Playground: https://freesound.org/people/mshahen/sounds/503841/• Car Doors: https://freesound.org/people/oscaraudiogeek/sounds/333281/• Footsteps: https://freesound.org/people/Yuval/sounds/205817/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I dread mornings like these when Facebook floods my timeline memories with posts and photos of Jas and the kids. On social media, we're still a happy family. Whereas in the real world, I live alone and only see the kids on weekends. But that's not Facebook's fault. It's just an algorithm.Timeline Memories is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/short-stories/timeline-memoriesBlog Post with photo of Jet: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/introducing-tall-and-true-short-readsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Post Notification: https://freesound.org/people/yfjesse/sounds/235911/• Background TV: https://freesound.org/people/o_ciz/sounds/475477/• Roller Coaster: https://freesound.org/people/tec_studio/sounds/98181/• Dog Barking: https://freesound.org/people/16FVolejnikovaA/sounds/498394/• Dog Tail Wagging: https://freesound.org/people/tallandtrue/sounds/657779/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One fine mid-October Sunday, I returned home from the morning dog walk to be greeted with the news our annual council clean-up was on Monday. After previous clean-ups, I thought we had nothing left to throw out. And I looked forward to a long productive day of writing … until I checked the attic and shed!Council Clean-ups and Recycling is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/council-cleanups-and-recyclingPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Garbage Truck: https://freesound.org/people/rodrigocswm/sounds/449437/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My wife and I visited Turkey in 1988. We had endured our first English winter and spent two weeks hugging the coastal sites and sunny beaches. We returned in 1990, venturing far from the coast to the mountains of eastern Turkey, where Kurds befriended us, and we learned a little of Kurdish culture.Kurd Friends in the Mountains is a travel memoir blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/kurd-friends-in-the-mountainsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Turkish Bus: https://freesound.org/people/supersnd/sounds/610536/• Seagulls: https://freesound.org/people/plantmonkey/sounds/377107/• Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/blukotek/sounds/412751/• Engine Stopping: https://freesound.org/people/chlund/sounds/500193/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This story begins at the end. But my time spent observing your planet has taught me humans like to process events and information in an orderly, if not entirely predictable, sequence. So forget the first sentence, and I'll serve you a linear tale. Just don't skip to the end and spoil it.Once Upon A Time is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/short-stories/once-upon-a-timePodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Slow Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/Julien%20Matthey/sounds/457651/• Conference Noise: https://freesound.org/people/shazam118/sounds/83788/• Glasses Clinking: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/319994/• Applause: https://freesound.org/people/Breviceps/sounds/462362/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tall And True Short Reads is a storytelling podcast featuring short stories, blog posts and other writing written and narrated by Robert Fairhead from the Tall And True writers' website. Launched in September 2020, Season Three starts in September 2022 with a "story that begins at the end", Once Upon A Time. Podcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:• Canned Laughter: https://freesound.org/people/Evil_Ear_Recordings/sounds/524775/• School bell: https://freesound.org/people/13FPanska_Stranska_Michaela/sounds/378394/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity.Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In February 1998, I started an eight-week evening college course, Introduction to Philosophy. I was in my mid-thirties, and while I was aware of philosophers, I hadn't read their works and knew nothing about critical thinking. Our text was Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder. And our tutor was a Marxist.My Marxist Philosophy Class is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/my-marxist-philosophy-classPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/blukotek/sounds/412751/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. Episodes are recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

In their heyday, the Ian St James Awards offered the biggest fiction prize in the UK and Ireland. Launched by the thriller writer Ian St James in 1989 to encourage new writers, the awards were open to 5,000-10,000 word short stories by unpublished writers.Thanks Ian St James Awards is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/thanks-ian-st-james-awardsPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:Champagne Cork Popping: https://freesound.org/people/KenRT/sounds/392624/Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/blukotek/sounds/412751/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. The podcast is recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You know what it's like when you lose something. It's always in the last place you look. So I write down all the possible places the lost thing could be and work through the list in reverse order. But how do you find a lost hour? It's not like it can slip down the back of a sofa like coins or keys!The Lost Hour is a short story from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read the story on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/short-stories/the-lost-hourPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:Rummaging: https://freesound.org/people/gyzhor/sounds/52097/Bird Song: https://freesound.org/people/ken788/sounds/386732/News Jingle: https://freesound.org/people/Tuben/sounds/272044/Phone Ring/Vibrate: https://freesound.org/people/SamuelGremaud/sounds/456399/Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/Key jangling: https://freesound.org/people/anational/sounds/443956/Slot Machine Jackpot: https://freesound.org/people/JoannaLuna/sounds/448842/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. The podcast is recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In May 1992, the Sydney literary news was full of Tim Winton's success and his novel, Cloudstreet. And I thought it an omen. Winton was thirty-one, and I was thirty. He'd grown up in W.A., and so had I. He'd just won his second Miles Franklin Award. And I was having a second crack at being a writer!Cloudstreet by Tim Winton - Omen or Inspiration is a blog post from the Tall And True writers' website, written and narrated by Robert Fairhead.Read post on Tall And True: https://www.tallandtrue.com.au/blog/cloudstreet-timwinton-omenPodcast website: https://www.tallandtrueshortreads.comSupport the podcast: https://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-readsBuy Robert's short story collections online:• Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Fairhead/e/B086HZ36NM• Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/author/robert-fairheadPodcast Theme and Sound EffectsRoyalty-free music from Pixabay.com: Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 'Pastorale' – IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non-Troppo, performed by Karine Gilanyan.Sound effects licensed under Creative Commons 0 from FreeSound.org:Clock Ticking: https://freesound.org/people/blukotek/sounds/412751/Computer Keyboard: https://freesound.org/people/D4XX/sounds/567266/Production NotesTall And True Short Reads is produced using Audacity. The podcast is recorded in Sydney, Australia, on the lands of the traditional custodians of the Eora Nation.Acast Podcast Supporter PageSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tall-and-true-short-reads. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.