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Conversations: Daily Summaries Delivered
by ABC Australia
Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met. Journey into their world, joining them on epic adventures to unfamiliar places, back in time to wild moments of history, and into their deepest memories, to be moved by personal stories of resilience and redemption. Hosted by Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski, Conversations is the ABC's most popular long-form interview program. Every day we explore the vast tapestry of human experience, weaving together narratives from history, science, art, and personal storytelling.
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- 2 weeks ago52 min
Encore: Bonnie Garmus on the spark of anger which began a whole new life, in her 60s
When author Bonnie Garmus tried to sell her first novel, it was rejected 98 times, but then at 66, she wrote a novel called Lessons in Chemistry, which sold four million copies around the world.Bonnie had wanted to be a novelist since she was five years old.Decades later, she was a copywriter, an open-water swimmer and a rower when she tried to sell her first novel.After many rejections, she realised it would never be published.One day Bonnie was at work when a male colleague took credit for one of her ideas. In a moment of anger, she then started writing a novel which would become Lessons in Chemistry.Set in the 1950s and early '60s, it tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist and mother who hosts a cooking show that ends up teaching women about a lot more than food.Bonnie was 66 years old when it was published.The book has resonated with millions of readers around the world and inspired men and women to change their own lives.First broadcast in 2024 Further informationLessons in Chemistry is published by PenguinBonnie's latest book is Peck and PeckThis episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison and Carmel Rooney was the Executive Producer.It explores writing, books, anger, women in the work place, rejection, success, publishing, Lessons in Chemistry, female characters, Elizabeth Zott, motherhood, cooking, chemistry.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
- 2 weeks ago52 min
Zoe Terakes and the mythic tales of gods, sex and magical transformations
Zoe Terakes is a writer and actor with deep family connections to the island of Crete, where their great-grandparents migrated to Australia from.This island is the site of Europe’s first ancient civilisation.Bronze Age Crete had palaces, temples, art, written language and mythology long before the Roman Empire existed, and centuries before the Parthenon was built.When Zoe started reading the mythology of Crete they were astounded by how many of the tales involve mutability, metamorphosis, the transformation of this into that; from human to bird to lion and to human again – and from male to female and from female to male.Zoe has retold some of these wild stories of blood, sex, love, divinity, humanity and magical transformations in their first book.But the trans actor, who underwent their own transformation a few years ago, did not want to sanitise any of these ancient stories to make them more palatable for the contemporary audience.Because, for Zoe, the power and enduring relevance of these epics is found in their tragedy, violence and mess.Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers is published by Hachette.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores myth, storytelling, poetry, art, transgender, non-binary, gender identity, sexual identity, young Australians, Australian literature, Australian writers, acting, television, Marvel Universe, Sydney, Kings Cross, Greece, Crete, Talk To Me, film, Australian film, growing up in Sydney, growing up Queer.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
- 2 weeks ago47 min
Why Anthony LaPaglia is unapologetically irritable
The acclaimed Australian actor talks about his difficult childhood in Adelaide, escaping to New York in the 1980s and how he carved out an award winning career that spans theatre, film and television.Anthony grew up in the suburbs of Adelaide, in a house full of rage, disappointment and violence.He spent as much time as he could alone, reading books, watching classic Hollywood movies, and dreaming of another life.For a while he thought soccer might be his ticket to escape Adelaide, but it turned out to be acting when he moved to New York in the 1980s.Anthony has won a Golden Globe for his work in the crime drama Without a Trace, an Emmy for the comedy Frasier and multiple Australian awards for his roles in films including Lantana and Looking for Alibrandi He was also the first Australian to win a Tony award for his performance in a Broadway revival of the Arthur Miller play, A View from a Bridge.Anthony’s memoir is The Life We ChooseFurther InformationThe Life We Choose is published by HarperCollins This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores acting, family, Italian migration, Adelaide, selling shoes, soccer, theatre, New York, Hollywood, memoir, therapy, violence, aggression, YouTube, 1980s, divorce, cocaine, Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, movies.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
- 2 weeks ago44 min
Encore: The incandescent life of fashion visionary Jenny Kee
Fashion designer Jenny Kee co-created a whole new era in Australian fashion in the 1970s. But nothing could have prepared her for her own next chapter.Jenny was born in Bondi in the 1950s, and left Australia for London when she was young.She began selling vintage clothes at the Chelsea markets, where she attracted attention for her stall and her brilliant style.When she returned to Australia in the early 70s Jenny met a gifted couturier named Linda Jackson.Together they embarked on a passionate creative partnership which began a unique and utterly Australian art and fashion movement.Their clothes were made in wild colours and beautiful fabric, often festooned with images of native flowers and plants.In the 1980s they took their designs to the world and were feted by Italian Vogue's Anna Piaggi and Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld.In addition to all her achievements in fashion, Jenny's life has also been crowded with dramatic moments.Her life story is even more incandescent than her wardrobe.Further informationHelp and support is always available.If this conversation has been difficult to hear you can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or chat to them via their website
- 2 weeks ago51 min
Learning my family connection to the brutal history of Australia's pearling industry
When Edith Wright discovered the turbulent history of her great-grandfathers, who were some of the founders of the pearling industry in the waters off Broome, she knew she had to write down the storyEdith is a Bardi Jawi woman from the saltwater country of Western Australia’s Dampier Peninsula.When she was a little girl growing up in the Kimberley, her dad would tell her stories about his two European grandfathers.Both men were pioneers in W.A's pearling industry, which required the skill - and forced labour - of Aboriginal people.After many years spent researching her dad's stories, Edith has come to a new understanding of her family's complicated legacy.Further information The Burden and the Blessing is published by Magabala BooksRead more about the history of the W.A pearling industryThis episode of Conversations was produced by Elizabeth Kulas and the executive producer is Nicola Harrison.
- 3 weeks ago52 min
Encore: My orgasm induced amnesia and other epic adventures
Dasha Ross tells the story of her bizarre brush with memory loss and what happened when she and her husband decided to takeover a rundown beachside hotel in Sri Lanka.Dasha has lived a life full of adventures, from nude modelling in Sydney and making films in Brazil, to renovating a nightclub in Harlem with a baby on her hip.But Dasha's most epic escapades were with her beloved husband John Pinder, including the time the two of them took up a surprising offer to revamp and manage a beachside hotel in Sri Lanka.Things did not go as planned as they battled typhoons, demanding guests and a meddling, possibly murderous, manager.First broadcast in 2024Further informationDasha Ross' memoir, Big Trouble Coming is published by Valentine PressThis episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris, the executive producer is Nicola Harrison.
- 3 weeks ago45 min
Anthony Scaramucci on Trump, getting fired and owning his mistakes
Anthony “The Mooch” Scaramucci on his childhood, becoming a success on Wall Street and why backing Trump was a colossal error.Anthony grew up on Long Island, part of a large Italian-American community and far away from the world of money, power and influence. When he was accepted into a prestigious university, Anthony’s parents put their retirements savings on the line to make sure he was able to go.After graduating from Harvard Law School, he began his career on Wall Street, then into political fundraising as a way to network and meet new clients.Famously, he would come to global notoriety when he was fired 11 days into his stint as White House spokesman during Donald Trump’s first term as US President.Since then he has distanced himself from Trump and the MAGA movement and built a reputation as a sharp observer of US politics.Anthony's latest book All the Wrong Moves: how three catastrophic decisions led to the rise of Trump is published by Penguin.This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores US politics, US history, Italian migration to American, poverty, Pennsylvania, Long Island, sand mining, family, middle class America, working class, elite universities, Harvard Law School, Wall Street, Goldman Sachs, Donald Trump, The White House, getting fired, MAGA, the Republican Party, Barack Obama,
- 3 weeks ago51 min
How to keep living when life falls apart
When Robin Bailey’s husband and father of their three boys died by suicide, she had to figure out the best way to help her children work through their grief while also managing her own sadness and anger. (CW: this episode discusses suicide, please take care when listening)Robin is one of Brisbane’s best-known breakfast radio hosts, and she’s been in the business for decades.When she was 11, Robin’s father died suddenly, and her mother was left to raise Robin and her sister while forging on with her own career.Decades later another tragedy forced Robin into single parenting, after her husband Tony died by suicide.In the aftermath of Tony’s death Robin was determined to make space for all her son’s feelings and their questions as they worked through their grief.With the help of incredible community of friends, she knitted a family back together which was strong enough to face what came next.Further information Robin Bailey's memoir Flamingos Aren't Born Pink is published by Harper Collins Help and support is always availableIf you need to talk, 24/7 crisis support is available from Lifeline by calling 13 11 14.More options for mental health and suicide prevention helplines and websites are hereThis episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the executive producer is Nicola HarrisonIt explores suicide, grief, death, family, marriage, children, depression, mental health, community, counsellors, pastoral care, losing a parent, travel, radio, commercial radio, maternity leave, financial pressure, cancer, terminal cancer, dying at home, single mothers, sons, daughters, weddings.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
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About Conversations
Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met. Journey into their world, joining them on epic adventures to unfamiliar places, back in time to wild moments of history, and into their deepest memories, to be moved by personal stories of resilience and redemption. Hosted by Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski, Conversations is the ABC's most popular long-form interview program. Every day we explore the vast tapestry of human experience, weaving together narratives from history, science, art, and personal storytelling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Conversations as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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What topics does Conversations cover?
Conversations covers topics including Relationships, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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