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Descubre un mundo infinito de historias

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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.

Conversations Live is coming to the stage! Join Sarah Kanowski and Richard Fidler for an unmissable night of unforgettable stories, behind-the-scenes secrets, and surprise guests. Australia’s most-loved podcast — live, up close, and in the moment. Find out more at the Conversations website.

Conversations

Jane Goodall, the renowned conservationist and pioneer of groundbreaking chimpanzee field research, has died of natural causes at the age of 91.

Jane lived an utterly remarkable life, and her discoveries revolutionised science.

She was only 26 years old when she first visited Tanzania to begin her research on chimpanzees in the wild

Before Jane went to Africa we knew very little about chimpanzees, despite the fact that they're our closest cousins.

It's only because of Jane’s research and observations that we now know they sometimes eat meat, they make tools, they laugh, they are curious about the world around them, they love, they mourn, and sometimes, they are capable of spectacular violence.

You can read more about The Jane Goodall Institute online.

Read more about Jane's remarkable life at the ABC News website.

This episode of Conversations explores zoology, biology, evolution, Africa, exploration, conservation, chimpanzees, apes, monkeys, Kenya, Tanzania, David Attenborough, Dame Jane, mother earth, protecting our environment, habitats, UN Messenger of Peace, raising awareness, threats to wildlife, sustainable relationship between people, animals and the natural world, celebrity death.

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.

Remembering Dr Jane Goodall's science and her humanity

Lawyer Paula Gerber on the human rights of the most endangered group of people in any community - its children. They are open to the most predatory forms of exploitation simply because they don't have the worldliness of adults, and must rely on trust and goodwill. 

When Paula Gerber was growing up in suburban Brisbane, she didn’t spend her weekends at the pool or playing cricket with her dad.

Quality time with her father meant visiting his clients with him in the local jail or mental institution.

Her dad was a criminal lawyer, and Paula tagged along to many of his meetings watching him empathise with people, coming up with defences that worked, sometimes because his client were innocent, and sometimes because he knew the law like the back of his hand, and could do some creative arguing around technicalities.

Paula wanted nothing else but to follow in the footsteps of her father.

She began her career in construction law, but after a motorbike accident, she needed a change, and turned her thoughts to how to help more people with her law degree.

Paula began to specialise in human rights, specifically the rights of children.

Sex, Gender & Identity: Trans Rights in Australia is published by Monash University Publishing.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores childhood trauma, abuse, child protection services, juvenile justice, the age of criminal responsibility, the queer community, growing up gay, lesbians, construction law, Multiplex, property development, women in male dominated fields, writing, books, the law, the legal system, courts, barrister, criminal law, the UN Convention on the Rights of Children, human rights abuses, discrimination, parenting.

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.

Why you should empower your children to know their human rights

Musician Paul Field on grieving the death of his baby girl, Bernadette, and how she inspired his family band, The Wiggles, to bring joy into the lives of millions of children. CW: This episode of Conversations discusses the death of a child.

Paul Field was on tour in Queensland with his band, the Cockroaches, when he received a call that would alter his life forever.

His 7-month-old baby daughter, Bernadette, had unexpectedly died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Paul and his wife, Pauline, had never imagined they would one day plan a funeral for their baby, but that's what they had to do.

Surrounded by their close-knit families and with support from mental health professionals, Paul and Pauline grieved differently but together, realising that fully reckoning with the their tragic loss was the only way they could move forward for their eldest son, Luke, and for the three more children to come. 

Today, Paul loves finding any opportunity to talk about Bernadette, his gentle, joyful baby girl.

In fact, Bernadette, changed the course of Paul's next family project: The Wiggles -- a band that has connected with millions of children for the last 30 years.

Help and support is always available. You can call or text Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Read more about research into SIDS, and find out more about counselling services available to parents who have lost a child at the Red Nose website.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores unexplained death of a child, how to cope with losing a child, loss, Red Nose Day, Sids for Kids, grief, marriage, love, relationships, music, family bands, big families, Irish Catholic families, Sydney in the 1980s, pub rock, skivvies, Anthony Field, Emma Watkins, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Greg Page, Jeff Fatt, Wake up Jeff, Lachlan Gillespie, Simon Pryce, Tsehay Hawkins, Evie Ferris, John Pearce, Caterina Mete, Lucia Field, big red car, police corruption, NSW police, royal commission, Sydney gangs, drugs, substance abuse.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The Wiggles, Red Nose Day and baby Bernadette

When Brad Guy went skydiving in his early 20s, his whole family was there to watch. But when Brad jumped out of the plane strapped to his instructor, the parachute, and the backup chute both failed to open. The pair plunged to the ground at 80km an hour, and miraculously both survived. The fall was terrifying, but recovery is what scared Brad the most.

Despite hitting the ground at around 80kmph, they both survived, but from the first night in hospital Brad started experiencing debilitating night terrors. Then back at home with his parents for the first four months, Brad sunk into a deep depression and was barely able to leave his room. 

It was the start of physical and emotional recovery that took years and changed Brad and his family forever.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores physical injury, skydiving, fear, family, PTSD, nightmare disorder, shame, guilt, trauma, mental breakdown, sexuality, psychology, medication, family history, generational trauma.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

When my parachute failed: How I survived a fall from 15,000 feet

Phillipa Perry grew in England and as a teenager went to a finishing school in Switzerland where she learnt to ski and speak in a posh accent. But instead of joining the aristocracy she worked as debt collector, a manager at McDonalds and eventually a psychotherapist.

Later she married the celebrated artist Grayson Perry, who is famous for his cross-dressing.

Philippa says the key to raising children is acknowledging feelings – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Her best selling parenting book The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read is published by Penguin.

Her latest book The Book You Want Everyone You Love To Read (and maybe a few you don't) is also published by Penguin.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison. Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.

It explores psychotherapy, parenting, emotions, family, love, queer identity, Grayson Perry, anger, sadness, children, writing.

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.

Encore: Psychotherapist Philippa Perry says yes to feelings

Bronnie Ware was recovering from burnout when she wrote a blog post reflecting on years working as a palliative carer and the epiphanies patients shared with her as they faced death. It was read by millions and became the basis of her best-selling book, The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying.

And the lessons Bronnie learnt from her dying patients also helped her confront some darker elements of her childhood and eventually find peace.

The book has become a touchstone for many people all over the world, including influential thinkers like Dr Gabor Mate and Dr Rangan Chaterjee.

Bronnie's wildlife vlog can be found on her website bronnieware.com

This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores death, dying, palliative care, family, regrets, nature, depression, chronic illness, carer work, Bronnie Ware, The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying, writing, forgiveness, wildlife, spirituality, memory, meditation.

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.

What caring for the dying taught Bronnie Ware about living

To Australia he was a genius adman and best-selling author but behind closed doors Bryce Courtenay was a deeply flawed husband and father. His son, Adam, has tried to make sense of the lies, the ego and the heartbreak.

When Adam Courtenay was growing up, he saw his dad Bryce as a hero.

Bryce worked in advertising so he knew all the latest, coolest trends, and at bedtime, Bryce told Adam and his brothers amazing stories about his life in South Africa and the Courtenay family’s noble origins.

When Bryce went from adman to wildly successful writer with his debut novel, The Power of One, Adam couldn’t have been prouder.

As Adam grew older, he became aware of the gaps in the stories his father told so well, and realised just how many lies Bryce had told his family and the nation.

At first, Adam tried to ignore the fables and fibs - he wanted badly to believe them because they made Bryce's storytelling so powerful.

But when Adam became a writer himself, an author of historical books and a journalist, he needed to champion the truth above all else.

Further information

My Father Bryce is published by Hachette.

This episode of Conversations explores novels, writing, advertising, Australiana, Australian books, memoir, father son relationships, big egos, Australian voices, Tandia, The Night Country, Whitethorn, The Potato Factory, Tommo & Hawk, Solomon's Song, Nick Duncan Saga, The Persimmon Tree, Fishing for Stars, The Milky Bar Kid, knowing your parents, marriage, fatherhood, journalism, betrayal, cancer, divorce, affairs, infidelity, public personas, modern history, literature.

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.

My father Bryce Courtenay: the charming, charismatic, compulsive liar

In 2017, journalist Nick McKenzie heard rumours of executions and cover-ups inside Australia’s most elite military unit. For the next eight years, Nick waged an epic battle for the truth to be acknowledged about Ben Roberts-Smith VC.

Along with his colleague Chris Masters, Nick began an investigation which hinged on Australia’s most famous, and most decorated living soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, who served in the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) from 2003 - 2013.

By following the story, they were plunged into the defamation trial of the century.

His fight examined evidence of bullying, intimidation, war crimes and murder, and took him across Australia and to Afghanistan.

As he unearthed secrets Ben Roberts-Smith had thought he'd long ago buried, Nick had to deal with death threats, and powerful forces intent on destroying his career.

He also witnessed attempts to silence brave SAS soldiers, who had witnessed their famous comrade commit unspeakable acts.

For years Nick waged an epic battle for the truth to be acknowledged.

Earlier this year, Ben Roberts-Smith lost an appeal against a defamation judgement, which found he committed war crimes.

Further information

Crossing the Line is published by Hachette.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores war, Afghanistan, the SAS, war crimes, allegations of war crimes, legal history, Australia's military history, Andrew Hastie, ADF, Iraq, Nine, Fairfax, Kerry Stokes, Seven, Media, Anthony Besanko, Brereton Report, AFP, Federal Police, phone tapping, Mick Keelty, Federal Court, truth defence, David Wroe, peer pressure, military life, camaraderie, life at war, civil versus criminal court.

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.

How this journalist took on a war criminal and won

Hollywood actor Alan Alda has devoted his life to science, by taking his acting and communication skills off the screen and into the laboratory. Alan grew up in a show business family and spent his childhood touring with a burlesque show run by his parents.

He eventually made a name for himself in showbiz, becoming well-known and much-loved for his performances in M.A.S.H. and The West Wing, as well as his roles in many Hollywood films.

Alan is also famous for his love of science.

He wrote Dear Albert for the stage, based on the love letters of Albert Einstein, which reveal Einstein as a beautifully passionate man.

Alan has used his acting for the good of science by teaching communication skills to scientists so they might make their work better known and better understood.

Further information

This interview was first broadcast in December 2016.

2025 update: Alan has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he says he’s managing it well. Alan is still working occasionally, most recently in the TV remake of his 1981 film ‘The Four Seasons’.

You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.

This episode of Conversations explores science, science communication, MASH, television, Hollywood, silver screen, acting, show biz families, family business, Vietnam, origin stories, memoir.

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.

20th Anniversary Collection: Alan Alda on bringing science to acting

Growing up south of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself. At the age of nine, he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service.

As a qualified midwife, Christian spent time in the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory.

He worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies.

Further information

This interview was first broadcast in March 2021.

2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove.

On the first day of their honeymoon, as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled.

Christian's spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he might not walk again.

Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea.

He and Caroline now have a baby boy.

Discover more about Christian's research on pregnancy and childbirth.

Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country.

Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia.

You can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834

You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784

20th Anniversary Collection: The male midwife working in Arnhem Land

Troy Cassar-Daley grew up walking a tightrope between two worlds after his mum and dad broke up when he was small. As a grown man, a trip on a country music cruise began to change his story (CW: discussion of suicidal ideation and suicide)

Troy Cassar-Daley: the boy from Halfway Creek

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