Program: Conversations

Presented by

A man sitting on a stool with hands on thighs looking at the camera

A woman in a black dress stands, smiling in front of a teal background.

Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may, or may not, have heard about — someone who has seen and done amazing things.

Airs on ABC Local Radio, Monday to Friday at 11am and on ABC Radio National, Monday to Friday at 3pm (repeated at 3am)

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Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may, or may not, have heard about — someone who has seen and done amazing things.

Airs on ABC Local Radio, Monday to Friday at 11am and on ABC Radio National, Monday to Friday at 3pm (repeated at 3am)

Episodes

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How a nun with dementia helped Peter Bell's birth mother find him

Peter Bell's Korean birth mother spent years searching for her son in America. Then through a surreal series of coincidences, and with the help of an ailing nun, she discovered an AFL star living in Perth (R).

Published: 9h agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 1:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

A portrait of Peter Bell wearing a suit jacket and tartan shirt.

Duration: 48 minutes 12 seconds

Encore: Danny Estrin's Eurovision glory and the bittersweet aftermath

Voyager frontman Danny Estrin on his unconventional path from heavy metal to law and on to the Eurovision grand final (R). Danny Estrin is one of the few Australians who knows what it’s like to perform at Eurovision.

Published: FriFri 5 Sep 2025 at 1:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

red light filter on head shot of danny estrin playing guitar

Duration: 52 minutes 13 seconds

How friendship and science set Kathleen Folbigg free

Kathleen Folbigg was locked up in prison for decades, wrongly convicted of the deaths of her four children. For years, her childhood friend Tracy was the only person who believed in her innocence.

Published: ThuThu 4 Sep 2025 at 12:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

A portrait of Tracy Chapman (L) and Kathleen Folbigg (G), taken outside.

Duration: 53 minutes 12 seconds

How Alan 'the shit magnet' Playford helped revolutionise Australia's ambulance services

When you call for an ambulance these days, chances are the officers inside will save a life. But 40 years ago, 80 per cent of Alan Playford's passengers would either die on the way to the hospital, or on its doorstep.

Published: WedWed 3 Sep 2025 at 1:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

A black and white photograph of Alan Playford sitting in the driver's seat of his ambulance.

Duration: 46 minutes 30 seconds

Why I wrote a musical for my cheeky, charismatic, Persian mum

Ten years ago, Sydney-based artist HOSSEI took a step back from the art world to care for his sick mother. The more time they spent together, the more inspired HOSSEI became to create something especially for, about, and starring his mum.

Published: TueTue 2 Sep 2025 at 1:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

HOSSEI wears big wire-framed glasses, a black vest over a neon yellow shirt. He is smiling and has a dark beard.

Duration: 47 minutes 12 seconds

How Mandy Nolan owned being the "weird, freaky girl" from Wondai

Mandy Nolan didn't fit in as a child, in the country town where she grew up. But later in life, her differences became her superpower. (CW: discusses domestic violence and addiction) (R).

Published: 1 Sep 2025Mon 1 Sep 2025 at 1:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Mandy Nolan holds her chin in her right hand looking at the camera. She has a big red ring on her finger and long, blond hair.

Duration: 52 minutes 30 seconds

20th Anniversary Collection: Writing hit songs for Blondie, Tina Turner and Suzi Quatro

Music was always in Mike Chapman’s blood. As a boy, he collected bottles at the Brisbane showgrounds and traded them for money, which he saved to buy his first guitar.

Published: 28 Aug 2025Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 9:00pmwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Duration: 36 minutes 25 seconds

20th Anniversary Collection: Surviving PTSD as an Iraq War correspondent

Michael Ware witnessed some of the most violent battles in Baghdad; and was kidnapped three times. He was one of the few Western journalists to live full-time in Iraq during the war, embedded with U.S. forces, insurgents, and terrorists.

Published: 27 Aug 2025Wed 27 Aug 2025 at 9:00pmwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Duration: 51 minutes 13 seconds

20th Anniversary Collection: A Tanzanian love story

After a dream job as a nanny in Notting Hill, a young Donna Duggan was first lured to Africa by the charms of Zanzibar. She soon fell deeply in love with a local man, Nas, though she could never have predicted the direction their life would take.

Published: 26 Aug 2025Tue 26 Aug 2025 at 9:00pmwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Duration: 52 minutes 6 seconds

20th Anniversary Collection: The barber who uses love to help boys become men

Charles Lomu's gentle and religious life in Tonga with his grandparents showed him the meaning of love. He was on track to being a young, in-demand Rugby League player when grief shook his family, and Charles turned down a dark path.

Published: 25 Aug 2025Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 9:00pmwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Duration: 53 minutes 15 seconds

Events

Conversations Live: The Stories Behind the Stories

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.

Published: 29 Apr 2025Tue 29 Apr 2025 at 2:56am

Highlights

Road Trip Playlist

The road may be long, so here is a series of interviews about adventures and passions, some with a focus on the natural world. This playlist is designed to keep the spirits high as you drive off into your holiday period.

Published: 16 Dec 2024Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 12:31am

On the Couch

Psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists on a range of approaches to mental health.

Published: 13 May 2025Tue 13 May 2025 at 1:18am

Conversations from the Pacific

From the dramatic forests of Fiji, to the striking rivers of Papua New guinea, Conversations takes you into the Pacific to hear remarkable stories from our closest neighbours

The bow of a boat can be seen travelling toward an island in Fiji.

Published: 30 Jun 2023Fri 30 Jun 2023 at 3:36am

The Artist's Way

It's a tough road to success through the arts. What drives our artists and musicians to explore their vulnerabilities so publicly?

Stage light shines on a microphone, blurred and darkened background.

Published: 18 Jan 2023Wed 18 Jan 2023 at 3:20am

Frequently asked questions

Conversations FAQs

Find out the answers to many questions we are asked regularly.

Published: 3 Apr 2023Mon 3 Apr 2023 at 2:28am

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