This week we’re bringing you some yarns from SPUN stories, an event held in the northern territory in front of a live audience. These stories are all about mothers. A Mother's Love First, Eileen, a Rembarrnga Ngalakan woman from Central Arnhem Land, shares her experience of being stolen from her mother as a child of the stolen generations. Written & Performed by Dr Eileen Cummings. Seeing My Mum... Then, Donelle, an Aboriginal Education Worker, tells stories of her mother - from a few moments of mischief to the many moments of strength. Written & Performed by Donelle Dingo. All The Best Credits Mix & Compile by: Sebastien Fijac  Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash Image: Dr. Eileen CummingsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no one universal story of COVID times. As much as it was a global pandemic, it was also a local story. For the town of Bega, the impacts of Covid on a local scale were intertwined with the devastation of bushfires. This story comes from an episode of ‘Hope Loss Resilience’ a podcast series produced by local audiomaker Craig Garrett as part of the Bega Valley Shire Library’s Talking Together oral histories project. Listen to further episodes: Hope Loss Resilience Podcast Craig's collaborated with organisations including the Migration Museum and Speaking Volumes (UK); the CBAA (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia); the Digital Writers’ Festival (Melb); Ranu Welum (Indonesia); the QLD Poetry Festival, Vulcana Women’s Circus and House Conspiracy (Bris); and Noted Festival (Canberra). The Talking Together project was funded under the joint Australian Government–NSW Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 through the NSW Reconstruction Authority. All The Best Credits Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, connecting to the natural world through birds. This episode explores ideas of how we can be more mindful of our surroundings, that there is beauty in the Natural world everywhere you look. It also encourages us to take action in protecting the landscapes we love in order for the natural world to thrive. Rainforest First we hear a beautiful soundscape featuring birdsong.  This project builds on previous research interest in topics such as soundscapes, spatial audio, and health and well-being. The first piece is entitled 'Rainforest', we also hear a segment from the second piece 'Beach'.  Produced by Sebastien Fijac. Guess Hoo Powerful Owls are the ghost birds of the Sydney cityscape — you’d be lucky to spot one without help. And even then, the bird-watching community likes to keep Powerful Owl locations on the down low to protect them. Amelia, a self-confessed “bird nerd”, has never seen any type of owl in the wild but maybe that is all about to change. Produced by Amelia Mertha Supervising Producer Maddy Macquine Featuring interviews with Graeme Robinson, Stephanie Chambers, Louise Turnbull, Areebah Mirza and Steve.
   All The Best Credits Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re playing two more stories from the Black Snapper International Audio Competition.  First up, a college email catastrophe...   The Bello Tolls for Thee On 9th October 2014, students at University College, London, received an email from their provost via the all-students list.  It consisted of a single word: “bello!”. Soon students discovered that everyone was able to reply all to the initial email, and have their message sent to UCL’s 40,000 strong student body. Unsurprisingly, chaos ensued. Produced by Nadia Mehdi.   Amongst the Sheep What does it mean to be autistic? Our second story explores this question. Kieren was diagnosed as an adult, and is finding it a difficult question to answer. In this feature Kieren sits down with family and friends to try to make sense of his past, and discover what it means to be autistic in an unforgiving, neurotypical world. Produced by Kieren Davis.   Find out more about the Black Snapper International Audio Competition and discover a playlist with more shortlisted entries at www.blacksnapper.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you two stories from our regular partner Queerstories. Safe House by Patrick Abboud First up after a wild night of partying among fellow closeted friends, Patrick nearly loses the safe haven he has carefully created.  A warning that this story includes some swearing. Slut by Steven Oliver A heads up that this story contains swears, references to drug use and sex. Steven has so many slutty stories to tell – but somehow he whittles it down to three… All The Best Credits Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On December 14th, All the Best set up an audio storytelling installation at the Powerhouse Museum’s after-hours event ‘Powerhouse Late’.  We invited attendees to take the mic and share the things they’ll never forget from 2023, and their hopes and aspirations for 2024. First up, Nat shares how a medical diagnosis that left them feeling a bit lost, led to the discovery of a new passion. Then, Elise shares the rollercoaster series of events that unfolded on her holiday. Turning to 2024, Marie shares her dream travel plans for a special birthday.  Also looking to the new year, Trey and Theo drew on their creative practices to write letters to their future selves. Poet Ying shared a reading of her beautiful work 'Bloom' traversing the climate anxiety that shrouds our present and future. Finally, FBi Radio volunteer and All the Best Community Coordinator Patrick, who shared his New Year's ritual. Thank you to all of our story contributors and to the team at the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo for facilitating this night of story-making and telling. All The Best Credits Recordist: Harvey O'Sullivan Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Story Factory is a not-for-profit creative writing center that engages hundreds of young people in under-resourced communities across Sydney and NSW every year.  They are a champion for young writers and as a program that values emerging audio creators, we are so excited about this partnership!  In this episode, you’ll hear an eclectic mix of prose and poetry - from love-song mashups to tender reflections on personal identity. From tales of the sparkling vista of Rio de Janeiro, to the buzzing LED-lights of nightclub bathrooms. The readings took place at Story Factory Parramatta in October 2023. You'll hear: Antoinette Luu “Dinner Talk” Hayden Field “Consumed”  Christos Floratos “My Dear” Amina Mustafa “Let Me Be” Saarah Bewden “Love songs” Israh Mahree “Fresh Bread” Annabella Luu“After Sounds” Bea “DJs had us falling” Atoc Malou “Rio de Janeiro” Isaiah T Soares “Cabramatta House" Interview with Richard Short - Chief Storyteller, Story Factory Thank you to Story Factory and congratulations to the truly wonderful storytellers published in Platform.  You can find even more writings from young artists and get involved with Story Factory programs, at www.storyfactory.org.au All The Best Credits Mix & Compile by: Sebastien Fijac  Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you another feature from our partnership with the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. This week’s story belongs to Ali from Lebanon. Ali spent his childhood in Beirut, a city that was once a pearl of the SWANA region torn apart by violence. However, it wasn’t the war but a series of unexpected events that led Ali all the way to the other side of the world to raise a family in Tasmania… Ali paints a vivid picture of Beirut in the 1980s and the changing fortunes of Lebanon in the 20th century. Content Warning: This story involves descriptions of war. All The Best Credits Production Manager, Mix & Compile by: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Snapper International Film Festival is the first festival of its kind in Australia. This year they’re also hosting a landmark international student audio competition. All the Best are partnering with the team at Black Snapper to bring you a couple of stories that we believe are great examples of the art of audio storytelling.  The Sound of Silence The Sounds of Silence is an audio documentary by Phan Dieu Linh To, also known as Liz, focusing on the real-life experiences of war victims in Vietnam. The piece is an evocative soundscape that mixes history and memory in an act of defiance against media manipulation and the suppression of human voices in depictions of war. Liz, is currently pursuing her Master's degree at Macquarie University in Australia and works as a visual designer in Sydney, with a focus on graphic design, layout design, film, and video production. Written & produced by Phan Dieu Linh To. A Moonlight Memory In this vivid soundscape, Salma travels back in time to an evening in her childhood, growing up in Kano, Nigeria in the 1970’s. Coming home from Christian Missionary school as the sun sets, Salma walks up the garden… Featuring Salma Ahmed CallerSounds from YleArkisto, reinsamba, Benboncan, Julius_galla, Straget, FaireDesVagues and SoundLover16 on freesound.orgProduced by Taqwa Sadiq This story was originally produced for Short Cuts, a Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.   All The Best Credits Production Manager, Mix & Compile by: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing stories about coastal creatures. We’ll meet a couple of underwater explorers and discover some of the unexpected ways we’re all interconnected.    Looking for Blueback Follow Amelia on a wild fish chase! She's embarking on a quest to fulfil a childhood dream - meeting a Blue Groper. Produced by Amelia Mertha   Sharks, Microbes & Me This week is Coastcare week - an annual campaign that recognises the Australians actively restoring and protecting our coastline.  We had the joy of meeting one of these wonderful people - Sian Liddy - a marine ecologist currently completing her PhD on the ecology of sharks at the University of Sydney. Sian shared a day in the life of a marine ecologist, why sharks have a PR problem and some of the ways we can help protect our beautiful coastal environment.   All The Best Credits Production Manager, Mix & Compile by: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the story of an investigation into the inter-country adoption process in South Korea.  Since the end of the Korean War, over 200,000 South Korean babies and children have been adopted overseas under one of the largest and longest running inter-country adoption programs in the world. Many of these adoptees are asking questions about the systems and practices that have shaped the course of their lives. Paper Orphans This piece was produced as a two-part series for the 2023 Signal Boost feature series. Produced by Kelly Bartholomeusz. Mentoring support provided by Karishma Luthria. The Signal Boost Podcast is presented by the Wheeler Centre and made possible by the generous support of the Ian Potter Foundation.  You can find out more at www.wheelercentre.com/signal-boost. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing the second part of Strong Stories of the Weak. A live storytelling event we put on with Word Travels for their 2023 Story Week, featuring live music from local composer Elizabeth Jigalin. In a Heartbeat Have you ever messed up so badly you just wanted to sink into the floor and disappear? Our first storyteller has…. Ruth’s a professional writer, oral historian and a nurse. Tonight her story takes us into the life-and-death arena of the operating theatre! Written and performed by Ruth Melville. Pressure Writer, performer and artist of Indigenous Papua New Guinean heritage Lungol Wekina reflects on the strength we can find in the face of adversity and the way this intersects with Indigenous identities. Written and performed by Lungol Wekina. Beyond Goodbyes Storyteller of Darug and Quechua heritage Lucy Norton reflects on grief and loss.  Written and performed by Lucy Norton.   All The Best Credits Composer and Musician: Elizabeth Jigalin Recordist: Harvey O'Sullivan Strong Stories of the Weak Creative Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Strong Stories of the Weak Project Manager: Patrick McKenzie Compiled and mixed by Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash Photo Credit: DefinitelyDefne Photography. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing the stories recorded at Strong Stories of the Weak. A live storytelling event put on with the help of Word Travels for their 2023 Story Week. Six people with powerful stories let us into their foibles, moments of vulnerability and minor catastrophes, with stunning scoring by local composer and artist Elizabith Jigalin. We’re bringing you three tales this week, and you’ll be able to catch the rest next week in part two. Cry Baby President First up, All the Best host Madhuraa kicked off the night with a personal narrative of self-discovery. Written & performed by Madhuraa Prakash. Cover Story Jared weaves a fictional tale about the glare of fame and the toils of being the least popular member of a boy band. Written & performed by Jared Richards. Antarctica  Dylin Hardcastle opens up and shares a true story of the journey that led them to Antarctica.  Written & performed by Dylin Hardcastle. All The Best Credits Composer and Musician: Elizabeth Jigalin Recordist: Harvey O'Sullivan Strong Stories of the Weak Creative Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Strong Stories of the Weak Project Manager: Patrick McKenzie Compiled and mixed by Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re re-sharing this episode from our archives for two reasons. Firstly, because it’s Halloween season. Secondly, because the horrors depicted, especially that of Islamophobia and racism, are sadly extremely relevant today.  The stories come from a variety show called 'Horror of the Everyday' by producers from Refugee Art Project and New Moon artist collective. These stories were made with support from inner west council and co-produced by Mike Williams. A content warning for this episode, the stories will contain discussions of racism, Islamophobia and sexual harassment. Street Harassment  Eleni discusses street harassment in Cyprus with Eleni and her friend Fatima.  Produced by Eleni Christou from New Moon Artist Collective. Everyday Racism Zeinab ponders the impacts of racism on a question as old as Shakespeare - what’s in a name?  Produced by Zeinab Mir from the Refugee Art Project.   Hazeen An interview with members of Hazeen, an anti racist Muslim death metal band. Produced by Safdar Ahmed from the Refugee Art Project.   A message from All the Best <3 Are you a fan of All The Best and want to support our work sharing unheard stories from around the country? Head to your podcast app and hit subscribe or give us a rating or review. Not only does it help others discover All the Best, but it also gives us a chance to hear from you! All The Best Credits Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say home is where the heart is...but is it ever that simple? This week we follow a couple's dramatic attempts to get a foot on the property ladder, then a heartfelt reflection on saying goodbye to a family home.   On The Ladder Our first story explores young people navigating the housing market. Written and edited by Lucy Bailey. Supervising Producer Evanna Ho. Voice acting by Nicole Alcantara, George McMillian, Echo Lyu and Lucy Bailey.   Our House Breathing In our next story, when selling their house of almost 30 years, Tiarne’s family reflect on their memories of the place they called home, and face the uncertainty of their futures.  Produced by Tiarne Cook. Supervising Producer Eugenia Zoubtchenko.   All The Best Credits Compiled and mixed by Phoebe Adler-Ryan. Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're bringing you stories from stellar wordsmiths at the Sydney Final of the Australian Poetry Slam Competition 2023 - hosted by Word Travels. Through months of heats – Mt Druitt to Double Bay, Northern Beaches to Newtown – these lyricists gathered at Customs House to compete for the crown of Sydney Slam Champion. We’ve selected some of the highlight performances from the evening for your enjoyment. You'll hear performances by Andrew Cox, Maddy Godfrey, Lily, JMO and E3. And music by John Maddox. Content warning: The stories include references to struggling with mental health, self harm and suicidal ideation.    Credits Produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan. Compiled and mixed by Darcy Allen. The recordist was Stewart Geddes. A special thanks to the Word Travels team for making this episode possible. You can find out more about Story Week and the Australian Poetry Slam Championship at: www.wordtravels.info  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode is all about animals. First up, the heroic efforts of the Community Cat Carers and their work on the streets of Sydney turning the lives of cats and kittens around. Next, Elina explores the complex and intricate matriarchy of bees.   Content Warning: This story contains some talk of harm to animals. Producer: Ryan Pemberton Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Music: Original Score by Ryan Pemberton Additional Music Sourced from Blue Dot Sessions.   YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY CAT CAREERS, DONATE AND SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AT COMMUNITYCATCARERS.RAISELY.COM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you another yarn from Bla Mela Stori, a program by Katherine Regional Arts.    Robin Rogers Robin Rogers describes the huge cultural shifts he has witnessed in his lifetime. Produced by Ernest Junior Daniels. Bla Mela Stori aim to empower young Indigenous people from remote areas to produce audio stories meaningful to them.  It was made as part of the Bla Mela Stori project, a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territories. Stories in this program were produced with the support of the Australian Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund (RISE).   All The Best credits: Compile and mixed by Sebastien Fijac Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories about people’s connection to their homeland. Chasing an 8pm Bedtime by Rosealee Pearson In our first story, Rosealee shares her exciting life as a dancer touring internationally and the events that lead to her return home. A warning that this story contains some swears and references to struggling with mental health. Story by Rosealee Pearson Bosnia and the Blue Light Disco by Lari Gadza Lari talks about growing up in Darwin and travelling the world, somehow always skirting the one place that had broken her father's heart. This story contains brief references to sex and teenage pregnancy. Story by Lari Gadza These stories were originally performed at SPUN, a live storytelling night held in Darwin. To hear more pieces from SPUN head to spunstories.net   Hometowns across the globe // Hometowns across Australia We head into the All the Best archives to hear sounds and stories from various contributors and their hometowns.  Sound recording for these pieces were by Ange Glindemann, Lee Yee, Selena Shannon, Zacha Rosen, Bec Fary and Allison Chan.  ALL THE BEST LIVE: STRONG STORIES OF THE WEAK - OCT 3RD FBi Radio’s All The Best teams up with Word Travels to present a night of vulnerable storytelling in front of a live audience with Strong Stories of the Weak, part of Story Week 2023 – Be Heard. Be Seen. Featuring performances by Dylin Hardcastle, Madhuraa Prakash, Jared Richards, Ruth Melville and more, with live music from Elizabeth Jigalin. Happening on October 3 at East Sydney Community Centre in Darlinghurst. Tickets available from Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/strong-stories-of-the-weak-story-week-2023 Use the discount code SWCOMMUNITY for an All The Best discount. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a dark matter, to you? Darkness is so dependent on the individuals perception. This week, we are once again bringing you stories inspired by ‘dark matter’ from the Masters of Journalism students at the University of Melbourne.  A warning that one of our tales contains themes of child abuse and slavery. Story One - Anaesthetics Anaesthetics was first used in the 1840s and has become a super common medical procedure. But it’s hasn’t always been widely understood. But as scientists and researchers uncover the deep mysteries of what happens to our brain under anaesthetic, turns out there’s may dark side to the practice that’s effecting elderly people.  Professor Bruno (he/him)  is a research fellow at the University of Queensland who completed his PhD in evolutionary and population biology.  Produced by Valentina Boulter Story Two - Child Marriage Our next story shares the lives of two women from China who were forced into child marriage and have courageously chosen to speak about their experiences. A warning that this story contains themes of child abuse and slavery. Produced by Yan Li Story Three - Melbourne's Past Next up, a deep dive into an aspect of Melbourne history that isn’t regularly spoken about and a reflection about its relevance in the world today. Produced by Timothy Evetts Story Four - Biphobia  This next story shares the origins and impacts of biphobia in both Australian and Chinese cultural contexts. Produced by Nuoxin Li Story Five - Astrology For our last story we’re sharing a look into the pre-colonial roots of astrology and its importance in certain South Asian cultures. Produced by Filament Ho All The Best credits: Compiled & Mixed by: Sebastian Fijac Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash Supervising production for all of today’s stories were by Sami Shah, Daniel Semo and Mell Chun.   Join the Team! All The Best is hiring! Check out the role descriptions & how to apply at https://allthebestradio.com/join-the-team/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we hear from two incredible entertainers about the extraordinary women they have known.   A Tale of Two Women - told by Eddie Ayres In our first story, Eddie Ayres (also known as Ed Le Brocq) looks to the past to share stories of bravery from queer women in the 1960s. Eddie is a musician and writer known for presenting a popular radio program on ABC Classic FM. If this story has brought up anything for you, help is available. Call lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for 24 hour support   To My Mother - told by Fahad Ali Then, Fahad remembers what it took for his mother to finally meet one of his boyfriends. Fahad Ali is a molecular biologist, science educator, and writer. He is a member of the Palestinian diaspora, a co-founder of the Queer Solidarity Film Festival and the Muslims for Marriage Equality campaign group, and a community advocate and organiser. He performed this piece at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta then again at the Sydney Opera House for All About Women. Today's stories come from the Queerstories podcast, the recorded version of the live LGBTQIA+ storytelling night. To hear more or learn about the upcoming Queerstories book, head to www.queerstories.com   UPCOMING QUEERSTORIES EVENT Oct 5 2023 The next Queerstories event is October 5 at The Grand Electric featuring Narelda Jacobs, Anna Piper Scott, Kirly Saunders, and more to be announced. Keep an eye out for details at maevemarsden.com   JOIN THE ALL THE BEST TEAM! Recruiting Supervising Producers 📣 All The Best is recruiting new Supervising Producers! This is a part-paid, part-volunteer mentorship role with heaps of flexibility.If you, or someone you know, is passionate about mentoring and shaping new opportunities for the Australian audiomaker community, send a CV to Mell at em@allthebestradio.com.Details are at: https://allthebestradio.com/join-the-team/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you stories from students at the Western Sydney University. The students have been studying the fundamentals of podcasting, giving them the expertise needed to produce their own podcast feature. Each story involves a unique topic and perspective but are all linked by an exploration about the way we as people relate to each other and the world around us...   The cost of the cost-of-living First, we face up to a discussion about how the cost of living crisis in Australia is impacting young people both at the moment and in the future. Produced by Riley Birt.   One of da boiiz Have you ever tried to fit-in so badly that you've made some questionable choices? Up next we hear the unexpected sacrifices Nico made as a young queer trying to  fit in with his heterosexual classmates.  Produced by Nico Bruni.   The Heart and Soul Podcast In our final story, Chris interviews friends and reflects on his life as part of a quest to find spiritual solitude. Produced by Chris Mallas.   These stories are student works, made for the subject Pitch: Podcasting Essentials at Western Sydney University facilitated by Dr Roger Dawkins, with special thanks to Tegan Nicholls for being the tutor in 2023. Find out more by searching for “2047 Pitch: Podcasting Essentials” at the Western Sydney Uni website.    All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash   Unheard Story Pitches Interested in making a story with All The Best? We've extended the deadline for "Unheard story" pitches until September 11th. Apply here: https://forms.gle/4ShMB5SAsPTJJpTS8See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's stories about birds and beetles will bring you up close and personal with some critters and creatures. The Retirement You probably think you’re too good for beetles. Algernon has lived underground for so long that his body is completely numb. The only part of his body that can sense is the inside of his mouth, through which he experiences all things. His world is texture, flavour, heat, vibration. In confidence, he tells us about his life.  Written and produced by Zoe Le Marinel Sound design by Lana Lusina. Discover more of her work here lanalusina.carrd.co Voice acting by Peter Lloyd Supervising Producer by Phoebe Adler-Ryan A warning for misophonia as there are sounds like lip smacking in this story, a bit of disturbing imagery and a lot of detailed insect talk. This is an immersive story that comes to life through headphones. So if you have some nearby, we recommend that you plug them in when having a listen. The Nightingale Man When Selena moved from sunny Sydney to the dark depths of Swedish winter, she sometimes asked herself why she decided to migrate, even for only 6 months, to a place where the night never really transitions into day. But her experience and her perspective changed when she followed The Nightingale Man to Berlin... Produced by Selena Shannon Thanks to Zacha Rosen and Bec Fary for their feedback. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash Unheard Story Pitches Interested in making a story with All The Best? We've extended the deadline for "Unheard story" pitches until September 11th. Apply here: https://forms.gle/4ShMB5SAsPTJJpTS8See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're bringing you stories that consist of a leap of faith.  Pulpit to Plinth: There's power in blood In our first story Matthew recounts his journey from a youth of worshiping a terrifying and charismatic God to an adulthood worshiping glitter and revelry. This story was told by Matthew van Roden. That story was told by Matthew van Rodden as part of SPUN, a live storytelling night based in Darwin. To hear more head to www.spunstories.net 'Does my bum look big in this?' If you needed to strip in front of your mates, could you do it? Casual nudity in female-identifying friendships is taboo and rooted in imposed societal expectations. This story is about the awkwardness and empowerment of learning to be vulnerable in front of your galpals – all while stark naked. Produced by Millie Roberts. The Supervising producer was Sara Mashman. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're sharing another yarn from Bla Mela Stori from Grant Thompson. Grant works at the Ngukurr Language Centre to save his endangered Indigenous language - Ngandi. Language Man In this story Grant explains why it's so important to keep language strong and how he went about revitalising Ngandi. This story was produced by Angelina Joshua. It was made as part of the Bla Mela Stori project, a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territories. Stories in this program were produced with the support of the Australian Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund (RISE). Image from the Ngukurr Language Centre. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on All The Best, stories about family - the messy, complicated and gorgeous humans who make us who we are. Where We Are by Michael Everitt Our first story is an exploration of the sounds that a new parent encounters in everyday life. The story’s producer, Michael, calls it a love letter to mark the arrival of his daughter.  This story was produced by Michael Everitt. Daniel Semo was the supervising producer.  No such thing as normal by John Price Our next story takes another look at family and parenthood, illustrating how community care can stand in for family structure.  John grew up in Geelong as the middle child in a family of seven. His home was always full of people coming and going. One evening, at a party in Katherine, a dark-haired woman caught his eye and almost two decades on, John has his own story about big family... This story was told by John Price in August 2017 at SPUN’s Darwin Festival themed 'Home'. SPUN is a live storytelling event showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory. You can listen to more at www.spunstories.net  ‘Migrant Mums: Far From Ordinary’ by Heidi Tai Growing up, Heidi always thought that her mum was ordinary. She never finished high school, never went to university, and held the same job in the same industry for over 30 years.  Heidi shares the challenges of migration and how, through all the struggles, she was able to learn that her mum was far from ordinary. That story was produced by Heidi Tai. Allison Chan was the supervising producer. Sound design was by Gregory Thorsby.   Become an All The Best Storymaker! FBi Radio's premier storytelling programme All The Best is looking for its next round of UNHEARD stories and everyone is welcome! Selected story-makers will receive $200, the support of an All The Best Supervising Producer Mentor, access to resources to make an audio story and the opportunity to have your finished work nationally broadcast. All levels of experience and story-genres are welcome. Applications close on Monday August 28th - apply here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing the story of Jenny Williams from Slovakia. Jenny is an author who has written multiple books of her experiences growing up in and later fleeing from what was then known as Czechoslovakia.  This story was originally from 177 Nations of Tasmania, a podcast by Mark Thomson. To hear the full episode head to www.markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 Nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash   All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here. Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing a couple of pieces from iconic LGBTQI+ Storytelling night ‘Queerstories’. Hosted and curated by Maeve Marsden, Queerstories is a place where you’ll find true stories told by queer and trans people from all over the country all about their lives, loves and losses.  Cry-baby President First, you’re going to hear All The Best host Mads! This is the story of the trials she went through as president..….of a University United Nations Society.  Story read by Madhuraa Prakash The Pipe Masters Then, Bobuq shares their experiences of an eat-pray-love-style trip to Hawaii, that leads some unexpected lessons about humans and queerness. Story read by Bobuq Sayed   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash   Upcoming Queerstories Event! The next Queerstories live show is going to be at The Grand Electric in Redfern on the 3rd of August. Go get your tickets on the moshtix website, just search ‘queerstories’. To learn more about Queerstories or listen to the podcast you can head to queerstories.com.au   All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here. Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Dark matter’ is a component of the universe that scientists say encompasses 80% of its makeup. It doesn’t emit light and is therefore invisible and it cannot be detected by electromagnetic or other means. Scientists say dark matter exists, not because they’ve encountered it but because it doesn’t make sense for the rest of the universe to exist without it.  The students of the Master of Journalism at the University of Melbourne were tasked with creating an audio story using the term ‘dark matter’ as inspiration. As part of All the Best’s annual collaboration with these students we have chosen some of our favorites to share with you. 1 - Psilocybin Amelia investigates Australia’s journey into legalising psychedelic assisted therapies, where MDMA and magic mushrooms could be used to treat severe PTSD and depression.  Produced by Amelia Costigan 2 - Taboo Our next story focuses on the idea of ‘taboo’, a term that has a long history from ancient religious societies. But despite this history are taboos still relevant in contemporary society? Or they just a way for families to maintain control? Produced by Li Guangao 3 - New Parents Post-natal depression and anxiety is a common issue suffered by new parents, but is rarely talked about in the mainstream. Our next story explores the toll this isolating feeling can take on the people bringing new life into the world.  Produced by Angelina Maroulis 4 - A Light in Dark Times Our final piece is the story of Sarah Chien. Sarah is an international student from Taiwan who used her creativity and connection to culture to create a light for herself in the darkest of times.  Produced by Chung-Yun Hsu   Supervising production for these stories were by Sami Shah, Daniel Semo and Mell Chun. Music: Dark Matters by Leftfield   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa Prakash   All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here. Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, our final instalment from our partnership with Debris Magazine. We began our relationship with Debris last year after featuring some of the recorded pieces from Issue #2.  This year our relationship has expanded with All the Best pairing our volunteer sound designers with writers from the magazine. We love the result of this partnership and we hope it continues into the future.  Julia Flaster Interview with host Madhuraa Prakash  First, host Mads speaks to Debris co-founder and creative director Julia Flaster about the effects of bringing written pieces to the audio realm. 'Dad Odyssey' by Scott Limbrick Then, our final debris submission from issue #3. In this piece, a young man protagonist embark on a quest to rescue his father from a spiral of military history fanaticism.  Editing and sound design were by Reuben Ryan. You can check out more of Scott’s writing at scottlimbrick.com Content Warning: This story contains some swears.  All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Audio is a great medium to use for fictional storytelling. It can be used to heighten feelings of escapism or to tell a story in ways that cannot be done through video or the written word.  It’s always a joy to share the creative contributions of our audio fiction producers, and these ones embody the oddly familiar... And if you’re interested in producing experimental audio, keep an ear out as we may have a workshop coming up that would be perfect for you!   ‘Fish’ by Cristina Marras Sometimes an image in a dream feels important. You wake up feeling compelled to write it down before it slips away amidst your morning thoughts. Cristina recalls a menacing fish, nightmares from when she was a child and fragments of cartoons that mix up with images of friends, lost or out of reach. She, like everybody else, tries to come to terms with a new reality that makes it impossible to move freely. Producer: Cristina Marras Music: ‘Last energy for the day’ by Loyalty Freak Music, ‘Creepy bell music #1’ by Magmi.Soundtra, ‘Lonely v26bb-3’ by Setuniman, ‘Haunting 2’ by joaonts.   ‘Employee Concerns Hotline’ by Rowen Midello and Ollie Krusec Strange things happen on night shifts. In this story inspired by The Uncanny and late capitalism, a supermarket employee calls up the internal complaint hotline and is met with a cheerful automated message. But the events of the night shift are far from cheerful. Writer: Rowen Midello Sound designer: Ollie Krusec Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton Performed by Rowen Midello, Ollie Krusec, Meg Kelly and Paul Waxman Music: ‘Hold Music’ by Steven Combs   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash   FBi Volunteer Story Call Out Met the love of your life through a mutual love of FBi? Been listening to the station all day, every day, since 2003?  This year for FBi’s 20th birthday, All the Best wants stories about how FBi Radio has impacted YOU. We’re looking for any kind of novel, weird or exciting experience that involves FBi. Reach out by emailing production manager Phoebe at pm@allthebestradio.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An emulsion is a mixture of two liquids that are usually immiscible, that is, unable to be mixed - like oil and vinegar. An emulsion can be beautiful or functional, but at the same time slightly wrong and in some cases, like when milk is split, off putting. This week’s stories bring you this contradiction.   Dissolution Our first story is from Jumaana Abdu, 2023 Dal Stivens Award winner and runner-up for the Peter Carey Short Story Award. In it, she presents a dark satire of love, an emulsion of aspiration and envy. Written by Jumaana Abdu Read by Amalia Fernandez Sound Design by Chiara Minotto   Tahini Lentil Stew Our second story is the sharing of a recipe. Enjoy the unexpected moments that lie in the warm embrace of a Lentil Tahini Stew.  Produced by Snack Syndicate. A creative duo comprised of Andrew Brooks and Astrid Lorange. Find more of their work on their website snacksyndicate.net   We’re bringing you more stories from our series of audio features from Debris Magazine Issue Three, The Urge To Know. You can read these pieces and others by buying a copy at debrismag.com   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories of justice and power from regional Australia. The case that transformed me In our first story, personal injury lawyer Sally Gearin speaks about seeking justice for a client whose courage to overcome her tragedy inspires Sally to this day. Sally originally shared this tale at SPUN, a live storytelling event from the Northern Territory. SPUN is now held at Browns Mart on Larrakia land. Since 1972, Browns mart has been championing new work and new voices through residencies, creative developments and presentations.  You can find more SPUN stories here. Hum - Bread, leggings, helicopters Then we hear from Gomeroi poet, writer and law academic Alison Whittaker.  This poem was written and read by Alison Whittaker and originally performed for ‘When Breath Meets Air,’ an event curated by Tina Huang for the Boundless Festival. You can find Alison on Twitter @AJ_Whittaker. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Upcoming free audio events! Do you want to meet and get to know fellow emerging audio makers? Join the All The Best team at The Eveleigh Hotel from 6pm on Monday June 26 to network, share ideas and — most importantly — have some fun! If you aren’t based in Sydney, you can join us online the following night - Tuesday June 27th, for our winter pitch workshop and seminar on adapting written work to audio.  You’ll be hearing from All the Best Editorial Manager, journalist and radio educator Mell Chun as well as award winning poet Tim Loveday. Everyone is welcome! Go to www.allthebestradio.com to find the event details.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you stories from The Wheeler Centre's Signal Boost programme, supported by the Ian Potter Foundation. Find out more at www.wheelercentre.com/signalboost. Daltabyo (Nostalgia) Told from the view of five Somalis now in Australia, our first story illustrates the diversity in Somali diaspora. By sharing unique migration journeys and relationships to heritage, it’s a reminder that people from the same cultural background are not a homogeneous entity.    Sound effects from Free Sound Dot Org and Music from Free Music Archive Produced by Najma Sambul. Supervising producer Karishma Luthria. I’ll Dink You Home Then, Miks speaks with his late father Ken who was diagnosed with dementia. Together they explore the lasting impacts of memories from childhood and how sometimes the smallest stories have the most impact, as they shape and live on through family. Produced by Michael Everitt.  All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Upcoming free audio events! Do you want to meet and get to know fellow emerging audio makers? Join the All The Best team at The Eveleigh Hotel from 6pm on Monday June 26 to network, share ideas and — most importantly — have some fun! If you aren’t based in Sydney, you can join us online the following night - Tuesday June 27th, for our winter pitch workshop and seminar on adapting written work to audio.  You’ll be hearing from All the Best Editorial Manager, journalist and radio educator Mell Chun as well as award winning poet Tim Loveday. Everyone is welcome! Go to www.allthebestradio.com to find the event details.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bla Mela stori is a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territory. It’s focus is enabling young Indigenous people in remote communities to produce and share audio stories with their community.  All The Best is partnering with Bla Mela Stori and will be playing some of the stories from the project over the next few months. In this episode, host Mads speaks to Tom Danks from Katherine Regional Arts to learn more about the program and its impacts. Then you'll hear one of the stories that was produced as part of the program. In this story, Tammy and Augie share the ins and outs of the card games culture in the Ngukurr Community. Produced by Tammy Daniels and Olga Daniels. Stories in this program were produced with the support of the Australian Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund (RISE). Content Warning  A heads up for this story, there are mentions of gambling and tobacco smoking.  All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Upcoming free audio events! Do you want to meet and get to know fellow emerging audio makers? Join the All The Best team at The Eveleigh Hotel from 6pm on Monday June 26 to network, share ideas and — most importantly — have some fun! If you aren’t based in Sydney, you can join us online the following night - Tuesday June 27th, for our winter pitch workshop and seminar on adapting written work to audio.  You’ll be hearing from All the Best Editorial Manager, journalist and radio educator Mell Chun as well as award winning poet Tim Loveday. Everyone is welcome! Go to www.allthebestradio.com to find the event details.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last couple of years Melbourne has been experiencing a spike of heroin-related fatal overdoses. Consequently, the Victorian Government has been looking to put another safe injecting room in Melbourne CBD, with most recent talks suggesting Flinders Street Station could be the location.  Melbourne’s first injecting room in Richmond has helped save 63 people in the last 4 years. However, despite this evidence of effectiveness, there has been significant community backlash to the idea of a safe injecting room in the heart of the city.  That’s why this week, we wanted to share a story from the All The Best Archives. Originally airing in 2019, this story explores the community impact of the Richmond injecting room. That story was originally made for CBAA’s 2018 National Features and Documentary Series was produced by Aoife Cook. Georgia Moodie was the supervising producer.  Content Warning A warning that this episode contains conversations about drug use, overdose  and addiction.    All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's story, Darcy Hytt crafts an ode to Indigeneity, the memory of their grandmother and the knowledge held in one’s body as they attempt to untether knowledge from knowing.   All the Best are collaborating with the Editors and Writers of Debris to turn their written work into audio storytelling. Debris is a story-driven literary magazine spanning Naarm to Paris where the contributors live, work, and write.   We’re featuring pieces from issue three of the mag, which includes nonfiction, fiction, poetry, reviews and even recipes. You can read and purchase the magazine on their website debrismag.com    This piece was written and read my Darcy Hytt and recorded by Halfpenny Music Production. Content Warning A heads up that this week’s episode involves mention of colonial violence and generational trauma as well as mention of family members who have passed away. There are also some swears in this story.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Music: "Memory I" by Sophie HutchingsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you a story from the sex workers behind the Decrim Queensland Movement.  Just a heads up, this story contains a derogatory term for sex workers and discussions of non-consent, as well as police violence. This story was produced by Queenie (they/them) for Decrim Qld. You can find more of their work on the Intro Room, an online sex worker storytelling night. And you can follow Decrim Qld on @Decrim QLD on twitter and instagram. Find out more: https://respectqld.org.au/decriminalise-sex-work/ All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past seven years, All the Best has collaborated with the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism and the Science Gallery to mentor students in my Audio Journalism class and to provide audio editorial training. These produced narrative podcasts that have been used in the Science Gallery’s shows and broadcast on All the Best. This collaboration has allowed students to produce work for broadcast for a public audience for the first time. This year's theme is 'Dark Matter' and All The Best mentors are currently working with students on a brand new batch of stories to fit this theme. You can keep an eye out for those in June, but in the meantime here are some of our favourites from previous years. You’ll hear the stories as they were first aired, so get keen to hear voices from hosts of All the Bests' past! Grandpa Delivers The Eulogy At His Funeral by Julia Bergin 2017 Three years prior to his death, Grandpa and father began formal discussions for his funeral. Whilst they disagreed over size and music, there was consensus that Grandpa should speak on the day of his departure. In March this year, the funeral planning committee’s recommendations took effect; Grandpa addressed the congregation from his casket, delivering the eulogy at his own funeral. Supervising producer: Jordan Fennell. More Than a Pad by Wing Kuang, Chang He and Inderpreet Kaur 2019 Australians are pretty used to disposable menstrual products. But for Indepreet, growing up in India, cloth pads have always been the norm. Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko. Brown and Happy by Dilpreet Kaur  2018 “You have dark skin and a fat nose,” said the 60-year-old neighbour to a 12 year-old girl. A whole decade later, this girl is still fighting the stereotype of being a woman of color and the lack of privilege of not being white. Does she give in? Supervising Producer: Jordan Fennell. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on All the best, tales about food-related fumbles. They were originally told at SPUN Stories, a live story-telling night held in Darwin on the land of the Larrakia people. A Full Belly or Smelly Pits? First up this week, Clare shares a story about Christmas leftovers filled with excitement, adventure, and some potent olfactory descriptions. Story by Clare Callaghan. Rebel without a Wok In our second story, Ange shares her experience with the challenges and wonders involved when cooking food in a Chinese immigrant household. Story by Ange Wu. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Music: Polite Rebellion by SalarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you stories from our archives about making the best of difficult situations.  Bike Noir by Cherese Sonkkila  Cherese Sonkkila was just an ordinary person until the day her bike got stolen. That’s when Chelsea Stone showed up; a hardboiled alter-ego who would stop at nothing until she solved the case. This is a true story infused with film noir fantasy. Featuring: David Maney, Rosanna Dunlop, Oliver Coleman and Aaron Lam. Producer: Cherese Sonkkila Supervising Producers: Max Rowley and Mell Chun  Milk Bar Dates by Ruth Melville  Ruth takes us into the confessions booth at a catholic girls school in the 70s. Ruth’s fiction and non-fiction writing has been published in Island, Tirra Lirra, Meanjin, the Big Issue and The Australian. This story is from a previous All The Best Live!, a live storytelling event we put on with help from the City Of Sydney. The theme for the night was Secrets and Confessions. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wetland Warrior This week we’re bringing you the story of how Carole went from Social Worker to ‘Wetland Warrior’. Carole was one of 300 people arrested during the campaign against the Roe 8 extension of Roe Highway in Western Australia. A campaign that was successful in stopping the planned destruction of wetlands in the area.  Produced by Nicky Page, featuring poetry by Nandi Chinna. It was originally aired as part of the show ‘packed lunch’ on Radio Adelaide. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If laughter is the best medicine, do we all have access to the same medicine cabinet? Yes, this is a terrible joke. Thankfully, this episode features professionals who genuinely make people laugh. Hear Me Laugh by Lauren Klein When Lauren Klein started doing stand up comedy, she couldn’t help but notice the lack of gender parity in comedy rooms. Lauren goes behind the comedy curtain to find out why there aren’t more women doing stand up comedy. Supervising Producers: Beth Gibson, Selena Shannon and Bec Fary Music: ‘My Shining Hour’ by John Coltrane, ‘Curiosity’ by Lee Rosevere, ‘All The Colours in the World’ by Podington Bear, ‘Good Times’ by Podington Bear. This story was first played in May 2017. Funny Voices by Sarath Chandra It’s a really interesting time in Australian comedy. Sarath Chandra speaks with two comedians, Lizzy Hoo and Suren Jayemanne, about being the minority and making the majority laugh. Supervising Producers: Allison Chan and Olivia Rosenman Many thanks to Neilesh Verma Music: “Free lunch” – Isaiah Rashad, “Easily” – Bruno Major, “Long as I Live” – Tony Braxton, “ Whistlin” – Mocky, “4 Moms” – A Tribe Called Quest, “Angles” – Mick Jenkins This story was first played in June 2018. — All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Allison Chan Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell Host: Maddy Macquine Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie SYN Community Coordinator: Erin Dick Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay Image: Unsplash CC: Oscar KeysSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ARTEXPRESS Recently, All the Best Production Manager Phoebe headed to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to interview some of the participants of ARTEXPRESS- the gallery’s exhibition of outstanding artworks from the HSC. It’s rare that old cultural institutions platform young, diverse and radical voices and that’s why ARTEXPRESS is such a great initiative. Meet the artists and hear first hand the stories and issues behind their work. Produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan Contributors Louise Halpin, Education program producer and ARTEXPRESS curator Sabry Beshir Mohamed - Artist (Art Express 2023) Mayra Kelly  - Artist (Art Express 2023) Elli Cox  - Artist (Art Express 2023) Freda Chiu  - Artist (Art Express 2007)   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: Freda ChiuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you stories about the transformative power of something many of us take for granted: the clothes we wear.  Fashion In our first story, Tiarne goes behind the scenes at the ABC and explores the amazing wardrobe of fashion designer Oriana Merullo. This is an edited version of a story that was originally broadcast on Radio Adelaide's 'Background Sound'. Listen to more episodes on Apple Podcasts. Produced by Tiarne Cook Suits of My Life Then, in an intimate reflection, Teddy Dunn recalls the suits of his life. Teddy first told this story for Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ storytelling project, curated by Maeve Marsden. To hear more you can search for Queerstories wherever you get your podcasts.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: Tiarne CookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goodbye </3 Danni first came to All The Best many years ago, working on the show as a baby contributing producer. She then took on the role of Community Coordinator, then Production Manager and finally Host.  The show has been a huge part of Danni's life, and Danni a huge part of the show for a long time. But all good things must come to an end and it’s time for me to wrap up and make way for the next generation of audio storytellers to come through.  But before Danni says goodbye, for her final episode as host, this week, she's sharing some of her favourite stories with you.    Kinder Surprise This story is about Hooman and his quest to be recognised by Guinness World Records.  Produced by: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard Supervising producer: Danni Stewart   Peter and Sonny There’s been a lot of love stories featured on the show over the years. But this next one stands out for how extraordinary it is. Like any good love story it features an epic twist of fate.  Produced by: Conor Sweetman Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo   From Home to Heal A poem by Lungol Wekina. In this poem he tells the story of his people, reflecting on times of peace, colonial violence and looking forward to a revolutionary future.  Lungol is an Indigenous Papua New Guinean writer and organiser. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Trainee: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the importance of creating accessible spaces for children’s stories. Picture Book Politics “Children’s books are permission slips for children to be and imagine themselves and each other and think radically.” - Tess Up first, All The Best Editorial Manager Mell chats to Tess about her new children's publishing company Slingshot. Produced by Mell Chun Interviewee, Tess, Founder of Slingshot Books  You can follow slingshot on Instagram @slingshotbooks and keep an eye out for their upcoming publications. All the Libraries in my Life In our second story, Cristina shares her ode to libraries and reflects on the colorful and constant presence books have had in her life. Produced by Cristina Marras You can find more of her work at cristinamarras.com All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: SlingshotSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of this country's best qualities is its diverse and beautiful fauna. This week, we meet unknown creatures and learn unknown facts about familiar ones. Giant Cuttlefish Fans of the cephalopod, Dan and Indigo, venture to Whyalla to see a Giant Cuttlefish in the flesh. Producer: Mel Bakewell This story was originally broadcast on Radio Adelaide's 'Background Sound'. Rainbow Lorikeets Rainbow Lorikeets are in distress but the cause of this is a mystery to many. Cody investigates the problem facing these beautiful native birds. Producer: Cody Giunta Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome Project Mental health resources to assist frontline animal carers. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: MinalizaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every LGBTQIA+ individual knows the profound value of finding and spending time with the people that make us feel safe and seen.  This week special host and All the Best Trainee Madhuraa Prakash takes us into the realm of World Pride 2023, sharing stories about the value of community.  Drag Kings First up, Madhuraa takes us to Mardi Gras Fair Day to showcase the Drag King community and challenge some assumptions along the way. To find out more about the Drag Kings featured in this story, check out their instagrams - and support your local Kings! @k.ngwoody @lawofaus @freddie_merkin This story was produced by Madhuraa Prakash. Danny's Story Later in the show, we revist Danny's Story. A tale from the archives about finding your people and why it’s so important for those of marginalised gender identities.  Produced by Duncan Stephen with sound design by Persephone Waxman. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Madhuraa Prakash Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Music: Set Mo - I Belong Here feat. Woodes Image: Freddie MerkinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, FBi Presenter Deb is bringing us to one of their poetry nights. She’s recently started a poetry collective that meets once a fortnight. It’s a small and intimate space and in this episode Deb and her friends have brought their poetry into the studio to share with us. You’ll hear from Tyler, Max, Deb and Ana as they share their poems, a bit about each their very different connection to the medium - and the group creating a poem together live! This story was produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan with sound design by Mell Chun. Music: Ok Morning by Surdsie: https://soundcloud.com/surdsie/ok-morning  My Head Is Full Of Sadness by Latex Pets: https://latexpets.bandcamp.com/track/my-head-is-full-of-sadness   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: Nicolas MessifetSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Pride celebrations are going to be happening all around Sydney from 18th February to 5th March. In honour of this, All The Best is going to be sharing a couple of episodes that are focused on themes that are of significance to the LGBTQIA+ community. This week, since it's also Valentine's Day, we're sharing stories of queer love. A love that often looks different to the cis-heteronormative version that we see reflected in mainstream media. Lil + Lore In our first story, we hear a real life love story that sounds as if it came out of a queer romance novel. Produced by: Mell Chun To Build A Home In this story, Nevo shares a love story which reflects a queer experience that is common, but not often spoken about. Narrated by: Nevo Zisin This story was originally shared as part of Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ storytelling project curated by Maeve Marsden.  All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: 24 Carrot ProductionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adel : Born in Baghdad, spirit in Palestine, living in Tasmania This week we’re bringing you another story from the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. 177 Nations is the creation of Mark Thomson, who started the project during Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 after reading the Australian Census and discovering that there are 177 different nationalities represented in Tasmania. This story features Adel, son of an Iraqi mother and a Palestinian father. Hear Adel speak of the lasting legacy of colonisation on Palestinian land and his journey first from Iraq to Tasmania and then to visit his father's village in Palestine. Produced by Mark Thomson . Listen to more of 177 Nations of Tasmania here.  All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Trainee: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, Καλημέρα, Good night, Καληνυχτα Mel and Tiarne - two friends who booked parallel trips to Greece - one month apart. This week we're bringing you the voice notes that Mel and Tiarne sent to each other, documenting their trips to Greece in September and October of 2022. Join us for an intimate portrayal of travelling in this time, to this place. Produced by: Mel Bakewell and Tiarne Cook This story was originally broadcast on Background Sound - an audio storytelling program from Radio Adelaide, 101.5fm. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: Pixabay: fietzfotosSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to 2023! We hope your summer has consisted of moments of joy and rest. This week we're bringing you some stories that were generously shared with us during the summer holidays. We start the episode with All The Best host Danni Stewart taking us to the rainforest. The Konditorei In our first story Phoebe visits her grandmother to learn about the stories and the cakes from her great-grandmother's kitchen. Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Nudist Holiday Park  Next, Mell and her partner spend their summer revealing the true nature of an unconventional holiday spot. Producer: Mell Chun Listener Postcards Finally we close the show with audio postcards from a couple of our listeners. We start with Evrim, taking us to the streets of Turkey. Then, Caroline shares a part of Inn Echo's set at the Woodford Folk Festival. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Host: Danni Stewart Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash Image credit: Ylanite KoppensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re sharing a collection of poetry from Curate, a new spoken word event combining poetry with visual art.  Later in the show we’ll hear some readings, but first All The Best Editorial Manager Mell had a chat with Curate organisers Matcho Cassidy and Tim Loveday about the project.  You will hear readings from Matcho Cassidy, Tim Loveday, Josh Cake, Hasib Hourani, Ren Alessandra and Eloise Grills. You can find out more about Curate Poetry on Facebook and Instagram as well as grab tickets for their upcoming Naarm show on eventbrite. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Saturday marked International Day of People with Disability and in this episode we’re sharing stories that challenge perceptions of what disability looks like. As well as recognising the grinding reality of being disabled in an inaccessible society. A reality that is often not acknowledged and poorly understood.  First up, All The Best production manager Phoebe speaks to her friend Sam Brewer about his experience working as an actor with impaired vision and the complexity of the seen/unseen disability binary. Then, Jess Layven explores what it means to live with chronic pain.  All The Best Credits Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Production Manager, Episode Mix & Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova Trainee: Madhuraa PrakashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you stories of distorted memories, both accidental and intentional.  Phenomenon Amy explores how false memories can occur on a mass scale. Written by: Amy Wright Supervising Producer: Roger Dawkins   Beneath the Mask Ruth investigates a family story, and discovers a reality totally different to what she first thought. Produced by: Ruth Melville Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo   All The Best Credits Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Production Manager, Episode Mix & Compile: Phoebe Adler-Ryan Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova Trainee: Madhuraa Prakash Music: Agatha Chang by Eels  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, the 2022 World Cup has brought attention to the persecution of the LGBTQIA+ community in Qatar.  As players around the world call for the decriminalisation of queer relationships, we’re taking a moment to remember how important it is to be able to love regardless of gender and sex.  We hear the stories of beautiful queer weddings that have taken place since marriage equality was legalised in Australia, five years ago. Our first story is by Salvin Kumar and was originally read this story at Queer Stories. A national LGBTQI+ storytelling project curated by Maeve Marsden.  Queer stories isn’t just an event it’s also a podcast and book. You can find out more at: https://maevemarsden.com/queerstories/  Our second story was produced by Hank Paul and is an excerpt from their new podcast, First Look.  You can listen to the whole series at firstlookpodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Home is more than just the house we live in.  This week on All The Best, what home means for different people.  Up first, Annemarie shares the importance of her grandparent’s house, a hub of family activity and a home for many. In our second story, Sam shares the story of how she avoided making a place her home, until a chance meeting made her rethink everything.  This week’s stories were all originally read at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search SPUN STORIES on your favourite podcast app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bring you ‘Online Identities,’ an episode from 2016. With Elon Musk taking on the mantle of Twitter CEO, there has been a renewal in conversations about the future of social media and the uses of platforms like Twitter. As a result, we wanted to take the time to bring back this exploration of online identity – maybe it’ll remind us all that if Twitter does implode, it won’t be the end of the world. ***************** It’s 2016, so it’s more than likely you have an online identity. In fact, you may struggle to remember a world without the  internet, without a way for your followers to echo your political views, to see what you had for lunch, and to keep up to date on how #blessed you are. But what’s behind the profile pics and status updates? And what can we learn about our real world selves from it? This week we’re dedicating the entire episode to a feature-length documentary, a beautiful and in-depth look at who we become online from Melbourne-based producer Jess Fairfax. Executive Producer: Selena Shannon Vic State Coordinator: Bethany Atkinson-Quinton Presenter: Michael Brydon Image: Flickr creative commons user Jared CherubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you a story from the podcast ‘177 Nations of Tasmania’. 177 Nations is the creation of Mark Thompson, who started the project during Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 after reading the Australian Census and discovering that there are 177 different nationalities represented in Tasmania. We’d like to note that the interview we are featuring was recorded in early 2021. Melika From Iran  Melika shares the story of her and her husband’s decision to emigrate to Australia and the different ways she has fallen in love with Tasmania. In this episode of the podcast Mark hopes to challenge people’s preconceived notions about Iran and its people. Producer: Mark Thomson All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're bringing you stories from Critical Disdain. They're a newsletter that describes themselves as 'A weekly newsletter of new work from nobodies'. Bad Dad Christmas by Caitlin O'Connor In our first story listeners are taken through a guided meditation where they'll experience Christmas from a paternal point of view. Written by: Caitlin O'Connor Read by: Zara Gudnason Make My Day by Isabella Wilcock For our next story, an exploratory piece about the pervasiveness of grief and death within the mundanities of life. Written and read by: Isabella Wilcock The Taste of Lead by Luke Piva Our final story is a piece about the places a man may go when driven past his limits. Writing and music by: Luke Piva Luke Piva Twitter All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week we're bringing back an episode that aired in 2021, 'Age of Activism'. Coal mining is still a much-discussed topic around the country, with flooding and other natural disasters showcasing a need for climate action. In 'Age of Activism' we hear directly from protestors at Adani's Carmichael coal mine, focusing on a pair of unexpected but incredibly staunch activists. ***************** Grandparents Rae and John are fighting for climate action. Since their retirement, they’ve ditched the caravan for the picket line and have participated in more non-violent direct actions than they can count. ‘Age Of Activism’ By Jordyn Beazley  Inspired by the youth climate strike, there is a new growing cohort of people joining the climate fight – our grandparents. Gifted with the golden years of time and wealth for some, many older Australians are using their retirement to become full-time climate activists. But there is much more to these grey nomads turned activists than waving signs at protests. In this story, Jordyn Beazley follows two grandparents on an epic protest mission to barricade one of the most infamous sites in Australia’s climate crisis debate – the Adani Carmichael Coal mine.   Producer: Jordyn Beazley Supervising Producer: Rachel Fountain Additional Supervising Production: Mell Chun Music: Pulsating Brain, Lobo Loco – Sourced from The Free Music Archive.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran Images: Provided by Jordyn BeazleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're sharing stories from a collaboration with The Bold Source, a magazine led, curated and designed by creative young people in the city of Brimbank. My Beautiful Mind by Haylee Bisset In our first story, Haylee reads a powerful poem about her mind and shares the inspiration behind it. Producer: Haylee Bisset Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec Media Representation of Young People by Lani & Shani In this story, Lani and Shani explore the negative ways young people are represented in the media, and what they're doing to change this. Producers: Shani and Lani Nguyen Supervising producer: Mell Chun Lavish by Lauri Pavlovich Lauri reads a poem about the importance of self care, and the radical nature of that act. Written by: Lauri Pavlovich This collaboration was supported by a quick response grant from the City of Melbourne.  Issue Three of the Bold Source is our now. All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week an episode that aired in 2018, ‘Work In Progress’. This week much of the country observed the Labour Day public holiday. Also known as May Day, Labour Day was created to celebrate the achievements of the labour union movement and the evolution of worker's rights. This episode, characterising the worker experience from a couple of viewpoints, felt like a perfect choice. Today workers across the country are still taking important industrial action against things like wages not increasing with inflation and the rising cost of living. Standing in solidarity with the Labour Union movement is still as important as it was when Labour Day was first celebrated. ***************** As we get to work, you’ll hear about our previous work experience and our ability to remain calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment. ‘Dodgy Jobs’ by Angela Moran When Sarah arrived in Melbourne from Belgium on a working holiday visa she was told it would be easy to find a good part time job. Instead she found a thriving environment of underpaying cash-in-hand jobs with little to no security. Lucky she’s got a good sense of humour and was willing to share a few stories from her unsuccessful attempts to earn a decent crust. Supervising Producers: Nina Enever and Bec Fary Music: ‘Mountain’ by Text Me Records/Bobby Renz, ‘Beer Belly Blues’ by John Deley, ‘Jazz Organ Trio Cool Blue’ by Doug Maxwell/Media Right Productions, ‘Travel Light’ by Audionautix . — ‘Brunching Above My Weight’ by Lee Robinson Working in the hospitality industry involves more than just serving smashed avo on toast. Erin McConchie is a writer and comic artist who began drawing her most cringeworthy customer moments. Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman Music: ‘Retro Soul’ by Bensound, ‘Kobo Cafe’ by Uncan, ‘Enigmatic’ by Bensound, ‘Coffee Morning’ by Olga Scotland, ‘Torture’ by VYVCH — All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Allison Chan Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell Host: Samantha Groth Episode Mixer and Compiler: Jess Meier SYN Community Coordinator: Victor Mims Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie Social Media Producer: Matilda FaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week we’re bringing you ‘Coast to Coast’, an episode that first aired in September 2012. For many people, the ocean rouses a sense of excitement and adventure, a chance to do something that hasn’t been done before. Enjoy these stories, inspired by the place where the land meets the sea. ***************** Stories ahoy! All the Best brings you intriguing tales from the high seas. A South American geologist’s rough-and-tumble journey on a raft to Australia leads to a life-changing encounter with Gough Whitlam. And, the real Puberty Blues: a young girl tries to join the blokey surf culture of the 1970s- but an initiation rite in the water goes terribly wrong. That Summer of ’75Forget the TV series and the book: the real Puberty Blues started in the summer of 1975. Shé Hawkes was 14, and had begun doing something absolutely outrageous on the beach. Shé- a girl- had started to surf. It wasn’t something that the other surfers were going to let her get away with. These days, Shé is a writer and academic: read her piece about women breaking into the surf culture of 1970s Australia, and a fictionalised version of her summer of ’75. Interview, recording: Kate MontagueEdited by Belinda LopezMusic credits: Room with a view (Jahzzar) / CC BY-SA 3.0; Instrumental – Restoration (Dan Warren) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; Instrumental – The Buddha (Dan Warren) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Sea HitchhikerIn 1970, Gabriel Salas had just finished his university studies in Chile and thought he’d try and hitchhike around South America. But what was meant to be your average graduate road trip turned into an adventure across the sea. It also led to a fateful meeting with Gough Whitlam, just as Chile turned from democracy to dictatorship. See photos and read more about Gabriel’s Salas’ adventure in this blog post by Zacha Rosen. Produced by Zacha RosenMusic credits: Jupiter The Blue (gillicuddy) / CC BY-NC 3.0; Opening Doors (Jamie Evans) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; El barzón (Los Amparito) / CC BY-NC-SA 2.5; Spring Rain (Aaron Ximm) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 Presenter: Georgia MoodieFeatures Executive Producer: Belinda LopezExecutive Producers: Giordana Caputo, Eliza Sarlos, Jesse Cox Picture Credit: Gabriel Salas’ La Balsa raft after being located and towed into Mooloolaba Boat Harbour, Mooloolaba on 5 November 1970. Courtesy of Heritage Library, Sunshine Coast CouncilMusic credit: Skitzin by Shining Bird. Free download here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The workings of the animal kingdom are foreign to many of us. This week we bring you stories that delve deep into the hidden world of cats and later in the episode, the hidden world of bees.  Community Cat Careers by Ryan Pemberton  A group that works at the dead of night, saving lives, Community Cat Carers’ mission is to reduce the overpopulation of street cats Sydney-wide, through our rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing program. They are a not-for-profit, volunteer based rescue who are committed to a No Kill policy. 🐾 A warning, this story contains some talk of harm to animals. Producer: Ryan Pemberton  Supervising Producer: Mell Chun  Music: Original score by Ryan Pemberton and additional music sourced from Blue Dot Sessions.  You can find out more about Community Cat Careers, donate and sign up to volunteer at communitycatcarers.raisely.com     Queen B by Elina Godwin There are very good reasons why the Queen Bee, is *the Queen*. Producer: Elina Godwin Original Sound Design and Composition: Elina Godwin All The Best CreditsProduction Manager & Host: Danni StewartEditorial Manager: Mell ChunEpisode Mix and Compile: Danni StewartSocial Media Producer: Timothy NguyenCommunity and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week we’re bringing you ‘Endometriosis’, an episode that first aired in March 2020. Reproductive health for people with uteruses is still an area that is under-researched, with people still finding it difficult to have their symptoms taken seriously and diagnosed. We’d also like to note that the language used in this episode around endometriosis isn’t inclusive of everyone who experiences the illness. ***************** ‘Endometriosis’ by Erin Dick 18 months ago, Erin was told she had an incurable illness. Unexpectedly, the diagnosis came as a relief. Endometriosis is an illness that affects 1 in 10 Australian people. Tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found where it shouldn’t be. It’s often painful, can cause infertility, and it can take years to receive a diagnosis. Endo is a chronic illness with no cure. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month – Erin shares her story about living with endo, from diagnosis and surgery, to the day-to day of chronic illness. Correction: this story contains a description of endometriosis as “the presence of endometrial deposits outside the endometrial cavity.” The correct definition is: “the presence of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus found throughout the body.” You can find out more about endometriosis by visiting Endometriosis Australia’s website, or their Facebook page. Producer: Erin Dick Supervising Producer: Britta Jorgensen Music: ‘Stillness’, ‘Alchemical’, ‘The PI Sleeps’, ‘White Filament’, ‘Felt Lining’ by Blue Dot Sessions. All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton Victorian State Coordinator: Jordan Fennell Host: Maddy Macquine Episode mix and compile: Elina Godwin Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson Social Media Producer: Matilda FaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, in a world of true stories that sometimes feel surreal, we're bringing you some surrealist sci-fi audio fiction. Tim and Nick’s Tooty Fruity Movie Reviews A standard movie review podcast turns chaotic after the hosts make an earth-shattering discovery. Producer: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard Supervising producer: Danni Stewart Vultures and Eagles Numbed to his existence in a dystopic, corporatised city, a duel-fighter begins to wake up to his reality. Producer: Benjamin Kirkham Supervising producer: Mell Chun All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week we’re bringing you ‘Vanishing Voices’, an episode that first aired in 2020. Over centuries, language has played an important role in connecting people, especially minorities, to community and culture. For refugees and immigrants in a Western country or First Nations people dealing with the consequences of colonisation, work must be put in to avoid losing language. This eternal work is explored in the stories from this episode. ***************** Stories about how language is passed between generations, and people working to keep languages alive. ‘Speak The Language’ by Wing Kuang In July, parents at Footscray Primary School were notified that from next year, the school would replace the 23-year-old Vietnamese Bilingual Program with Italian. The decision has raised concerns among parents and the local Vietnamese community, and they’re fighting hard to keep the program going. Producer: Wing Kuang Supervising Producer: Evana Ho Music: ‘Checkered Blue’, and ‘Basketliner’ by Blue Dot Sessions ‘Bigger Than School Stuff’ by Declan Furber Gillick Before invasion, this continent was home to about 250 languages, with different dialects within each. Many of those languages have been taken away systematically or stamped out by shame. In this story, playwright, artist and educator Declan Furber Gillick considers how people can turn that shame around. Written and performed by Declan Furber Gillick Sound design by Ryan Pemberton Music: ‘Slow Dial’ and ‘A Simple Blur’ by Blue Dot Sessions This story was published in ‘Guwayu – For All Times’, a collection of First Nations poems commissioned by Red Room Poetry. You can purchase the collection and read this story with Arrernte translations at redroomcompany.org. All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela MoranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, an exploration on coping with and processing trauma through the creation of art. Before being brought to Australia, refugee Kazem Kazemi was detained on Manus Island for six years. The ordeal was brutal, dealing with abusive guards, friends passing away and more. Throughout it all, the ability to play and listen to heavy metal music is what kept him afloat. Safdar Ahmed, someone similarly bolstered by heavy metal, tells this story and describes the connection he made with Kazem through music.  Find Out more about anti-racist Muslim death metal band, Hazeen here. Hazeen's Bandcamp Refugee Art Project Featured: Safdar Ahmed and Kazem Kazemi Producer: Mike Williams You can find more stories by Mike plus details for his upcoming live shows in Sydney and Melbourne at mikewilliams.com.au   All The Best Credits:  Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we're looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week we're bringing you 'Life After', an episode that first aired in 2017. From a global pandemic to natural disasters, grief and loss have followed us all in the last few years, and now is a perfect time to reflect on these, often ignored, feelings. ************************ What does life feel like in the wake of death? How do we cope, who do we turn to, and what can we do to make it better when we’re left behind? This week we’re looking at life after loss. ~ ‘Where the sky meets the sea’ by Bethany Atkinson-Quinton When you stare at a mountain, the sheer enormity of nature stares back. Our first story this week is the final piece from our recent listening party in Sydney, where we played a collection of nocturnal stories about sex, worry, midnight adventures and, finally, the darkness of grief. In a culture where death and grief are tucked away from conversation and rarely understood, Bethany Atkinson-Quinton unpacks how our emotional pallet shifts with the tides and echoes in the wind. If you can, we recommend you listen to this one with headphones, in a quiet, calm, space. Made in loving memory of Daniel. Music: fran_ky – Bell Bowed with Grief, Brian Eno With Daniel Lanois & Roger Eno – Landscapes with Haze, Bing & Ruth – Flat Line_Peak Color, Rafael Anton Irisarri – Waking Expectation, New Dawn – The Power Of You, New Dawn – Organza, Brian Eno With Daniel Lanois & Roger Eno – The Water Farden ~ ‘Last man standing’ by Joshua Garlepp Every year Josh’s mum, who doesn’t have extended family of her own, drags Josh to a different family’s house for Christmas. Josh is from WA, and for the last three years, he and his mum have spent Christmas with the same family in Bunbury, Southwest of Perth. The Barretts. The first year, Josh spent a lot of time with Adrian Barrett, the young dad of the family. On the drive home after Christmas, Josh asked his mum what Adrian does for a living. Turns out he’s part of one of the oldest businesses in Western Australia and it was in no way what Josh expected… Music: “Still Trying” – Nathaniel Rateliff, “Plastic People” – Four Tet, “Milk & Honey” – Arcade Fire ~ If this week’s stories brought up any difficult feelings, you can talk to someone by calling lifeline on 13 11 14, or get support online at eheadspace.org.au ~ Executive Producer: Selena Shannon Vic state coordinator: Bethany Atkinson-Quinton SYN production manager: Beth Gibson Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie Host: Jessica Hamilton Episode Compiler: Tegan NichollsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories about people leaving the city to find something beautiful in the country. Lightning Ridge Twins Matilda and Sam visit their father in Lightning Ridge, a trip that exceeds expectations. Producer: Sam Elliot, Matilda Elliot Supervising Producer: Mell Chun From Darlinghurst to Darwin  Daniel visits Darwin to escape from his life in Darlinghurst, but finds more than he expected when he gets there. Speaker: Daniel Alderman Daniel first told this story at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search SPUN STORIES on your favourite podcast app.  All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we’re looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week, an episode that aired in 2011 about ‘The Block’, an area of social housing in Redfern that was a hub of culture and community for First Nations people. The area was controversially redeveloped as part of ‘The Pemulwuy Project’, and as this episode was aired, the project was just beginning to take place. While some praised the change, others condemned the destruction of an important area and the displacement of First Nations people. Now in 2022, the effects of the project are clearer. There is a severe lack of housing security for Aboriginal people in the area, especially as the redevelopment of social housing in Waterloo begins. See below for actions and information related to The Block and the legacy of the Pemulwuy Project. As of 2nd August 2022, plans have been made to close Redfern’s National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE). This is a place of community that has employed many First Nations people and provides accessible facilities for children to learn and play. The closing is devastating to many in the community. Read more about it here and follow the Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation for updates on actions. ************************ The Block in Redfern: filled with stories of family and passing travellers, of death, loss of faith and redemption – All The Best take you to one of Australia’s most talked about addresses. IntroductionProduced by Kath Lim Yvonne PhillipsProduced by Madeleine James Shane and LionelProduced by Kath Lim Redfern GymProduced by Jesse Cox St Vincent De Paul Catholic Churchby Gina McKeon Mick MundineProduced by Jesse Cox Presenter: Eliza SarlosSupervising Producer Gina McKeonFeatures Executive Producer: Jesse CoxTechnical Producers: Antonia Gauci & Damian Enemark (repeat)Executive Producers: Jesse Cox, Brigitte Dagg, Eliza Sarlos Music credit:Image Credit: Lauren Carrol-Harris photo essay ‘The Block’ ************************ The following are links to stories from First Nations people, actions and information that support the significance of The Block and Redfern, and the consequences of commercial redevelopment: Aboriginal Housing Company – Redfern Oral HistoryAction for Public Housing – Facebook PageEviction, hardship, and the housing crisis – Tenants’ Union reportHands Off Glebe – Public Housing Advocacy GroupThere Goes Our Neighbourhood – ABC Documentary (2022)There Goes The Neighbourhood Audio Project – Radio Skid RowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In celebration of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we're looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week, an episode that aired in 2011 about 'The Block', an area of social housing in Redfern that was a hub of culture and community for First Nations people. The area was controversially redeveloped as part of 'The Pemulwuy Project', and as this episode was aired, the project was just beginning to take place. While some praised the change, others condemned the destruction of an important area and the displacement of First Nations people. Now in 2022, the effects of the project are clearer. There is a severe lack of housing security for Aboriginal people in the area, especially as the redevelopment of the housing commission apartments in Waterloo begins. See below for actions and information related to The Block and the legacy of the Pemulwuy Project. ************************ The Block in Redfern: filled with stories of family and passing travellers, of death, loss of faith and redemption – All The Best take you to one of Australia’s most talked about addresses. IntroductionProduced by Kath Lim Yvonne PhillipsProduced by Madeleine James Shane and LionelProduced by Kath Lim Redfern GymProduced by Jesse Cox St Vincent De Paul Catholic Churchby Gina McKeon Mick MundineProduced by Jesse Cox Presenter: Eliza SarlosSupervising Producer Gina McKeonFeatures Executive Producer: Jesse CoxTechnical Producers: Antonia Gauci & Damian Enemark (repeat)Executive Producers: Jesse Cox, Brigitte Dagg, Eliza Sarlos Music credit:Image Credit: Lauren Carrol-Harris photo essay 'The Block' ************************ The following are links to stories from First Nations people, actions and information that support the significance of The Block and Redfern, and the consequences of commercial redevelopment: Aboriginal Housing Company - Redfern Oral HistoryAction for Public Housing - Facebook PageEviction, hardship, and the housing crisis - Tenants' Union reportHands Off Glebe - Public Housing Advocacy GroupThere Goes Our Neighbourhood - ABC Documentary (2022)There Goes The Neighbourhood Audio Project - Radio Skid Row  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From dissent to disrespect, this week, we bring you stories that explore the diverse consequences of food waste. Around the Back  In our first story, a re-framing of the practice of dumpster diving. Producer: Danielle O’Neal, Inger Kviseth, Doreen Lee and Christina Lu Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko and Jordan Fennell Music: ‘Funky Suspense’ by Benjamin Tissot, ‘Tomorrow’ by Benjamin Tissot (bensound.com) Once Were Foreigners In our next story, poetic justice is served, with a side of cassava and yams. Written by: Ita Marie Ralago for Debris Magazine Sound Design: Mell Chun Music: ‘Let us break bread’ by Les Petits Chanteurs de Montigny (Free Music Archive), ‘Waltz for Zacaria’ (Blue Dot Sessions), ‘Redemption Song’ (Acoustic Version) by, empresss1n3  (Youtube), ‘Go Down Moses Reprise’ by Dee Yan-Key (Free Music Archive), ‘Childhood Days by Universal Jubilaires (Free Music Archive) All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honour of All The Best reaching 500 episodes, we are looking back into the archives and replaying episodes that, while recorded in years past, remain relevant today. This week, ‘That Girl’ an episode from 2014 that had women speaking on their experiences with abortion. Note that as this is an episode from a few years ago the language around abortion is not inclusive of everyone who may have an abortion. ************************ “I didn’t want to be That Girl Who Had An Abortion, because I’m not… When you look at the statistics, there are many of those girls” We have so many conversations about abortion, but most of the time they’re abstract and political, they’re not about the lived experiences and choices of women who’ve terminated a pregnancy. A lot of the time it’s because those women are reluctant to put their head above the parapet. This week on All The Best we wanted to create a space for those conversations, a space for doubt, for relief, anger and even humour. A space for women’s stories. Produced by Heidi Pett Supervising Producer Kate Montague with assistance from Jess Bineth and Jess O’Callaghan Music Credits: ‘Cauliflower Jack’ by Caitlin Park, ‘How’s Your Wife?’ by Caitlin Park Presenters: Michaela Morgan and Michael Brydon Community Coordinator: Pip Rasmussen Executive Producer: Giordana Caputo Features Executive Producers: Heidi Pett & Jess O’CallaghanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, for NAIDOC Week, stories that acknowledge the continued need for dissenting action by First Nations people. Charlie King In our first story, a father and daughter tell the stories of three generations of proud Gurindji resistance and rebellion. Storytellers: Charlie and Emma King Producer: Kylie Stevenson Charlie and Emma first told this story at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search Spun Stories wherever you listen to podcasts. Our Shared Resistance Next, an essay reflecting upon the similarities in the fights faced by both Palestinian people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in response to the lasting effects of settler-colonialism. Read by: Gomeroi writer, Alison Whittaker Written by: Darumbal/South Sea Islander journalist, Amy McQuire Amy first wrote this piece for the Sunday Paper, an independent publication centering Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Palestinian people working to resist settler-colonial occupation. All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Timothy Nguyen Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories about young people trying to understand their grandparents’ lives and why religion is so important to them. First off, Danni chats to Madhuraa about her Grandfather Mr Sri, who has changed religions several times during his life. Devotion Next, Tanya investigates her grandparents’ lives as church leaders, and the decisions that lead them to become so involved in the church. Produced by Tanya Bonnie Rae Early Morning Great Bell In our last story, Emma looks to connect with her grandma by learning more about her deep devotion to Buddhism.  Produced by Emma Pham. Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo Image: Raimond Klavins/ Unsplash Images All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Anusha Rana Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing more stories produced by Melbourne Uni audio journalism students as part of our special collaboration with the Science Gallery. Each student will be sharing their take on the theme “Breaking The Binary” Aania Tandon In our first story, the obstacles an interfaith couple faces on their journey to marriage.  Produced by Aania Tandon Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Qinyuan Zhang  Next, Qinyuan explores the way K-pop fans are breaking down gender binaries in response to artists who do the same.  Produced by Qinyuan Zhang  Supervising producer: Danni Stewart Xin Meng Up next is the story of Xiang and her experience being a trans woman living in China.  Warning, this story includes descriptions of transphobia, suicide and sexual assault.  For crisis support you can call lifeline on 13 11 14, for LGBT+ specific support you can call Qlife on 1800 184 527 or if you’d rather chat online head to Qlife.org.au  Produced by Xin Meng. Supervising Producer Mell Chun Zhixin Zhang  In our next story, June speaks about balancing her Chinese identity and pro-democracy beliefs, inspired by the city of Macau.  Produced by Zhixing Zhang, Supervising producer Mell Chun Sean Ruse  In our final story, Sean investigates the concept of prosocial lying and whether lying is morally wrong or just part of being polite. Produced by Sean Ruse Supervising producer: Daniel SemoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the next two weeks we’ll be playing stories produced by Melbourne Uni audio journalism students as part of our special collaboration with the Science Gallery. Each student made a short story based on the theme “Breaking The Binary” Death Doula In our first story, Sasha Gattermayr explores life and death and how for some, these concepts aren’t as disparate as we may first assume. Produced by Sasha Gattermayr. Supervising producer: Ollie Krusec.  Music from Purple Planet   Indigenous Design In our next story, Anaiwan person Nick Doyle on reclaiming space for Indigenous knowledge systems and incorporating connection to country in the built environment. Produced by Nick Doyle. Supervising producer Mell Chun.    My Self and My Homeland, Similarly Divided  Malta is a country heavily influenced by Catholic identity, so what happens when choose a different religion? Serena Raza speaks about the abrupt shift she faced when she converted to Islam. Produced by Serena Raza. Supervising producer: Mell Chun.   Sexism in Football AFL is publicly known as a sport of growing inclusivity, with more participation of women and gender diverse people now than before. Angus delves into AFL behind the scenes, which differs from public perception. Produced by Angus McIntyre.   Supervising producer: Danni Stewart.   Falling for a virtual boyfriend In our final story, Gwen introduces us to a modern romance, and describes a relationship some may deem unconventional. Produced by Gwen Lui.  Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo Music from Blue Dot Sessions   All The Best Credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re celebrating a pretty huge milestone, our 500th episode!  All The Best was created by founding executive producers Jesse Cox, Eliza Sarlos and Bridgette Dagg in 2010. A time when there were no podcast apps and before storytelling podcasts were the phenomenon they are today. This week, our host Danni chats to former EPs Jess O’Callaghan, Giordana Caputo, Heidi Pett and Allison Chan on the magic of storytelling, collaboration, community and more.   All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our recent Federal Election, Climate Change was a bigger agenda item than it has ever been before, and it’s no wonder. In the last four years, more Australians have been directly affected by Climate related disasters than every before. This week we are bringing you two stories from producers Sarah Mashman and Lisa Burns. They made these stories for All The Best from extra material gathered for the podcast series From The Embers. Lismore New South Wales Northern Rivers region understands flooding. Flood markers line sections of the roads and the town of Lismore- dissected by two major rivers has irregular inundations. But early in 2022, Lismore was hit by two major floods only weeks apart, the first trapping people in ceiling cavities and on roofs for hours overnight. Produced by Sarah Mashman and Lisa Burns Music by KPM If you want to help those affected by flooding, you can donate to the Koori Mail Go Fund Me   Kangaroo Island Kangaroo Island is an oasis for native wildlife and plants. In the summertime, goannas lay their eggs and little penguins start to moult old feathers before their voyage out to sea. However, In the summer of 2019/2020, the island’s inhabitants witnessed the biggest fires ever seen. And a content warning, this feature contains stories of animals in distress. Produced by Lisa Burns and Sarah Mashman Music by KPM Find out more about Margi Prideaux’s Wild Politics   All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun  Episode Mix and Compile: Donny Janks  Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana   Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The scariest part of falling is not knowing what happens after. This week we bring you stories of people getting back up again.  Nose Dive by Thomas Phillips  In our first story, a conversation with David who does a rapid nosedive from 8000 feet in the air.  Producer: Thomas Phillips Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubchenko   Backwards Forwards by Angela Glindemann In our next story, Ange has decided to learn rollerskate, but anxiety complicates what is more than a simple hobby. Producer: Angela Glindemann Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton Sound designer: Lee Yee Music: Ben Burnes   Getting  Back On The Horse by Gladys Docking  After Gladys’ daughter suffers a brain injury, both mother and child fight against medical expectations. Storyteller: Gladys Docking  Gladys first told this story at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast. To listen, Search Spun Stories on your favourite podcast app.    All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun  Episode Mix and Compile: Thomas Phillips  Social Media Producers: Emma Pham and Anusha Rana   Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is part two of stories compiled from All The Best LIve!, a live storytelling event we put on with help from the City Of Sydney. The theme for the night was Secrets and Confessions. First, we hear from Jared Richards, who is sharing a confession about his identity. Jared is a queer critic based in Sydney, who has written for The Guardian, NME, The Big Issue and more, but he’s best known for his Drag Race recaps for Junkee. He also runs an irregular LGBTIQ+ reading night across Sydney, which doesn’t have a name because he can’t land on one. Next up, Ruth Melville takes us into the confessions booth at a catholic girls school in the 70s. Ruth’s fiction and non-fiction writing has been published in Island, Tirra Lirra, Meanjin, the Big Issue and The Australian. Ruth has a keen interest in oral history, and is currently working with the Life Biography program at Sydney’s Sacred Heart Hospice. Also Ruth’s story Beneath The Mask aired on All The Best last year – you can listen back on our website. In our final story, Olivia Costa explores the complicated landscape of altered states. And a content warning, this story contains descriptions of substance use, death and swears. Olivia is a writer and filmmaker interested in work that is poetic and affecting, often straddling the fine line between absurdism and reality, intimacy and distance. All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events coordinator Lidiya Josifova Sound Recordist: Harvey O’SullivanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing stories recorded at All The Best Live! A live storytelling event we put on with help from The City Of Sydney.  Our lineup of amazing storytellers took to the stage and performed work on the theme of secrets and confessions. We’ll be delivering the stories from the night in two parts with part two coming out next week. In our first story, Wing discovers why so many people are attending grave sweeping day at her grandfather's grave. Wing is a journalist and audio producer in Sydney who spends too much time on watching cat videos. She is also the host of Chinese-ish, a new SBS podcast about young Chinese-Australians for young Chinese-Australians. In our next story, Lungol shares a story of unrequited love. Lungol is an Indigenous Papua New Guinean storyteller and podcaster currently living and creating on Bidjigal land. You can experience his debut work ‘a body is all that remains’ at the Everything but the Kitchen Sink Festival this week and hear him every Friday on his podcast ‘Pasifikally.’ All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events coordinator: Lidiya Josifova Sound Recording: Harvey O'Sullivan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories of people finding their community.  Danny’s Story Danny shares their experience of gender exploration. And finding support and safety at Jets, a youth arts facility in Bundoora.  CW: This story has a mention of gender dysphoria.  Producer: Duncan Stephen Sound Design: Persephone Waxman Punk Rock in a Bottle  Rosie Wu experienced severe culture shock when she moved from the Northern Beaches to a boarding school in China. She still travels to China regularly but feels like she doesn’t have much in common with her family. But then she found her tribe. Producer: Mike Williams  Music: Cultural Revolution Ballet music, Cui Juin – Nothing to my Name, Midnight Oil – Surf’s Up Tonight, Tand Dynasty – The Sun, Chinese National Anthem, Zhou Yung Peng – Child of China (protest song), Boring Army – Long Live Punk, Backstreet Boys – Everybody, Yung Fang de Zhao Huan – A Call from Afar, The Beatles – Help, Bob Dylan – The Hurricane, The Police – Message in a Bottle, Mongolian Nine Treasures – Fable of Mangus, Shanren – Three Decades (Yunnan folk rock), Xu Wei – Unknown, Ajinai – Grass All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Donny Janks Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans and animals have interacted since forever, and anyone who has a pet will tell you that they make our lives better. But they also have lives, communities and feelings of their own that we’ll never fully understand. This week we bring you some cute, quirky and wholesome stories of humans getting close to animals.   Mr. Hernandez the Miracle Fish First up, Mell suspects her cat has eaten her fish, but she is about to discover there is a lot more to Mr Hernandez the Betta fish than pretty fins. Story by Mell Chun Sound design by Tom Phillips   Something to Gaggle About Most people don’t risk going anywhere near the geese at Centennial park, but then, Tom isn’t most people. Producer: Tom Denham Music from Epidemic Sounds You can find more of Tom’s audio projects at tom-denham.com   Jeff The Turkey When you’re in your early 20s and living in a share house, you can find yourself living with a party animal that gobbles. This is a story about friendship, feathers, and most of all, the love between a young man and his turkey.   Producer: Angela Moran Supervising Producers: Jordan Fennell and Allison Chan Music: ‘Shooting Stars’ by Bag Raiders, ‘Givin’ Up’ by The Darkness, ‘Rough River’ by Rough River, ‘Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time’ by The Darkness   All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Tom Phillips Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone loves a four day weekend! This week we’re joining in a birthday celebration, Easter egg hunts, a belated Lunar New Year dinner and creative backseat antics on family road trips. This episode is a repeat from 2018 when Samantha Groth was the host.   ‘Are we there yet?’ In our first story we discover how Jordan and her family make it through a six-hour road trip. Producer: Jordan Fennell   ‘We’re going on an Easter egg hunt’  The Easter long weekend wouldn’t have been complete without an Easter egg hunt. Producer: Britta Jorgensen   ‘Made in a hurry’  We celebrate Passover and endure a character building exercise in the pursuit of a story. Producer: Zacha Rosen Music: Ave Roma Sonatori Te Salutant by Armando Trovaioli, The Lutz Police Militia by Alexandre Desplat, Jálale [Instrumental]‎ by Mexican Institute of Sound Thanks to Newtown Erskineville Anglican Church for letting Zacha cover their graveyard tour. Even though he lost all the tape.   Thanks to Joseph Ware, Samantha Groth, Karishma Tanvi, Angela Moran, Martyn Reyes and Yvonne Lam for their recordings of their long weekend.   All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Host: Danni Stewart & Samantha Groth Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Tegan Nicholls & Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shakespeare called it the 'main course in life's feast' and Edgar Allen Poe thought of it as 'a little slice of death'. Some people love sleep, some find it difficult and some walk around and do weird stuff in their sleep without even realising. While You Were Sleeping In our first story, a conversation with a friend prompts Terri to ask her father about her childhood sleepwalking habit. She discovers some funny and spooky stories about her younger self, and figures, we must know more about the science of sleepwalking these days, right? Producer: Terri Cowley Supervising Producer: MJ Bakewell Music and Sound Effects: Freesound.org Sleep Tight In our second story Paige deliberately deprives herself of sleep to understand more about the experience of insomnia and how it affects the brain. Don't try this at home! Producer: Page Leacey Supervising Producer: Bec Fary Music: Sleep Tight (drone stem and synth stem), Quantum Sleep (light version), Soft Wired (light version) all sourced from Extreme Music.com, ‘Souls of Mischief (instrumental)’ by 93′ Til Infinity All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Lochie Stevens  Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love can be a powerful force, a call to action that unifies us and empowers us in the most difficult of circumstances.   Sunny and Peter by Conor Sweetman   Sunny and Peter led parallel lives. One in Ireland. The other in the United States. They both suffered injustice and tragedy. Then they found each other, and their healing could finally begin. Producer: Conor Sweetman Supervising Producer: Dan Semo Music: Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound   For The Love of Blackfullas by Chelsea Watego “It has always and only ever been love that binds us to each other and which fuels the fights we are forced to take up” says Chelsea Watego. This week we are talking about love and injustice, and it’s hard to talk about injustice without addressing the injustices in our own country, especially those faced by Aboriginal people in our own flawed legal system. Our second story is an essay by Munanjahli and South Sea Islander academic and writer Chelsea Watego on the power of Black love. CW: This story includes descriptions of racism and the names of people who have passed. Written and read by Cheslea Watego Edited by Mell Chun This piece was originally written and recorded for The Sunday Paper.   All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Niko Plaskas Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events coordinator Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on All The Best we’re exploring the inner workings of the human mind.  AIMI makes a Podcast by Danni Stewart  AIMI is the host of a new podcast called Deep Meditations but she’s not your regular podcast host. Ryan set out to make a podcast produced entirely by Artificial Intelligence and AIMI is the result.  Producer: Danni Stewart  Subscribe to Deep Meditations wherever you listen to podcasts.   Lucid Dreaming by Peter Quattrocelli Is it possible to control your dreams while you sleep? And if you could, what would you do? In this story, Peter finds out how wearable devices can help us harness our sleep in the hopes of achieving both the practical and the fantastic. Producer: Peter Quattrocelli Music: Epidemic Sounds   All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In books and films, trains are the setting for great journeys, romantic encounters and perilous adventures, but in our daily lives, they are just public transport; dirty, noisy and crowded. This week we have stories about trains and the very different places they hold in our imaginations. CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes some heavy content and reference to suicide. Please listen with care.  If you need support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the suicide callback service on 1300 659 467.    'Sidelines' In our first story, Selina describes the scenes she witnessed on the Wynyard to North Ryde train line. Producer: Selina Springett   'Steam Trains and Small Trains' Our editorial manager, Mell, was in regional Victoria over the weekend, and encountered a handful of trains and train enthusiasts. Producer: Mell Chun   'At The End Of The Rail' In our last piece, Tim walks the tracks with his father and unpacks Australian mythology, masculinity, land and violence from a child's perspective. This poem is the opening to Tim's forthcoming verse memoir, ‘your father was a bastard’. You can find more of his work at timloveday.com Written and Read by Tim Loveday Sound Design: Mell Chun   All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Lochie Stevens Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on All The Best we’re exploring why we crave touch from each other and how that connection can be like a kind of therapy. ‘My Pre-COVID Cuddle’ by Lee Robinson The lockdown rules last year left many feeling disconnected and devoid of physical contact. Now more than ever, some of us just want a hug. Before COVID was a thing, Lee Robinson paid a visit to cuddle therapist Sarah Belle to explore the benefits of platonic touch in a 1-on-1 cuddle session. This story was made as part of a series exploring Australians with interesting jobs, called Do Quit Your Day Job. Producer: Lee Robinson Supervising producer: Evrim Şen Music: ‘Peacoat’, ‘Astrisx’, ‘Slimheart’ and ‘Diatom’ by Blue Dot Sessions   The Power Of Touch With Ms G by Jess Nitties  Jess gives us a glimpse into the work of dermal therapist Geraldine Healy professionally known as Ms G Skinlife. Ms G highlights the power of connection through human touch and tells us about how she opens her doors to treat people with cancer for free each week.  Producer: Jess Nitties Music composed by Jess Nitties (pka Sparrows) @sparrowstunes   All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Sebastien Fijac Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're cooking up a feast. Homemade noodles, thick and stretchy, boiled in lamb broth. Fresh egg tarts with warm, silky smooth custard, all washed down with a good glass of wine. Dark Cherry, Limestone and Meat by Eugenia Zoubtchenko Eugenia explores the rich universe of wine tasting Music: ‘Corkscrew’ by Oren Ambarchi Releasing Steam by Karen Cheng Karen, a self-proclaimed cooking enthusiast, realises she doesn't know how to make food from her home country of Hong Kong. She enlists her dubious dad to teach her some of his favourite recipes. Producer: Karen Cheng Supervising Producer: Lea Redfern Music: Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul and Mary, Seven Years by Norah Jones and Lee Alexander, Sunrise by Norah Jones and Lee Alexander. You can listen to the full version of Karen's story here. Rewind, Replay by Claire Cao Adult siblings make hand-pulled noodles for their parents. And as they pull and stretch the dough, the daughter reflects on her family, her hopes and her fears. Storyteller: Claire Cao Sound design: Persephone Waxman Claire first told this story at Boundless festival of Indigenous and culturally diverse writers. You can listen back to All The Best episode #481 to hear more performances from the festival.  All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Donny Janks Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mardi Gras Season is upon us so this week on All The Best we're asking the question, 'what does queer liberation look like?' Our first story is a rerun from early 2018. In the months following the marriage equality plebiscite Ange talks to different LGBT+ people about their relationship with labels. 'Call Me Ange' by Angela Glindemann Producer: Angela Glindemann Supervising Producer: Bec Fary Sound design: Lee Yee and Amy Hanley Our next story comes from SPUN, a live storytelling event in the Northern Territory. 'My Birthday' by Teddy Suphannabutt Written and performed by Teddy Suphannabutt Supervising producer: Johanna Bell All The Best credits Production Manager & Host: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we sadly bid farewell to our wonderful host Helenna. To round off her time at All The Best, Helenna is sharing of her favourite stories with us.  'Get Behind Me Satan' by Mark Yin In our first story, Mark asks the question 'Is Satanism a religion'? and finds out about the politics and misconceptions surrounding this organisation along the way.   Producer: Mark Yin Supervising Producer: Evana Ho Music: Winking Fox Music, GeriArt, and Sscheidl.   'Jellyfish' by Amalyah Hart In this next story, Amalyah describes the weird and wonderful world of jellyfish and what warning signs they hold for our environment.   Producer: Amalyah Hart Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Music: Peloton and At the Crown/City Whistle by Merriware (Used with permission). Additional sound sourced from BBC Sound Archive.   'Exploration of Darkness' by Cristina Marras In this last story Cristina explores the meaning of darkness through a series of conversations with friends.   Producer: Cristina Marras Music by Epidemic Sound Image from Unsplash   All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Episode Mix and Compile: Thomas Phillips  Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever visited a place that really gave you the creeps? This week we’re going on a road trip, sharing stories of spooky places around the country. 📍 Our first stop is Jenolan where MJ and her sister had the worst sleep of their lives.  Producer: MJ Bakewell. 📍 Up next we’re stopping off in Mudgee where Danni stayed at the oldest house in town.  Producer: Danni Stewart  📍 For our third stop we’re heading to Glenrowan where Daniel saw a very cursed animatronics show.  Producer: Daniel Semo 📍For our final stop we’re ending our spooky journey in Canberra, Sam’s hometown which she discovers has a very haunted history.  Producer: Samantha Groth  Supervising Producer: Allison Chan    All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week marked the start of the Lunar New Year. It’s the year of the tiger, a symbol of bravery and strength, something it feels like we all need right now to face an uncertain world. Due to easing restrictions in Australia, many were able to celebrate the Spring Festival with family again, but with international travel still difficult, some are spending yet another year a long way from home.  Hotpot by Yimin Qiang Yimin has been separated from her family for 3 years, she finds herself longing for the food that reminds her of her life in China. When Yimin decides to make Hotpot for her Australian family, she finds a new way to connect to her home away from home. Produced by Yimin Qiang Supervising producer: Mell Chun Music from Blue Dot Sessions Tin Valley by Mell Chun Prompted by the rise in anti-Asian racism around the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, Mell set out to research the Chinese history of Tasmania and made some surprising discoveries. By telling the stories of Chinese-Tasmanian families, Mell hopes to discredit the myth upon which so much racism feeds, that Australia is, or ever was, White. This is a shortened version of the first episode. You can listen to the full episode here or subscribe to Tin Valley anywhere you get podcasts. Produced by Mell Chun Music by Ben Cannings All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has two of the oldest Chinatowns in the world. Due to COVID-19, the once busy streets have now become quiet, awaiting their revival. This week we have two stories about the past and present of Chinatowns in Sydney and Melbourne. Time Machine by Wing Kuang  Two years ago, Wing flew to Sydney from Melbourne with the purpose of seeking an untold history of Sydney Chinatown, and she found the answer from a wooden board inside a church in Haymarket. Producer: Wing Kuang Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Music: Piano Moment by ZakharValaha Night Market by Yiwen Wang  In Melbourne's Chinatown, a night market is regularly held for people to hunt for street food. What makes people in love with the night market atmosphere? Yiwen goes for a look. That story was produced by audio journalism student Yiwen Wang as part of All The Bests 2021 collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the Science Gallery. Producer: Yiwen Wang Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Music by Bluedot Sessions All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re excited to be bringing you a collection of stories, poems and songs performed live at Boundless Festival of Indigenous and Culturally Diverse writers.  Boundless is presented by Writing NSW and Bankstown Arts Centre and is made possible with the support of Create NSW, the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund and the Australia Council for the Arts. For more information about Boundless Festival, you can click here. In this episode we're sharing sharing three beautiful performances from the Boundless Program. The first two come from 'When Breath Meets Air,' a performance event curated by Tina Huang which aims to showcase the power of the spoken word and to highlight why– as Eileen Myles writes, we should “believe in sound.” Why we should believe in the tiniest shakings, in the smells dispersing, in the tingling moments between breath and between air. First we hear from Gomeroi poet, essayist and law academic Alison Whittaker. You can find Alison on Twitter @AJ_Whittaker. Next we hear from human rights activist, poet and writer Sara Saleh. Sara is the daughter of migrants from Palestine, Egypt and Lebanon and is currently living on Gadigal Land. Her work has been published in English and Arabic in various national and international outlets and anthologies. Sara was the first poet to win the Peter Porter Poetry Prize and the Judith Wright Poetry Prize, she is currently developing her first novel. You can find her @SaraSalehOz on Twitter and @instasaraade on Instagram.  To close our episode, we have a poem performed by Nicole Smede as part of 'Empty City, Lonely Girl,' also curated by Tina Huang this performance event featured stories of loneliness and connection. Nicole is a multi-disciplinary artist of Worimi and European descent and uses language, song and poetry as a form of connection. Her voice can be heard on award-winning film scores, and poetry in visual and sound works, and publications including Guwayu: for all times, and 20x20x12 Sensing Place. You can find her @nicolesmede on Twitter and @nicole.smede on Instagram.  All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we have a story about the passion of people who are dedicated to saving some tall and beautiful trees. It's also FBi Radio's Radiothon so you'll hear some of our team talk about their passion for community radio.  Flowering Giant by Evan Wallace Did you know that the world’s tallest flowering trees can be found just an hour outside of Melbourne? Evan wasn’t familiar with them either, but thanks to a successful match on Hinge and a need for relief in lockdown, these threatened trees now shape his sense of home. Producer: Evan Wallace Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman Music by Corey Walker ~ FBi's Radiothon ~ As a community radio station, FBI relies on listener support and an incredible team of volunteers to make what we do possible. This week, we’re reaching out to all our listeners who are interested in supporting financially. You can sign up to be a supporter at fbiradio.com/support. As an FBi Radio Supporter you’ll be eligible to win giveaways like vinyl, movie tickets, gigs and more every single week. Plus if you sign up by November 19th you’ll go in the draw to win one of our 5 Radiothon major prizes which include a years worth of beer from Young Henrys and a year of coffee from Single O. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emerging from lockdown, do you feel like you're returning back to the old ordinary life, or like you're entering a new world? This week's stories are about finding meaning in darkness and seeking joy in things around us. Exploration of Darkness by Cristina Marras There is no generic description that captures the essence of darkness. In this story, Cristina talks to some friends about how they think of darkness.  You can find more of Cristina's work here. Music by Epidemic Sound Preston Market by Zoltan Fecso When there's not a lot you can do for fun in lockdown, even a simple trip to a local market can be full of excitement. In this story, Zoltan records his shopping trip and creates a time capsule of lockdown life. Recording, music, narration & production by Zoltan Fecso Image Credit: Bryce Padovan All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers:  Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From listening out for the sweet songs of a healthy frog pond, to being woken up in the middle of the night by the screeches of an unwelcome guest, this week we have stories about animal sounds and interactions with nature, for better or worse! 🐍  Fact Check: The intro to this episode includes a line about carpet snake bites never healing. We've done some research and we're not sure that's 100% true. Probably best to steer clear of them anyway though! 🐍 When The Frogs Go Silent by Jacinta Bowler Frogs have been suffering through their own pandemic. In the last few months, scientists have been rushing to understand a huge mass die off of green tree frogs. Jacinta investigates what’s happening, how it all started and how we can help all help by going for a walk without headphones. Producer: Jacinta Bowler Supervising Producer: Maddy Macquine Music: Avenoir by Mathilda Skonare Karlsson Image: Stephen Michael Barnett, creativecommons.org Find out more about Frog ID, an initiative of the Australian Museum, and you can download the app on any app store. If you see a dead or sick frog, please record the with locality and photo if possible and email calls@frogid.net.au     Blood Guts and a Dead Animal by Gaye Lawrence Gaye hears the cries of a wild animal and she’s forced to do something she never thought she'd do. This story was told as part of the Pine Creek Gold Rush Festival. You can find this story and more at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing extraordinary stories from the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts. Written and read by Gaye Lawrence   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plastic tombstones, spooky skeletons and jack-o’-lanterns are popping up in front yards, the closer we tick towards October 31st. Halloween is soon approaching and this week on All The Best, we’re celebrating the coming of the Spooky Season. The Barn Yip by Scott Haller A wandering man seeks shelter in an old empty barn but finds it’s not quite as empty as he’d like. Written and read by Scott Haller. Producer: Mell Chun You can find more of Scott’s work here. Sound effects: Freesound.com   Witch Please by Connie Khoo Growing up Connie loved watching Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Charmed and Bewitched. After her interest in Witches was recently reignited by WitchTok (Witch TikTok) Connie set out to understand more and discovered that Witchcraft is actually nothing like what we see in Movies and on TV. Producer: Connie Khoo Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Ollie Krusec Host: Danni Stewart Social Media Producers: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever seen a performance that blew your mind? That left you wondering how that person became so skilled? This week, we’re going behind the curtain and hearing the story of a juggler and a balloon performer. The Balloon Man by Wing Kuang  When Johnson Hsu flew to Australia from Taiwan, he wanted to become a better street performer. Now, known as ‘The Balloon Man’, he is one of the most iconic buskers in Melbourne. With COVID-19 slowing the usual flow of tourists on Melbourne streets, things have changed for Johnson. Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec Music: The Way Home by GoodBMusic;  Crazy Frog by Axel F; Goodbye Stress by Lesfm; Moon Acoustic Vibe by Lesfm I’ve Been Learning To Juggle In Lockdown by Ryan Pemberton In March 2020 as everyone started getting crafty with new lockdown hobbies, Ryan began learning how to juggle and documented his journey with audio diaries. In July 2021 as Sydney was plunged into another lockdown Ryan stated juggling again and then things got weird.  Music: Blue Dot Sessions All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producer: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re getting nostalgic this week and revisiting memories from childhood.  55 Years Of Playschool by Tom Denham  Play School has been inspiring children for 55 years, but what is the true winning factor that has helped it stand the test of time? Tom speaks with the early education team from Play School to find out why they take the time to explore enriching teaching points that have helped raise generations of Aussie kids.   Music: Playschool Theme sourced from the ABC and additional music from Epidemic Sound.    Pulling Out All The Stops by Hannah Pembroke  Some kids dream of a playstation, some a mountain bike, some a dog, all Hannah wanted was a Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake. The fact that Hannah’s family lived on a tiny boat sailing around the world made this dream seem impossible. That was until Hannah’s tenth birthday when she finally figured out a way to get her dream Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake.  Producer: Hannah Pembroke  Sound Design: Ryan Pemberton Music:  ‘Cran Ras’, ‘Gin Boheme’, ‘Lowball’, ‘Laisse Valse’ by Blue Dot Sessions    All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producer: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're sharing two stories about injustice, persistence and freedom. Hanif's Story By Mell Chun  Now that the Taliban once again have control of Afghanistan, one of the groups that have the most to fear are the Hazara people. Mell speaks to Hanif, a Hazara man who fled persecution and ended up in Australia.  Producer: Mell Chun Music: Blue Dot Sessions We Shall Overcome By Zahara Jithoo In 1948 racial inequality was officially codified under the system of Apartheid. Zahara's dad ,Sanjay, was born into Apartheid and fled when he was 20 years old. Now 20 years old herself, Zahara talks to Sanjay about his turbulent experiences and how he created his own freedom. Producer: Zahara Jithoo Supervising Producer: Zoe Ferguson  Music: Freesound.org   All The Best credits Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producer: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang Feature Image by Mell ChunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever tried writing a bio with one sentence? Sometimes it can be tricky to find the right word to describe yourself. This week, we're sharing two stories about languages, identity and home. My Mother Tongue by Shuying Miao  Shuying grew up speaking her hometown dialect in China with her grandmother. As she reflected on the memory of her hometown, she also found many young people in China were losing their ability to speak their home language. Producer: Shuying Miao Supervising Producer: Zoe Ferguson  Evolution of Self Understanding by Carey Scheer  Before meeting Leanne in person, Carey scrolled through her Instagram account, where a post of Leanne standing in a doorway caught her attention. In this story Carey speaks to Leanne about her journey to the moment that photo was taken. Producer: Carey Scheer All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producers: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With each sunrise comes light breaking through the darkness. This week’s stories are about destruction, devastation and darkness but also the healing that comes after. Then Came The Birds by Sarah Mashman When the bushfires in 2020 hit her home, Alice Ansara had to evacuate three times over six weeks through still burning forests and bypassing melting roads. She shares her story of walking through the smokes, ashes and tears. You can hear more of Alice’s story in the CBAA series From the Embers. Producer: Sarah Mashman Music: Fearfully Dashing by Blue Dot Sessions, Gilroy by Blue Dot Sessions, Levanger by Blue dot sessions.  Sounds by Tegan Nicholls Photo: Sarah Mashman   When I Lost My Mind to Find My Heart by T’ara T’ara was sitting on the bus when her mind started to run again, syncing into the depths of an ocean of dark pondering that annually flood her head. T’ara originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory. SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts. Writer and Performer: T’ara Cole Producer: Alex Edmonson   When I Lived By Lungol Wekina Indigenous Papua New Guinean writer and organiser Lungol tells the story of his people, paying homage to times of peace, reflecting upon a history of colonial violence, and looking forward to a revolutionary future. Writer and Performer: Lungol Wekina Sound Design and Original Music Composition: Danni Stewart You can find more of Lungol’s work at Lungol.com. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producers: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing Kuang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All The Best Supervising Producer Daniel Semo recently came home to Australia from Japan. Finding himself stuck in Hotel Quarantine for two weeks, he decided to make a new audio story every day.  14 Days by Daniel Semo This episode features clips from Daniel's first seven days. You can listen to all the stories in full at danielsemo.com/14days Music and sound design by Daniel Semo Artwork by Vanessa Norlander   All The Best Credits  Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Social Media Producers: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re featuring the first episode of A Fluorescent Feeling. A project about pain and our bodies, how we talk about them and live inside them.  Content Warning: This podcast touches on some heavy themes, if you or someone you know require assistance, contact one of the following 24/7 crisis support services: Lifeline (13 11 14), beyondblue (1300 22 4636), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), eheadspace (1800 650 890), or QLIFE (1800 184 527). If you would like to read more about pain science visit Tame The Beast, Pain Australia and Chronic Pain Australia. A Fluorescent Feeling by Georgia Mill, Michelle Macklem and Beth Atkinson-Quinton Over Three million Australians live with chronic pain. Being in pain can be lonely, boring, scary and frustrating. But what if it could also be beautiful, colourful and textual? What if we could share it with others?  A Fluorescent Feeling encourages listeners to look at pain differently: asking questions about how we might record pain in new ways, how pain intersects with power and how pain and intimacy are related. A Fluorescent Feeling is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. Producers: Georgia Mill, Michelle Macklem and Beth Atkinson-Quinton and the Broadwave Team Find out more and listen to part 2 and 3 on Broadwave's Website or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Social Media Producers: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our episode this week is dedicated to exploring how trade unions have been a powerful advocate for LGBTQI+ rights in Australia. Pride Prejudice and Pink Bans by Rhiannon Soliman-Marron When Jeremy Fisher was kicked out of his university dorm for being gay, a militant trade union of construction workers stepped in and said it wasn't right. Almost five decades later, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Australia still wears on, but are unions still on the frontline?  Producer: Rhiannon Soliman-Marron Supervising Producer:  Eurydice Aroney Background info: Liz Ross Music: The Tides 'Dream Escape', Wayne Jones  'Brain Trust', Puddle of Infinity 'Armchair Stellar Crossing', Loopop 'Subharmonic', Emily A. Sprague 'Bug Catching', The Tides 'Somnolent', The Almanac Singers 'Solidarity Forever'   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producers: Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova  SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know that feeling of forcing your brain to do something it just doesn't want to do? Whether it's trying to remember study notes for exams, or the protagonist's name from that book you read two years ago. Getting your brain work with you can be tricky! This week's stories are all about trying to hack your brain.   Chronicle of Darkness by Daniel Semo In order to pass a Japanese language test, Daniel tried to “hack” his brain using various memorisation techniques, from the ancient to the modern. In the process, he also learned about his place in Japan and what it takes to really know another language. Producer: Daniel Semo Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Music: “Tuck and Point” by Blue Dot Sessions and all other music and sound design by Daniel Semo.    Elevator Love by Gus Macdonald Gus has an elevator crush. He's only known his crush for seconds, they've barely spoken, but still he imagines falling in love with this total stranger and the long, happy life they could have together.  Producer: Gus Macdonald Supervising Producer: Helen Wolfenden   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova SYN Mentee Producer: Wing KuangSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us across the country are currently under stay at home orders and only allowed to leave the house for essential reasons. This week, we’re peeping through the window into houses that have now become preschools, schools, universities and workplaces. From the sound of an alarm clock to tossing and turning at 1am. We’re taking you through a day in lockdown.  This episode was arranged by Danni Stewart and featured recordings from Mike Williams, Emma Pham, Lidiya Josifova, Narnie, Anna Wilson, Luke Stewart and Mell Chun. If you find yourself struggling in this difficult time, lifeline is a safe space to be heard. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re taking you back to Ancient Greece with a story you probably didn’t read about in your school textbook. The Bacchae by Jake Neville  You’d think that a story about a sexy, naked, lesbian forest cult and their gender-bending queer leader who destroy the patriarchy by dressing the nation’s head honcho in drag would be a very modern kind of story, right? You’d be wrong. Jake and Liam revisit the bloody story of Dionysus and the Bacchae and discover just how little has changed since 405 BC.  Find out more about the upcoming short film via instagram – @thebacchaeshortfilm Producer: Jake NevilleSupervising producer: Evana HoFeaturing: Liam Fitzgibbon With special thanks to Ruby Ellam, Brodie Healy and Chelsea Pataki. Music by Petros Tabouris Ensemble – public domain arrangementsMusic by Nik Navy – owned by Jake Neville All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, for our final instalment of the ‘swarm’ series, we explore the link between jellyfish blooms and climate change, increasing surveillance in our major cities, the world of dating apps and more! Each of these stories were produced by Melbourne University Audio Journalism students as part of a special collaboration with the Science Gallery. Content Warning: This episode contains sexually explicit content and mention of sexual harassment.    Bec Pridham  Why do bees swarm? Is there any rhythm or rhyme? Bec Pridham chats with local Adelaide beekeepers, unpacking swarming behaviour and how it is changing.  Sound sourced from BBC Sound Effects.  Producer: Bec Pridham Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim   Clancy Balen  Do you ever get the feeling that you’re being watched? Or followed? Tracked, maybe? Well, these days we are. We all are. Private actors, or local governments, here in Australia someone’s always watching.  Music: Pat Telfer, The Elevator Bossa Nova by Ben Sounds, Marche funèbre d’une marionette by Charles Gounoud and original composition.  Producer: Clancy Balen Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec   Amalyah Hart  Jellyfish blooms are a captivating sight, with thousands of the creatures massing together in groups that can be kilometres wide. But these blooms are also linked to pollution and climate change, because jellyfish thrive in the kinds of conditions that can kill most other marine creatures. Music: Peloton and At the Crown/City Whistle by Merriware (Used with permission). Additional sound sourced from BBC Sound Archive.  Producer: Amalyah Hart Supervising Producer: Mell Chun   Josh Nevett  The popularity of dating apps is soaring, producing stories that are unique to the digital age. Josh Nevett brings us two of those stories, begging the question… should you join the swipers, or is it best to avoid keyboard intimacy like the plague? Music: ‘Sexy Lounge’. Sourced from Adobe Stock.  Producer: Josh Nevett Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec   Julie Barman  Have you ever peacefully sat down in public transport, or happily danced to your favourite songs in a nightclub only to feel someone coming too close to you without your permission? Julie Barman talks to young women about their experiences of sexual harassment on a night out.  Producer: Julie Barman Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Episode Mix and Compile: Ollie Krusec Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is part two of our showcase of work from Melbourne University Audio Journalism students responding to the theme ‘swarm.’ In this episode we explore ‘swarm’ through the context of bats, mice, robots and activism.   Front Yard Fox by Danni Stewart and Helenna Barone-Peters  An increasing number of foxes have been taking over the streets and shorelines of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Danni and Helenna discuss the council’s failed attempts to get rid of them.  Music: Clarence Carter – Looking For A Fox  Die Hu More and more Grey-headed flying foxes have been coming to Melbourne due to a loss of habitat in New South Wales and Queensland. Die Hu takes us for an evening stroll along the nature trail to the bat colony living in the Yarra Bend Park.    Producer: Die Hu  Supervising Producer: Louisa Lim  Find out more about Micro Bats of Melbourne, Bat Boxes and Fly By Night.    Maya Pilbrow A lot of companies in Australia make their money through the production and sales of security and defense technology. In other words, weapons. Maya Pilbrow talks to activists dedicated to exposing the role of Australian-made weapons in human rights abuses in West Papua.  Producer: Maya Pilbrow  Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart  Find out more about Wage Peace and Make West Papua Safe.     Angus Thomson  Right now, parts of New South Wales are enduring their worst mouse plague in decades. Angus Thomson revisits the horrors of 1984 to find out why these plagues keep happening, and how it all ends. Producer: Angus Thomson  Supervising Producer: Mell Chun    Jiayi Yin Imagine you’re staying at a hotel and the whole time you’re there you don’t need to interact with another soul. Would you miss talking to the concierge? In China’s hotel industry, robots are increasingly replacing people in customer service roles. Jiayi Yin looks into this rise of robots and asks if they can really replace people.    Producer: Jiayi Yin Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart  Music: The Beauty of Technology by Night Light.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Episode Mix and Compile: Josh McKay Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the next three weeks, we’ll be playing stories produced by Melbourne University Audio Journalism students as part of a special collaboration with the Science Gallery. Each student will be sharing their take on the theme “swarm.”   Matthew Hall Matthew speaks with the director of science organisation Cesar about approaches to pest management, and how reimagining our relationship with creepy crawlies might be the answer. Producer: Matthew Hall  Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec    Nyima Lhamo Wangchuk   Rural-urban migration is one of the most urgent challenges Bhutan is facing. As people swarm to urban settlements leaving rural villages empty, a cultural void arises. Nyima  explores how this demographic shift also has a cultural impact.  Producer: Nyima Lhamo Wangchuk   Supervising Producer: Ollie Krusec    Yue Jiang Yue looks at how the arrival of European fast-fashion brand Brandy Melville has negatively impacted young women in China.  Producer: Yue Jiang Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko    Harry Sekulich  Harry unpacks common misconceptions about Australia’s beloved marsupial, the kangaroo, speaking with motorists about their run-ins with roos on the road.  Producer: Harry Sekulich Supervising Producer: Mell Chun     Julie Mae Fenwick  Julie’s mum and auntie reflect on the time when her uncle became the leader of a cult.  Producer: Julie Mae Fenwick  Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Social Media Producer: Emma Pham Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a break and playing your some of our favourite stories from the All The Best Archives. We'll be back with new stories next week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a break over the next few weeks and sharing some of our favourite stories from the All The Best Archives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is Refugee Week, so we’re revisiting two stories about the treatment of refugees who’ve come to Australia by boat. For the team at All The Best, this week is a time for reflection about what it means to live on stolen land, in a place where people are incarcerated for seeking safety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a break for the next few weeks and sharing some of our favourite stories from the All The Best Archives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking break for the next few weeks and sharing some of our favourite stories from the All The Best archives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two amateur detectives take a mystery into their own hands. Bike Noir by Cherese Sonkkila  Cherese Sonkkila was just an ordinary person until the day her bike got stolen. That’s when Chelsea Stone showed up; a hardboiled alter-ego who would stop at nothing until she solved the case. This is a true story infused with film noir fantasy. Featuring: David Maney, Rosanna Dunlop, Oliver Coleman and Aaron Lam. Producer: Cherese Sonkkila Supervising Producers: Max Rowley and Mell Chun  Music: Night on the Docks, Bass Walker, Deadly Roulette, Cool Vibes, Cool Vibes, Cool Vibes and Cool Vibes    by Kevin MacLeod, Noire #1 by Music By Pedro, The Black Cat by Aaron Kenny, Flor Vjell, Ervira, Illa Villardo, Uncertain Ground and Bivly by Blue Dot Sessions. License: CC BY 3.0 https://goo.gl/Yibru5   The Wahls Protocol by Thomas Phillips  When Sam discovers a cryptic note nestled in his deceased grandma’s hand the day before her funeral, he questions everything he thought he knew about her.  Producer: Thomas Phillips  Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart  Music: Kern Pkl by Blue Dot Sessions, Single Still by Blue Dot Sessions.    All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham  Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at learning as a way to upskill, to earn more, to improve ourselves. This week's stories are a rejection of those notions, about the joys of learning for learning's sake. Australian Cultural Library by Nic Huntington Steve Towson and his partner Vanessa Glenn have an obsession with Australian folk music that rivals local libraries, so they decided to start their own. Producer: Nic Huntington Supervising Producer: MJ Bakewell   Miro’s Project by Mell Chun  Mell talks to her 10-year-old nephew Miro about Kanton, a South Pacific island that he is captivated by, and the surprising things he’s learnt through his curiosity. Producer: Mell Chun Sound Design: Ben Cannings   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham Web Producer: Conor Hughes Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leaving a sure thing for the unknown is undoubtedly scary. These stories are about taking chances, and how going out on a limb can lead to a surprising, if unexpected pay-off. Central Desert Enigma by Miks Everitt Ali runs away from her old life in Melbourne to work in the Northern Territory, and unexpectedly finds a fresh start waiting for her in the heart of Australia. Producer: Miks Everitt Supervising Producer: Ryan Pemberton   How I unravelled my life by Alex Edmondson On Alex’s 34th birthday, her career as a filmmaker was hanging by a thread, she was living with her parents and she was questioning her sexuality. Then she received the news that she was facing premature infertility. Story by: Alex Edmondson Alex originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory.  SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham  Web Producer: Conor Hughes Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A faded memory from childhood and a false story that becomes a family memory. A yearning for reconnection and resolution drives this week’s two stories.  I am a Podcaster by Cristina Marras Cristina is fluent in three languages but unable to communicate with her illiterate grandmother, who only spoke Sardinian, and found herself mourning the loss of culture and familial connection this bizarre situation brought.  Produced by Cristina Marras All music from Epidemic Sound Library.   Beneath the Mask by Ruth Melville All that Ruth Melville knew about her great-aunt Agatha was that she was institutionalised because she refused to wear a mask during the 1919 influenza epidemic. That was until she set out to investigate.  Producer: Ruth Melville Supervising Producer: Daniel Semo Music from Peter Dasent and Blue Dot Sessions All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham  Web Producer: Conor Hughes Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Based on memories pushed through a romantic lens, nostalgia is a feeling that is comfortable to sit in, yet often factually incorrect. It can be hard to reconcile the things that made us so happy in the past, that we now know really weren’t helpful, or perhaps even harmful. Rom Coms Ruined My Life by Danni Stewart Recently, Danni went on a nostalgic rom-com binge and discovered the movies she loved so much as a 14 year old left her with some problematic ideas about love.  Producer: Danni Stewart All music used is from Blue Dot Sessions Love Letter by Wing Kuang David Hourigan loves old buildings. He sends love letters to old shops in Sydney and Melbourne. But instead of writing his passion on paper, he makes miniatures of them. Producer: Wing Kuang Supervising Producer: Olivia Krusec Find out more: David’s Instagram All Music from freesound.org   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Oliver Duke  Host: Mell Chun  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham  Web Producer: Conor Hughes Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We can never really understand how somebody wishes to be seen and understood in the world unless we listen. Sometimes they want to inform and educate from their marginalised viewpoint, other times they simply want to share.  Story of Your Life by Lee Robinson It’s often in the silences that someone will say more to you. When it comes to penning an end-of-life biography, the process can have unexpected consequences for both biographer and client. Producer: Lee Robinson Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Find out more: www.epc.asn.au All music used is from Blue Dot Sessions   Nice, But Not Really by Carey Scheer Harmful language is regularly directed at the disability community. But it’s not just slurs or insults. It’s also the other “I” word - inspirational.  Producer: Carey Scheer  This story originally appear on the Purple Orange Podcast All Music from premiumbeat.com   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham  Web Producer: Conor Hughes Community and Events Coordinator: Lidiya Josifova See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s stories, we’re diving headfirst into the darkness and discovering that sometimes through the darkness we find a sense of freedom.  Get Behind Me, Satan! by Mark Yin Is Satanism a religion or a cult? Does it exist to annoy Christians or is it really devil worship? Mark Yin spoke to a professor of religious studies, as well as Noosa’s most infamous Satanist, to find out. Producer: Mark Yin Supervising producer: Evana Ho Music: Winking Fox Music, GeriArt, and sscheidl.    Horror Story: Dawn of the Covid by David Maney A pandemic, the memory of a medical diagnosis, and a monster in the mind turn David Maney into the director of his own horror movie. What is lurking in the shadows? Written and performed by David Maney Produced and composed by Ben Keene   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Josh McKay  Host: Helenna Barone-Peters  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham Web Producer: Conor Hughes Community & Events Coordinator: Lidiya JosifovaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stories of two hobbies that, if not extreme in nature, are being pushed to extreme lengths by passionate individuals.  Kinder Surprise by Sepehr Jamshidi Fard Hooman’s house is what you’d get if a clown car swerved into a museum - fun, wacky, educational, and with the implied rule that you must not touch the T-Rex fossil. The two-metre tall glass display case filled with Kinder Surprise toys is his crown jewel, and today he’s going for a World Record.  Producer: Sepehr Jamshidi Fard Supervising Producer: Danni Stewart    Suburban Stargazing by Andrew Grey As one of the Territory’s only amateur astronomers, Andrew is used to solitary stargazing... except for the time word got out about his obsession after he helped Brian Cox discover a new solar system.  Story: Andrew Grey Producer: Johanna Bell Andrew originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory.  SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.     All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Helenna Barone Peters  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham Web Producer: Conor HughesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re saying goodbye to our superstar host of the past two years Maddy, but we’re also saying Hello to our new host Helenna. To mark this huge moment we’re bringing you stories about endings and new beginnings, from refugees starting life post detention to a poem about the last strands of a one-sided romance and the a love of leaving places.   The Value of Freedom - by Matilda Fay  Thanush and Ramsiyar are refugees who were detained offshore. After eight years in detention, they are finally free and living in the Australian community. But with temporary visas and no financial support, it’s difficult for them to rebuild their lives.  Producer: Matilda Fay  Music: Roadside Bunkhouse, Dolly and Pad, Taoudella.  Find out more: Refugeeaction.org.au   Endgame - by Vivian Tran In this poem we hear a story of one-sided love that lasted three years. A crush placed on a pedestal so high, that every red flag was ignored.  Find more of Vivian’s Poetry on her Instagram.  Poet: Vivian Tran  Producer: Danni Stewart  For The Love Of Leaving by Mell Chun  Mell loves leaving places. After highschool she packed up everything and traveled around Australia for 9 months before landing in Wollongong for a while, then Tasmania almost broke her geographical non-monogamy. Now she's settled in Naarm/Melbourne but wonders when the she'll get that feeling again, that desire to pack up everything and leave to start somewhere new. Producer: Mell Chun    All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Hosts: Maddy Macquine and Helenna Barone Peters  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Emma Pham  Image: Woodleywonderworks via https://commons.wikimedia.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, outgoing host Maddy shares some of their favourite All The Best stories.  Mouthfeel by Jared Richards It was an accident when Jared first used his housemate’s toothbrush. If he’d known how much he liked doing it, he would’ve done it ages ago. Sound design and original music composition: Pip Leason Supervising producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko  Additional thanks to Subbed In, where Jared first read a draft of ‘Mouthfeel’ Music: ‘Femme Fatale’ – The Velvet Underground & Nico (performed by the Vitamin String Quartet), ‘Sunday Morning’ – The Velvet Underground (performed by the Vitamin String Quartet)  Howdie Doo by Papa Grumbus Upon starting an observational experiment as a strange New Years resolution, Papa Grumbus discovers how absurd their interactions are with those closest to them, and how little they actually know about the world surrounding them. Producer: Papa Grumbus Recordist: Zacha Rosen This story was originally read at Read to Me, a comics reading night in Sydney. Find out more on their Facebook. Public Defecation Act by Concetta Caristo Most people like to edit out the most embarrassing parts of their lives. Not Concetta. She wants to tell you exactly what happened when her Mum found her blind drunk in the gutter on Norton St. Written and performed by Concetta Caristo Instagram: @concettaworldwide Supervising producer: Ryan Pemberton Music: ‘Airliner’ by Podington Bear, ‘The Confrontation’ by Podington Bear   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart  Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode mix and compile: Oliver Duke  Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Tiarne says goodbye to her family home and Rawah reflects on the huge family that raised her they both discover that home isn’t just a physical space but a collection of memories, smells, conversations and people.  Our House, Breathing by Tiarne Cook After almost 30 years Tiarne’s family home had to be sold when her parents split and with the final goodbye, it really felt like she was farewelling much more - a lifetime of memories, as well as her old family dynamic. So where does home go when it’s no longer a physical place we can visit? And can we ever get it back?  Producer: Tiarne Cook Supervising Producer: Eugenia Zoubtchenko Special Thanks to The Cook family - Chris, Laurence, Hayley for taking the time to be interviewed.  Music: Delion, Sketchbook 2, Drizzle, Cafe Nostro, Trenton Channel, Reflections by Blue Dot Sessions.  An Introvert’s Guide To Surviving An Arab Family of Extroverts by Rawah Arja  Rawah sometimes wonders if people think her family, a 25-strong Lebanese clan, are a cult. They live in three houses side-by-side on the same street in Punchbowl, south western Sydney, roaming freely onto each other’s properties, with detached fences and no clear boundaries. Despite what anyone on the outside might think of this her family’s arrangement, Rawah wouldn’t have it any other way. In this story, Rawah reflects on her huge family and the village that raised her.  In this episode Rawah Arja presents an essay on family life at her home in Punchbowl, Western Sydney. Read Rawah’s essay ‘An Introvert’s Guide to Surviving an Arab Family of Extroverts’ here on the SRB. Find more of her work at her website: rawaharjaauthor.com and follow her on Instagram @rawaharja. Writer and Reader: Rawah Arja  Producers: Catriona Menzies-Pike and Allison Chan  Composer and sound designer: Elina Godwin  This piece was originally recorded for the Sydney Review of Books podcast. You can also read Rawah’s essay on the Sydney Review of Books website.    All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart  Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode mix and compile: Josh McKay  Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of racism and sexual harassment.  When we think of horror we tend to imagine zombies, ghosts, unexplainable sounds in the night. But how about the horrors we experience as we go about our day to day? The real and impending everyday horrors that leave us tense with anxiety, chills down our spine and emotionally exhausted. This week, we hear stories of everyday horrors produced by New Moon Collective and Refugee Art Project, all artists in residence at Thirning Villa, Ashfield.    Street Harassment by Eleni Christou  As women’s marches take place across the country this week, Eleni discusses street sexual harassment with her friend Fatima, a social worker based in Cyprus.    Everyday Racism by Zeinab Mir Dealing with everyday racism leads Zeinab to take on a different name and reflect on the connection between name and identity.    Hazeen by Safdar Ahmed  We hear from the members of Hazeen, an anti-racist Muslim death metal, black metal band committed to addressing the themes of racism and Islamophobia in Australian society.  These stories were from their variety show called 'Horror of the Everyday' - made with support from inner west council and facilitated/co-produced by Mike Williams. To hear more stories go to newmooncollective.co/projects or find new moon or the refugee art project on instagram.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Maddy Macquine Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela MoranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of racism.  This week we hear about the fight to make wrestling more inclusive and from a dedicated  football fan whose club hasn’t had a win in years.  The Real Fight Behind Australian Pro Wrestling by Eugene Yang In 18 years of pro-wrestling, Joel “The Smash Hit” Bateman never wore the Indigenous flag on his tights, and kept an important part of his identity away from his in-ring character because he never felt safe from the racism he heard from the stands and the problematic storylines. But, then 2020 came. The pandemic forced the wrestling community into a moment of reflection while Black Live Matter rallies around the world opened their ears to what Joel and other diverse wrestlers had been trying to say. This path has led to Deathmatch Downunder, a promotion Joel co-founded, where he finally feels safe and ready to bring his whole self into the ring.   Producer: Eugene Yang  Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson  Music: “HIghway 430” by Truck Stop from Blue Dot Sessions: Highway 430 by Blue Dot Sessions,  “Kvelden Trapp” by Fjell from Blue Dot Sessions: Kvelden Trapp by Blue Dot Sessions, The Bulwark from Blue Dot Sessions Kvelden Trapp by Blue Dot Sessions  Why Root For The Losing Team by Luke Fennech  Why do fans turn up week in and week out to support their team, even if they aren’t winning? Why don’t they just support another team? Well there’s a lot more to fandom than you might think.  Music: Running Waters by Audionautix, Ellies Home Stretch by The Great North Sound Society and The Quiet Aftermath by Sir Cubworth.    Producer:Luke Fennech  Supervising Producer: Allison Chan     All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Maddy Macquine Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warm & cuddly or slippery & slimy we rely on our cute animal friends to bring us comfort and companionship. This week a story about snails and one very special cat.  Learning To Go Slow by Ivy Shih  The COVID-19 pandemic left Ivy feeling sluggish and withdrawn. Even after lockdown restrictions began to ease in Sydney, she found herself still reluctant to interact with the outside world. Then Ivy came across a project about tracking snails, and decided to take part. Find more info about the The snail homing project and share your stories on Urban Field Naturalist.  Producer: Ivy Shih Supervising Producer: Lee Robinson  Music: ‘Picnic March’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘The Poplar Grove’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Imagery’ by Xylo-Ziko, ‘Inside the paper crane’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Crystals’ by Xylo-Ziko   Meow To Be by Wing Kuang The first time when Wing saw Alexander, she knew she was meant to meet him. They had a great time together, but it was also their destiny to farewell each other. Would it still be counted as a fate, if it was just temporary? Producer: Wing Kuang  Supervising Producer: Mell Chun Sound Design: Mell Chun  All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart  Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode mix and compile: Josh McKay  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela MoranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we hear two childhood stories about big food related dreams.  Pulling Out All The Stops by Hannah Pembroke  Some kids dream of a playstation, some a mountain bike, some a dog, all Hannah wanted was a Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake. The fact that Hannah’s family lived on a tiny boat sailing around the world made this dream seem impossible. That was until Hannah’s tenth birthday when she finally figured out a way to get her dream Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake.  Producer: Hannah Pembroke  Sound Design: Ryan Pemberton   Rebel Without a Wok by Ange Wu  In Ange Wu’s childhood home, the kitchen was completely off limits. Ange never understood why she did everything she could to try and get inside. Years later, when her brother was bringing home an engineering degree, Ange was busy conjuring the perfect food van, a dream that would take her all over the world and back in time to her grandmother’s kitchen in Taipei. It’s there that Ange discovered the truth about her rebel roots. Ange originally told this story as part of SPUN Stories, a live storytelling event in Darwin, showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory.  SPUN also has a podcast, just search for SPUN Stories wherever you get your podcasts.     All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart Host: Maddy Macquine Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela MoranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last November we shared an episode about the important link between language and culture. Today, we’re continuing that conversation with two stories from the CBAA National Features and Documentary Series.  Never Gonna Let The Language Go Away by MJ Bakewell  What does ‘justice’ even mean if no one speaks your language? There are over 17 Aboriginal languages spoken in and around Mparntwe Alice Springs – but there’s only been an Aboriginal interpreter service since the year 2000. MJ Bakewell looks to the past, and one Yankuntyjatjara man’s legacy, to see how far we’ve come to ensure Aboriginal language speakers have the right to understand, and be understood. Music: Trail runner by Blue Dot Sessions, Algorithms by Chad Crouch, Passed Tense by Anne van Schothorst, Low Coal Camper by Blue Dot Sessions, 4th Chair by Blue Dot Sessions.  Producer: MJ Bakewell  Supervising Producer: Belinda Lopez Produced for the 2020 CBAA National Features and Documentary Series. My Mother Tongue by Bernadette Nguyen  They say that to speak a language is to take on a world, but for people from different cultural backgrounds living in Western spaces it’s easier said than done. Bernadette Nguyen speaks to her mother, a young Korean migrant, and a Wiradjuri woman, to find out how much of the world multilingual people can take on in My Mother Tongue. Music by Jerome Blazé and Gemma Navarrete  Producer: Bernadette Nguyen  Supervising Producer:  Celeste Macintosh  Produced for the 2020 CBAA National Features and Documentary Series.   All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela MoranSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grandparents Rae and John are fighting for climate action. Since their retirement, they’ve ditched the caravan for the picket line and have participated in more non-violent direct actions than they can count. 'Age Of Activism' By Jordyn Beazley  Inspired by the youth climate strike, there is a new growing cohort of people joining the climate fight - our grandparents. Gifted with the golden years of time and wealth for some, many older Australians are using their retirement to become full-time climate activists. But there is much more to these grey nomads turned activists than waving signs at protests. In this story, Jordyn Beazley follows two grandparents on an epic protest mission to barricade one of the most infamous sites in Australia’s climate crisis debate - the Adani Carmichael Coal mine.  Producer: Jordyn Beazley Supervising Producer: Rachel Fountain Additional Supervising Production: Mell Chun Music: Pulsating Brain, Lobo Loco - Sourced from The Free Music Archive.  All The Best credits: Production Manager: Danni Stewart Editorial Manager: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode Mix and Compile: Danni Stewart  Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran Images: Provided by Jordyn Beazley   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State borders are opening up. Restrictions are easing. And many of us are eager to travel, after a long wait, to see friends and family. For our last episode of the year, we hear the stories of people who are still left in limbo—refugees and asylum seekers held in indefinite detention, and Australian citizens unable to return home. 'It's Not Over 'Til It's Over' by Max Rowley and Navin Sam Regi For months, activists blockaded a makeshift detention centre in inner-city Brisbane, demanding more than 100 refugees and asylum seekers be set free. The activists slept in their cars, held up signs to passing motorists, and served as a support system for the men inside.  Then the blockade stopped. Was it all for nothing? What happens next? Producers: Max Rowley and Navin Sam Regi Supervising producer: Mell Chun Music: 'Li Fonte' and 'Arctic Draba' by Blue Dot Sessions 'Every Assistance And Protection' by Daniel Semo Exorbitant ticket prices. Cancelled flights. Expired visas. Perhaps worst of all—the feeling that your country no longer cares about you. Since Australia started placing weekly caps on the number of people who can enter the country, tens of thousands of its citizens have been left stranded overseas, trying to get back in. Some are in dire situations, in dangerous places, stuck there through no fault of their own. Producer: Daniel Semo Supervising producer: Sarah Mashman Original sound design and music by Daniel Semo All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran Photo: Max RowleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know what's unhelpful? Having depression and being told happiness is a choice. Or having chronic pain and being asked if you've tried doing yoga. This week, because unsolicited advice from people who don't understand you sucks, we have two stories of sharing support and solidarity with people who do. We meet a group of temporary visa holders unable to return to Australia, and a bookclub championing gender equity in STEMM fields. Both communities are helping each other through common challenges. Both stories are reported by producers who know what it's like to be in their shoes. 'STEMMinist' by Ivy Shih There is a movement that is aiming to break down barriers for women in research one book at a time. Welcome to STEMMinist, a bookclub where scientists gather to discuss not just their love for science books but share solutions and solidarity about the current challenges for women working in research - over glasses of wine, cups of tea and gin in teacups. Producer: Ivy Shih Supervising producer: Britta Jorgensen Music: Delamine, Hedgeliner, Slimheart by Blue Dot Sessions 'Locked Out' by Killian Keating and Fiona Mayers You travel back home to see your family... or maybe to attend a funeral. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hits and Australia closes its borders. Suddenly, you’re stuck outside, away from your home, your work and your belongings. From 6HFM in Perth, Fiona Mayers and Killian Keating talk to the people locked out of Australia. Producers: Killian Keating and Fiona Mayers Supervising producer: Lynda McCaffery Music: 'Gale', 'Maisie Dreamer' and 'Toothless Slope' by Blue Dot Sessions, 'Ready Lets Go' by Boards of Canada This story was produced for the CBAA's National Features and Documentary Series, with training from the CMTO. All The Best credits: Executive Producer: Ryan Pemberton Victorian State Coordinator: Mell Chun Host: Maddy Macquine Episode mix and compile: Ryan Pemberton Community Coordinators: Chloe Gillespie and Danni Stewart SYN Community Coordinator: Lee Robinson Social Media Producers: Matilda Fay and Angela Moran Photo: Adam Niklewicz via UnsplashSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.