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ABC Conversations In-depth interviews heard on ABC Radio across Australia, online and via podcast. Inappropriate comments will be removed at the discretion of the ABC.

Although they do read and appreciate them, Richard and Sarah aren't able to respond personally to comments made here. If you want to give formal feedback (or suggest a guest!) you can use the Suggest a Guest form on our website: www.abc.net.au/conversations

About the program:
Apple Podcasts Australia: Biggest Podcast 2020, Most Downloaded Podcast 2015-2019, and most downloaded Australian podcast

in 2019. Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met. On any given day Conversations might take you from a remote cattle station, to inside the cockpit of a space shuttle, to a family home in the middle of a war zone, to a hospital on the side of an African volcano, to the mysteries of the human brain, or to the pitch of the MCG. Conversations is funny, provocative and often deeply moving.

Today it's Richard's conversation with oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava AOM.Ranjana was a young doctor in regional Austr...
09/09/2025

Today it's Richard's conversation with oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava AOM.

Ranjana was a young doctor in regional Australia, accompanying her consultant on his late night rounds when she heard a patient say something that stopped Ranjana in her tracks.

It was in that moment that she finally knew what her speciality was going to be: oncology.

Ranjana now works in Melbourne as an oncologist and an author.

She often writes about the need for clarity and compassion in doctor-patient conversations, to deliver good news, bad news and everything that falls between.

Ranjana had her own experience of being at the receiving end of devastating news when she was pregnant with twins.

Ranjana has carried the lesson she received from her own doctor forward, into her work as an oncologist, where bearing witness to the attitudes of her patients has changed the way she sees the world and has helped put her own life in perspective.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/ranjana-srivastava-oncologist-cancer/105729418

Which Conversations episode will you be revisiting? đź‘€To celebrate the 20-year anniversary of Conversations, we asked lis...
08/09/2025

Which Conversations episode will you be revisiting? đź‘€

To celebrate the 20-year anniversary of Conversations, we asked listeners to share the guest interviews that have stayed with them long after the mic was turned off.

From Logie-winning tennis star Jelena Dokic, through to lesser-known guests sharing tales of incredible humanity, click the link in the comments to see a sample of what you shared ➡️

Today it's the story of how Alan 'the s**t magnet' Playford helped to revolutionise Australia's ambulance services.When ...
03/09/2025

Today it's the story of how Alan 'the s**t magnet' Playford helped to revolutionise Australia's ambulance services.

When Alan first joined the New South Wales Ambulance Service in the 1970s, he would drive an ambulance on his own to all sorts of emergencies.

With little equipment, and no support, Alan would simply have to bundle people into the back of the wagon and race to the hospital, where lifesaving machines and skills could give them a chance.

In those early days, 80 per cent of Alan's patients would die either on the way to the hospital or on the doorstep.

Alan and a group of other ambulance officers and doctors knew they could do better and set about modernising paramedicine.

Under the leadership of Dr Bob Wright, they began innovative (and often terrifying) training to save more lives.

Ambulance officers from Newcastle, including Alan, were among the first to be trained in these new "advanced life support" skills.

So by the time the unprecedented Newcastle Earthquake hit in 1989, Alan used his more than ten years' experience to save lives at the Newcastle Workers Club and on Beaumont Street.

Alan went on to makeover the now beloved Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and took his skills to places like Rwanda and East Timor.

He gained his nickname the 's**t magnet' for his habit of coincidentally being there to help out in emergencies, even when he's not on duty.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/alan-playford-paramedic-australian-history/105710620

đź“·
1. Alan in his ambulance early in his career (photo taken by Mick Dawson);
2. Alan and Penny Keogh, who co-authored his memoir (supplied by Penny Keogh);
3. Rescuers inside the Newcastle Workers Club after the 1989 earthquake (supplied);
4. Pilots, crew and flight paramedics of Newcastle Wales Rescue Helicopter Service celebrate 2000 missions (supplied);
5. Alan is Australia's most decorated civilian for his decades of service as a paramedic and a firefighter (supplied).

Today it's Richard's conversation with Hossei, an artist from Western Sydney with a flair for colour, quirk and unbridle...
02/09/2025

Today it's Richard's conversation with Hossei, an artist from Western Sydney with a flair for colour, quirk and unbridled joy.

Growing up the only son in a Persian-Australian family, it took years of hard work to convince his parents that being an artist was his destiny.

HOSSEI's mother, Nahid, came around first, getting her sewing machine out to help her son make his incredible costumes.

Then, it was HOSSEI's turn to support his mum, who needed a carer as her health deteriorated.

As they spent more and more time together, HOSSEI was inspired to write a musical for, about and starring his cheeky, charismatic mother.

The project is personal, but also has a political edge -- women in Iran aren't allowed to freely sing, dance or play music -- and so HOSSEI put his mother centre stage.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/hossei-artist-western-sydney-persia-musical-iran/105705878

đź“·
1. Visuals from 'Thunderbloom' the album (supplied by HOSSEI);
2. HOSSEI with the 'Thunderbloom' album cover (ABC Arts: Eloise Fuss);
3. HOSSEI with his mum, Nahid (supplied by HOSSEI);
4-5. 'Thunderbloom' the live show in action in 2024 (photos taken by Jacquie Manning).

Great news — you can now explore the Conversations archive on Apple podcasts!Make your way through the years and discove...
28/08/2025

Great news — you can now explore the Conversations archive on Apple podcasts!

Make your way through the years and discover new playlists like Psychology and Relationships, Our Evolving World, Health and Resilience, and Art and Passions.

Just go to your Apple podcast app and listen away!

*There will also be something coming to Spotify soon, so stay tuned...

And that's a wrap! 15 shows in eight cities around the country!Thank you for coming out to celebrate 20 years of Convers...
26/08/2025

And that's a wrap! 15 shows in eight cities around the country!

Thank you for coming out to celebrate 20 years of Conversations with us.

From unexpected updates from beloved guests, to rogue "huzzah's", and spectacular (and triggering?!) displays of liturgical dancing on the stage and in the crowd, we had a marvellous time and we hope you did too.

🩵💜 Thanks for listening 💜🩵

Podcast Extra alert! 🚨Sarah and Richard are giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Conversations Live Tour, Br...
22/08/2025

Podcast Extra alert! 🚨

Sarah and Richard are giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Conversations Live Tour, Brisbane edition.

You can see a selection of photos from two of our special guests.

Listen to comedian and writer, Mandy Nolan, and chair of Creative Australia, Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch live on stage:

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/20th-anniversary-pod-extra-mandy-nolan-and-wesley-enoch/105680110

1. Mandy as a schoolkid.
2. Mandy breastfeeding on stage, early in her stand up career.
3. Mandy leading a n**e protest.
4. Mandy's recent family photo.
5. Wesley's "therapy photo".
6. Wesley with his parents and sister.
7. Wesley with his partner, David McAllister. Credit: Peter Brew-Bevan.

Podcast Extra alert! 🚨Sarah and Richard are giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Conversations Live Tour, Ad...
13/08/2025

Podcast Extra alert! 🚨

Sarah and Richard are giving you a sneak peek behind the scenes of the Conversations Live Tour, Adelaide edition.

You can see a selection of the photos special guests Gill Hicks and Bruce McAvaney spoke about on stage.

Listen to London Underground terror attack survivor, Gill's interview on stage and see the accompanying photos:

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/abc-conversations-podcast-extra-gill-hicks/105648496

1. Gill's prosthetic legs, taken by Tony Kearney.
2. Gill's beloved red shoes, a fraction of her shoe collection she loved before she started wearing prosthetic legs.
3. A figure on a tightrope reminds Gill there is always opportunity in adversity.
4. Gill with a London police officer who helped to rescue her after the tragedy.
5. Gill in 2015, abseiling down the Westpac building in Adelaide.
6. Gill on stage, singing with her band.
7. A footprint in the sand signifies Gill's loss — not being able to feel the sand of Glenelg Beach under her feet while also recognising that a footprint or a legacy, can be so much more than that.

Listen to legendary sports broadcaster, Bruce's interview on stage and see the accompanying photos:

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/conversations-live-podcast-extra-bruce-mcavaney/105648734

đź“· Photos supplied by Bruce McAvaney.

1. Bruce in his high school cricket team at Woodville High, second from the left.
2. Bruce at school, on the right.
3. A young Bruce at a girlfriend's home in Adelaide in 1971.
4. Calling the Port Lincoln Cup for 5DN in 1977.

Conversations is live! 🤩Richard and Sarah have hit stages in Adelaide and Hobart, with Canberra and Perth up next.Hear t...
06/08/2025

Conversations is live! 🤩

Richard and Sarah have hit stages in Adelaide and Hobart, with Canberra and Perth up next.

Hear the Conversations 20th Anniversary Collection now on ABC listen.

Want to get your hands on some exclusive ABC Conversations merch? Here's your chance!đź–¤ The prize pack includes:Conversat...
06/08/2025

Want to get your hands on some exclusive ABC Conversations merch? Here's your chance!

đź–¤ The prize pack includes:
Conversations Swirl Black Tee
Conversations Swirl Black Tote Bag
Conversations Logo Black Hoodie
👉 Click the link for your chance to go in the draw: https://www.abc.net.au/shop/win-conversations-merch/105589892

Entries close 11:59pm AEST, 25 August 2025 — don’t miss out!

Conversations merch is now available to buy online: https://abcmerch.com.au/collections/conversations

Conversations Live is underway!! 🎤🎙️Richard and Sarah had so much fun kicking things off in Adelaide and then zipping ov...
05/08/2025

Conversations Live is underway!! 🎤🎙️

Richard and Sarah had so much fun kicking things off in Adelaide and then zipping over to Hobart.

Next stop: Canberra!

There are still seats available in Melbourne and Newcastle and we would to see you there!! Find ticket information here: www.abc.net.au/abcevents

📸Bri Hammond

Across the last 20 years, Conversations has captivated millions and dominated the podcast rankings.Its immersive, human-...
03/08/2025

Across the last 20 years, Conversations has captivated millions and dominated the podcast rankings.

Its immersive, human-centred approach to interviewing has told deeply personal stories of triumph, survival and heartbreak.

It’s a product of Conversations co-presenter Richard Fidler’s lifelong curiosity and innate thirst for knowledge.

“As a kid, I always wanted to know how my tiny speck of a life fitted into the great stream of events and people. I’ve been working on that ever since, really,” he said.

Before he became a gentle, empathetic voice on Conversations, Fidler was part of the satirical music trio, The Doug Anthony Allstars.

It was in this era that Fidler met his now wife of 32 years, Khym Fidler.

From the start of Conversations, Fidler saw “someone like Khym” as the show’s core listener — a smart, “bookish” mum at home with small kids.

And while he didn’t know it yet, Fidler was also talking to another stay-at-home mum; Sarah Kanowski, his future co-presenter.

Kanowski joined the show in 2018, with Fidler full of praise for his “witty” co-host and her “first-rate mind”.

Over the last two decades, between them, the pair have interviewed close to 3,200 guests from all walks of life.

The key to their success?

“Our curiosity is the engine of that hour. Otherwise, it's just a bloody long interview,” Fider said.

But there are lines they won’t cross. Early on, Fidler would ask some guests to recount their trauma in the name of truth-telling. He’s now more careful after it left him feeling “sad and sick” and dreading work.

“I don't mind making listeners uncomfortable, but I do mind mining that trauma, and tears, for its own sake.”

After 20 years behind the mic, does Fidler have any plans to hang up his hat? Not yet.

"It's quite a sustainable job, and I still love it. I get to find out something new all the time," he said.

“And I love the people I work with too. We're a very happy family in conversations.”

✍️ Story by Fiona Purcell

📰 Read more ➡️ https://ab.co/RichardFidlerInterview

🎧 Conversations – Stream the 20th anniversary collection throughout August on the ABC listen app.

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Although they do read and appreciate them, presenters Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski aren’t able to respond personally to your comments. Inappropriate comments about our guests, presenters or other commenters, will be removed at the discretion of the ABC.

To give formal feedback (or suggest a guest!) we encourage you to get in touch via the Suggest a Guest form on our website: www.abc.net.au/conversations About Conversations

Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met. On any given day, Conversations might take you from a remote Chinese village, to inside the cockpit of a space shuttle, a family home in the middle of a war zone, a hospital on the side of an African volcano, inside the depths of the human brain, or to the pitch of the MCG. Conversations is funny, provocative, and often deeply moving.

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