ABC News Daily Leigh Sales on humanity’s best stories
Dec 24, 2025
Leigh Sales, the host of Australian Story and a senior ABC presenter, shares unforgettable narratives from her distinguished career. She reflects on the heart-wrenching episode of a dramatic Franklin River rescue involving life-and-death challenges. Leigh also delves into the touching love story of widows Laura and Cole, and the emotional interview with Jelena Dokic, exploring trauma and resilience. The podcast offers a journey through humanity's best stories, showcasing the power of personal narrative and connection.
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Reporter-Less Storytelling Heightens Authenticity
- Australian Story's narrator-less format forces storytellers to capture everything in the field rather than patching with voiceover later.
- Leigh Sales says this stylistic choice makes the program feel ahead of its time and creates storytelling challenges that heighten authenticity.
GoPro Footage Turned A Rescue Into A Thriller
- The two-part episode The River reconstructed a dramatic Franklin River rescue using multiple GoPro angles from the rafters themselves.
- Robin Powell compiled firsthand footage and interviews to make the rescue unfold like a thriller, gripping Leigh Sales.
Emergency Medicine In Unthinkable Conditions
- Dr Joe Kippax described attempting an underwater amputation on a man trapped in the Franklin River, a procedure for which medics aren't trained.
- The team improvised anaesthesia and positioning under extreme conditions to try to save Valdas's life.