Conversations

Colm Toibin, an acclaimed Irish novelist known for works like Brooklyn and Nora Webster, shares his adventurous life journey. He reflects on moving from rural Ireland to the liberating chaos of post-Franco Spain. Colm discusses how personal loss and family dynamics fuel his storytelling, revealing the poignant memories that shape his novels. He contrasts the cultural richness of Los Angeles with his Irish roots, while also pondering the tension between creative desires and conventional careers. Expect insights laden with humor and nostalgia!

Hilde Hinton, a prison officer turned best-selling novelist, shares her poignant journey marked by profound loss and resilience. She discusses the impact of her mother’s early death and how she shielded her siblings from grief. Hilde’s debut novel, a reflection of her tumultuous upbringing, helped her brother understand their shared past. With her unique home in Melbourne serving as a refuge for those in distress, she emphasizes the importance of empathy, creativity, and the healing power of storytelling.

Alex Schnell, a comparative animal psychologist and National Geographic Explorer, shares her captivating experiences with octopuses, especially her bond with Scarlett. She reveals how these creatures exhibit remarkable intelligence, personality, and memory. The discussion dives into their fascinating mating rituals and cooperative behaviors, illustrating the emotional depth of octopuses. Alex also reflects on the broader implications of animal intelligence and our connections to these otherworldly beings, inviting listeners to rethink the cognitive abilities of cephalopods.

Sean Sweeney, an Auslan interpreter and child of deaf adults, shares his remarkable journey from rebellion against the deaf world to becoming a vital communication bridge during Australia's Bushfire Emergency. He reflects on growing up in a deaf family and the unique connections within the deaf community. The discussion touches on the challenges of interpreting, the evolution of Auslan, and the importance of identity. Sean also opens up about life after his heart attack, emphasizing the transformative lifestyle changes he's embraced.

Marcel Dirsus, a political scientist and author, dives deep into the world of tyrants and their precarious grip on power. He shares gripping insights into the psychology of dictators, including their fear and paranoia despite projecting strength. The discussion also highlights the golden gun paradox, exposing how reliance on loyalists can lead to vulnerability. Dirsus recounts his terrifying experience during a coup in Africa, illuminating the journey from stability to chaos and offering a renewed perspective on the resilience of democracy.

Bestselling Irish author Claire Keegan, known for her poignant stories like 'Small Things Like These', shares her journey from a challenging rural upbringing to becoming a literary voice. She reflects on the lessons learned from newborn piglets and the craft of writing. Claire discusses the societal pressures faced by women in Ireland and critiques traditional marriage norms. She emphasizes the transformative power of fiction in personal exploration and highlights the importance of well-structured writing for clarity and emotional impact.

Peter Godwin, a Zimbabwean writer and former war correspondent, shares insights about his turbulent upbringing and complex relationship with his mother, a pioneering doctor. He recounts the struggles of growing up during civil unrest, his experiences as a teenage soldier, and the impact of family loss, particularly the death of his sister. Through candid reflections on trauma and identity, Godwin explores how his mother's legacy shaped him, ultimately revealing hidden family truths that influenced his journey into writing and understanding grief.

Warren Ward, a psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders and author of 'Lovers of Philosophy', shares his insights into the complexities of mental health. He likens asking someone with anorexia to eat to asking an arachnophobe to handle spiders. The conversation reveals innovative treatment strategies at Australia's Wandi Nerida program, emphasizing holistic recovery. He discusses the societal pressures affecting patients and highlights the importance of understanding human motivation—drawing from philosophy to enhance empathy and insight in therapy.

When writer Hannah Kent first visited Iceland in 2003, she came across a gothic true story about Agnes Magnusdottir, the last woman hanged in Iceland. That story would change her life.Hannah's arrival to the Nordic island as an exchange student in 2003 was a difficult one.On her first night in the country, she found herself stranded late at night at Keflavik Airport and desperately homesick.But within weeks, Iceland had begun to change young Hannah — its dramatic landscapes, extraordinary light and chilling ghost stories embedded themselves in Hannah's psyche.She became particularly entranced with the haunting story of accused murderer and domestic servant, Agnes Magnusdottir, who became the last person executed in Iceland. Hannah's later novel, Burial Rites, was inspired by Agnes' story and became a best-seller. But there were many unsolvable mysteries that lingered in her mind years after that book was released.Hannah returned to Iceland to find answers, and discovered her life was still entwined with Agnes in strange and eerie ways.Always Home, Always Homesick is published by Pan Macmillan.This episode of Conversations was recorded live at the 2025 Melbourne Writers Festival. It explores writing, books, Rotary Exchange, high school exchange, ERASMUS, Scandinavia, remote travelling, the northern lights, mountains, ghost stories, horrible histories, psychics, speaking with the dead, creepy coincidences, true stories, death penalty, execution, murder, crime.

Claude Robinson developed a heroin habit as a young man, and spent years in jail. In 2006 he began to turn his life around for good. (CW: descriptions of drug use, addiction, and crime) (R)Claude Robinson is the manager of Rainbow Lodge, a home in inner Sydney for men just out of prison. Claude knows the place well because nearly 20 years ago he was sent there himself.Claude was a heroin addict who had taken to crime to pay for his habit and wound up in a minimum security jail. But after he assaulted a prison guard, he ended up in one of Australia's toughest jails - Goulburn Correctional Centre. While Claude was inside, his father died, and he found out that he had inherited $60,000.It was a chance to start a new life when he got out of prison. But instead, he and a girlfriend checked into a hotel in Kings Cross and bought some backs of heroin. Within weeks, all of Claude's inheritance was gone.In 2006, Claude was back in prison when he decided to finally change his story. He got off drugs, went to TAFE, and started working his way back to Rainbow Lodge, where he helps men who have walked a similar path to his own.Help and support is always available: The National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone service that provides counselling, advice, and information for those struggling with addiction. Call 1800 250 015.Learn more about Rainbow LodgeRead about Australia's Justice Reform Initiative's campaign Jailing is Failing This episode of Conversations discusses drug use, substance abuse, addiction, crime, mental health, toxic masculinity, manhood, fatherhood, parenting, turning your life around, getting clean, rehabilitation, rehab, intervention, AA, NA, sponsors, inheritance, heroin, methadone, ice, meth, illicit substances, incarceration, recidivism. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.