Conversations

Stephanie Wood was new to online dating when she met a sweet man named Joe. But within weeks, she realised 'farmer' Joe was not who he claimed to be (R).
Stephanie was a successful and well-travelled journalist when she met a sweet man named Joe online.
They spent many romantic weekends away and discussed a future where they would live together in the country.
But after months of his last minute cancellations and no shows, Stephanie finally ended the relationship.
What she discovered next was a shocking tale of deceit and manipulation.
Once she began telling her story, Stephanie realised there were hundreds of other women, and a few men just like her.
Fake is published by Penguin
Since Sarah first spoke with Stephanie in 2019, her story has been turned into an acclaimed TV series starring Asher Keddie.
Stephanie's newsletter Vamp is available on Substack.
This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison. Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.
It explores online dating, dating apps, catfishing, the Tinder Swindler, betrayal, deceit, love, relationships, modern dating, grief, dating for women, manipulation, narcissism, is my partner a narcissist, gaslighting, is my partner gaslighting me, ripped off, lies.
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.

Charles Lomu on being privileged to see love in action in his grandparents, how a spiral into grief and anger led him to periodic detention, and how cutting hair today helps him steer young men away from a dark path (R). 
When Charles was born, he was lovingly given to his grandparents, in the Tongan adoption custom of pusiaki.
He lived a gentle, religious life in Tonga, and saw love in action through his grandparents' care.
The family moved to Australia, where Charles grew to be an up-and-coming Rugby League player.
When grief shook his family, Charles turned down a dark path, which ended in periodic detention in jail.
Originally broadcast July 2022.
This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan and the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.
This episode of Conversations explores masculinity, love, boyhood, manhood, toxic masculinity, mentoring boys, family life, sports, men in sports, grief, trauma, trauma response, manosphere, Louis Theroux, HSTikkyTokky, Waller, Sneako, men for boys to look up to, recidivism, incarceration, criminal justice system, repeat offending, turning your life around, father figures, grandfather.
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.

Benjamin Gilmour describes the hectic work of saving lives, and what it's like to bring people back from the brink of suicide. (R)
Ben was been a paramedic for twenty six years and was based in inner Sydney for more than a decade.
A regular working week for Bondi's ambulance crews would see them called out to cardiac arrests, drug overdoses, domestic disputes, and to suicides.
Their patch included a notorious cliff known as 'The Gap', where it would often be Ben’s job to convince people to come back from the edge.
Content Warning
This episode deals directly with suicide, and may be distressing for some people.
Please do seek help if you need it. There is always someone who can talk with you.
If you or anyone you know needs help
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
BeyondBlue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
Further information
Originally broadcast January 2020.
The Gap was published by Penguin.
Listen to Benjamin's conversation with Sarah on directing his feature film, Jirga, in Afghanistan (2018).
This episode was produced by Michelle-Ransom-Hughes and the Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney.
It deals with suicide, mental health, mental illness, PTSD, mateship, colleagues, work friends, The Gap, cardiac arrest, first on the scene, front line workers, ambos, ambulance, paramedics, emergency, 000.
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.

When Anna Ferguson was a little girl she was badly hurt in a roller coaster accident. Although she made a full physical recovery, emotionally everything was different, and for many years she couldn't understand why she remained either angry or numb.
Anna was 10 years old when she went with her family to the Melbourne Royal Show.
Anna was excited to ride a roller coaster for the first time, but something went wrong on the ride, and Anna and her sister were trapped for hours.
Both of them needed major medical treatment, and while they made a fully physical recovery, overnight Anna changed from a happy, outgoing little girl into a child carrying a lot of anger and resentment.
As the years went on, Anna realised she was still carrying the legacy of that accident in her nervous system.
So she set about bringing her nervous system back into balance, first through becoming a champion Muay Thai fighter, and then by going to university to study psychology. 
Anna is now a counsellor who specialises in teaching people practical ways to get regulate their nervous system - whether that's by calming or by energising it.
Anna's latest book, 21 Days To A Less Anxious You is published by HarperCollins.
You can read more about Anna's work at her website.
This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.
It explores mental health, mental wellbeing, dysregulation, neurodivergence, cancer, terminal cancer, brain tumour, parenting, regulated parenting, vagus nerve, trauma, PTSD, childhood trauma, how to regulate yourself, breath work, meditation, tapping, yoga, Anna the anxiety coach, depression, fight, flight, freeze, fawn, the wellness industry, psychology, Muay Thai, boxing, fighting, exercise for mental health, carers, caring for a spouse, the NDIS, therapy, overwhelm.
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.

Military strategist Jennifer Parker on the story behind the biggest disruption to oil supplies in world history, happening now in the Strait of Hormuz.
The narrow waterway in the Persian Gulf has a particular geographical importance to the world, as the land on one side belongs to Iran, and the country has a history of using it to pressure its enemies in times of conflict.A quarter of all oil production passes through it so disrupting that flow can have an enormous impact on the global economy.
Right now, in response to heavy bombardment from the U.S and Israel, Iran has effectively shut down this waterway by attacking commercial vessels trying to get through. 
Jennifer Parker served for more than 20 years as an officer with the Royal Australian Navy and has travelled through the Strait of Hormuz during her multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf.
She is currently an associate at the ANU’s National Security College and a fellow at the Lowy Institute. This episode of Conversations was produced by Jen Leake, the Executive Produce is Nicola Harrison.
It explores Iran, The Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, conflict, war, global oil production, the US, Israel, war, attacks, commercial shipping, Royal Australian Navy, China, US submarines, international law, Donald Trump, the Persian Gulf States, global economy, fuel prices, drones, ballistic missiles, nuclear weapons, Russia, Venezuela.