Program: Conversations

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A man sitting on a stool with hands on thighs looking at the camera

A woman in a black dress stands, smiling in front of a teal background.

Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may, or may not, have heard about — someone who has seen and done amazing things.

Airs on ABC Local Radio, Monday to Friday at 11am and on ABC Radio National, Monday to Friday at 3pm (repeated at 3am)

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Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may, or may not, have heard about — someone who has seen and done amazing things.

Airs on ABC Local Radio, Monday to Friday at 11am and on ABC Radio National, Monday to Friday at 3pm (repeated at 3am)

Episodes

Sorted by latest

Radio National: Sharonne Zaks, the empathetic dentist

Sharonne Zaks grew up in a family of dentists, and when she too became a dentist, she developed an empathetic relationship with her patients, never judging them even if they'd avoided the dentist for years.

Published: 8h agoThu 25 Dec 2025 at 4:00am

Sharonne Zaks smiles, standing in front of a full bookshelf.

Duration: 53 minutes

Holiday Listening: Learning from the mighty matriarchs of the animal kingdom

Erna Walraven was one of the first female zookeepers to work at Sydney's Taronga Zoo in the 1980s. Despite practical jokes from her male colleagues, like animal dung in her gumboots, Erna kept her nerve.

Published: 16h agoWed 24 Dec 2025 at 8:00pm

A woman with short, silver hair smiles, set against a grey backdrop.

Duration: 51 minutes 20 seconds

Radio National: Christian the Lion and the men who loved him

How John Rendall and Anthony 'Ace' Bourke bought a lion cub named him Christian, who then lived with them in their Chelsea flat above a furniture shop. (R)

Published: YesterdayWed 24 Dec 2025 at 4:00am

Two men stand next to each other, smiling against a leady backdrop.

Duration: 53 minutes

Radio National: Bryan Brown's road from Bankstown to Palm Beach

Actor Bryan Brown on his journey from the suburbs of Bankstown and Panania to the silver screen (R)

Published: TueTue 23 Dec 2025 at 4:00am

Bryan Brown stands with arms crossed, smiling.

Duration: 52 minutes 48 seconds

Radio National: how Henrietta Lacks revolutionised science

Rebecca Skloot tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman who revolutionised medicine with her unsung contribution to medical research (R)

Published: MonMon 22 Dec 2025 at 4:00am

Best of 2025: Mike Doleman on surving the Blythe Star

At 18 years old, Mick Doleman miraculously survived when his ship capsized in the freezing Southern Ocean off Tasmania. But as he floated in a life raft with his nine crewmates, his ordeal at sea had only just begun.

Published: FriFri 19 Dec 2025 at 12:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

An older man with glasses looks into the distance with a thoughtful look on his face..

Duration: 53 minutes

Best of 2025: How I became a brainwashed cult bride

Liz Cameron was 18 years old when a stranger approached her in a book shop. It was the beginning of her induction into a cult, and it was an experience Liz barely survived.

Published: 18 Dec 2025Thu 18 Dec 2025 at 12:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Duration: 53 minutes 31 seconds

Best of 2025: The young boat builder who rowed across the Pacific

Tom Robinson was a 14-year-old living in the Brisbane suburbs when he made a promise to himself to become the youngest person ever to row across the Pacific Ocean.

Published: 17 Dec 2025Wed 17 Dec 2025 at 12:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Young man with blonde hair no shirt sitting on his boat looking into camera

Duration: 52 minutes 16 seconds

Best of 2025: Claire Keegan on bravery, writing and the single life

The bestselling Irish author grew up on a farm set on “50 acres on the side of a hill”. Growing up, she witnessed a harsh, misogynistic country that convinced her she would never marry.

Published: 16 Dec 2025Tue 16 Dec 2025 at 12:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

A woman with long, wavy light brown hair looks into the camera, red theatre seats are in the background.

Duration: 53 minutes 10 seconds

Best of 2025: How Vincent Fantauzzo's life was saved by love and painting

When artist Vincent Fantauzzo was a boy he was a street-fighting petty criminal with dyslexia and a blazing talent for drawing. He escaped jail time, and grew up to become one of Australia's most well-known portrait artists.

Published: 15 Dec 2025Mon 15 Dec 2025 at 12:00amwith Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski

Artist Vincent Fantauzzo, with bleached cropped hair, stands in front of large paintings.

Duration: 52 minutes

Highlights

True Crime

Behind every crime there’s a remarkable, unexpected and sometimes shocking story.

Images of blue and white checkered police tape stretched across a suburban street.

Published: 27 Oct 2025Mon 27 Oct 2025 at 12:49am

Road Trip Playlist

The road may be long, so here is a series of interviews about adventures and passions, some with a focus on the natural world. This playlist is designed to keep the spirits high as you drive off into your holiday period.

Published: 16 Dec 2024Mon 16 Dec 2024 at 12:31am

On the Couch

Psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists on a range of approaches to mental health.

Published: 13 May 2025Tue 13 May 2025 at 1:18am

Conversations from the Pacific

From the dramatic forests of Fiji, to the striking rivers of Papua New guinea, Conversations takes you into the Pacific to hear remarkable stories from our closest neighbours

The bow of a boat can be seen travelling toward an island in Fiji.

Published: 30 Jun 2023Fri 30 Jun 2023 at 3:36am

Frequently asked questions

Conversations FAQs

Find out the answers to many questions we are asked regularly.

Published: 3 Apr 2023Mon 3 Apr 2023 at 2:28am

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Program: Conversations

Radio National: Sharonne Zaks, the empathetic dentist

Holiday Listening: Learning from the mighty matriarchs of the animal kingdom

Radio National: Christian the Lion and the men who loved him

Radio National: Bryan Brown's road from Bankstown to Palm Beach

Radio National: how Henrietta Lacks revolutionised science

Best of 2025: Mike Doleman on surving the Blythe Star

Best of 2025: How I became a brainwashed cult bride

Best of 2025: The young boat builder who rowed across the Pacific

Best of 2025: Claire Keegan on bravery, writing and the single life

Best of 2025: How Vincent Fantauzzo's life was saved by love and painting

True Crime

Road Trip Playlist

On the Couch

Conversations from the Pacific

Conversations FAQs

Discover more podcasts

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