What do you think I look like?

Is that a weird question? Probably. But I do have a point, stay with me. 

In a perfect world we’re all moving away from judging a book by its cover, I don’t think we can say we’ve achieved this quite yet.  

This idea is unpacked in our stories this week which delve into growing into our own skin, against the grain of social expectations. 

Dating when different by Carey Scheer

In our first story, Daniella Biagi shares the challenges of dating with physical differences. From traumatic encounters, malicious body-shaming to numerous not-so-happy dates, Daniella finds healing, growth, and resilience, as she leads us through a quest for genuine connection—with others and herself—in a world too quick to judge.

Remember, you are worthy of love just as you are—the right person won’t need you to have Snow White’s beauty, or Cinderella’s glass slippers to see the princess you’ve always been.

This story was produced by Carey Scheer with additional production by Mel Bakewell.

You can discover more of Carey's work at Purple Orange podcast.

Comfortable by Samuel Luke

In the second story, Samuel reflects on his transition journey of coming out as transgender and the emotional weight of his first year on testosterone. Through recalling vivid memories and emotions, Samuel explores the dissonance between his evolving body, the long-held feelings of discomfort, alongside the slow, surreal process of self-acceptance. 

It’s not just about becoming—it’s about relearning how to exist, to heal, and to finally see oneself in a body that feels like home.

Find more of Samuel's work on Instagram @samuellukeart or at samuellukeart.com.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell

Host Madhuraa Prakash

Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins

Image: Liz Ham lizham.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories about the things we sometimes need to do to get a decent bite to eat. 

Table Diving by Patrick Mckenzie

In our first story, Patrick explores the odd temptation and social taboo of "table-diving"—taking leftover food from strangers' plates. Through his inner thoughts and expert interviews, the episode delves into themes of etiquette, hygiene, and practicality behind the peculiar act of table-diving. 

To take or not to take—would you dare snatch that chip? Don’t worry, human pigeon, your secret’s safe with us.

Produced by Patrick McKenzie with Supervising Production by Mark Yin.

Big Rat by Miles Mazzocato

In the next story, Miles tells a story of confronting a community of rats: a symbol of the sacrifices needed for survival. As one weighs the cost of economic stability against the value of joy, the harsh reality of their choices becomes painfully clear. 

When the pasta is cold, wet, and rosemary can’t fix it, maybe it’s time to question if survival alone is worth the taste.

Around the back by Danielle O’Neal, Inger Kviseth, Doreen Lee and Christina Lu 

In our third story, Charlie, a performer, shares his weekly adventures of dumpster diving with his partner, Jenny, uncovering treasures like Dutch chocolates and olive oil.  Highlighting systemic inefficiencies and hypocrisy of supermarket chains, the story exposes the paradox of food abundance and waste in a world facing hunger.

Dumpster dive, gourmet finds; a treasure hunt worth a try.

Would you like to get involved in audio storytelling?

Audio Club

Come along to Audio Club to meet other makers and collaborate on fun, low-stakes creative challenges. In November we're running a 24-hour radio challenge! Details here: https://forms.gle/yYWyxaibKvmrbsnf8

The Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship

Or, if you're already a budding maker, make sure you take a look at the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. We're supporting four emerging audio producers with some cash, tailored mentorship and workshops in 2025. Full details here.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer Mel Bakewell

Host Madhuraa Prakash

Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins

Cover Art by Miles Mazzocato

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, a podcast fiction story that examines the media industry and an interview about the artistic process behind it.

B Fung-Ling and Derek Dao are the hosts of the Licensed Poetics podcast and extremely passionate about supporting emerging artists.

All The Best Exec Producer Phoebe Adler-Ryan sat down with the duo to talk about the story they created for us and their artistic process delving into audio fiction for the first time.

A Literary Podcast Origin Story

Two literary critics are tasked with writing a book review at Big Media Company. It’s their first real job where their opinion will carry influence, but things go wrong even before they can select a book. Receiving little help from their dysfunctional Editor, the young writers are stuck between personal interest and intellectual integrity. What is the duty of a critic? Whom do they serve? And in the age of AI, is it even worth it?

That story was produced by Derek Dao and B Fung-Ling. B Fung-Ling also directed the piece. Voice acting by Derek Dao, Eva Chen and Angela Wu. Postproduction by Ivy Xu and artwork by Sofi Sun.

The Supervising Producer was Persephone Waxman.

You can follow B Fung-Ling @licensedpoetics, Derek Dao @daonationspls, Eva Chen @eva0765, Angela Wu @li_vermin_li, Sofi Sun @afterclasstourist and more of Ivy Xu's work at www.31atlarge.com

Would you like to get involved in audio storytelling?

Audio Club

Come along to Audio Club to meet other makers and collaborate on fun, low-stakes creative challenges. In November we're running a 24-hour radio challenge! Details here: https://forms.gle/yYWyxaibKvmrbsnf8

The Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship

Or, if you're already a budding maker, make sure you take a look at the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. We're supporting four emerging audio producers with some cash, tailored mentorship and workshops in 2025. Full details here.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Episode Mixed and Compiled by Emma Higgins

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, a story about connection through theatricality and a night at the circus.

For Persephone, La Clique is both home and family. She shares childhood memories spent in circus cabaret wings, sketching and watching performers she now calls colleagues. 

The episode also features Harley Mann, custodian of Na Djinang Circus, a First Nations led contemporary troupe. Blending Indigenous themes with Western circus traditions, Harley explores “identity” and how “failures", both choreographed and accidental, bring authenticity to circuses, blending superhuman feats with human vulnerability.

Ending the episode is David Bates, Persephone’s father and founder of La Clique. Walking down the memory lane of La Clique’s past and its iconic Spiegel tent, the father-daughter look toward the future of circus and cabaret, celebrating its ever-evolving nature and its power to bring joy, and provoke thoughts.

Under the circus lights, we are all part of the act—each gasp, each clap a heartbeat in the night; a legacy that pulses wonder across generations.

This story was produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan. With special thanks to Harley Mann, David Bates and Persephone D'Arbela Bates for sharing their stories.

You can see La Clique at the Sydney Opera House until November 17.

Find out more about Na Djinang and their next tour dates at: https://www.nadjinang.com.au/

Music Credits

This story featured Kotoba, Usufruct, Primordial by Nuisance from the Free Music Archive.

And music from La Clique including Hurry On Down by Madam And The Rent Party, Curtain Call by La Soirée and the La Clique Trailer theme.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, a story and an interview about resistance, dissent and the power of storytelling as an act of protest. 

Where to from here? by Isabella Lee

In this episode, Isabella speaks with Marto, a Pro-Palestinian cyclist, and Annie, an emerging writer. Reflecting on the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, they express their feelings of helplessness as they struggle to find impact in their efforts. Together, they explore how movements foster solidarity and how small, creative actions can ignite lasting change and sustain long-term activism.

Remember, all it takes is a little compassion and creativity to shed light where it’s needed most… because often, “the most important light is the one you cannot see”.

Music credits

Nuisance - Qanisqineq (Instrumental)
Dan Warren - Restoration (Instrumental)
Nuisance- Burnt Orange and Burning
Nuisance - Cabbage Moth (Instrumental)

Sara Saleh & Hasib Hourani

Host Mads speaks with two of the staunchest voices for Gaza in our local community, Sara Saleh and Hasib Hourani. We spoke about resistance through storytelling and finding solace and inspiration from one’s own community. 

Hasib Hourani's debut book is now in bookshops, rock flight can be purchased here. The fourth edition of Debris Magazine is also available now, co-edited by Hasib Hourani and Adalia Nash Hussain. 

You can buy The Flirtation of Girls and Songs of Dead and the Living here. Sara Saleh's poetry anthology is also on its way and you can catch her at writing events, including at the upcoming Blue Mountains Writers Festival - tickets here.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, All the Best Radio invites you to grab a drink and maybe a snack and settle down, as we hear stories that explore influential encounters, moments and ideas from ‘(Un)Intended Consequences’, a live storytelling event we held recently at Knox Street Bar.

That Time I Was Visited By An Angel by Pat Morrow

In our first story, Pat tells the story of his encounter with the Archangel Gabriel, who arrives not with soft words of comfort - but with life-shattering news. This story is about an unexpected visit and the futile, yet comedic, attempt to wrestle an angel. 

Spoiler alert: No amount of heavenly cologne will save you from the angel’s bad news.

Turbo Kick by Tanya Vavilova

Next up is Tanya’s story. A swim squad becomes captivated by a new swimmer, Olga, whose unconventional style and mysterious “turbo kick” spark a wave of imitation. As the group adopts her fashion and technique, they grow increasingly obsessed—until Olga discovers they’ve been copying her unique, double-jointed kick. When she leaves, they continue the trend, forgetting how it even started. 

As you can see, it only takes one turbo kick…to spark a full-blown swimming group revolution.

Serena Hor's Story

In our third story, Serena reflects on her struggles with speech and deafness, navigating between the hearing and deaf communities while juggling societal expectations and her own self-acceptance. After enduring bullying, parental pressure, and a challenging quest for a sense of belonging, she learns to embrace her unique voice. Because, in the end, sometimes the voices we’ve been ashamed of, turn out to be the most beautiful of all.

From Serena to her teenage self, “I'm deaf and sometimes I sound weird, but that's okay with me now.” 

And from us to her bullies and her terrible teachers, “Thank you, next”.

Thank you to the City of Sydney for funding this beautiful storytelling night, to Knox Street Bar for hosting us and to the wonderfully talented team of volunteers who helped us put on a wonderful show!

Keep an ear out for the next three stories in a future episode...

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay author, storyteller and performer dedicated to the making and sharing of culture. 

This week, we hear Nardi Simpson’s keynote address from the 2023 Mick Dark Talk For the Future.

This episode takes listeners on an enchanting journey to understand how Yuwaalaraay ideas represent the spirit, natural order, and guiding principles of life and connection to the land.

Through Nardi Simpson’s poetic prose and vivid imagery, we are guided through spiritual reflections on the inner self, the majestic grandeur of nature, and captivating tales of renewal, sacredness, and the duty to live in harmony with the land—stories of our ancestors who sought to leave a lasting, beautiful legacy for the world we live in.

This is an invitation to reflect on our past, our present, and how we might all look to the future. Let the magic sink in.

Thank you to the Blue Mountain's Writers Festival

The Mick Dark Talk for the Future is an annual keynote address on the environment that honours the legacy of Mick Dark, who in 1989 gifted Varuna, the National Writers’ House to the writers of Australia.

The 2024 Talk will take place at the Blue Mountains Writers Festival on November 3rd. You can find tickets for the festival here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week: two stories about matriarchs in the Mediterranean and the lingering presence of lineage in the present day. 

The birth of honoured peasant

In our first story, Peter Polites tells us the story of Midwife Friday who assisted in the birth of his mother in a small village in Greece. 

Through the eyes of Midwife Friday, the story beautifully captures the harsh realities of village life, her resilience shaped by war and loss, and the enduring strength of a community bound by tradition and survival.

Pigeons, cats, rosegardens

In our next story, a mother and her children have a heartfelt conversation about their fragmented past, trying to piece together their connection to Greece and Istanbul, Turkey. Through anecdotes passed down from their mother about their grandparents—some factual, some hearsay—coupled with exchanges of their own imagined stories, they grapple with gaps in their family history, confronting questions of identity and lineage.

Sometimes… we just need a little fantasy… to bring the past back to life.

All The Best Credits

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do when all of your stories fall through the day before you go to air? 

A. Run repeats

B. Make a whole new show in 24 hours...

In today’s special episode we’re taking you back to the wonderfully chaotic early days of All The Best, to reflect on the legacy of Jesse Cox, a visionary audio storyteller and the co-founder of All the Best, who passed away in 2017. 

Through a combination of personal stories, archived audio, and reflections of friends and past colleagues, this episode celebrates Jesse's groundbreaking contributions to Australian radio, as we pay tribute to his fearless creativity. 

This episode also marks the re-launch of Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. Established in 2020 in his honour (briefly paused in 2022), the fellowship was designed to support aspiring audio storytellers, inheriting Jesse’s mission to “strengthen the Australian audio community, push storytelling boundaries, and amplify underrepresented voices.” 

From 2025, each recipient of the fellowship will receive $1000 to create an ambitious audio feature story, supported by an individualised learning program and national broadcast outcome.

Apply to the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship. Click here to apply. Applications close at 5 pm on Wednesday November 20th 2024.

We are indebted to Eliza Sarlos, Belinda Lopez,, Miles Martignoni, Zacha Rosen, Louise Cox and Jesse’s family for their contributions and help telling this story. 

Special thanks also go to the JCAF and FBi Radio teams for helping to make All The Best the new home of the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Compiled and Mixed by Emma Higgins

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on All The Best, stories about making sense of your past - from our Audio Club, and host Mads has some special guests in the studio!

Audio Club is a community of audio makers.

It was created to encourage new storytellers and to inspire those who are more experienced. Audio club meetups both online and in person have been places for people to discuss story ideas, audio editing, and other aspects of creating a story.

So far we’ve had seven challenges, and in this episode we want to share some stories from our most recent one, ‘making sense of your past'

Audio Club regulars Felicity, Kwame and Ramon shared the stories they made in response to this challenge and why they love working with the audio medium.

Understanding My Love of the Sea

Felicity Weaver explores her past to understand her love of swimming in the sea. This poetic soundscape takes us with her as she reminisces about her childhood and what gifts her parents gave her, what she gave her children, what she has lost and what she receives when she swims in the sea. 

Produced by Felicity Weaver, with support from Phoebe Adler-Ryan.

You can find more of Felicity's work at www.felicityweaver.com.au or on Instagram @felicityweavermedia

Childhood and Hurricanes

In early July, a massive hurricane formed in the Atlantic Ocean ripped through the Caribbean. When it formed, it occurred to Kwame, he couldn't actually remember what it was like to experience one, despite growing up with them. So Kwame seeks out his Mum to find out what we remembers about living through hurricanes and storms.

Produced by Kwame Slusher.

Music Credit to En La Playa by Julias H. from Pixabay.com 

Thanks to mum, Lyn Slusher,  who is one of best storytellers I know. And thanks, to the Know Your Caribbean Instagram page for always being a font of wisdom.

And you can find more of Kwame's work at:  https://kwameslusher8.wixsite.com/mysite 

Until You Are No Longer Here

In 2020 Ramon was living overseas in Argentina with his partner Nadia. They had decided to separate so that Ramon could return to Australia, when COVID hit. They were stuck - separated but confined to the same room every day for a whole year. This is the story of Ramon speaking to Nadia to help make sense of this strange and confusing time. 

Produced by Ramon Briant.

This story was produced and recorded on the lands of the Eora and Pampa people.

The background music used are instrumental covers of the songs: Gracias A La Vida and Alfonsina Y El Mar by Mercedes Sosa. 

The photographic series spoken about in the piece Mientras Estés Acá by Nadia Soledad Pinochetti can be found here 

https://nadiapinochetti.myportfolio.com/mientras-estes-aca

Many thanks to the team at all the best for their knowledge guidance and fbi.radio for their support of the project

Interested in making some audio stories?

If you’re interested in making some stories of your own, we’d love to see you at our next Audio Club Meet Up! Everyone’s welcome, regardless of experience.

We bring you a new prompt each month, host online workshops and in-person audio excursions.

You can find out more about audio club on our website: www.allthebestradio.com

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Compiled and Mixed by Emma Higgins

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on All The Best, a feature length audio-documentary about Matildas Mania.

Please note this story contains some swears!

The Matildas Express

The Matildas Express is a journey to the historic semi-final of the Women’s World Cup 2023, and how our women’s football team inspired the nation. 

One year ago, on a cold winter night, Australian sports witnessed a historic moment. The Matildas, playing on home soil, defeated France in a nail-biting penalty shootout, earning their spot in the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup. This was not only Australia’s best run at any World Cup but also a defining moment for women's football in the country. The nation erupted in joy, and the Matildas became national icons, capturing the hearts of millions and solidifying Australia’s passion for football.

It takes a team to play football, and it no doubt takes a team to create an audio documentary…

Produced by Kaspar Visser - @kaspar.visser

Audio Engineer Roy Hayoon - @iloveroyki

Supervising Producer - Shelby Traynor

With special thanks to Mel, Eric, David, Drew and Beattie Goad.

Featuring music by Blue Dot sessions and Podington Bear.

Image Credit: Kaspar Visser

This piece was recorded from Wurundjeri to Gadigal lands and pays respect to all the indigenous communities along the journey from Naarm to Warrane.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.