If you had to tell the story of your life, what moments would you share? 

This week we hear from people who have lived well and have the yarns to prove it.

Silence of the Irish

In our first story, Grace brings to light a deeply held secret of her Irish Catholic grandparents.

Produced by Grace Macpherson. 

The supervising producer was Eugenia Zoubtchenko.

Story of Your Life

Death prompts people to reflect on the lives they’ve had, but they aren’t always able to share their stories with those around them. Annie is a volunteer biographer at a palliative care centre and listens to the residents stories, changing her (and storymaker Lee Robinson’s) understanding of death in the process. 

Produced by Lee Robinson. 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Rachel Macpherson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, tales of open water swimming - from the beauty of plunging into parkland ponds to the freedom of venturing into wild waves.

Wild Swimming

In our first story, Corey needs a swim, and finds themselves wading through British cultural norms to find one. 

This story was written, recited and produced by Corey Green.

Jasmin Alavuk was the Story Editor and special thanks goes to E Coffey and Phoebe Adler-Ryan for production assistance. 

Thanks for sound recordings from: Kangaroovindaloo, Bonnyorbit, Kyles, Brunoauzet, Rthijs. Philbrice, Carlvus, 16GStepankovaS, Nature Notes UK, Kerouac21, jorickhoofd, Nielstii, Mlteenie, Robinhood76, NLM, Nagwense, Joedeshon, anthonyec, strongbot, klankbeeld, Philipmill6, Sageturtle

To find these and many more check out freesound.org and aporee.org

Open Waters 

Up next, we’re wading back into local waters. Pat interviews his Aunt and Uncle about their interest in ocean swimming and the sublime, humbling and breathtaking beauty that can be discovered in the deep blue.

This story was produced by Patrick McKenzie.

Featuring interviews with Annette and Peter McKenzie. 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Corey Green

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we feature two Australian-Turkish writers, who ruminate on the topic of belonging, home and immigration.

In their distinctive creative ways, Ela Pinar and Eda Gunaydin unpack the confusion of feeling homesick for a land that was never truly ‘home’ to begin with. 

1.10 - In This Version of Home

First, Ela tells the story of her journey to Turkey, a place she does and doesn't call home. 

Find Ela’s artist page on instagram at @elapinar__

This story was written, recited and produced by Ela Pinar

Sound design was by Ramon Briant

The Supervising Producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan

This story features music by Koray Kiliç

20:16 - Discussions on ‘Root and Branch’

Then, host Mads speaks to award-winning essayist and scholar Eda Gunaydin, to explore her understanding of home and homeland. 

You can find Eda’s work in the Sydney Review of Books, The Age, Meanjin and elsewhere. Her book ‘Root and Branch: essays on inheritance’ is an incredible read we recommend you seek out at your local bookshop.

Follow Eda and keep an eye out for her next work at @edapresents

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Image Credit: Ela Pinar

Music: Working for the Knife by Mitski & Mahur Saz Semani by Seyyah

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories about breaking the rules of modern society.

And just a heads up - it’s the punk episode - so there might be some swears.

Please Come to My Show

In our first story, we’re gonna hear from five people looking back at their young, punk selves, and how the politics, music, and spirit of this community has continued to shape their lives. 

That story was produced by Mel Bakewell with production assistance by Phoebe Adler-Ryan.

Thank you to all of the contributors to that piece, including Tim Steward.

A shout out to Charlie Fern and Jasper Craig-Adams, hosts at FBi Radio. You can catch Charlie on the Sunday Overhang and Jasper on Real to Reel Wednesdays.

The Ballad of Gary Bamford

Sometimes we encounter people who are like a portal to another world, who show us a completely new way to be. In our next story, Laura shares how a chance encounter with a man at a grocery store changes her life unexpectedly. 

That story was produced by Laura Luck. Find more of her work at lauraluck.com 

The Supervising Producer was Dan Semo. 

Featuring music by Gary Bamford.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Image Credit: Laura Luck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you remember your first heartbreak? This week, three storytellers take us through their break up journeys and the sometimes strange and unexpected ways we move on. 

Traffic

Our first story explores the way that memories of a relationship can replay in your mind, over and over, on loop.

Traffic was produced and performed by Bea.

With sound design by Gregory Thorsby. 

The supervising producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan.

Find more of Bea’s work by following them on Instagram bybea_._

Self Storage

Then, E looks to escape the echoes of a past relationship by ridding themselves of their last physical reminder.

Self Storage was written and performed by E Coffey.

With sound design by E Coffey and Gregory Thorsby.

E played Alex, Gregory played Paul & Pikachu Man and J. Chaplin played the ex.

The supervising producer was Phoebe Adler-Ryan.

12 Parties Without You

In our final story we hear a break up across twelve parties. 

12 Parties Without You was written and produced by Zacha Rosen, and read by Bethany Atkinson-Quinton, 

With music by Dave Goldschmidt.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Music: Axl Audio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week our storytellers compare their youthful expectations of life and love, to their less naive realities. 

Rom Coms Ruined My Life

In our first story, Danni revisits the movies they loved as a teenager, and finds they don’t quite hold up to modern day scrutiny.

Produced by Danni Stewart.

Byron Bay, A Time and Place

Then, Holly shares the story of how she fell in love with Byron Bay, and the other loves she encountered on the way.

Written and performed by Holly English at Read To Me. Keep up to date with Read to me events on their instagram @readtome_ and see more of Holly’s work at www.hollyenglish.com.

Special thanks to Journey Green and Ramon Briant for recording the event.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Image Credit: Holly English

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, stories about the bewitching power of cats, from spiritual companions to catalysts of chaos!

Running After Lulu

In our first story, Mike answers a call to adventure, or rather, makes one himself. 

Produced by Mike Williams. This story was originally commissioned by transom.org. For more stories by Mike visit mikewilliams.com.au.

Meow To Be by Wing Kuang

The first time when Wing saw Alexander, she knew she was meant to meet him. They had a great time together, but it was also their destiny to farewell each other. Would it still be counted as a fate, if it was just temporary?

Producer: Wing Kuang 

Supervising Producer: Mell Chun

Sound Design: Mell Chun 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're bringing you stories from a gathering of comics and cartoonists, known as Read to Me. 

Millenial Falcon - Evie Hilliar

First up we hear from Read To Me co-producer Evie Hilliar about what makes Read To Me so special, before reading her tale Millenial Falcon. Find more of Evie's work at yeevz_ on Instagram.

The Blue Whale - Fionn McCabe

Then, we take you into the Knox Street Bar in Sydney to experience the vibes of this special community as Gabe Clark warms up the audience. You'll hear Read To Me co-founder Fionn McCabe delivering his brand new story, The Blue Whale. 

If you're curious to see the beautiful visuals that accompanied Fionn's tale, you can find the graphic version published in the upcoming edition of The Suburban Review. 

A Very Special Star - Thomas Crowe

Finally, animator Thomas Crowe takes us on a galactic journey of self-discovery with his piece, A Very Special Star.

A huge thank you to our contributors and the Read To Me team for sharing their stories with us - we can't wait for the next event in May and we hope to see you there too. Follow Read to Me on instagram at readtome_

If you have a creative community whose stories deserve to be broadcast far and wide, we'd love to hear about it! Reach out to us at www.allthebestradio.com

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

Recording: Journey Green

Event mixing: Ramon Briant

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're taking you into the artists’ studio, sharing the stories of artists that weren't always celebrated by traditional Australian art institutions…until recently.

By venturing into the studio, we discover personal stories and the way these artist's encourage us to interrogate our ways of thinking and spark new self-awareness or insight.

William Yang

First we’re meeting William Yang, a photographer known for capturing Sydney’s gay scene, investigating Chinese heritage and more. 

If you’re interested in seeing some of William Yang’s work, it will be showing from 9th March to 10th June as part of the AGNSW Biennale exhibition.

Produced by Nicholas Adams-Dzierzba

With additional production by Mel Bakewell

Olana Janfa

Then, we head to the studio of Naarm-based artist Olana Janfa. Olana shares how his journey, inspirations and experiences as an Ethiopian immigrant has shaped his career path and personal perspective as an artist.

Produced by Mel Bakewell with music by Podington Bear.

You can see more of Olana’s work on his Instagfram, @janhf_bless or at his website https://www.olanajanfa.com/about

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're bringing you a feature length piece about the Country Women’s Association and the F Word...that's right, Feminism!

The CWA is at the heart of rural traditional values, so when a young, urban feminist comes knocking on their door, will there be a place for her in the organisation?

Find out as Alice Ansara gives us a personal insight into a woman’s place in a small country town.

Produced by Alice Ansara of 2EAR, Eurobodalla.

Supervising production by Sharon Davis.

It was originally produced as part of the  CBAA’s 2019 National Feature and Documentary Series. 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we explore … silence...through a feature length experimental audio piece.

Audio Club

If you haven’t already seen our socials, All The Best has started an audio club. Each month we're sharing a new prompt and this time it's the ‘sound of silence'.

First up we hear an Audio Club story from Ramon Briant about the beautiful things we can discover when we pay attention to the spaces in-between sounds.

You can learn more and get involved with Audio Club here.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Drive

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Drive ventures into the abstract where memory becomes a shattered mirror of intangible realities. A deconstruction and reconstruction, the audio weaves together disparate threads of voices and experiences into a tapestry of disjointed narratives.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Drive was created as a fourth year media project at the University of Sydney. 

It was recorded and produced by Jenae Madden in 2023.

Photo Credit: Jenae Madden

Content Warning: This story contains reference to involuntary psychiatric treatment.

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host & Interviewer: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.