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Conversations

ABC Australia
Australia
Mental Health
Family
Sydney
Domestic Violence
Education
United States
Democracy
Authoritarianism
Borneo
Pacific Ocean
Summer
World War II
Melbourne
Cultural Identity
Alcoholism
Grief
Happiness
Trauma
Brisbane

Conversations draws you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met. Journey into their world, joining them on epic adventures to unfamiliar places, back in time to wild moments of history, and into their deepest memories, to be moved by personal stories of resilience and redemption. Hosted by Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski, Conversations is the ABC's most popu... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2900Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Conversations

Latest Episodes

Millie Robinson’s family had been through enough as it was before her devoted dad Jim Rogers received his diagnosis in 2021. Today they navigate the unknown together and stay in the moment to enjoy their tight-knit community.

Millie is a celebrant, ... more

British writer Ben Macintyre on the eerie history of Colditz Castle which the Germans used as a prisoner of war camp during World War II.

Since the Middle Ages, Colditz Castle has existed in some form, perched on the edge of a cliff in eastern Germa... more

Author Tess Woods had always dreamed of her big day, growing up watching her beloved Nana create in-demand bridal gowns. The stories of these dresses became a way for Tess to understand her family’s origins in North Africa, which she left in the late... more

Who are the Kennedys, really? And what has made the legacy of America's political dynasty so famous, divisive and enduring?

The Kennedys are often described as the closest thing the United States has to a royal family, with fiercely competitive and... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Pauline McGrath
Genetic counsellor with a focus on maternal and fetal medicine
Genetic counselling practice in Australia
Episode: Encore: My beloved husband's path to Voluntary Assisted Dying
Merelyn Chalmers
Founder of the Monday Morning Cooking Club; cookbook author and educator in Jewish cooking
Monday Morning Cooking Club
Episode: Top-secret cake recipes and a 'Garden of Eden'—nourishing the soul with homestyle Jewish cooking
Daniel Mendelsohn
Author, Bard College professor and classicist
Bard College; New York Review of Books
Episode: Encore: A father and a son and The Odyssey
Richard Flanagan
Author of The Narrow Road to the Deep North and other works
Australian author
Episode: Richard Flanagan on belonging in books and in Australia
Micaela Sahhar
Palestinian-Australian writer and author of Find Me at the Jaffa Gate
NewSouth Books
Episode: A Palestinian family story
Maggie Dent
Parenting educator and author
Author and educator
Episode: Encore: Maggie Dent on guiding young girls to become confident young women
George Megalogenis
Author and political analyst, Three Shocks author
Author
Episode: The three shocks that changed Australia
Melissa Redsell
Teen mother who later founded the charity A Brave Life
A Brave Life
Episode: Encore: How a teen mum named Melissa proved everybody wrong
Paul Mullen
Forensic psychiatrist and author
University of Melbourne / Forensic Psychiatry practice
Episode: The forensic psychiatrist fascinated with the minds of lone mass killers

Hosts

Richard Fidler
Host of Conversations
Sarah Kanowski
Host of Conversations

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 14.4k ratings
  • Beverly Wang really needs some training

    I loved her in Download This, but her conversation episodes are so awkward and lack warmth. The guests are left hanging and it’s like she’s reading a list of questions to stead of actually interacting in a meaningful way. I hope she has the chance to improve, I do like her work

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    MaggieeeeeTeeeee
    Australia2 months ago
  • Quit!

    No way ur better then mama Mia out loud sooo um send some bad eps

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    I rilly don’t care 🥱🖤
    Australia3 months ago
  • Richard

    Richard has a way with people, he is warm and empathetic. It is clear he has done his background work before he speaks to people. He is a pleasure to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Whets1974
    Australia3 months ago
  • So much random knowledge to gain

    I love these amazing people & their stories/knowledge. Highlight of my week listening to one of the conversations:)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bellasie
    Australia3 months ago
  • One of my favourites

    This is one of my favourite podcasts. Love LOVE Richard and Sarah. Such curious, thoughtful interviewers, and the guests are always unexpected and interesting. I also find the voices so soothing. Thank you for continuing to create this gift!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rememberzelight
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audio quality and production are frequently cited as strong, with thoughtful interviews.
Guests are consistently interesting and varied.
Listeners praise the hosts' curiosity and warmth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Richard Flanagan on belonging in books and in Australia
Q: What do you mean by belonging in Australia, and why is it central to your work?
Belonging, for me, means recognizing that we are formed by a long history and a shared responsibility to tell the truth about it, so that the nation can imagine a future that includes everyone, especially Indigenous communities, rather than erasing them. Stories and art bridge that truth to everyday life, helping people feel connected rather than divided.
The post-punk guitarist who decided to finally live openly as herself, a trans woman
Q: Tell me about your family background and early life in Adelaide.
Josie describes a stable 60s/70s family, with a practical, engineering-influenced father and a structured, disciplined household that contrasted with her internal sense of being different. She reflects on early observations of gender and her private longing to be seen as female.
Encore: How a teen mum named Melissa proved everybody wrong
Q: What was going through your mind when you found out you were pregnant at 16?
I felt shocked and overwhelmed, trying to understand my options while facing judgment from others.
The doctor who learnt to walk again, using exercise
Q: What role did family and relationships play in your recovery and return to work?
Her husband John provided support and shared responsibilities, and relationships with mentors and colleagues—like Dr. Susan Liu and Dr. Harry Eman—helped normalize pain management, rehabilitation, and the possibility of returning to medicine.
The doctor who learnt to walk again, using exercise
Q: How did the rehab approach in Australia differ from Project Walk in the United States?
Australian care was very biomedical and often limited by patient agency, whereas Project Walk emphasized patient autonomy, intensive training, and targeted therapies that allowed Olivia to pursue walking with structured support and goal-driven progress.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Conversations

What is Conversations about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Long-form intimate conversations exploring personal histories, resilience, and transformative life choices across a wide range of fields. From police investigations and survival stories to art, health, science, and spirituality, the show prioritizes human-scale narratives that illuminate how individuals navigate adversity, career pivots, and family themes. Guests often share first-person journeys—breakthrough moments, ethical dilemmas, and turning points—that reveal broader social and cultural patterns, making it a compelling listen for audiences seeking depth, context, and inspiration. A standout element is the consistent blend of rigorous storytelling with empathetic interviewing, producing memorable insights and a strong sense of humanit... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Conversations?

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How many listeners does Conversations get?

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How many subscribers and views does Conversations have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Conversations has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Conversations:

1. No One Saw It Coming
2. All In The Mind
3. No Filter
4. The Imperfects
5. Life Matters - Full program podcast

How many episodes of Conversations are there?

Conversations launched 21 years ago and published 2900 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Conversations?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Conversations?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Conversations from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Conversations?

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What guests have appeared on Conversations?

Recent guests on Conversations include:

1. Pauline McGrath
2. Merelyn Chalmers
3. Daniel Mendelsohn
4. Richard Flanagan
5. Micaela Sahhar
6. Maggie Dent
7. George Megalogenis
8. Melissa Redsell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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