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Artwork for Conversations

Conversations

ABC Australia
Australia
Mental Health
Domestic Violence
Sydney
Melbourne
Cultural Identity
Education
Happiness
Alcoholism
Trauma
Gnarly Neighbours
Addiction Recovery
Family
Deaf Community
Family Dynamics
Grief and Loss
Misery
Sadness
Prison Reform
Rikers Island

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

Mimi Kwa tells her family’s saga, featuring her dad — the thirty-second child of a wealthy Chinese silk trader, and her mum, who survived decades of undiagnosed schizophrenia, and Mimi's glamorous other life in the intoxicating hubbub of Hong Kong.

more

Mimi Kwa tells her family’s saga, featuring her dad — the thirty-second child of a wealthy Chinese silk trader, and her mum, who survived decades of undiagnosed schizophrenia, and Mimi's glamorous other life in the intoxicating hubbub of Hong Kong. (... more

Mick won three world surfing titles, and famously fought off a great white shark in South Africa. But his life out of the water has been threaded through with devastating loss, after the death of his three older brothers. (CW: loss and grief)

Mick F... more

Journalist Rick Morton on how his mum raised three children in poverty and the class disparities in Australia.

Rick's family come from the vast country of Outback Queensland, near the Birdsville Track.

His grandfather, George Morton, was a wealthy ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mick Fanning
Pro surfer and memoirist
Mick Fanning
Episode: Mick Fanning on surfing, punching a great white shark, and losing three brothers
Rick Morton
Australian journalist and author, social affairs writer for The Australian
The Australian
Episode: Encore: A family story of growing up poor in Outback Queensland
Judith Lucy
Australian comedian, author, and performer
Self-sponsored wellness journey often on the public stage
Episode: My poo transplant, ayahuasca trip and other wellness quests
Brendan James Murrary
High school English teacher and author of The School
Independent author/teacher
Episode: Encore: Why I became a teacher at the school where I was bullied
Richard Glover
Author of How to Ruin a Child, journalist and broadcaster
Author, ABC
Episode: Richard Glover on the strange, hilarious and heartbreaking rules of Australian parenting
Monica McInerney
Australian author
Author of When Sullivan Met Lola
Episode: Monica McInerney's five year rollercoaster ride
Frank Dell
Former RAF pilot, author of Mosquito Down
Royal Air Force / Dutch Resistance ally
Episode: Encore: The pilot shot down by enemy fire and how he survived
Laurie Lawrence
Swimming coach and educator who coached Olympic swimmers and advocates for water safety
Townsville swimming community, Australian swimming
Episode: Encore: The Olympic swim coach who spat on a silver medal, and how it changed him
Kim Huynh
Academic and broadcaster with ABC Canberra
ABC Canberra
Episode: Caring for my fiercely strong-willed father

Hosts

Richard Fidler
Host of Conversations
Sarah Kanowski
Host of Conversations

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 14.5k ratings
  • Always waiting for Richard

    Richard's conversations are so perceptive and seem spontaneous. Love the connections he makes with the guests. His intellect and wide knowledge of so many subjects shines through. I sadly cannot listen to Sarah at all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luna nan
    Australia2 months ago
  • Great accompaniment to Public Education week 2026

    Really enjoying the spotlight on education topics this week!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    van_esther
    Australia2 months ago
  • Fan

    I have listened too hundreds of episodes over a long time and still cherish the moments in Richard’s conversations when he makes that special connection with guests, often bringing me to tears. What a gift ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prallaway
    Australia3 months ago
  • 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
    Australia3 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 🥱🖤
    Australia4 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 Glover on the strange, hilarious and heartbreaking rules of Australian parenting
Q: How did the view on grandparents change over time in the literature you discuss?
Grandparents were alternately demonized and prized, depending on whether their affection conflicted with the prevailing 'scientific mothering' norm or the push for liberal care; both extremes were seen as potentially destabilizing, leading to a perpetual tug-of-war over family dynamics.
Richard Glover on the strange, hilarious and heartbreaking rules of Australian parenting
Q: Tell me about the influence of Sir Frederick Truby King on Australian parenting.
He popularized a clock-based, highly disciplined approach to infant care, emphasizing regular feeding, limited cuddling, and a simplified model of parenting that aimed to increase adherence and efficiency, which later faced backlash for reducing affection and observation of children.
Encore: A family story of growing up poor in Outback Queensland
Q: Can you describe the event when your brother Toby was critically burned and how that changed everything for your family?
Toby's accident in which he was badly burned after falling into a pit, the subsequent hospitalizations, and the blood-curdling scenes of medical care marked a definitive rupture in the family's trajectory and intensified their financial and emotional crisis.
Encore: A family story of growing up poor in Outback Queensland
Q: What happened to your grandfather's property after he died?
The estate faced a massive tax bill, leading to the sale of key properties, including the crown jewel, while some siblings received smaller portions, illustrating how wealth and power dissolved after his death.
Encore: A family story of growing up poor in Outback Queensland
Q: Tell me about the bargain your grandmother made with your grandfather in order to get her kids educated.
Laurie reportedly negotiated with George to secure education for the seven Morton children, a move that allowed them to escape lifelong servitude on the station, while his legal troubles and greed complicated the family's future.

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

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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. All In The Mind
2. No One Saw It Coming
3. No Filter
4. Life Matters - Full program podcast
5. Chat 10 Looks 3

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?

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

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What guests have appeared on Conversations?

Recent guests on Conversations include:

1. Mick Fanning
2. Rick Morton
3. Judith Lucy
4. Brendan James Murrary
5. Richard Glover
6. Monica McInerney
7. Frank Dell
8. Laurie Lawrence

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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