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Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Better Reading Podcast
Writing Process
Mental Health
Belinda Audio
Historical Fiction
Australian Literature
Australia
Crime Fiction
Palestine
Children's Literature
Journalism
Identity
Empathy
Better Reading
Australian Crime Fiction
Publishing
Social Media
Literature
Creative Writing
Colonialism
Gaza

Cheryl Akle discusses the world with her favourite authors.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes725Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

Latest Episodes

Cheryl talks to Caroline about Better Reading’s new project, What Are You Reading? The App, an Australian, community-focused book tracker that lets readers log and follow their reading directly from their phone. Think of it as Goodreads and StoryGrap... more

Francesca Albanese talks to Cheryl about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the impact of technology on modern warfare, and her career in academia and the United Nations. Her book, When the World Sleeps, is out now.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr... more

Dervla McTiernan talks to Cheryl about her brain tumour diagnosis, her writing routine, the brutality of editing, and how living in Australia has reshaped her connection to her Irish heritage. Her new book, Three Reasons for Revenge, is out now.

Ho... more

Antoinette Lattouf talks to Cheryl about her childhood, her love of reading and writing, her legal dispute with the ABC, and the lessons she’s drawn from the inspiring women featured in her new book Women Who Win, which is out now.

Hosted on Acast.... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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

Francesca Albanese
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Occupied Palestinian Territories; jurist, lecturer, and scholar
United Nations; academia
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Francesca Albanese on War and Power
Dervla McTiernan
Internationally bestselling author, author of the Cormac Riley series and standalone thrillers
Author
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Dervla McTiernan on Ruthless Editing and Finding Home in Australia
Antoinette Lattouf
Journalist, presenter, author and human rights advocate
Media Diversity Australia
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Antoinette Lattouf on Books, Battles and Breaking Barriers
Ann Mossop
Artistic director of the Sydney Writers Festival
Sydney Writers Festival
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Ann Mossop on the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival
Mali Cornish
Melbourne-based writer; author of The Missing Mother
Author, The Missing Mother
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Mali Cornish on Life, Law & Her New Novel
Kate Mildenhall
Author of historical/fiction works
Author
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Kate Mildenhall & Kate Forsyth on the Complexities of Writing
Kate Forsyth
Author known for myth-inspired and historical fiction
Author
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Kate Mildenhall & Kate Forsyth on the Complexities of Writing
Rosalie Ham
Australian author, author of The Dressmaker and Look After Your Feet
Author
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Rosalie Ham on Ageing, Connection and Look After Your Feet
Mohammed Massoud Morsi
Novelist, journalist, and photographer
Episode: Stories Behind The Story: Mohammed Massoud Morsi on Journalism and Belonging

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 373 ratings
  • The best

    Love these interviews with authors and hearing their stories, it’s the best. Thank you Cheryl and team x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LLovegrove
    Australia2 years ago
  • Kate Cebrano

    The Kate Cebrano episode was superlative. Entertaining, enlightening & most of all fun. Brilliant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Read away 1
    Australia2 years ago
  • Just a great chat

    Great host, good interview manner, interesting people and stories. Not much to dislike here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VTK8
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Fantastic conversations

    Loving this show. Just listened to one of Jane Tara’s episodes, it was an incredibly engaging conversation. Wish it was twice as long!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hjfhgfjxbxhdhkvbghcgg anonymoe
    Australia3 years ago
  • Imposter Syndrome

    ‘Imposter Syndrome is only experienced by women…’? Err…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    original format
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Consistently high-quality author conversations with thoughtful questions.
Positive feedback on interview depth and guest candidness.
A must-listen for book lovers and emerging writers alike.
Occasional critiques about interruptions or host focus in a few episodes.
Warm, engaging host who draws out guests—great for listeners who want depth.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#40
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#134
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#200
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stories Behind The Story: Francesca Albanese on War and Power
Q: What role do international institutions play when states prioritize power over humanitarian needs?
She argues that institutions like the UN and ICC are often impeded by the power and interests of strong states, particularly the United States, rather than by their own failings; accountability requires states and civil society to demand action and for legal mechanisms to evolve to address ongoing crises.
Stories Behind The Story: Francesca Albanese on War and Power
Q: Tell me a little about how you came to be in this position, and how you came to write the book.
Albanese explains her 20-year career in human rights, transition from the UN to academia, and the path that led to becoming Special Rapporteur; she describes researching Palestinian refugees to map the roots of displacement and to present a legal, political, and historical reading of Palestine and its refugees. She also discusses the genesis of her books and how writing allowed her to personify stories of occupation and resilience.
Stories Behind the Story: J.A. Stevens on Disability and Writing Her First Book
Q: What sparked the idea for writing a book centered on disability and openness in Regency romance?
A drive to give her partner and daughter representation, and a broader ambition to show that historical romance can be inclusive and challenge traditional norms, which aligned with the author's experiences and advocacy for minority groups.
Stories Behind the Story: J.A. Stevens on Disability and Writing Her First Book
Q: Tell me again, what was it that you had to fix in your writing to make it publishable?
She explains that the first manuscript needed major developmental edits and that feedback from Romance Writers of Australia helped reveal how much needed to be revised, leading to working with a new editor who streamlined the book into a polished final version.
Stories Behind The Story: John M. Green on Writing, Editing and A.I.
Q: What is your writing process like?
I wake up very early at around four o'clock to write before my business day begins.

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 This Podcast

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

A thoughtful interview show that centers on authors, editors, and publishing insiders, exploring the craft behind books, writing processes, and storytelling choices. Episodes frequently dive into craft, research, and personal journeys, with a strong emphasis on how life experiences shape narratives. Notable is the host's warm, engaging style that draws out practical advice for writers and behind-the-scenes insights for readers and publishing professionals. The show often features Australian authors and industry figures, offering candid conversations about creativity, publishing, and culture that can help potential guests and sponsors understand audience interests and storytelling focus.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Book Show
2. The Bookshelf
3. Conversations
4. Chat 10 Looks 3
5. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 725 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Francesca Albanese
2. Dervla McTiernan
3. Antoinette Lattouf
4. Ann Mossop
5. Mali Cornish
6. Kate Mildenhall
7. Kate Forsyth
8. Rosalie Ham

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