Richard FidlerEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

The brilliant Richard Fidler returns to discuss with Hammo his brand new podcast Viking Lives. Richard is producing this new series with his good friend Kári Gíslason and together they explore the Viking Age through personal stories and life narratives. The series covers topics like the myths of Odin and historical figures such as "Gudrun the Vengeful", and Richard shares an incredible story in today's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judy grew up on a farm in north-east Victoria. When she was seventeen, a family tragedy saw her thrust into life as a farmer for the first time. Being a young farmer led her into local politics, and eventually into a burgeoning friendship with a lanky, much-loved local politician named Tim Fischer. On their first date, Tim took Judy to the Tocumwal Debutant Ball, and it was a disaster. But despite the age difference, the two of them eventually fell in love and started a family. When their first son, Harrison, was diagnosed with autism Judy became an advocate for people on the autism spectrum. The family is still grieving Tim, whom they lost to leukaemia in 2019. But Judy is now working to make her beloved family farm, ‘Grossotto’, a sanctuary for vulnerable adults. Learn more about Care Farms . Listen to Tim Fischer in conversation with Richard Fidler . Watch the 2018 Australian Story about the Fischer Family. This episode was produced by Nicola Harrison, Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney. It explores love, marriage, relationships, Auspol, local politics, country Australia, regional Australia, rural communities, motherhood, age gap relationships, grief, death, grieving a spouse, neurodivergence, autism spectrum disorder, raising children with autism. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Melissa Lucashenko grew up on the outskirts of Brisbane, where her Aboriginal mother grew plants and her Russian father built an improbable number of sheds in the backyard. Melissa worked as a motorcycle detailer, a house painter, a prison advocate, and a game show contestant before finding her way as a writer. Her novel, Edenglassie, imagines life in colonial Brisbane in the 1850s. In it, she tells the story of the Aboriginal warrior Dundalli who was the last man to be publicly executed in Queensland. But Melissa also explores contemporary Brisbane, highlighting what she calls the "double vision" of Aboriginal people. Edenglassie is published by the University of Queensland Press. This episode of Conversations was produced by Nicola Harrison. Executive Producer is Carmel Rooney. It explores colonial Brisbane, Indigenous history and culture, Russian culture, Edenglassie, karate, prison reform, writing, Aboriginal warrior Dundalli, game show contestant, reality tv, house painter, public execution, 1850s Brisbane, history, mixed race families, growing up mixed race. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Music was always in Mike Chapman’s blood. As a boy, he collected bottles at the Brisbane showgrounds and traded them for money, which he saved to buy his first guitar. In his career he has penned electrifying numbers for The Sweet, The Knack and Pat Benatar. In the history of '70s and '80s rock music, he is one of the least known, but most influential people. As a young man, he moved to the UK, hoping to become a rock and roll star. In the US, Mike produced Blondie's classic album, Parallel Lines, which sold more than 20 million copies. Mike continues to write and produce music all over the world. Further information 2025 update: a documentary about Mike is in production, called ‘Simply the Best: The Mike Chapman Story’. Originally broadcast July 2011. Songs edited for podcast. Sunday Girl performed by Blondie Hanging on the Telephone performed by Blondie Ballroom Blitz performed by The Sweet Stumblin' In performed by Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman My Sharona performed by The Knack Standout story – Brenda Blethyn Hear Richard’s conversation with Brenda Blethyn. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/stage-and-screen-actor-brenda-blethyn/7823938 We have many people to thank for their work and support over the years, including our colleagues at ABC Local Radio, Radio National, and Radio Australia. Huge thanks to James O’Loughlin, Steve Cannane, Ann Jones, Ellen Fanning, David Bush, Cathy Van Extel, Scott Stephens, Steve Austin, Hamish Macdonald, Patrick Abboud, Wesley Enoch, Charlie King, Lisa Leong, Sally Sara, Sana Qadar, Rudi Bremer, Tom Hall, Paul Penton, Robert Apolloni, Steve Fieldhouse, David White, Peter Scott, David Le May, Steven Tilley, Timothy Nicastri, Roi Huberman, Ellis Fitzpatrick, Emrys Cronin, Craig Tilmouth, Matt Hiley, Geoff Cavanagh, Michael Mason, Warwick Tiernan, James O’Brien, Judith Whelan, Jen Brennan, Cath Dwyer, Ben Latimer, Jess Radburn, Anthony Frangi, Justine Kelly, Monique Bowley, Eric George, Brigit Berger, Alison Barclay, Mateuse Pingol, Lilly Cooper, Jade Tully, Anna Priestland, Michaela Perske, Rebecca Levingston, Georgia Bateman, Renee Krosch, Joey Watson, Michael Dulaney, Jenna Koda, Cate Carrigan, Rebecca Armstrong, Rosa Ellen, Stef Collett, Nick King, Lisa Pellegrino, Sajarn Stow, Sinead Lee, Kim Lester, Evan Williams, Katie O’Neill, Eliza Kirsch, Tamar Cranswick, Rebecca McLaren, Michael Hartt, Fiona Purcell, Jen Leake, Michelle Ransom-Hughes, Alice Moldovan, Meggie Morris, Nicola Harrison, Kellie Riordan, Pam O’Brien and Carmel Rooney. You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 This episode of Conversations touches on music, songwriting, simply the best, rock 'n' roll, albums, music producer, Nambour, Sunshine Coast, recording studios, Debbie Harry and top ten hit songs. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Michael Ware witnessed some of the most violent battles in Baghdad; and was kidnapped three times. He was one of the few Western journalists to live full-time in Iraq during the war, embedded with U.S. forces, insurgents, and terrorists. Leaving the war zone and resettling in Brisbane, Michael has had to 'consciously attempt to reclaim his life'. Further information Originally broadcast July 2012. Content warning: This interview contains distressing content. Please listen with care. Michael released a film in 2015, Only The Dead, based on more than 250 hours of his personal footage from the front lines. If you need help, you can call Open Arms , 24-hour crisis support for Veterans and their families on 1800 011 046 https://www.openarms.gov.au/ Or you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. https://www.lifeline.org.au/ This episode was produced by Michelle Ransom-Hughes. The Executive Producer was Pam O'Brien. Carmel Rooney is the Executive Producer of the 20th Anniversary Collection. You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 This episode of Conversations touches on Saddam Hussein, ISIS, IS, Islamic State, embedding, Australian Defence Force, ADF, Baghdad bad boys and Al-Qaida. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

After a dream job as a nanny in Notting Hill, a young Donna Duggan was first lured to Africa by the charms of Zanzibar. She soon fell deeply in love with a local man, Nas, though she could never have predicted the direction their life would take. Nas and Donna set up a safari company, on the premise they would give back to the country and community as their business prospered. They had two children and built a life for their family and their wide network of Tanzanian employees. Nas was making a short journey for work in 2017 when Donna received word his plane was no longer visible on radar. Further information First broadcast April 2019. Read more about Donna's company Maasai Wanderings . https://maasaiwanderings.com This episode was produced by Michelle Ransom-Hughes. The Executive Producer was Carmel Rooney. You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 This episode of Conversations touches on safari, widowhood, widow, two year UK working visa, gap year, death of a spouse, owning a business, running a business, husband and wife team, nurse volunteer, nursing, Brisbane and a plane crash. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Charles Lomu's gentle and religious life in Tonga with his grandparents showed him the meaning of love. He was on track to being a young, in-demand Rugby League player when grief shook his family, and Charles turned down a dark path. He ended up in periodic detention in jail. Today, the power of barbering is a tool the youth worker uses to steer young men away from the dangerous path he experienced, and to teach them to be men. Further information Originally broadcast July 2022. This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan. The executive producer was Carmel Rooney. Standout Story – Colin Hay Hear Sarah’s conversation with Colin Hay: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/colin-hay-rpt/10573618 You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 This episode of Conversations touches on pusiaki, barbering, jail, prison, youth detention, Tonga, grandparents, grandparenting, footy, youth work, familial care, periodic detention, barber and hairstyling. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Marine ecologist, Pia Winberg learned how useful seaweed could be for gut health and wound healing. One day she was conducting research by herself in her lab when she had a terrible accident. Pia was four-years-old when she moved from her native Sweden to Australia. She always loved the beach and the coastline. As an adult, Pia became fascinated with the scientific properties of seaweed after visiting a Sri Lankan prawn farm using seaweed to bolster the health of the surrounding environment. She became a marine ecologist in Wollongong south of Sydney, looking at the unique ways seaweed could help clean the ocean and help people with various ailments. In 2015 Pia set up her own seaweed farm, on the edge of an alcohol distillery in the town of Nowra. One day she was emptying seaweed extract from a tank when a large section of her scalp was torn away from her head by a machine. The accident could've killed her if she'd fainted. Instead Pia walked 200 metres from the factory to her office, to tell her staff what had happened. Further information 2025 update: Pia has now had six reconstruction surgeries, and seaweed gels have played a huge part in her healing. Pia explains: using Phyaluronic formulations, which we coined to describe seaweed gels that mimic human tissue, has been transformative in my recovery… I am now 90% reconstructed on top. Originally broadcast July 2019. Learn more about Pia's work with seaweed . More information about Australia's unique seaweed species. This episode was produced by Nicola Harrison. The executive producer was Carmel Rooney. This episode of Conversations touches on seaweed, sustainable farming, emergency services, near-fatal accidents, epic life story, origin story, oceans and marine research. Standout story – Bill Bailey Hear Richard’s conversation with Bill Bailey: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/conversations-bill-bailey/8032120 You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

The veteran Wiradjuri journalist spent his first year living in the wreck of a Model T Ford on a NSW mission. He has reported from China and North Korea, covered Nelson Mandela’s release, the death of Princess Diana, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and reported from outside Osama bin Laden’s house after he was killed. His father was a hard man and an itinerant sawmiller who taught Stan the lessons he would need to survive and thrive as he grew older. On the surface, Stan seemed disinterested in his studies, but he memorised everything he learned and gathered his knowledge for the future. The family moved to Canberra when Stan was a teenager and suddenly the world opened up for him. Further information Originally broadcast May 2013. This episode was produced by Michelle Ransom-Hughes and the Executive Producer is Carmel Rooney. You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 This episode of Conversations touches on Indigenous family, Wiradjuri country, tabloid TV, racism, fatherhood, fathers, origin stories, personal stories, epic life stories, family dynamics, First Nations, news reporting and international news and journalism. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Longtime TV casting agent, Kirsty de Vallance was 16 when Police searched the house and arrested her father on serious drugs charges. Throughout her teen years she had to navigate the complexity of having a parent in prison. The family went into freefall and a short time later Kirsty's mother died. Her two older sisters raised Kirsty and she stayed in touch with her father until his release from prison. The effects on the family were far-reaching and devastating and as a result, Kirsty volunteers with children who find themselves in a situation like hers — with parents in jail. For many years Kirsty ran a successful casting agency with her husband and together they found contestants for TV shows including Masterchef and Project Runway. Further information First broadcast June 2015. 2025 update: Kirsty continued working in TV casting up until recently, but now she and her husband focus on the wellbeing side of production. Their company ‘Strength on Set’ looks after the health and wellbeing of cast and crew on shows like ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ and ‘The Bachelor’. Kirsty has also returned to studying, and is completing a Diploma in Counselling. Standout story: Nicholas Hammond You can hear Richard's full conversation with Nicholas Hammond on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/nicholas-hammond-the-sound-of-music-cinderella-julie-andrews/14069188 You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 The Executive Producer of this episode of Conversations was Pam O'Brien. This episode of Conversations explores parents in prison, kids with a parent in prison, drugs charges, heroin, early death, mentoring, prison, jail, Ireland, TV casting agent, Farmer Wants a Wife, Masterchef and Project Runway. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Male midwife, Christian Wright tells stories of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities, helping Yolŋu women birth their babies. Growing up South of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself. At the age of nine he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service. In the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory, Christian worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies. Further information First broadcast March 2021. 2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove. On the first day of their honeymoon as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled. Christian’s spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he may not walk again. Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea. He and Caroline now have a baby boy. And yes, Christian did deliver the baby! Learn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birth. Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country. Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia. Standout story – Nigel Newton You can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834 You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 This episode of Conversations explores birth, midwifery, Yolŋu country, First Nations birthing, the fourth trimester, active labour and a male midwife. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Male midwife, Christian Wright tells stories of emergency evacuations and surfing with crocodiles while working in remote Indigenous communities, helping Yolŋu women birth their babies. Growing up South of Sydney as one of six boys, midwifery wasn't the occupation Christian Wright expected for himself. At the age of nine he experienced a vision that gave him a sense of his future in a life of service. In the tiny town of Nhulunbuy, right on the tip of the Northern Territory, Christian worked with Yolŋu women of remote Arnhem Land to help them birth their babies. Further information First broadcast March 2021. 2025 update: Several years ago, Christian married his beloved, Caroline in Gove. On the first day of their honeymoon as they were driving up the track, their troop carrier rolled. Christian’s spine was broken, and he was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where the doctors feared that he may not walk again. Christian went back to work within six months of the accident and has since worked in the NT and Papua New Guinea. He and Caroline now have a baby boy. And yes, Christian did deliver the baby! Learn more about Christian's research into pregnancy and birth. Discover the Djakamirr program, training doulas to help Yolŋu women give birth on their own country. Christian also recommends the book Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen as a valuable resource on Indigenous Australia. Standout story – Nigel Newton You can hear Richard's full conversation with Nigel Newton on the ABC Listen app or wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/publisher-nigel-newton-on-harnessing-the-harry-potter-effect/7788834 You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-03/richard-fidler-reflects-on-20-years-of-conversations/105495784 This episode of Conversations explores birth, midwifery, Yolŋu country, First Nations birthing, the fourth trimester, active labour and a male midwife. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

What does a volcano in Iceland have to do with the religious and political struggles going on across the world today? Well it turns out, a LOT… Back in 536AD, the skies turned dark and the world cooled. It was all thanks to a massive volcanic eruption in Iceland, that no one even knew had happened. It led to a mysterious plague, which swept through the Roman and Persian Empires. In the great Byzantine city of Constantinople, it was said that 10,000 people were dying every day. Between plague and war, the world’s two ‘superpowers’ were too distracted to notice that something major was happening on the Arabian peninsula. The Prophet Mohammed had united the tribes and, when he died, his followers started pushing north. Instead of encountering resistance, they were able to take huge swathes of the Roman Empire and completely destroy the Persian Empire. Richard Fidler, host of ABC Conversations and the author of The Book of Roads and Kingdoms, tells Marc Fennell (Stuff the British Stole, Mastermind) the incredible true story of how the language of Arabic and religion of Islam spread across the world, thanks (in part) to a natural disaster and climate change. Get in touch: Got a story for us? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at noonesawitcoming@abc.net.au

China's cultural revolution was murderously violent and culturally devastating; millions of people, artefacts and ideas went up in smoke. So what's fuelling today's Neo-Maoist movement and nostalgia for that period? In 1966, the Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong went to war against his own government. What followed was ten years of murderous violence and utter insanity, until Mao's death in 1976. Children were urged to denounce their parents, teachers were beaten to death in front of howling mobs, youths were 're-educated', the economy was ruined, and so much of the precious cultural heritage of a great, ancient society went up in smoke. The 'Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution' left such deep scars on China, that subsequent leaders have tried to bury its memory. But, still some young Chinese people — 'Neo-Moaists' — have a sense of nostalgia for the violent revolution they didn't even live through. In order to understand what's going on in China today, you need to know what happened in those strange and terrifying years, and how it affected President Xi Zinping, who had a front row seat to the terror. Further information Bombard the Headquarters is published by Black Inc. To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities. Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website. This episode of Conversations explores political violence, revolution, propaganda, China, Asia, totalitarianism, Farewell my Concubine, Asia Pacific, Lenin, Marxism, Socialism, civil war, the long march, neo-Maoist movement, great leap forward, political upheaval, class warfare, status quo, drain the swamp, mass murder, infanticide, conspiracy theories, Tiananmen Square, red guards, coup, dictatorship, nostalgia. To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, singers, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

If you’re an avid podcast listener, you’ve likely heard one of Richard Fidler’s Conversations . For 20 years he’s been chatting with people from all walks of life, making the Conversations podcast one of the most popular in Australia. So as they mark this big 20th birthday, I thought it’d be fun to flip the mic on Richard. Because his story begins long ago, as a founding member of the Doug Anthony Allstars, and host of Race Around the World. In 2016 Richard published his first non fiction book Ghost Empire, and since then has written three more (Saga Land, Golden Maze, and The Book of Roads and Kingdoms). He is a curious soul, a master storyteller, and you’re about to relish in his tales. T. Rex – Get It On Joy Division – Interzone The Violent Femmes – Blister in the Sun Cocteau Twins – Carolyn’s Fingers Big Star – Kanga Roo

The Book of Roads and Kingdoms brings to life a dazzling culture of science, literature, philosophy and adventure arising out of the flourishing metropolis of Baghdad during Islam’s Golden Age. Australian writer / broadcaster Richard Fidler recounts how medieval Persian and Arab wanderers ventured by camel, horse and boat into the unknown, bringing back tales of wonder, horror and delight. Ever curious, Fidler’s previous bestsellers have also delved entertainingly into the history of worldly places – The Golden Maze (Prague), Ghost Empire (Constantinople) and Saga Land (Iceland). The host of ABC’s Conversations – Australia’s most downloaded podcast – speaks with broadcaster Jack Tame about what he describes as a ‘crazy quilt atlas of a lost world’. Supported by Platinum Bold Patrons Joséphine & Ross Green. SAT, 20 MAY 2023, 2:30pm – 3:30pm, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre.

Richard Fidler speaks with Jack Tame about The Book of Roads and Kingdoms, bringing to life the dazzling cosmopolitan culture of Baghdad during Islam's Golden Age. A highlight of the 2023 Auckland Writers Festival. Hear Richard Fidler talk to Jack Tame in this highlight of the 2023 Auckland Writers Festival The Book of Roads and Kingdoms brings to life a dazzling culture of science, literature, philosophy and adventure arising out of the flourishing metropolis of Baghdad during Islam's Golden Age. Australian writer/broadcaster Richard Fidler recounts how medieval Persian and Arab wanderers ventured by camel, horse and boat into the unknown, bringing back tales of wonder, horror and delight. Ever curious, Fidler's previous bestsellers have also delved entertainingly into the history of worldly places - The Golden Maze (Prague), Ghost Empire (Constantinople) and Saga Land (Iceland). The host of ABC's Conversations - Australia's most downloaded podcast - speaks with broadcaster Jack Tame about what he describes as a 'crazy quilt atlas of a lost world'. About the speaker Richard Fidler Richard Fidler is the popular presenter of Conversations with Richard Fidler on ABC Radio. He is the author of four acclaimed books blending travel and history: Ghost Empire (Constantinople), Saga Land (Iceland), The Golden Maze (Prague) and latest The Book of Roads & Kingdoms (imperial Baghdad). This session is broadcast thanks to the generous help of the Auckland Writers Festival held in May 2023 Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In this session recorded at the 2023 festival, writer and much-loved broadcaster Richard Fidler discusses The Book of Roads & Kingdoms , which is inspired by the tales of medieval Arab and Persian travellers who ventured to the edges of the known world. He discusses with Paul Bevan the ways in which the expansion of geographical frontiers shaped knowledge. The Stories to You podcast series is supported by Create NSW. If you would like to contribute to the valuable work of Newcastle Writers Festival in fostering a culture of reading and writing, please consider a tax-deductible donation . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MasterChef UK judge and restaurant critic William Sitwell joins Richard Fidler for a conversation about a life in food.. A highlight of the 2023 Auckland Writers Festival. William Sitwell is a British food and travel writer, MasterChef UK judge and restaurant critic for The Telegraph. Known as much for his love of authentic cuisine as his witty, sometimes provocative and occasionally controversial views, he joins ABC Radio host Richard Fidler for a conversation about a life in food. In his most recent book, The Restaurant: A History of Dining Out, he takes readers on a gastronomic journey over the last 2000 years - venturing into the inns and taverns of Pompeii before their destruction in AD79; revealing the tumultuous emergence of fine dining during the French Revolution; and exploring the result of technological innovations on the rise of McDonald's. Hear William Sitwell in this highlight of the 2023 Auckland Writers Festival The result is a lively, discursive amble through the social and culinary history of eating out, ranging from the influence of Elizabeth David, to the effect of the dissolution of the monasteries, and the revolution in UK cuisine since the 1960s. As the editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine (until his departure after he made a joke about "killing vegans"), Sitwell broadened the range of commentators and contributors. But his attempt to get Sir Les Patterson (one of the many alter egos of Australian comedian Barry Humphries, creator of the more famous Dame Edna Everage) fell at the last hurdle. "I was very privileged to know Barry Humphries since he became a friend of my family's. He was a fan of my grandfather Sir Sacheverell Sitwell . I remember staying at my grandfather's house and I saw these postcards from Edna on the kitchen table. My grandfather's housekeeper Gertrude was talking about how this strange person kept on writing to my grandfather calling herself Dame Edna Everage. This was in the late '80s when Edna ruled the airwaves. She was the Queen of the Saturday night's TV schedules. But Gertrude and her husband only really watched wrestling, and switched the television off in the evening."… Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Richard Fidler in conversation with fellow author Chloe Hooper about Fidler's latest work, The Book of Roads and Kingdoms.

“She helped me completely dismantle a media personality I constructed and wasn’t happy with. It was a media personality I constructed to be a television presenter. To be sort of charming, maybe trying to be funny, trying to be a smartass here and there. But it was a struggle because it wasn’t who I really am.” Richard Fidler’s had more careers than most. He’s best-known as a host of the ABC’s most popular radio show and podcast Conversations . But he came to radio via a career as a TV presenter, a stint in the irreverent comedy trio The Doug Anthony Allstars, and now he’s an author of several best-selling history books. One day back in 2005 he was sitting in the ABC office when his producer came to him with an idea to turn his popular radio show into a podcast. There was a catch: No one had heard of a podcast. And the iPhone hadn’t been invented yet. But his producer insisted the podcast would one day be a juggernaut. That producer was Curveball host Kellie Riordan. Richard joins Kellie for a rare and wide-ranging discussion on why he once thought a nuclear holocaust would end his life, the moment he literally caught on fire, and how fatherhood changed his once snarky outlook on life. Richard’s new book is The Book of Roads and Kingdoms . +++ Curveball is the show where extraordinary people share the twists and turns of their rise, those curveball moments that have made them. It’s a production of Deadset Studios . Keep up to date with Curveball by following @_deadsetstudios on Twitter and @deadsetstudios on instagram . Want to know more about how people thrive in challenging times? Sign up to Curveball’s LinkedIn newsletter ! And suggest a Curveball guest by visiting www.curveballshow.com This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Executive producers are Rachel Fountain and Kellie Riordan. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Be drawn into the story of the medieval wanderers who travelled out to the edges of the known world during Islam’s fabled Golden Age and the eventual downfall of the empire in Richard Fidler’s new book, The Book of Roads & Kingdoms .

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/72078 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Saga Land Author: Richard Fidler, Kári Gíslason Narrator: Richard Fidler, Kári Gíslason Format: mp3 Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins Release date: 11-01-22 Ratings: 4 out of 5 stars, 4 ratings Genres: Europe Publisher's Summary: Broadcaster Richard Fidler and author Kári Gíslason are good friends. They share a deep attachment to the sagas of Iceland—the true stories of the first Viking families who settled on that remote island in the Middle Ages. These are tales of blood feuds, of dangerous women and people who are compelled to kill the ones they love the most. The sagas are among the greatest stories ever written, but the identity of their authors is largely unknown. Together, Fidler and Gíslason travel across Iceland, to the places where the sagas unfolded a thousand years ago.

Recorded in 2013, celebrate the seven-decade long stage and screen career of the remarkable actor (R) The late Angela Lansbury has taken on a wildly diverse range of roles since she began working as an actor more than 70 years ago. She played the conniving cockney maid in Gaslight, and a terrifying spy in The Manchurian Candidate. She was the voice of the singing teapot in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. For many years Angela played a detective novelist in TV series Murder She Wrote. When she was in Australia to perform the lead in a stage production of Driving Miss Daisy in 2013, Angela opened up to Richard about her childhood in pre-war London, coming to America, and her starring roles in Broadway musicals. To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities. Further information Angela Lansbury died in October 2022, aged 96 Originally broadcast in February 2013 Presenter: Richard Fidler Producer: Michelle Ransom-Hughes Executive Producer: Carmel Rooney

Kári Gíslason is a writer who crosses forms. His memoir, The Promise of Iceland, told the story of his return to his birthplace, Iceland. He co-wrote Saga Land: The island of stories at the edge of the world , which won the Indie Book Award for Non-Fiction, with Richard Fidler. He also writes fiction, including The Ash Burner and The Sorrow Stone. Kári lectures in Creative Writing at QUT. In this interview, Kári talks about writing with his friend Richard Fidler. Richard has previously appeared on The Garret, and you can listen to Richard reflect on writing with Kári in this interview (recorded live at the Ubud Readers and Writers Festival in 2019) . About The Garret Follow The Garret: Writing and Publishing and our host Astrid Edwards on Instagram. Explore our back catalogue (and transcripts) at thegarretpodcast.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to part 2 of the 2-part exploration of the brilliant Children of Men. This episode sees the return of ABC broadcaster and author Richard Fidler as he joins Hammo and Ben Ellwood on their Space Podyssey journey. The Big Squid podcast is the presenter of this science fiction limited series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest episode in the Big Squid science fiction mini-series Space Podyssey welcomes not only comedian Ben Ellwood back to the podcast but also author and ABC broadcaster Richard Fidler. Today's episode is part 1 of a 2-part exploration of the brilliant Children of Men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Golden Maze - Richard Fidler in conversation with Nicole Abadee Richard Fidler first visited Prague in 1989, the moment in history when the decrepit police state was being overthrown by its people in what became known as the Velvet Revolution. The experience never left him. Thirty years later, Fidler returned to Prague to uncover the glorious and grotesque history of Europe's most instagrammed and uncanny city. And, in his inimitable style, he has brought story and history together in a personally curated history of one of the world’s most magical cities, Prague. Beloved ABC broadcaster and bestselling author of Ghost Empire and Saga Land , Richard Fidler joins Nicole Abadee in conversation about his passion for Prague and his passion for story. SHOW NOTES Storyfest Web - https://www.storyfest.org.au/ Facebook / Twitter / Instagram - @storyfestinc Richard Fidler Web - http://www.richard-fidler.com/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/rfidler Nicole Abadee Web - https://www.nicoleabadee.com.au/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/nicoleabadee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicoleabadee/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nicole.abadee LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-abadee-5789677b/ Buy The Golden Maze from your local bookstore or online here .

Visit audiobookzap.com to start the 30-day free trial and listen to full audiobooks for free! Title: A Collection of Conversations with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski Volume 5 Series: #5 in Conversations with Richard Fidler Categories: Biography, Entertainment, Fiction, History, Modern Author: Sarah Kanowski Narrator: Richard Fidler, Meg Keneally, Benny Agius, David Gillespie, Mary-Louise McLaws, Beverley Bass, Bryan Brown Publisher: ABC Audio Release date: 10-01-2021 Language: English

Against the context of growing hostilities between President Xi Jinping's government and the west, nationalist agendas across the board, shocking stories about the abuse of the Uyghur population, trade wars and diplomatic flare-ups, this tightening of the flow of information sparked international alarm. But with unacceptable racism against Asians in the west on the rise, and China's global influence and economic power growing ever stronger, how do we think about the complicated China question? Listen to former ABC China correspondent Bill Birtles and China specialist Yun Jiang for this timely discussion recorded in the Playhouse and moderated by Richard Fidler. - Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.