All The Best

This week, stories about people’s connection to their homeland.

Chasing an 8pm Bedtime by Rosealee Pearson

In our first story, Rosealee shares her exciting life as a dancer touring internationally and the events that lead to her return home.

A warning that this story contains some swears and references to struggling with mental health.

Story by Rosealee Pearson

Bosnia and the Blue Light Disco by Lari Gadza

Lari talks about growing up in Darwin and travelling the world, somehow always skirting the one place that had broken her father's heart.

This story contains brief references to sex and teenage pregnancy.

Story by Lari Gadza

These stories were originally performed at SPUN, a live storytelling night held in Darwin. To hear more pieces from SPUN head to spunstories.net

Hometowns across the globe // Hometowns across Australia

We head into the All the Best archives to hear sounds and stories from various contributors and their hometowns. 

Sound recording for these pieces were by Ange Glindemann, Lee Yee, Selena Shannon, Zacha Rosen, Bec Fary and Allison Chan. 

ALL THE BEST LIVE: STRONG STORIES OF THE WEAK - OCT 3RD

FBi Radio’s All The Best teams up with Word Travels to present a night of vulnerable storytelling in front of a live audience with Strong Stories of the Weak, part of Story Week 2023 – Be Heard. Be Seen.

Featuring performances by Dylin Hardcastle, Madhuraa Prakash, Jared Richards, Ruth Melville and more, with live music from Elizabeth Jigalin.

Happening on October 3 at East Sydney Community Centre in Darlinghurst. Tickets available from Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/strong-stories-of-the-weak-story-week-2023

Use the discount code SWCOMMUNITY for an All The Best discount.

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a dark matter, to you? Darkness is so dependent on the individuals perception.

This week, we are once again bringing you stories inspired by ‘dark matter’ from the Masters of Journalism students at the University of Melbourne. 

A warning that one of our tales contains themes of child abuse and slavery.

Story One - Anaesthetics

Anaesthetics was first used in the 1840s and has become a super common medical procedure. But it’s hasn’t always been widely understood. But as scientists and researchers uncover the deep mysteries of what happens to our brain under anaesthetic, turns out there’s may dark side to the practice that’s effecting elderly people. 

Professor Bruno (he/him)  is a research fellow at the University of Queensland who completed his PhD in evolutionary and population biology. 

Produced by Valentina Boulter

Story Two - Child Marriage

Our next story shares the lives of two women from China who were forced into child marriage and have courageously chosen to speak about their experiences. A warning that this story contains themes of child abuse and slavery.

Produced by Yan Li

Story Three - Melbourne's Past

Next up, a deep dive into an aspect of Melbourne history that isn’t regularly spoken about and a reflection about its relevance in the world today.

Produced by Timothy Evetts

Story Four - Biphobia 

This next story shares the origins and impacts of biphobia in both Australian and Chinese cultural contexts.

Produced by Nuoxin Li

Story Five - Astrology

For our last story we’re sharing a look into the pre-colonial roots of astrology and its importance in certain South Asian cultures.

Produced by Filament Ho

All The Best credits:

Compiled & Mixed by: Sebastian Fijac

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Supervising production for all of today’s stories were by Sami Shah, Daniel Semo and Mell Chun.

Join the Team!

All The Best is hiring! Check out the role descriptions & how to apply at https://allthebestradio.com/join-the-team/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we hear from two incredible entertainers about the extraordinary women they have known.

A Tale of Two Women - told by Eddie Ayres

In our first story, Eddie Ayres (also known as Ed Le Brocq) looks to the past to share stories of bravery from queer women in the 1960s.

Eddie is a musician and writer known for presenting a popular radio program on ABC Classic FM.

If this story has brought up anything for you, help is available. Call lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for 24 hour support

To My Mother - told by Fahad Ali

Then, Fahad remembers what it took for his mother to finally meet one of his boyfriends.

Fahad Ali is a molecular biologist, science educator, and writer. He is a member of the Palestinian diaspora, a co-founder of the Queer Solidarity Film Festival and the Muslims for Marriage Equality campaign group, and a community advocate and organiser. He performed this piece at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta then again at the Sydney Opera House for All About Women.

Today's stories come from the Queerstories podcast, the recorded version of the live LGBTQIA+ storytelling night. To hear more or learn about the upcoming Queerstories book, head to www.queerstories.com

UPCOMING QUEERSTORIES EVENT

Oct 5 2023

The next Queerstories event is October 5 at The Grand Electric featuring Narelda Jacobs, Anna Piper Scott, Kirly Saunders, and more to be announced. Keep an eye out for details at maevemarsden.com

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

JOIN THE ALL THE BEST TEAM!

Recruiting Supervising Producers

📣 All The Best is recruiting new Supervising Producers! This is a part-paid, part-volunteer mentorship role with heaps of flexibility.

If you, or someone you know, is passionate about mentoring and shaping new opportunities for the Australian audiomaker community, send a CV to Mell at [email protected].

Details are at: https://allthebestradio.com/join-the-team/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re bringing you stories from students at the Western Sydney University. The students have been studying the fundamentals of podcasting, giving them the expertise needed to produce their own podcast feature.

Each story involves a unique topic and perspective but are all linked by an exploration about the way we as people relate to each other and the world around us...

The cost of the cost-of-living

First, we face up to a discussion about how the cost of living crisis in Australia is impacting young people both at the moment and in the future.

Produced by Riley Birt.

One of da boiiz

Have you ever tried to fit-in so badly that you've made some questionable choices? Up next we hear the unexpected sacrifices Nico made as a young queer trying to  fit in with his heterosexual classmates. 

Produced by Nico Bruni.

The Heart and Soul Podcast

In our final story, Chris interviews friends and reflects on his life as part of a quest to find spiritual solitude.

Produced by Chris Mallas.

These stories are student works, made for the subject Pitch: Podcasting Essentials at Western Sydney University facilitated by Dr Roger Dawkins, with special thanks to Tegan Nicholls for being the tutor in 2023.

Find out more by searching for “2047 Pitch: Podcasting Essentials” at the Western Sydney Uni website. 

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Unheard Story Pitches

Interested in making a story with All The Best? We've extended the deadline for "Unheard story" pitches until September 11th. Apply here: https://forms.gle/4ShMB5SAsPTJJpTS8

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's stories about birds and beetles will bring you up close and personal with some critters and creatures.

The Retirement

You probably think you’re too good for beetles. Algernon has lived underground for so long that his body is completely numb. The only part of his body that can sense is the inside of his mouth, through which he experiences all things. His world is texture, flavour, heat, vibration. In confidence, he tells us about his life. 

Written and produced by Zoe Le Marinel

Sound design by Lana Lusina. Discover more of her work here lanalusina.carrd.co

Voice acting by Peter Lloyd

Supervising Producer by Phoebe Adler-Ryan

A warning for misophonia as there are sounds like lip smacking in this story, a bit of disturbing imagery and a lot of detailed insect talk.

This is an immersive story that comes to life through headphones. So if you have some nearby, we recommend that you plug them in when having a listen.

The Nightingale Man

When Selena moved from sunny Sydney to the dark depths of Swedish winter, she sometimes asked herself why she decided to migrate, even for only 6 months, to a place where the night never really transitions into day. But her experience and her perspective changed when she followed The Nightingale Man to Berlin...

Produced by Selena Shannon

Thanks to Zacha Rosen and Bec Fary for their feedback.

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Unheard Story Pitches

Interested in making a story with All The Best? We've extended the deadline for "Unheard story" pitches until September 11th. Apply here: https://forms.gle/4ShMB5SAsPTJJpTS8

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're bringing you stories that consist of a leap of faith. 

Pulpit to Plinth: There's power in blood

In our first story Matthew recounts his journey from a youth of worshiping a terrifying and charismatic God to an adulthood worshiping glitter and revelry.

This story was told by Matthew van Roden.

That story was told by Matthew van Rodden as part of SPUN, a live storytelling night based in Darwin. To hear more head to www.spunstories.net

'Does my bum look big in this?'

If you needed to strip in front of your mates, could you do it? Casual nudity in female-identifying friendships is taboo and rooted in imposed societal expectations. This story is about the awkwardness and empowerment of learning to be vulnerable in front of your galpals – all while stark naked.

Produced by Millie Roberts.

The Supervising producer was Sara Mashman.

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're sharing another yarn from Bla Mela Stori from Grant Thompson. Grant works at the Ngukurr Language Centre to save his endangered Indigenous language - Ngandi.

Language Man

In this story Grant explains why it's so important to keep language strong and how he went about revitalising Ngandi.

This story was produced by Angelina Joshua.

It was made as part of the Bla Mela Stori project, a program by Katherine Regional Arts in the Northern Territories.

Stories in this program were produced with the support of the Australian Federal Government’s Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand Fund (RISE).

Image from the Ngukurr Language Centre.

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on All The Best, stories about family - the messy, complicated and gorgeous humans who make us who we are.

Where We Are by Michael Everitt

Our first story is an exploration of the sounds that a new parent encounters in everyday life. The story’s producer, Michael, calls it a love letter to mark the arrival of his daughter. 

This story was produced by Michael Everitt.

Daniel Semo was the supervising producer. 

No such thing as normal by John Price

Our next story takes another look at family and parenthood, illustrating how community care can stand in for family structure. 

John grew up in Geelong as the middle child in a family of seven. His home was always full of people coming and going. One evening, at a party in Katherine, a dark-haired woman caught his eye and almost two decades on, John has his own story about big family...

This story was told by John Price in August 2017 at SPUN’s Darwin Festival themed 'Home'.

SPUN is a live storytelling event showcasing some of the extraordinary people and their stories that make up the Northern Territory. You can listen to more at www.spunstories.net 

‘Migrant Mums: Far From Ordinary’ by Heidi Tai

Growing up, Heidi always thought that her mum was ordinary. She never finished high school, never went to university, and held the same job in the same industry for over 30 years. 

Heidi shares the challenges of migration and how, through all the struggles, she was able to learn that her mum was far from ordinary.

That story was produced by Heidi Tai.

Allison Chan was the supervising producer.

Sound design was by Gregory Thorsby.

Become an All The Best Storymaker!

FBi Radio's premier storytelling programme All The Best is looking for its next round of UNHEARD stories and everyone is welcome!

Selected story-makers will receive $200, the support of an All The Best Supervising Producer Mentor, access to resources to make an audio story and the opportunity to have your finished work nationally broadcast.

All levels of experience and story-genres are welcome.

Applications close on Monday August 28th - apply here. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing the story of Jenny Williams from Slovakia. Jenny is an author who has written multiple books of her experiences growing up in and later fleeing from what was then known as Czechoslovakia. 

This story was originally from 177 Nations of Tasmania, a podcast by Mark Thomson.

To hear the full episode head to www.markthomsonmedia.com or search ‘177 Nations’ wherever you get your podcasts.

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here.

Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re sharing a couple of pieces from iconic LGBTQI+ Storytelling night ‘Queerstories’. Hosted and curated by Maeve Marsden, Queerstories is a place where you’ll find true stories told by queer and trans people from all over the country all about their lives, loves and losses. 

Cry-baby President

First, you’re going to hear All The Best host Mads! This is the story of the trials she went through as president..….of a University United Nations Society. 

Story read by Madhuraa Prakash

The Pipe Masters

Then, Bobuq shares their experiences of an eat-pray-love-style trip to Hawaii, that leads some unexpected lessons about humans and queerness.

Story read by Bobuq Sayed

All The Best credits:

Production Manager: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Manager: Mell Chun

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Upcoming Queerstories Event!

The next Queerstories live show is going to be at The Grand Electric in Redfern on the 3rd of August.

Go get your tickets on the moshtix website, just search ‘queerstories’.

To learn more about Queerstories or listen to the podcast you can head to queerstories.com.au

All the Best's Monthly Newsletter is back! Sign up here.

Stay in the loop with all things All The Best by signing up for our monthly newsletter. On the second last Wednesday of every month, receive a rundown of the latest episodes, info on upcoming events, giveaways, competitions and free resources! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.