All The Best

This week is all about reducing your screen time and taking a look around your local. 

This could just be observing the places and things around you, or trying to hold onto memories of what was.  

Roaming David by Nili Javid 

Roaming David, follows a local legend of North Melbourne, @roaming_david on Instagram, who documents the small but fascinating quirks of North and West Melbourne.

Production and sound design by Nili Javid

Supervising Production by Mark Yin 

Music by Moby Gratis and Finally Punk 

SFX: Yarra trams

  On the ground by Cappy Hall 

This one is all about being grounded.  

Cappy revisits a place from their past, a place they go all the time, and a place that they miss. 

Production and sound design by Cappy Hall 

special shout out to the audio unit a the University of Sydney and Danny Stewart. 

Music: Phase Purple by Blue Dot Sessions

SFX: Wind Chime Noise and Wind Chime Ambience Extended via Pixabay; Dog Bark 1 and Dog Bark 3 by AtoMediaDesign; Dog Bark 2 by jess90; Dog Bark 4 by TheKingOfGeeks; Dog Pant byJKata; Dog Pant 2 byTrashcan_Studios; Neighbour Party by AlienXXX; Bathhouse by George_Papargyris; Korean Bank Ambience by tweeterdj via Freesound

All the Best Credits 

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos 

Production Manager: Kwame Slusher

Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan 

Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins 

Theme Music composed by Shining Bird

Special shout-out to all our volunteers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is a fit check.  Sort of ...

This week is all about the ways that we choose to present ourselves to the world. Whether we are looking for affirmation or planning to go against societal expectations.  

Bring a hat  by Sam Elkin 

Our first story was originally Performed as part of QueerStories live storytelling event in Mparntwe last year.  

Sam explores a space between gender affirming care and hair … or hair loss.  

Written and performed by Sam Elkin 

Special thanks to NTWF and 8CCC 102.1fm. You can hear more performances from the night by checking out the NTWF podcast. 

The Clippers by Mel Bakewell 

Sometimes hair as a social symbol is just a little too much to bear, and maybe its better to go against expectations and just chop it all off.  

Produced by Mel Bakewell 

Music: Myrian by Blue Dot Sessions 

The Subtle Art of Chill Guy Nicknames by Jay De Leon Lagman 

But it's not just all about who has hair and who doesn’t. Sometimes it's just the way you present yourself to the world. And the way the world lays claim to you in response with ancient art of nicknames.  

You know the whole Romeo-and-Juliet-whats-in-a-name thing? Well for Jay a name, or at least a nickname, can be everything.  

Writer, illustrator: Jay De Leon Lagman @saturjaysunjay

Sound Designer: Matthew Forbes

That story was recorded live as part of an All The Best x Read To Me live storytelling event, ExtraOrdinary Tales in 2025, supported by the City of Sydney. 

All the Best Credits 

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos 

Production Manager: Kwame Slusher

Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan 

Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins 

Theme Music composed by Shining Bird

Special shout-out to all our volunteers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond the Bars was a co-production between Race Matters, All The Best and 3CR, and we extend our thank you to all those involved for letting us share on the fbi airwaves.

This episode features excerpts from the interviews conducted at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre for Beyond the Bars on 3CR in greater Victoria. This broadcast was hosted by Shiralee Hood, Tash Norris and Nayuka Hood. 

And an extra special thanks to the labour and love of Juliet Fox, Michaela Stubbs and the 3CR team, Samantha Haran and Shareeka Helaluddin from the Race Matters team for their hard work and planning.  

You can find out about Beyond the Bars here: https://www.3cr.org.au/beyondthebars.  

For the full experience listen to the full broadcast: https://www.fbi.radio/programs/beyond-the-bars--race-matters--all-the-best/episodes/beyond-the-bars-race-matters-and-all-the-best-12th-july-2026

Race Matters X All The Best Credits 

Hosted by Gabriella Accaria and Leya Kim

Produced by Kwame Slusher, Prinita Thevarajah and Samantha Haran. 

Graphics by Malaak

ACAB Betty and Piggy Patrol by Rubyrose Bancroft @rubyrosebancroft

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This one is for the rebels and the rule breakers!

If  you like to stick it to the man or you just like testing boundaries, then this one's for you. 

This episode looks at pirate radio, a case of kite smuggling and bookmarks that should be illegal.  

 Pirate Radio by Lindsey Vassallo 

Lindsey takes us through pirate radio history; sailing through sound waves and evading the authorities.  

Produced by Lindsey Vassallo 

This audio essay was produced as part of an AFTRS radio unit.

Kite Festival by Lachlan A’Court

The Kite Festival had one rule … One Rule. Lachlan does the one thing he’s not supposed to at a kite festival. 
Produced by Lachlan A’Court  

This piece was originally produced for the comedy community radio show and podcast Sydney Tonight , which broadcasts on 2ser. https://www.2ser.com/programs/sydney-tonight

Things That Fall Out Of Books by Anne-Marie Middlemast

This final story is the kind that would drive a librarian to peer at you over their glasses.  Anne-Marie learns about some of the strangest things that people might use as a bookmark. 

Written and performed by Anne-Marie Middlemast 

This story was produced as part of a live storytelling night held at the State Library of New South Wales: Special Collections in March 2026. 

This story originally featured in the podcast Meet Me At The Library produced by Anne-Marie Middlemast with the assistance of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. https://meetmeatthelibrary.podbean.com/

All the Best Credits 

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos 

Production Manager: Kwame Slusher

Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan 

Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins 

Theme Music composed by Shining Bird

Music credit: Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay

Special shout-out to all our volunteers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word iconic?

This week we explore this idea of ‘iconic’! Whether it's a grimy underground club, a 120-year-old train station or a photo that became viral for a really interesting reason.  

David & Goliath by Lou Walsh 

 Lou’s takes us to Brunswick in Melbourne to tell the tale of a tiny little bistro.   

Producer: Louis Walsh 

Featuring: Hannah Garvan; Tanzer 

Music: Tanzer - Deep Fried Disco

To join the fight for the Moreland Hotel, head to the GoFundMe. https://www.change.org/p/save-the-iconic-moreland-hotel-bistro

Do you know Arthur Stace? by Rynn Hwang

Rynn takes us to the Central station in Sydney! A significant social hub where commuters inevitably leave footprints or some kind of mark. And she asks a simple question, ‘Do you know Arthur Stace?’

Producer: Rynn Hwang  

Featuring: Rowan Kemp; Gary Deirmendjian 

Tutor: Brett Van Heerekeren

This is an introductory episode to the podcast Perhaps, Eternity - explore with us. It examines the concept of Eternity as a hope to share with those who are going through mental illness and difficult times.

We really love getting stories from USYD!

This story was produced as part of a podcasting unit at USYD. An extra special thanks to Lea Redfern. 

Unbelievably Viral by John Thomas 

 Level with me.

 How do you feel about things going viral?

John takes us all the way back to the olden times (2007), to revisit a photo that went viral for reasons that you might not expect.

Production and sound design by John Thomas 

Featuring Murray McKean 

Supervising Production by Jeannine Baker

This story was produced as part of a media unit at the University of Newcastle – special thanks to Dr Jeannine Baker.  

You can find more stories like this here: https://hunterstories.podbean.com/ 

All The Best Credits

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos 

Production Manager: Kwame Slusher

Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan 

Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins 

Episode Artwork: Jessamine Lobb

Theme Music composed by Shining Bird

Special shout-out to all our volunteers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Pride!

While Pride shouldn’t just be confined to a month, one of our audio producers described this time of year  as “ ...  a breath let go that you didn't know you were holding.” 

This episode is for everyone, but especially for those who have been waiting to exhale and looking forward to living every day with pride. 

It's about resistance and being seen in a time when queer and trans communities are being targeted.  

Our two stories this week come from the Queer Stories podcast.

They were performed and recorded on the 8th of September, 2025, on Arrente land as part of the Northern Territory Writers Festival.

Special thanks to Queer Stories, Maeve Marsden, Northern Territory Writers Festival, and 8CCC Radio. 

Patooki by Winnie Dunn

Award-winning writer and first-ever published Tongan-Australian writer Winnie Dunn performs a story that traces the history of some other remarkable firsts for Tongan women in her family.  

Winnie Dunn is the winner of the Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist Award 2025 and the Kathleen Mitchell Award 2025 for her debut novel, Dirt Poor Islanders by Winnie Dunn.  

Written and performed by Winnie Dunn 

Shrewdly Innocent by Daniel Browning 

Daniel Browning is a Bundjalung and Kullilli award-winning writer, journalist, and broadcaster.  Daniel muses on all of these things, being First Nations and queer, as well as struggling with a complex medical diagnosis. 

Written and performed by Daniel Browning

These pieces were performed and recorded on 8 September 2025 in Mbantua, Alice Springs, on Arrente land as part of the Northern Territory Writers Festival. Special thanks to Queerstories, Maeve Marsden, Northern Territory Writers’ Festival, and 8CCC Radio. 

You can find out more about Queer Stories at maevemarsden.com/queerstories

Looking for more queer stories? Then check this episode out!

All The Best Credits

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos 

Production Manager: Kwame Slusher

Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan 

Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins 

Theme Music composed by Shining Bird

Special shout-out to all our volunteers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlike your favourite rom-com, dating and romance can be messy and complicated. 

Recently, the amazing Danni Stewart, producer, artist, and member of the All The Best family (because no one ever really leaves ATB, right?), launched a new podcast called Crip Love, focused on the intersection of disability and love.

… initially it was gonna be a much more conventional, traditional kind of podcast, but along the way it transformed into something else. It kind of evolved into what I think of as more of an art project, than a podcast… – Danni

This week, we play four clips from this beautiful and heartfelt art project, which seeks to challenge stereotypes about people with disabilities.

Ava and Mei Lin Interview

In this first clip, we follow Ava and Meilin, whose shared passion for art, their little quirkiness and mutual admiration blossomed into a beautiful love story.

Eva and Dick Interview

When Eva swore off dating and agreed to one last Tinder date, she didn’t expect to meet Dick. Refusing to hide who they were, both embraced radical honesty about their lives, identities, and trauma from the very beginning.

“ I was at that point where I realised that you’ve got to be a million percent yourself. And I didn’t want to pretend that I’m somebody I’m not, ’cause I was sick of people expecting me to be somebody different, especially being neurodivergent.”

Erin and Lee Interview

It all started with a university party and a webcam striptease.

Sixteen years later, the fling they thought might not last is still going strong.

Today, Erin and Lee share the responsibilities of daily life in ways that work for them: Erin takes on much of the household’s mental load, while Lee handles physical tasks, which can be difficult for Erin as a wheelchair user. 

Together, they’ve built their own version of a happily ever after.

Plum and Cherry interview

From horror games, Pitbull lip-sync performances and an 18-hour Discord call, Plum and Cherry’s relationship grew from the very differences that first set them apart.

This story is not only a testament to how opposites can attract, but also how taking a chance on someone unexpected can be the key to finding the Cherry to your Plum.

The clips you heard in today’s episode were produced by Danni Stewart. 

The Music was by Breanna Jones and Paul MacAdam from Library Siesta. 

This series was produced with the support of Create NSW. 

You can listen at https://criplove.net where there will be captions, and you will also see the beautiful artwork of Emma Pham … or listen wherever you get your podcast.

All The Best Credits

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos 

Production Manager: Kwame Slusher

Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan 

Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins 

Theme Music composed by Shining Bird

Special shout-out to all our volunteers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week its all about hobbies!

Tessa joins her mom for a bell-ringing class, and Mike shows us just how collecting honey can be about a lot more than having a sweet tooth.  

The bells by Tessa Crozier 

“And you don't pull the rope hard; you pull it gently, but firmly, and get a feel for when it's about to leave on its journey around the frame”

As the years pass,  our parents might get more time to take on new hobbies. You know - gardening, mahjong, reformer pilates, ceramics. When Tessa’s mum retired, she got really into…bellringing. Tessa takes us up into the bell tower.

Producer: Tessa Crozier 

Supervising Producers: Zacha Rosen, Felicity Weaver, Mel Bakewell 

Interviewee: Jeanne Crozier

100 Jars of Honey by Mike Williams

Mike’s dad is really into bees. He started a curious collection of honey. In this story, Mike cracks the lid on the collection and offers us a taste.  

Written, produced and performed by Mike Williams. 

This story was originally performed as part of a live storytelling night All The Best held at the State Library of New South Wales as part of the series The Library That Made Me.

Support ATB

If you love what we do, you can donate to the show to support the next generation of audio storytellers. Head to https://allthebestradio.com/donate

 to make a tax deductible donation before EOFY.

All The Best Credits

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Executive Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Programming & Community Coordinator: Catarina Fraga Matos 

Production Manager: Kwame Slusher

Digital Trainee: Imogen Brosnan 

Mixed & Compiled: Emma Higgins 

Theme Music composed by Shining Bird

Special shout-out to all our volunteers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Pride!

In this episode, we look at the shame and discrimination that women and people who menstruate encounter for just existing.

Reproductive Healthcare Leave: A Workplace Issue. Period. by Kate Everest

Menstruation affects half the population, yet the pain, stigma, barriers to healthcare, and workplace discrimination remain largely invisible. 

Featuring the voices of those living with reproductive health conditions and those advocating for change, this story explores the barriers, stigma, and workplace challenges they face, alongside the growing push for recognition, support, and reproductive healthcare leave in Australia.

If the sight of blood gushing from any part of the body is enough to alarm us and a muscle injury is enough to leave one immobilised and requiring days for recovery, why do we expect one who is bleeding, enduring excruciating body pain, wrestling with hormonal chaos and mood swings — all at once — to carry on as if nothing is wrong?

Produced by Kate Everest

Supervising Producer: Craig Garrett. 

Featuring: Emma Hardy, Writer; Carolyn Dunbar, Women’s Team at the Victorian Trades Hall Council; and Tom Hvala, PhD candidate at Melbourne Law School.

Emma Hardy’s memoir Periodic Bitch : A memoir of menstruation, madness and monsters is out now.

Cycling Analogy by Felicity Weaver

Through the metaphor of a cyclist navigating hostile roads, this story examines the exhaustion and fear of moving through a world that was never designed with women in mind. 

“But you know it can be better. You've heard of places where this exists, where you are just a vehicle.”

Produced by Felicity Weaver

More than a pad by Wing Kuang

For many people, a disposable sanitary pad is an everyday convenience. 

But in rural India, where menstruation remains heavily stigmatized and access to menstrual products can be limited, a simple pad can mean confidence, opportunity, and dignity.

“ When girls are empowered, they can change the world”.

Produced by: Wing Kuang

All The Best Credits

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager

Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager

The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell

Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee

Mixed & Compiled by Emma Higgins 

And a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers 

Shining Bird composed our theme music

Annie Hamilton designed the artwork

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is all about the truths that we can find in stories.  

And on that topic of finding truth in stories, All the Best would like you to take a moment to recognise National Sorry Day, because all good stories are a kind of truth-telling.

A House by Katie Stefankowski

In this story, a Lutruwita urban legend lures you into the mystery of a datura plant.

Was the house really haunted? If not, where did the noises come from? Were the people really poisoned?”

Through interviews with locals, writers, and media researchers, the piece explores why unverifiable stories continue to spread and what they reveal about fear, place, and collective imagination. 

“ Even if it isn't true, can there be any kind of meaning in a fake story?”

Produced by: Katie Stefankowski

Supervising Producer: Sarah Mashman

The Sound of Adventure by Benjamin Chubb

In this story, a thrill-filled adventure for gamers.

A journey into the imaginative world of Dungeons & Dragons, where creativity, role-play, and storytelling collide through the eyes of a passionate dungeon master.

After all, who wouldn’t want to fight dragons and their own friends’ terrible decisions all in one night?

Produced by Ben Chubb

Featured Angus Dunk

Special thanks to Lea Redfern

All The Best Credits

Host: Gabriella Accaria

Kwame Slusher is our Production Manager

Catarina Fraga Matos is our Community & Programming Manager

The All The Best Executive Producer is Mel Bakewell

Imogen Brosnan is our Digital Media Trainee

And a special shout-out to all our amazing volunteers 

Shining Bird composed our theme music,

 Annie Hamilton designed the artwork

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.