Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, wherever you're listening throughout the world. This is Blind Magic in Alice Springs, with host Maurice Stewart (episode 1,419), bringing you on-the-ground coverage of a nail-biting local government election.

In this episode Maurice breaks down the razor-thin mayoral contest in Alice Springs between Aster Hill (the Greens' preferred candidate) and Eli Melke, explains how preference distributions will decide the outcome, and criticises the Northern Territory Electoral Commission for slow communication about when preferences will be counted. Maurice also reports that Eli Melke and third-place candidate Lisa Marie shared preferences while Aster Hill reportedly received none of those preference flows — a detail that could decide the race.

The conversation explores the local and regional stakes, including controversy around proposed Greens policies related to Pine Gap workers, the economic and social importance of the Pine Gap facility to Alice Springs, and the broader ANZUS context. Maurice stresses how the result could affect jobs, business confidence and community cohesion across Central Australia.

There are no external guests on this episode; Heather joins briefly on-air. Maurice outlines possible next steps, including a promised interview with the eventual mayor (and notes that Eli Melke is a sponsor of the show). Key points: the decisive role of preference votes, concerns about council positions that could target Pine Gap staff, and the community's hopes for a mayor who will rebuild the town and support local businesses.

Tune in for timely local analysis, updates on the vote count, and follow-up coverage as Blind Magic tracks the final outcome and what it means for Alice Springs and the wider region.

Good morning from Alice Springs — this is episode 1418 of Blind Magic, hosted by the program's presenter. In this candid monologue the host addresses a recent AFL controversy: an Adelaide player has been reported for allegedly using a homophobic slur during play, and may face a multi-week suspension that could affect Adelaide's place in the finals.

The episode examines the nuance of intent and impact: the host questions whether a slur can be classified as homophobic when directed at a player who has not publicly identified as gay, and contrasts that scenario with clear cases of targeted abuse. He uses a personal example from a past mayoral campaign when he, as a totally blind person, was subjected to a disability-directed insult — a moment that shaped his view on when language is genuinely harmful and when enforcement risks being overreaching.

Topics covered include the AFL's disciplinary approach, the potential competitive consequences for Adelaide in the upcoming Final Eight, the wider cultural debate about political correctness in sport, and the difference between casual banter during contests and explicitly abusive, identity-targeted slurs. The host makes his position clear: discriminatory slurs aimed at people who have publicly declared a protected identity warrant firm sanctions, but he worries about broad application of penalties when the target's identity is not at issue.

Listeners can expect a frank, opinionated take that blends sports commentary, personal testimony, and a call for clearer standards and proportional responses from sporting authorities. This episode is produced by Blind Magic Communications.

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening wherever you are in the world. This is episode 1417 of Blind Magic in Alice Springs.

In this personal episode the host explores the theme of fear through lived experience — from a lifelong caution about swimming after shark attacks to earlier athletic achievements (including an Australian vision-impaired sprint record) and the very first, nerve‑wracking myotherapy treatment he gave. He reflects on how fear has shaped him and what he’s learned confronting it over the years.

The core of the episode centers on the host’s recent, powerful seizures: a vivid account of an episode in a Brisbane car park where he feared for his life, and how CPR and a defibrillator helped bring him back. He discusses the emotional and physical aftermath, his gratitude for survival, and the role of faith — recalling being baptized as a child and leaning on spiritual conviction and prayer.

Practical strategies are shared in detail: increasing medication to reduce seizure frequency (recently raised to 1,000 mg), staying low to the ground to minimize injury during a fall, wearing protective gear like a helmet, using breathing techniques, and relying on a dedicated support team (including his support worker, Priscilla). Above all, he emphasizes attitude — treating faith and mindset as vital tools in facing health challenges.

The episode closes with a call to action for listeners: identify your own fears, develop a concrete game plan to mitigate them, and include spiritual or community support as part of that plan. The host underscores that planning reduces fear and encourages prayer and reliance on faith for strength and protection.

This episode features the host’s first‑hand storytelling and mentions his support worker Priscilla; there are no outside guests. It’s produced by Blind Magic Communications — episode 1417.

In this episode Murray Stewart speaks candidly about the pressures facing men today and how he believes they can respond: not with anger or protest, but by being themselves. Drawing on personal experience — including heart attacks, strokes and current seizures — Murray reflects on recovery, the importance of male friendships, and the simple rituals that sustain masculine identity.

Murray recounts a formative men’s gathering in Central Australia where mateship, teasing and shared humor created a healing space. He describes how he manages relationships and home life now, keeping a "drama‑queen‑free zone," cultivating a circle of caring women, and maintaining a long‑distance partnership with his partner Tracy. He also recommends practical comforts like getting a dog and surrounding yourself with supportive mates.

The conversation touches on wider cultural themes: perceived attacks on men, the idea of "white privilege," and the value of traditional masculine roles — from heavy labor and public service to being a protector in times of danger. Murray asks listeners to celebrate the everyday contributions of men, particularly as the episode coincides with World War II/VJ Day reflections, honoring those who sacrificed for the country while acknowledging women’s support and participation.

Key takeaways: hold your ground, cultivate genuine friendships, use humor to cope, filter out toxic relationships, and recognize the unsung, everyday work men do. Episode 1414 is produced by Blind Magic Communications and features Murray’s unapologetic, personal perspective on masculinity, recovery and community.

In this episode the host reacts to the controversial new "Tea App," a platform that lets women rate men after dates. He explores how these public appraisals—ranging from comments about anatomy and occupation to health and personality—are provoking uproar among men and leading some to withdraw from dating entirely.

The conversation covers the motivations behind the app (including women’s safety concerns and frustrations with modern dating), the unintended consequences for both sexes, and the possibility of a retaliatory app or a widespread strategic retreat by men into solitude. The host shares cultural observations about gender dynamics, competition among women, and men’s tendency toward camaraderie and self-deprecating humor.

Personal anecdotes are woven throughout: the host describes his own semi-solitary lifestyle in Alice Springs, his long-distance relationship with "Tracy," and how he prioritizes self-care while maintaining meaningful connections. He warns listeners to be cautious about turning dating into a war and emphasizes humor, mateship, and picking compatible people rather than escalating conflict.

Key takeaways include the risks of public shaming online, how rating systems can reshape dating behavior, and a call to avoid hostility between the sexes. Episode 1413 closes with a blend of critique, humor, and practical reflections on modern relationships. This episode is a Blind Magic Communications production.