Folks on Film is a chat show about parenting and movies. Every episode our hosts, Sam and Sarah, watch a movie with a dad or a mum in it, and then come together with another parent to talk about the film, it's depiction of parenthood, and how that relates to their own experience.

For this episode of the show, first broadcast August 17th, 2025, Sarah was joined in the studio by co-host Sam for a chat about The Castle. Using it's depiction of family as a jumping off point, they chat about family stereotypes in movies, gender authority in the home, and letting kids roam and experience the world.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect parents getting real and having a chat.

Come for the chat, stay for the vibe.

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

This was first broadcast July 20th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Luke (teacher, musician and co-coach of the rampaging Castlemaine U9s), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the 2003 drama/fantasy, Big Fish. Using the film's depiction of fathering and family as their jumping-off point, the dads chat about being authentic for our family, passing traits down to our kids, and what we learnt about dadding from our own dads.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Catch it while you can.

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

This was first broadcast July 20th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Graeme Connors (country music legend, Mackay local, and also a grandfather), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the loveable and near-perfect family film, Finding Nemo. Using the trials and tribulations of clownfish dad, Marlin as their jumping off point, the dads chat about the importance of letting our kids engage in risky play, not being a helicopter parent, and how the instinct to sacrifice ourselves for the good of our kids never goes away, no matter how old they are.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Just keep swimming, folks.

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

This was first broadcast July 20th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sarah chatted with Helen (Castlemaine born-and-bred family counsellor, and mum to two tween girls) about the ABBA musical Mamma Mia! Helen and Sarah chat about being their authentic selves, building positive relationships, seeing yourself in your kids and the joy of singing. A few laughs, a few tears and maybe a garbage truck or two, fresh from Sarah’s lounge.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

It should put a fire in your soul.

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

This was first broadcast July 13th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria.

In this episode of the show, both your hosts, Sarah and Sam, sit around on couches and chat about the nostalgia-fest, Radio Days. As a Woody Allen film, the conversation quickly got deep about the ethics around rewarding artists with criminal pasts or just general shitty behaviour. But it is also a movie about family and the memories connected to consuming media. So we spoke about that too.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect parents getting real and having a chat about doing their best.

Don't touch that dial.

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

This was first broadcast July 6th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Tim (frontman for You Am I, Hard-Ons, and North Melbourne tragic), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the 1980 Best Picture Oscar winner, Ordinary People. Using the trials and tribulations of Calvin and family as their jumping off point, the dads chat about grief, worrying about our kids, and dadding while in the public eye.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

It should be (extra)ordinary.

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

This was first broadcast June 29th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sarah chatted with Sophie (circus performer, instructor, and ex-expat Australian), about the coming of age film Mermaids. Sophie is an acrobat extraordinaire juggling being a mum with travel, performance and grace (well most of the time). Being new to a community is something both Sophie and Sarah can resonate with. They talk about the challenges of living away from “home”, remaining true to themselves and their developing tweens. For those of you grateful for finding your feet and your community.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect mums getting real and having a chat.

It should be fin-tastic (yes, that is a terrible pun).

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

This was first broadcast June 22nd 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Stew (Radio Galah's captain and ex-youth worker), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the nostalgic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Using the adventures of Clark Griswold and family as their jumping off point, the dads chat about Christmas traditions, financial pressures, and learning to not feel guilty for trying to have a life of our own.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

Come all ye faithful.

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

This was first broadcast June 8th 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, you get both hosts, Sam AND Sarah! They're here to talk about what we can learn about parenting from the Aussie sporting comedy, The Merger. It's a movie about country towns, prejudice, opening ourselves up to new experiences, and allowing the village to pitch in when needed to help raise our kids.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect parents getting real and having a chat.

Grab your footy beanies and plug yourself in.

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

This was first broadcast June 1st, 2025, on MainFM in Castlemaine, Victoria. 

In this episode of the show, Sam sits down with Taylor (artist and your new friendly local Canadian), about what we can learn about dadding and parenting from the amazing freak-fest Everything Everywhere All At Once. As it turns out, there's quite a lot including the culture of family, how to do discipline right, and the beauty of accepting an ordinary life with our loved ones.

Don't come expecting definitive answers or paths to parenting greatness. This is just two ordinary, imperfect dads getting real and having a chat.

More interesting than hotdog fingers.

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