Rescued

This week on Rescued, we head all the way to Townsville in Far North Queensland to meet a force of nature who is really trying to find stillness and peace: Madonna Davies.

I first met Madonna 30 years ago, when one of my bands, Women in Docs, was starting out and playing the infamous Palm Creek Folk Festival. Madonna might not be a songwriter with tunes on Spotify or Bandcamp, but she is a theatre maker, venue manager, project coordinator, lead singer, band manager, festival director, partnerships coordinator, daughter, carer, partner, mother, rescuer and, above all, a connector.

This is a broad-ranging conversation, and there are quite a few moments where I’m left going, “OMG. You’re right.” I found myself wondering how I could immediately implement some of Madonna’s wisdom into my own life.

It’s a no-holds-barred conversation — full of f-bombs, heart, humour, honesty and some pretty raw revelations.

Madonna Davies rocks.

Enjoy.

This week on Rescued, meet Sarah Stockholm,  Brisbane electro-pop princess by night, senior executive by day, chronic illness survivor, dog trainer, and devoted dog mum to two ridiculously clever Border Collies, one of whom who spends his days making life better for people living with mental health challenges.

Sarah is one of those people who seems to have lived three lives already, She's whip-smart, wonderfully funny, deeply self-aware, and somewhere during this conversation we accidentally became each other’s public therapy session.

We talk about dogs, supporting them to find their purpose in life, music, illness, ambition, finding your team, and the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up as yourself.

I have a feeling you'll hear a little bit of your own story in Sarah's. I know I certainly heard a bit of mine.

This week on Rescued, meet Anje West ... and fair warning... this conversation might just change the way you think about making music (if that's your jam!) and maybe even life.

Anje has been part of Queensland's music story for decades. She's the extraordinary force behind A View from Madeline's Couch, a fearless artist whose music is deeply inspired by the Portuguese traditions she loves, yet somehow sounds completely and unmistakably like Anje. When she's not on stage, she's championing other artists through Brisbane City Hall's concert series, proving that lifting others up is just as important as stepping into the spotlight yourself.

I've admired Anje since her days in the legendary Flannelettes, and thanks to this conversation I've even managed to unearth one of those songs for you.

But more than anything, Anje gave me something I'll carry long after the microphones were switched off.

"Do it just like you... and your love of it will shine through."

It's become a bit of a daily mantra for me. And maybe it will for you too.

Meet Anje West.

https://www.facebook.com/madeleinescouch/

https://linktr.ee/rozpappalardohttps://linktr.ee/rozpappalardo

This week on Rescued, meet Sally-Anne Whitten — Tamworth born and bred, one of country music's quiet achievers, a songwriter who's spent more than twenty years doing things her own way, staying true to herself, lifting up the people around her, and rescuing a dog or two along the way.

Sally's one of those people who makes authenticity look effortless. Her voice has shades of Linda Ronstadt, her songs have heart, and everything she touches seems to leave people feeling just a little bit better than before. We recently shared the stage together here in Tamworth, and more than a week later people are still talking about the show.

I have a feeling you'll see why.

This week on Rescued, meet my old friend, the remarkable Donna Dyson; award-winning songwriter, former teacher and education lecturer, creator of the children's sensation Spotty Kites, devoted lover of Tibetan Spaniels and one of the most resilient people I know.

Donna's path into a full-time creative life hasn't been straightforward, but it's been extraordinary. So, get ready! Because this is a conversation about determination, humour, loss, friendship, finding your place in the world... and the unexpected ways our dogs help us find the courage to keep going.

https://www.donnadyson.com/songwriter

https://linktr.ee/rozpappalardo

This week on Rescued, I'm spending some time with one of my songwriting heroes, Vikki Thorn from The Waifs, and her wonderful solo project, Thornbird. We chat about Nacho the rescue dog who quite literally changed the course of her family's life by keeping them in Australia during COVID , what he brings to Vikki, her husband and their kids, and Nacho’s rather impressive side hustle as an op shop dog. Vikki has been one of the most influential songwriters of my musical life, and I’m doing my best to convince her to come to Tamworth and do a two-hander with me.

Consider that a public invitation, Vikki! Until then... here's the magnificent Vikki Thorn.

You can find me, Roz Pappalardo, and my projects including Lontano, Women in Docs, and my theatre making work on all the socials. 

If you’re enjoying  Rescued, please follow, rate and review ... it helps more people find these incredible women and their stories. Plus  it gives the dog loves of my life Timmy, Lucky, Benji, Tiger, Snoopy 1 and 2, Whisky 1 and 2, Dusty, Rusty, Pirate, Ruby, Duke, Chevy, Bella, Dusky, Harry, Nala, now Star a voice forever more. 

As always a big thank you to Joanne Bell for her marketing and content support.

Until next time make sure love your four-legged best friends with everything you’ve got… because every day counts.

This is Season 3 of Rescued, and on this episode I'm chatting with country darling Hayley Jensen  about Australian Idol, Kylie Minogue, unhealthy relationships, healthy relationships, the way of the independent artist (close to my heart) and of course her furry bestie/s - Majestic the horse, amongst others four legged friends. 

If you’re enjoying  Rescued, please follow, rate and review — it helps more people find these incredible women and their stories. Plus  it gives the dog loves of my life Timmy, Lucky, Benji, Tiger, Snoopy 1 and 2, Whisky 1 and 2, Dusty, Rusty, Pirate, Ruby, Duke, Chevy, Bella, Dusky, Harry, Nala, now Star a voice forever more. 

As always a big thank you to Joanne Bell for her marketing and content support.

Until next time, love your four-legged best friends with everything you’ve got… because every day counts.

Hey friends! This is just a quick note to let you know that Rescued is taking a short breather between Season Two and Season Three.

I’m currently gathering some really special conversations for Season Three, which kicks off on 1 July, and it’s shaping up beautifully, if I do say so myself.

In the meantime, we’ll be dropping a few little treats your way in the shape of playlists, phone-ins, bits and pieces to keep you company. But this week? I reckon go right back to the beginning.

Revisit Leanne Tennant - @LT - who’s just released her banging new single Better.
Check in with Emily Wurramara, who’s just announced she’s touring with Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and John Butler!
There’s Claire Ann Taylor, back in Tassie curating festivals and lighting up stages, and Carla Lippis, about to step into her first State Theatre season in The Importance of Being Earnest.

And me? I’m about to head off to the Edinburgh Fringe with a new play… so yes, there’s a lot going on.

So dive back in - there is so much to listen to across Seasons One and Two.

Rescued is a podcast where Australian singer-songwriters share the stories of the animals who changed their lives, their art — and sometimes saved them.

This isn’t just a podcast about dogs.
It’s about people… who were rescued.

Enjoy the back catalogue and I'll see you enroute to Season 3

In our Season Two finale, we meet formidable songwriter, producer and performer Sue Ray, and her trusty doggos - Barnsey and Bingo.

A very special conversation, and a must-listen for neurospicy creatives. And some great insights into Sue's country music pedigree, including a cracking story about her guitarist father Owen Ray, his obsession with improving the design of famous guitars, and his friendship with Leo Fender. And so much more.

Don't miss this one, this brilliant woman is one-of-a-kind, and her music is incredible.

You can find Sue Ray on all the platforms and what’s more she’s about to put another record out, with a single due late May 2026. This album will me an absolutely cracker. Trust me!

You can also find me, Roz Pappalardo, and my projects including Lontano and we just won the Ql Music Award for Best Blues and Roots song, Women in Docs and my theatre work across all socials.

If you’re enjoying Rescued, please follow, rate and review as it helps more people find these incredible women and their stories.

Big thanks, as always, to Joanne Bell for her marketing support.

We’re taking a quick break while we put together season 3 - but don’t worry, we’ll drop you some little treats while you wait.  In the meantime, the best thing you can do is rate, review and follow so we can continue to come back here, because, let’s face it, it’s a microphone and I'll wrestle you for it!

Until next time, love your four-legged best friends with everything you’ve got… because every day counts.

This is Rescued.

This week on Rescued, meet Sally Balfour - a Darwin local with a gentle presence and a quietly  resilient  core. She’s a singer-songwriter, children’s theatre maker, graphic designer, mum… and, as it turns out, a pretty strategic operator.

I first stumbled across Sally at a Christmas show during my short stint in Darwin where she was the special guest at a Railway Club gig in Parap with Dave Garnham and the Choir of Man -(check them out - do!) -  and honestly, she stole the show. Since then, I’ve kept bumping into her, from the Rails Club in Parap, Darwin, to the beautiful chaos of Tamworth Country Music Festival, where she was wrangling Northern Territory artists on Peel Street for a showcase,  like an absolute pro.

So, settle in with a cuppa, a wine or a Northern Territory coldie, no judgement here, and let’s hear from Alice Springs girl come good, Sally Balfour.

Sally Balfour Facebook

Sally Balfour Website (and links to Clara for the littlies!)

Roz Pappalardo Website