Tall Tales & True

As a child in Palestine, Bilha Smith was shunned. She learned early on what it was like to look and feel different. Years later, when she looked more ‘normal’, she found that, inside, she still felt ‘different’. Bilha realised that being comfortable in your own skin can be a lifelong journey. This story was first told at SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects.

Can you ever be too helpful? Yes, you can ... Sinead Bevan has the story to prove it. Sinead agrees to be a beauty salon demonstration model for a new technique called 'sugaring'. It involves hot wax, sugar and a Brazilian. As she lies down in front of a large group of students and dutifully ‘butterflies’, she reflects on the cost to her body of being so helpful. This story was first told at Barefaced Stories, a live storytelling event and podcast. *WARNING: This episode contains strong language and adult concepts.

Do you remember your first ever haircut? Bali Padda does, but not for the reasons you might expect. The actor and diversity advocate tells us about an unlikely life-changing experience involving scissors and a very big bunch of hair. This story was first told at Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ storytelling project and podcast.

We all experience our bodies differently. We have our favourite bits, our less favourite bits and, sometimes, the bits that don’t feel part of us. Cassie Workman, a multi award-winning comedian and storyteller, shares her story of realisation and the journey to acceptance. *WARNING: This episode includes strong language and discussions of suicide. This story was first told at Story Club, a live storytelling event and podcast at Giant Dwarf, Sydney. For more information or support contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

The best of Australian storytelling ... true stories, told live, from all around our Great Brown Land. This season we’re talking about skin - feeling comfortable, or not so comfortable, in your own skin. And the things we put on our skin, like fake tan ... or sugar mixed with wax on our nether regions! You’ll hear five stories celebrating the things we do to feel closer to who we really are.

Leah Purcell's purpose had always been to look after her mum. And while she had dreams of the big city and becoming an actor, being a Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri girl from the bush made that unlikely. Leah had a baby at 17 with an abusive man which made her acting dreams impossible. That was until her mother's greatest gift, her death.

Warning: This episode contains some swearing.

This story was first told at The Wheeler Center Gala in Melbourne, in 2018. 

The Producer for the ABC was Emma Gibbs.

Gus Fitzgerald was just 10 when he was swept out to sea in rough and wild surf conditions. His father calmly followed, walking down the beach. Then Gus realised, his dad wasn't going to save him. It was up to him. When he lost his father to cancer, Gus had to learn another lesson, how to stay afloat without him altogether.

Warning: This episode contains some swearing. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are also advised it includes the name of someone who has died.

This story was first told at SPUN Stories a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. The Producer for the ABC was Emma Gibbs.

If you or anyone you know needs help or advice there is support available:

Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 QLife on 1800 184 527

"I could grow old with you, you know, I could really grow old with you," Tim Bishop's partner said to him. This was in the early days of their relationship, and Tim knew he was in for something. His man was from Cabbage Tree Island and knew his land as the land of his people since time immemorial. But one day it came time for Tim to take a road trip back to his man's family alone.

Warning: there is some swearing in this episode.

This story was first told at Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ storytelling project and podcast. The Producer for the ABC was Emma Gibbs. 

It was while he was high on LSD on the day of his wedding to Jenny that David Marr had a realisation: he was gay. David knew what he’d done was wrong, marrying was a mistake. Despite this devastating insight, he felt an absolute calm, almost relief. While he was a passionate advocate for the 2017 marriage equality plebiscite, David wasn’t sure he wanted to get married again.

Warning: there is some swearing in this episode. 

This story was first told at Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ storytelling project and podcast. The Producer for the ABC was Emma Gibbs.

May 28 was a bit of a blur for Bridget Judd. She remembers her mum's phone call and that she knew when she answered the news wasn't going to be good. She had lost her beloved father. Being a journalist, Bridget is used to finding the language to describe events. But this time she found herself in silence and unable to find the words to speak.

Warning: this episode contains references to suicide, which may cause distress.

This story was first told at SPUN Stories a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. The Producer for the ABC was Emma Gibbs.

If you or anyone you know needs help or advice there is support available:  

Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 QLife on 1800 184 527