Hey Lifers! If you’ve listened to a true crime podcast in this country, chances are you’ve had many hours of this man’s voice in your ears. Today we’re joined by Hedley Thomas, the investigative journalist behind The Teacher’s Pet, Shandee’s Story, Bronwyn and the biggest podcast in Australia right now, The Poisoned Wife. Content note: This episode discusses murder, death, suicide and assault. Please take care while listening. With almost 170 million downloads, eight Walkleys and two Gold Walkleys, Hedley’s work doesn’t just tell stories, it changes outcomes. The Teacher’s Pet helped put Chris Dawson behind bars for the murder of his wife Lynette, 40 years after she disappeared. But Hedley has a story of his own. He opens up about his grandmother Gladys, who vanished from Sydney’s northern beaches in 1956, and how it quietly drove him to Lyn’s case. He shares why he waited until after his dad passed to make The Teacher’s Pet, how he “winged it” with a handheld recorder and still had the country hooked, and the moment he found out Dawson’s lawyers were using his grandmother’s story against him. We also get into the battered, padlocked suitcase that landed on his desk and became The Poisoned Wife, why he believes police are missing a trick by resenting podcasters instead of working with them, and the terrifying night in 2002 when shots were fired into his bedroom while his family slept. It’s a fascinating, emotional and genuinely important conversation about justice, persistence and the women who deserve to be remembered. If you loved this one, make sure you go back and listen to our 2022 chat with Lynette’s niece, Renee Simms: Apple I Spotify Catch Hedley’s new series, Hedley Thomas Investigates, coming to Paramount+ in 2027. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Welcome Hedley Thomas 2:34 — The grandmother who vanished from the northern beaches in 1956 9:57 — Winging it: making The Teacher’s Pet with a handheld recorder 22:05 — The padlocked suitcase that started The Poisoned Wife 30:38 — Why police resent true crime podcasts (and why they shouldn’t) 38:03 — The night bullets were fired into his bedroom 44:34 — Rose McQueen’s death and the opportunity police missed 55:28 — Justice or peace for families: what really drives Hedley If anything in this episode has brought up difficult feelings, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Keep your questions coming! Slide into the Life Uncut DMs at @lifeuncutpodcast on Instagram Join us on Patreon for exclusive content and bonus episodes You can watch us on Youtube Join us on tiktok Or join the Facebook Discussion Group Hosted by Britt Hockley & Laura Byrne Produced by Sophie Nathan Video Produced by Vanessa Beckford & Lachy Pugsley Tell your mum, tell your dad, tell your dog, tell your friend and share the love because WE LOVE LOVE! Xx See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
