Tall Tales & True

ABC

4.5 (17)
SOCIETY & CULTURE

Tall Tales & True brings together the very best of live storytelling from across Australia. Courageous storytellers front up to the microphone to bare their soul and share their life-changing moments in front of a live audience. Captivating, jaw-dropping and thought provoking, these pure Australian stories will make you laugh, cry or gasp, or maybe all three at once.

12/06/2022

Mahmood Fazal — 'When death comes you wake up'

Before Mahmood Fazal was a writer and journalist, he was part of an outlaw motorcycle club, abusing drugs and running wild. He saw plenty of destruction and death, but when his best mate was killed everything changed. Mahmood shared this story for Better Off Said: Eulogies for the Living and Dead. Better Off Said is a spoken-word event celebrating stories and human experiences. Presented by Emilie Zoey Baker and Marieke Hardy. For more information check out their website: betteroffsaid.com.au

11 min
12/06/2022

Jen Cloher — John

Adelaide in the 1980s was not the easiest place for a kid to figure out their gender. Jen Cloher's stint as "John" the Galaga-playing champ at the local takeaway was short-lived and ended ingloriously. Jen first told this story for the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

16 min
12/06/2022

Cadance Bell — Small talk

Three years before she transitioned genders, Cadance was a fat, depressed guy buying weed from bikie gangs and nursing a near-killer blood clot. Then came a surprising chat in the most unlikely place. Cadance first told this story for the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book. Content warning: This story contains adult themes and touches briefly on suicide. For support in a crisis contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

17 min
12/06/2022

Rebecca Day – The good, the dad, and the angsty

Growing up can be pretty hard work and there's not a lot of room to think about anyone else, especially your parents. Rebecca Day has some fond memories from her days as an angsty, rebellious teen, but she does regret the trouble she caused for her poor old dad. This story was first told for SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to spun stories.

16 min
11/29/2022

INTRODUCING – Tall Tales & True Season 13 | Rebellion

From a rebelling teen who lands her dad in a world of hot water, to a kid named Jennifer, with a secret identity, this season host and curator Mahmood Fazal brings you five frank, funny and fearless stories of rebellion. You’ll hear from people finding themselves through their rebellion and another who found himself in the wrong place during a rebellion. Tall Tales and True finds the best of live storytelling from around Australia.

2 min
09/06/2022

Leah Potter – Surviving the dungeon

When Leah Potter was at uni, her topless-barmaid girlfriend asked her to join her for a private gig. All she had to do was wear a corset and g-string and whip a few blokes. So began her career as a dominatrix. This story was first told for SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to SPUN Stories. Content warning: This story contains adult themes and touches briefly on child abuse. For support in a crisis contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

14 min
09/06/2022

Gala Vanting – Stumbling through step-motherhood

Gala Vanting is a sex worker. But that's not something she can tell her stepdaughter. This story is a touching collection of moments as Gala navigates her role as stepmother in her blended family. This story was first told as part of the national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book.

16 min
09/06/2022

Chantell Martin – Becoming herself

As a trans woman in a small town 30 years ago, Chantell Martin saw the desperation to be "genetically born female" lead others to self-harm, even suicide. So, she made a choice to be proud to be trans. That choice changed everything for her. This story was first told as part of national LGBTQI+ storytelling project Queerstories, curated by Maeve Marsden. Subscribe to the podcast or check out the Queerstories book. Content warning: This story contains adult themes and touches briefly on the concept of suicide. For support in a crisis contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

11 min

See All (135)

Tilly Lawless

Host

4.5

out of 5

17 Ratings

New Podcast

08/31/2017

Suec3

I absolutely love this podcast!!!! Keep em coming!
More time

07/10/2019

Soloban

😒
Wonderfully engaging

12/29/2016

SpamChat

Melanie Tait is one of my favourite radio presenters, and she spares nothing in curating and presenting this engaging podcast that features first-person experiences, some entertaining and some harrowing, but all very personal. The presentation enwraps your ears and your mind. Well done, Ms. Tait and ABC!

Tall Tales & True brings together the very best of live storytelling from across Australia. Courageous storytellers front up to the microphone to bare their soul and share their life-changing moments in front of a live audience. Captivating, jaw-dropping and thought provoking, these pure Australian stories will make you laugh, cry or gasp, or maybe all three at once.