Unfolded

University of Melbourne
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Seasons change. An actor prepares. A birthday is removed from the calendar.  A hypnotist causes chaos on a cruise ship. A new life awaits at a petrol station. A grieving granddaughter finds a surprising stowaway. A dog makes yakisoba. The sun rises in the west.  We’ve all read stories that changed our lives. We’ve all imagined places that feel like home. We’ve all met characters who feel like family.  Now, we’ll hear the stories, then go to the source. We’ll speak with the authors, to find out what makes a story great, where they come from, and why they connect.  These are stories: Unpacked. Understood. Unfolded.  Join us for season 2 of Unfolded as Seth Robinson and Tony Birch speak with authors Melanie Cheng, Bri Lee, Dominic Amerena, Briohny Doyle, Helena Pantsis, Jumaana Abdu, Scott Limbrick and Romy Ash, or travel back through the archive to hear the incredible stories from season 1.   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their history, which go back tens of thousands of years.  Hosts: Seth Robinson and Tony Birch Creator and Executive Producer: Seth Robinson Recording: Gavin Nebauer, Horwood Recording Studio, University of Melbourne Editing and Sound Design: Nick King and Courtney Carthy, Nearly Media Artwork: Marty O'Meara

  1. 3d ago

    Chapter 12: In conversation with Scott Limbrick

    Scott Limbrick has done it all. He’s an accomplished screen and fiction writer, comedian, marketer, and now he’s completing his PhD. It’s a portfolio career that has clearly influenced his work. Now, he takes Seth and Tony inside the process, literary influences, and what it’s like working across such varied media.     Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Scott Limbrick Scott Limbrick is a writer and PhD candidate at the University of Sydney. His short stories have appeared in Electric Literature, Griffith Review, Going Down Swinging, The Big Issue, Kill Your Darlings’ New Australian Fiction and elsewhere. He has previously been the recipient of the Frank Moorhouse Fellowship and the Felix Meyer Scholarship, won the Griffith Review Emerging Voices Competition and been shortlisted for the Richell Prize. He currently has multiple screenplays in development with funding from VicScreen and Screen Australia.  scottlimbrick.com   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 12: In conversation with Scott Limbrick

  2. 3d ago

    Chapter 12: Holding Pattern, by Scott Limbrick

    An actor prepares.   Holding Pattern by Scott Limbrick Read by Aaron Wilson.   Synopsis Ever wondered what it’s like to go inside the life of a stock photo character? Wonder no more! Holding Pattern forces us into the uncomfortable shoes of Victor, an actor, aspiring screenwriter, and dutiful son who’s sure he’s being catfished.   Hilarious, entertaining, unsettling, just a few of the stock adjectives we might apply to Scott Limbrick’s Holding Pattern.  Originally published in Going Down Swinging   Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Scott Limbrick Scott Limbrick is a writer and PhD candidate at the University of Sydney. His short stories have appeared in Electric Literature, Griffith Review, Going Down Swinging, The Big Issue, Kill Your Darlings’ New Australian Fiction and elsewhere. He has previously been the recipient of the Frank Moorhouse Fellowship and the Felix Meyer Scholarship, won the Griffith Review Emerging Voices Competition and been shortlisted for the Richell Prize. He currently has multiple screenplays in development with funding from VicScreen and Screen Australia.  scottlimbrick.com   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 12: Holding Pattern, by Scott Limbrick

  3. Aug 4

    Chapter 11: In conversation with Bri Lee

    Writer Bri Lee discusses her passion for ‘punching-up’ and the connection between our creative and political lives, as well as the challenges and joys of being both a fiction and non-fiction writer.     Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Bri Lee Bri Lee is the multi-award-winning bestselling author of acclaimed non-fiction books Eggshell Skull, Beauty and Who Gets to Be Smart. Her journalism, essays, and short stories have been published widely, and she is the creator and editor of News & Reviews. Bri's bestselling first novel, The Work, was published in April 2024 and was longlisted for the 2025 Indie Award for Debut Fiction. Her latest novel, Seed, was just published in October 2025.  Learn more - bri-lee.com   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 11: In conversation with Bri Lee

  4. Aug 4

    Chapter 11: Winner Winner, by Bri Lee

    A hypnotist causes chaos on a cruise ship.   Winner Winner by Bri Lee Read by Indra Liyanaarachchi. Originally published in The Saturday Paper, over three parts.   Synopsis Phil is supposed to be on top of the world. Instead, he’s been forced into retirement. He’s stuck on a cruise ship. And thanks to a certain hypnotist, he’s developed some, interesting, new ticks.   Originally published in The Saturday Paper as a three-part serial, Winner Winner, is a blast from the pandemic past that comes with a social critique that remains just as poignant as it was in the pre-COVID era.     Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Bri Lee Bri Lee is the multi-award-winning bestselling author of acclaimed non-fiction books Eggshell Skull, Beauty and Who Gets to Be Smart. Her journalism, essays, and short stories have been published widely, and she is the creator and editor of News & Reviews. Bri's bestselling first novel, The Work, was published in April 2024 and was longlisted for the 2025 Indie Award for Debut Fiction. Her latest novel, Seed, was just published in October 2025.  Learn more - bri-lee.com   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 11: Winner Winner, by Bri Lee

  5. Jun 30

    Chapter 10: In conversation with Jumaana Abdu

    Author Jumaana Abdu speaks with Seth and Tony about writing from a place of spirituality, the influences that shaped Two Burials, and what it means to live and write in the face of crisis.   Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Jumaana Abdu Jumaana Abdu is the author of Translations (Vintage) which was shortlisted for the Stella Prize, the MUD Literary Prize, and a NSW Premier’s Literary Award. She was named SMH Best Young Novelist in 2025 and her widely published fiction and essays have won the Dal Stivens Award, the Patricia Hackett Prize, and the Phoebe Journal fiction prize. During the day, she is a medical doctor.  jumaanaabdu.com   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 10: In conversation with Jumaana Abdu

  6. Jun 30

    Chapter 10: Two Burials, by Jumaana Abdu

    The sun rises in the west.    Two Burials by Jumaana Abdu Read by Zena Abdo.   Synopsis On the last day on Earth, the sun rises in the West, and Luqman must bury the body of his companion, Habil.   A beautiful, folkloric journey, Two Burials, brings a together questions of the spiritual, and political, in a story about connection, and what those connections mean to us at the end.   Originally published in phoebe magazine, as winner of the 2025 fiction contest.   Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Jumaana Abdu Jumaana Abdu is the author of Translations (Vintage) which was shortlisted for the Stella Prize, the MUD Literary Prize, and a NSW Premier’s Literary Award. She was named SMH Best Young Novelist in 2025 and her widely published fiction and essays have won the Dal Stivens Award, the Patricia Hackett Prize, and the Phoebe Journal fiction prize. During the day, she is a medical doctor.  jumaanaabdu.com   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 10: Two Burials, by Jumaana Abdu

  7. Jun 2

    Chapter 9: In conversation with Romy Ash

    Romy Ash talks about her writing practice, its emotional drivers, and how it flows like the merging of two creeks. We talk about ‘Australiana’, the cultural impact of Twisties, and how to write characters that feel archetypal, without them becoming caricatures.   Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Romy Ash Romy Ash is the author of novels Mantle (2026) and Floundering (2012) and the childrens' book As Bright as a Rainbow (2024). Her first novel Floundering was shortlisted for The Miles Franklin Award, The Prime Minister's Literary Award and the Commonwealth Writers Prize, amongst others. Her essays and journalism have been published in The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, Meanjin, The Griffith Review and others. She teaches creative writing at The University of Melbourne.    Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 9: In conversation with Romy Ash

  8. Jun 2

    Chapter 9: I bought him these dogs to show him how to love, by Romy Ash

    A new life awaits at a petrol station.    I bought him these dogs to show him how to love, by Romy Ash Read by George McMillan. Originally published in the Big Issue   Synopsis The service station is a beautiful building from the 1950s, beautiful bones, as they say, with the potential to be anything. But what will it be for Aya and Charlie? A new opportunity, and a chance to build a life together, or the first step towards a future neither of them wants?   I bought him these dogs to show him how to love presents a us with a vision of rural Australia we’ve all seen through the car window, and leaves us questioning whether it’s a hopeful future that awaits these characters, or one of despair.   I bought him these dogs to show him how to love was originally published in The Big Issue: Fiction Edition.   Listeners are advised that this episode of Unfolded comes with a language and content warning.    About Romy Ash Romy Ash is the author of novels Mantle (2026) and Floundering (2012) and the childrens' book As Bright as a Rainbow (2024). Her first novel Floundering was shortlisted for The Miles Franklin Award, The Prime Minister's Literary Award and the Commonwealth Writers Prize, amongst others. Her essays and journalism have been published in The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, Meanjin, The Griffith Review and others. She teaches creative writing at The University of Melbourne.    Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their storytelling history, which goes back tens of thousands of years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Chapter 9: I bought him these dogs to show him how to love, by Romy Ash
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About

Seasons change. An actor prepares. A birthday is removed from the calendar.  A hypnotist causes chaos on a cruise ship. A new life awaits at a petrol station. A grieving granddaughter finds a surprising stowaway. A dog makes yakisoba. The sun rises in the west.  We’ve all read stories that changed our lives. We’ve all imagined places that feel like home. We’ve all met characters who feel like family.  Now, we’ll hear the stories, then go to the source. We’ll speak with the authors, to find out what makes a story great, where they come from, and why they connect.  These are stories: Unpacked. Understood. Unfolded.  Join us for season 2 of Unfolded as Seth Robinson and Tony Birch speak with authors Melanie Cheng, Bri Lee, Dominic Amerena, Briohny Doyle, Helena Pantsis, Jumaana Abdu, Scott Limbrick and Romy Ash, or travel back through the archive to hear the incredible stories from season 1.   Unfolded is produced with support from the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation. The producers would like to pay their respects to the traditional owners, to their Elders past and present, and to acknowledge their history, which go back tens of thousands of years.  Hosts: Seth Robinson and Tony Birch Creator and Executive Producer: Seth Robinson Recording: Gavin Nebauer, Horwood Recording Studio, University of Melbourne Editing and Sound Design: Nick King and Courtney Carthy, Nearly Media Artwork: Marty O'Meara

Information

  • Creator
    University of Melbourne
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 University of Melbourne
  • Show Website
    Unfolded

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