Conversations

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Channel • 8 Shows

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Updated 31/07/2025
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07/08/2025

20th Anniversary Collection: Judy Sharp and the remarkable rise of Laser Beak Man

When Judy Sharp was told by doctors that her son would never communicate or learn to love, she refused to believe it and set about to secure a brilliant life for her neurodivergent son, Tim. Judy's eldest son, Tim, was diagnosed with autism when he was 3 years old. When Judy was told Tim would never communicate or be able to love she refused to accept those limitations. As a mother, Judy took many risks to secure a good life for both of her sons, including escaping an abusive marriage. Her risks paid off. As a grown man, Tim became a renowned artist and his popularity continues to grow. Laser Beak Man, Tim's cheeky cartoon super-hero, has taken Tim and Judy as far as Broadway, where he was the central figure of a musical. Further information First broadcast in February, 2016. 2025 update: Tim and his artwork have been included in the book celebrating 50 years of the Sydney Opera House, about 50 famous Australian artists. Judy is now a sought-after speaker and spends much of her time speaking at conferences. A film based on Judy's memoir is in development, hopefully starting production in 2026. You can read all about the Conversations origin story on the ABC News website. This episode of Conversations explores parenting children with autism, ADHD, neurodivergence, communication, Asperger's, mothers of sons, spousal abuse, brothers, ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Austin.

07/08/2025

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51 min
30/05/2025

Encore: A home filled with music — raising the Kanneh-Masons

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason on what it takes to keep up with her seven children — all of them gifted classical musicians (R). Kadiatu is a former English academic and the mother of seven extraordinary children. All of them are gifted classical musicians. Her eldest daughter, Isata wrote and performed her first piano concerto at the age of eleven. Her son Sheku mastered the cello and performed at the royal wedding of Harry and Megan Markle. Every day the seven Kanneh-Masons, who range from early teens to the mid-twenties, fill the family home with glorious, sometimes chaotic, music. This episode of Conversations explores music education, classical music, accessibility to music, Isata, Braimah, Sheku, Konya, Jeneba, Aminata, Mariatu, piano, violin, cello, orchestra, state school, public education, big families, motherhood, fatherhood, prejudice, mixed race families, music is for everyone, how to learn the violin, gifted children, raising gifted children, gifted and talented. Further information House of Music: Raising the Kanneh-Masons is published by Oneworld. Kadiatu's newest book, also published by Oneworld, is called To Be Young Gifted And Black.

30/05/2025

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49 min
25/11/2009

Ash Abdollahi's body building lifestyle, and Bernadette O'Shea's champagne expertise

Broadcast date: Wednesday 25 November 2009

25/11/2009

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52 min
24/04/2009

John Rendall and Anthony 'Ace' Bourke

Broadcast date Friday 24th April 2009

24/04/2009

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52 min
21/04/2009

James Murray's escape to Arnhem Land, and Cate Kennedy on short stories

Broadcast date Tuesday 21st April 2009

21/04/2009

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52 min
20/11/2009

Alex Miller tells why his writing success was a long time coming

Broadcast date: Friday 20 November 2009

20/11/2009

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52 min
19/06/2009

Brian Sherman went from businessman to animal rights advocate

Broadcast date: Friday 19 June 2009

19/06/2009

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50 min
02/04/2009

Adam Elliot's claymation creations, and Irish singer-songwriter Declan O'Rourke

Broadcast date Thursday 2nd April 2009

02/04/2009

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52 min
18/06/2009

Neil Armfield farewells a remarkable period in Australian theatre

Broadcast date: Thursday 18 2009

18/06/2009

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52 min
05/03/2010

Melanie Tait opens up about her decision to have lap band surgery

Broadcast date: Friday 5 March 2010

05/03/2010

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55 min

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

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