ABC Conversations

ABC Australia

4873 - Encore: Darren Hayes on the dark side of his fame with Savage Garden

Conversations is a long-form interview program produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and broadcast primarily on Radio National. Since its inception in 2005, the show has focused on deep-dive biographical storytelling, exploring the lives and experiences of a diverse array of individuals. The program is currently hosted by Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski, who alternate episodes to present hour-long interviews that prioritize narrative depth and personal history.

The editorial scope of the podcast is broad, encompassing subjects such as historical events, scientific discoveries, artistic achievements, and extraordinary personal challenges. Guests are not exclusively public figures; the program frequently features individuals who have lived through significant historical moments or unique personal circumstances. This includes survivors of conflict, pioneering researchers, explorers, and people who have navigated profound life transitions. The format relies on a structured yet fluid dialogue that allows guests to recount their experiences in chronological or thematic detail, often focusing on a single transformative period or a lifetime of work.

Each episode typically centers on a single guest, providing a platform for nuanced exploration that departs from the rapid-fire nature of standard news media. The production style is minimalist, focusing on the clarity of the audio and the strength of the oral testimony. Conversations has established itself as a significant fixture in Australian audio media, consistently ranking as one of the country's most downloaded podcasts. It serves as both a daily radio broadcast and a digital archive of contemporary and historical human experiences. The show’s longevity is attributed to its emphasis on the "life story," a format that bridges the gap between personal memoir and public interest journalism. The program's extensive back-catalog constitutes a large oral history resource, documented through thousands of individual interviews.

4873 - Encore: Darren Hayes on the dark side of his fame with Savage Garden