Heyo!
Welcome to the September edition of the All The Best newsletter. The vibe below is celebratory; at our upcoming events, we’re celebrating the show turning 15 and graphic and audio storytellers coming together live on stage.
Meanwhile, in our episodes from the last month, our audio makers praised the versatility and resilience of nature, how past experience of war and natural disaster have shaped who we are today and more.
Also, if you’ve come across any interesting audio opportunities or resources you think are worth sharing, please don’t hesitate to shoot me an email at patrick@allthebestradio.com, and they can be disseminated widely!
All The Best,
Patrick
It is canonically the first week of Spring and don’t these nasturtiums know it. A weed to some, but a botanical miracle to me, I planted these as seeds around this time two years ago. Through cataclysmic thunderstorms, scorching heatwaves, and moving house, they’ve grown, withered, flooded, and grown again. Orange and yellow are the most common flowers, but there’s a red one every now and again! God they’re good.
#652 - The Forest and The Trees: Pause, pay attention to the world around us and think of the power that nature has to heal damaged and abandoned spaces.
First, a story about resilience. Not human resilience, but about the persistence of trees growing in places that you might not expect. Then, Ruth learns about the therapeutic benefits of listening to trees from a certified forest therapy guide, Mayu Kataoka. Finally, Jiaen Pan teaches us about Guquin, an instrument that can mimic the sounds of nature. Pictured above, Ruth and Maya recording at fbi.radio.
Two of these stories were produced as part of a collaboration between All the Best, the University of Melbourne and the Science Gallery.
#653 - Tubig Lang (just water): Stories of war and typhoons in South East Asia and the Asia Pacific.
In the Philippines, Merlinda sits down with her brother’s children — her niece and nephews — learning to see the destructive power of typhoons through their innocent eyes. This story comes from our recent collaboration with Debris Magazine in collaboration with Filipino Australian writer Merlinda Bobis.
Then, Annabella helps her mother reach back through time to (re)member and retell her story of the Vietnam War.
#654 - Eating and Order: Stories about what’s going into your mouth. First, Michael’s bizarre coming-of-age journey – stuffed with avocados, awkward dates, and complicated moments with his mum. Born with a big mouth and having a “stronger-than-average immune system”, he went on to claim a Guinness World Record by devouring 20 avocados in a minute – and then so much more.
Then, Rania’s journey through a lifelong struggle with eating disorders, shaped by racism, sexism, and impossible beauty standards. From childhood fears of food as an enemy, to panic attacks in the snack aisle, to a bowl of shish barak she made for herself. Finally, we witness of the magic of a vineyard with Eugenia, as each barrel brews fermented potions of raspberries, dark cherries, smoky earth, and even fairy floss.
#655 - Serendipity
After her lupus diagnosis, Sharon lost what she once held most precious: career opportunities, productivity, and the efficiency that once defined her. Yet in losing them, she discovered a self beyond those qualities and began to reclaim her life.
She now credits her friends, family, and her spiritual guide – Mazu, the Taoist ocean goddess she prays to.
As red crescent blocks strike the ground, fortune poems are revealed, and prayers are answered.
All The Best and artist-run project Read To Me present an evening of illustrated live storytelling where the smallest moments take centre stage.
(Extra)ordinary Tales brings together audio and visual artists to explore the magic, humour, heartbreak, and mystery hidden in everyday life.
You’ll hear tales of a surreal underground travelator beneath Hyde Park that once broke world records. A silent act of kindness during a rainstorm, shared under a single umbrella with a stranger. And a battle for treasure (and crustacean royalty) in the seaweed-tangled ruins of a forgotten Sydney beach.
Featuring Lindsey Vassallo, Kashfi Mannan, Giddy Pillai, Lucie Towers, Millie Jones, and Jin Hien Lau. With creative collaboration from Ramon Briant, Charlie Lancaster, Hethre Contant and Gregory Thorsby.
How good are birthdays that are multiples of five? If you agree, join us to celebrate All The Best turning 15 with a night of reflection, revelry, and listening together.
We'll be gathering at fbi.radio to celebrate the people and stories that have made this program and community so special, with stories and audio makers that have featured on the program throughout its history.
PLUS we'll also be unveiling work from the Jesse Cox Audio Fellowship 2025!
There'll be cake, community, and a celebration of audio past, present, and future.
See you there?
Each year SBS Audio welcomes podcast pitches from the public for original podcast series in any genre, language and format, with an aim to platform and fund diverse and distinct voices.
Since its launch in 2008, SBS's audio output has grown to include over 450 podcasts in more than 60 languages.
Pitches for these year are open now until September 14.
Funded by the Department of Social Services and co-ordinated by the CMTO, Audio Ability is a project that will mentor, train and assign work placement for people living with disability in community media and creative industries across Australia.
Through a 16-week blended learning course comprising virtual workshops, in-person training, online self-paced modules and mentoring, Audio Ability aims to enhance the vocational skills, experience, confidence and voice of participants with disability in community broadcasting. The project will assist participating stations to develop their capacity for inclusion, as well as creating accessible resources which will be beneficial to the wider sector.
Expressions of interest to be either a participant or mentor are open now.
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