We’re flying solo. A poet goes on a solitary road trip through the American southwest and a self-confessed extrovert takes on the challenge of being by himself.
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Only Child by Tom Joyner
Only children can have the reputation of being selfish, entitled and bratty – like Little Emperors. Tom Joyner gives us his take on that assumption.
Supervising Producer: Selena Shannon
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Alonestar by Jordan Fennell
Josh is an extrovert and loves being around people. But he’s spent the last year wrestling with the fact that he actually can’t stand to be alone. Listen as he attempts to push past this insecurity by forcing himself to do things on his own.
Music: “Arrival of the birds and transformation” – The Cinematic Orchestra, “Left Bank Two” – The Noveltones, “Morning Mood” – Edvard Grieg
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Out Of Water by Allison Chan
Kate Middleton, the poet, spent three weeks travelling by herself along the Colorado River . She reads ‘monsoon song’, ‘postcard: Kremmling’ and ‘neon song’ from Ephemeral Water, a book that was based on this journey through the American southwest.
Many thanks to Zacha Rosen
Music: ‘Running Waters’ by Jason Shaw, ‘Hello Night’ by Zoe Keating, ‘Optimist’ by Zoe Keating, ‘Jog to the Water’ by Blue Dot Sessions
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Thank you to Tilly and Chloe for opening the episode with their experiences of being only children.
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Bec Fary
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Compiler: Tegan Nicholls
SYN Community Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Allison Chan
Music: ‘Never Alone’ by L FRESH THE LION
We share our memories and impressions of growing up and living in Sydney.
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Tourist In Your Own City by Martyn Reyes
If you had family or friends visiting your home city from overseas, which places would you show off to ultimately impress them? Martyn Reyes didn’t know either, which is why he embarked on a 3 hour walking tour around Sydney to remind himself what makes his city special.
Supervising Producer: Selena Shannon
Music: ‘French Waltz’ by Sam Bikov, ‘Nah’ by Ryan Anderson, ‘On the Weekend’ by Nicolai Heidlas, ‘Sydney Town’ by Rolf Harris, ‘End of Summer’ by The 126ers
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Food And Failures by Jin Hien Lau
Illustrator Jin Hien Lau reads aloud his comic about an encounter in a pizza shop in Western Sydney.
This story was recorded at Read to Me, a bimonthly comic book reading in Sydney. Stay up to date with Jin’s comics here.
Music: ‘Frolic’ by Luciano Michelini
Sound Recordist: Zacha Rosen
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Staying in Sydney by Allison Chan
Kerri Glasscock has been in the Sydney arts community for over 18 years. She recently wrote the article, ‘Sydney you’re killing my optimism’ for Artshub. While Kerri has doubts about the future of the arts in Sydney, she tell us her reasons for staying.
Music: ‘Glass Beads’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘Valantis Vespers’ by Blue Dot Sessions
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Thank you to historian Patrick Callaghan for having Allison Chan as a guest on his walking tour of where he grew up in Leichhardt. The tour was organised by Inner West Council.
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Bec Fary
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Compiler: Tegan Nicholls
SYN Community Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Maximillian Conacher
Music: ‘Fish in the Sea’ by Fat Freddy’s Drop, ‘Melbourne Vs Sydney’ by Dan Kelly
Everyone has a name. But sometimes we find ourselves wanting to change our names. It’s a tricky process. And it’s even more complicated when an entire country’s name is in question.
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‘Name Change’ by Daniel Semo
Our names are one of the most basic portals into who we are. They help to define us legally, socially and culturally. But what happens when our names start to cause us problems? And what if trying to change your name becomes the actual problem?
Music: ‘Aim Is True’ by Podington Bear, ‘Marimba On The Hunt’ by Daniel Birch, ‘Twine’ by Podington Bear, ‘Entrance Shaft’ by Blue Dot Sessions, ‘The Turnaround Road’ by Cellophane Sam
Supervising Producer: Zacha Rosen
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‘Growing Up Macedonian Australian’ by Natalie Sekulovska
Natalie has grown up with a strong sense of Macedonian identity and is captivated by her family’s stories of Macedonia. But the politics surrounding the Macedonian name has devastated her family.
Since the breakdown of Yugoslavia in 1991, Macedonia has been involved in name negotiations with its neighbour, Greece, and recently there have been calls to change the Macedonian name. Even Australia refuses to recognise Macedonia by its official name.
Natalie speaks to her mum and grandpa about the importance of the Macedonian name and what it means to be Macedonian in Australia.
Music: ‘Sepia Dawn’ by Lee Rosevere, ‘Ether’ by Silent Partner
Supervising Producer: Selena Shannon
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Bec Fary
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Compiler: Tegan Nicholls
SYN Community Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Natalia Y
Three tales about ghosting: hauntings in the nation’s capital, an abandoned smoothie shop and unanswered text messages.
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‘Running The Show’ by Nina Enever
Everyone remembers their first part time job: dirty work, nasty customers, an overbearing boss. But what if your boss disappeared and everything was left up to you? That’s what happened at an upmarket smoothie bar in Melbourne.
Music: ‘Blue Highway’ by Podington Bear, ‘M08 and Moog’ by Podington Bear, ‘Smooth Actor’ by Podington Bear, ‘Alien Language’ by Podington Bear, ‘Ducky’ by Podington Bear, and ‘Well and Good’ by Podington Bear.
Supervising Producer: Bec Fary
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‘Ghosts in the Capital’ by Samantha Groth
Some people jokingly describe Canberra as a ghost town. But hometowner, Samantha Groth, finds out that there’s more going on. It turns out that Australia’s capital city has a very haunted history, especially at the National Film and Sound Archive.
Music: ‘Spooky Outro’ by Transient, ‘Strange Dog Walk’ by Blue Dot Sessions, and ‘Arlan Vale’ by Blue Dot Sessions.
Supervising Producer: Allison Chan
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Thanks to Ella for sharing her story about unanswered texts at the start of the program.
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Bec Fary
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Compiler: Tegan Nicholls
SYN Community Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Unsplash CC: Stefano Pollio
We travel to Gosford on the NSW Central Coast with our friends from Word Travels Fast. In search of the city’s best spoken word poets, we meet Brooke Scobie, Elham Hafiz, Max Liberto and Lewis Janter. These wordsmiths cover topics that range from racism to fast food.
There is a poem that deals with sexual abuse and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can call Lifeline or the Suicide Call Back Service anytime.
This episode was made by Tegan Nicholls, with additional editorial support from Miles Merrill and Selena Shannon. It is the third episode of the podcast series Word Travels Fast. You can listen to the other episodes on their website or on Apple Podcasts.
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All The Best credits:
Executive Producer: Allison Chan
Victorian State Coordinator: Bec Fary
Host: Samantha Groth
Episode Compiler: Tegan Nicholls
SYN Community Coordinator: Jordan Fennell
Community Coordinator: Chloe Gillespie
Social Media Producer: Matilda Fay
Image: Supplied by Word Travels
Music: ‘For Emma’ by Bon Iver
