Advertise on podcast: Tall Tales & True

No one cares about your perfect holiday. When things go wrong, that's when the stories get interesting. Bobuq Sayed found themselves stranded, and alone with nowhere to stay on an island in Hawaii. What could have ended badly turned into a lesson for us all: you can always rely on the kindness of strangers. This story was first told at Queerstories, a national LGBTQI+ live storytelling event and podcast.

Sometimes, it's the small off-the-cuff comment that can have a lasting impact. For Angie Farrugia, this moment has happened twice. And both times, these choice few words have changed the course of her life. This story was first told live on stage in Melbourne at a Generation Women storytelling event.

Footy clubs aren't just about the game, they're community too. And, for Amy Chittick, when a shock accident left her needing support, her footy club were there through her darkest days. This story was first aired on SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to Spun Stories.

Cyclone Tracey changed Darwin forever. Generations have heard about what happened from an adult's perspective, but what was it like for a four-year-old waiting for Santa? Jame Parfitt-Fejo recounts his family's experience of Cyclone Tracey, and how Australians rose up and helped them in their time of need. This story was first aired on SPUN Stories, a live storytelling podcast created in Darwin by StoryProjects. For more stories like this go to spun stories.

Moving to a new city is hard. Making new friends, in a new city, as a lonely adult can be terrifying. Cobey Bartels tells the story of how motorcycles have saved him from loneliness more than once. This story was first told a GOMA, in conjunction with The Motorcycle Design, Art, Desire' exhibition in April 2021. The event was presented by the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art, in partnership with Yarn Storytelling.

We're back, with the best of live storytelling from around Australia. This season — hosted by journalist and mental health advocate Cobey Bartels — is a celebration of community. Whether it's at home where you grew, or somewhere new; communities can form when you least expect it. Hear five short stories from Aussies around the country about how community shaped their lives. And with it, the lessons that changed them forever.

Most people aren’t friends with their ex, but Ally Garrett and Stevie Wilder are the exception. Where many relationships crumble and reach the point of no return, Ally and Stevie’s has lived to tell the tale. From young love, to overseas moves, and a gender transition; Ally and Stevie recount how they managed to rebuild their relationship to become something new entirely.

Landing your dream job is never easy, especially when life keeps blowing you off course. Every time Jackson Browne seemed to be on the right track, life and death would get in the way. Many other people would have given up, but Jackson shows us that grit, determination and love can get you to where you want to go.

Gladys got the call from the police that every parent dreads: her daughter Quita had been badly injured. Doctors said that she would never recover from her catastrophic brain injury. But what happened next surprised everyone.

Hooking up at weddings? We've all heard stories. Hooking up at a funeral? Not so much. At the height of another pandemic, Paul Kidd lost his boyfriend Darren. Paul tells the remarkable story of their relationship, from meeting on an overnight train, to going to Darren's last party together. This is not a story about death, it’s about life, love and living hard for those who cannot.

Musician and activist Deena Lynch, aka Jaguar Jonze, gets knocked down literally and figuratively on her motorcycle all the time. She gets back up every time. Deena shares her experiences of hits and runs, and offensive assumptions about her while she’s on her motorcycle. 

Tough times never last, but tough people do. This is the best of Australian live storytelling. True stories, from all around the country. This season we’re showcasing resilience. Aussies from all different walks of life share how they got knocked down, both figuratively and literally, and rose again. There's death, sex, and catastrophic injuries to overcome. You'll hear five stories celebrating those who faced the worst of times, and lived to tell the tale... live on stage.