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A to Be

With Mimi Kwa and Jo Stanley


Latest episode

  • 12. Finding goodness in darkness

    50:55
    It takes a remarkable person to see the goodness in people when facing the depths of man’s cruelty. Mira Unreich, a Holocaust survivor who endured the horrors of four concentration camps and a death march before the age of 18, never lost her indomitable spirit. Today we hear her remarkable story from her daughter, journalist Rachelle Unreich, who in her mother’s final moments conducted the most important interviews of her career, documenting Mira's enduring legacy of joy in the pages of her novel, 'A Brilliant Life’. Through the A to Be journeys of both mother and daughter we grasp the precious stories of our parents and gain the unique perspective of being the child of a survivor. In the echoes of Mira's life, this episode is one of love, appreciation and wonder.

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  • 11. A life’s work

    42:26
    It is an extraordinary purpose to restore an 1820 French chateau. Such is the calling of designer/artisans Steve Holmes and Tim Gosling, who are reviving the glory of this Normandy gem with meticulous care and exquisite flair. Together the pair have discovered love stories, ghosts, and in the process, their life’s work. A fascinating tale that takes us through the British royal family, rock royalty and great moments in history, to land on the great legacy of building a thing of beauty for generations to enjoy.
  • 10. There is nothing wrong with you

    46:16
    In their incredibly impactful life, Sonny Jane Wise has gone from overdosing at aged 11 to now powerfully advocating for a neurodiverse affirming world. In this fascinating chat, Jo and Mimi explore Sonny’s new book, ‘We’re All Neurodiverse,’ in which they educate, enlighten and broaden our minds to the point where society and the constructs we live within are blown apart. Sonny’s vulnerability in sharing their personal journey from mental distress to self-acceptance is truly beautiful.
  • 9. Make friends with grief

    42:02
    We are defined by many moments in our lives. Jane Badler is known worldwide for playing one of the most iconic scenes in 80’s television, and for her wonderful body of work as an actress since. She is also someone who has experienced great loss, including her beautiful son. In this raw and moving episode, Jane shares what she has learned about living with grief. And how she is choosing to live as a person who can change and inspire others.
  • 8. New beginnings for Kaz Cooke

    38:28
    Join us on the next leg of this journey with lifelong friend and guide, Kaz Cooke. For many of us, Kaz has been our voice when we couldn't find the right words, and it's high time we heard her story. From the sexism she faced when breaking new ground, and how her earliest cartoons were calling out bad behaviour long before we had the words. This is a conversation about new beginnings, being your own best friend and what's next for everyone's best friend, Kaz Cooke.
  • 7. How Kaz Cooke became our go-to on our bodies

    42:07
    Kaz Cooke has been a lifelong friend to many of us, acting as a guiding light to generations of women figuring out life and health. From decoding the mysteries of girlhood in the Girl Stuff Books to the essential Up The Duff and her latest gem, It's The Menopause, she’s spent years empowering us. A constant in our journeys, now it’s time for us to explore hers. From a young bold cadet journalist to finding her iconic style and deciphering the facts from the bonkers, in true Kaz Cooke form, part one of this conversation ventures to the profound, the relatable and the downright hilarious.
  • 6. From punk to purpose

    53:12
    Step into the extraordinary life of Jane Rowe, from an upper-class English boarding school to rubbing shoulders with rock stars and moguls in 70s punk London to, unexpectedly, an Australian sheep station. Jane shares her personal struggle with addiction, a journey that led her to work in drug rehabilitation and witness the heart-wrenching scene of a child weeping at his mother's coffin. Now, 25 years on, she's dedicated her life to caring for the forgotten victims of drug abuse. In this powerful episode, we break the stigmas around addiction and explore the transformative power of letting go of shame and opening up secrets.