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Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight - Episode 9: Megan Kelleher
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Megan Kelleher talks to Cheryl about the many ways people share stories, her personal journey of self-discovery, the influence of her family on her worldview, and the significance of NAIDOC Week. Her debut, Snake Talk, which she co-wrote with Tyson Yunkaporta, is out September 2, 2025. Fresh Voices: A Debut Author Spotlight is sponsored by the Copyright Agency's The Cultural Fund.
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Stories Behind The Story: Loubna Haikal on Heritage, Immigration and the Power of Cooking
33:18|Loubna Haikal talks to Cheryl about their Lebanese heritage, displacement, immigration and the quiet beauty of cooking with others. She also reflects on the collaborative process behind Don’t Ask the Trees for Their Names, the powerful collection she edited and co-wrote with eight other Arab women. The book is out now.
Stories Behind the Story: Andrew Sloan on the Human Experience and the Future
37:07|Andrew Sloan talks to Cheryl about the human experience, the role of therapy, the future of our society and the inspiration behind his new book, Why Things Feel F*cked, which is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Heather Rose on Inspiration, Writing Across Ages and Shifting Worldviews
36:34|Heather Rose talks to Cheryl about how worldviews have changed over time, discovering the story behind her latest book, A Great Act of Love, the moment she knew she wanted to be a writer, the influence of her father, and the difference between writing for children and adults. A Great Act of Love is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Omar El Akkad on Truth & Ignorance, From Guantánamo to Gaza
37:39|Omar El Akkad joins Cheryl to discuss his latest book, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. Together, they explore his experiences reporting from places like Guantánamo Bay, examine the dangerous allure of ignorance, and reflect on the Gaza War and how it has shaped both their lives and the world. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Susan Wyndham on Elizabeth Harrower and a Life in Literature
39:37|Susan Wyndham talks to Cheryl about researching her latest book Elizabeth Harrower: The Woman in the Watch Tower, how her mother’s love of books shaped her own, her career in journalism, and her path to becoming one of Australia’s leading literary editors. Elizabeth Harrower: The Woman in the Watch Tower is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Jessica Mansour-Nahra on Her Debut, Pregnancy and Creativity
35:54|Jessica Mansour-Nahra talks to Cheryl about writing her debut novel, The Farm, how her love of storytelling began, and the emotional challenges she experienced while pregnant. She shares what the publishing journey looked like for her and talks about the deep connection between creativity and motherhood. The Farm is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Marika Sosnowski on Law, Creative Writing, and the Making of 58 Facets
39:25|Marika Sosnowski talks to Cheryl about how her background in law shapes her writing and the challenges of merging academic insight with creative expression. She shares her deeply personal and complex writing process, the role of human connection in her work, and how legal systems can shift depending on who is interpreting them. Her debut collection, 58 Facets, is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Greg Haddrick on The Mushroom Murders and the Art of Storytelling
38:19|Greg Haddrick talks to Cheryl about his acclaimed career in film and television, what drew him to the chilling real-life case of The Mushroom Murders, the complexities of covering the high-profile Erin Patterson trial, and the challenges faced by jurors. His latest book, The Mushroom Murders, is out now.
Stories Behind The Story: Chris Hammer on Journalism, Storytelling Craft and His Latest Thriller
36:06|Chris Hammer talks to Cheryl about his lifelong love of writing and how his career in journalism, including international reporting for Dateline, shaped his storytelling. He reflects on developing his craft, transitioning from nonfiction to fiction, and how fellow author Benjamin Stevenson helped bring Scrublands to life. His latest novel, Legacy, is out now.