The Barrow Podcast

I push my own agenda & float the idea of The Barrow going to Las Vegas. Kingsley attempts to bust into the studio. Mum reflects on what motivated her parents and former parents-in-law, and what the future might hold. Thanks for listening P.S. If you have money to burn or know someone who does, get in touch! Mum & I require box seats to the opening round of NRL '26 in Las Vegas and a backst...

Instead of a book episode this week, we're giving you free access to the first two reading episodes from behind the paywall. These episodes are for paying subscribers only and are exclusive to Substack. I f you like what you hear and want to follow along while we write our book, then become a subscriber today by going to thebarrowpod.substack.com . You'll receive a new reading from our memoir-in-p...

This might be our funniest episode yet! Mum & I discuss single-sex schools, as well as sexual and gender development. Mum tells stories about a disastrous trivia night setup and a faith-based singles group. Enjoy! Thanks for listening Don't forget— Mum & I are now on Substack, where we offer bonus episodes, readings from our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our archives. Become a subscri...

This week, an anonymous stranger breaks into The Barrow studio to replace Mum and force me into a conversation about a peculiar celebrity memoir - Vanished Years by British actor Rupert Everett. Thanks for listening Don't forget— Mum & I are now on Substack, where we offer bonus episodes, readings from our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our archives. Become a subscriber today by going to t...

Mum & I discuss separating the art from the artist, piousness disguised as progressivism, as well as adolescence, debutante balls, further horrors from Mum's wardrobe, and her unique attitude to landscape paintings. Thanks for listening. Don't forget— Mum & I are now on Substack, where we offer bonus episodes, readings from our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our archives. Become a subs...

In our very first guest episode, I'm joined by Matt Fresta of the Getting Lit podcast to discuss art-making, curation, understanding vs experience, & owning cats. Listen to Getting Lit: https://getting_lit.buzzsprout.com/ Follow Getting Lit on IG: https://www.instagram.com/gettinglitpod/?hl=en Read Matt's story 'Black and White and Blue' here: https://apocalypse-confidential.com/2023/03/07/bla...

Mum & I take a look at the work of master memoirist Alexandra Fuller. Parenting. Internal logic and the natural world. Choosing to live. Dysfunctional families. Country vs city life. And more! Thanks for listening Don't forget— Mum & I are now on Substack, where we offer bonus episodes, readings from our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our archives. Become a subscriber today by going to...

At once upsetting and unsettling, today Mum & I talk adolescence, bed wetting, body horror, and shame. Plus Kingsley joins us in the studio. Purchase your own Wee Alert Alarm at all confidence-building medical service providers nationwide! Thanks for listening Don't forget— Mum & I are now on Substack, where we offer bonus episodes, readings from our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our...

In another solo episode, I talk about my long-running and deep connection with Jim Carroll’s earliest diaries, a masterclass in authorial voice detailing the pitfalls of a young man’s life. I also spotlight Disorderly Magic & Other Disturbances by Richard Cabut. Thanks for listening! *Connect with Richard Cabut on IG: https://www.instagram.com/richard.cabut/ *Buy Richard’s latest book here: ht...

Mum & I talk about friendship, specifically female friendship, and what we could do if the show was successful enough to warrant a second season. Thanks for listening! Major announcement! We are now on Substack, where we are offering bonus episodes, readings of our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our archives. Become a subscriber today by going to thebarrowpod.substack.com . Don't forget to...

Instead of spotlighting a book today, Mum & I talk memoir process, how to handle materials, and how we've navigated the research phase of our project so far. We discuss diary writing and both the toll and the physical undertaking that writing a memoir has so far proven to be. Thanks for listening! Major announcement! We are now on Substack, where we are offering bonus episodes, readings of our...

Mum tells a story about the craziest outfit she ever wore and we swap notes over the woman who used to dress us like dolls. Body image, gender, shame, religion, and avoidance. Thanks for listening Major announcement! We are now on Substack, where we are offering bonus episodes, readings of our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our archives. Become a subscriber today by going to thebarrowpod.subst...

We take a look at Suzanne by French-Canadian author, activist and filmmaker Anais Barbeau-Lavalette. Technically a 'fictionalised biography' of the writer's grandmother, this book is a stunning tribute to the creative potential unearthed by a radical endeavour to understand and empathise. *Connect with Anais Barbea-Lavalette: https://www.instagram.com/barbeaulavalette/ Major announcement! We are n...

Mum transitions from childhood to adolescence at last! We talk about the small things that are really BIG and what it was like finishing secondary school a year ahead of her peers. Our Substack reading series commences tomorrow, where we'll be reading an excerpt from our memoir-in-progress. These readings are for subscribers only, so if you'd like to hear them consider becoming a subscriber today:...

I tackle the mic alone in the very first solo episode of The Barrow Podcast and our fourth book episode overall. In this one, I take a close look at The Uptown Local by Cory Leadbeater, a memoir that seems to have been written explicitly for me. I also spotlight The World According to Joan Didion by Evelyn McDonnell and Insomniac City by Bill Hayes. Social class, the pretension of aspirations, dep...

Mum and I discuss writing dialogue, why some parents can perceive their children's problems while others can’t, as well as the cultural and class-based barriers to understanding and accessing mental health services. Thanks for listening Major announcement! We are now on Substack, where we are offering bonus episodes, readings of our memoir-in-progress, plus access to our archives. Become a subscri...

No discussion of memoir writing is complete without mentioning Joan Didion, arguably the greatest writer of her generation. This week, Mum and I sit down to talk about Blue Nights, a memoir about grief and parenting, as well as an examination of the signs we miss. Thanks for listening   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thebarrowpod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the...

Mum and I sit down to talk about FEAR - childhood fears, haunted landscapes, and encounters with reptiles, including the ones some of us are forced to call 'Dad'. Plus we spotlight a little known Australian true crime event.  Thanks for listening  Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thebarrowpod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarrowpod/   Join the mailing list: subs...

The sign of any great book is that it gives its readers permission to tell their own story. This week, Mum and I discuss Unravelling Us by Renee McBryde, a memoir about intergenerational trauma, family secrets, and forgiveness. Thanks for listening   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thebarrowpod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarrowpod/   Join the mailing list: s...

This week, disgruntlement and condemnation reign supreme. Mum and I talk about the ethics of producing only children and our experiences of only childhood. Plus we dissect the idealism of rural upbringings. Get in touch if you start using “throughy”. Thanks for listening  Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thebarrowpod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarrowpod/   Jo...

Mum and I sit down to discuss the influence that The Erratics has had on our attempt to write a memoir. Written by Canadian-Australian author Vicki Laveau-Harvie, The Erratics is a story about mental illness and dysfunctional families, one we found highly relatable. Thanks for listening   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thebarrowpod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t...

Mum and I finally rip off the bandaid and sit down to record the first episode of the podcast. We talk the power of narrative, how every family has one, and how easily stories can become delusions. Thanks for listening  Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thebarrowpod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarrowpod/   Join the mailing list: substack.com/@thebarrowpod   Che...

A self-hating Boomer mum and her disgruntled boomerang son reunite to have the conversations they've been avoiding and utilise their combined insight into divorce, dysfunctional families, and mental illness to write a memoir together. Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thebarrowpod Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarrowpod/   Join the mailing list: substack.com/...