Secrets We Keep

In this episode of Should I spit? , Claire discovers how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inextricably linked with the history of genetics and genealogy, through the church’s doctrines and rituals. Michael is shocked to learn that he was identified through a blood sample his father donated at his local church.  Michael’s DNA doesn’t match and is cleared by...

Claire travels to Salt Lake City to meet Michael Usry, a Mississippi man who was implicated in the brutal murder of Idaho Falls teen Angie Dodge years earlier. The police suspect Michael because his name, appearance and age match the confession of a man in jail, believed to be his accomplice. Michael is also a horror filmmaker whose dark film features similarities to Angie’s murder. In episo...

While working on a cybersecurity podcast, journalist Claire Aird reads a startling statistic: Ninety per cent of people with European ancestry in the US are identifiable because of DNA data their relatives have uploaded to a family history database. Claire’s curiosity soon becomes an investigation into how our DNA is being used for power and profit. In this episode of Should I Spit?, Claire...

Richard gives an update on Todd Hubers plea hearing and shares two more important stories from women who grew up in the Revival Church movement.   Do you know more? Get in touch secretswekeep@sca.com.au   Lifeline 13 11 14; 1800 Respect 1800 737 732  Looking for what to listen to next? Try Crime In Focus: Killer Charm , the story of how a grandmother from suburban Queensland orchest...

Someone Richard wasn’t sure would ever talk to him is ready to speak. The church is rocked by the news of Pastor Noel’s death, and questions remain about whether new leadership will create change, or continue with the status quo. Richard returns to ex-members of the GRC, who have found support in each other and their families after the isolation of leaving the church. They’ve discovered the antido...

Rumours abound of how Pastor Noel Hollins has used his finances to erase controversies in his church. Richard Baker’s investigation into how the Geelong Revival Centre maintains a tax-free charity status and where it uses its funds takes him to war-torn Sierra Leone. And former GRC Pastor Steve Mills finally goes head to head with Noel Hollins when he tries to protect members of the church. The in...

In the Geelong Revival Centre, men are responsible for the entire family’s salvation. If the father does something wrong, his wife and children are at risk of going to hell. We hear from men who have defied the church’s expectations, despite the threat of physical punishment in this life,and eternal punishment in the next. But those who comply also pay a terrible price for their obedience. And Ric...

As a pastor in the church, Steve Mills watched on horrified as church members shunned or delayed medical care because of Pastor Noel Hollins relentless attacks on science and medicine. When someone is diagnosed with an illness, they are told it is only through prayer—not conventional medicine—that they will be saved. And when people die of treatable illnesses, those left grieving are t...

The Geelong Revival Centre wants the women in its church to be straight out of Proverbs 31 in the Bible: virtuous, god-fearing, and dedicating her life to her husband and family— and to expect very little in return. Unmarried women can’t approach men to date, and they can’t marry without the Pastor’s permission. Those who are seen to fail as virtuous women find themselves interrogated and watched...

Inside the Geelong Revival Centre teenagers live a double life. They’re given zero freedoms, like small children, but they’re expected to live an adult life of religious devotion while still growing up. Pastor Noel Hollins is at war with the internet, pop music, and socialising outside of the church. He labels them as dangerous, but ex-church members say real dangers lie inside the GRC. Richard Ba...

How did Noel Hollins become the leader of the Geelong Revival Centre? A surprising rebellion is hidden in the history of his long and authoritarian rule. Richard Baker unearths Noel’s beginnings and explores some of the stranger beliefs the church preaches, including about Pyramids and the British Royal Family’s connection to Geelong.  Even some of the most loyal members of the GRC find themselves...

In the beachside town of Geelong, most kids look forward to endless summer days, while children in the Geelong Revival Centre wait for the end of days. GRC kids are told they’re always being watched. By their parents, their Pastor, and their God. They expect this constant surveillance, and the threat of violence if they step out of line. Insider recordings of GRC leader Pastor Noel Hollins reveal...

A story too big to ignore is drawing journalist Richard Baker back to his home town of Geelong.  The chosen people of a strict Pentecostal church claim to have seen miracles happen, and expect to be among the few saved when Armageddon comes. But for some, the Geelong Revival Centre has brought the opposite of salvation.  Ex-members are speaking out about the pain, control, and heartbreak...

The end of the world is coming for members of a Geelong Church. It’s been looming for over 50 years. And only the chosen few will be saved.  Follow investigative journalist Richard Baker as he returns to his home town to investigate one of Australia’s most hardline Pentecostal churches and the man who led it.  This series goes deep inside the secretive group and the disturbing doctrine of Pastor N...

In December 2005, Richard Baker published a story about an obscure oil company called Tigris Petroleum, and its ties to Iraq. A few weeks later, Tigris would be linked to the AWB at the Cole inquiry. In this bonus episode, Richard revisits the story, and finally gets some key documents about Tigris released.  Featured: Michael Long Alexander Downer Ross Fusca Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au   Se...

Richard Baker interviews former Prime Minister John Howard, to find out why Australia went into the Iraq War, and ask how much his government knew about the AWB’s dealings.   Featured: John Howard Caroline Overington  Alexander Downer Trevor Flugge Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cole inquiry recommends the AWB be investigated, and the Australian Federal Police set up a taskforce. Richard Baker speaks to former AFP officer Ross Fusca and finds out the taskforce mysteriously disappeared. The corporate regulator, ASIC, also attempts to hold the wheat men to account.  Featured: Darryl Hockey Ross Fusca Michael Long Trevor Flugge Rod McLeod (voicing Mark Emons)  Dan Mullin...

It’s Trevor Flugge and Michael Long’s turn in the witness box, though it couldn’t have come at a worse time. The media is fixated on photos of the pair in Baghdad holding guns, looking like cavalier cowboys. But they won’t be the only powerful men called to give evidence.   Featured: Trevor Flugge Michael Long Nonee Walsh Kelvin Thomson Alexander Downer Darryl Hockey Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com...

The Australian government announces an inquiry into the AWB, with the lawyers hoping to prove the AWB knew it was breaching sanctions. A whistleblower fronts the inquiry to give evidence... in secret.  Featured: Trevor Flugge Darryl Hockey Michael Long Anwar Al-Rawi Rod McLeod (voicing Mark Emons)  Dan Mullins (voicing lawyer) Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Saddam Hussein has been found, weapons of mass destruction have not. The reason for the Iraq invasion crumbles, and the world’s attention is turned to corruption in the United Nations Oil For Food Program. The AWB’s dealings in Iraq are about to come under scrutiny from an international investigation.  Featured: Darryl Hockey Alexander Downer Caroline Overington  Mark Pieth  Contact: secretswekeep...

The US invades Iraq, and good old Australia has joined. The Australian wheat men are on the ground a month later, and the secret mission begins – protect Australia’s lucrative wheat market.  Featured: Robin Raphel  Trevor Flugge Michael Long Lieutenant Colonel Paul Wright Alexander Downer Alan Tracy Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The drums of war are beating, and the Australian Wheat Board’s multimillion-dollar trade with Iraq is at risk. Lucky for them, powerful sources promise to keep the AWB informed of any signs of war, while the public hears something different.   Featured: Trevor Flugge Darryl Hockey Alexander Downer Anwar Al-Rawi Michael Long Contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

How did the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) fund Saddam Hussein’s regime? Richard Baker speaks with Michael Long and Trevor Flugge from the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) to find out how Australia built a strong trade relationship with Iraq. Featured: Anwar Al-Rawi Maitham Al-alyawy Michael Long Trevor Flugge Get in contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the lead up to the Iraq War, the Australian Wheat Board (AWB), gave $300 million in illicit funds to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Journalist Richard Baker meets Trevor Flugge, the AWB’s chairman who went on to be the poster boy for the corruption scandal, thanks to a leaked photo.   Featured: Trevor Flugge Get in contact: secretswekeep@sca.com.au Credits: Creator and Host - Ri...

It’s Australia’s biggest corruption scandal: $300 million funnelled to a notorious dictator via dodgy wheat contracts in the lead up to the Iraq War.    Award-winning journalist Richard Baker takes you inside the scandal, with the help of three wheat salesmen caught in the middle of extraordinary world events. Were they cowboys who pocketed millions for their company? Scapegoats for a government s...