YARNS

The Gallery Next Door: Making Space for Emerging Artists. A once-quiet shopfront in Duffy has become a welcoming home for local art. Jennifer Baird, founder of The Gallery Next Door and owner of The Fifth Season Artworks, is a seasoned artist with 30 years of industry experience. She established her gallery to provide a platform for the creative community, proving her favourite sentiment right: &#...

"A quick note before we begin: This episode includes frank discussions of domestic violence and sexual abuse that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised" What if the art you make from your hardest experiences could help someone else feel less alone? Australian conceptual fine art photographer, author and mixed-media artist Livonne Larkins shares how fairy tal...

Episode Summary: Petra talks with Kerrie Atherton, founder of Stories of Hope Australia, about the challenges facing boys and young men—from isolation, mental health stigma, and online influences to addiction and pressure around masculinity. Kerry shares practical ways parents, mentors, and educators can build trust, spot warning signs, and support young people through connection, honest conversat...

What happens when the coping mechanisms we use to survive our deepest traumas begin to destroy our lives? In this raw and deeply moving episode of Yarns, host Petra sits down with 20-year veteran coach, counsellor, and author Kerrie Atherton to unravel the complex relationship between hidden trauma, systemic addiction, and the long road to recovery. Kerrie opens up with absolute vulnerability abou...

The Heart of Canberra's Book Community: A Second-Hand Bookshop's Story. Book Lore In this engaging interview, a seasoned second-hand bookstore owner in Canberra shares insights into the community-driven nature of his shop, the diversity of book interests, and the passion that keeps him dedicated to his craft. Discover how his shop reflects local culture, the evolution of book genres, and t...

For this yarn I've visited Phil Bevan aka Majura the Magician in his Queanbeyan castle, filled with hundreds of magical books and props. There are not many magicians around, especially as funny and engaging as Phil and seeing the cards on the kitchen table while Phil was magicking up a cup of coffee for me, I was excited to see some fun card tricks! It's like being transported to another world and...

I was fortunate to visit the first JBPP held at the Jervis Bay Breweng & co and interview Randall Sinnamon and participating artists with their muses! The co-organisers of this new art prize, Randall Sinnamon and Vanessa Harries, were inspired by a now defunct exhibition that had been a favourite component of the region’s former SeeChange Festival, The Little Archies (named of course in honour...

Brad Tucker is an Astrophysicist/Cosmologist at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory and the National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, at the Australian National University. Brad shares the history of Mt. Stromlo, cultural connections, exploding stars, NASA and what the hidden life on the mountain looks like. Recorded 2024.

Mijica Lus chats about her migrant journey and humanitarian work with the Red Cross and the food bank in Canberra. Recorded 2023.

Sheriden Carroll chats about bodybuilding, women's health and resilience. Recorded 2023.

A teacher Matthew Noonan found a window in his busy schedule and came to chat about his love of teaching, Indigenous connection and family legacy. Recorded 2023.

Mainul Haque OAM is a former senior Australian public servant with nearly three decades of experience across government, academia and community leadership. A former ACT Multicultural Ambassador and President of the Canberra Muslim Community, he led the development of the Gungahlin Mosque — a symbol of inclusion and unity. Manuil continues to serve on government and not-for-profit boards and adviso...

Stacey Allen, a multi-generational farmer from ethically and sustainably grown beef, Claystone Meats, chats about farmer’s life and Australian beef industry. Recorded 2023.

Kathryn Allan is a feminist anthropologist, PhD researcher at the Australian National University, and founder of the Amnesty International Australia Feminist Network. She specialises in gender equity, social inclusion (GESI), and humanitarian action, combining research with strategic advocacy, including as a member of the Australian Feminist Foreign Policy Coalition. She was an activist with Amnes...

Johnathan Efkarpidis from the Molonglo Group chats about making Canberra into a more people-friendly place now and in the future, considered living and the stories behind the iconic places we all love so much; Hotel Hotel, Dairy Road. We talked about his Greek roots, family, vibrant international life and catching trams. Recorded 2023.

A PACFA-registered clinical counsellor, psychotherapist and long-time women’s circle guide. For more than two decades Hollie supported people through psychotherapy, ecotherapy with her herd of horses, and women’s mysteries work. Her work lives at the intersections of trauma healing, feminism, neurodiversity, and magick. Raised between the dojo and women’s circles, Hollie always walked edges; learn...

Local Canberra artist Yanni Pounartzis chats about his creative practice and how the beloved 'Big Swoop' sculpture came to life and infinity on a collectible coin and stamp. What it takes to be an artist in Australia, living in Berlin and painting. It’s not often we have insight into the creative processes behind what so many love and embrace. Thanks to Yanni, Canberra just got less boring...

If all you’ve heard about Beirut is on the news, you’d be forgiven for thinking the famous Lebanese capital is nothing but a city of war, hate and hostility. But as the saying goes, that’s bullshit. The real Beirut is a buzzing epicentre of nightlife, renowned by party people from all corners of the globe as one of the places to be for beats, eats, vibes, love and cocktails… a cosmopolitan heart b...

From Paris to Canberra with love. Damian shares an intimate story of growing up in Paris and what brought him to Australia. I met him years ago in a flower shop in Canberra's fashionable Braddon and thought that behind his big smile must be an amazing life story! Recorded 2023.

Founder and president, HelpingACT. Canberra Citizen of the Year 2022. While teaching in Africa in the 1980s, Mohammed Ali saw the devastating effects of poverty up close. He recognised the same struggles in his birth country, Pakistan, and across the Asian sub-continent. So, when Mohammed retired in 2018 after a long career as a biochemist and university lecturer, he launched HelpingACT to help pe...

This is the first of 13 episodes produced and recorded by Petra Jungmanova for the YARNS radio show aired on Canberra's 2XX community radio. Siv shares his love of the didgeridoo and becoming a part of the vibrant local Indigenous culture. Recorded 2023.