Bravewords

Hi there, I'm away up north for an exciting TV project, and Adrienne is at home working on the Bravewords courses, and hosting Bravewords live at the Funhaus Factory in Gosford, so it's been too difficult to record our podcasts! So, a quick break. We'll be back mid November with more great stories. Thanks Rob Music as always, courtesy of the ridiculously talented, and utterly delightfu...

A first time mum prepares the perfect birth. Donné Restom is a singer, writer and storyteller. She is the founder of sell-out storytelling event, Kink in the Tale: Storytelling for Grownups and her debut one woman show, Everyone in my Family is Dead or About to be was nominated for Sydney Fringe 2024’s Best in Theatre Award. Donné has written and released three albums, and her fourth album, Anato...

A rough trot with his health sends Peter thinking back through life to find the causes of his ill health.  Peter Byers is co-writer and producer of two plays, the much-loved 'Labyrinth of Love' and its silly sequel 'Child of the Labyrinth', that were performed variously at the Harold Park Hotel, Downstairs at the Belvoir Street theatre and at the  Bondi Pavilion for the original Sy...

A young girl, growing up in soviet East Germany, worries about her mum. Andrea Buschner was born and raised in socialist East Germany. She found her way to Australia at the age of 31. Here she found peace, escape and safety in books and writing. She didn't start taking art seriously before arriving in Oz. Once here she studied photography at Tafe at age 33. She's worked as a freelance phot...

Should I imagine how other people 'do it'... or shall I tell the world how I 'do it'? A TV writer with a curious mind wonders just how much to share! Debra Oswald is a novelist, screenwriter, playwright, creator of the TV series Offspring and two-time winner of the NSW Premier’s Literary Award. Debra has published nine children’s books and four adult novels, including  The Family D...

When a teenage girl falls pregnant in the 70's... what to do? Debbie Leidich has lived on the Central Coast for 40 years. She is a retired primary school teacher and now teaches yoga locally. Debbie is married and mother of 5 — 3 living and 2 deceased children. She says, “My adult children have taught me much about life, and love, and the value of laughter.” Music courtesy of Sean Peter

A young doctor faces very high stakes, with loads of moving parts, and the most precious thing in the world is at stake. Linda Atkins is a medical practitioner and writer living in Dharug, NSW. She is a Ten Pound Pom and grew up in Western Sydney. She has been writing for five years and in that time, she has won or been shortlisted in numerous awards such as The Calibre Essay Prize, the Olga Maste...

In the 1960's in Terrigal NSW, a little pair of 5 year old eyes was listening, watching, and remembering. These are some of his recollections. Michael Kilp was born and bred on the central coast.  He and his wife ran the paddleboat business, Aquafun, on Avoca Beach Lagoon for 26 years, hence his nickname, Paddleboat Mick.  Mick never dreamed he could write a great story but he had a lot locked...

A young girl worries about the "infinity of space, the eternity of hell", and after a time discovers her part in it. Sian works as a mediator, helping families navigate conflict and change across the lifespan. Music courtesy of Sean Peter

Richard wants to talk about his failing body!! Richard Glover is the author of a few best-selling books – in particular  “The Land Before Avocado” is a journey into the bizarre Australia of the late 60s and early 70s. Until a year or two ago, he presented the comedy program Thank God It’s Friday on ABC local radio.. And his weekly column has appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald for close to four...

A weary young backpacker sits on a train a long way from home and ruminates on all that got her there. Cas Castellano is a writer of poetry and creative non-fiction from Philadelphia living in Australia. Her work has been featured for the first time in two indie publications this year [Sprig Magazine, Brisbane and Friends in Soft Focus, New York]. She delights in all that is absurd, profound, usel...

A family gets the train to Sydney to collect their new son. CAROLINE ANNE BUTT was born in North Sydney. She grew up on Sydney's Lower North Shore, in a non-affluent, stable and loving home. She was a highly religious, innocent and nerdy girl. She's been a Share Clerk, school teacher, tutor, painter, researcher and writer.  Her published works have been an eclectic mix: writing for children, magaz...

When Toby needed to become the primary carer of his first born child, he needed help. Toby’s childhood memoir ‘Two Mums & a Dad’ was published in 2021. The promotional rounds for that book included interviews on TV and radio, coverage in newspapers, and talks at writers festivals and libraries. A number of Toby’s short stories have been published in magazines, converted into podcasts and broad...

Susan's 96 year old mum met Stan. This is their story. Susan Hampton  is a writer and a poet. She’s taught writing at manyAustralian universities.  She Co-edited  The Penguin Book of AustralianWomen Poets .  Surly Girls , performance pieces and short stories, won the Steele Rudd Award in 1990. The  Kindly Ones , a long narrative poem, won the 2006 Judith Wright Award. Last year, her memoir  An...

A recently separated man 'enjoys' his new found freedom at a friend's wedding in Koh Samui, Thailand. DARREN GILSHENAN. After graduating from NIDA in 1988, Darren began his career in musical theatre before spending 10 years with The Bell Shakespeare Company. He followed this up with three years on the sketch comedy Full Frontal , and along with starring in high-profile roles on Austral...

To Be Or Not to Be, will he love me? Anna Downes is invited to an acting school reunion. Anna Downes is the internationally bestselling author of The Safe Place, The Shadow House, and Red River Road ( shortlisted for the 2025 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year), as well as the Penguin Voices audio exclusive Break Me Down. Born and raised in Sheffield, UK, she studied Drama at the University of...

Lesley remembers a time when, with 3 kids under three, life got tough. Some notes from Lesley: Being the end of mental health month, I thought my story would be relevant.    After a long admission to a mental health unit and a lot of work on myself.  I became a volunteer then was employed by Gosford Mental health Centre, at the time it was Mandala,  I worked for seventeen years at both Gosford and...

One hand, one jar, one job! Brenton Johnson is a local to the central coast. This is his first time writing, and reading a story. Brenton discovered Bravewords through an introductory course with Adrienne that his wife recommended. He's now hoping to one day complete a memoir. We think he should! Music courtesy of Sean Peter

A young actor and their side hustle - playing fairies at parties isn't always magic! Nadia Townsend is a director, writer, and dramaturg with over 20 years experience across film and theatre. She began her career as an actor, training through a run of independent theatre productions before moving into screen work, where she became part of the main cast of  Head Start ,  City Homicide , and  Fi...

Luke's great mate helps him with a break up... Luke Carman’s debut work of fiction,  An Elegant Young Man , won the 2014 NSW Premier’s New Writing Award and was shortlisted for the ALS Gold Medal, the Steele Rudd Short Story Prize and the Readings New Writing Award. His essay collection,  Intimate Antipathies , was published in June 2019. His collection of stories,  An Ordinary Ecstasy , was p...

Sometimes straight A students have to skip school. Stephanie was brought up in Penrith – when it was still a semi-rural town, rather than an outer suburb of Sydney. Stephanie left school at 15, doing a variety of jobs while trying to complete my education: cleaning, nursing aide, process worker. Most of Steph's working life was spent in Sydney courts andtribunals, as a transcription typist, th...

What happens when a 17 year old policeman is given guns... lots of guns. Ross Markey is a Central Coast write. His work has been published in Island Magazine. Ross was in the youngest squad of the last intake of 16 year olds into the Victoria Police Force. Music courtesy of Sean Peter

A young girl and her new family travel to a magical India! Kate Ayrton is a transmedia producer, screenwriter and travel writer. She has had stories published in the US and Australia, and is currently working on her first novel. Born in Australia but schooled abroad, she now lives on the Central Coast. Music courtesy of Sean Peter

A new dad takes on the role of primary carer to follow his wife to Singapore for her career opportunities. Toby’s childhood memoir ‘Two Mums & a Dad’ was published in 2021. The promotional rounds for that book included interviews on TV and radio, coverage in newspapers, and talks at writers festivals and libraries. A number of Toby’s short stories have been published in magazines, converted in...

Just one suburban day decades ago, a 6 year old boy begins his journey towards being a dad! Jeremy Gilroy is a TV editor and producer, a father of four, and a sporting tragic who lives in Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast. Despite their limited education, Jeremy’s parents were both avid readers whose love language was language itself; playing with it, teaching it, and finding the right turn of...