Life's Booming

When Todd Russell and Brant Webb were rescued after two weeks trapped in a Beaconsfield mine in 2006, it was seen as one of Australia’s greatest survival stories. But for Todd, that was only the start of his battle for survival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the face of her worst nightmare, Bridget Sakr continues to draw on her faith to turn aside anger and instead focus on love and forgiveness to help deal with the trauma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than eight years ago Rosie Batty suffered an unimaginable loss, following the horrific murder of her son Luke at the hands of his father. In the midst of her grief Rosie was catapulted into the spotlight, as she channeled her tragedy into a power for reform around family violence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This six-episode series tells the incredible stories of over 50s who have survived some of the most extreme challenges life has thrown at them. Listen in and discover their tales of outstanding fortitude. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christine Henry thought she was ready to get married, settle down and have kids.  But as she was on the way to shop for an engagement ring, something made her turn to her husband-to-be and ask him to stop and pull over. There was something else she needed to do.   **This episode was recorded in December 2021** See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone has a story - but if you passed them on the street you’d never guess how incredibly moving it might be. Dr Andrew Kwong, a GP on the Central Coast of New South Wales, spent his early life surviving the famine and persecution of Chairman Mao’s Great Leap Forward. It was a long road to escape, but he eventually made it to Australia. This is his story.      See omn...

Remember when you got all your information about the world from the Encyclopedia Britannica? For Graciela Szwarcberg and Hector Poch, a couple of paragraphs in that encyclopedia was all the information they had about Australia, before they moved to Sydney from Argentina in 1991 with their two young children.  But that’s not where the adventures stopped. Once their children grew up, they...

Lloyd Godman began adult life as an apprentice electrician, but a one-way ticket to Hawaii with only a backpack and a surfboard to spend nine months living in a treehouse would change his trajectory forever.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you left school, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up? A spur of the minute decision for Jenny Muldoon started her on a journey that would lead to some pretty extraordinary life experiences, including dinner with John Travolta. So what was it that she decided to do? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gill Shaddick was in her early 20s and living in Hong Kong, spending her spare time becoming an avid amateur sailor. One weekend on her way to compete in a sailing regatta, the yacht was hit by a storm - she and her teammates were captured by Chinese communists, becoming the subjects of a huge sea and air rescue operation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No Regrets is the latest season in the Life's Booming podcast hosted by James Valentine. It’s all about the incredible stories of Aussies who made a decision that changed their life forever.  You’ll hear what it’s like to have dinner with John Travolta, escape Chairman Mao, what it takes to join the sisterhood, live in a treehouse, travel through more than 30 countries in a...

Blossom the possum, a non-dating website, and a whole lot of luck was responsible for bringing John and Noreen, both 64, together.  But something is threatening to tear them apart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John was married with four children when he suspected he might be gay, but it wasn’t until he was in his 50s that he finally came out and told his wife and family.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Dare to Date you’ll hear five diverse stories and a good dose of excellent advice! From the funny to the downright emotional, The Dating Diaries has all bases covered.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online dating is not just for the young. Barry and Liz met on the phone dating app Tinder in their early 60s, and after saying they will never marry again – decide to tie the knot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former teenage girlfriend and boyfriend Melissa and Paul, who started dating at school in Papua New Guinea, connect on social media and reignite their romance – 42 years after last seeing each other. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A story of love, deception, and heartbreak as Michelle meets the man of her dreams – an airline pilot. But not all is as it seems, and alarm bells soon start ringing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dare to Date is the latest season in the Life's Booming podcast hosted by James Valentine. It’s jam-packed full of real-life stories of sweethearts reuniting, online dating trials and triumphs, plus the fraudster who should be avoided at all costs! Stay tuned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rockabilly dancers, rock’n’roll circuitgoers and avid Elvis fans Lyn and Peter Davis talk to James Valentine about life on the road with Wagz their dog in a refurbished 1986 bus that follows the music. From the friendships they’ve made to the range of towns across Australia they’ve visited. Don’t miss Lyn’s extensive Elvis memorabilia, which includes cushions, a...

Bob and Phyllis Bowers are adventure junkies. They’ve been married for 53 years and it’s their shared love of exploring that keeps them together, from kayaking to camping, hiking and abseiling. They’ve had near-death experiences down the Nymboida River, completed seven-day hikes in the Kimberley and seen the incredible Gwion Gwion Aboriginal rock art (formerly known as Bradshaw a...

For the past three decades, Wendy French has joined her husband Graham on "holidays" around Australia, where they romantically park up beside disused railway lines and wait – sometimes for days - to see elusive trains. You read correctly... trains. This heartwarming episode is full of laughs and surprises, and a reminder that the things we do for love don't always make sense. All aboard for...

In this exciting episode, you’ll get to know Judy and Erle Williamson. They call themselves The Travelling Willies after they decided to sell up their home in Gunnedah and live and travel Australia in their makeshift ‘mobile granny flat’. Hear about their experiences volunteering in remote places, as well as their hot tips on how to financially set up and plan your life on the ro...

In this episode of Life’s Booming, you’ll meet the extraordinary Gaylene Seeney. Gaylene is a thalidomide survivor, but her condition hasn’t stopped her from heading off on solo adventures. With her furry companion Albert the dog—and her trusty pliers by her side—she tells us about the joys and challenges of living off the grid (and just how long you can survive on ca...

A few years ago Tony fought off throat cancer and had terrible survivor’s guilt, so he and Lisa hitched up their caravan and took off - using the time and space to mend physically and mentally. What was initially meant to be a six-month holiday, eventually turned into more than two-and-a-half years, and after Lisa (an ex-ballet dancer) had surgery on her ankles earlier this year, they’...

Hear all about the new series celebrating grey nomads brought to you by Australian Seniors and hosted by James Valentine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.