Smoke & Soul Project

After 59 days, 18 food services, and 1,400 meals cooked and served for those in need across the Eastern states, Dave, Cara and the girls are home. This Welcome Home episode was recorded in person, a first for the three of us. You'll hear Dave and Cara reflect on the trip: where their commitment to community first came from, how their expectations shifted over the two months, their appreciation for...

Mixed emotions for Dave and Cara as they start their final week on the road. And two special BBQs to end the 8 week Smoke & Soul Project. Broken Hill, NSW (01:00) A Low and Slow BBQ served on a beautiful day in Broken Hill (12:45) Don from Feeding Friends Feeding Friends https://www.facebook.com/feedingfriends2880 Port Pirie, SA (19:30) Under shelter as the heaven's open (26:17) Jack from Vinn...

For two months now, we've been travelling with Dave and Cara through the Eastern states, hearing each week from Dave and his charity partners about the work happening in these communities, and the impact the Smoke and Soul Project is having on the ground. This week gave us a powerful reminder of why this project matters. Dave met a man whose story moved him to tears, and he tells us it's an encoun...

This week, Dave's cooking in Brisbane and Maryborough, Queensland. He comes across a food service unlike anything else on the trip so far, and is confronted with the stark realities of people living on the streets. Brisbane, QLD (00:56) Dave serves up a special meal for a special food service (11:47) Melissa from Micah Projects Micah Projects https://www.micahprojects.org.au/ Maryborough, QLD (16:...

Dave shares this week's stories from the road as they head to Ballina and Tweed Heads in NSW, and Coolangatta in QLD. You'll hear from Sharna, Team Leader at Vinnies - Fred's Van in Tweed Heads and Damien from Phantom Screens in Sponsor Spotlight as he tells us why he got behind Dave and the Smoke & Soul Project. Ballina, NSW (00:38) Arriving in Ballina Vinnies - Mary's Place https://www.vinni...

Welcome to Week 4 of the Smoke and Soul Project, where Dave and the family are on the road to Dubbo, Tamworth and Coffs Harbour. After settling into a rhythm over the first three weeks, this week threw up a few challenges. Dubbo (00:48) Saturday service (16:00) Kristine from HopeStreet Baptist Care, Dubbo (22:42) Tuesday service Tel: 5804 7350 Website: https://baptistcare.org.au/hopestreet/locatio...

Week 3 and it's been another wet week on the road! Dave & Cara cooked and served in Wagga Wagga, NSW and Canberra ACT, with Vinnies being their local charity partner in both towns. To date the Smoke & Soul Project has delivered just under 700 meals to people sleeping rough and to people in need. One takeaway from the first three weeks, is that in each town, each charity partner is seeing a...

Week 2 of the Smoke & Soul Project heads to Bendigo and Albury. Hear from Dave, Cara and their local charity partners as they cook and connect. Bendigo, VIC (01:15) Dave gives an insight into the similarities and differences between locations (10:10) Matt from MADCOW MADCOW https://www.madcow.org.au/ Albury, NSW (19:13) Cooking and connecting in the heart of town + the planning before food ser...

Week 2 of the Smoke & Soul Project sees Cara and Dave cooking and connecting in Bendigo and Albury. Hear from Dave, Cara and their local charity partners. Bendigo, VIC (01:16) Dave cooks and connects (10:10) Matt from MADCOW MADCOW make a difference, change our world https://www.madcow.org.au/ Albury, NSW (19:14) Dave gives us an insight into what it takes to prep and deliver each food service...

On Saturday, 13th June, Dave Meadows fires up his BBQ for the first of 19 cooks across 19 towns, launching the Smoke & Soul Project : a 57 day, 7,000 km journey to feed people in need right across Australia. In this episode, Dave and his wife Cara share the story behind the project. They talk about how it came to life, the months of planning that went into it, and what they're hoping to achiev...

The Smoke & Soul Project hits the road in June 2026. In this podcast you’ll ride along with Dave and his family on their 57‑day journey. You'll visit 19 towns across Australia, partnering with local charities to serve low-and-slow BBQ to people facing homelessness and hardship - one town, one community BBQ at a time. Each week, you’ll hear their stories from the road, the early morning cooks,...