PODCAST · society
BAREFACED STORIES
by Brutally Frank
Barefaced Stories is a platform for those who surrender to the chaos of being human. Raw, honest, self-aware – our storytellers wear their bloody beating hearts on their sleeves and are some of the bravest folk you’ll see.Stories are told live onstage, without notes in Australia.
Episodes
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Meagan Perry: Hunted in the Deep
From awkward beginnings on a chilly Rockingham dive to a midweek encounter with Jaws, Meagan’s story is filled with excitement, humour, and the thrill of pushing boundaries. Whether she’s catching crayfish or trying to keep calm as a shark circles, Meagan’s tale captures the beauty and...
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Maree Cullinan: The Unholy Flush
Desperate to shake off a rough few years, Maree opts for a colonic cleanse over scrapbooking, but her experience is far from the rejuvenation she imagined. From a dodgy venue to unexpected “fireworks,” Maree’s story is a laugh-out-loud reflection on health fads, menopause, and what it really…
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Shani Graham: Ho Ho Hammered
Shani Graham shares A Christmas Full of Spirit, a chaotic and hilarious tale from her days teaching at a small school. When "Big Trev" steps up to play Santa at the school Christmas event, things quickly spiral into a series of unforgettable moments—from a fire truck arrival to a lap full of...
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Kathleen Burton: Woo Woo
With a background in accounting, Kathleen’s all about logic, routine, and keeping things sensible. But when she steps out of her comfort zone and into the bush for a solo nature quest, unexpected transformations—and even a touch of “woo-woo”—start to unfold. From fasting in the wilderness to an...
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Karen Passmore: Out of Sight
Diagnosed with a rare eye condition as a teenager, Karen made it her mission to see the world—literally—before her sight faded. Through travel, family, and the unexpected companionship of a guide dog, Karen’s story is one of resilience, courage, and finding joy in the unexpected. Bonus: This was...
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Tim Darby: A Gentle Kinda Fella
Tim is a self-described peace-loving bloke, more into tea and poetry than bar fights—until one night, an encounter with a carload of bullies pushes him to the edge. With adrenaline and a touch of rage, he finds himself in an unforgettable showdown. Recorded live at Barefaced Stories, the theme of...
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Gary Steadman: The Dress
When a gold sequinned number in a Subi op shop catches his eye, it sparks a journey through highs, lows, and everything in between. From impulsive buys and manic episodes to finding strength in unexpected places, Gary takes us along for the ride—sequins, sarcasm, and all. Content warning: This...
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Liz Leov: Heart Stopper
During the height of the COVID pandemic, paramedic Liz Leov is stuck in a routine of minor calls and endless PPE, when suddenly, she’s thrust into a high-stakes emergency. A man in cardiac arrest. Racing against time in the heart of London, this story is an adrenaline-pumping, laugh-out-loud...
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Steve Fitzsimmons: Three Words Back
A holiday escape, a shocking twist, and three words that changed everything. Steve Fitzsimmons’ story is raw, unfiltered, and speaks to the strength of the human spirit. Content warning: This story contains references to suicide, which may be difficult for some listeners. 💙 Remember, you’re not...
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Paula Hart: Meet Me in Melbs
Concerts, cocktails, and a hot date on a skateboard—Paula Hart’s Melbourne trip was always going to be a bit wild. But nothing could’ve prepared her for how it all ended... This story is pure Barefaced brilliance—chaotic, funny, and completely unexpected. Hit play and find out how Paula’s…
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Andrew Hale: Into the Ayahuasca
Andrew Hale maxes out his credit card and dives headfirst into the Amazon jungle to drink ayahuasca with a shaman. What follows is an off-the-rails, no-holds-barred trip loaded with hallucinations, existential dread, buckets (yep, real buckets), and a mind-blowing answer that flips everything he...
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Lyndal Wilson: Amygdala Override
Looking for love, Lyndal Wilson signed up for a ‘Conscious Relationship’ course—and found herself in a spiritual circus of woodchoppers, scream therapy, and awkward dance-offs. Hilarious, raw, and unexpectedly profound, Lyndal’s story reveals the perils of pop psychology and the power of walking...
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Jessica Brooke: Oiled and Pumped
Jessica Brooke steps into the world of bodybuilding at 19, trading her sneakers for heels and embarking on a journey of discipline, strength, and self-discovery. A story of transformation—where intense workouts sculpt her body but also test her limits, pushing her to the brink. Recorded live at...
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Cody Cameron-Brown: Sweet Choc Bomb O' Mine
Cody Cameron-Brown, works at Luna Cinema and has crafted thousands of Perth’s finest choc bombs. One day, out of nowhere, Guns 'n Roses strolls in. More than a surprise — it's a dive into the past. Cody lands face to face with his younger self, the music that defined him and one of the greatest...
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Steve Rodgers: Trust Fall
Steve Rodgers is the the kind of guy you root for: earnest, eager, and with a cheeky genuine grin. He lands a role alongside Hugo Weaving - yes, the Hugo Weaving. And in an open rehearsal for the media the cast begin doing trust falls. You know, that exercise where your partner catches you?…
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Georgina Beyer: World's First Transgender Mayor
We pay tribute to a true trailblazer, Georgina Beyer, whose legacy stretches far beyond the beautiful mountains of New Zealand. 🇳🇿 Georgina Beyer, a figure of courage and resilience, made history as the world's first openly transgender mayor. Her journey was not without its hard yakka, but her...
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Ben Sutton: Becoming Fintan Goolan
Ben Sutton's leap into the role of Fintan Goolan wasn't just an acting gig—it brought him face-to-face with a horse named Warrior. Recorded live at Barefaced Stories, the theme of the night was A Spot of Bother. NEXT SHOW: Celebrity & Stardom, 28 Mar BOOK HERE Barefaced Stories are told live...
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Alexandra Geneve: Good Morning Sovereign
Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies. And, as Alexandra Geneve reflects, it is also the largest witness to the lives we lead. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the theme of the night was TURNING POINTS, November 26, 2020. NEXT SHOW: Celebrity & Stardom, 28 Mar BOOK HERE...
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Cheyne Pearce: Man vs. The Man
Cheyne Pearce is on the cusp of securing a once-in-a-lifetime mobile phone deal when, mysteriously, the call with the telco salesman drops. Upon redialing, Cheyne discovers, to his disbelief, that the incredible deal has “vanished”. Refusing to take 'no' for an answer, Cheyne embarks on a...
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Tiffany Moffat: Tree Sitter
Armed with tins of food, wet wipes, and magazines, Tiffany Moffat's not your average camper. Her adventure? A tree sit in the Beelier Wetlands, living on a precarious platform to halt road construction, where every day is a tussle with the police and the thrill of potential arrest. This gripping...
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William Gammel: Tackle Power
William Gammel's workplace was one of Australia's largest warehouse stores – a place famed for weekend sausage sizzles and trolley-riding dogs. Here, amidst aisles of bargains, Will faced a different challenge: shoplifters as common as discounted garden soil. But Will stood out – not just any...
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Shane Hodge: The Cost of the Grind
Back in 2014, Shane Hodge seemed to have it all: a spot in the top 10% of earners, a loving family, and a marathon under his belt. But beneath this facade of success, his life was quietly unraveling. Shane's tale isn't just a story of hustle; it's a revealing look at the toll of workplace…
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Rachel McMurray: Rachel's Luck
Rachel and her partner set off across Europe in their trusty old van, anticipating an adventure of a lifetime. But as they roll down the windows, a mysterious noise from within the van puts Rachel's notorious 'luck' to the test. It's a tale of unexpected companionship. This story was told at...
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Rosie Rogers: Too Much Information Dad
As the youngest of four sisters, Rosie grew up in what many would call an 'instant girl gang', a close-knit clan where everyone wanted a slice of their sisterhood. But beware, with great closeness comes... well, hilariously unclear boundaries! This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Western...
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Luke Joseph Ryan: Dealing Chairs
Lockdown has forced a lot of people to become more flexible in the way that they do business – drug dealers included. For Luke Joseph Ryan, the schemes by which he was getting his weekly weed fixes were almost wilder than the drug highs themselves. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in…
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Ron Bradfield Jnr: Water Lapping Against Ankles
Although he can’t quite remember all the details, Ron Bradfield Jnr once got to sitting naked on a limestone rock, his feet immersed in sea water, ready to hand himself over to the ocean. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the theme of the night was REALITY CHECK, 25 March 2021 at...
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Samantha Bickell: Yellow Plastic Raincoat
Samantha Bickell took Friday afternoon drinks with her workmates as the perfect opportunity to share her experiences studying animal science which were certainly… stimulating, to say the least. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the theme of the night was DIRTY WORK, 29 October…
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Michael Phillips: The Venturi Effect
What happens when you combine 12-months of grieving, a shed-dwelling boomer father, your mother’s ashes, and an 80s tourism relic helicopter? A physics lesson, of course. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the theme of the night was I SH*T YOU NOT, 24 September 2020 at The…
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Izzy Wilson: Tampon
If we’ve learnt anything in these recent times, it’s that the end of a lockdown is a celebratory event. For Izzy Wilson, this ensued a wild night out complete with magnum wine, early morning pho and a missing tampon. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the theme of the night was...
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Eric Schwarz: My Father
Growing up in Pharr, Texas as the smallest, nerdiest and gayest kid in class was made possible for Eric Schwarz through his father’s unconditional love. When Eric finds himself far away from Pharr with a burgeoning personal and professional life, he faces harrowing news about his father. This…
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Busta Nezz: Modern Primitive
In the late 1980s, Busta Nezz pierced the anarcho-punk movement in Perth as well as his own body many, many times. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the theme of the night was BRING THE PAIN, 29 July 2021. PLEASE NOTE: The following story contains material that may be triggering…
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Eliza Smith: How to Fake a Dead Body
In the week of her fifteenth birthday, Eliza Smith had some important life lessons handed to her. Mostly, she learnt the rules of how to fake a dead body to break someone out of prison, but she also learnt a lot about family. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the theme of the…
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Pinno: Spelunking
Near-death experiences are often described as involving a sense of bodily detachment, intense reflection, complete bliss or even paralytic fear. There have also been reports of hearing Oasis’ album on repeat and enjoying Mars bars while you’re stuck in a cave that’s quickly filling with freezing...
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Asha Kiani: Mum
Asha Kiani wasn’t scared, and she didn’t cry when her mum passed away from cancer. She reflects on how managing her mum’s illness and reading her eulogy at 12 years-of-age taught her life lessons that some people never learn in a lifetime. This story was told at Barefaced Stories in Perth, the...
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Jacob Sgouros: Skipper’s Calves
For most people, break-ups can be a time of intense introspection and mourning. For Jacob Sgouros, however, it was the perfect opportunity to win his ex-girlfriend back. PLEASE NOTE: The following video contains material that may be triggering to some audiences. If any tricky feelings arise for…
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Adam Lees: Uncle Michael
Adam Lee’s uncle was ripped away from his family at 7 years-of-age which sparked a life of anger and torment. When dressing his uncle’s body before the funeral, Adam reflects on the difficulties his uncle faced, and on the positive legacy he left behind. This story was told at Barefaced Stories…
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Ron Bradfield Jnr: Last Dance
Being an ex-serviceman, it was rare for Ron to find himself sitting alone at a bar on Anzac Day. But there he was, at the Navy Club in Fremantle, on his lonesome. That is until he shared with a final dance with a complete stranger. Barefaced Stories are told live onstage in Western Australia....
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Rob Pollard: F*ck Yeah Air Guitar
Elaborate costumes, fantastical personas, and sweet sweet guitar riffs. Beyond the humorous, ironic façade of an air guitar performance there is real sincerity in what it offers those who participate. This week’s story, from Rob Pollard, is not just about impaling yourself on a mimed instrument…
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Werzel Montague: A Manic Episode
Wonder what it feels like to have a manic episode? Werzel takes us inside his mind and gives us an insight into what could happen to any one of us. Barefaced Stories are told live onstage in Western Australia. Podcast Host & producer: Andrea Gibbs (@AndreaGibbs) Storyteller: Paul 'Werzel'…
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Nadine Browne: The Nullarbor Plain
The Australian Nullarbor has quite the reputation, known for being one of the longest, straightest, most remote stretches of highway in the world. Driving it can be a daunting experience, especially when the person next to you is a chain smoking demon. Barefaced Stories are told live onstage in...
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Andrew McDonald: Parent Teacher Meeting
The unknown is scary, and of all the moments of anticipation and anxiety that occur in a parent's life, there's one that reigns supreme: the parent-teacher meeting. You'll never guess what Andrew McDonald and his wife were confronted with when they were shown their son's math book. Barefaced...
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ALISON BENNETT TAYLOR: My Daughter
Alison always wanted a daughter. Her dream came true, but one Christmas eve so did her worst nightmare. Barefaced Stories are told live in Western Australia. This story is from our Albany Edition. Get your hands on a THINK BACK STACK if you want to come up with some of your own great stories.…
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PAUL RYAN: Boris the dog
Paul befriends two pitbull’s who protect an old bus depot near his house. Paul names them Boris and Boris' girlfriend and takes them to the beach. He lets them off the lead, they go for a swim and have a magic time until Boris makes a bee line for a family on the beach. Barefaced Stories are told...
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JAMES PINAKIS: The Porn King
For a young, geeky student of computer science during the early days of the internet, working out how to write a program to make and distribute porn meant you were scientific royalty. Meet James, the Porn King of his computer programming class during the early 90s. Barefaced Stories are told live...
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MICHELLE JOHNSTON: Emergency Doctor
Michelle Johnston describes an Emergency Department as a “wild zoo of love.” She treats people at their most vulnerable and, once in a while, animalistic, and shares what it is like to come face to face with a wild rhinoceros of a human. Barefaced Stories are told live on stage at a tiny pub in…
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STEPHANIE YOONG: George
Stephanie thought her dream was to work with monkeys in Rwanda. Turns out, cutting up cadavers is where she finds her happy place. And one cadaver in particular makes her really happy... Barefaced Stories are told live on stage at a tiny pub in the huge state of Western Australia. Host: Andrea...
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RAELENE BRUINSMA: Music Therapy
On her first day of a new job as a registered music therapist in a nursing home, Raelene meets Janet. Janet doesn’t talk and she relies on a PEG feeding tube to eat. Right now, she’s asleep, so Raelene tries some soft flute music, then some guitar and the song I’ll take you home again Kathleen....
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#13: ERICA FREEMAN: Death, drugs and dogs.
Erica Freeman was dealt a shitty hand, at 18 she had lost both of her parents. She made two big decisions, leave Tasmania, get a dog. When faced with a potential third tragedy, an unexpected ally springs into action. Barefaced Stories are told live on stage at a tiny pub in the huge state of...
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#12: ETGAR KERET: High On The Job
Israeli author Etgar Keret says he reckons he could've been a social drinker if only he wasn't so stoned every time he was out being social. How he came to be high at his first ever paid reading is a rollicking yarn and a cautionary tale. Man, the opportunity for Irish Cream fuelled retribution...
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#11: NADINE BROWNE: Divine Revenge
As a teenager Nadine Browne was told by a church elder that her choice of clothing (jeans!) was promoting "unclean thoughts". When years later she re-encounters this man, the opportunity for Irish Cream fuelled retribution is... divine. Barefaced Stories are told live on stage at a tiny pub in…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Barefaced Stories is a platform for those who surrender to the chaos of being human. Raw, honest, self-aware – our storytellers wear their bloody beating hearts on their sleeves and are some of the bravest folk you’ll see.Stories are told live onstage, without notes in Australia.
HOSTED BY
Brutally Frank
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does BAREFACED STORIES have?
BAREFACED STORIES currently has 61 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is BAREFACED STORIES about?
Barefaced Stories is a platform for those who surrender to the chaos of being human. Raw, honest, self-aware – our storytellers wear their bloody beating hearts on their sleeves and are some of the bravest folk you’ll see.Stories are told live onstage, without notes in Australia.
How often does BAREFACED STORIES release new episodes?
BAREFACED STORIES has 61 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to BAREFACED STORIES?
You can listen to BAREFACED STORIES on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts BAREFACED STORIES?
BAREFACED STORIES is created and hosted by Brutally Frank.
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