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PODCAST · arts

Bravewords

Created and hosted by Adrienne Ferreira and Rob Carlton on the NSW Central Coast, Bravewords gathers true stories of everyday people with extraordinary honesty. Recorded at their monthly sell-out show, Bravewords Live, each episode captures courage, humour and the electricity of a room leaning in to listen. Expect Australian storytelling with comedy and heart — big laughs, tender moments, and the reminder that everyone has a story worth sharing. From first-time storytellers to seasoned writers, Bravewords brings you personal stories told with craft and courage.

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  1. 46

    146 Donne Restom – Yes, but our birth will be perfect.

    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, Anatomy of Heart, just released. Now on all streaming platforms. Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  2. 45

    145 Peter Byers – Bloody Bad Blood

    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 Sydney Fringe festival.Also co-writer and producer of the highly acclaimed musical 'That's the Ticket!' at the Bondi Pavilion.Co-writer of a film script that received two rounds of funding by the NSW Film & Television Office and was optioned by Fox Studios Australia but which, alas, did not make it to production - but that's show business! Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  3. 44

    144 Andrea Buschner - World's Apart

    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 photographer, recycled textiles into toys and is now a ceramicist. Andrea continues to write. Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  4. 43

    143 Deb Oswald - An Untitled Story

    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 Doctor, and most recently One Hundred Years of Betty. Her stageplays include Gary’s House, Dags, and Stories in the Dark. Television credits include Police Rescue and Bananas in Pyjamas.Debra performed her one-woman show, Is There Something Wrong With That Lady? at Griffin Theatre and the Ensemble.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  5. 42

    142 Debbie Leidich– Secrecy, Shame and Unexpected Freedom

    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

  6. 41

    141 Linda Atkins – Two Caesars

    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 Masters Prize, Grieve 2024 and 2025, the AAPT Meniscus Emerging Writers Prize, Not Quite Write Prize, and most recently the Heroine's Women's Writing Prize of 2026. She has been a participant as an invited playwright in the Parramatta Playmates and the Parramatta Play Project, and her debut play The Leftovers was read by professional actors as a part of Parramatta's lit! festival in 2025. She is a co writer of a work 'I can't Believe its not Parramatta,' produced by the Parramatta Play Project, which is seeking development in 2027. Her debut novel, What We Left Behind, is to be published by Summit Books on Dec 1st, and was named by the Age as one of 2026 most anticipated books. What We Left Behind was featured by Books and Publishing at London Book Fair of 2026. She lives with the nicest two of her three kids. 

  7. 40

    140 Michael 'Paddleboat Mick' Kilp – It takes a village

    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 in him. Bravewords writing courses have drawn them out and our community love listening to them through BRAVEWORDS LIVE. Now we’re thrilled to share them around the world. Music Courtesy of Sean Peter

  8. 39

    139 Sian Dyce – Accidentally Born Again

    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

  9. 38

    138 Richard Glover – A story with no title!

    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 decades…..Here's a link to his books! https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B001K8BOSSMusic courtesy of Sean Peter

  10. 37

    137 Cas Castellano – The Train

    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, useless, and morally-ambiguous.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  11. 36

    136 Anne Butt - The Arrival

    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, magazine articles, multimedia CDs, Life Writing, short stories. Her first memoir, Pumpkin, was published in 2019 by Ginninderra Press and her second memoir, The Steering Wheel, was published early in 2025. She experienced power and powerlessness in family, religious and patriarchal settings and continues to question their foundations and life in general. While she's found her own true north, she knows that, even then, tides always turn.

  12. 35

    135 Toby Roberts – Parenting Part 2

    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 broadcast on radio. As part of his day job, Toby has written boring articles for legal journals, industry papers, and broadsheets.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  13. 34

    134 Susan Hampton – My Mother's Boyfriend

    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 Anything Can Happen won the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award forNon-Fiction. Susan grew up in Inverell and Newcastle and now she lives on the Central Coast.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  14. 33

    133 Darren Gilshenan - That Guy

    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 Australian television. Darren’s television credits include: Sunny Nights (Stan, Jungle Entertainment), Ten Pound Poms S2 (BBC, Stan), Bay of Fires S2 (Fremantle), Thou Shalt Not Steal (Stan), Colin from Accounts S1-2 (Easy Tiger Productions), Population 11 (Stan), Nautilus (Disney+), Upright S2 (Lingo Pictures), Darby and Joan (Acorn), Joe vs. Carole (NBC, Matchbox Pictures), Troppo (Playmaker, EQ Media, Beyond), The Science of Harrow S1-2 (Hoodlum Productions), Harrow S1-3 (Hoodlum Productions), Stateless (ABC, Matchbox Pictures), How To Stay Married S1-3 (Princess Productions, Network Ten), Get Krack!n S2 (ABC), No Activity S1 (US Version) (Jungle Entertainment), True Story with Hamish and Andy (Nine Network), Here Come the Habibs! S1-2 (Jungle Entertainment), No Activity S1-2 (Jungle Entertainment), Maximum Choppage (Matchbox Pictures), The Killing Field (Seven Network), Devils Playground (Matchbox Pictures), The Moodys (Jungle Entertainment), Rake S3 (ABC), The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting (Jungle Entertainment), Janet King (ABC), Top of the Lake (See-Saw Films), A Moody Christmas (Jungle Entertainment) and Chandon Pictures S1-2 (Movie Extra). Darren’s film credits include Audrey, Take My Hand, A Savage Christmas, The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race, Carnifex, Never Too Late, June Again, Dying for a Laugh, A Few Less Men, Women He’s Undressed directed by Gillian Armstrong, Save Your Legs and Dark City. He also starred in the web series Plausible Deniability produced by Random Pictures. For his work he won Best Actor at IndieX Film Festival. The web series also won the Outstanding Achievement: Best Web Series / TV Pilot at IndieX Film Festival. Select theatre credits include The Caretaker (Ensemble Theatre), The Hypochondriac (Darlinghurst Theatre Co.), Who’s Afraid of Viginia Woolf? (Ensemble Theatre) for which he received a Best Actor nomination at the Sydney Theatre Awards, Tartuffe (Black Swan State Theatre Co.), Machu Picchu, Fool’s Island, Loot and Our Town (Sydney Theatre Company), Elling, Don Parties On (Melbourne Theatre Company), Mother and Son (national tour) and Strictly Ballroom: The Musical directed by Baz Luhrmann. Darren won the 2020 AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama Series for Stateless. He won the Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Play for The Servant of Two Masters. The Moodys and A Moody Christmas both won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy at the 5th and 3rd Annual Equity Ensemble Awards respectively. Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  15. 32

    132 Anna Downes – Reunion

    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 Manchester and acting at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before working professionally until 2011, when she moved to Australia and turned her hand to writing. She now lives on the NSW Central Coast with her husband and two children.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  16. 31

    131 Lesley Nord – Where are the Clowns?

    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 Wyong Mental health units as an advocate.  My role was to help people through the system and put forward the needs of these people.  I had the trust of both patients and staff, as I felt that we all needed to work together to get the best outcomes for patients. At the time patients didn’t have a voice. I wanted to give them a voice and make a difference in their lives.I started to read at the age of fourteen and was sent out to work that same year.  Through Adrienne’s program I have gained more confidence in reading and writing my story. She has helped so many people put pen to paper.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  17. 30

    130 Brenton Johnson – The Deposit

    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

  18. 29

    129 Nadia Townsend – Living the Dream

    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 Fireflies, as well as the feature film Knowing.She is a sought-after screen dramaturg, with credits including Mad Max: Fury Road, Boy Swallows Universe, Black Snow, My Brilliant Career, and Mortal Kombat II.Her latest short film, The Great Divide, which she wrote and directed, recently won Best Film at the Berlin Indie Film Festival. Her upcoming short documentary, The Christmas House, is set for release. She is currently co-writing the new play Better Half with Luke Carman, supported by The Art House Wyong.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  19. 28

    128 Luke Carman – A Dreamer Dancin'

    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 published in July 2022. Luke is the 2025 Judy Harris Writer-in-Residence Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.

  20. 27

    127 Stephanie East - Skipping School

    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, then training court typists and recording monitors.Steph moved to Wyong 15 years ago. It reminds her of the Penrith she grew up in.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  21. 26

    126 Ross Markey - Spray Painting Testicles

    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

  22. 25

    125 Kate Ayrton – Welcome to India

    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

  23. 24

    124 Toby Roberts - Parenthood, The Early Years

    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 into podcasts and broadcast on radio. As part of his day job, Toby has written boring articles for journals, industry papers, and broadsheets.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  24. 23

    123 Jeremy Gilroy - The Car

    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 phrase, especially to get a laugh.As a kid, Jeremy loved writing stories, and went to uni to studyjournalism, but was distracted by film and television. Rob, through Bravewords, has given Jeremy the opportunity to fall back in love with writing. If you listen carefully to Jeremy’s story, about halfway through, you can hear his smart watch alerting him to go to emergency with a dangerousl elevated heart rate, which is to say Jeremy’s career spent in dark edit suites has not prepared him well for addressing a crowd.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  25. 22

    122 Jay Baetz - Bob

    When Jay's gardener needed a favour, it changed her life. Jay says that in regards to her age, she’s ‘abovethe upper age limit for just about everything.’ I live locally with my cat ‘The Gorgeous One’I’ve lived in Australia for 40 years; emigratedfrom England but am an ex-South AfricanI’m a retired business-owner. Her work has been publishedin NSW Seniors’ Stories Anthology Volume 11. I’m loving my renewed interest in writing thanks tothe lovely Adrienne.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  26. 21

    121 Chris Fleming - Rust

    What happens when a boy knows something to be true. Chris Fleming is an award-winning Australian writer and translator and was recently shortlisted for the CalibreEssay Prize, the Island Nonfiction Prize, and the Peter Cowan Short Story Prize. His writing spans theory, journalism, fiction, and translation, and has appeared in venues including HEAT, The Guardian, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Los Angeles Review of Books.He is the author or editor of ten books, including René Girard:Violence and Mimesis, Modern Conspiracy: The Importance of Being Paranoid, and the acclaimed memoir On Drugs (Giramondo 2019), which Phillip Lopate said, “rightly takes its place beside William Burroughs and De Quincey.” He is Associate Professor in Humanities at Western Sydney University and a member of the Writing and Society Research Centre.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  27. 20

    120 Amy Anshaw-Nye - Mother

    Amy Anshaw-Nye is a writer, zinester and essayist living in Western Sydney. Her works explore themes of love, transformation, madness, redemption, and queer identity.She is a WestWords Academy alum and was a recipient of the 2023 WestWords-Varuna Emerging Writers’ Residency. She is also founder of a zine press, where she publishes zines about life, pop culture, and queer love.Amy’s has been published in BAD Western Sydney, ZineWest, and Verandah Journal.She’s currently working on Ebb Tide, an historical sapphic romance novel set in 1960s Australia. Music Courtesy of Sean Peter

  28. 19

    119 Nicole Matthews - The Door Era

    Exploring big issues of the heart through inanimate objects! In this case, doors! Nicole Matthews lives in Garigal country south of Dyarubbin/The Hawkesbury. She teaches media and cultural studies at Macquarie University and is currently writing a memoir entitled "Hoarding: an amateur's guide". A chapter from the memoir, “Standing Wood”, was recently published in Text. Music Courtesy of Sean Peter

  29. 18

    118 Guy Noble – As If We Never Said Goodbye

    A beautiful behind the scenes story from the world of musical theatre. Guy Noble has conducted the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Western Australian, Tasmanian, Queensland and Canberra Symphony Orchestras, the Auckland Philharmonia, Hong Kong Symphony and Malaysian and Bergen Philharmonic orchestras.He is the host and accompanist each year for Great Opera Hits (Opera Australia) in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. He conducted Opera Queensland’s 2014 production of La Boheme, Opera in the Alps (2008-2017)and Opera in the Markets (2009-2017). He is conductor and host for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s Classics Unwrapped series at the Adelaide Town Hall, and conductor and host for the Queensland Symphony’s Music on Sundays series at QPAC.Guy has worked with a wide variety of international performers with orchestras across Australia, including Harry Connick Jnr, Ben Folds, The Beach Boys, Dianne Reeves, Glenn Frey, Randy Newman, Clive James, Conchita, The Two Cellos, Alfie Boe, Olivia Newton John, Paloma Faith, Ruthie Henshall and Meow Meow.He is also the host of Concert Hall on Qantas Inflight.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  30. 17

    117 Adrienne Ferreira – Crush

    The power of a young girls imagination when it's driven by a CRUSH!Adrienne is an author and writing coach and co-host of Bravewords Live. Her writing studio, Bravewords, is based on the Central Coast of NSW. Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  31. 16

    116 Andrew Henry - Superfan

    What's driving this young mans obsession with his idol, Robbie Williams? Andrew Henry is a Sydney theatre producer. His company, Andrew Henry Presents headlined the Sydney Opera House with Michael Sheen in Amadeus.He reimagined Death of a Salesman with Anthony LaPaglia in a national smash-hit.the landmark stage adaptation of Max Porter’s Grief is the Thing with Feathers, in collaboration with Belvoir Street, won 5 Sydney theatre Awards. This year he’s about to bring back the global phenomenonPrima Facie to Sydney and Melbourne in May/June. 

  32. 15

    115 Ingrid Haydon - The Hug

    In her late 70's, Ingrid began dating again. Ingrid Haydon began life as a textile designer then became an exhibiting artist nearly fourty years ago with solo exhibitions in Sydney, Canberra and the Blue Mountains.   She's won a fewprizes in the past and my work has been selected for the Dobell and Sulman art prizes in the Art Gallery of NSW.Ingrid taught painting and drawing for many years at Hornsby and Meadowbank Tafes.I self published the first “adult”, (meaning for adults tocolour in!) colouring in book when I was 24. Ingrid is new to writing.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  33. 14

    114 Jelena Curic – A Reluctant Wedding Singer

    Weddings are beautiful... but we're also just humans trying to get along!Jelena Curic is a writer of literary fiction, crime, and comedy. She is also the resident Diva in the Croatian community, singing most weekends. A 2023 Westwords Alumni, her stories can be found in Westwords Bad Western Sydney, Bad Western Sydney. The Second Case, Living Stories the Other City, Short Stories Unlimited Leaving Home Anthology and Written Off Literary Journal. She was also shortlisted for the Born Writers Award 2023 and 2024.She has read at Bravewords, was a panellist at BAD Crime Festival 2024, alongside Candace Fox and Dinuka McKenzie, and was accepted into the 2024 Accelerator program with Westwords and Parramatta City Council. Her debut novel, Sing To Me, was released in September 2025 through Westwords Books.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  34. 13

    113 Michael Hayes – Choose Your Poison

    Emergency Departments - Egg Sacks anyone?Michael Hayes recently retired from 30 years working as a respiratory physician on the Central Coast of NSW. He then "stumbled into one of Ado’s writing courses and here I am."Plenty of academic publications (In vivo quantification of pulmonary beta receptors using positron emission tomography etc etc) but this is my first attempt at writing anything creative."One of the joys of medical practice is the amazing stories you get to be part of. I’m hoping to share one of these at Bravewords and just hope I can do it justice." Michael Hayes. Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  35. 12

    112 KT Major - A Split in the Cane

    Oh, the wild history in every playground interaction! Born in Singapore, KT Major writes literary fiction, essays and poetry. KT’s stories have won several awards, including most recently the 2025 Louie Award for crime writing. She has been published in lots anthologies and journals, including The Big Issue, Splinter, Verandah, Grieve, and BAD Western Sydney, among others. 

  36. 11

    111 Duncan Fellows - Educational Theatre

    Theatre in Education! Someone's got to do it! Duncan is an actor living on Darkinjung land on the coast. He has worked in Australian TV, theatre and voice-over for the last 20 years (and then some).  Credits include Reckless (SBS), He Had it Coming (Stan), Deadloch, The Letdown, We Interrupt This Broadcast, The Messenger, At Home with Julia, Laid, Comedy Inc, Life Support, All Saints and Home and Away. When he can’t get a gig on screen, Duncan moonlights as alter ego Glenn Twenty <Glenntwenty.com.au> He teaches drama to students on the coast and in Sydney. Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  37. 10

    110 Michael (Paddleboat Mick) Kilp - Wally

    This story is called WALLY. Hold on to your paddles, it’s the swinging 70’s! 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 in him. Bravewords writing courses have drawn them out and our community love listening to them through BRAVEWORDS LIVE. Now we’re thrilled to share them around the world. Music Courtesy of Sean Peter

  38. 9

    109 Linda Atkins - Richard

    Linda is a medical practitioner and writer. She works across essay, memoir and fiction. She has been widely published, featuring in Australian Book review, Kill Your Darlings, Westwords Living Stories, Zinewest, Grieve 2024 and Persephone Literary Journal, amongst others.Her debut novel will be published in February 2027 by Summit Simon and Schuster, and she is currently featuring in Parramatta's Lit as a storyteller alongside several other Bravewords performers. Her first play, The Leftovers, is to be performed as a rehearsed reading at Riverside Theatre in September.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  39. 8

    108 Rob Carlton - Christmas Time

    Rob is co-host of Bravewords Live, alongside his wife Adrienne Ferreira.Rob is an actor, writer and director. His current story telling show, VIRGIN IN A KNIFE FIGHT, is touring nationally in 2026. For more information follow @robbyjcarlton on insta. Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  40. 7

    107 Luke Carman - On coming home for Christmas

    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 published in July 2022. Luke is the 2025 Judy Harris Writer-in-Residence Fellow at the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre.Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  41. 6

    106 Donne Restom - The House where Faith Lived

    Donne 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 is scheduled for release next year.Tix for Donne's January show in Gosford: https://funhausfactory.org.au/whats-on/eimfid/2026-01-10/This story was recorded live at the Funhaus Factory in Gosford. Music courtesy of Sean Peter

  42. 5

    105 Stephanie East – Janet

    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, then training court typists and recording monitors.Steph moved to Wyong 15 years ago. It reminds her of the Penrith she grew up in.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  43. 4

    104 Nadia Townsend - How the Light Falls

    Nadia Townsend is a writer, director, dramaturg and actor whose work has taken her from the sands of Namibia on Mad Max to the heart of Darra in Queensland on Boy Swallows Universe. This year she has contributed to script development with Goalpost Pictures, directed two new theatre works, completed a short film (The Great Divide), and begun writing a new play with Luke Carman, supported by Wyong Art House.Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  44. 3

    103 Ross Markey - That Orange Glow

    Ross Markey is a Central Coast writer. Music Courtesy of Sean Peter.

  45. 2

    102 Rob Carlton - Carpark Standoff

    Rob is co-host of Bravewords Live, alongside his wife Adrienne Ferreira.Rob is an actor, writer and director. His current story telling show, VIRGIN IN A KNIFE FIGHT, is touring nationally in 2026. For more information follow @robbyjcarlton on insta. Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

  46. 1

    101 Adrienne Ferreira - Dubrovnik

    Bravewords - true stories told well. The first story in this podcast series is DUBROVNIK, written and told by Bravewords founder, Adrienne Ferreira. Adrienne is an author and writing coach and co-host of Bravewords Live. Her writing studio, Bravewords, is based on the Central Coast of NSW. Music courtesy of Sean Peter.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Created and hosted by Adrienne Ferreira and Rob Carlton on the NSW Central Coast, Bravewords gathers true stories of everyday people with extraordinary honesty. Recorded at their monthly sell-out show, Bravewords Live, each episode captures courage, humour and the electricity of a room leaning in to listen. Expect Australian storytelling with comedy and heart — big laughs, tender moments, and the reminder that everyone has a story worth sharing. From first-time storytellers to seasoned writers, Bravewords brings you personal stories told with craft and courage.

HOSTED BY

With Adrienne Ferreira and Rob Carlton

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Bravewords currently has 46 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Bravewords about?

Created and hosted by Adrienne Ferreira and Rob Carlton on the NSW Central Coast, Bravewords gathers true stories of everyday people with extraordinary honesty. Recorded at their monthly sell-out show, Bravewords Live, each episode captures courage, humour and the electricity of a room leaning in...

How often does Bravewords release new episodes?

Bravewords has 46 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Bravewords?

You can listen to Bravewords 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 Bravewords?

Bravewords is created and hosted by With Adrienne Ferreira and Rob Carlton.
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