In public, they looked poised, confident and fearless, but as high-profile social researcher Rebecca Huntley (Sassafras) and acclaimed musical star of Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera Josh Piterman (Behind the Mask) both admit, they have been haunted by trauma and anxiety. So how did they find a way to cope? They talk candidly with award-winning author and celebrant Dr Jackie Bailey.

About the AuthorsDr Rebecca Huntley is a social researcher, former Director of the Mind & Mood Report, and author of The Italian Girl and Sassafras: love, loss and MDMA therapy.Josh Piterman is an international West End musical star, Holistic High-Performance Coach, author of Behind the Mask and host of the Behind The Mask podcast.

Dr Jackie Bailey is an pastoral care practitioner, funeral celebrant, interfaith minister, and author of The Eulogy (winner of the 2023 NSW Premier's Literary Multicultural Award).

ⓘ True Story Festival info

True Story is a festival of ideas celebrating the best creative non-fiction writing in Australia today. Bringing writers and readers together in Coledale, the festival showcases trusted voices, gripping yarns, and local perspectives that illuminate our world.

CreditsRecorded by Kingsley ReeveCurated by Caroline Baum, Sarah Nicholson (South Coast Writers Centre) & Genevieve SwartWith thanks to The Illawarra Flame

The South Coast Writers Centre acknowledges the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we offer our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

It's bandied around a lot these days in conversations about the US and right-wing politics, but what exactly is fascism and why would it prompt Wollongong steelworker Jim McNeil to go and fight against it in the Spanish Civil War, just as George Orwell and Ernest Hemingway did? Michael Samaras has uncovered a remarkable story of idealism and courage in Anti-Fascists: Jim McNeil and his mates in the Spanish Civil War. Meanwhile, Dennis Glover brings the subject into the modern day in his book Repeat: A Warning from History, drawing our attention to the perils of populists, dictators and authoritarianism. Hosted by Walkley-award winning author and podcast producer Siobhan McHugh.

About the AuthorsMichael Samaras is a researcher, writer, and author of Anti-Fascists: Jim McNeill and his mates in the Spanish Civil War.

Dennis Glover is a leading speechwriter and author of The Last Man in Europe and Repeat: A Warning from History.

ⓘ True Story Festival info

True Story is a festival of ideas celebrating the best creative non-fiction writing in Australia today. Bringing writers and readers together in Coledale, the festival showcases trusted voices, gripping yarns, and local perspectives that illuminate our world.

Credits

Recorded by Kingsley Reeve

Curated by Caroline Baum, Sarah Nicholson (South Coast Writers Centre) & Genevieve Swart

With thanks to The Illawarra Flame

The South Coast Writers Centre acknowledges the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we offer our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

From monuments to documents, men have been the main characters in our history. Now two powerful storytellers are reframing the narrative to celebrate the accomplishments of women. Join Stella Prize-winning historian Professor Clare Wright as she speaks to Yves Rees about ten trailblazing women whose connection with the United States changed the course of Australian history, and author Sita Sargeant, founder of the She Shapes History walking tours, for a fresh feminist perspective on the Australian cities and towns we thought we knew.

About the AuthorsDr Yves Rees (they/them) is an award-winning writer, historian, Senior Lecturer at La Trobe University, co-host of Archive Fever, and author of Travelling to Tomorrow and All About Yves.

Sita Sargeant is a storyteller, activist, founder of She Shapes History walking tours, and author of She Shapes History: Guided Walks and Stories About Great Australian Women.

ⓘ True Story Festival info

True Story is a festival of ideas celebrating the best creative non-fiction writing in Australia today. Bringing writers and readers together in Coledale, the festival showcases trusted voices, gripping yarns, and local perspectives that illuminate our world.

Credits

Recorded by Kingsley Reeve

Curated by Caroline Baum, Sarah Nicholson (South Coast Writers Centre) & Genevieve Swart

With thanks to The Illawarra Flame

The South Coast Writers Centre acknowledges the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and we offer our respect to elders past, present and emerging.