SPUN Stories - podcast cover

SPUN Stories

SPUN Storieswww.spunstories.net

SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night in Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory! Join us and be transported to the wondrous backyards, communities and lives of Territory locals, where you'll hear illuminating stories that aren't ALL about crocodiles...

We'll introduce you to some of the fascinating characters who live in the NT and give you a peek into life in one of the most wild, unexpected and rewarding parts of Australia.

SPUN Stories is presented by StoryProjects, with funding support from Darwin International Airport.

Host + Producer - Jess Ong
Sound Production - Gaia Osborne
Executive Producer - Johanna Bell
Graphic Designer - Celia Neilson

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Episodes

Audio extra: SPUN has a new home!

Change is as good as a holiday, yeah? There's some big changes happening at SPUN HQ, but never fear, there's still so many stories to dig up from around the Northern Territory to share with you that we're not going anywhere... Or too far, at least. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and wondrous places through our...

Feb 15, 20226 minSeason 7Ep. 7

Ep44: Secrets and lace | bib and brace

Lisa Day moved to Darwin from Melbourne in the 70s to be a teacher, seeking a fresh start after a lifetime of carrying an extraordinary family secret that was starting to seep through the cracks, out the front door and into the garden: what you see in public isn’t always what you get in private... Storyteller - Lisa Day Story Producer - Jess Ong --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary perso...

Feb 15, 202216 minSeason 7Ep. 7

Ep43: Paediatrics, passion and poker

Dr Bo Remenyi is a paediatric cardiologist fighting heart disease in remote Australia. Bo arrived in Australia, from communist Hungary, as a teenager with no English language skills but big dreams and a steely determination to achieve her goals... Storyteller - Dr Bo Remenyi Story Producer - Lori Uden --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us...

Feb 15, 202216 minSeason 7Ep. 6

Ep42: Relying on strangers

Dave Pears is a mariner who found himself on a remote Kimberley island relying on the care of strangers after placing his hand on something potentially life threatening... Storyteller - Dave Pears Story Producer - Lori Uden --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and wondrous places through our podcast! You can find ou...

Feb 14, 202212 minSeason 7Ep. 5

Ep41: When I lost my mind to find my heart

T’ara is a sovereign tribal woman on a journey of self-exploration. Throughout her pilgrimage she explores the nature of life and the light and dark it encompasses. T’ara is passionate about speaking truth and holding space for others to do the same. She shares a story about a recent moment of truth. Storyteller - T'ara Cole Story Producer - Alex Edmonson --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordi...

Feb 14, 202213 minSeason 7Ep. 4

Ep40: Beneath the skull

Phill Carson arrived in Darwin in 1981 to take up a job at the Royal Darwin Hospital. He was 27 years old and no one, including Phil, suspected that this softly spoken newcomer would go on to become one of Darwin’s longest serving surgeons. By day, surgical life, while demanding, was routine, but a call after dark signalled something altogether different... Storyteller - Phill Carson Story Producer - Johanna Bell --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, ...

Feb 14, 202215 minSeason 7Ep. 3

Ep39: Cyclone kid

When the Ryan family moved to Darwin in 1970, life was filled with lemon cordial, coconut tree-climbing and Nightcliff neighbourhood play dates. Four years later, Cyclone Tracy struck. Kathy was seven at the time, but her memories of the night don’t fit with commonly told terror and trauma tales... Storyteller - Kathy Ryan Story Producer - Jennifer Pinkerton --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extrao...

Feb 14, 202214 minSeason 7Ep. 2

Ep38: Two nights in two wars

Varunika Ruwanpura had an unusual childhood. Her father worked in hotel management and as a result, he, Varunika and her mother lived in hotels all over the world. It was an exciting life for the family of three, but twice Varunika found herself in the midst of war. On both occasions, war arrived under a cloak of darkness in the middle of the night, bringing terror and havoc right to her doorstep... Storyteller - Varunika Ruwanpura Story Producer - Kylie Stevenson --- SPUN Stories is a live stor...

Feb 14, 202216 minSeason 7Ep. 1

Ep37: That time I stabbed a hitman and survived

Simon Quilty is a doctor and has learnt a lot about dealing with patients and breaking bad news. He's also realised no one is immune to making a mistake, not even a doctor who finds himself treating a patient who happened to be a former hitman... Storyteller – Simon Quilty Story Producer - Tamara Howie --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let u...

Apr 14, 201912 minSeason 6Ep. 6

Ep36: How I unravelled my life

On Alex’s 34th birthday she felt like her life was spiralling out of control. Her career as a filmmaker was hanging by a thread, she was living with her parents and she was questioning her sexuality. Then she received the news that she was facing premature infertility... Storyteller – Alex Edmonson Story Producer - Johanna Bell --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of eve...

Apr 14, 201913 minSeason 6Ep. 5

Ep35: Live like a King

The parents of iconic sports broadcaster, Charlie King, should never have been together: not when his mother was a proud Gurindji woman who was part of the Stolen Generation and his father from Melbourne. Charlie learnt his rebellious ways from his parents and has since passed this on to his daughter, Emma... Storyteller – Charlie and Emma King Story Producer - Kylie Stevenson --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a ...

Apr 08, 201917 minSeason 6Ep. 4

Ep34: Surviving the dungeon

*CW: domestic violence* Leah Potter runs a kitchen in Darwin to feed the city's most vulnerable. But in a life before this, Leah explored a different sort of vulnerability as a dominatrix... Storyteller – Leah Potter Story Producer - Tamara Howie --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and wondrous places through our p...

Apr 08, 201912 minSeason 6Ep. 3

Ep33: Rebel without a wok

Ange Wu grew up in a household where fire drills were a regular occurrence and the kitchen was off limits but she never really understood why... Storyteller – Ange Wu Story Producer - Johanna Bell --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and wondrous places through our podcast! You can find out more about SPUN by visiti...

Apr 02, 201913 minSeason 6Ep. 2

Ep32: The shape of sadness

*CW: suicide* As a journalist, Bridget Judd lives in a world of language: surveying world events and giving them shape through words. When she lost her beloved father, Bridget suddenly found herself in silence... Storyteller – Bridget Judd Story Producer - Sam Carmody --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and wondrou...

Apr 02, 201917 minSeason 6Ep. 1

Ep31: When Crocs Attack

Chris Keeping was born and bred in Darwin. A few years ago, Chris encountered one of nature's most aggressive animals while kite-surfing off the Darwin coast line... Storyteller – Chris Keeping Story Producer - Tamara Howie Told at our second-ever SPUN event in 2015, where the theme was 'Going Troppo' --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us...

Nov 29, 201810 minSeason 5Ep. 6

Ep30: Drawing A Line

A very personal story shared by Jacinta Mooney about falling in love, and the heartache and lines you have to draw when it comes to dealing with addiction... Storyteller – Jacinta Mooney Story Producer - Johanna Bell Told at a SPUN event in Katherine, NT in 2016 --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and wondrous plac...

Nov 29, 201814 minSeason 5Ep. 5

Ep29: Bosnia and the disco

The 90s was a decade overflowing with good music, and Lari Gadza spent her teenage years soaking it all up. Lari grew up in Darwin among the mango trees, surrounded by tales of her dad’s croc catching days… And occasionally, stories from the old country, Bosnia, made their way in… Storyteller – Lari Gadza Story Producer - Rosa Ellen Told at a SPUN event in 2017, where the theme was 'Rewind' --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all ab...

Nov 26, 201815 minSeason 5Ep. 4

Ep28: The Journey Home

Jose Da Costa was born during the violent occupation of East Timor and spent his first years in the jungle, hiding from the Indonesian army with his family. It wasn’t until he found himself the target of the military, that Jose was forced to take the biggest risk of his life... Storyteller – Jose Da Costa Story Producer - Rosa Ellen Told at Darwin Festival in 2017, where the theme was 'Home' --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all a...

Nov 21, 201810 minSeason 5Ep. 3

Ep27: A Chicken in My Bed

Kelly Hosking has spent most of her adult live working overseas in public health and disaster management. She's used to mishaps and strange revelations but on a mission in Fiji, she came across a superstitious surprise... Storyteller – Kelly Hosking Story Producer - Johanna Bell Told at Brown's Mart Theatre in 2016 where the theme was 'Chemistry' --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary pers...

Nov 21, 201811 minSeason 5Ep. 2

Ep26: In The Deep

Gus Fitzgerald has spent life a life in the ocean; a surfer and swimmer and commercial diver who was introduced to the water by his late father. Lots of life lessons were learnt in the deep, but how do you stay afloat when you lose the people you love the most? Storyteller – Gus Fitzgerald Story Producer - Sam Carmody Told at Darwin Entertainment Centre in 2018 at Garrmalang Festival --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shi...

Nov 19, 201817 minSeason 5Ep. 1

Ep25: Growling In The Dark

Carl shares his journey from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory to rural New South Wales and back in this tale of unrequited love from the turbulent teenage years... Storyteller – Carl Joswig Story producer - Johanna Bell Told at Brown's Mart Theatre in 2016, at an event themed 'Chemistry'. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take ...

May 31, 201814 minSeason 4Ep. 6

Ep24: A Collection Of Small Containers

Seranna Shutt always wanted to be a mother, however, she reached a point in life when she decided to finally lay her fixation to rest. What happened next was the result of a collision of timing, grief, motivation and belief. Storyteller – Seranna Shutt Story producer - Jess Ong Told at an event in Palmerston, around the theme 'Obsession'. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal sto...

May 23, 20189 minSeason 4Ep. 5

Ep23: When the Odds are Good But The Goods Are Odd

Journalist Steph Zillman left the dating maelstrom of Sydney to start a newspaper job in outback Katherine... where she discovered the perks and perils of being single in a small town. Storyteller – Stephanie Zillman Story producer – Johanna Bell This story was told at SPUN event in Katherine in July 2016. SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let u...

May 15, 201811 minSeason 4Ep. 4

Ep22: The Night Tracy Came To Town

Step back in time to Christmas Eve 1974, when James Parfitt-Fejo was an excited four-year-old with Xmas presents on his mind. But it was Cyclone Tracy, not Santa, who paid a visit that night. Storyteller – James Parfitt-Fejo Story producer – Tamara Howie Told at a live event at Browns Mart in December 2017, where the theme was 'Rewind'. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stori...

May 08, 201814 minSeason 4Ep. 3

Ep21: The Universal Language

Born in Hungary, Janos first encountered a didgeridoo in his early teens and instantly felt a strong connection to it. It took him on a journey from Central Europe to East Arnhem Land, with a few detours along the way. Storyteller – Janos Kerekes Story producer – Oscar Schwartz Told at a live event at Browns Mart in December 2017, where the theme was 'Rewind'. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extr...

Apr 30, 201815 minSeason 4Ep. 2

Ep20: Gaye v. The Wild Animal

Gaye Lawrence is a go-getter - she's an artist, a milliner and an active community member of Pine Creek, NT. Early one morning, a wild animal paid Gaye a visit and she did something she never thought she'd do... Storyteller – Gaye Lawrence Story producer – Jess Ong + Johanna Bell Told at a live event at the Pine Creek Gold Rush Festival in 2016. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary perso...

Apr 24, 20189 minSeason 4Ep. 1

Ep19: 400 Shots A Day

Timmy Duggan played in Australia's NBL in the heady basketball-crazy 90s. He takes us back to where it all began, with the Daly Street basketball courts and hoops in the backyard. Storyteller – Timmy Duggan Story producer – Jess Ong Told at a live event at Darwin Festival in 2017 where the theme was 'Home'. SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let ...

Nov 22, 201711 minSeason 3Ep. 6

Ep18: Home Is Where She Is

In the 1990s, Sam toured the world as the lead guitarist of iconic lesbian rock band, The Bluehouse. But there was one place she wouldn’t play – Darwin. Until love persuaded her otherwise... Storyteller – Sam Harley Story producer – Johanna Bell Told at a live event at Darwin Festival in 2017 where the theme was 'Home'. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Te...

Nov 16, 201714 minSeason 3Ep. 5

Ep17: Transformed

By the time Bilha was six, she knew she was different but it would be years before she could make the changes to transform her life. Storyteller – Bilha Smith Story producer – Johanna Bell Told at a live event at Brown's Mart Theatre in 2016, where the theme was 'Chemistry'. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and ...

Nov 07, 20179 minSeason 3Ep. 4

EP16: Suburban Stargazing

During the day, mechanic Andrew Grey has his head under a bonnet, but at night he spends most of his time looking up. Storyteller – Andrew Grey Story producer - Johanna Bell Told at an event in Palmerston, around the theme 'Obsession'. --- SPUN Stories is a live storytelling night based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. We're all about shining a light on the extraordinary personal stories of everyday Territorians - let us take you to some wild and wondrous places through our podcast! You...

Nov 01, 201713 minSeason 3Ep. 3
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