Kurt Fearnley sits down with adventurer James McAloon to explore his incredible journey from a corporate career to life on the edge of the world's most challenging environments. James shares stories of his daring expeditions, from trekking across the frozen tundras to navigating dense jungles, and discusses the pivotal moments that inspired him to …

Angie Ballard is one of Kurt's oldest friends. She shares her journey from a young athlete discovering the world of wheelchair racing to becoming a world-class competitor and a six-time Paralympian. With numerous medals and world records to her name, Angela talks about the highs and lows of her career, the dedication required to stay at the top, an…

In this episode of Tiny Island, Kurt Fearnley sits down with Paralympic legend Ryley Batt, a true powerhouse in wheelchair rugby. Ryley shares his journey from a young boy growing up on a farm to winning multiple Paralympic gold medals and world championships. Ryley's story is one of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers. This episode is…

In this special episode, Kurt Fearnley catches up with Vanessa Low at Parliament House following the launch of the Australian Paralympic Team. Vanessa, a dual Paralympic gold medalist and world record holder, shares her insights and experiences as she prepares for Paris 2024. Join us as we delve into the journey of this remarkable athlete, discussi…

With around 60 days left until the Paralympics in Paris are underway, Ryley and Kurt catch up about the electrifying atmosphere building up for the Games. Joining them is special guest Kylie Gauci, a star in wheelchair basketball. Kylie shares her journey, insights into the sport, and what it takes to compete at the highest level.…

Kurt Fearnley and Chad Perris sit down with the incredible Michael Roeger. Michael, a true champion and world record holder, has had an extraordinary career filled with highs, lows, and invaluable lessons. As he sets his sights on the Paris Paralympics, Michael shares his goals, strategies, and the motivation driving him towards the Games. Tune in …

We sit down with Peter Doherty, Nobel Prize-winning immunologist and passionate advocate for scientific research. In this conversation, Kurt delves into Peter's groundbreaking work in immunology, his perspectives on global health challenges, and the vital role of science in our rapidly changing world. From the intricacies of the immune system to th…

Steve Binnie is a dedicated farmer from New South Wales who has carved out a niche in the premium Wagyu beef industry. He delve into the world of Wagyu beef, exploring the meticulous processes and passionate commitment required to produce some of the finest beef in the world. Steve shares his journey into farming, the challenges and rewards of rais…

Tiny Island is back for another season! And to kick things off Kurt sits down with Michael Atkinson, better known as Outback Mike. At 47 years old, Mike is an adventurer, filmmaker, and former military pilot with a wealth of stories and experiences to share. Mike’s passion for the extreme outdoors and his knack for capturing the raw essence of adve…

We welcome back a familiar and much-loved guest, Dan Michel. Fresh from his recent triumph at the World Boccia Championships in Canada, Dan shares the exhilarating journey that led to his incredible achievement of winning two silver medals. With Paris 2024 on the horizon, Dan's reflections on his journey and his dream for Paris. You Little Ripper…

You Little Ripper is the podcast that celebrates the incredible achievements of our para-athletes! This week Kurt Fearnley and Chad Perris catch up with Georgia Gunew. She burst onto the para-snow scene just two years ago and has been unstoppable ever since. Teaming up with her guide, Ethan Jackson, she has had an extraordinary winter season. From …

Kurt Fearnley and Ryley Batt sit down with wheelchair basketball legend Tristan Knowles. With over two decades of experience, Knowles is a force to be reckoned with. From unforgettable moments on the court to the invaluable lessons learned, this episode celebrates resilience, passion, and the unbreakable bond that unites athletes. You Little Ripper…

Milly Tapper is a para-table tennis sensation, and her love for the game is infectious. She joins hosts Kurt Fearnley and Ella Sabljak to share her remarkable journey from local tournaments to competing on the world's biggest stages. Southwest Society You Little RipperKurt Fearnley

Let's celebrate a monumental achievement in Paralympic sports: the qualification of the Australian Steelers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Join us as Kurt Fearnley, Ryley Bat, and Ella Sabljak share their excitement and relief at finally qualifying for Paris 2024.Kurt Fearnley

Emma Booth is an extraordinary para-athlete who joins Kurt Fearnley and Chad Perris to share her remarkable journey in para-equestrian. From her first Paralympics in Rio to travelling to Germany to find a ‘dancing partner’ to take to Paris in a few months, Emma provides invaluable perspectives on the intersection of sport, determination and passion…

Kurt Fearnley and Ella Sabljak catch up with the incredible Chad Perris. With the Paris Paralympics looming, Perris shares his journey, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the intense training, mental fortitude, and unwavering dedication required to compete at the pinnacle of athletic achievement. You Little Ripper…

Join Kurt Fearnley & Ryley Batt on the season premiere of You Little Ripper. In this episode, they sit down with para-rowers Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager as they share their incredible journey toward qualification for the Paris Paralympic Games. You Littler RipperKurt Fearnley

In this episode of Tiny Island, host Kurt Fearnley sits down with his first return guest! Back in one of our first episodes Kurt spoke with his mum, Jackie, when they were in Kenya visiting Kurt Fearnley Centre for children with disability. This time Kurt and Jackie talk about raising a child with disability, some of the decisions the family had to…

In this episode of Tiny Island, host Kurt Fearnley sits down with Australian actor and comedian Rhys Muldoon to discuss his life and career. Rhys opens up about his childhood growing up in Melbourne, his early years in the entertainment industry, and his experiences working on some of Australia's most beloved television shows. Rhys also shares some…

In this episode of Tiny Island, host Kurt Fearnley sits down with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard to discuss his life in politics and beyond. He reflects on his childhood in a working-class Sydney suburb, and how his experiences growing up shaped his political beliefs. Mr Howard offers candid insights into his decision-making process a…

Kurt Fearnley sits down with David Connolly, the general manager of Tipperary group of stations in the Northern Territory. David shares his experiences of managing the stations, which cover an area larger than the size of Switzerland! He discusses the challenges of running a business in such a remote location, from the logistics of getting supplies…

Alison Battisson runs a legal and advocacy organisation that promotes human rights for refugees and asylum seekers. Kurt and Alison were part of a team who helped Afghan Paralympian get to the Tokyo games. Kurt and Alison discuss the complex issues surrounding the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, the importance of advocacy and legal repres…

Royce Simmons is a rugby league legend and all round great Aussie. He's a premiership winning captain of the Penrith Panthers and now faces another challenge after he was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Kurt and Royce chat about his early days growing up in rural New South Wales, his career in rugby league and all the highs and lows of his jou…

We're back for 2023! In this episode of Tiny Island, host Kurt Fearnley welcomes special guest Stan Grant, renowned journalist, author and commentator. Kurt and Stan delve into the complexities of identity, culture and the power of storytelling. With their shared experiences and unique perspectives, they discuss the challenges faced by Indigenous c…

At a time when real life politics seems like satire, you'd think the satirists would be out of a job. Instead, they've just taken their craft to another level. Mark Humphries is one of our best, funny, yet thoughtful and humble. At the end of an exhausting election campaign in Australia it was great to have a yarn about the lighter side of politics…

To sum up Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM in a few sentences isn't possible so I'll try with just some of the headings. Medical doctor, lawyer, senior advisor to a Royal Commission, Queensland Australian of the Year, advocate, researcher, innovator, quadraplegic. With everything going on his life I was grateful to spend some time chatting with the calm, con…

Jimmy Frank is a Warumungu man passionate about sharing his culture. Through his work at the Warumungu Culture Centre and as a member of art collective the Tennant Creek Brio, he strives to educate people by sharing stories and histories from a Wumprurrarni (Aboriginal) perspective. He believes that truth telling is the best tool to unite divides a…

El Gibbs describes herself in her Twitter profile as a grumpy optimist and her handle is Blunt Shovels. That may be El's self assessment but I'd add words like fierce, determined and truth-teller. El is a tremendous (and loud!) voice for Australia's disability community and it was wonderful to sit down and yarn about some of the things which are im…

Darren Hill helps people think about how best to do the big stuff in their lives. Whether it's working through business strategy or culture with an ASX leader, delivering a keynote to thousands, or popping up in the paper or on the TV for his views on business leadership and workplace culture, Darren is a deep-thinker and thought provoker. We've wo…

I love listening to Emma Race and her band of Outer Sanctum sisters talk about the big stuff in the context of sport, in particular AFL. Her drive to make sure footy (and sport in general) is for everyone is matched by her passion for the game and the joy it brings to her and her family. Our yarn was also a lovely reminder that the game is WAY more…

Trent Bagnall likes to work with others to solve problems. After successfully building a software company from zero to a $30 million sale, Trent started working with innovators and startups to solve new and old business problems. The corporate startup accelerator he started with a mate, Slingshot, brings corporates and startups together to help the…

Lara Lowndes describes herself as half nerd, half rev-head. She trained as an oncogeneticist and currently works as the board director for The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation. But she is also in the Australian Supercar pits with the Holden RedBull racing team, managing V8 racing legend and husband, Craig Lowndes. This rev-head scientist is a won…

Bonus Episode: You Little Ripper! is another podcast project I'm working on with Georgie Tunny and it's a celebration of Paralympic sport. Here is our latest episode where you'll hear from Ben Tudhope, who won Bronze in the snowboard cross and sit-ski legend Sam Tait.Kurt Fearnley

Tiny Island is back! What better way to restart the pod about who we are as Australians, than with the leader of the Australian Republic Movement and Australian history author Peter FitzSimons? My first interaction with Peter was when I was starting to map out what a crawl across the Kokoda Track would look like. I'd been shut down by a few people …

Georgie Tunny is a passionate sports reporter for the ABC. Born in Brisbane she grew up watching the footy with her father. And from there her love of all things sport grew. We've just finished a podcast called You Little Ripper, and we had a blast. I hope you enjoy getting to know Georgie Tunny.Kurt Fearnley

I have four older siblings but consider Rheed McCracken to be the younger brother I never had. He lives around the corner from me now, we shared the same coach and he's had to put up with my cooking and look after my kids... Rheed is a four time Paralympic medallist and is in Tokyo chasing the elusive gold in the men's T34 100m and 800m. I met Rhee…

Not many people are best in the world at what they do as a teenager. Isis Holt is one of those rarities. Breaking her first world records within a year of taking up competitive running, Isis went on to win her first world championship at age 14. Then in her Paralympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games she medalled in three events but no gold. She bounced…

Major Robert Mitchell has dedicated his life to protecting Australia. He's currently serving in the Australian Defence Force, running programs that make a real difference in the lives of returned service men and women. He's also worked as a cop in regional NSW.

As a teenager, Novocastrian Sjana Earp suffered from bullying, anxiety and depression. Until she found a passion for life through yoga, travel, photography and writing. Sjana has built a career out of sharing and teaching yoga across the globe and is an advocate for self-acceptance and body confidence, mental health, equality and the environment. S…

Like me, Jeff Horn is a school teacher but it's probably not what he's best known for. He held boxing's WBO welterweight title from 2017 to 2018 and as a rising star represented Australia at the London Olympics. But it's probably his 2017 win over Manny Pacquiao where he made his name. We cover a lot of ground in this interview. Kids, his anti-bull…

As attention turns to Tokyo for the Olympics, it was great to have a yarn with someone who knows Japan close to as well as any Australian, and who is also engaged in elite sport. Melanie Brock connects people in Japan with Australians through a variety of roles, including as an ambassador for Advance.org, the professional network for global Austral…

You might know Dan MacPherson from one of many different roles. Triathlete, police officer on The Bill, Dancing with the Stars host, sci fi or stage actor, he definitely packs a lot in! Dan is a genuinely lovely bloke and it was wonderful to finally sit down and have a chat about a few of the different hats he's worn.…

Who can forget seeing the wonderful Libby Trickett (nee Lenton) on our TV screens, winning Olympic Gold and smashing World Records? But an athlete's career extends before and after their moment in the limelight, and it can be a tough road. While getting to the start line is one thing, it's the days, weeks and years post sporting career which are pr…

I've been out and about gathering some great yarns for you all and will be back soon!Kurt Fearnley

Some TV shows transcend the market they are directed at and Bluey is definitely in that category. Especially in my house! Daley Pearson is a co founder of Ludo Studio, the Brisbane-based production company behind Australia's most watched TV series which has more than 350 million downloads and is now a global hit. Ludo has won three Emmy Awards, a L…

Bob Brown has lived a life of activism. From nearly 30 years in state and federal Parliament to leading a truck convoy protesting against a coal mine and establishing his own foundation which 'takes action for Earth', Bob has been on the frontline for decades. Oh, he's also a trained medical doctor, Australia's first openly gay Member of Parliament…

John Morris is a rugby league legend, playing 300 first grade games before his career was ended by injury. He transitioned to coaching straight away, taking charge of the Cronulla Sharks first grade team while still in his 30s, leading them to consecutive finals appearances in the midst of Covid, a transitioning playing list and other controversy. …

Natasha Stott Despoja entered the Australian Parliament in her twenties and went on to represent South Australia and the Australian Democrats for 13 years, including a period as leader. Post politics, Natasha has worked in the media and led a life of service. She is most well known for her work in gender equality and in 2020 was elected to the Unit…

Many international listeners would identify Australia's beach-going lifestyle with one patch of sand in Sydney, largely thanks to today's guest and his colleagues. Born and bred in Bondi, Andy "Reidy" Reid is most well-known for his role as a lifeguard on worldwide TV hit, Bondi Rescue. There's more to Reidy than his day job and subsequent TV fame.…

Polish-Australian Felicia Jedrasiak spent her teenage years in a German concentration camp and working as forced labour on a soldier's farm. Yet her life has been full of so much joy. Mrs Jay has lived an extraordinary life. From the tiny village of Ruda Różaniecka in Poland, to Majdanek concentration camp, and a refugee camp in Italy where she fou…