Really Interesting Women

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 161 Mandy McElhinney Mandy McElhinney is one of Australia’s most respected screen and stage actors, celebrated for performances that move confidently between sharp comedy and emotionally charged drama. She has amassed an extensive list of credits across television, film, and theatre since her career began in 1994. As an actor, she became a household name not through those mediums but as “Rhonda” in the hugely popular AAMI insurance co...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 160 Amanda MacKenzie Amanda MacKenzie is one of Australia's most influential voices in climate change advocacy and policy communication. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Council, she has spent over a decade transforming how Australians understand and engage with climate science, policy, and action. And whilst terms such as ‘policy communication’ seem like government speak, the reality is both brilliant and simple. T...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 159 Catherine Moore Catherine Moore was a graduate of the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts and has become a multifaceted actor, voice artist, writer, and acting coach whose career spans theatre, television, and film. Known for her compelling performances and creative versatility, she has carved out a distinctive space in the Australian entertainment industry. No doubt you will be aware...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 158 Anne Fulwood Anne Fulwood is a very prominent journalist, broadcaster, author, corporate communication specialist and advocate for the arts. Her career has spanned over four decades and she became one of Australia's most recognizable and respected and trusted figures in broadcast journalism with a remarkable versatility which encompassed foreign and current affairs, federal and state politics, conserv...

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Ep. 157 Meow Meow It would be fair to say that few performers can command attention quite like Meow Meow. She has been described as a post-post-modern diva who has hypnotised, inspired, and terrified audiences globally with unique creations and sell-out seasons from New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and Berlin’s Bar Jeder Vernunft to London’s West End and the Sydney Opera House. In fact, her influenc...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 156 Chika Ikogwe In the evolving landscape of Australian entertainment, few actors embody the multicultural spirit and artistic versatility of contemporary Australia like Chika Ikogwe. Chika stands out as a trailblazer in Australia's entertainment industry. She’s celebrated for her dynamic acting talent, writing prowess, and unwavering advocacy for diversity and representation. Born in Nigeria, Chika moved t...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 155 Tara Morice Tara Morice has built a remarkable acting career over 3 decades that spans film, television, and stage. She graduated from the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 1987. And in 1988 was able to find work in a play that had some success and 4 years later that play was adapted into a film and everyone, and I literally mean everyone, will know her from her iconic role as Fran in Baz Luhrmann's "Strictly Ball...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 154 Claire Mactaggart Claire Mactaggart has been living and working on cattle properties her whole life. Her ‘to do’ list would be overwhelming to most, well me anyway. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Claire is based in central Queensland and is deeply committed to sharing and celebrating rural Australian life and agricultural practices through her writing and through her managing several cattle pr...

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Ep. 2 Nanette Carroll It’s been 5 years since RIW first aired. And I thought that it would be well worth dipping into the back catalogues every now and again for the benefit of those who may have started following recently. Nanette Carroll was the 2nd ever interview…and one of the most popular episodes. And it’s easy to see why. From unemployed, unqualified, single mum of 3, to joint CEO of a $320M company. If your obstacles seem insurmountable...you...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 153 Rosemary Kariuki OAM Rosemary Kariuki’s life is a testament to the enduring power of compassion, community, and the human spirit. From the overwhelming challenges of her early life in Kenya to her celebrated role as a leader and advocate in Australia for migrant and refugee women. Her journey is marked by hardship, courage, and an unwavering commitment to empowering others. Her story is documented in her memoi...

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Ep. 152. Dr Skye Krichauff Dr. Skye Krichauff represents a new generation of Australian scholars who are fundamentally reshaping how we understand the complex relationships between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in colonial Australia. As an ethno-historian affiliated with the University of Adelaide, Skye has dedicated her career to examining the enduring legacies of colonialism, particularly in South...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 151 Dr Maddy McAllister Maddy McAllister has the fascinating honour of being one of Australia's foremost maritime archaeologists. She’s made significant contributions to underwater cultural heritage management, shipwreck documentation, and the advancement of maritime archaeological practices in Australia and beyond. She has basically helped reshape our understanding of Australia's maritime past. Besides her work...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Ep. 150 Kath Koschel To celebrate episode 150, it's appropriate that it's with one of the most extraordinary tales I've heard on this show. Kath Koschel’s life is a powerful narrative of overcoming unimaginable odds through resilience, gratitude, and a profound belief in the transformative power of kindness. From the initial excitement of starting to realise her representative cricket dreams to devastating career ending injuries and devastat...

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Episode 149 Myf Warhurst Myf Warhurst is a beloved Australian broadcaster, television presenter, journalist, writer, and podcaster whose career has spanned nearly three decades. Known for her warmth, wit, and extensive knowledge of music and pop culture, she has become, I’m prepared to make the call, a household name. She started her career as a journalist for music publications which led to a gig on Triple J radio and then Triple...

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Ep. 147 Meryl Tankard Meryl Tankard is one of Australia's most distinguished and innovative figures in contemporary dance and choreography. Her talent was recognised very early - and even at that early stage she knew the 'old school' teaching techniques were, at times, abhorrent. But despite this, her talent flourished. To the point where she auditioned and earned a place in the Australian Ballet. But in her mind she wanted more....

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Episode 147 Professor Leah Bromfield Professor Leah Bromfield is the 2025 South Australian of the Year. Leah has devoted her life to establishing practical, evidence-based solutions to child abuse and neglect – important but challenging work. Currently she is the director and chair of child protection at the Australian Centre for Child Protection. Her achievements and accolades are almost endless. She developed the first e...

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Ep. 146 Yvonne Sampson Yvonne Sampson has had a career characterized by breaking barriers and setting new standards. She grew up as did many Australians, with a deep love of sport. She studied journalism and her love of sport and her extensive knowledge of it, kept her focussed on the ultimate goal. And her persistence and resilience and patience and mostly ability, created the opportunities that led to her becoming the first femal...

Really Interesting Women The podcast Episode 145 Vicki Jellie AM Vicki Jellie is best known for winning the 2017 Australia Day Local Hero award. Her community has known about her for decades...but we’ve only just caught up. For those who may be unaware, the Australia Day Local Hero category was introduced to the Australian of the Year Awards in 2003 to acknowledge everyday Australians who make significant contributions to their local communities. And Vicki’s actions ...

Really Interesting Women The Podcast Episode 144 Sarah Todd Sarah Todd is a celebrity chef, model, restaurateur and cookbook author. There’s a lot to her story. Hailing from Mackay in Qld, she entered a competition to win a trip to Sydney, which led to her being discovered as a model. During her travels as a model, she discovered a love for food culture – and that changed the course of her career. But it seemed to be the birth of her son that was the catalyst for...

Really Interesting Women - the podcast Episode 143 Professor Clare Wright Clare is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. She holds a PhD in Australian Studies from the University of Melbourne and an MA in Public History from Monash University and is currently Professor of History and Professor of Public Engagement at La Trobe University. She is the author of five works of history and hosts the ABC Radio N...