Rescued

This week on Rescued, we head all the way to Townsville in Far North Queensland to meet a force of nature who is really trying to find stillness and peace: Madonna Davies.I first met Madonna 30 years ago, when one of my bands, Women in Docs, was starting out and playing the infamous Palm Creek Folk Festival. Madonna might not be a songwriter with tunes on Spotify or Bandcamp, but she is a theatre maker, venue manager, project coordinator, lead singer, band manager, festival director, partnerships coordinator, daughter, carer, partner, mother, rescuer and, above all, a connector.This is a broad-ranging conversation, and there are quite a few moments where I’m left going, “OMG. You’re right.” I found myself wondering how I could immediately implement some of Madonna’s wisdom into my own life.It’s a no-holds-barred conversation — full of f-bombs, heart, humour, honesty and some pretty raw revelations.Madonna Davies rocks.Enjoy.

This week on Rescued, meet Sarah Stockholm,  Brisbane electro-pop princess by night, senior executive by day, chronic illness survivor, dog trainer, and devoted dog mum to two ridiculously clever Border Collies, one of whom who spends his days making life better for people living with mental health challenges.Sarah is one of those people who seems to have lived three lives already, She's whip-smart, wonderfully funny, deeply self-aware, and somewhere during this conversation we accidentally became each other’s public therapy session.We talk about dogs, supporting them to find their purpose in life, music, illness, ambition, finding your team, and the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up as yourself.I have a feeling you'll hear a little bit of your own story in Sarah's. I know I certainly heard a bit of mine.

This week on Rescued, meet Anje West ... and fair warning... this conversation might just change the way you think about making music (if that's your jam!) and maybe even life.Anje has been part of Queensland's music story for decades. She's the extraordinary force behind A View from Madeline's Couch, a fearless artist whose music is deeply inspired by the Portuguese traditions she loves, yet somehow sounds completely and unmistakably like Anje. When she's not on stage, she's championing other artists through Brisbane City Hall's concert series, proving that lifting others up is just as important as stepping into the spotlight yourself.I've admired Anje since her days in the legendary Flannelettes, and thanks to this conversation I've even managed to unearth one of those songs for you.But more than anything, Anje gave me something I'll carry long after the microphones were switched off."Do it just like you... and your love of it will shine through."It's become a bit of a daily mantra for me. And maybe it will for you too.Meet Anje West.https://www.facebook.com/madeleinescouch/https://linktr.ee/rozpappalardohttps://linktr.ee/rozpappalardo

This week on Rescued, meet Sally-Anne Whitten — Tamworth born and bred, one of country music's quiet achievers, a songwriter who's spent more than twenty years doing things her own way, staying true to herself, lifting up the people around her, and rescuing a dog or two along the way.Sally's one of those people who makes authenticity look effortless. Her voice has shades of Linda Ronstadt, her songs have heart, and everything she touches seems to leave people feeling just a little bit better than before. We recently shared the stage together here in Tamworth, and more than a week later people are still talking about the show.I have a feeling you'll see why.

This week on Rescued, meet my old friend, the remarkable Donna Dyson; award-winning songwriter, former teacher and education lecturer, creator of the children's sensation Spotty Kites, devoted lover of Tibetan Spaniels and one of the most resilient people I know.Donna's path into a full-time creative life hasn't been straightforward, but it's been extraordinary. So, get ready! Because this is a conversation about determination, humour, loss, friendship, finding your place in the world... and the unexpected ways our dogs help us find the courage to keep going.https://www.donnadyson.com/songwriterhttps://linktr.ee/rozpappalardo