Program: The History Listen

Source:ABC Radio National

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ABC Radio National

Presented by

Kirsti Melville

New and compelling stories from Australia and around the world. Step inside a time machine for an immersive journey into the past.

Airs Tuesday 11am Repeated: Sunday 3.30pm, Monday 12am.

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Latest

Too Old To Run - the Drug Grannies ep 1

In the summer of 1978, narcotics agents discovered the largest ever haul of illicit drugs to land in Australia, stashed inside a campervan belonging to two elderly American women tourists.

Published: 22h agoSat 4 May 2024 at 1:00amwith Kirsti Melville

Duration: 28 minutes 35 seconds

Features

A belief in Soviet miracles led Miranda's father to send her to Moscow for experimental surgery she never wanted

When Miranda Jakich was 14, her father left her alone in a Russian hospital to have experimental surgery. What she experienced was so traumatic it shaped the rest of her life.

Black and white photo of young girl with stern expression holding one hand in her other, with parents smiling either side.

Published: 1 Mar 2024Fri 1 Mar 2024 at 12:31am

Why 'depraved' women were forced to work for free at these Australian laundries

In the 19th century, Australia was home to Magdalene "retreats", Catholic-run institutions to reform wayward women. For some, the path to penitence was a brutal one.

Black and white grainy photo of women in long white dresses and aprons folding sheets in a large room.

Published: 13 Jan 2024Sat 13 Jan 2024 at 3:08amby Anna Kelsey-Sugg

Drunk guests, strange intimacy and profound trust: What's behind our love affair with radio?

From strange intimacy to the thrill of the unpredictable, radio offers something no other form of media can match.

Composite image of four RN presenters: Beverley Wang, Andy Park, Daniel Browning and Rudi Bremer

Published: 5 Dec 2023Tue 5 Dec 2023 at 2:40amby Anna Kelsey-Sugg

Thousands of needless deaths from asbestos taught Australia tough lessons. Have they been forgotten?

From coal to asbestos, there's a long and deadly history of dust in Australia. And some are arguing that the lessons of the past aren't being applied today.

Person in white protective bodysuit with hard hat, mask and glasses holds material surrounded by construction site.

Published: 25 Oct 2023Wed 25 Oct 2023 at 10:32pmby Anna Kelsey-Sugg

Dusted: The human cost of mining in Australia

Gold — Dusted 01 | the human cost of mining in Australia

Gold may have made Australia rich, but historians are now digging up evidence of the devastating consequences of the silica dust that surfaced with it. Dusted, the human cost of mining in Australia is presented by Van Badham.

Duration: 28 minutes 36 seconds

Published: 12 Oct 2023Thu 12 Oct 2023 at 12:24amwith Kirsti Melville

Coal — Dusted 02 | The human cost of mining in Australia

When a vast coal seam was found running through the escarpment around Wollongong it seemed that this beautiful place had got lucky. But had it? Van Badham heads back to her hometown and goes ‘on the coal’ with the miners.

Duration: 28 minutes 36 seconds

Published: 12 Oct 2023Thu 12 Oct 2023 at 12:24amwith Kirsti Melville

Asbestos — Dusted 03 | The human cost of mining in Australia

Asbestos was once known as the wonder mineral. It's now banned in Australia. But before that happened, companies kept making and selling asbestos products despite mounting evidence of its deadly dust.

Duration: 28 minutes 36 seconds

Published: 12 Oct 2023Thu 12 Oct 2023 at 5:30amwith Kirsti Melville

An Object In Time

The fascinating stories behind some of history's most mundane objects.

Illustration of everyday things, umbrella, tea cup, milkshake, pistol, train, whip and letter

Pitch your story

All you need to know about offering an idea to The History Listen.

Published: 18 Dec 2019Wed 18 Dec 2019 at 11:39pm

The art of the radio feature

Veteran producer Mike Ladd gives his thoughts on making radio features, focussing on subject, sound, shape and script.

Published: 29 Jul 2022Fri 29 Jul 2022 at 2:41am

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Program: The History Listen

Latest

Too Old To Run - the Drug Grannies ep 1

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Features

A belief in Soviet miracles led Miranda's father to send her to Moscow for experimental surgery she never wanted

Why 'depraved' women were forced to work for free at these Australian laundries

Drunk guests, strange intimacy and profound trust: What's behind our love affair with radio?

Thousands of needless deaths from asbestos taught Australia tough lessons. Have they been forgotten?

Dusted: The human cost of mining in Australia

Gold — Dusted 01 | the human cost of mining in Australia

Coal — Dusted 02 | The human cost of mining in Australia

Asbestos — Dusted 03 | The human cost of mining in Australia

An Object In Time

Pitch your story

The art of the radio feature

Discover more podcasts

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